Practice Tip:
Contact lens selection is often based on refractive and lifestyle needs, but what about ocular surface health? In the article “Perform a Pre-Fit Ocular Surface Evaluation,” Susan Resnick, OD, FAAO, argues ocular surface health should be given equal consideration to those two factors. Why? Because “the Tear Film & Ocular Surface Society (TFOS) report on contact lens discomfort differentiates contact lens-related dryness and contact lens dry eye from contact lens discomfort, [specifying] that both refer to contact lens wearers who have pre-existing dry eye disease (DED)…” For additional information, including action steps, visit https://www.optometricmanagement.com/issues/2022/july-2022/perform-a-pre-fit-ocular-surface-evaluation.
Bausch + Lomb, Novaliq Submit New Drug Application for Investigational Dry Eye Disease Treatment
Bausch + Lomb Corporation and Novaliq GmbH announced the submission of a New Drug Application at the end of June to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration seeking approval for NOV03 (perfluorohexyloctane), an investigational treatment with a proposed indication of treating the signs and symptoms of dry eye disease (DED) associated with meibomian gland dysfunction.
BCLA to Host Webinar on Counterfeit Lenses and Self-Fitting
A new webinar from the British Contact Lens Association (BCLA) will discuss the “disastrous” combination of the widespread availability of counterfeit corrective lenses and a rise in self-fitting. The session will be presented by Claire McDonnell, an optometry lecturer at Technological University Dublin who has a special interest in contact lenses. She is the communications officer for the British and Irish University and College Contact Lens Educators (BUCCLE). The webinar, which is open to both BCLA members and non-members, will be held online from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. BST on July 12. Visit www.bcla.org.uk.
Centre for Ocular Research & Education Highlights Neuropathic Ocular Pain in Periodical
The Centre for Ocular Research & Education (CORE) is taking action to create more understanding of neuropathic ocular pain among the global eye care community. As part of its efforts to educate practitioners, CORE has dedicated Issue 66 of Contact Lens Update to the issue. The bi-monthly publication is available at ContactLensUpdate.com. The authors provide a systemic overview of neuropathic pain and its manifestation in the eye, among other practical care education.
Eyoto Group to Open US Headquarters
Eyoto Group, a UK-based optical technology specialist, will be opening its US corporate headquarters in Dallas in October 2022. The company’s CEO, Paul Caption, will be relocating to set up and lead the US operations. The company seeks to tackle problems facing the optical industry though advanced software and technology with a specialty in imagine processing, computer vision, machine learning, and artificial intelligence, it says.
Florida Optical Manufacturer Completes Robotic Lens Lab
Hip Optical, a Florida-based eyewear manufacturer, completed its robotic lens lab in Pompano. The lab allows the company to manufacture and ship single-vision, progressive, reading, or sunglasses in one business day. It also recently launched a new collection of more than 25 unique styles. Visit HipOptical.com.
National Vision Welcomes ODs for CE, Celebration
National Vision Holdings hosted more than 1,400 optometrists for its Annual Continuing Education (CE) Symposium on June 4 to June 7, taking place in Dallas or online. The four-day event focused on education, with an opportunity to earn 22 hours of CE through COPE-approved lectures. National Vision also honored several optometrists for their momentous length of service to patients, including: John Clark, OD; John Lis, OD; Neil Crofoot, OD; Pat Nguyen, OD; Darren Tucci, OD; George Croft, OD; Karl Schwandt, OD; Christopher Porter, OD; David Cohen, OD; David Spurlock, OD; Elizabeth Arello, OD; and Steven Zedel, OD. A dozen doctors were also recognized as Optometrists of the Year: Tyler Cook, OD; Teni Keshishan, OD; Patrick Schrepel, OD; Mason Authement, OD; Robert Underberg, OD; Abar Syed, OD; John Weathers, Jr., OD; Gerald Geis, OD; Shawn Lawrence, OD; Philip Owsley, OD; and Daniel Olanrewaju, O.D.
OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation Encourages Services Donation in Changing Life Through Lenses campaign
Changing Life through Lenses is a day dedicated by an eye care provider to perform eye exams to people in need and, subsequently, utilizes the Changing Life Through Lenses program, supported by EssilorLuxotica, to provide glasses at no cost to the patient or the practice. ODs wanting to participate are encouraged to choose any day that is convenient for them. An effort by OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation, Changing Life Through Lenses is an ongoing program that benefits the underserved and the practice. For more information about the program visit https://bit.ly/3z1ufyt.
Study Shows Age-Related Macular Degeneration Type Strongly
Linked to Cardiovascular Issues
Subretinal drusenoid deposits (SDD) are linked with cardiovascular disease and stroke, age-related maculopathy susceptibility risk, and lower high-density lipoprotein. non-SDDs are linked with higher high-density lipoprotein, complement factor H risk, and two lipid risk genes, Reports July’s Retina. (See https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35213528/.)
Total Vision Donates to Vision Care Initiative
Total Vision is donating $50,000 to the OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation to support the launch of the Changing Life Through Lenses initiative, which will provide free eye exams and glasses to those who need it but can’t access or afford it. Changing Life Through Lenses is an online resource where eye doctors and vision non-profit groups can receive free glasses, including lenses, lab services and frames for charitable patients, courtesy of EssilorLuxotttica. Total Vision’s network of eye care providers in California consists of 59 practices.
University of Missouri-St. Louis College of Optometry Names Dean
The University of Missouri-St. Louis (UMSL) College of Optometry announced Dr. Keshia Elder as its dean, effective Sept. 1. Dr. Elder served as an associate clinical professor at UMSL from 2011 to 2016 and is currently the director of diversity, equity, and inclusion and director of externships at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) School of Optometry. She will be the first Black female dean of optometry in the country.
Vision Council Seeks Volunteers for Sustainability Committee
The Vision Council is seeking volunteers to participate in its new Environmental Sustainability and Social Awareness Committee. Jeff LaPlante, US Sales Director at Karun, is slated to become chairperson of the committee, which will share information on best practices related to reducing waste, lowering the carbon footprint, increasing circular manufacturing techniques, and supporting recycling initiatives. Interested volunteers can submit the form at the link: https://bit.ly/3ayTWNo
Vision Organizations to Host Virtual Congressional Briefing Regarding Dry Eye Disease
The Alliance for Eye and Vision Research and the Tear Film & Ocular Surface Society announced that the seventh annual Dry Eye Awareness Month Congressional Briefing will occur today, July 13 at 1 p.m., EDT. Called “Food for Thought: Dry Eye Disease,” it features a panel of experts who will discuss the risk factors for, and ocular pain of, dry eye disease, as well as how research is critical to developing innovative treatments for dry eye disease. Register at https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Z8LNoOeuT_uXBhPNXzpNNA.
Visioneering Technologies Releases Data on Multifocal Contact Lens
Visioneering Technologies (VTI), producer of the NaturalVue Multifocal 1 Day Contact Lens, announced that an “extensive, retrospective cohort analysis spanning over six years,” shows
95% of subjects wearing NaturalVue MF (an extended-depth of focus design) experienced a decrease in myopia progression as compared to baseline; 78% of wearers showed a decrease in myopia progression of 70% or greater; the average myopia progression slowed by approximately 0.85 D or 85% compared to baseline, which was statistically significant at all points in time (P<0.05); and average myopia progression while wearing NaturalVue MF never exceeded more than about 0.25D from baseline. The data was published in the journal Clinical Ophthalmology.
WCO and IMI Launch Myopia Management Adoption Survey
The World Council of Optometry and the International Myopia Institute (IMI) are collaborating to promote the distribution of a survey investigating myopia management by eye care professionals worldwide. The survey is titled “Myopia control attitudes and practice” and builds on data gathered in 2016 and 2019 to establish information regarding the adaption of the latest evidence addressing the myopia epidemic and how it varies geographically. The survey, administered through IMI, can be found in English here (https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/IMI2022) and in Spanish here (https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/IMI2022-LatinAmerica). Other languages are also available. Optometrists may complete it through October 2022. Results are expected in 2023.
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.