News from Alcon, Bausch + Lomb, CooperVision, EssilorLuxottica, Johnson & Johnson Vision, Optometry Giving Sight, Prevent Blindness, and more…
Practice Tip: One way to minimize optician turnover is to schedule and stick with employee reviews, writes Jessilin Quint, OD, FAAO, in the April issue’s “Optical” column: “The OD should take the time for employee reviews, no matter how busy the optometrist is, as reviews provide an opportunity to convey positive feedback, areas where improvements can be made, identify additional training opportunities, and they establish goals for growth. In other words, this scheduled ‘check-in’ time maintains employee engagement with the practice.” For more on this topic, see https://bit.ly/3F3nOMN.
Alcon Achieves GreenCircle Certification for Zero Waste to Three Landfill Manufacturing Facilities
Alcon earned the GreenCircle Zero Waste to Landfill Certification for two of its manufacturing facilities in Fort Worth, Texas, and one in Singapore for diverting 100% waste from landfills. The three GreenCircle-certified facilities manufacture several of the company’s OTC eye care products, such as Pataday and Systane. GreenCircle Certification is recognized as a valid third-party certification entity by the U.S. government, the U.S. Green Building Council, the International Living Future Institute, and the Association of Plastic Recyclers, according to the press release.
Apellis Pharmaceuticals’ Global Survey Shows Geographic Atrophy Takes Toll on Diagnosed
Apellis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.’s global Geographic Atrophy Insights Survey (GAINS), conducted by The Harris Poll, shows 68% of geographic atrophy (GA) patients believe the impact on their independence and quality of life due to their visual decline is worse than they expected, a majority feel GA has affected their ability to read (96%), drive (95%), and travel (88%), and 46%, 39%, and 33% report feeling anxious, powerless, and frustrated, respectively. GAINS was conducted among 203 GA adults across nine countries. Apellis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.’s investigational C3 therapy is in the pipeline as a treatment for GA.
Bausch + Lomb Recycles More Than 48 Million Units of Contact Lens Products
Bausch + Lomb announced its ONE by ONE and Biotrue Eye Care Recycling programs have recycled 48,235,850 million units, or 290,145 pounds, of used contact lenses, eye care and lens care materials, or the equivalent of the weight of approximately 31 elephants, the company says. Both programs are made possible through a partnership with TerraCycle, which collects and repurposes hard-to-recycle post-consumer waste, Bausch + Lomb says.
CooperVision Expands Plastic Neutrality Initiative
CooperVision’s plastic neutrality initiative expanded to include additional countries in Europe and Latin America, and it will soon launch in select Asian countries, the company says. With the company’s Impact Dashboard, everyone can view the amount of ocean-bound plastic the company has helped to recover, as well as an interactive map of the communities impacted by the initiative, CooperVision says.
Eaglet Eye to Relaunch ‘Eaglet Eye Scleral Lens Series’ Educational Program
Eaglet Eye is relaunching a three-part virtual educational program, the “Eaglet Eye Scleral Lens Series.” Hosted by Tom Arnold, OD, the program focuses on profilometry-based scleral lens fitting and aims to help practitioners get more comfortable with scleral lens fitting, its challenges, and complications. The one-hour webinars will be held on May 3, May 10, and May 17 at 8 p.m. EDT. For more information and to register, visit eaglet-eye.com/scleral-lens-series.
EssilorLuxottica Appoints Leader of North American Wholesale Marketing
EssilorLuxottica named Sherianne James as its chief marketing officer/senior vice president of Wholesale Marketing for North America (N.A.). Ms. James will lead the company’s combined commercial marketing efforts across N.A., including both its eyewear and lens brands, the company says. She joined Essilor of America in 2016, first serving as vice president of Marketing before becoming chief marketing officer in 2017.
ForeseeHome AMD Monitoring Program Study Shows Long-Term Visual Outcomes
A study in Ophthalmology Retina reveals participants in the 10-year ForeseeHome AMD Monitoring Program had an average VA of 20/32 after an average of 2.7 years of treatment vs. a VA of 20/80 after two years of follow-up using the current standard of care, based on the Intelligent Research in Sight Registry. The retrospective study followed 2,123 dry age-related macular degeneration patients, from five retina specialist practices to understand the visual outcomes of patients participating in the digital health care program. See https://notalvision.com/technology/foreseehome.
International Myopia Institute Rolls Out Global Survey on Myopia Management
The International Myopia Institute (IMI) launched a global practitioner survey on the uptake of myopia management. The International Myopia Institute survey on myopia control attitudes and practice will build on data published in 2016 and 2019 to establish adoption of the latest evidence to address the myopia epidemic and how it varies across the world. The English language version of the survey can be accessed at surveymonkey.co.uk/r/IMI2022.
