Practice Tip: Use the contact lens exam to recommend upgrades

Use a patient’s contact lens exam to identify if a patient might be helped by upgrading their contact lenses, writes Dr. Susan Resnick in her latest Contact Lens column. This can start, says Dr. Resnick, with the technician asking questions during pretesting, such as, “If we could improve one thing about your wearing experience, what would it be?” Dr. Resnick says her technician then shares this information with her, allowing her to recommend CLs with upgraded features to help the patient. Read the full article here.

American Optometric Association announces Tom Lawry as keynote speaker

Tom Lawry, a leading AI transformation advisor and former Microsoft Executive, will give the keynote address at this year’s Optometry’s Meeting, the annual conference of the American Optometric Association. This year’s meeting will June 19-22 under the banner of “Harmonizing Our Vision” in Nashville, Tennessee, at the Music City Center. Learn more about the meeting in the digital 2024 Conference Preview. To register for the meeting, click here.

Cleinman Performance Partners partners with Elevate Digital Optics

Cleinman Performance Partners, the national business development consultancy for independent optometry practices and operator of Cleinman Performance Network, has entered into a strategic alliance with Elevate Digital Optics (EDO) of Dallas, Texas. The alliance calls for EDO to supply Network partner practices with state-of-the-art ophthalmic laboratory services and for Cleinman Performance Partners to supply EDO’s customers with practice development services. 

The Contact Lens Institute receives support for “The EASY Way”

Several prominent members of the U.S. and Canadian eye care community are voicing their support for The EASY Way, the Contact Lens Institute’s (CLI) initiative to help promote healthy, comfortable contact lens wear and care behaviors. Now in its fourth year, The EASY Way (Eyes, Awareness, Safety and You) has been adopted by eye care practices across the U.S., Canada, and worldwide. It includes simplified tips, attention-grabbing infographics, and companion digital resources for use in practices, presented in a memorable and straightforward way. All components are available for free download within The EASY Way resource page on ContactLensInstitute.org.

CORE releases latest issue of Contact Lens Update

Advancements in and increased fitting of scleral and corneo-scleral lenses, plus resurgent interest surrounding orthokeratology for managing myopia control, are among the topics discussed in issue 76 of Contact Lens Update. Published by the Centre for Ocular Research & Education (CORE), the bi-monthly publication is available at no charge by visiting ContactLensUpdate.com. 

Eyedetec raising funds for its DED technology via crowdfunding

Eyedetec announces its raising capital on StartEngine, a crowdfunding platform. The crowdfunding campaign with StartEngine signifies Eyedetec's commitment to inclusivity and accessibility in healthcare innovation. By leveraging StartEngine's crowdfunding platform, Eyedetec will provide individuals with the opportunity to invest in Eye Lipid Mobilizer (ELM) technology, securing their stake in the advancement of DED treatment. For more information about Eyedetec's ELM technology, please visit www.startengine.com/offering/eyedetecmedical.  

Insight Medical Technologies joins Visionix distribution network

Insight Medical Technologies has been appointed by Visionix USA as the dedicated sales and service provider for Visionix refraction and screening platforms, Optovue OCT and OCT-A, as well as Briot and Weco finishing systems in Canada. Prior to this business agreement, sales operation was overseen by interim Canada National Sales Manager John Vulich, who will now refocus his efforts to the U.S. lens finishing equipment business.

Ocugen announces progress in its GARDian clinical trial

Ocugen Inc. announced completion of dosing of the first cohort of its Phase 1/2 GARDian clinical trial for OCU410ST (AAV5-hROPA), a modifier gene therapy candidate being developed for Stargardt disease. Up to 10 leading retinal surgery centers across the United States are participating in the GARDian clinical trial. In the first cohort, 3 subjects received 200 L single subretinal administration of the low dose (3.75x1010 vg/mL) of OCU410ST. The GARDian clinical trial will assess the safety of unilateral subretinal administration of OCU410ST in subjects with Stargardt disease and will be concluded in two phases.

Optos celebrates milestone device installation, study publications

Optos announces a milestone achievement of over 25,000 devices installed worldwide and 2,500 clinical and peer-reviewed studies spanning 235 disease states. For more information about Optos and its retinal imaging technology, visit the Optos website at www.optos.com.

Prevent Blindness provides assets for ROP Awareness Week, declares Workplace Wellness Month

Prevent Blindness has launched “Retinopathy of Prematurity Education and Support Program,” as part of its first ROP Awareness Week, which runs through Sunday. The group is offering a variety of free educational resources to the public and professionals, including fact sheets, social media graphics in English and Spanish, dedicated online resources, and a new video series. Additionally, Prevent Blindness declared March as Workplace Eye Wellness Month to encourage employers and employees to make eye safety and eye protection a priority on the job. A variety of free resources, including workplace eye safety fact sheets, shareable social media graphics, are available in English and Spanish from its website.

Skye Biosciences announces completion of final study visits for the Phase 2a study of SBI-100 Ophthalmic Emulsion

Skye Biosciences has announced the completion of final study visits for all 56 patients using SB1-100 Ophthalmic Emulsion (OE) in its Phase 2a study. The therapy is a cannabinoid receptor type 1 agonist administered topically onto the eye and developed to address unmet needs of patients who have elevated IOP related to open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. All treated patients completed the study, with no early discontinuations due to adverse events. Topline data for the entire study will be available in Q2.

The Vision Council details educational offerings at Vision Expo East

The Vision Council’s CE offerings at Vision Expo East, termed VisionEd, will kick off Thursday, March 14, and run through Sunday, March 17. It features about 200 sessions, 300 hours of content, and presentations by 100 of the industry’s expert speakers. Vision Expo East will also offer complimentary access to Global Contact Lens Forum on Thursday, March 14, which will include practical, timely tips in both clinical and business processes to help attendees to take their specialty contact lens practice to the next level. Additionally, OptiCon’s courses feature 5 tracks: clinical concepts, spectacle lens, contact lens, allied health, and business. Full details on the show’s educational offerings can be found here.

Vision Expo East will feature performance, Q&A by Sophie B. Hawkins

The Vision Council and RX, co-organizers of Vision Expo, announced that a special performance and Q&A with Grammy-nominated singer and songwriter Sophie B. Hawkins will occur at 4:15 p.m. on Saturday, March 16. Ms. Hawkins will perform at the Bridge main stage and will also discuss her personal journey living with exotropia and amblyopia. Vision Expo East takes place March 14 to 17 at New York City’s Javits Convention Center, and more information can be found here.