Practice Tip: Act as Mediator Between Staff Members
A first step to ending staff conflict is to “gather them together, with you as the mediator, and create an environment of open communication,” writes Jennifer Jabaley, OD, in her April article, “Resolve Conflicts Among Staff.” She goes on to say that it’s important each staff member be allowed to air their grievances, without fear of punishment, so the OD owner can get a “full understanding of both sides of the story,” vs. hearing circulating rumors. For the full article, see https://www.optometricmanagement.com/issues/2023/april-2023/resolve-conflicts-among-staff.
CooperVision Specialty Eye Care Announces Scleral Lens Workshop Series
CooperVision Specialty EyeCare released the schedule for its 2023 Beyond the Limbus (BTL) scleral lens workshops. The dual-tracked series is comprised of scleral lens accelerator training for eye care professionals (ECPs), and scleral lens basics training for office support staff. The workshops will occur April 16 in Dallas; May 7 in San Francisco; May 7 in Chicago; June 4 in Denver; and June 11 in New York. ECPs can also register for a virtual BTL workshop. Visit marketing.coopervisionsec.com/beyondthelimbus.
Digital Diagnostics Joins Forces with Labcorp to Expand Access
to Diabetic Retinopathy Diagnostic System
Digital Diagnostics is partnering with Labcorp to expand accessibility of the artificial intelligence (AI) diagnostic system, LumineticsCore (formerly IDx-DR) to detect diabetic retinopathy (including macular edema). Initially, the test will be launched at nine Labcorp locations in Alabama. Using LumineticsCore enables clinicians to diagnose diabetic eye disease in its early stages with AI at the point-of-care, according to the press release.
Eiyan Direct-to-Consumer Contact Lens Brand Launches
Eiyan Lens is a new direct-to-consumer contact lens brand. The monthly contact lenses are manufactured by Visco Vision, and made of silicone hydrogel with 47% water content and high-oxygen permeability, according to the press release. The contact lenses come in a range of powers, with a base curve of 8.7 and a diameter of 14.0. The contact lenses are shipped anywhere in the United States. Visit www.eiyanlens.com for more information.
FDA Finalizes Guidance on Submitting 510(k) Applications Based
on Performance of Soft Contact Lenses
The FDA finalized a guidance that allows some manufacturers to submit 510(k) applications for soft contact lenses based on the lenses’ performance criteria vs. comparison to a predicate device. The guidance outlines the eligible soft contact lenses that can use the alternative pathway. Specifically, the government agency says soft daily wear prescription contact lenses meant to be worn directly against the cornea and adjacent limbal and scleral areas of the eye for myopia or hyperopia with or without astigmatism could qualify. The final guidance in its entirety can be read here.
HOYA Vision Care Launches Myopia Management Sunwear
HOYA Vision Care launched the MiYOSMART sun range with the global roll-out starting in April 2023 and a planned reach of 30 countries in the following months, according to a press release. Specifically, MiYOSMART Chameleon, and the polarized spectacle lenses, MiYOSMART Sunbird, were created to slow myopia progression in children, while providing protection from intense sunlight. MiYOSMART spectacle lenses have not been approved for use in the management of myopia in all countries, including the United States, and are not currently available for sale in all countries, including the United States.
International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness Wins Two International Awards
The International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) won two international awards from the Association of Associations Executives: Association of the Year; and Best Campaign of the Year for its “Love Your Eyes” Campaign. On the IAPB winning Association of the Year, the judges recognized IAPB as, “A wonderful example of how a cause can be advocated at a very high level, yet translated and implemented very locally,” according to the press release.
National Rosacea Society Announces April as Rosacea Awareness Month
The National Rosacea Society (NRS) designated April as Rosacea Awareness Month to educate the public on the facial disorder, which can also affect the eyes, and urge those who may have the condition to see a dermatologist for diagnosis and therapy tailored to their individual case. More information about the condition can be accessed at www.rosacea.org.
