Practice Tip: Discontinue Contact Lens Wear Before CXL Consultation
“When coordinated scheduling with the surgeon permits, ODs should have current contact-lens wearers cease wear a week or two prior to the surgical consultation leading up to corneal cross-linking,” writes Susan Resnick, OD, FAAO, in her latest “Contact Lenses” column. She explains that doing so allows for a pre-procedure topographical and corneal thickness analysis free from the mechanical and physiological effects of contact lens wear — something that can negatively affect the pre-operative corneal thickness evaluation. See her full column at https://www.optometricmanagement.com/issues/2022/september-2022/clinical-contact-lenses.
AccuLens Announces Student Training and Fitting Set
AccuLens is offering scleral lens training to 3rd and 4th-year optometry students. The comprehensive scleral lens course culminates in a final exam. Passing students receive a 4 lens, Maxim student fitting set at no cost, according to AccuLens.
AOA’s ‘31 in 31’Advocacy Campaign Returns for the Halloween Season
The American Optometric Association’s “31 in 31” annual advocacy campaign is reaching out, via letter, to those entities that distribute contact lenses without valid prescriptions, to let them know they are violating federal law. While the AOA says it recognizes it is not a regulatory enforcement entity, the organization also says it has “a central mission to serve as a resource to the public for reliable and current information related to eye care and health care policy.” For more information on illegal retailer or reporting incidents, contact Kara Webb at kcwebb@aoa.org.
ASCO Launches Webinar Speaker Series on Diversity
The Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO) is launching
a series of webinars on a variety of diversity topics by “world-renowned content experts from outside optometry, according to the organization.” Titled the “ASCO Eye on Diversity Speaker Series,” sponsored by Johnson & Johnson Vision, the series is comprised of six sessions on diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility and belonging issues that face optometry students, residents, faculty, practitioners, and their staff members daily. Visit https://optometriceducation.org/speaker-series/ to register for a live session and/or view a recorded session.
Available: The Vision Council’s November Social Media Content Calendar
The Vision Council’s November social media content calendar is now available for members to download and use, says the organization. The calendar is a monthly member benefit that includes suggested concept overviews, specific language, and links to resources that members can include in posts. Click here to download the November calendar and view archived calendars.
Bausch + Lomb Introduces Enhanced Ocuvite Adult 50+ Eye Vitamin Formulation
Bausch + Lomb announced the U.S. introduction of the enhanced Ocuvite Adult 50+ eye vitamin that contains 30 micrograms of vitamin D. The enhanced Ocuvite vitamin replaces the currently offered Ocuvite Adult 50+. As of this month, the enhanced Ocuvite with vitamin D is available at major nationwide retailers in the vitamin aisle with a suggested retail price of $12.85 (50-count bottle). For additional information on Ocuvite Adult 50+ with vitamin D, visit www.ocuvite.com.
CooperVision Announces World Sight Day Initiatives
In recognition of World Sight Day, CooperVision joined the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) at the United Nations headquarters from Oct. 11 to Oct. 12 to advocate for global eye health screenings and services in schools. Additionally, the company signed the IAPB letter calling for a Special Envoy on Vision to help reach 1.1 billion people who have a vision impairment, though currently no access to eye care. Further CooperVision is running its 11th annual World Sight Day Challenge for employees across the globe. All funds, including a company matching component —will be donated to Optometry Giving Sight.
Digital Eye Science Game Set for AAO Annual Meeting
The American Academy of Optometry partnered with the Centre for Ocular Research & Education (CORE) to host CORE Knowledge 3.0 — the latest iteration of an immersive, digital eye science game. Available for game play within Academy exhibit booth #537 during show hours, players will be presented with a range of rapid-fire, multiple-choice questions covering an array of basic and clinical ocular research topics, with points added and deducted as players race against a two-minute clock.
Event on Dry Eye Disease Taking Place Nov. 8
The World Council of Optometry and Alcon presented a series of online events on dry eye disease. “Dry Eye Disease Mitigation” is an event scheduled for Nov. 8, led by Jennifer Craig, PhD and will cover the prevalence, etiology, risk factors, and triage steps for the disease. Professors Lyndon Jones and James Wolffsohn will also join the discussion. Registration is open at https://bit.ly/DryEyeMitigation.
Eyenovia Announces Planned Retirement of Lead Independent Director Ken Lee Jr.
Eyenovia Inc. announced the planned retirement of lead independent director Ken Lee Jr. Mr. Lee was a member of Eyenovia’s Nominating and Corporate Governance, Audit and Compensation Committees. His committee obligations have been assumed by the remaining board members.
GPLI Establishes Award in Honor of Art Epstein
The GP Lens Institute (GPLI) established the “Dr. Arthur B. Epstein GPLI Award for Excellence in Specialty Contact Lenses and Anterior Segment Disease” in honor of Dr. Art Epstein, who recently passed. (See https://www.optometricmanagement.com/news/2022/od-notebook-art-epstein,-a-leading-voice-in-optome) The award will be presented at the GPLI Rising Stars Reception on Jan. 21 during the Global Specialty Lens Symposium in Las Vegas.
