Practice Tip:
For those new to Instagram, Nishan Pressley, OD, of DPA Eyecare, in Altamonte Springs, Fla., suggests using the “Insights” menu in the mobile version of the social media platform in this month’s “Social Media” column. Using this, she says, she keeps track of what time her users are most active and what posts have the most reach and engagement, so she can plan future posts. For more on Instagram in the optometric practice, visit https://www.optometricmanagement.com/issues/2022/october-2022/business-social-media.
AAO Welcomes New Fellows and Diplomates
American Academy of Optometry recently hosted Academy 2022 in San Diego, where it welcomed 309 new fellows into its ranks and celebrated 9 current fellows, who earned the distinction of diplomate. Fellows of the academy must complete a candidacy process that includes submitting written work, demonstrating their skills as an optometrist or a vision scientist. Diplomates are fellows of the academy who wish to demonstrate their extensive skill in a specific area.
ABB Labs Launches ABB Unlimited Lens Designs
ABB Labs announced the launch of ABB Unlimited, an optical lens design product line. The ABB Unlimited line of products are categorized under the Digital Master Series. Available designs include progressive addition lenses, single vision lenses, all lens materials from CR-39 through 1.74, in clear bluDEFENSE, and other lens enhancements, including polarized and photochromic options. Visit https://info.abboptical.com/abb-labs-unlimited.
AccuLens Acquires Patent
AccuLens has acquired an intellectual property patent for OnPoint Alignment Technology, a laser-marked alignment grid that gives direct output to the angle and amount of offset needed for a custom aligned optic. This customization feature allows for precise placement of optics over patient’s visual axis to improve overall VA, according to the press release.
Alcon and World Council of Optometry Launch Dry Eye Resource
The World Council of Optometry and Alcon created an online resource in support of their global, evidence-based dry eye disease education initiative. The website,
https://dryeye.worldcouncilofoptometry.info, features on-demand webinars, practice tools, and white papers, among others. Registration for future webinars will be available in coming weeks, according to the press release.
Tonight: CLI To Host Digital Events on Inflation’s Impact on Eye Care
The Contact Lens Institute (CLI) will host two digital events that will explore inflation and eye care tonight at 6 p.m. EDT and 9 p.m. EDT. The live, online panels, which will center on the recently published CLI report surrounding patient beliefs and behaviors about eye care choices, discretionary spending, and contact lens habits, are open to all members of the eye care community. Free registration is now available at https://www.seetomorrownow.com.
CooperVision Celebrates 20 Years of Orthokeratology
CooperVision Specialty EyeCare recently celebrated the 20th anniversary of the FDA’s approval of Paragon CRT. The celebration included a discussion among eye care professionals about myopia management, indicating an increase in the number of patient-facing discussions, prescriptions, and treatment options over the next 10 to 20 years, according to the press release.
EssilorLuxottica Announces Support of Myopia Management Education Program
EssilorLuxottica is supporting the World Society of Paediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus (WSPOS) independent medical education program on myopia management, as a gold level supporter. WSPOS will launch Nov. 19 and Nov. 20, at 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. GMT. The Program’s goals are to raise awareness of myopia, discuss underlying causes and long- term impact on quality of life, examine current and evolving strategies to slow myopia progression in children, and define strategies to successfully integrate myopia management into practice for eye care practitioners. To register, visit https://conferences.eventsair.com/wspos-independent-medical-education---comprehensive-update-on-myopia-management/registration/Site/Register.
Harrow Launches Atropine-Dispensing Website
Harrow has launched https://atropine.com, an easy-to-access ordering and marketing portal designed specifically for prescribers interested in compounded atropine formulations. All atropine.com prescriptions will be dispensed through Harrow’s wholly owned subsidiary, ImprimisRx. Eye care professionals can prescribe atropine for individual patients online, or by calling ImprimisRx Customer Care at (844) 446 6979. Healthcare providers may sign up for updates on the availability of atropine formulations through the ImprimisRx FDA-registered and FDA-inspected 503B outsourcing facility.
Prevent Blindness Celebrates TED Week (Ongoing)
Prevent Blindness has declared Nov. 14 to Nov. 20, 2022, as its third annual Thyroid Eye Diseases Awareness (TED) Week. Prevent Blindness is offering TED fact sheets and social media graphics in conjunction with this observance. Find them at https://preventblindness.org/thyroid-eye-disease/. And for additional information on TED, see the “Thyroid Eye Disease” series in Optometric Management, starting at https://www.optometricmanagement.com/issues/2022/march-2022/clinical-thyroid-eye-disease.
