News from Acuity Polymers, Alcon, American Optometric Association, CooperVision, International Association of Contact Lens Educators, IDOC, Reichert Technologies, and more…
Practice Tip: Among other health awareness months, January is also Thyroid Awareness Month. Thyroid eye disease can cause the immune system to attack muscle and other tissues in and around the eye, leading to proptosis, red eyes, pain, discomfort, decrease in vision/binocularity, and dry eye disease. “Management includes patient education, and treatment can range from something as simple as artificial tears to as complex as referring for orbital decompression surgery…” writes Gina M. Wesley, OD, MS, FAAO, in “Ocular Surface News.” (See https://bit.ly/3tC5kz2.) Check out the forthcoming March issue of Optometric Management for a new column on Thyroid Eye Disease.
Acuity Polymers Custom Contact Lens Coating Receives FDA Approval
Acuity Polymers received FDA approval for its Tangible Hydra-PEG coating material under a 501(k) clearance. The coating, which uses the company’s Ultra Dk Acuity 200 gas permeable material, bonds to the surface of a lens and intends to address contact lens discomfort and dryness. This material features a Dk 200.
Alcon Releases DAILIES TOTAL1 Contact Lenses for Astigmatism in the United States
Alcon has made available DAILIES TOTAL1 for Astigmatism in the United States this month. The lens features water gradient surface material, the PRECISION BALANCE 8|4 lens design, SmarTears Technology, and it is designed to settle in an average of 37 seconds and achieve primary gaze lens orientation within 2° of ideal orientation within two minutes, the company says. Visit www.myalcon.com. In other news, Alcon announced the European launch of Systane Complete Preservative-Free Lubricant Eye Drops.
American Optometric Association Public Awareness Campaign Gives ODs and Comprehensive Eye Exams a Boost
The American Optometric Association’s (AOA) public awareness campaign — Eye Deserve More — launched in April 2021, and its efforts are paying off. According to the AOA, the campaign, which promotes the benefits and importance of in-person eye care from an AOA OD, has reached more than 26 million people digitally, obtained almost 3,500 media placements, 3.7 media impressions, and 91,000 click-throughs to the organization’s doctor locator tool. The campaign garnered news coverage through leveraging partnerships with athletes including pro-surfer Caroline Marks and pro-basketball player Tacko Fall. The AOA plans to launch a new phase of the campaign this spring.
Aramis Biosciences Gets FDA Green Light of IND Application for DED Treatment
Aramis Biosciences, Inc. announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration cleared the company’s Investigational New Drug (IND) application for A197, enabling the company to proceed with a Phase II proof of concept clinical trial. A197 has a novel mechanism of action targeting the immunopathogenesis of dry eye disease and has a clean tolerability profile, the company reports.
Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry Launches Graduate Education and Research Webpage
In recognizing the importance of graduate education and the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry’s (ASCO) strategic goal to advance research in optometry and optometric education, the organization created a Graduate Education and Research webpage. Specifically, the website provides information on types of research, training pathways, how to fund graduate training, and optometry institutions that have graduate research training programs, in addition to corresponding focus topics and program contacts.
Foundation Fighting Blindness Promotes Menzo
The Foundation Fighting Blindness announced the promotion of Jason Menzo to president and chief operating officer. Since joining the Foundation in 2018, Mr. Menzo has positively impacted the non-profit’s operations, including in fiscal, fundraising, communications, and managerial operations. In addition, he was involved in the formation of the RD Fund (Retinal Degeneration Fund), the venture arm of Foundation Fighting Blindness.
IDOC Names Two Keynote Speakers to Line Up for Upcoming National Conference
IDOC announced keynote speakers for its national conference, The Connection 2022, occurring Feb. 4 to Feb. 6 in Orlando, Fla. Tiffany Lanier, speaker, wellness advocate, and founder of The Morning Shift Co., will present “Own Your Shift: Turn Your Season of Change Into Your Season of Possibility,” to inspire attendees to create conscious shifts in how they show up in their lives, leadership, and careers. Amy Jo Martin, will present “There’s No Finish Line to Innovation,” leading attendees to explore what it means to innovate for the long haul and how to thrive through the process. The conference will be in-person. Register here.
International Association of Contact Lens Educators Invites Entries for 2022 Educator Awards
The International Association of Contact Lens Educators (IACLE) is calling for entries for its Contact Lens Educator of the Year award, which will be given to one individual from each of IACLE's three global regions: 2022 IACLE Americas Contact Lens Educator of the Year, 2022 IACLE Asia Pacific Contact Lens Educator of the Year, and 2022 IACLE Europe/Africa – Middle East Contact Lens Educator of the Year. The awards, sponsored by CooperVision, recognize achievements in contact lens education and are open to all educators who have been IACLE members for at least three years. Visit www.iacle.org/awards/. The entry deadline is midnight (EDT) on Feb. 28, 2022.
NovaBay Launches Lubricant Eye Drops
NovaBay Pharmaceuticals, Inc. expanded its Avenova brand with the launch of its lubricating eye drops. The cost for two 15ml bottles, sold as a twin pack, is $19.99. The drops can be ordered directly from Amazon.com, Avenova.com and DERMAdoctor.com. They are also available to eye care specialists for resale to their patients through NovaBay’s physician dispensed channel.
Reichert Technologies Marks 100th Anniversary of the Phoropter
Reichert Technologies was granted a registered trademark for the word Phoropter by the U.S. Patent and Trademark office on January 10, 1922, accompanying Reichert’s release of the first model of phoroptor. The company has been building its phoroptors since the 1930s. The company, which also invented the Lensometer and the No-Contact Tonometer, details its plans for celebrating the anniversary here.
VisionWeb and Neurolens Partner to Expand Prism Field for Online Ordering Platform
VisionWeb and Neurolens collaborated to allow providers to enter prims to the 1/100th prism diopter when ordering through VisionWeb’s platform. This is an increase over the previous prism entry limit of 1/4th prism diopter. The increased specificity allows providers using the Neurolens Measurement Device to prescribe the precise prism measurements indicated by the device’s measuring abilities.
The World Council of Optometry and CooperVision Release Guide to Managing Childhood Myopia
The World Council of Optometry and CooperVision partnered to launch “A Practical Guide to Managing Children with Myopia,” complementing the WCO’s Standard of Care for Myopia Management. The multi-author paper includes insights on the WCO Standard of Care and how providers can incorporate it into their clinical practice.
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.