Companies

■ Alcon has announced it has entered into an agreement to obtain WaveTec Vision, which created the ORA System, an intra-operative guidance system for cataract surgeons. Alcon says it will integrate the ORA System into its existing cataract refractive suite, which includes the Centurion phacoemulsification system, LenSx femtosecond laser, VERIO and the LuxOR LX3 microscope.

■ CooperVision has acquired Sauflon Pharmaceuticals Limited, a manufacturer and distributor of soft contact lenses, such as Clariti, and solutions. Customers should continue their relationships with their current CooperVision and Sauflon representatives, support resources and ordering mechanisms until advised otherwise. In related news, WebSystem3 LLC, has unveiled LensFerry, a service that enables contact lens wearers to order replacement CLs fast from any manufacturer through their smartphone, tablet or computer for home delivery beginning later this year. The prescribing practice receives the sales revenue, and all LensFerry communications are customized with the practice’s name and/or logo.

■ Nicox has decided to exercise its option to co-promote latanoprostene bundo (a nitric oxide-donating prostaglandin F2-alpha analog in phase III development for the potential treatment of glaucoma and ocular hypertension) with Bausch + Lomb (B+L). B+L says it anticipates a 2016 launch of the drug, pending FDA approval.

■ SynergEyes, Inc., has raised $12 million to advance expansion of its contact lenses for astigmatism, irregular corneas and presbyopia and streamline strategic acquisitions of other specialty contact lenses.

■ In an effort to help in the education of identifying and treating MGD, TearScience, makers of LipiView and LipiFlow, has announced a 20% growth of its North American sales force.

■ Alden Optical has named ABB OPTICAL Group its exclusive distributor partner effective this month. From now on, all new Alden Optical lens orders will be placed directly with Alden or through ABB OPTICAL. To open an Alden Optical account, e-mail orders@aldenoptical.com, or specialty contactlenses@abboptical.com.

■ Unilens Vision Inc. has named Diversified Ophthalmics, Inc., an authorized U.S. distributor for Unilens’ C-Vue family of contact lenses.

FDA

■ Genentech has submitted a supplemental Biologics License Application (sBLA) for ranibizumab injection (Lucentis) to the FDA for diabetic retinopathy treatment.

Products

■ Essilor’s Crizal Prevencia lenses are now available via VSP managed visioncare plans. The no-glare lenses selectively filter out harmful blue-violet and UV light while allowing beneficial blue-turquoise light to pass through.

■ Juicy Couture has introduced three photochromic frames (one female adult and girl frame and one female adult sunglass style) with acetate temples that change from clear to bright pink when exposed to UV rays.

Associations

■ For “Sports Eye Safety Awareness Month,” Prevent Blindness has teamed up again with Liberty Sport and The Coalition to Prevent Sports Eye Injuries to provide public education on the importance of eye protection during athletics. Acquire the 2014 Sports Eye Injury Prevention Awareness Month kit by e-mailing jminnick@libertysport.com.

Schools

Michigan College of Optometry’s Vision Research Institute now offers the downloadable Scleral Lens Fit Scale (www.ferris.edu/ScleralLensFitScales). It was developed by the Institute for educational purposes and assists practitioners by showing them how to correctly estimate clearance via comparing the tear layer thickness with the lens’ center thickness. Optic sections reveal tear thickness under the lens centrally and at the limbal area with images of various edge clearances.