Practice Tip: Keep a watchful eye on your breast cancer patients
“October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Because breast cancer can lead to orbital cancer, and breast cancer treatments can negatively affect the eyes, it makes sense to understand your role in managing breast cancer patients,” writes Sandra Spender, OD, in this month’s “Leading Off.” One suggestion: Monitor breast cancer patients taking a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) every four to six months for chronic maculopathy and a loss of vision, which could result in permanent vision loss. 

Alcon to introduce innovator program
Alcon is introducing the Alcon Innovator Program, an initiative to partner with influential eye care professionals to identify gaps in contact lens offerings and address the market’s unmet needs, according to a press release. As part of the inaugural program in the United States, Alcon has chosen 20 innovators to receive and offer their patients exclusive access to upcoming Alcon product launches, so the company can gain insights from patients, as well as create social and editorial content that highlights their experience with the latest innovation.

Contact Lens Update issue on building confidence in multifocal lens wear
The next issue of Contact Lens Update from the Centre for Ocular Research & Education provides insights and tips for eye care practitioners to build greater confidence in recommending multifocal contact lenses to their patients and to aid in successful wearer adoption. Read it in full on ContactLensUpdate.com.

Emmetrope Ophthalmics marks last visit for EMME-001
Emmetrope Ophthalmics announced the successful completion of the last patient, last visit in its phase 1 extension study EMME-001. The study is a 21-patient, randomized, double-masked, U.S.-based, multicenter trial assessing the safety and efficacy of EO2002 for the treatment of corneal edema. The treatment aims to improve visual function for patients who have Fuchs’ dystrophy and pseudophakic bullous keratopathy, among other causes of corneal edema.

EssilorLuxottica completes acquisition of a majority stake in Heidelberg Engineering
EssilorLuxottica has completed its acquisition of a majority stake (80%) in Heidelberg Engineering, fulfilling the previously announced transaction, which was cleared by the relevant competition authorities.

Harrow launches corticosteroid
Harrow launched triamcinolone acetonide injectable suspension, 40 mg/mL (Triesence) for visualization during vitrectomy and treatment of ocular inflammatory conditions unresponsive to topical corticosteroids. Triesence is an FDA-approved preservative-free synthetic corticosteroid. For complete product information, visit https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=3f045347-3e5e-4bbd-90f8-6c3100985ca5.

Hoya Vision Care announces myopia case study winner
Hoya Vision Care named the winner of its MiYOSMART Case Study Contest: Tang Yan, OD, MD, a pediatric ophthalmologist from China. Dr. Yan’s presentation focused on early onset high myopia with comprehensive management. Five candidates were among the shortlist of contenders, based on their presentation’s practical relevance, educational value, data, and analysis quality and presentation delivery.

MyEyeDr. Gets assist from WNBA player for eye health event
MyEyeDr. teamed up with two-time WNBA All-Star Allisha Gray to promote the importance of eye health in youth at the ExamJam event, which occurred Tuesday, Oct. 8, at Boyce L. Ansley School, in Atlanta. ExamJam was an interactive eye health fair where the students learned about the importance of taking care of their vision and how to properly wear eyewear from the athlete herself. MyEyeDr.’s team of optometrists will return to the school in November to provide each student with a comprehensive eye exam and, if needed, free eyeglasses, according to a press release.

Nonprofits celebrates World Sight Day on Wednesday
The International Agency for Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) celebrated World Sight Day on Wednesday by urging eye care professionals to stand up for childrens eye health. Focusing on the importance of eye health in young people and inspiring children everywhere to love their eyes, IAPB sought to gather more than 1 million pledges to prioritize eye health of children and invite children around the world to shake the stigma of glasses by flexing their creative muscles in the Glasses of the Future competition.

Relatedly, Cure Blindness Project unveiled a plan to bring sight-restoring services to six new geographies in the world: Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Liberia, Pakistan, Paraguay, and Zambia. This move marks the nonprofit’s foray into South America; it currently delivers sight-saving care in 25 countries.

Opthea Limited announces senior leadership hires
Opthea Limited announced three senior hires. Parisa Zamiri, MD, PhD, has been appointed to chief medical officer. She will oversee clinical development and operations, regulatory and medical affairs, as well as biometrics. Tom Reilly has been appointed to chief financial officer, and Anand Sundaram has been appointed to vice president of marketing.

Tear Film & Ocular Surface Society to host innovation showcase
On Thursday evening, Oct, 31, during the 10th International Conference on the Tear Film & Ocular Surface: Basic Science and Clinical Relevance, the Tear Film & Ocular Surface Society will host an innovation showcase. Specifically, selected startups will pitch their new concepts and explain how their idea will positively impact the health of the ocular surface. All conference attendees are invited to watch each presentation, which will be followed by three minutes of questions.

Visioneering Technologies reports latest findings from myopia trial
Visioneering Technologies reported the latest data from its PROgressive Myopia Treatment Evaluation for NaturalVue Multifocal Contact Lens Trial (PROTECT). Specifically, there was an adjusted 89% (0.48 D) reduction in refractive error progression vs. control, compared to 71% (0.41 D) in the unadjusted analysis. Also, axial elongation showed a reduction of 0.17 mm (58%) vs. control, consistent with the 61% (0.17 mm) from unadjusted data. The adjusted analysis controls for external factors that may affect myopic progression.

VSP Vision enters definitive agreement to purchase Eyemart Express
VSP Vision announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Eyemart Express from FFL Partners and Leonard Green & Partners. Texas-based Eyemart Express has nearly 250 stores in 42 states, according to a press release. The acquisition will be completed following the necessary regulatory approvals.