- Bausch + Lomb Corporation (B+L) announced it has entered into a definitive agreement with Novartis under which B+L will acquire Xiidra (lifitegrast ophthalmic solution) 5%, a nonsteroid eye drop specifically approved to treat the signs and symptoms of dry eye disease focusing on inflammation associated with dry eye. As part of the transaction, B+L will also acquire libvatrep (also known as SAF312), an investigational compound being studied for the treatment of chronic ocular surface pain, and AcuStream technology, an investigational device that may have the potential to facilitate precise dosing and accurate delivery of certain topical ophthalmic medications to the eye.In other news, an affiliate of B+L has purchased the Blink product line of eye and contact lens drops from Johnson & Johnson Vision. The Blink portfolio consists of a variety of eye drops and contact lens rewetting drops that provide immediate and long-lasting symptom relief. The products that are part of the acquisition include Blink Tears Lubricating Eye Drops, Blink Tears Preservative Free Lubricating Eye Drops, Blink GelTears Lubricating Eye Drops, Blink Triple Care Lubricating Eye Drops, Blink Contacts Lubricating Eye Drops, and Blink-N-Clean Lens Drops.
- Euclid Vision announced ABB Optical Group as a licensed manufacturer and distributor of the company’s Euclid Emerald and Euclid Max orthokeratology (ortho-k) lenses. According to the companies, this collaboration will provide greater access to Euclid’s clinically proven ortho-k contact lenses to a much wider audience of eyecare practitioners.
- Hubble Contacts announced a comprehensive rebranding effort and website redesign. The brand has implemented the following new features and policies: a flexible subscription program in the contact lens category allowing customers to personalize quantity, delivery date, and refill cadence (two, four, six, or eight weeks); fuss-free cancellation option—right up until the order ships; no-hassle return and exchange policy for 14 days after delivery; prescription renewal reminders and referrals to free online vision tests for prescription renewals by licensed eyecare providers; the ability to download receipts for insurance reimbursement; a customer resource center (Hubble Library); and more. The new design also features an ad campaign called “See, Easy.” that is being promoted across various marketing channels.
- Banuba, an artificial intelligence and computer vision company, launched its updated contact lens try-on platform. The new version is a part of Tint, its virtual try-on platform, and is designed to give users the ability to try on any kind of contact lens, with the ability to recolor the iris, pupil, and sclera together or separately. Banuba’s technology includes realistic interaction with lighting and natural eye color, applicable to any eye (some options don’t support brown eyes), both lifelike and unusual colors available, and is easy to experiment with different styles to find the perfect match.
- UnitedHealthcare has introduced a new virtual prescription renewal option for members enrolled in its eligible employer-sponsored vision plans. UnitedHealthcare Vision members in most states have the option to renew their contact lens and single-vision glasses prescription at no additional cost as part of their plan, providing members an additional point of access with added flexibility and convenience to renew their eyewear prescription anytime and anywhere from their mobile device or computer.
- Bruder Healthcare, a Hilco Vision Company, announced an eyecare industry distribution agreement with AllerFocus for its Percutaneous Allergy Test, an easy-to-use, pain-free, needle-free allergy screening for 78 of the most common airborne and environmental allergens. AllerFocus gives practitioners the ability to skin test patients for allergies and offer options for their patients to become desensitized within three to four years to the symptom-causing allergens.
- The World Society of Paediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus’ independent medical education program content on myopia management is now fully available on EssilorLuxottica’s open-learning platform, Leonardo, which provides the vision care industry with learning content designed and taught by industry experts. This year, the program also features a digital supplement, three e-learning modules, and three 60-minute webinars, which will also be available on Leonardo.
- Drexel University and Salus University formalized their merger agreement. The move comes after the respective boards of trustees of Drexel and Salus approved a path toward a merger of the two universities. Pending regulatory and judicial approvals, the merger will bring together two Philadelphia institutions committed to health sciences education. The merger will also grow graduate enrollment and promote interdisciplinary research opportunities in new areas. The two institutions also share a strong commitment to civic engagement and community outreach.
- The American Optometric Association (AOA) launched Blink Land, a single-player mobile game that teaches players about eye health and its relation to screen time. Blink Land was developed as part of Eye Deserve More, AOA’s national public awareness campaign, now in its third year. Blink Land provides gamers with the opportunity to learn about eye health and adopt healthy eye habits alongside the hero character “Blink.” The game was developed by Elaine Gómez-Sanchez and Playcrafting, a member of the Screen Time Alliance, which is a partnership between the AOA and gaming industry partners that provides gamers eye health tips right where they are—within a game. Blink Land can be downloaded on Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
- Hoot Health Inc. has launched a new on-demand learning center to provide training for optometry practices and staff on myopia management. Hoot Academy will have training around many topics including effective language to use in the exam room, how staff can prepare for a myopia consult, how to structure forms and agreements for fee contracts, how to handle difficult questions from parents, cutting-edge marketing strategies for educating parents at home, best practices around referral management, and more. Hoot Academy will also host regular parent-facing webinars and livestream events intended to educate parents of myopia children directly on their mobile device.