Johnson & Johnson Vision Announces New LipiFlow Activator and ‘Abiliti’ Symposium
Johnson & Johnson Vision announced availability of the next-generation TearScience Activator Clear for the LipiFlow Thermal Pulsation System, the company’s in-office treatment for meibomian gland dysfunction. It features a single-piece eye cup and translucent design, enabling more efficient and accurate positioning in the eye, giving eye care professionals greater confidence that the activator is delivering heat and pressure evenly across the entire lid, the company says. In other news, Johnson & Johnson Vision created the “Master Your Abiliti” symposium, an immersive, hands-on experience where doctors can sharpen their knowledge and skill set to better treat myopic patients. The first symposium occurredApril 9th in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Presenters, such as Optometric Management’s “Contact Lens” columnist, Susan A. Resnick, debunked some common orthokeratology myths, lead practice, and learn breakout sessions, guided attendees through topography and Fitabiliti software, and participated in a “Ask The Experts” panel discussion.
Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Association International Conference Registration Now Open
Registration is now open for the Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Association (NORA) 32nd annual conference, occurring Sept. 8 to Sept. 11, 2022 at the Hyatt Regency Columbus, Ohio. The 2022 conference will provide a variety of CE presentations — up to 17 hours of credit — (COPE approval pending), that includes KOLs from optometry, among other specialties, providing a combination of hands-on and lecture-style presentations, NORA says. Further, attendees will have the opportunity to spend time with exhibitors to learn about and gain first-hand experience of an array of products, programs, and services. Visit https://noravisionrehab.org/about-nora/annual-conferences/2022-annual-conference.
Optometry Giving Sight Names Interim Executive Director
Optometry Giving Sight (OGS) appointed Lois Schoenbrun, CAE (Ret.), FAAO, as its interim executive director. Ms. Schoenbrun has served as executive director of the American Academy of Optometry and the American Academy of Optometry Foundation, and is now president of Schoenbrun Consulting, LLC, providing fund-raising, strategic planning, governance, and executive coaching services to clients, such as the World Council of Optometry, and the World Optometric Foundation. OGS says it expects to start a search for a new executive director in 2022.
Orasis Pharmaceuticals Announces Positive Phase 3 Topline Results of Drop for Presbyopia
Orasis Pharmaceuticals says its Phase 3 NEAR-1 and NEAR-2 clinical trials, which assessed the efficacy and safety of CSF-1, the company’s eye drop candidate to treat presbyopia, met their primary and key secondary endpoints, achieving a statistically significant three-line or more gain in distance-corrected near VA, and no loss of one-line or more in distance VA. The company says these findings will serve as the basis for the New Drug Application submission to the FDA in the second half of 2022.
PECAA Adds State Optometric Association Support
Professional Eye Care Associates of America expanded its support of independent optometry via new partnerships with the Missouri, North Dakota, Nebraska, and South Dakota Optometric Associations, as well as enhancing its partnership with the Vermont Optometric Association. Under these arrangements, PECAA will collaborate with each association to promote its purchasing and practice solutions programs. Those interested in the full list of state optometric associations currently partnering with PECAA or in learning more can call (800) 959-2020 and choose option 3.
Prevent Blindness Designates May as Ultraviolet Awareness Month
Prevent Blindness declared May as Ultraviolet (UV) Awareness Month. To educate the public on the negative effects of UV exposure to the eyes and vision, the nonprofit organization offers a dedicated webpage, PreventBlindness.org/sun-and-vision, downloadable fact sheets, and shareable social media infographics.
State University of New York College of Optometry Names Chief of Advanced Care for University Eye Center
SUNY College of Optometry appointed Matthew Bovenzi, OD, as chief of Advanced Care for the University Eye Center (UEC). In this role, Dr. Bovenzi will provide strategic leadership for the medical staff within the division, ensure effective and efficient delivery of the highest quality patient care for the ocular disease and contact lens clinics, and continue teaching the future generation of optometry students, SUNY says. Additionally, Dr. Bovenzi will serve as the UEC’s Laser Safety Officer. The Advanced Care division supports approximately 14,000 patient visits annually, according to the press release.
Théa Pharma Inc. Announces U.S. Availability of OTC Eye Care Products
Théa Pharma Inc. introduced its iVIZIA OTC line of eye care products in the United States. The line includes lubricating eye drops, lubricating eye gel, eyelid cleansing wipes, a micellar eyelid cleanser, and an eyelid cleansing gel. The iVIZIA line is now available through Amazon and CVS and will reach the shelves of over 26,000 retail stores by July, the company says. Eye care professionals can request samples by visiting the iVIZIA website www.IVIZIA.com/ecp.
Vision Council Announces New Members
The Vision Council welcomed the following new members: Mariposa Advisors, Dr. Contact Lens, Samsara Vision, Meta Platforms, Inc., Coloursmith Labs, Inc., and Eyedaptic, Inc.
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.