News from American Academy of Optometry, CooperVision, Good-Lite, Lumenis, Mobile Optix, Prevent Blindness, The Vision Council, and more…
Practice Tip: “As a non-invasive fingertip pulse oximeter can help detect low oxygen levels, ODs should recommend their diabetic patients acquire one, and optometrists can provide this direct link to such devices: https://amzn.to/3uFVV8v ,” writes Sherrol Reynolds, OD, FAAO, in “Keep Tabs on Diabetes,” in OM’s May issue. She adds ODs should educate patients that if their oxygen level is lower than 94%, and patients are having symptoms of respiratory distress, such as any shortness of breath, they should contact their regular health care provider immediately. For the other reason diabetes patients should use a pulse oximeter, visit bit.ly/PulseOXOM.
American Academy of Optometry Announces Registration Open for 2022 Conference
Academy 2022 in San Diego is now open for registration. Taking place Oct. 26 to Oct. 29 at the San Diego Convention Center, the meeting will offer more than 300 hours of education and chances to earn up to 31 hours of CE, says the American Academy of Optometry. Registration fees include access to workshops and courses, the exhibit hall, and special evening events. To register follow the link: bit.ly/AAOConferenceOM.
BostonSight Expands PROSE Provider Network
BostonSight announced the expansion of its PROSE Provider Network into The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, bringing the total number of sites to 19 in four countries, the company says. PROSE, by BostonSight, is a medical treatment for ocular surface disease that includes custom prosthetic GP lenses unique to the patient’s condition and eye shape.
CooperVision’s Make a Difference Campaign Enters Third Year
The Make a Difference campaign, from CooperVision, is entering its third year with 25 university partnerships, the company says. The program provides U.S. and Canadian optometry students and educators with the opportunity to fit patients who lack financial resources with the company’s iSee, Onefit, and Paragon CRT specialty contact lenses, and includes universities like New England College of Optometry, University of Houston College of Optometry, and UC Berkely School of Optometry. In other news, the company appointed Baskar Arumagam, BOpt, PhD, FAAO, to senior lead clinical scientist, and David Hammond, B.App.Sci.(Microbiol), B.App.Sci.(Optom), PhD, COT, to lead clinical scientist of myopia research and development.
Good-Lite Sponsors Pediatric Eye Care Webinar
Good-Lite, The World Council of Optometry and The African Council of Optometry will host a complimentary webinar on Pediatric Eye Care. Occurring June 22 from 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. CDT, the webinar will include presentations from Drs. Glen T. Steele and Naomi H. Nsubuga, who will cover digital device use in children and optometry’s role in a school eye health program, respectively. Visit bit.ly/GoodLitePediatric.
Lumenis Device Receives Breakthrough Award
OptiLight, from Lumenis, received the MedTech Breakthrough Award for Best New Technology Solution for Ophthalmology. There were more than 3,900 nominations from 15 countries, according to the press release. The win follows the company’s receipt of Best Overall medical Device Company in 2021 and Best New Surgical Technology Solution in 2020.
Mobile OptiX Names Director of Clinical Operations
MobileOptiX appointed Ann Rast as its director of Clinical Operations. She brings 20 years of experience, with specific skills in team building, management, regulatory compliance, and healthcare leadership, according to the company. Her prior position was senior director of clinical operations for Argus Dental & Vision, Inc.
Prevent Blindness Provides Educational Material for Cataract Awareness Month
As June is Cataract Awareness month, Prevent Blindness created educational and informational resources on this leading cause of vision loss in the United States. Information and graphics on cataract and cataract surgery are ready to download in English and Spanish at this link: https://preventblindness.org/cataract-awareness-june-2022/.
Toku Eyes to Bring Artificial Intelligence Platform to United States
Toku Eyes, a New Zealand-based creator of a multi-modal artificial intelligence (AI) platform for instant healthcare diagnostics, announced it is bringing its ORAiCLE platform to the United States. ORAiCLE is an AI platform that recognizes minute changes in the retinal blood vessels, capillaries, and arteries, pigmentation, calcification, etc., to stratify the person's risk of having a cardiovascular event, such as a stroke or heart attack. Toku Eyes is planning, subject to finalizing regulatory clearances, to be present at more than 1500 locations across the United States by 2025. Visit tokueyes.com.
The Vision Council Now Accepting Content Submissions
The Vision Council, co-organizer of Vision Expo, is calling for submissions for the innovation stage at Vision Expo West, occurring Sept. 14 to Sept. 17 in Las Vegas. The innovation stage features speakers, presentations, and panels on categories that include new technology/innovation/metaverse, clinical/medical, fashion/design, sustainability, diversity, equity and inclusion, and mental health. To submit content, complete the online application at https://bit.ly/3GDW8P9 by Friday, July 15. In other news, The Vision Council and RX, co-organizers of Vision Expo, announced a new Educational Planning Committee and new members of the OptiCon Advisory Board for Vision Expo West 2022 and Vision Expo East 2023. The Committee will be co-chaired by Mark Dunbar, OD and Marc Bloomenstein, OD. Additional members include Melissa Barnett, OD; Mick Kling, OD; Millicent Knight, OD; Jack Schaeffer, OD; and Vincent Young, MD. For more information on the Educational Planning Committee, click here.
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.