News from HILCO, IDOC, Oyster Point Pharma, Sight Sciences, Treehouse Eyes, and more…
Practice Tip: Discomfort is the No.1 reason for contact lens dropout. To overcome this, consider prescribing lenses that have a high modulus and improved edge design, writes Melanie Denton Dombrowski, OD, MBA, FAAO, in “Prevent Contact Lens Dropout.” “Patients in my clinic want a lens that is easy to handle but not so thick that there is lens awareness on the eye. Material may not prove to matter in the studies, but my experience is that the surface technology of a lens can be felt and appreciated by my patients…” See https://bit.ly/3sTFFzT for more.
Bipartisan Group Seeks to Ensure CDC Is Responding Adequately to Rise in Childhood Myopia Due to COVID-19
U.S. Representatives Angie Craig, D-Minn., and John Joyce, MD, R-Pa., led a bipartisan group of 28 lawmakers to urge the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to provide detailed information on their efforts to encourage early detection and prevention of childhood myopia—noting that it has become increasingly prevalent in children due to increased time learning indoors, oftentimes through a tablet or laptop, during the pandemic.
Specialty Contact Lens Webinar Series Announced
Essilor Custom Contact Lens Specialists is introducing a new Specialty Contact Lens Webinar Series available to eyecare professionals seeking to expand their knowledge of specialty contact lenses and the growth opportunities for today's optometry practices. This series will be presented by industry-leading experts and include relevant topics such as myopia management, dry eye syndrome solutions, irregular cornea treatments, and much more. The opening webinar, scheduled for Tuesday, March 1 at 8 PM EST, is sponsored by Contamac. It will be presented by Drs. Jennifer Harthan, Anita Gulmiri, Michael Lyons, and Tiffany Andrzejewski. Registration is available at zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_I8FHzz_QRdG-lSI_wYZV0A. For more information or full webinar course description, contact (800) 366-3933 or mkail@essilorusa.com.
HILCO Founder Passes
Arthur R. Hilsinger, co-founder of the Hilsinger Corporation, “HILCO,” in 1956 and a founding member of The Vision Council, died Feb. 5 at age 94, according to the “Providence Journal.” He led HILCO for more than 40 years. He is survived by his wife, three daughters, two stepdaughters, and seven grandchildren.
IDOC Launches Inventory Management Service
IDOC announced the addition of IDOC Inventory Management, a comprehensive and hands-on monthly inventory management service, to its suite of practice management solutions. The service takes a data-centric, metrics-based approach that empowers opticians to improve frame selection, pricing, and physical management of inventory assets, along with providing sales training opportunities for practice staff. The service is available for a monthly fee to all independent optometry practices regardless of their membership. For more information, visit https://idoc.net/optical.
Illinois Institute of Technology Creates Intracortical Visual Prosthesis Implant
A multi-institution team at the Illinois Institute of Technology developed an intracortical visual prosthesis (ICVP) implant that bypasses the retina and optic nerves to connect directly to the brain’s visual cortex. The prosthesis was successfully surgically implanted in the ICVP study’s first participant. Visit https://bit.ly/3p41POW.
Oplee Creates Eyeglass Cases to be Used with Travel Contact Lens Case
Oplee launched its own brand of eyeglass cases and microfiber cleaning cloths to be used with the company’s patented Contact Lens Travel Case. The case is comprised of a durable high-quality metal design; is stain and splash resistant; fits most eyeglasses and reading glasses; has a soft protective felt lining to preclude lens scratches; and it includes a microfiber lens cleaning cloth, Oplee says. Visit https://bit.ly/3gYwDfh.
Oyster Point Pharma’s TYRVAYA Nasal Spray Covered by Express Scripts
Oyster Point Pharma, Inc. announced that its TYRVAYA Nasal Spray has been placed on the Express Scripts National Preferred, Basic, and High-Performance Formularies, which collectively comprises an estimated 26 million lives, effective Feb.19, 2022. TYRVAYA is a nasal spray approved for the treatment of dry eye disease signs and symptoms. See full Prescribing Information at www.tyrvaya-pro.com/prescribinginformation.
Sight Sciences Launches Glaucoma Awareness Campaign
Sight Sciences, Inc., announced its “Don’t Wait for Too Late” educational campaign to raise awareness among the optometric community of MIGS as an early surgical intervention for glaucoma. The company makes the OMNI Surgical System, an implant-free MIGS device that can be used in combination with cataract surgery or as a standalone procedure to decrease IOP in primary open-angle glaucoma.
Treehouse Eyes Develops Myopia Progression Tracking App
Treehouse Eyes released the online tool, the Myopia Treatment Decision App, or MY-TDA, which aids Treehouse Eyes doctors in discussing and tracking myopia progression with parents. Specifically, it allows doctors to show parents projected progression with and without treatment, displaying both refractive error and axial length. Doctors can visit GrowMyMyopiaPractice.com for more information.
Vision Expo Announces Neighborhood Dedicated to Emerging Talent Accepting New Exhibitor Applications
Vision Expo shared that The Springs, its neighborhood devoted to emerging talent from around the world and making its first appearance at Vision Expo East 2022, after its debut at Vision Expo East 2021, in Orlando, Fla., is accepting applications for new exhibitors. Eligibility requirements are: being in business for less than five years, having limited early distribution, in terms of volume and channels, and collections that have unique styling, in terms of design aesthetic, and craftsmanship. Apply at https://bit.ly/3sahQVt.
Waldo Buys Placid0
Waldo acquired Placid0, maker of Easy, an eye assessment system mobile application. The technology addresses allaspects of eye health: vision, quality of life, and objective assessments of eye function, the company says.
Xenon -VR Inc. Launches Ophthalmic Mobile Virtual Reality Headset
Xenon-VR Inc. announced the Xenon-1, a medical grade, patented mobile virtual reality headset that assesses visual fields. The headset contains liquid lens technology for refractive error customization and eliminates the need to maintain the patient’s chin and forehead in a fixed position for the test’s duration. The initial launch of the Xenon-1 will occur in Q2 of 2022 for several clinical studies and should be commercially available by the end of Q4 2022, the company says. Visit www.xenon-vr.com
O.D. 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. Additionally, find frequently updated COVID-19 coverage here.