CooperVision Extends Partnership with Plastic Bank
CooperVision and Plastic Bank have renewed their net plastic neutrality partnership through 2026. Additionally, the partnership has expanded to include a vision care program to provide vision screenings and vouchers for complimentary eye exams and glasses for eligible Plastic Bank collection members in Indonesia, who are essential to CooperVision’s net plastic neutral partnership with Plastic Bank.
In partnership with Plastic Bank, CooperVision funds the collection and recycling of ocean-bound plastic equivalent to the weight of plastic used across a range of its participating soft contact lenses, including the lens, blister, and packaging components, that are sold and distributed across 27 countries throughout the Americas, Europe, and Asia-Pacific.
Oculis Appoints Snehal Shah, PharmD, as President of Research & Development
Oculis Holding AG announced the appointment of Snehal Shah, PharmD, executive leader with more than two decades of research & development (R&D) and regulatory experience, to the role of president of R&D. In this new role, Dr. Shah will be responsible for leading R&D strategies and working toward achieving market authorizations by directing global regulatory activities required for future new drug application (NDA) submissions to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), in addition to the equivalent regulators in other territories.
Global Myopia Awareness Coalition Unveils 2024 Board Members
The Global Myopia Awareness Coalition (GMAC) announced its 2024 board of directors, including a new board chair. The newly elected GMAC board chair is Olga Prenat, head of medical and professional affairs, global and EMEA, at EssilorLuxottica. The immediate past chair is Lisa McAlister, current head of regional strategy and marketing, EMEA, at Johnson & Johnson Vision.
Additional 2024 GMAC board members include Enzu Jeon, senior director, global strategic marketing, Pediatric Eye Health Stronghold, Johnson & Johnson Vision; François Couillard, CEO, Canadian Association of Optometrists; Jennifer Lambert, senior director, Global Myopia Management, CooperVision; Matt Geller, OD, cofounder and CEO, Eyes on Eyecare; Nitin Jain, president (Americas), Euclid Vision Group; Bill Scott, president, Jobson Healthcare Information; Lori Archer, CEO, UnitedHealthcare Vision; and Sandra Block, OD, MED, MPH, president, World Council of Optometry.
Euclid Webinar Offers Tips to Attract Patients to Your Myopia Management Practice
On May 7 at 8 p.m. ET, Euclid will host a webinar titled “How to attract more patients for your myopia management and orthokeratology practice.” Rob Gerowitz, OD, will uncover the strategies for expanding myopia management in your practice and attracting more patients. Moderated by Christie Yee, NCLEM, COA, this discussion will guide you through the process of identifying candidates for myopia management and knowing when to initiate conversations with parents. Register here.
Nominations Open for GSLS 2025 Awards
The GSLS is seeking nominations for its two awards that will be given out at the 2025 GSLS (Award of Excellence: https://bit.ly/3T5YAoc; Rising Star Award: https://bit.ly/3TaGstc).
GSLS Award of Excellence
The GSLS Award of Excellence was established in 2013. The award is given periodically by the GSLS Program Committee to a distinguished clinician, scholar, and/or scientist to recognize his or her lifelong achievements in the field of contact lenses, especially as they relate to specialty contact lenses. The individual(s) selected are recognized for their contributions to the field of contact lenses, including development, practice, translation of knowledge and education, and scholarly activity, all of which moved the field forward in seminal ways.
GSLS Rising Star Award
The GSLS Rising Star Award is intended to recognize an emerging leader in the field of cornea and contact lenses. The ideal candidate is within 10 years of receiving their degree or residency training and must demonstrate substantial contributions to the field, outside of what might normally be expected in this early phase of one’s career.
Nominations should include the names, title/affiliation/contact information, and a summary (up to 500 words) of why the nominee should be considered for the GSLS Award of Excellence or Rising Star Award. A copy of the nominee’s curriculum vitae must also be included. All nominations, due by June 15, can be sent to GSLS Chair Jason Nichols, OD, MPH, PhD, at jason.nichols@broadcastmed.com.
CooperVision Launches MiSight 1 day QuickStart Program
CooperVision announced its new MiSight 1 day QuickStart Program to simplify the process of prescribing those lenses for eyecare practitioners (ECPs). The MiSight 1 day QuickStart program, accessible via CooperVision’s Online Success Center, includes written guides, a series of short videos, and amplified support from CooperVision’s Myopia Management Specialist team members, allowing ECPs to tailor their learning experiences. The topics span from essential clinical information required for initiating treatment to effective communication strategies with parents, ensuring their entire practice is engaged in supporting patients.
Additionally, the company has expanded its dedicated myopia management team. Priscilla Chang, OD, has joined CooperVision as senior manager, myopia management. Dr. Chang previously served as a clinical sales consultant for Johnson & Johnson Vision. She joins Leah Johnson, OD, and Felicia Timmermann, OD, MS, senior managers, myopia management.
The Vision Council Launches PolicyWatch
The Vision Council has introduced PolicyWatch, a regulatory monitoring service for the optical industry, tailored to provide easier access and understanding of the industry’s evolving legislative landscape. PolicyWatch will monitor legislation specific to teleoptometry. Standing as a centralized resource, PolicyWatch offers real-time updates on teleoptometry laws, regulations, and legislation across all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Click here for more information.
World Council of Optometry Announces Myopia Management Ambassadors
The World Council of Optometry (WCO), in partnership with CooperVision, is appointing a team of myopia management ambassadors to assist with education, outreach, and practice-building initiatives. All four ambassadors serve a global role, represent a diverse set of regions, and have extensive experience in myopia management in both clinical practice and educational settings. The ambassadors are Nicola Logan, PhD, MEd, MCOptom, (global representative); Jagrut Lallu, MSc Specialty Lenses, BOptom, (Asia–Pacific representative); Síofra Harrington, PhD, (European representative); and Ashley Wallace Tucker, OD, (U.S. representative).