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Contact Lens Spectrum

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NEWS SPECTRUM

Contact Lens Spectrum September 1, 2022 Vol 37, Issue September 2022 Page(s): 1-3
  • A new British Contact Lens Association (BCLA) global consensus report will deliver evidence-based guidance to BCLA members and the wider profession on all aspects of presbyopia and its management to allow for best patient care. BCLA CLEAR Presbyopia will be published in the January 2024 edition of the BCLA journal Contact Lens and Anterior Eye (CLAE). BCLA CLEAR Presbyopia will feature eight overview papers, each compiled by a panel chaired by internationally renowned experts. Topic areas include diagnosis and classification, mechanism and optics, epidemiology and impact, evaluation and diagnosis, management with spectacles and contact lenses, management with corneal techniques, management with scleral techniques, and management with intraocular lenses. To be considered as a co-author, download the application form (bcla.wufoo.com/forms/bcla-clear-presbyopia-expression-of-interest ) and complete and return by Sept. 30.
  • BostonSight announced a licensing partnership with Conóptica of Spain. Conóptica is a subsidiary of Hecht Contactlinsen, a vision care company in Germany. Under the agreement, Conóptica will manufacture and distribute BostonSight Scleral lenses in Spain, Portugal, and Morocco, and may expand to additional European markets in the future. Conóptica has been providing GP lenses, eyecare equipment, and training to eyecare practitioners in Spain and beyond since 1963.
  • A new factsheet and consent form developed by the British Contact Lens Association (BCLA) in partnership with CooperVision will help eyecare professionals (ECPs) to better manage children who have myopia. The factsheet addresses five key questions parents are likely to have: What is myopia? Will my child’s myopia get worse? What is myopia management? Why has my ECP advised myopia management? What options are there for myopia management? The consent form has been specifically created for ECPs to use with their patients in practice and consists of eight “tick-box” style statements outlining the aim of the treatment pathway, any associated risks or limitations, and the likely need for further appointments or consultations. Download the fact sheet and informed consent forms at bit.ly/3Jak5z3 .
  • The American Optometric Association (AOA) launched a first-of-its kind Screen Time Alliance, in partnership with the gaming industry, to educate Americans about the effects of prolonged time on digital devices and its impact on eye health. With the increase of online and app-based vision services, AOA’s Eye Deserve More, national public awareness campaign takes a stand that every American deserves in-person comprehensive eye care as part of their eye health and overall wellbeing. The Screen Time Alliance focuses on the rise of screen time—particularly among gamers—and shows how all gamers, streamers, and scrollers can keep their eyes healthy. Current members include Nerd Street Gamers, a national network of e-sports facilities, events and content; and Playcrafting, a game development company. Additionally, the AOA has developed Eye Health Guidance for Screen Time to provide actionable steps for gamers to adapt and optimize gaming experiences to improve their eye and overall health.
  • The American Academy of Optometry (AAO) announced that it has formed a search committee to identify candidates for a new CEO. In the interim, Richard Jones—AAO’s current CFO and deputy CEO—will serve as the organization’s CEO. As part of AAO’s management team for nearly 10 years, Mr. Jones has more than 20 years of nonprofit financial experience.
  • Bausch + Lomb and Novaliq announced the submission of a new drug application (NDA) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) seeking approval for NOV03 (perfluorohexyloctane), an investigational treatment with a proposed indication of treating the signs and symptoms of dry eye disease (DED) associated with meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD).
  • Walmart and Waldo are partnering to make Walmart the first exclusive retailer to offer Waldo lenses. According to the company, the lenses are enriched with essential vitamins, including B12, to help refresh and rejuvenate eyes. As of July 26, Waldo products are available at Walmart nationwide.
  • The American Academy of Optometry Foundation announced that Binod Rayamajhee is the 2022 recipient of the Joe and Janet Barr Early Career Cornea and Contact Lens Research Award; the award provides a first- or second-year MS or PhD student in vision science or physiological optics with $2,000 of seed funding for research in the area of cornea/ocular surface or contact lenses. Mr. Rayamajhee is a second-year optometric PhD student at the University of New South Wales School of Optometry and Vision Science in Australia. His research focuses on the effects of intracellular bacteria on the pathogenesis of Acanthamoeba keratitis in a rat model. Along with his extensive clinical research experience, he is a frequent lecturer and community volunteer.
