Practice Tip: Presbyopes who work on computers and perform close work are ideal candidates for progressive ophthalmic lenses, as these lenses contain corrections for both visual issues, says Mark R. Kapperman, OD, of Kapperman, White & McGarvey, in Chattanooga, Tenn. “Computer or ‘office’ progressive lenses have gotten a lot better, in that the wearer no longer has to bob their head to find their needed vision,” he explains. “I have found these lenses make a great choice for someone who is doing a lot of desk work.” For more options for presbyopic patients, see “Choose From the Presbyopia Treatment Toolbox,” at https://www.optometricmanagement.com/issues/2022/september-2022/choose-from-the-presbyopia-treatment-toolbox.
ABB to Premiere Abby Online Ordering Platform at Vision Expo
ABB Optical Group announced it will premiere Abby, its new contact lens-ordering platform, at Vision Expo West this week, in Las Vegas. According to the company, Abby provides patients with an easy, single online ordering platform with access to contact lenses from every major manufacturer, with the added convenience of free shipping and hassle-free returns. Additionally, during Vision Expo, ABB Optical Group will host a series of events and sponsorships to highlight the company’s new products and business solutions.
Blenders Eyewear, Oracle Red Bull Racing Announce Partnership
Blenders Eyewear, a part of Safilo Group, joined forces with Oracle Red Bull Racing. The company will provide sunglasses to the team, pit crew, and support staff. In Spring 2023, Blenders Eyewear will launch an exclusive collection of Oracle Red Bull Racing sunglasses globally.
CooperVision Announces MyDay Energys; Expands MyDay Toric Parameters
CooperVision announced an addition to its product portfolio: MyDay Energys daily disposable contact lenses. MyDay Energys features a single vision aspheric lens design, which was initially introduced in the company’s Biofinity Energys. The MyDay lenses are designed to provide comfort for wearers when they are using digital devices, according to the company. Further details regarding MyDay Energys, including available parameters and U.S. availability, will be announced in the coming months. In addition, CooperVision announced it has increased the MyDay toric parameters by nearly 70%. MyDay toric will be available in 4,392 prescription options, with the following parameters: Sphere Power: Plano to -6.00 D (0.25 D steps), -6.50 D to -10.00 D (0.50 D steps), and +6.50 D to +8.00 D (0.50 D steps). The full range will be available in the United States next month. Visit https://coopervision.com/practitioner/our-products/myday-family/myday-toric.
CooperVision Opens Submissions for 2023 Best Practices
CooperVision opened submissions for its 2023 Best Practices honorees and student scholarship recipients. Specifically, all U.S. independent and corporate optometry practices currently fitting any brand of contact lenses are encouraged to apply. The deadline for application is Nov. 8 and winners will be announced in early 2023. Visit www.eyecarebestpractices.comto apply.
Eaglet Eye Hosting Workshops on Profilometry
Registration is now open for the Eaglet Eye Big City Tour, a free educational resource for eye care professionals. The interactive workshops, taking place throughout the United States, feature the company’s Eye Surface Profiler. The workshops focus on data-based specialty-lens fitting and aim to help practitioners familiarize themselves with the power of profilometry, Eaglet Eye says. Visit https://www.eaglet-eye.com/big-city-tour/.
Envision Conference Releases Agenda
Envision Conference, through Envision University, has set the agenda for its virtual fall conference, taking place Oct. 7 to Oct. 8 virtually. The multidisciplinary conference is hosted with the goal of closing practice gaps and disseminating the latest advancements in rehabilitation techniques, research, and technology. Early bird registration is available through Sept. 18 at www.envisionuniversityevents.com/VirtualFall2022.
EssilorLuxotica Reports Third Year Results for Myopia Control Lens
EssilorLuxotica released three-year clinical trial results for its Stellest lens. Specifically, the results show the lens continues to exhibit strong efficacy in slowing myopia progression and axial elongation in the third year of the clinical trial. Results were presented at the International Myopia Conference in Rotterdam, Netherlands, of which the company is a sponsor, facilitated by Dr. Mark A. Bullimore, MCOptom, PhD, FAAO.
First Insight Corp. Launches EHR Platform MaximEyes.com
MaximEyes.com, from First Insight Corp., is an EHR and practice management platform accessible via a web browser or local server. The program provides attributes, such as built-in patient engagement tools; contact lens-ordering integration with the CLS System; VSP integration; two-way e-prescribing; automated coding, and outbound documentation.
Haag-Streit Celebrates 25th Anniversary of Exam Chair
Haag-Streit USA is celebrating the 25th anniversary of its FX-920 chair, from Reliance Medical Products. The FX-920 is comprised of a compact design and memory programming that increases the OD’s efficiency, the company says. Additionally, it is built with a hydraulic base tested to 600 pounds and is available in two-toned upholstery cushions, which are removeable. Haag-Streit says it will be displaying a special 25th anniversary FX-920 at Vision Expo West 2022 in Las Vegas (Booth F10043, September 15-17) and AAO 2022 in Chicago (Booth 4362, Oct. 1 to Oct. 3).
Horizon Therapeutics Teams Up with the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) to Encourage People to #LoveYourEyes on World Sight Day
Horizon Therapeutics is joining forces with World Sight Day organizers’ the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness to challenge five million people globally to pledge to have their vision checked before World Sight Day on Oct. 13. This year’s theme is #LoveYourEyes, calling on individuals to prioritize their eye health, while raising awareness about the challenges faced by the one billion people worldwide who cannot access or afford eye care services. Specifically, Horizon is providing free vision screenings and eye health education across the country, such as at Wrigley Field, in Chicago, on Sept. 30.
