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Tips, Trends & News You Can Use

CL COMPANY ENTERS SPECTACLE BUSINESS
Johnson & Johnson Introduces New Definity Spectacle Lenses

As we went to press, the Spectacle Lens Group of Johnson & Johnson launched the DEFINITY lens, a new progressive that places add power on both the front and back surfaces of the lens. According to Group President John Hogan, this patented DUAL ADD technology is a breakthrough that offers the widest intermediate zone with the least amount of unwanted astigmatism of any progressive lens on the market. Mr. Hogan says that in tests of 20,000 presbyopes -- that examined visual field depth, visual comfort and swim -- the lens was preferred three to one over other progressive lenses.

The DEFINITY lens is available with GEMCOAT, an anti-reflective coating that offers scratch resistance, ease of cleaning and light transmission rates of more than 99%. The lens will be available in polycarbonate, CR-39, High Index 1.60 lens material and Transitions Lenses 1.50 Gray across a broad range of prescriptions.

The OM Quick Poll
Patient Recall Methods

A recent survey conducted on Optometric Management's Web site asked, "What type of patient recall system do you use in your practice?" Nearly 50% of the 196 respondents use postcards. Log on to www.optometricmanagement.com to voice your opinion on samples and to view past survey results.

NEW APPROVALS
VISX CustomVue Correction

VISX received FDA approval for CustomVue laser vision correction. The procedure employs the VISX WaveScan System, a diagnostic system that captures a "fingerprint" of the eye. In addition to nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism, it captures other specific imperfections in each individual's vision. The data are used to generate an individualized treatment for a CustomVue procedure.

New Use for Night & Day

The U.S. FDA has approved CIBA Vision's Focus Night & Day contact lenses for therapeutic use. With this approval, eyecare practitioners can use the lens as a bandage in protecting the cornea and relieving corneal pain in the treatment of acute or chronic ocular pathologies and following eye surgery.

FDA Approves Vigamox

The FDA approved the antibiotic Vigamox (moxifloxacin ophthalmic solution 0.5% by Alcon). Moxifloxacin is a fourth-generation fluoroquinolone that is safe and effective for adults and children as young as one year of age. Alcon says Vigamox is effective against many types of harmful bacteria that infect the surface of the eye. It also shows enhanced coverage of difficult-to-treat Gram-positive bacteria.

AOSept Clear Care Okayed for use With GP Lenses

According to CIBA Vision, AOSept Clear Care is the first one-bottle peroxide lens care solution cleared for use with gas permeable (GP) lenses. The solution received FDA approval for use in cleaning, disinfecting and storing GP contact lenses.

NEW CL LAWS PASSED
Two States Pass New CL Laws

Last month, we reported that Kentucky passed a new contact lens law prohibiting mail-order companies from mailing, sending, delivering or dispensing contact lenses before receiving positive verification; that is, an electronic or oral affirmative of the complete prescription from the prescribing practitioner.

Since then, New Mexico and Arkansas have enacted new verification laws that require positive verification before selling contact lenses to a customer. Under passive verification systems, retailers assume that customers have a valid prescription unless the customer's eyecare practitioner informs the merchant that the prescription is invalid or expired.

NEW CAMPAIGN, NEW APPROVAL
B&L SofLens News

Bausch & Lomb has recently received FDA approval to add an expanded indication for its SofLens66 Toric lens for extended wear use of up to seven days before removal for cleaning and disinfection.

In other company news, B&L is launching a national TV advertising campaign for its new SofLens Multi-Focal contact lens, which will air on network and cable TV stations across the United States through the spring and summer.

CATARACT NEWS
Cataract Findings for Young and Old

Recent findings from a study conducted in Georgia emphasize the importance of newborn eye exams to detect eye abnormalities. Researchers identified 199 infants with cataracts between 1968 and 1998. Nearly 40% of babies who have infantile cataracts aren't diagnosed with the condition until after they've passed the age (six weeks) when surgery to correct it is recommended.

K Other new research shows that people who have Alzheimer's also show an accumulation of proteins in the lens of the eye, which results in a rare form of cataract. If these cataracts precede cognitive symptoms of the disease, then in the future, eyecare practitioners could use a new type of eye exam to diagnose patients at an earlier stage.

EYE PATCHING
Study Proves Two Hours of Patching as Effective as Six

In a randomized, multicenter clinical trial, researchers assigned 189 amblyopic children (in the range of 20/40 to 20/80) younger than seven years to receive either two or six hours of daily patching combined with at least one hour each day of near visual activities. The investigators reported their results in the May issue of Archives of Ophthalmology and concluded that when combined with prescribing one hour of near visual activities, two hours of daily patching produces an improvement in visual acuity that is of similar magnitude to the improvement produced by six hours of daily patching in treating moderate amblyopia in children aged three to seven years.

O.D. NOTEBOOK

PEOPLE & PROMOTIONS

l Fashion Optical Display CEO dies. Chief Executive Officer Robert Maxwell, of Fashion Optical Displays, passed away on April 16, 2003.

l Sanchez joins Welch Allyn. Welch Allyn recently named Oscar Sanchez as vice president of quality and regulatory affairs.

COMPANY NEWS

l Kenmark frame collection available on Eyefinity.com. Kenmark Group has joined with Eyefinity to offer Kenmark's complete portfolio of frame collections online through eyefinity.com.

l Boston Gives Trips to GOS. Every time you buy 20 Boston Advance Comfort Formula and/or Boston Original Formula Care Systems, you'll be entered to win a trip to Toronto, Canada to attend the Global Orthokeratology Symposium (GOS). Plus, you'll get four more care systems for free. Boston is giving away five trips and 50 lucky winners will receive free meeting registration.

l Lighthouse receives grant from Pearle. The Pearle Vision Foundation recently awarded Lighthouse International a grant for $5,000 to support the organization's Eye Movements During Serial Presentation Methods for Low Vision study.

l EastWest Eye Conference Gets Continued Sponsorship. CIBA Vision; CooperVision, Inc.; Diversified Ophthalmics, Inc; and Vistakon Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc. will continue as sponsors of the EastWest Eye Conference.

PRODUCT NEWS

l Lombart offers rebate for digital camera system. Lombart Instruments is offering a $2,000 manufacturers rebate on the Topcon TRC-NW100 Digital Retinal Camera with the Lombart Digital Video System (DVS). The total system, including camera, computer, software and Topcon model AIT-15 Motorized Table is now available for $17,990.

l Optima offers lens purchase incentive. Optima Inc. is offering $10 Amazon.com gift certificates to retailers for qualified lens purchases. The program runs now through December 31, 2003.

TECHNOLOGY & SERVICES

l Online course offers CE credit. Bausch & Lomb and SECO International, LLC are offering a free online course on the management of the astigmatic patient with soft contact lenses. The course is valid for one CE credit and is available at www.secointernational.com/education.html.

l Essilor to Carry Prio Computer Vision Lenses. Essilor Labs of America has added PRIO Corporation to the non-Essilor product-approved list of vendors. The PRIO Computer Lens and PRIO Browser Lens will be available through all Essilor labs.