  • Art Optical Contact Lens Inc. has announced a travel grant opportunity for optometry students and residents for 2023. The company will award up to six travel grants, valued at $750 each, to attend a specialty contact lens meeting. Grants will be awarded to four winning optometry students and two winning optometry residents. Art Optical’s technical team will review all submissions and select winners based on the relevance of the topic to current or future trends in specialty lens fitting, practice, or research. Additional details and grant applications can be requested from the Cornea and Contact Lens Chief at each U.S. and Canadian optometry school or by contacting Art Optical.
  • PentaVision LLC (parent company of Contact Lens Spectrum and Contact Lenses Today) announced that Craig Norman will consult with the company on several educational projects for Contact Lens Spectrum, Eyecare Business, and Optometric Management magazines. He will also contribute to virtual and in-person events such as the Global Specialty Lens Symposium (GSLS), Global Myopia Symposium (GMS), and Optometric Management Symposium (OMS). His expertise in vision care will provide valuable insights into areas that will help both the eyecare practitioner community and the vendors who supply products and services to this vital area of eye care. Craig Norman is an adjunct faculty member at the Michigan College of Optometry’s Vision Research Institute. He is also co-curator of the Contact Lens Museum. While his passion is in specialty contact lenses, he is particularly known for his clinical, scholarly, and educational contributions in the area of presbyopia and multifocals. He has been celebrated as an American Academy of Optometry Founder’s Awardee, as the Contact Lens Manufacturers Association Dr. Joseph Dallos Award winner, and winner of the 2019 GSLS Award of Excellence, among many others.
  • Treehouse Eyes now provides clinical training videos through its online learning platform, Treehouse Eyes University. These trainings are available only to Treehouse Eyes practices and include modules that focus on the latest clinical studies and courses from a wide swath of experts in the field.
  • Eyenovia announced the appointment of current COO Michael Rowe as the company’s new CEO, effective Aug. 1. He has also been appointed to Eyenovia’s board of directors. Eyenovia’s current CEO, Sean Ianchulev, MD, previously announced that he will be transitioning to chairman of the company’s board. The company also appointed Bren Kern as senior vice president of manufacturing and operations. Additionally, Ellen Strahlman, MD, MS, and Ram Palanki, PharmD, have been announced as new and independent members of Eyenovia Inc.’s board of directors.
  • Valley Contax awarded three $500 scholarships to the winners of the Shuffleboard Bowl at their booth during Optometry’s Meeting in Chicago. Current optometry students and alumni were encouraged to represent their schools by playing an abbreviated game of shuffleboard and earning points toward the scholarships. Hundreds of students and alumni from more than 20 schools of optometry participated. First place was awarded to Kentucky College of Optometry, which received two $500 scholarships. The second-place winner was Oklahoma College of Optometry, which was awarded a $500 scholarship. The winner of the participation prize of the Apple AirPods was student Joe D. from Illinois College of Optometry.
  • EyePoint Pharmaceuticals Inc. appointed Karen Zaderej to its board of directors. Ms. Zaderej is currently the president, CEO, and chair of the board at AxoGen Inc. and she brings more than 35 years of biopharmaceutical and medical device experience to the role.
  • IDOC announced the launch of two new resources for eyecare professionals. IDOC’s new podcast, Eye Own a Business, teaches independent practitioners about how to grow a thriving practice while wearing the hats of both a physician and a business owner. Topics of discussion will cover every angle of practice management, from avoiding financial blunders to retaining quality staff, maximizing revenue, gaining an edge on the competition, and more. In tandem with the podcast launch, IDOC has created a Facebook group, the IDOC Optometric Specialty Community, specifically designed to support eyecare professionals interested in making specialty services a more meaningful part of their practice. The group serves as an open forum for questions and offers the community an opportunity to share best practices, learn from others’ mistakes and successes, gain insight from IDOC’s experts, and access live trainings and Q&A sessions. Visit the group at facebook.com/groups/idocspecialty .
  • Wellspring Ophthalmics has received its second patent for a novel cyclosporine dry eye therapy. The company’s intellectual property portfolio, which includes additional pending patents, covers a broad formulation platform of a unique suspension-comprising aqueous, amorphous nanodispersions of cyclosporine. Wellspring Ophthalmics continues seeking a licensee who will complete development and commercialize its newly acquired innovative platform.
  • The World Council of Optometry and Alcon have partnered to form a global, evidence-based dry eye disease education initiative designed to raise optometrists’ understanding of dry eye etiology and prevalence, diagnosis, and practical management. The initiative will feature the collected insights of several world-renowned opinion leaders and a simplification of the latest research covering different aspects of dry eye disease. Each will include related, easy-to-implement educational materials. Updates on initiatives and faculty are available at worldcouncilofoptometry.info . Additionally, a website dedicated to the initiative is in development.

