News from CooperVision, Contact Lens Artificial Intelligence Research and Engineering, Envision, Eyenovia, Global Myopia Symposium, Nanodropper, Tarsus Pharmaceuticals, VTI, and more…
 
Practice Tip: One way to get started in offering orthokeratology is to take a certification course that teaches the basics of fitting the lens you’ve decided to use, writes Dwight Barnes, OD, FIAOMC: “While all ortho-k lenses are based on a similar concept, different products can have their own terminology for the parameters,” he explains. “The certification process ensures you understand how to fit the lens as you are getting started. If you choose to seek additional training, plenty of resources are available, such as books, CE lectures, and lab consultants (after you’ve set up your account with the manufacturer).” See “Get Started in Orthokeratology” at https://bit.ly/3LdNpFf. 

Contact Lens Artificial Intelligence Research Launches Specialty Contact Lens App Platform 
The health-tech start-up Contact Lens Artificial Intelligence Research and Engineering (CLAIRE) launched a web application platform that provides eye care professionals with virtual technical support, calculations, and ordering tools for specialty contact lens management. To encourage eye care professionals to use the App, CLAIRE is offering 15 credits on its platform to professionals who register by Feb. 28 at www.clairetool.com. 
 
CooperVision President Named to The Vision Council Board of Directors
CooperVision President Jerry Warner was elected to a three-year term on The Vision Council’s board of directors. In addition to this new role, Mr. Warner is on the board of trustees for the Optometric Center of New York, the affiliated foundation of the SUNY College of Optometry.
 
Dapper Dan to Headline Vision Expo EYE2EYE Educational Series
Dapper Dan, a luxury streetwear pioneer who made his name outfitting celebrities — including Jay-Z, Missy Elliot, and Mike Tyson — in custom creations via his Harlem store, will headline Vision Expo East’s EYE2EYE educational series with an interview on Saturday, April 2, from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. He will share his story, experiences, and challenges, which have culminated in his being featured in exhibitions at The Smithsonian, The Museum at FIT, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, and The Museum of Modern Art. The interview will take place at The Bridge, one of Vision Expo’s exhibit-floor “neighborhoods.”
 
Envision Opens Gallery Catering to Visually Impaired Artists and Audiences
The non-profit Envision organization opened a permanent national gallery for artists and audiences who are blind or visually impaired in Wichita, Kan. The rotating gallery space also gives those who have intellectual and development disabilities and those sighted neurotypical audiences the chance to experience art through multiple senses. The gallery is fully accessible, with navigational tape on the floor, braille and large-font printed booklets, and trained sighted-guides, among other features. The gallery’s Artist in Residency program allows members to showcase their work in the gallery. Visit https://bit.ly/3gusRKH. 

Eyenovia Changes Board of Directors
Eyenovia, Inc. announced the following changes to its Board of Directors: Dr. Sean Ianchulev, director, chief executive officer and chief medical officer of Eyenovia, is now chairman; Kenneth Lee, Jr., director, is now lead director; Rachel Jacobson was appointed to the board; Stephen Benjamin was appointed to the board; and Dr. Ernest Mario, director, retired from the board. 

GlassesUSA.com Introduces Vista Plus Contact Lenses
GlassesUSA.com introduced Vista Plus daily disposable contact lenses, which are comprised of hyaluronic acid, etafilcon A material, a 58% water content, and a Dk/t of 25. They are available for $1 for a 10-day trial and then for $32 per month, with a zero-commitment subscription, the company says. 

Global Myopia Symposium Calls for Courses for September Meeting
This is the last week to submit a one-hour breakout course or two-hour workshop for consideration for inclusion in the Global Myopia Symposium, occurring Sept. 9 to Sept. 11. The meeting’s committee is looking for courses on myopia management, epidemiology, controversies, risk and benefits, diagnosis and treatment approaches, and practice management. Contact eventhelp@pentavisionmedia.com. 
 
Innovative Eyewear to Sell Smart Eyewear at Dicks, Best Buy
Innovative Eyewear is partnering with two major retailers to sell its Lucyd Bluetooth smart eyewear. The prescription-ready eyewear will be sold at Dick’s Sporting Goods online store and Best Buy Canada’s online store (pending). While online sales are slated to begin in late February, the company says it is looking ahead to potential in-store availability.
 