Haag-Streit Names 2022 Slit Lamp Imaging Competition Winners
Haag-Streit, announced the winners of the “Haag-Streit Slit Lamp Imaging Competition 2022.” They are Utpal Sarkar (first place) from Disha Eye Hospitals Barrackpore in Kolkata, India for an image of spherrophakia acquired by the Haag-Streit BX 900; Rob Hancock (second place) of Wirral University Teaching Hospitals in Wirral, UK for an image of ocular albinism, also acquired by the BX 900; and Kathleen Warren (third place) from Duke Eye Center, Durham NC for an image of epithelial ingrown acquired by the Haag-Streit BX 900.
OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation Announces ‘Right to See’ Campaign in Recognition of
World Sight Day
In recognition of World Sight Day, Oct. 13, EssilorLuxottica and its Foundation will launch the awareness campaign “The Right to See,” which will employ powerful portraits by photographer Steve McCurry that raise awareness about the importance of good vision. In addition. The campaign includes planned free vision screenings and clinics globally; engagement opportunities, such as public-facing social media activations and a vision screening event among United Nations ambassadors and leaders; and more. To learn more, visit www.OneSight.EssilorLuxottica.com, or follow its social media channels: LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook & Twitter.
RestoringVision Calls on New Donors in Recognition of World Sight Day
In recognition of this year’s World Sight Day, Oct. 13, RestoringVision is encouraging new donors to join in providing vision screenings and eyeglasses for those living on less than $2/day. Additionally, the organization says it’s increasing its programmatic footprint in Africa and Asia, and outreach to refugees, specifically those displaced by the war on Ukraine. Donations can be made at www.restoringvision.org.
Tarsus Pharmaceuticals’ Co-Founder and Chairman to Transition Off of Board of Directors
Tarsus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced that by year’s end, co-founder and chairman, Michael Ackermann, PhD, plans to transition off the board of directors. Upon this transition, Wendy Yarno, current member of the board, will be appointed lead independent director, and CEO Bobak Azamian, MD, PhD, will become chairman, according to a press release. A New Drug Application for Tarsus Pharmaceuticals’ TP-03, for the treatment of Demodex blepharitis, has been submitted to the FDA.
TearClear Announces Topline Results from Phase 3 Glaucoma Treatment Study
TearClear announced that TC-002 (latanoprost ophthalmic solution 0.005%) for the treatment of glaucoma met the primary and all secondary endpoints in the CLEAR Phase 3 pivotal trial. Based on these results, TearClear says it plans to file a New Drug Application with the FDA in the first quarter of 2023. TC-002 contains BAK while in the bottle but is removed from the drops as they are dispensed to the eye, the company says.
UAB School of Optometry Names CooperVision Endowed Faculty Scholar in Myopia Control and
Contact Lenses
The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) School of Optometry appointed Adam Gordon, OD, MPH, FAAO, as the CooperVision Endowed Faculty Scholar in Myopia Control and Contact Lenses. This new faculty position enables Dr. Gordon, who is a professor of Optometry, director of the Cornea and Contact Lens Service at UAB Eye Care, and chair of the School’s Department of Optometry and Vision Science, to delve into related topics of his choice and collaborate with scholars and industry partners, according to a press release.
Visibly Appoints Chief Medical Officer
Visibly named Taylor Tedder, OD, as its chief medical officer. Dr. Tedder's professional career encompasses 15 years of diverse experience in leadership roles with major health care companies, including Acuity Eye Group, CVS Health, and EssilorLuxottica, according to a press release. For over 10 years, Dr. Tedder was in clinical operations with EssilorLuxottica, where he was involved in several growth and regulatory initiatives for the Lenscrafters and EyeExam of California brands, according to a press release.
The Vision Council Announces Executive Summit
The Vision Council’s 2023 Executive Summit is set to take place Monday, Jan. 9, through Wednesday, Jan. 11, at the Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa, in Austin Texas. The executive-level networking and leadership development event has a goal of bringing industry leaders together for interactive education and networking. Visit https://thevisioncouncil.org/ for more information.
Visionix Opens New Location Outside Chicago
Visionix USA, formerly Luneau Technology USA and Optovue Inc., followed up on its global rebrand by announcing the opening of a center of operations in Lombard, Ill. The new address is 160 Eisenhower Lane, North Lombard, Ill. The location is home to sales and service operations supporting Optovue, Visionix, Briot, and Weco brands. The company’s location in Fremont, Calif., will be maintained as a hub for global research and development for the Optovue OCT product line, and its location in Ontario, as the Canadian sales and services office.
World Sight Day Tomorrow
The International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness is providing resources for World Sight Day, happening tomorrow, Oct. 13. The theme of the day is #LoveYourEyes. The call to action is for people to prioritize their eye health and ask the world’s leaders to ensure eye care is accessible, available, and affordable to everyone everywhere. You can use the hashtag and your platform to participate in this global-scale event.
OD Notebook is published weekly on Wednesdays. Unless otherwise noted, the information presented is based on press releases and/or announcements by the respective organizations. Find earlier editions here. To submit a press release to be considered for publication, click here.