Neuro Optometric Rehabilitation Association Calls for Abstract Submissions
The Neuro Optometric Rehabilitation Association (NORA) is accepting abstracts for consideration for its 2023 General Conference, which is occurring Oct. 5 to Oct. 8, in Portland, Ore. Both members and nonmembers are welcome to submit an abstract for consideration on or before June 15 at https://noravisionrehab.org/healthcare-professionals/posters. Student submissions are also welcome, according to the press release. Posters will be selected based on novelty of topic and scientific merit. Presenters will be notified by July 15, and completed abstracts will be due no later than Aug. 31.
Pixium Vision SA Nabs Breakthrough Device Designation for
Age-Related Macular Degeneration Treatment
Pixium Vision SA announced FDA breakthrough device designation for its Prima System. The System is a photovoltaic substitute of photoreceptors that provide simultaneous use of the central prosthetic and peripheral natural vision implanted in human patients who have atrophic dry age-related macular degeneration to partially restore vision.
Prevent Blindness Recognizes April as Women’s Eye Health and Safety Month
Prevent Blindness designated April as Women’s Eye Health and Safety Month. During April, the nonprofit welcomes optometrists and industry professionals to “like” and “share” the organization’s related educational content, available on the website, www.PreventBlindness.org, to help to educate the public on a variety of women’s issues.
RVL Therapeutics Wins Award for Acquired Blepharoptosis Treatment
RVL Pharmaceuticals plc announced that its prescription eye drop oxymetazoline hydrochloride ophthalmic solution 0.1% (Upneeq) was selected the winner in the professional treatment category as “Best Eye Drop for Drooping Lids” in the NewBeauty 13th Annual Beauty Awards. Upneeq was awarded the “Best Innovation” in 2022 by NewBeauty.
Sight Sciences Names Chief Financial Officer
Sight Sciences, Inc. appointed Alison “Ali” Bauerlein its chief financial officer (CFO) and treasurer, effective April 3, 2023. She joins Sight Sciences from Inogen, Inc., a medical technology company she co-founded in 2001 that offers respiratory products for use in the homecare setting. She served as CFO for this company from 2009 through 2021.
TearRestore Compress and Wipes Available at Target
TearRestore, announced its Thermal Mask, an open-eye warm compress, and HylaWipe Tea Tree Eyelid Wipes will now be available at Target stores nationwide and at www.target.com. For more information, visit www.tearrestore.com.
Transitions Optical Names Head of Marketing, North America
Transitions Optical appointed Rose Harris to senior director of marketing, North America. Ms. Harris started her career at Transitions Optical in 1991, and has served in multiple sales and marketing roles, most recently as senior associate director and director of channel marketing for North America.
WaveFront Dynamics Launches Aberrometry System
WaveDyn Vision Aanalyzer, from WaveFront Dynamics Inc., is an aberrometry measurement system. The system captures a video of the eye’s dynamic optical system over time, producing high-resolution, dynamic measurement capabilities that provide highly accurate objective and ocular surface quality and accommodative function analysis, according to the press release. The system provides nine ocular measurements in its workflow in total. Visit www.wavefrontdynamics.com for more information.
World Council of Optometry and Alcon to Launch ‘WCO Alcon Dry Eye Wheel’ Tool
The World Council of Optometry (WCO) and Alcon will launch the May 9 “Dry Eye Spotlight 4: WCO Alcon Dry Eye Wheel” webinar. It is the culmination of an initial series of complimentary global dry eye disease education initiative online events, according to the press release. The WCO Alcon Dry Eye Wheel is an interactive tool designed to easily reference the three pillars of mitigation, measurement, and management, and to be accessible for the broadest possible use. A question-and-answer session will follow the launch. Register for the webinar at bit.ly/DryEyeWheel.
ZEISS Recognized for Innovation in California
ZEISS was awarded the #GameChangers Award from the Innovation Tri-Valley Leadership Group. The award recognizes the company for its outstanding contributions and innovations in the field of optics and optoelectronic technologies. The Tri-Valley #GameCahngers Awards recognize outstanding organizations in the tri-valley region of California.
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.