OD Notebook:
Practice Tip: Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), OCT-angiography, spectral-domain OCT, enhanced-depth imaging OCT, and electroretinogram can aid in detecting outer retina impairment caused by diabetes, writes Sherrol A. Reynolds, OD, FAAO, in her article on the topic in the May issue. Regarding the former, she writes, “OCT provides the delineation of subtle structural changes, particularly in the outer retina and choroidal layers… Hyperreflective foci in the retina and choroid are considered an indication of disease progression, or development of diabetic macular edema (DME). Measurement of retinal thickening can be an indication of DME, and cysts in the outer retina have been associated with having poor visual acuity.” Read the entire article at https://www.optometricmanagement.com/issues/2023/may-2023/detect-outer-retina-impairment-in-diabetes.
ABB Optical Group Announces Optometry Student Challenge is Open for Registration
ABB Optical Group announced its 9th Annual Optometry Student Challenge is now open for registration. Specifically, third- and fourth-year optometry students are invited to submit an abstract on a student-based case report or research study project related to contact lenses for a chance at a travel grant to attend the 2024 Global Specialty Lens Symposium.* Optometry students can visit https://abboptical.com/OptometryStudentChallenge and must register by August 31, 2023. Based on the judge’s decision, six abstracts will be selected, and all finalists will be notified by October 23, 2023. * The Global Specialty Lens Symposium is overseen by BroadcastMed, publisher of Optometric Management.
Centre for Ocular Research & Education Recognized by Ontario Association of Optometrists
The Centre for Ocular Research & Education (CORE) received the Public Education Award from the Ontario Association of Optometrists. Specifically, the award honors members for outstanding contributions to public education and awareness campaign activities. In other CORE news, the organization dedicated issue 71 of Contact Lens Update to the topic of biometry in myopia management. Specifically, four international experts offer clinically relevant perspectives that eye care professionals can employ in their practices for equipment selection, axial-length assessment, and outcomes interpretation, according to the press release. For the latest edition, visit www.contactlensupdate.com.
Contact Lens Institute Report Indicates Untapped Opportunity in Prescribing
A comprehensive report from the Contact Lens Institute (CLI) indicates that the eye care community has a significant and largely untapped upside opportunity by prescribing both contact lenses and glasses. Specifically, the latest in a CLI See Tomorrow series report draws from recently conducted research of more than 2,000 prescription vision-corrected U.S. adults. (The Vision Council partnered on this study.) Download the report at https://www.contactlensinstitute.org/resources/see-tomorrow/.
Envision Opens Registration for 2023 Level Up Technology
Envision opened high school registration for the 2023 Level Up Technology Program. Specifically, the Program is designed to equip students who have vision loss with the academic, professional, and interpersonal skills needed for college and beyond. The Level Up Technology Program is occurring June 18 to June 24. For more information, visit https://www.envisionus.com/youth-programs/level-up.
EssilorLuxottica Reach License Agreement with Tennis Star
EssilorLuxottica and Roger Federer signed an exclusive licensing agreement for the design, manufacture, and worldwide distribution of eyewear between the Roger Federer and Oliver Peoples brands. The inaugural collection will launch in Spring 2024.
Eye Designs Releases New Catalog
Eye Designs released a newly updated, full-line catalog. The Complete Guide Volume 4 contains over 250 pages of new designs, furniture lines, standalone products, exam, and med spay layouts, etc. Obtain the new catalog by calling (800) 346-8890 or emailing info@eyedesigns.com.
Harrow Announces Transfer of New Drug Applications for Three Ophthalmic Treatments
Harrow completed transfer of the New Drug Applications for nepafenac ophthalmic suspension 0.3%, (Ilevro) (nepafenac ophthalmic suspension 0.1% (Nevanac) and dexamethasone ophthalmic suspension 0.1% (Maxidex). These three FDA-approved ophthalmic medicines, now commercially available under the Harrow umbrella, were among five products that Harrow purchased in January of 2023.
International Myopia Institute Releases 2023 Third Series of White Papers
The International Myopia Institute (IMI) released the third series of its white papers in a special issue of the Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science (IOVS) journal. The third series highlights evidence around onset, progression, and management of myopia in less typical young adult and pediatric populations, the role of the choroid in eye-growth control and myopia management, and a detailed anatomical paper on non-pathological ocular tissue changes observed in moderate-to-high myopia. The 2023 IMI White Papers can be accessed at iovs.arvojournals.org and at myopiainstitute.org/imi-white-papers/.
Lenstar Myopia Now Equipped With Age-Matched Myopia Control Framework
Lenstar Myopia, from Haag-Streit, now includes the age-matched myopia control (AMMC) framework. Specifically, the framework provides diagnostic support based on the eye’s axial growth, including data on expected length growth, considering age and gender, vs. normal length growth. This provides a clear therapy goal tailored to that specific patient, according to the press release.
Marshall B. Ketchum University Inaugurates First Female President
Marshall B. Ketchum University, Fullerton, Calif., inaugurated Julie A. Schornack, OD, Med, as its next president and the first female president of the school. The ceremony was set to take place April 28.
Revo Launches Spring/Summer 2023 Sunwear Collection
Revo is launching four new women’s styles to their Spring/Summer 2023 collection. The new styles: AIR 4; the first women’s addition to the Revo Black Collection, Eva; and coming later this month, the Sage and special-edition Perry collection will drop both on the Revo website and to retail partners globally. To learn more about the Spring/Summer 2023 collections, visit www.revo.com.
Treehouse Eyes Launches Myopia Parent Education Platform
Treehouse Eyes rolled out an automated parent marketing platform to deliver parents the right message at the right time about myopia treatment for their child. Developed with Engage Technologies Group, the video-based platform is available to all Treehouse Eyes providers.
VSP and Black EyeCare Perspective Create Scholarship
VSP Vision and Black EyeCare Perspective created the “Empowering Equity Scholarship.” Specifically, the scholarship will provide $15,000 in scholarships to two optometry students expected to graduate in 2024, who hold a minimum 3.0 GPA, and are enrolled in an accredited program. Visit https://www.vspproviderhub.com/empowering. The deadline is June 4.
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.