Lumenis Names Mandy Moore Brand Ambassador for OptiLight 
Lumenis appointed actress/singer Mandy Moore a brand ambassador for OptiLight, a light-based treatment that uses precise, intense broad-spectrum light to improve the signs of dry eye disease (DED) resulting from meibomian gland dysfunction, the company says. Ms. Moore says she was able to significantly improve her own DED condition with the treatment. She will appear in OptiLight’s new campaign, “Not Gonna Live With It.” 
 
Nanodropper Joins Forces with Lumata Health
Nanodropper  partnered with Lumata Health, a tech-enabled healthcare service company that manages over 100,000 people at risk of vision loss, to launch a pilot program that brings the Nanodropper Adaptor device to Lumata Health network patients across the country. Specifically, patients enrolling in the Lumata program receive a free Nanodropper Adaptor to test with their medication. 
 
Tarsus Pharmaceuticals Completes Enrollment in Phase 3 Saturn-2 Trial of TP-03
Tarsus Pharmaceuticals completed enrollment in its Phase 3 Saturn-2 Trial of TP-03 (lotilaner ophthalmic solution, 0.25%), an anti-parasitic drug that paralyzes and eradicates Demodex mites by selectively inhibiting the mites’ GABA-Cl (neurotransmitter) channels, the company says. The trial’s primary endpoint is the number of patients achieving complete collarette cure, while secondary endpoints include mite eradication and lid margin redness cure. Topline results are expected in April. 

Transitions Optical Names 2021 Innovation Award Finalists
Transitions Optical, Inc. named the finalists for its annual Transitions Innovation Awards program, which recognizes individuals and organizations for their innovative efforts in supporting Transitions lenses through the past year. The finalists: Mélissane Bourque, Jennifer Chinn, OD, and Michelle Selway for 2021 Transitions Brand Ambassador; Austin Ryan Optika and Hunter’s Hill Eyecare Center for US Eyecare Practice of the Year; LensCrafters, National Vision, Inc., and Sam’s Club Optical for US Retailer of the Year; Austin Ryan Optika, Value Optical, and Walman Optical for Best in Marketing; and Elevate Digital Optics, Hunter’s Hill Eyecare Center, and PECAA for Best in Training. The winners will be announced later in the year.
 
Valley Contax Names 2022 Optometry’s Meeting Student Travel Grant Opportunity
Valley Contax, Inc, in partnership with Contamac US, announced their next travel grant award opportunity. Specifically, one student in the graduating classes of 2023 or 2024 will be chosen for the grant based on a 100-word essay that describes why they chose optometry for their profession. Submissions open Feb. 14, 2022, and close April 4, 2022. The Valley Contax social media team will announce a winner on April 11, the company says. Find the submission form at https://fs10.formsite.com/MqlEMM/studentgrants/index.html. 
 
The Vision Council and RX Name Winner of Global Talent Search
The Vision Council and RX announced eyewear brand Port Tanger as winner of the Vision Expo Global Talent Search, which celebrates and supports emerging eyewear designers. Chosen in partnership with eyewear designers of the Council of Fashion Designers of America, Port Tanger will receive free placement in Vision Expo’s ShopVISION online sourcing platform and a complimentary booth in the Springs neighborhood (one of Vision Expo’s exhibit-floor neighborhoods). A celebration will be held in honor of Port Tanger on Saturday, April 2, in The Atelier neighborhood. In other news, The Vision Council and Rx are inviting businesses in the independent retail market to submit their stories for consideration for the OPTImum Retail Award. Applications are due March 18. For additional information, visit https://bit.ly/3gyAhwo. Additionally, The Vision Council and RX have provided details on Vision Expo East’s 2022 education program. See https://bit.ly/3oysEKM. 
 
VTI Launches Education Initiative for Myopia
VTI, a US-based medical device company and producer of the NaturalVue Multifocal 1 Day Contact Lenses, launched the MyPath Myopia Education Initiative to support the success of eye care practitioners in managing myopia. Specifically, it contains several resources and tools, such as questionnaires, articles, webinars, scripts, helpful websites, efficacy data, and sales materials, the company says. Access the MyPath Myopia hub at https://vtivision.com/practitioner/mypath/.  For more information, contact info@vtivision.com.
 
Woo University to Offer “Elevating Women in Eye Care” Event
Woo University, an optometric education platform, founded by Stephanie Woo, OD, is hosting the event “Elevating Women in Eye Care.” The educational event, occurring online March 20, 2022, will “highlight the strengths of powerhouse women within eye care” and offers six hours of COPE-approved CE. Speakers include Drs. Maria Sampalis, Dori Carlson, and Chandra Mickles, among others. For additional information on the event, visit https://www.woou.org/elevating-women-in-eye-care. 
 
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.