Also in Leading Off
- AOA has been influential in the drafting of H.R. 4187 — the Medicare Vision Act of 2021 — a bill that would add vision refraction and vision products to Medicare’s list of covered services. Medicare currently covers eye care related to a medical condition — beneficiaries are responsible for the full cost of a refraction and eyewear. Other elements of H.R. 4187 include: direct administration of the vision benefit by Medicare, excluding vision plans from participation; coverage of up to $100 for eyeglasses or a two-year supply of contact lenses and a pathway to coverage of low-vision aids. A Senate version of the Medicare Vision Act is possibly forthcoming.
- Centre for Ocular Research & Education’s (CORE) latest issue of Contact Lens Update, has centralized the conclusions from the British Contact Lens Association’s Contact Lens Evidence-based Academic Reports (CLEAR) initiative to create an easy-to-read summary for contact lens practitioners. CLEAR is comprised of 300 pages of scientific review, notes Karen Walsh, CORE’s education team leader and editor of Contact Lens Update.
- Marco Ophthalmic has entered into a distribution agreement with Olleyes, Inc., to add its VisuALL S VRP (Virtual Reality Platform) into its existing portfolio of ophthalmic medical devices. The platform is a virtual reality VF analyzer that can be used in clinical practice to aid in detecting glaucoma and to evaluate other eye diseases, the companies say. For more information about the VisuALL go to marco.com/product/olleyes-visuall-vrp .
- Neurolens announced that Cherry Optical Lab will be the domestic lab distribution partner for Neurolens moving forward. With this new partnership, Neurolens providers can expect expanded production capabilities, enabling wider product offering, and faster turn times, the company says. To learn more about Cherry Optical Lab, visitcherryopticallab.com . To learn more about Neurolens, visit neurolenses.com .
- Oasis Medical Inc. is now offering its Tears PF PLUS preservative-free lubricant eye drops in a 10mL bottle for multiuse. The bottle prevents contamination through the use of a patented closing tip, valve and air venting system. The drops are sterile for up to 90 days after opening.
- Santen Inc. announced the FDA approved cyclosporine ophthalmic emulsion 0.1% (Verkazia) eye drops for vernal keratoconjunctivitis in children and adults. Verkazia is a prescription-only, formulated oil-in-water cationic emulsion that works by inhibiting T-cell activation and decreasing the level of immune cells and mediators that cause the inflammation of the ocular surface seen in those with VKC, the company says.
- ShopVISION Global Digital Sourcing Platform is now live, following its launch at Vision Expo East 2021. The platform allows buyers to discover products and trends, communicate with suppliers and view recorded content from Vision Expo East. ShopVISION, which features 240 brands and over 2500 products, is complementary for ECPs, buyers and Vision Expo East and West exhibitors. Visit shopvision.balluun.com/en-us/home/anonymous .
- International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness announced the World Sight Day (Oct. 14) theme: #LoveYourEyes. Related materials and information have been updated at iapb.org/wsd2021 . In conjunction with the campaign, the organization will begin attempting to get more than 1 million eye tests pledged in September as a lead-up to the event. OM
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