Stuart Richer, OD, Who Researched Nutrition, Ocular Wellness, and the Aging Eye, Passes
Stuart Richer, OD, PhD, FAAO, has died. Dr. Richer had an interest in nutrients for age-related macular degeneration, low vision, and cataract prevention. He completed a dual OD MS (physiological optics) degree at University of California at Berkeley in 1981, enlisted in a residency in low vision at the Kansas City DVA Medical Center, and earned his PhD in human physiology and biophysics from Chicago Medical. Additionally, Dr. Richer was chief of Optometry at the DVA Medical Center, North Chicago, for over 30 years, and oversaw 35 research projects. “More than any other optometrist, Stuart Richer influenced the way clinicians think about nutrition, lifestyle and ocular wellness,” writes Joseph J. Pizzimenti, OD, FAAO, in the Optometric Management e-newsletter “AMD Clinical Insights” (see https://www.optometricmanagement.com/newsletters/amd-clinical-insights/november-2022).
SDC Technologies Buys Coburn Technologies Inc.
SDC Technologies Inc. acquired Coburn Technologies Inc. to broaden SDC Technologies’ range of premium coatings, automated coating equipment, and advanced lens processing technologies, according to a press release.
Leonard Seidner, OD, Specialty Contact Lens Pioneer, Passes
Leonard Seidner, OD, has died. Dr. Seider practiced optometry for 50 years, and
specialized in difficult-to-fit patients, eventually working with chemist Norman Gaylord, PhD, on a rigid material that would minimize or eliminate the edema-related complications caused by polymethyl-methacrylate (PMMA) lens wear. The resulting “Gaylord patent,” for the first silicone/acrylate lens material, was awarded in the early 1970s. Dr. Seidner received the Founders Award from the (now) American Academy of Optometry Cornea, Contact Lenses and Refractive Technologies section, the Dr. Josef Dallos Award for outstanding contributions to the development and advancement of the contact lens industry and for service to humanity, and the Dr. Leonard Bronstein Memorial Award.
Study Shows Subretinal Drusenoid Deposits Linked With Cardiovascular Disease
In the Nov. 17 issue of BMJ Open Ophthalmology, New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai researchers discovered that patients who have underlying heart damage from heart failure and heart attacks, advanced heart valve disease, or carotid artery disease associated with certain types of strokes or stroke were nine times more likely to have subretinal drusenoid deposits (SDD), an early form of AMD.
SVision Imaging to Change Name to Intalight
SVision Imaging, a company that develops ophthalmic technologies, announced that it will be expanding its position in the OCT market under the new name Intalight™. The rebranding highlights the company’s mission and growth strategy to create advanced ophthalmic technologies to target unmet needs across OCT imaging, and its commitment to introducing this technology in the US, according to the press release. Intalight is in the process of submitting a 510(k) for its platform, DREAM OCT™. To learn more about Intalight and DREAM OCT, visit https://www.intalight.com.
Tarsus’ Demodex Blepharitis Drug NDA Accepted
Tarsus Pharmaceuticals Inc. announced the FDA accepted the New Drug Application (NDA) for TP-03 for the treatment of Demodex blepharitis. The drug has a Prescription Drug User Fee Act, with a target action date of August 25, 2023.
Transitions Optical Provides Presentation for American Education Week
Transitions Optical developed a presentation template for industry professionals to educate students about a career in the optical industry. The presentation was created in collaboration with the Transitions Diversity Board to help inspire and foster a more diverse pipeline of future optical-industry professionals. The customizable template is geared toward middle school students, and Transitions Optical is encouraging eye care professionals to coordinate a visit with their local schools during American Education Week, Nov. 13 to Nov.19. Access to the template can be found at https://trade.transitions.com.
Vision Council Executive Summit Adds Keynote Speakers
The Vision Council added two keynote speakers to its Executive Summit event scheduled for Jan. 9 to Jan. 11 in Austin, Texas. Johnny Taylor Jr., CEO of Society for Human Resource Management, and Jade Simmons, rockstar concert pianist, have joined previously announced speakers Collin Bryar and Bill Car, former Amazon Executives, authors, and co-founders of Working Backwards LLC; Jessica Buchanan, New York Times bestselling author, humanitarian, and survivor; and Brian Beaulieu, economist and CEO of ITR Economics. In other news, The Vision Council released Focused inSights 2022: Blue Light Snapshot, a report on consumer awareness of blue light glasses, concern about the effects of blue light, blue light glasses usage, and interest in blue light glasses. The report is available on The Vision Council’s Research Download Center
Visionary Optics Appoints Director of Clinical and Scientific Affairs
Visionary Optics appointed Lynette K. Johns, OD, FAAO, FSLS, FBCLA, as director of clinical and scientific affairs. In this role, Dr. Johns will oversee the strategic implementation of scleral and specialty contact lens education, research, and training, as well as support the dissemination of evidence-based data through professional networks. A contact lens practitioner and investigator, Dr. Johns is widely published and well known for her work with scleral lenses for visual rehabilitation, pain management, and ocular surface support, according to the press release.
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.