ALLIANCES

• Professional Eye Care Associates of America has increased its relationship with AmeriBen via an expanded human resource support service to members of the organization.

ASSOCIATIONS

• The Vision Council’s sunglass and reader division honored Bruce Bartley for his commitment and contributions to the industry.
• SECO International has named Emilio H. Balius, O.D., president.

COMPANY NEWS

• Alcon charities donated nearly $65 million in grants and products in 2017. In related news, the company has invested in doubling peer-to-peer, hands-on multifocal contact lens trainings at the Alcon Experience Center, and the US Vision Care branch has created a Patient and Practice Experience Team, which works in a consultative manner with eye care practices.
• Bausch + Lomb announced an agreement with Express Scripts to begin coverage of latanoprostene bunod ophthalmic solution (Vyzulta), the recently approved prostaglandin analog. Also, the company has entered an agreement with IDOC to offer ULTRA contact lenses, ONEday daily disposable and brands from its specialty vision products portfolio.
• The proposed merger of Essilor and Luxottica received approval by review commissions in the U.S., the Federal Trade Commission, and the European Union without conditions.
• Johnson & Johnson Vision has launched a digital platform for eye care professionals at jnjvisionpro.com .
• Metall Zug Group has agreed to acquire 70% of Haag-Streit Holding AG. The remaining 30% will continue to be held by family shareholders, with Christopher Haag as representative. The transaction is expected to be concluded during the first quarter of 2018.
• Omni Eye Services has been acquired by Phillips Eye Center, Elmwood Park, NJ, led by Hadley Phillips, D.O.
• Primary Eyecare Network, a division of ABB Optical Group, hosts its second annual solutions summit for PEN members on April 14-15 in San Francisco. Primaryeye.net . In other news, the company has added Avalon Eyewear to its vendor panel.
• Rev360 has named Bill Kastein senior vice president of services and products In related news, the company has acquired EyeDock, and Rev360 will partner with Bluefin Payment Systems to provide integrated payment processing through RevolutionEHR.

FDA APPROVALS

• The FDA has approved the new drug application of Dexycu, from Icon Bioscience, a therapeutic drop to treat inflammation associated with cataract surgery.
• The FDA approved Quantel Medical’s Next-Generation Compact Touch Ophthalmic Ultrasound Platform, which includes a new 15 MHz B probe, which is designed to increase the quality of the B-scan imaging.

MISCELLANEOUS

• “CEO Checkilist” columnist Steve Vargo, O.D., M.B.A., has published a book “Eye on Leadership,” available on Amazon. http://amzn.to/2GHW9Ck .
• Indeed.com listed optometry as No.7, in a list of 25, as a best U.S. job in 2018, based on salary (a baseline salary of at least $75,000) and abundance of opportunity (jobs that have seen the most growth on Indeed since 2014).

NONPROFIT

• Envision has called for greater focus on low vision awareness, encouraging eye care professionals and their patients to get better acquainted with low vision rehabilitation.
• Jeff Todd has been named president and CEO of Prevent Blindness.
• Lighthouse Guild awarded Botond Roska, M.D., Ph. D., the 2018 Bressler Prize.

SCHOOLS

• SUNY College of Optometry provided honorary degrees to Dr. Kovin Naidoo, doctor of humane letters, and Dr. Frank Schaeffel, doctor of science. ■