Practice Tip: Offer low vision patients handheld magnifiers for spot reading
While handheld magnifiers can be used for reading books, among other periodicals, they are ideal for spot reading, given their size and portability, explain Drs. Brian Wolynski and Andrea Zimmer in their October article “Empower Patients With Magnification Tools.” To increase the likelihood of success with handheld magnifiers, the authors offer these pro tips: Educate on the power of handheld full-page magnifiers; shed a light on the incandescent bulb or LED; have the patient use their distance correction; and demonstrate focal length. For the full explanations behind these tips, among other information on low vision assistance, see the entire article at https://www.optometricmanagement.com/issues/2023/october-2023/empower-patients-with-magnification-tools.
Alcon launches multifocal contact lenses
Alcon announced the global launch of Total30 Multifocal, a monthly water gradient multifocal contact lens. Specifically, the lens employs the company’s Precision Profile, which provides clear, uninterrupted vision at all distances near through far, according to a press release. Additionally, this Profile is the same optical design found in Dailies Total1 Multifocal and Air Optix plus HydraglydeMultifocal contact lenses. The contact lenses are available with a full power range of +6.00 D to -10.00 D (in 0.25 D steps) and three ADD powers (low, med, high). Learn more at www.alcon.com.
ClearVision Workplace alliance provides half a million factory workers with vision screenings to mark World Sight Day
Today (Thursday, Oct. 12), the Clear Vision Workplace alliance provided vision screenings to half a million factory workers in Bangladesh, India, and Vietnam to improve worker wellbeing and livelihoods in apparel and footwear supply chains in recognition of World Sight Day. The alliance is comprised of Levi Strauss, the VF Corporation, Warby Parker, Deckers Brands, the United States Agency for International Development, VisionSpring, and more than 150 manufacturers. Additionally, VisionSpring dispensed eyeglasses to 188,000 factory workers, 78% of whom received their first-ever pair, according to a press release.
Contact Lens Institute publishes contact lens culture-enhancing guide
The Contact Lens Institute (CLI) published “The Culture Calculation: Data-Backed Behaviors for Contact Lens Success” in collaboration with The Vision Council to help eye care practices enhance their contact lens cultures, in turn increasing patient satisfaction and practice business outcomes, according to a press release. (See “Report shows less than 50% of eye care providers quantify the business impacts of contact lens patients” in last week’s “OD Notebook.”) As part of the CLI’s “See Tomorrow” research series, the 19-page report blends new quantitative research with insights and recommendations from optometrists, opticians, and technicians.
Eaglet Eye names scientific and clinical affairs consultant
Eaglet Eye appointed Sheila Morrison, OD, MS, FAAO, FSLS, scientific and clinical affairs consultant. Dr. Morrison earned her Doctor of Optometry and completed a master’s degree in Vision Science with a focus on scleral lenses, along with a residency in Cornea and Contact Lens from Pacific University College of Optometry. While collaborating with Eaglet Eye part time, Dr. Morrison will continue her primary role at Mission Eye Care in Calgary, Canada (www.missioneyecare.ca), where she is the co-residency supervisor of the MissionEye Care Residency in Cornea and Contact Lens, and is a member of the adjunct faculty at Northern State University Oklahoma College of Optometry.
Neurolens announces virtual reality-based measurement acquisition technology
Neurolens introduced N3, an immersive, virtual reality experience that provides an objective, accurate, and repeatable measurement of binocular alignment, which incorporates elements of heterophoria, fixation disparity, accommodative convergence response, and central and peripheral alignment. Specifically, N3 uses a dissociative test during which the eyes are shown independent non-fusible targets, and direction of gaze is measured. This measurement is then combined with an associative test during which peripheral fusion is acquired, and central alignment is measured. To learn more, visit https://www.neurolens.com/.
Okyo Pharma files Investigational New Drug Application for corneal treatment
Okyo Pharma Limited filed an Investigational New Drug (IND) application with the FDA for the development of OK-101 to treat neuropathic corneal pain (NCP). Study enrollment is planned to commence during Q1 2024, following IND allowance by the FDA. OK-101 is a lipid conjugated chemerin peptide agonist of the ChemR23 G-protein coupled receptor, which is typically found on immune cells of the eye responsible for the inflammatory response, according to a press release. The drug is currently in a Phase 2, multi-center, double-masked, placebo-controlled trial to treat dry eye disease.
Optometric Management announces photo/image contest
Optometric Management invites you to enter its Clinical Image Contest. Specifically, the magazine is seeking high-resolution JPG, .JPEG or .GIF photos/images that depict the following areas: AMD, diabetic eye disease,
glaucoma, dry eye diseas,e and contact lens fit. Please email entries to Jennifer.kirby@broadcastmed.com, with the subject line "Photo Contest.” The email should contain the photo/image, its title, image description, and your contact information. Winning photos/images will be chosen by a panel of judges selected by Optometric Management. The winning photos/images will be featured in an upcoming issue of Optometric Management.
Prevent Blindness to host Congressional briefing and free vision screening
Prevent Blindness will host a Congressional Briefing and free vision screening today (Thursday, Oct. 12), with support from the Prevention of Blindness Society of Metropolitan Washington. This is a part of this year’s World Sight Day activities, according to a press release. Specifically, Congressional legislators, staff, and the public will come away from the event with knowledge of how data informs policies around equity based on populations, race and ethnicity, social determinants of health, and county and regional differences, among other eye care-related topics. Additionally, members of Congress, legislative staff, and the public can receive a free vision screening. Horizon Therapeutics, Genentech, and AbbVie are sponsoring the event.
Sunnie Natural joins forces with DryEye Rescue for plant-based eye drops
Sunnie Natural and DryEye Rescue entered into an exclusive partnership to launch a range of all-natural, plant-based eye drops. The products are multi-dose formulations, made without preservatives, and are “safe for everyday use, ensuring long-lasting support for those experiencing redness, dryness, or strains associated with digital eye fatigue,” according to the press release. For more information about Sunnie Natural and its product range, visit www.sunnienatural.com.
United Nations recognizes World Sight Day by showing ‘blurred’ photo exhibition
The United Nations will display 2030 IN SIGHT, a photo exhibition supported by the World Health Organization, UN Friends of Vision and organized by the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness, between Oct. 9 and Oct. 20, in support of World Sight Day. Specifically, the exhibition showcases images connecting eye health to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and it will follow a gathering of world leaders, held in the margins of the UN General Assembly.
VSP Vision’s claim operations earn security certification
VSP Vision announced that its claim database, claim intake and adjudication, claim payment, and claim-pricing operations earned HITRUST certification status for information security. The HITRUST Assurance Program helps organizations address security and data protection challenges through a comprehensive and flexible framework of prescriptive and scalable security controls, according to a press release. In other news, VSP Vision was recognized by the National Organization on Disability (NOD) with the NOD Leading Disability Employer Seal. The seal spotlights VSP Vision’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, including employment and advancement opportunities for individuals who have disabilities, according to a 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.