Bausch + Lomb Introduces Infuse for Astigmatism Contact Lenses in the U.S.
Bausch + Lomb Corporation announced the U.S. introduction of Bausch + Lomb Infuse for Astigmatism daily disposable contact lenses. According to the company, the lens is made from a next-generation lens material infused with ProBalance Technology and the company’s proprietary OpticAlign design. The company expects to start shipping Infuse for Astigmatism fitting sets to eyecare professionals in July 2024.
Consistent with the entire Infuse family of lenses, Infuse for Astigmatism features a blend of osmoprotectants, electrolytes, and moisturizers, essential comfort and eye health ingredients that are released throughout the 16-hour wearing experience, according to Bausch + Lomb. Additionally, the lens material (kalifilcon A) combines the highest overall moisture (55%) and high breathability (107 Dk/t) with a low modulus.
Zenni Optical to Begin Offering Contact Lenses
Zenni Optical announced that the brand will begin offering contact lenses from manufacturers such as CooperVision and Bausch + Lomb, with more coming soon, in a wide range of prescriptions and options, including daily, bi-weekly, and monthly lenses.
BCLA Names Sarah Farrant as New President
Sarah Farrant has been named as the new president of the British Contact Lens Association (BCLA), succeeding Rakesh Kapoor. The presidential handover was completed during the BCLA’s Annual General Meeting on June 5. She will serve a one-year term, followed by Byki Huntjens, currently the president-elect.
In addition, Ms. Farrant represents the U.K. as an ambassador for the Tear Film and Ocular Surface Society and was previously on the council for the College of Optometrists for 12 years. She has also served as chair of the Somerset Local Optical Committee.
TIME IS RUNNING OUT!
Nominate Your Peers for GSLS 2025 Awards
The Global Specialty Lens Symposium (GSLS) is seeking nominations for its two awards that will be given out at the 2025 GSLS: the Award of Excellence (https://bit.ly/3T5YAoc) and the Rising Star Award (https://bit.ly/3TaGstc). Award nominations are due today!
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 TODAY June 16, can be sent to GSLS Chair Jason Nichols, OD, MPH, PhD, at jason.nichols@broadcastmed.com.
BostonSight Launches Beyond the Fit
BostonSight has launched Beyond the Fit, a comprehensive consultation and fitting support program that provides BostonSight Scleral lens practitioners tools for ongoing success.
Beyond the Fit encompasses multiple programs, including the Comprehensive Success Team, which provides access to fitting consultants, lab technicians, and account support coast to coast; First Fit Free, where new practices get their first patient fit free when ordered within 30 days of joining the BostonSight Scleral network; FitAssist Vouchers, where practitioners earn free lenses for patients in financial need; FitConnect, an online ordering and management platform where practitioners can register patients, design lenses, add customizations, print prescriptions, track orders and manage invoices; and FitSmart, which provides educational support, including online seminars and fitting tips, and “dine-and-learn” sessions in select regions around the country.
Myopia Profile Reaches Milestone with Multi-Language Educational Resources
Myopia Profile announced that it has reached a significant milestone in its online Clinical Resources webpage. Educational guides, including the Managing Myopia Guidelines Infographic and the Managing Myopia Patient Brochure, are now available in 20 languages, with several recent additions including Czech, Dutch, Italian, Norwegian, Portuguese, Swedish, Turkish, Ukrainian, and Vietnamese. These free-to-download resources support clinical communication and patient management through engaging infographics that help simplify myopia management in practice.
ABB Optical Group Kicks-off the 10th Annual Optometry Student Challenge
ABB Optical Group announced that the company’s 10th Annual Optometry Student Challenge is now open for registration. Third- and fourth-year optometry students can submit an abstract on a student-based case report or research study project and compete for a chance to win a $1,500 travel grant to attend the 2025 Global Specialty Lens Symposium.
Optometry students must register to participate in the challenge by Aug. 31 at abboptical.com/OptometryStudentChallenge and will have until Oct. 14 to submit their abstract on a topic restricted to contact lenses and may include applications for presbyopia, keratoconus, corneal topography, post-penetrating keratoplasty or related irregular corneal surface, myopia control, lens care/solutions, custom soft lenses, ortho-k instrumentation for measurement of the ocular surface, and sports/performance vision. Based on the judges’ decision, six abstracts will be selected, and all finalists will be notified by Oct. 23.
The finalists will be asked to convert each of their submissions into a poster format and present them during a live virtual meeting on Dec. 11. All attendees who join the event will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite posters and the scores will be incorporated in the overall judging of the winners.
Valley Contax Announces 2024 AAO Meeting Student Travel Grant
Valley Contax Inc., in partnership with Contamac US, launched the Academy 2024 Travel Grant Award to attend the American Academy of Optometry conference in Indianapolis. One outstanding student from the graduating classes of 2025 or 2026 will be selected. The applicants must submit a 100-word essay highlighting the teacher who impacted them most significantly and why.
Submissions opened on June 10 and close on Aug. 5. The Valley Contax social media team will announce a winner for this award on Aug. 19. The submission form is available at fs10.formsite.com/MqlEMM/studentgrants/index.html.