Practice Tip: Offer Different Learning Opportunities
“People have different learning styles, so having a mixture of hands-on, didactic, visual, and audible learning opportunities helps information sink in deeper,” writes Jessilin Quint, OD, FAAO, in her latest “Optical” column. She recommends optometrists tailor these learning opportunities to best suit each employee, as she says she has found that doing so makes the optical more efficient and successful. “Most people know which [learning opportunity] works better for them, and you can adjust training based on their preferences,” she writes. See the entire column at https://www.optometricmanagement.com/issues/2023/april-2023/business-optical.
CooperVision Looking for Proposals for Science and Technology Awards Program
CooperVision is accepting submissions for its 2023 Science and Technology Awards program. Specifically, submissions will be considered for childhood myopia development, and new methods to prevent the onset of myopia, among others. Interested applicants must submit a letter of intent before June 23, 2023. Additional information about the Awards Program and the online application are available at https://coopervision.com/about-us/science-and-technology-awards.
Heidelberg Engineering Announces Xtreme Research Award
Dr. Hendrik Spahr and Dr. Dierck Hillmann are being honored as winners of the 2023 Heidelberg Engineering Xtreme Research Award for their research on holographic optical coherence tomography. Their research, entitled “Towards holographic OCT for clinical applications,” demonstrates what becomes possible when applying techniques from digital holography and astronomy to a laboratory, full-field OCT system. The researchers developed advanced data-processing techniques to correct for disturbances that are unavoidably introduced by eye motion, according to the press release.
International Myopia Institute Releases Recorded White Paper Task Force Chair Interviews
The International Myopia Institute (IMI) released video-recordings with the lead authors of the most recent IMI White Papers, set for release this year. Each interview is less than 5 minutes and provides key findings from each paper in the series, according to the press release. The IMI White Papers volume one and two, together with the interviews and the latest clinical summaries in up to 13 international languages, can be accessed at myopiainstitute.org/imi-taskforce-interviews. The video recordings were funded by an education grant from HOYA.
MacuHealth Unveils LifeMeter at Vision Source Meeting
LifeMeter, from MacuHealth, is a portable, non-invasive device proven to measure the presence of carotenoids. LifeMeter’s spectrophotometer determines the concentration of carotenoids in the patient’s skin, enabling optometrists to assess a patient’s dietary status and general health and confidently discuss treatments, according to the press release. A device demonstration occurred at the 2023 Vision Source Exchange in San Antonio.
Neurolens Measurement Device Serves 1 Million Patients
The Neurolens Measurement Device has had its 1 millionth patient. The tracking system is used to identify eye misalignment as small as 0.01 prism diopters. The celebrated measurement was taken by Broadway Eye Clinic, a Vision Source Practice, in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Association Conference Registration Open
Registration is now open for the Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Association, International (NORA) 33rd annual conference, occurring Oct. 5 to Oct. 8 at the Portland Marriot Downtown Waterfront in Portland, Ore. The 2023 conference, “Brain Based Rehabilitation,” will feature up to 18 hours of CE credit, including a full day of clinical skills workshops, along with a series of presentations on a variety of topics, according to the press release. Additionally, attendees can spend time with exhibitors to learn about and gain first-hand experience with products, programs, and services. Visit https://noravisionrehab.org/about-nora/annual-conferences/2023-annual-conference.
Ocuphire Pharma Announces Interim Chief Executive Officer Appointment
Ocuphire Pharma appointed Rick Rodgers as interim CEO and president. Mr. Rodgers succeeds Mina Sooch. The company has retained an executive search firm to assist in identifying a permanent CEO.
OKYO Pharma Names First U.S. Site for Phase 2 Trial on Dry Eye Disease Treatment
OKYO Pharma Limited activated the first clinical trial site in the United States for its phase 2, multi-center, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial, evaluating the efficacy and safety of its OK-101 ophthalmic solution in dry eye disease patients. The first patient visit is expected to occur within the next two weeks, according to a press release. Visit the company's website at www.okyopharma.com
Optometry Giving Sight Announces Development Director
Optometry Giving Sight appointed Nikki Earich as development director, North America. In this role, Ms. Earich is responsible for developing and managing the organization’s fundraising initiatives and strengthening industry partnerships.
Prevent Blindness Names May Ultraviolet Awareness Month
Prevent Blindness declared May as UV Awareness Month. The group offers a variety of free UV educational materials to professionals and the public, including a dedicated webpage, PreventBlindness.org/sun-and-vision, downloadable fact sheets and shareable social media infographics. Additionally, the organization is raising awareness about protecting one’s eyes from the sun during solar eclipses occurring in the United States in October 2023 and April 2024. For eclipse eye safety information, visit PreventBlindness.org/eclipse.
Prevent Blindness Announces Award Winners
Prevent Blindness named the recipients of the 2023 Jenny Pomeroy Award for Excellence in Vision and Public Health as Dean A. VanNasdale, Jr., OD, PhD. Additionally, the organization named Christina Ambrosino, a medical student at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, as recipient of the fourth annual Rising Visionary Award. Both award recipients will present at the 12th Annual Prevent Blindness Focus on Eye Health Summit, taking place July 12 to 13.
State University of New York College of Optometry Career Symposium Hosts 232 Attendees
The State University of New York (SUNY) College of Optometry Career Development Center hosted its 11th annual Career Symposium on April 16. The SUNY program, “Sights and Insights: Advancing Your Career,” provided students and residents with an opportunity to learn from working professionals and network with potential employers. More than 30 employers attended with 232 attendees registered.
Visus Therapeutics Announces Topline Results from BRIO-I Trial
Visus Therapeutics reported positive topline results from its phase 3 pivotal BRIO-I trial. Specifically, BRIO-I met the prespecified primary study endpoints, demonstrating the once-daily, fixed-dose combination therapy Brimochol P provided highly statistically significant improvements in near and distance binocular VA at multiple timepoints, according to the press release. Further details will be presented at upcoming meetings, including at the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, in San Diego on May 4, the company says.
VSP’s UUniversity Posts New Courses for Spring, Summer
VSP Optics CE platform, UUniversity, published new online CE courses for the spring and summer. The free CE courses are designed for opticians who want to obtain their ABO CE hours and deepen their knowledge of ocular anatomy, vision conditions, eyewear solutions, and other relevant subjects, according to the press release. The courses are vetted and approved by the ABO. Visit https://www.myuuniversity.com/#/public-dashboard.
World Congress of Optometry Early Discount Registration Closing April 30
The 4th World Congress of Optometry, taking place at The Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, in Melbourne, Australia, Sept. 8 to Sept. 10, 2023, is closing early discount registrations for the event on April 30 2023, 11:59 pm AEST. For additional information on the event and/or to register, visit https://www.omega-event.org.
Zeiss Gets FDA Nod for Monofocal IOL
Zeiss Medical Technology announced the FDA approval of the CT LUCIA® 621P Monofocal IOL from ZEISS. The aspheric, monofocal, single-piece C-loop IOL features the patented ZEISS Optic (ZO) Asphericity Concept. This is designed to compensate for a wide range of spherical aberrations and, at the same time, optimize visual outcomes in the event of potential decentration and lens misalignments, 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.