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SYMPOSIUM SPOTLIGHT: 2022 GLOBAL MYOPIA SYMPOSIUM

Thursday, Sept. 8 • 8:30 p.m. – 11:15 p.m. ET

Friday, Sept. 9 • 7:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. ET

Saturday, Sept. 10 • 7:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. ET

WORKSHOPS

  • The Evolving Ortho-K Lens Design, Procedures & Management Strategies to Improve Myopia Control Outcomes in ChildrenRecent orthokeratology (ortho-k) research suggests that drastic changes should be made to our lens construction and approach both pre- and post-treatment. This course will review how these studies are shaping a new ortho-k path for even better myopia control outcomes.
  • Axial Length: You Don’t Know What You’re MissingThis workshop emphasizes the importance of axial length as a key measurement of myopia progression and risk. The course will educate practitioners on how axial length gives them a better understanding of their patients individualized risks.
  • From Research to Practice: New KnowledgeThis course aims to provide an overview of the latest theoretical knowledge that explains the onset and progression of myopia, as well as the latest clinical interventions to manage it.

GENERAL SESSIONS

  • (Asia Optometric Congress Session) From East to West, the Sun Is Always There for Myopia ManagementDetailed description not available at press time.
  • Answering Your Questions About Myopia ControlIn this interactive course, participants will learn evidence-based answers to the most pressing questions they have about myopia control. Prior to the session, participants will pick the questions they would like to be answered from a long list of questions. They will also be able to pose new questions.
  • Through Your Patient’s Eyes – A Walk Through Your PracticeHave you ever walked through your own practice and experienced it in the way that your patients do? In this course, we are going to take a look through our patient’s eyes and review their journey at each touchpoint that we have with them.
  • Hot off the Press: Research to Change Your PracticeThe first half of this session will provide detail and discussion on key papers on myopia control, published in the last 12 to 24 months that have had a large impact on changing clinical practice. The second half of this session will provide an up-to-the-minute research update from the 2022 International Myopia Conference and how these new findings apply to clinical myopia management.

For a full agenda, visit clspectrum.com/gms/agenda .

SYMPOSIUM SPOTLIGHT: GSLS PAPERS & POSTERS DEADLINE APPROACHING

The Global Specialty Lens Symposium (GSLS) invites the submission of abstracts for the presentation of Free Papers and Posters to be held Jan. 18 to 21, 2023, at the Horseshoe Las Vegas, formerly Bally’s. Topics can include new and innovative concepts, clinical cases, and research on all aspects of contact lenses (such as materials, designs, lens care, etc.) in addition to related topics such as corneal and ocular surface disease, diagnosis and treatment approaches, and practice management. Submissions accepted through Oct. 3 at 5 p.m. EST. Visit bit.ly/3a4BcoE for more information.

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