ASSOCIATIONS

• The American Academy of Optometry Foundation (AAOF), in partnership with Allergan Foundation, named its 2017 to 2018 recipients: Rose Y. Reins, Ph.D., awarded a $60,000 grant for her project “Evaluation of Vitamin D Treatment for Dry Eye-induced Ocular Surface Inflammation.” Rachel Redfern, O.D., Ph.D., F.A.A.O., is co-investigator on the project.
• The AAOF, aided by grants from Johnson & Johnson Vision, Essilor and Allergan, university matching and established travel fellowships, provided dozens of students and residents with the funds to attend Academy 2017 Chicago.
• The California Optometric Association announced past president, Harue Marsden, O.D., who passed in February from breast cancer, was posthumously awarded the Great Western Council of Optometry’s “Lifetime Achievement.”
• Optical Women’s Association has named Tiara Claxton incoming president. Ms. Claxton is a manager of Western states luxury sales for Safilo USA.

COMPANY NEWS

• Alcon announced 100 million implants of its AcrySof IOL. As a result, it has launched its “100 Million Moments Made” campaign.
• Partners Bill Abramovitz, Susan Abramovitz and Ben Singleton created Biotica as a marketing agency that will serve large medical practices, as well as hospitals and medical equipment and device companies. Visit BioticaHealth.com for information.
• Bio-Tissue released its PROKERA Medical Coding and Compliance Guide during Academy 2017.
• CooperVision named judges for its 2018 Best Practices program: Shalu Pal, O.D., F.A.A.O.; S. Barry Eiden, O.D., F.A.A.O.; Thomas Quinn, O.D., M.S., F.A.A.O.; William Tantum, O.D.; Shauna Thornhill, O.D., and Stephanie Woo, O.D., F.A.A.O., F.S.L.S.
• Guardion Health Sciences concluded its acquisition of VectorVision, a manufacturer of standardized vision testing equipment.
• Notal Vision announced the three millionth home test performed with ForseeHome, a monitoring device for patients who have AMD.
• RevConnect is a patient engagement service from Rev360 available within the RevolutionEHR software platform. In other news, RevolutionEHR has acquired United Imaging, a cloud-based image management software solution.
• Visioneering Technologies has appointed Douglas P. Benoit, O.D., F.A.A.O., to executive director, professional affairs, a new position.

FDA APPROVALS

• Bausch + Lomb received 510(k) clearance for use of Boston XO and Boston XO2 materials in treating ocular surface diseases, such as dry eye disease, limbal stem cell deficiencies and skin disorders with ocular surface manifestations, according to the company.
• Visionary Optics has received 510(k) clearance for its scleral contact lenses, Jupiter, Europa and Elara lenses. OM