News from American Academy of Optometry; BostonSight; HOYA Vision CAre; Johnson & Johnson Vision Care; Kala Pharmaceuticals; Right Eye; Treehouse Eyes; and more...
Practice Tip: “It can be so easy to react to negativity with more negativity. The only way to turn things around is to start within. Look for the opportunity to make a difference,” writes Chief Optometric Editor April Jasper, in this month’s “OD to OD.” Dr. Jasper says she makes a point of trying to ask each patient, at each visit how they are doing and what their goals are for the day. She then waits to hear where she can help make a difference. See “OD to OD: We All Have the Power,” at bit.ly/3KVKSOD.
American Academy of Optometry Foundation Names 2022 Johnson & Johnson Vision Award of Excellence in Contact Lens Patient Care Grants
The American Academy of Optometry Foundation announced the 2022 Johnson & Johnson Vision Award of Excellence in Contact Lens Patient Care Grant recipients. The Award recognizes outstanding fourth-year student clinicians who have shown skillful knowledge of the contact lens field. Each winner receives a $500 educational award and a personalized plaque commemorating their accomplishment. For a full list of the recipients, visit bit.ly/3l3aL4o.
HOYA Vision Care Announces Results of Spectacle Lens Follow-up Clinical Study
HOYA Vision Care shared the results of a six-year follow-up clinical study on its MiYOSMART spectacle lens that contains Defocus Incorporated Multiple Segments (D.I.M.S.) Technology. The results demonstrate strong evidence of the lenses’ effectiveness in slowing myopia progression in children ages 8 to 13. Additionally, the study shows the myopia control effect is sustained over time for children wearing the lens.
Johnson & Johnson Vision Receives Fast Company Award for ACUVUE Theravision with Ketotifen
Johnson & Johnson Vision was recognized as the winner of Fast Company’s 2022 World Changing Ideas Awards in the Wellness category for the company’s ACUVUE Theravision with Ketotifen (etafilcon A drug-eluting contact lens with ketotifen) contact lens. The World Changing Ideas Awards honor products, concepts, companies, policies, and designs that are pursuing innovation for the good of society and the planet, reports the press release. For more information on the drug-eluting contact lens, visit: www.acuvuetheravision.com.
Kala Pharmaceuticals Launches Direct-to-Consumer Campaign Regarding Dry Eye Flares
Kala Pharmaceuticals, Inc. launched the direct-to-consumer campaign, “There for the Flare,” which leverages search engine marketing, display ads, social media efforts, content on consumer health care sites, and a newly updated consumer website (eysuvis.com) to educate patients about dry eye flares and the company’s drug loteprednol etabonate ophthalmic suspension 0.25% (Eysuvis). Additionally, the campaign encourages patients to actively engage with their eye care provider to discuss treatment options. For more information on dry eye flares and the new “There for the Flare” campaign, visit eysuvis.com.
Right Eye to Collaborate with Massachusetts Institute of Technology
RightEye signed a research collaboration agreement with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) to study an oculomotor “signature” for Lyme disease. Specifically, MIT researchers will recruit participants and employ the RightEye Vision System to determine whether oculomotor function can be used to generate a highly accurate, non-invasive, and sensitive biomarker for Lyme disease.
Treehouse Eyes Receives American Business Award
Treehouse Eyes was named the winner of a Silver “Stevie” Award in the “Achievement in Growth” category and “Company of the Year - Health Products & Services – Small” category, from American Business Award. Nicknamed the Stevies for the Greek word meaning “crowned,” the awards will be presented to winners at a gala ceremony at the Marriott Marquis Hotel, in New York, on Monday, June 13. Learn more about the Stevie Awards at http://www.StevieAwards.com.
Valley Contax-Sponsored Podcast Broadcasts 200th Episode
The Valley-Contax-sponsored “Try Not To Blink,” a podcast geared toward modern-day optometrists, recently broadcasted its 200th episode. The show is hosted by James “Jimmy” Deom and Roya Habibi and has featured episodes featuring guests such as Dr. Kristen O’Brien, Optometric Management’s “New OD” columnist, discussing her opening a cold-start practice. To listen to the podcast, visit trynot2blink.com, or search Spotify or Apple Podcasts.
The Vision Council Announces Research Program
The Vision Council inSights Research Program will provide quarterly consumer survey reports; quarterly eye care provider survey reports; quarterly in-depth special reports on eyewear and eye care products and topics; and an end-of-year market estimate and industry forecast. Additionally, much of this information will be complimentary to members of The Vision Council. Report categories include: Consumer inSights; Provider inSights; Focused inSights (special interest reports); Industry Data inSights; and Market inSights. The first reports will be published later this month (May 2022).
The Vision Council Appoints New Government Relations Manager
The Vision Council named Omar Elkhatib its new government relations manager. In this role, Mr. Elkhatib will work closely with The Vision Council’s federal affairs partners at Venable, regulatory counsel Rick Van Arnam, and be the staff liaison to the Government and Regulatory Affairs Committee. Additionally, he will report to Michael Vitale, The Vision Council’s vice president of Membership and Technical Affairs. Before joining The Vision Council, Mr. Elkhatib was the senior manager, Democracy Initiatives at the Convergence Center for Policy Resolution.
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.