Practice Tip: Use link clicks to track the effectiveness of your post
To find the number of link clicks on Facebook, click on the “see insights and ads” button beneath any post, then click on “total insights” on the next window. On Twitter, click on the “tweet analytics” button (which looks like a small bar graph) that appears underneath each tweet. On Instagram, go to the “View Insights” button under each post, and any link clicks will show up under “profile activity.” “Most social media platforms give you access to analytics where you can see how many people are seeing and clicking on links,” notes social media marketer Elise Darma, in this month’s “Social Media” column. For the full article, see https://www.optometricmanagement.com/issues/2023/october-2023/business-social-media.
 
AOA issues consumer health alert for eye drop recall
The American Optometric Association (AOA) has issued an alert to consumers to stop using 26 eye drops that were recalled by the FDA, as these drops may cause eye infection and, in some cases, possible vision loss. The complete list of drops can be found here: https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-safety-and-availability/fda-warns-consumers-not-purchase-or-use-certain-eye-drops-several-major-brands-due-risk-eye. The alert recommends patients:
• “consult with their local AOA optometrist before purchasing eye drops to ensure an appropriate treatment plan is in place.” 
• follow FDA guidelines for throwing the recalled products away, which may involve taking them to a drug take-back site (see https://www.fda.gov/drugs/safe-disposal-medicines/disposal-unused-medicines-what-you-should-know). 
In addition, the alert encourages both health care professionals and patients to report any adverse events or quality problems with any medicine to the FDA’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting Program (https://www.fda.gov/safety/medwatch-fda-safety-information-and-adverse-event-reporting-program).

Centre for Ocular Research & Education publishes series on contact lens sustainability
The Centre for Ocular Research & Education (CORE) has published a series of infographics in 25 diverse languages that encourages responsible contact lens recycling and disposal, according to a press release. The initiative resulted from widespread positive feedback about four English-only versions that were released earlier this year. Languages now include Afrikaans, Arabic, Croatian, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hindi, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Malay, Norwegian, Persian, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Serbian, Slovak, Spanish, Swedish, and Vietnamese. CORE says it plans to distribute additional languages over the coming months. The series is now available for download and use by the global eye care community at https://contactlensupdate.com/2023/10/31/contact-lens-sustainability-infographics/

Compulink receives HHS certification
Compulink Healthcare Solutions has successfully met the certification requirements for the ONC 2015 Edition Cures Update from the US Department of Health and Human Services. This includes recently updated criteria that require EHR vendors to provide their customers with the capability to export electronic health information in a secure, cost-effective, and timely manner. Compulink’s products were tested and certified by the Drummond Group. 

CooperVision’s facility in Puerto Rico receives LEED Gold certification 
CooperVision’s contact lens manufacturing facility in Juana Diaz, Puerto Rico, has been elevated to the LEED Gold certification, showing exemplary leadership in sustainable building practices. The 540,000-square-foot facility first earned LEED Silver certification in 2020 for its environmentally conscious design and operation. It’s the second manufacturing facility to achieve LEED Gold certification, joining the company’s Costa Rica plant. 
 
Envision Conference coming to Salus University in April 
Envision Conference will host its next in-person event April 11 to April 13 at Salus University, Philadelphia. The conference is accepting program submissions through Jan. 31; early discounted registration is available through March 3; and the conference will be available virtually Sept. 29 to Sept. 30. Click here for more information.
 
Lighthouse Guild adds member to team of low vision specialists 
Lighthouse Guild has added Rebekah Lin, OD, FAAO, to its team of low vision specialists. Dr. Lin, who is a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry, specializes in vision rehabilitation and low vision ocular disease. She will provide specialized care for individuals who are blind or visually impaired, offering a range of services to address each patient’s unique needs, according to a press release. 
 
Optical event, Eyewear Artwalk, releases dates
Eyewear Artwalk 2024 offers 45-minute lessons (with ABO accreditation) to deliver information and actionable insights into the optical. Events are scheduled in Los Angeles, April 18 to April 20; Nashville, May 16 to May 18; Denver, June 13 to June 15; New York, July 18 to July 20; Boston, Aug. 15 to Aug. 17; Austin, Oct. 24 to Oct. 26; and Miami, Dec. 5 to Dec. 7, 2024. Find details at www.eyewearartwalk.com.
 
Prevent Blindness offers resources on diabetes and vision
Prevent Blindness is now offering videos, fact sheets, social media graphics, and PowerPoint presentations on the potential effects that diabetes may have on vision. With a declaration from the organization that November is diabetes-related eye disease awareness month, now is a good time to share this information from the organization. Visit preventblindness.org for more information and to download these materials.
 
Transitions heads to Florida in February
Transitions has announced the Transitions Academy 2024 will take place Feb. 11 to Feb. 14 at JW Marriott Grande Lakes, in Orlando, Fla. The winners of 2023 Transitions Innovation Awards will also be announced during the event. Industry professionals who wish to attend can do so via: 1. Becoming a Transitions Innovation Award Finalist; 2. Asking your lens supplier representative; and 3. Requesting a spot/nominating someone to attend. 
 
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.