Also Notable
- The American Optometric Association held a virtual election for its officers and trustees for the 2020 to 2021 year. They include: president, William T. Reynolds, O.D., of Kentucky; president-elect, Robert C. Layman, O.D., of Ohio; vice president, James P. DeVleming, O.D., of Washington; and secretary-treasurer, Ronald L. Benner, O.D., of Montana. Elected trustees include Terri A. Gossard, O.D., of Ohio, and Curtis A. Ono, O.D., of Washington.
- The Centre for Ocular Research & Education has announced the Contact Lens Compendium, a free searchable contact lens database on the “most up-to-date listing of contact lens products, including the latest lens parameters, solutions and rewetting drops currently available on the American market.” Visit compendium.contactlensupdate.com/us .
- The Council on Optometric Practitioner Education (COPE) has extended the temporary rules modification to Dec. 31 to allow COPE administrators and providers to present CE through an interactive online format and give COPE CE credit, due to continued restrictions and CDC guidelines related to COVID-19.
- EyeBridge Consulting Associates and ImageMark Business Services have partnered to provide COVID-19 signage, among other related resources, specifically designed for eye care practices. ImageMark has created banners for sharing office protocols, floor stickers for social distancing, hand-washing reminders for restrooms, face masks and shields, hand sanitizer and other PPE (some of which can be branded), and they have a disinfectant that is FDA-approved for killing the COVID-19 virus. A percentage of sales from the eye care products will be donated to the AOA’s Optometry’s Fund for Disaster Relief. Visit safe-distance-products.com for information.
- EyeScholar is a new website that contains interactive tutorials on the process of refracting and retinoscopy. Additionally, the website provides explanations, illustrations and animations to educate students on the underlying theory and optics behind these procedures and interactive simulators that allow students to practice refraction and retinoscopy on virtual patients. Visit eyescholar.com .
- The Global Myopia Awareness Coalition has announced a campaign during which it is working with influential online gamers and with parents to raise awareness about myopia in children by encouraging them to discuss the importance of getting away from screens and playing outside. To follow the campaign, search #GameOverMyopia on social media.
- The Global Myopia Symposium (GMS),* originally scheduled for Jan. 2021 in conjunction with the Global Specialty Contact Lens Symposium (GSLS), will now be held virtually Sept. 25 and Sept. 26. The inaugural meeting will offer opportunities for attendees to better understand the myopia epidemic and how to address it, will provide eight hours of COPE-approved CE credits and will enable attendees to engage with companies providing related products and technology. The GMS program committee includes Drs. Kate Gifford, Lyndon Jones, Jason Nichols, Shalu Pal and Jeff Walline. Speakers will include Mark Bullimore, MCOptom, Ph.D.; Sheila Morrison, O.D., M.S.; Celia Gong, O.D., M.S.; Karen Molina, O.D.; Gary Gerber, O.D.; Elise Kramer, O.D.; Edgar Davila-Garcia, O.D.; Paul Gifford, Ph.D., MCOptom; Anita Gulmiri, O.D.; Fuensanta Vera-Diaz, Ph.D., O.D.; Jessica Haynes, O.D.; Karen Walsh, BSc(Hons), PGDip, MCOptom; Jason Compton, O.D.; and Alan Glazier, OD. The agenda can be viewed at https://bit.ly/2E9ZyNv , and registration will be available shortly via email announcements and on the Global Myopia Symposium, Contact Lens Spectrum, Optometric Management and Eyecare Business websites.
* GMS is operated by PentaVision Media, publisher of Optometric Management magazine. - MacuHealth’s patented carotenoid formulation, commercialized as MacuHealth with Micro-Micelle Technology, is available. It is an upgrade to the company’s 10-10-2 formulation of lutein, zeaxanthin and meso-zeaxanthin, as it provides the carotenoids in their free form (Original MacuHealth) and then enhances their stability and solubility by the addition of acetates. The result is an increase in the capture of carotenoids by our gathering cells, an improvement in absorption and bioavailability and an ultimate increase in carotenoid concentrations at the target tissue, the company says.
- The Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Association international online conference, being held Saturday, Sept. 12 and Sunday, Sept. 13, is now open for registration. This year’s program offers up to 17 COPE-approved CE credits, and all presentations will be available on demand through Oct. 31, 2020. Visit nora2020.com .
- Osmotica Pharmaceuticals, an integrated biopharmaceutical company, has announced the FDA has approved Upneeq (oxymetazoline hydrochloride ophthalmic solution, 0.1%,) for acquired blepharoptosis, or ptosis. Osmotica says it plans to make Upneeq commercially available in August to a select group of ophthalmologists and optometrists through an early experience program.
- Sight Sciences has hired Sam Park, as chief operating officer, and Jeremy Hayden, as general counsel and chief compliance officer. The company’s non-surgical dry eye product portfolio consists of the TearCare, a software-controlled, wearable, therapeutic eyelid technology designed to melt and clear obstructions of the meibomian glands.
- TearLab Corporation has announced its acquisition by Accelmed Partners II, a U.S.-based private equity firm. TearLab is now positioned to pursue further development of its Discovery platform and seek targeted acquisition opportunities.
- Topcon Healthcare has announced it has acquired the Henson line of perimetry products, including the Henson 9000 and 7000, from Elektron Eye Technology (EET) of Cambridge, UK. The acquisition includes the transfer of a number of EET staff to Topcon. Manufacturing will continue in the U.K.
- Transitions Optical now offers a virtual try-on of all seven Transitions Signature GEN 8 lens colors and downloadable photos in all stages of tint, via Transitions.com/VTO . The try-on also allows users to search for an eye care professional.
- The Vision Council and Reed Exhibitions have announced that Vision Expo West 2020, scheduled to occur in Las Vegas, from Sept. 23 to Sept. 26, will be cancelled, due to Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak’s recent announcement that Nevada “will remain in Phase 2 of reopening plans through the end of July due to the coronavirus infection.” Registered attendees and exhibitors will receive separate, personalized communications in the coming days from the Vision Expo team. OM
OM COVID-19 Resources
For continually updated resources regarding the coronavirus crisis and optometry, please visit bit.ly/OMcoronavirus .