OD Notebook:
Practice Tip: Reinforce adequate handwashing as part of contact lens hygiene
Many contact lens wearers may be washing their hands inadequately, cite optometrists Chris Lievens and Elyse Rayborn in their Jan/Feb article “Improve patient lens hygiene.” To reinforce adequate handwashing, the authors recommend this patient script: “…Before handling your lenses, you should be washing with plain bar soap, not ones with moisturizers or perfumes, as [bar soap] is the most effective way to reduce the presence of bacteria on your hands… You should be washing your hands for about 1 minute from start to finish. Dry your hands with a clean, lint-free towel.” For the entire article, click here.
Academy of Optometry calling for courses for Academy 2024
The Lectures and Workshops Committee of the American Academy of Optometry is calling for courses for its education program for Academy 2024, which will occur in Indianapolis from Nov. 6 to Nov. 9. The committee encourages the submission of new and innovative courses, inter-professional courses in collaborating with other health care disciplines, and novel course topics, according to a press release. The submission window is open until Jan. 31 at 5:00 pm EDT. Final review and scheduling decisions will be sent via email by March 25. Visit https://aaopt.org/education/education-submissions/ for additional information.
Alimera completes recruitment for study of intravitreal implant for chronic non-infectious uveitis and related intraocular inflammation
Alimera Sciences, Inc. completed enrollment for its Synchronicity Study, a prospective, open-label clinical study evaluating the safety and efficacy of fluocinolone acetonide intravitreal implant 0.18mg (Yutiq) in the treatment of chronic non-infectious uveitis and related intraocular inflammation. The Synchronicity Study has enrolled 110 patient eyes in approximately 25 sites around the United States. Full study details are available at https://clinicaltrials.gov.
Bausch + Lomb and Glaucoma Research Foundation launch awareness campaign regarding silent thief of sight
Bausch + Lomb and the Glaucoma Research Foundation (GRF), a national nonprofit organization dedicated to curing glaucoma, launched “Faces of Glaucoma,” a campaign to highlight diverse glaucoma patient stories and raise awareness of the condition, according to a press release. Specifically, throughout the month of January, Bausch + Lomb and GRF will share educational resources and patient stories to empower individuals to take care of their eye health. Additionally, the campaign will feature a fundraising challenge that will match every dollar raised up to $20,000 in support of GRF research for a potential glaucoma cure. To learn more, visit https://glaucoma.org/faces-of-glaucoma/.
Canon USA appoints new president and CEO
Canon USA, Inc. named Isao “Sammy” Kobayashi as president and CEO, effective January 1, 2024, after serving as president and CEO at Canon Canada Inc. for the past year. He succeeds Kazuto “Kevin” Ogawa, who returns to Japan for a new assignment following five years as president and CEO of Canon U.S.A., Inc. since April 2020, according to a press release.
Eschenbach sends two visually impaired students to Space Camp
For the second year, Eschenbach Optik of America, Inc. sponsored two visually impaired students to attend the Space Camp for Interested Visually Impaired Students (SCVIS). The SCIVIS camp was held from Oct. 1 to Oct. 5, 2023, at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center, in Huntsville, Ala. The week included astronaut training techniques, and space flight simulations, among other activities. Additionally, the students received a care package that included an Eschenbach Smartlux Digital portable video magnifier.
EssilorLuxottica brings smart and hearing aided eyewear technology to Consumer Electronics Show
EssilorLuxottica is exhibiting its smart and hearing-aided eyewear technology at the Consumer Electronics Show, occurring Jan. 9 to Jan. 12 in Las Vegas. Called Nuance Audio, the prototype is designed for consumers who have mild to moderate hearing loss and is expected to launch in the market starting with North America in the second half of the year, according to a press release. The eyewear technology joins the company’s Ray-Ban Meta eyewear, which includes built-in cameras, open-ear audio, AI-powered solutions, and the ability to livestream and take calls hands-free.
Gentex Corporation Acquires eSight
Gentex Corporation, a supplier of automatic-dimming rearview mirrors and electronics to the automotive industry, dimmable aircraft windows for aviation markets, and fire protection products to the fire protection market, bought eSight, a wearable assistive technology that allows people with visual impairments to stay on the go while performing daily living tasks, according to a press release.
Harrow teams up with health care technology platforms to expand US availability of drug for dry eye disease
Harrow announced it has partnered with PhilRx, Apollo Care, and PARx Solutions to expand the US availability of cyclosporine ophthalmic solution 0.1% (Vevye), a patented, non‑preserved, bid-dosed, ophthalmic solution prescription drug for treating both the signs and symptoms of dry eye disease. For more information about Vevye, visit www.vevye.com.
Johnson & Johnson brings ‘Below Deck’ star on board to share contact lens journey
Johnson & Johnson announced a partnership with “Below Deck’s” Captain Jason Chambers to share his Acuvue contact lens journey with his social media followers. Specifically, Captain Chambers will share tips he’s learned from the experts about how to properly put in and wear contact lenses, information about his new Acuvue Oasys Max 1-Day contact lenses, his personal experience wearing the new lenses, and reinforce the importance of annual vision care appointments for people of all ages. His contact lens journey will also be featured in the Vision Made Possible campaign from Johnson & Johnson Vision.
OKYO Pharma Limited’s dry eye disease treatment achieves successful endpoints in phase 2 trial
OKYO Pharma Limited reported positive safety and efficacy results in its phase 2, randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of OK-101 ophthalmic solution in subjects who have dry eye disease (DED). Specifically, OK-101 demonstrated superiority vs. placebo across at least two symptoms of DED, including burning measured by the Ora Calibra 4-symptom questionnaire, as well as burning/stinging measured by a visual analogue scale as early as Day 15 (p = 0.04 and p=0.03, respectively). A statistically significant improvement in blurred vision was also achieved at Day 29 (p = 0.01), according to a press release.
Prevent Blindness providing free resources for Glaucoma Awareness Month
Prevent Blindness is providing patients, care partners, and professionals with a variety of resources to educate on glaucoma, according to a press release. In addition to the webpage PreventBlindness.org/glaucoma, the organization is offering several downloadable fact sheets, including a listing of glaucoma financial assistance resources, shareable social media graphics in English and Spanish, educational videos, and The Glaucoma Community Promotional Toolkit, all supported by funding from Glaukos.
University of Houston optometrist receives $1.4 million from the National Eye Institute to map the cornea
Anna Matynia, associate professor at the University of Houston College of Optometry, was awarded $1.4 million from the National Eye Institute to map the cornea and provide a comprehensive analysis of corneal nerves at the morphologic, molecular and functional level, according to a press release. Specifically, Dr. Matynia and her team are using advanced imaging, studying genes, and using computers to map the corneal nerves. Additionally, they are figuring out which nerves connect directly to the eye and creating a detailed map of how they’re all connected.
OD Notebook to move to Fridays, beginning Jan. 19
Beginning with the week of Jan. 15, OD Notebook will be moving to Fridays to get a jump on the following week. This means that OD Notebook will be providing you with the same weekly news summary, just a little earlier. To quote Rebecca Black’s 2011 smash hit, “Friday”:
“It's Friday, Friday
Gotta get down on Friday.”
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.