Johnson & Johnson Vision Launches Lenses for Digital Lifestyles
Johnson & Johnson Vision Care launched ACUVUE OASYS MAX 1-DAY contact lenses and ACUVUE OASYS MAX 1-Day MULTIFOCAL contact lenses to help meet the needs of digitally intense lifestyles, the company says in a press release. Specifically, the lenses provide TearStable Technology and an OptiBlue light filter to maximize tear-film stability and moisture and filter out blue-violet light, respectively. Additionally, ACUVUE OASYS MAX 1-Day lenses block 99.9% UVA rays and 100% UVB rays, Johnson & Johnson Vision Care says.
NECO Hosts Second Industry Collaborative Event
New England College of Optometry held its second industry collaborative event on Aug. 29 and Aug. 30 in Boston, hosting more than 100 attendees. The event provided a venue for discussion among students, industry, and academic areas of eye care. Topics for discussion included rethinking refraction, the pace at which the industry is evolving, and the legislative implications for the profession, among others.
Neurolens Raises $67 Million to Develop New Products and Accelerate Adoption
Neurolens completed of a $67 million financing, which the company says will fuel continued product innovation and growth initiatives, further accelerating the adoption of Neurolens.
Visit www.neurolens.com.
NORA Presents Awards for Neuro Optometric Rehabilitation Contributions
Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Association International (NORA) provided the following awards during its annual Conference in Columbus: The Advancement of Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Award (Derrick Tong, OD, FAAO, FCOVD, FNORA); the Advancement of Sciences Award (Jamshid Ghajar, PhD, MD); Founding Father’s Award (Mary Van Hoy, OD); and the William and Diana Ludlam Educators Award (Mark Taub, OD). For additional information, visit https://noravisionrehab.org/about-nora/awards.
Ocuco Names Chief Product Officer
Ocuco appointed Clodagh Nic Canna as its chief Product Officer. In this newly created role,
The former head of the company’s Product Development Department will be responsible for creating and realizing Ocuco’s product vision. The Ocuco team will be onsite at Vision Expo West this week in Las Vegas.
Ocuphire Pharma Inc. Clears FDA Hurdle
The FDA granted a small business waiver of the Prescription Drug User Fee Act fee of $3.1 million for the 505(b)(2) NDA for Nyxol (0.75% phentolamine ophthalmic solution). Ocuphire Pharma says it remains on track to file the NDA in late 2022. The once-daily, preservative-free eye drop formulation of phentolamine mesylate, a non-selective alpha-1 and alpha-2 adrenergic antagonist designed to reduce pupil size, is being developed for several indications, including reversal of pharmacologically induced mydraisis, presbyopia, and dim light or night vision disturbances.
RevCycle Partners Names Chief Technology Officer
Jim Schneider has joined RevCycle Partners as its chief technology officer (CTO). He will lead the design and build out of a comprehensive Revenue Cycle Management Portal to support RevCycle Partners’ team of insurance billers, eligibility and benefits team members, and credentialing experts. Mr. Schneider served as RevolutionEHR co-founder and CTO prior to this appointment.
Safilo Returns to Vision Expo West, Celebrates 60th Anniversary
Safilo Group announced its return to Vision Expo West, held in Las Vegas this week, where it says it will present a striking, newly designed booth space from which to greet all show attendees. Additionally, the frame company says it will celebrate its 60th anniversary with a North American Campaign, which is a "twist" on presenting definitions for important key words, such as Vision, Connect, Product, Service, and People that is commensurate with Safilo’s values and promise.
TearLab Corporation Changes Name to Trukera
TearLab Corporation announced it will be expanding its position in corneal health under the name Trukera Medical. The company says that the rebranding reflects its vision and future growth strategy to target a broader set of unmet needs across corneal health. Trukera Medical adds its first new product under the name change is the ScoutPro Osmolarity System, which brings together nanoliter volume sample collection and analysis in a portable device. Visit www.trukera.com.
Vision Council Earns Designation for its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Efforts
The Vision Council, which launched a task force on diversity, equity, and inclusion in 2020, was awarded the designation of Power of Associations Silver Award from the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) for its diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. In other news, Vision Council and RX, co-organizers of Vision Expo, announced a complimentary digital extension Vision Expo+, delivered through ShopVISION, Vision Expo’s global sourcing platform. Visit www.visionexpo.com for more information.
WCO and Alcon Name Lead Faculty for Dry Eye Disease Education Initiative
The World Council of Optometry (WCO) and Alcon have named three global experts as lead faculty for their new dry eye disease education initiative: Jennifer Craig, PhD FCOptom, FAAO, FBCLA, FCLS; Lyndon Jones, DSc, FCOptom, FAAO; and James Wolffsohn, BSc, MBS, PhD, FCOptom, FAAO. The worldwide evidence-based program is designed to raise optometrists’ understanding of dry eye etiology and prevalence, diagnosis, and practical management. More information on the initiative, including the timing of the first educational session, will be available in the coming weeks. Updates will be posted to www.worldcouncilofoptometry.info and to the initiative’s dedicated website, which is in development.
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.