Practice Tip: Grade meibomian gland function and structure
During slit lamp evaluation, use a cotton tip applicator, a meibomian gland expressor, or your thumb to assess the quality of the meibum and the ease of the meibum expression, writes Cecelia Koetting, OD, FAAO, in this month’s “Dry Eye” column. Next, take note of the consistency of the meibum: Is it like olive oil, cloudy, turbid, or even caseous? To grade structure, use a transilluminator, so that you can view the glands and grade atrophy. Or use meibography, which allows you to capture a photo and directly observe the architecture of the meibomian glands, evaluating for changes related to MGD. For the full column, visit https://www.optometricmanagement.com/issues/2023/july-2023/clinical-dry-eye. 

CooperVision hosts new graduate event
More than 80 optometrists participated in CooperVision’s third annual New Graduate Summit, held in Alexandria, Va. The three-day event covered contact lenses, myopia management, and personal finance success. Specific topics ranged from the latest developments in the world of contact lenses, to the strategies and tools needed for success in optometry. The event took place in conjunction with the American Optometric Association’s 2023 Optometry’s Meeting.
 
Envision conference: Save the date
Envision Conference is set to take place Sept. 29 to Sept. 30, 2023, via livestream. The virtual conference offers programs and opportunities for professionals in the vision rehabilitation field and 16 hours of CE. Visit https://university.envisionus.com/Conference
 
Global specialty lens symposium seeking abstract submissions
The Global Specialty Lens Symposium (GSLS)* is on the lookout for abstracts for the presentation of free papers and posters to be shown Jan. 17 to Jan. 20, 2024, at the Horseshoe Las Vegas. Topics can include new and innovative concepts, clinical cases, and research on all aspects of contact lenses (such as materials, designs, lens care, etc.), in addition to related topics, such as corneal and ocular surface disease, diagnosis and treatment approaches, and practice management. Submissions will be accepted until Oct. 2 at 5 p.m. EST. Visit www.gslsymposium.com for more information. 
* GSLS is overseen by BroadcastMed, Optometric Management’s publisher.
 
Harrow purchases Santen’s ophthalmic offerings
Harrow announced the signing of agreements with affiliates of Santen Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (“Santen”) under which Harrow will acquire certain U.S. commercial rights for the following ophthalmic products from Santen: fluorometholone acetate ophthalmic suspension 0.1% (Flarex), natamycin ophthalmic suspension 5% (Natacyn), tobramycin and dexamethasone ophthalmic suspension (Tobradex), cyclosporine ophthalmic emulsion 0.1% (Verkazia), cetirizine ophthalmic solution 0.24% (Zerviate), and Freshkote. 
 
Organizations announce eighth joint dry eye awareness month congressional briefing
The Alliance for Eye and Vision Research and the Tear Film & Ocular Surface Society announced the eighth joint Dry Eye Awareness Month Congressional Briefing, scheduled for tomorrow (July 20) at noon EDT in room 2044 of the Rayburn House Office Building, 45 Independence Ave SW, Washington, DC. The briefing is titled “The Impact of Cosmetics on Eye Health,” and will include a panel of Experts, who will discuss the possible adverse effects of eye cosmetics and procedures, the need for additional more research into the effects of cosmetics on the ocular surface, and the necessity for consumer education to stress that the eyelids and the ocular surface require thoughtful and special care. 
 
Treehouse Eyes launches marketing campaign
Treehouse Eyes started a marketing campaign to coincide with the timing of summer and back-to-school. The omnichannel campaign leverages proprietary parent research and in-market experience to deliver a targeted message to ensure parents act for their children, according to a press release. The campaign will run nationally in local markets for consumer media with Treehouse Eye providers. 
 
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.