Practice Tip: Update Internet Use Policies to Prevent Data Breaches
Get staff policies and procedures in place regarding internet use, as personal device usage can inadvertently lead to security breaches, say Peter Cass, OD, and Kevin Johnson, who both operate anti-data breach companies. According to Dr. Cass, two of the biggest risks he sees are ransomware and accidental virus downloads. Mr. Johnson advises that staff keep abreast of phishing emails. For the entire article, visit https://www.optometricmanagement.com/issues/2023/june-2023/protect-your-practice-against-data-breaches. 

Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry Name 2023 Award Recipients
The Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO) named the recipients of the 2023 Special Recognition Awards. Dr. Earl L. Smith III received the Lifetime Achievement Award; Dr. Donald Korb received the Herbert Wertheim Award; Dr. Charissa Lee received the Ophthalmic Industry Leadership Award; Dr. Jaymeni Patel received the Rising Star Award; Drs. Melissa Zarn, Gregory Wolfe, and Janette Pepper received the Dr. Lester Janoff Award for Writing Excellence; and Dr. Zebin Dholasaniya received the Student Award in Clinical Ethics. 

Contact Lens Update Issue Dedicated to Ectatic Corneal Diseases
Issue 72 of Contact Lens Update, from the Centre for Ocular Research & Education, focuses on ectatic corneal diseases, such as keratoconus. This is to foster a better understanding of the underlying causes and advancements in treatment methods, according to a press release. The bi-monthly publication is available at no charge by visiting ContactLensUpdate.com. The publication receives support from the educational arms of Alcon, CooperVision, and Johnson & Johnson Vision.

CooperVision Investing in Puerto Rico Operations
CooperVision announced a multi-year investment plan totaling $500 million to expand its operations in Puerto Rico. Specifically, the company plans to enlarge its production facilities in Juana Diaz to establish a global manufacturing site in Ponce. This represents an affirmation to its four-decade commitment to the island, according to a press release. 
 
Eaglet Eye Launches “Specialty Lens Success” Podcast
Eaglet Eye launched the “Specialty Lens Success” podcast, which aims to help eye care practitioners (ECPs) successfully build and grow their specialty lens practices. Each episode features an interview with a renowned ECP who shares his or her pearls of wisdom related to marketing and practice management.
To learn more or to listen to the latest episodes, visit eaglet-eye.com/SLS-podcast, or search for the podcast on your favorite podcast platform. 
 
Eschenbach Introduces Learning Platform
Eschenback Optik of America, Inc., introduced Eschenbach Academy, an online educational platform (i.e., webinars and in-person events) to provide low vision knowledge and training. To sign up, visit https://eschenbach.com/resource-center/professional-online-education.asp.  
 
EssilorLuxottica and World Society of Paediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus’
Continue Myopia Management Education Partnership 
EssilorLuxottica’s Leonardo platform will continue to include the World Society of Paediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus’ Independent medical education program content on myopia management. This year, the program features a digital supplement, three e-learning modules, and three 60-minute webinars.
 
Novaliq Gets FDA Nod for Dry Eye Disease Treatment
Novaliq GmbH announced that the FDA approved cyclosporine ophthalmic solution 0.1% (Vevye) for the treatment of the signs and symptoms of dry eye disease. Vevye does not contain water or anti-microbial preservatives, oils, or surfactants. As a water-free product, there is no associated pH and no osmolarity, according to a press release.
 
Ocular Therapeutix Completes Enrollment for HELIOS 
Ocular Therapeutix, Inc., completed enrollment in its HELIOS phase 1 multi-center, prospective, masked, randomized, controlled clinical trial of OTX-TKI. OTX-TKI is the company’s axitinib intravitreal implant developed for the treatment of diabetic retinopathy and wet AMD, among other retinal diseases. 
 
Prevent Blindness Provides Education on Mental Wellbeing and Vision Loss
Prevent Blindness has engaged experts from around the country to raise awareness, provide education, and offer newly developed resources for patients, care partners, and health care service professionals regarding the impact of vision impairment on mental wellbeing. The second day of the Prevent Blindness Focus on Eye Health Summit, July 13, will focus on presentations and forums addressing mental health and vision. Registration for the summit is now available and free to all attendees. 
 
Safilo Group Appoints Executive Leadership 
Safilo Group named Francesco Rinaldi Ceroni president of Safilo’s Global Sport Division. Under hisleadership, Safilo aims to exploit Safilo’s strong portfolio of outdoor brands and capabilities across international markets, contributing to the Group’s medium-term ambition of a strong and sizeable sport channel. Additionally, Safilo named Vittorio Verdun president of the North American market.
 
Salus University and Drexel University Formalize Merger Agreement
Yesterday, Salus University and Drexel University formalized a merger agreement with a ceremonial signing. The agreement came after the respective boards of trustees of Drexel and Salus approved a path toward a merger of the two universities, according to news posted to the Drexel University website (www.drexel.edu/news/archive/2023/June/Salus-merger-agreement-ceremony).
 
Study Shows Specific Types of Lipids May Increase Risk of Glaucoma Type
A study in Nature Communications reveals higher levels of two types of lipids — diglycerides (DGs) and triglycerides (TGs) — were linked with an increased risk of primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), particularly for the subtype of the disease associated with early central visual loss. See the study abstract at https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37160891/. 
 
Valley Contax Announces Next Student Travel Grant  
Valley Contax, Inc., in partnership with Contamac US, announced its next travel grant award opportunity to Academy 2023 New Orleans. One student in the graduating classes of either 2024 or 2025 will be selected. Each candidate must submit 100 words about the teacher who impacted them most and why. Submissions close on Aug. 4. To submit, head to https://fs10.formsite.com/MqlEMM/studentgrants/index.html.
 
Vision Expo West Opens Registration 
The Vision Council, co-organizer of Vision Expo, announced that registration for Vision Expo West 2023, in Las Vegas, at the Venetian Expo & Convention Center, is now open. The event will occur from Sept. 27 to Sept. 30. To register visit https://na.eventscloud.com/vew23.
 
Vyluma Announces FDA Acceptance of New Drug Application for NVK002
Vyluma, Inc. announced that the FDA accepted for review the New Drug Application for NVK002 (low-dose atropine 0.01%) as a potential treatment for myopia in children. NVK002 is a proprietary, investigational, preservative-free eye drop administered nightly and intended for patients ages 3 to 17, according to a press release. A Prescription Drug User Fee Act goal date of Jan. 31, 2024, has been assigned by FDA.
  
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.