- Senju Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. and Novaliq GmbH closed a license agreement on Japan rights to develop, manufacture, and commercialize NOV03 (perfluorohexyloctane ophthalmic solution), a prescription treatment for signs and symptoms of dry eye disease that directly targets tear evaporation. Under the terms of the license agreement, Novaliq is eligible to receive upfront and milestone payments contingent upon the achievement of regulatory and sales milestones as well as royalties on net sales of NOV03 in Japan.
- Glaukos launched its iDetective campaign, which is aimed to educate optometrists about the early signs, or “clues,” of keratoconus (KC) in a fun and interactive manner, facilitating early diagnosis and intervention. The iDetective campaign incorporates various components, including a dedicated website (iDetectives.com ), videos, podcasts, print and digital advertisements, advertorials, and a social media presence. To support optometrists in their diagnostic efforts, the iDetective campaign offers KC Clue videos and case studies, providing real-life examples of KC presentations. In addition, a 3D model of a keratoconic eye, customized for KC, is provided to help optometrists explain the disease to their patients and caregivers effectively.
- B+L kicked off a new social media campaign designed to increase the understanding of dry eye disease (DED) and the role of tear evaporation as a leading driver of the disease. The campaign, which ran throughout the month of July, was designed to educate eyecare professionals and consumers about DED and foster physician-patient dialogue on this multifactorial disease. Throughout July, B+L posted educational content and resources on its social media pages, including information on how people with DED are significantly more likely to report problems with performing everyday activities, such as reading, using a computer, watching television, and driving.
- CooperVision has awarded scholarships to 23 third-year optometry students, one from each U.S. school and college of optometry, designating each as rising stars who show tremendous growth and interest in contact lenses. Faculty from each institution made the selections, with particular attention to honorees’ commitment during clinical instruction. View the 2023 recipients at bit.ly/3JRvzc9 .
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IN MEMORIAM: RICHARD M. “DICK” HILL
Richard M. “Dick” Hill passed away June 20 at the age of 88. Dr. Hill was a trailblazer in vision research, specifically as it pertained to ocular physiology associated with contact lens wear for which his published research was nothing short of prolific. His journey began at the University of California, Berkeley where he received both his Doctor of Optometry degree and a PhD degree in physiological optics.
It was at UC Berkeley where he initiated his collaborative efforts with fellow icon, professor Irving Fatt, which resulted in several seminal publications pertaining to quantifying oxygen uptake in the living human cornea. This led ultimately to the later work of professors Robert Mandell, Ken Polse, Morton Sarver, and Fatt. He later developed a unique approach for measuring oxygen uptake to the cornea, via his Equivalent Oxygen Percentage (EOP) technique. He ultimately published an incredible 280 research papers in the areas of corneal physiology and vision neurophysiology while being awarded numerous research grants from the National Eye Institute.
At The Ohio State University College of Optometry, Dr. HIll served as professor of physiological optics and optometry, associate dean, and from 1988 to 1995, he served as dean of the College of Optometry. He also served as president of the International Society for Contact Lens Research, an advisor to the National Eye Institute, the National Advisory Eye Council, and the Ohio Lions Eye Research Foundation, and was a Fellow and Diplomate in the American Academy of Optometry.
Dr. Hill was inducted into the National Optometry Hall of Fame in 2005. Other awards and honors include the Max Schapero Memorial Award, the Glenn Fry Medal for Research in Physiological Optics, and the Charles F. Prentice Medal, all awarded by the American Academy of Optometry; Optometrist of the Year from the Ohio Optometric Association; Distinguished Service Award from The Ohio State University; Alumnus of the Year from the UC-Berkeley Optometry Alumni Association; the Dr. Josef Dallos Award from the Contact Lens Manufacturers Association; the Achievement Award from the AOA Contact Lens & Cornea Section; and the Gold Medal from the British Contact lens Association.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to the Richard and Leonora Hill Endowed Lecture Series on Frontiers in Vision Research (Fund 603197), c/o The Ohio State University Foundation, University Square North, 14 E. 15th Ave., Columbus, OH 43201.
SYMPOSIUM SPOTLIGHT: GSLS REGISTRATION OPEN
- Registration for the 2024 Global Specialty Lens Symposium (GSLS) is now open! Brought to you by Contact Lens Spectrum, GSLS is the leading global contact lens conference with delegates attending from dozens of countries. The four-day conference focuses on the successful management of ocular conditions using today’s specialty contact lenses through interactive educational platforms including expert panel discussions, breakout lecture sessions, and clinical workshops. Register at gslsymposium.com to receive the lowest rates.
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