PRACTICE TIP: Research before purchasing a VR perimetry headset
If your practice is considering investing in a virtual reality perimetry device, be sure to research the different models first, writes Dr. Stephen M. Montaquilla in “Why ODs should consider virtual reality perimeters.” Each device can include a variety of different vision tests outside of perimetry, such as color vision and visual acuity, or may be equipped with patient education videos. To read his full article, click here.
RESEARCH NOTES:
- Oculis announced positive topline results of its Phase 2b RELIEF trial with licaminlimab. Licaminlimab is novel anti-TNFα biologic eye drop with an established dual anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic mechanism of action in patients with dry eye disease (DED). More information on the results can be found here.
- Skye Bioscience’s Phase 2 clinical trial of SBI-100 ophthalmic emulsion in patients who have primary open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension did not meet its primary endpoint for lowering IOP, according to the company. Skye Biosceince intends to discontinue clinical development and spending related to SBI-100 OE and any research and development associated with SBI-100. All clinical development resources will be directed to the company’s metabolic program.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
ABB Optical Group kicks off 10th Annual Optometry Student Challenge
ABB Optical Group announced the 10th Annual Optometry Student Challenge is now open for registration. Third and fourth-year optometry students can submit an abstract on a student-based case report or research study project and compete for a chance to win a $1,500 travel grant to attend the 2025 Global Specialty Lens Symposium (GSLS). Optometry students must register to participate in the challenge by Aug. 31 and will have until Oct. 14 to submit their abstract. Six abstracts will be selected. More information and registration can be found here. GSLS is produced by Contact Lens Spectrum, a sister publication of Optometric Management. For more information on GSLS, click here.
Academy 2024 opens sign-ups for session add-ons
The American Academy of Optometry has opened enrollment for session add-ons for Academy 2024, in Indianapolis on Nov. 6 to 9. To learn more about the add-on sessions available, click here.
Astellas partners with International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness
Pharmaceutical company Astellas has joined the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) as a Band A Member. Astellas and IAPB will focus on goals including advocacy for eye health, research into the cause and prevention of blindness and vision impairment, building the capacity of eye care professionals worldwide, and working with other organizations and stakeholders to achieve greater impact in combatting blindness.
Bausch + Lomb releases new daily disposable contact lenses
Bausch + Lomb announced the U.S. introduction of Bausch + Lomb Infuse for Astigmatism daily disposable contact lenses. The new lenses use ProBalance Technology and Bausch + Lomb’s proprietary OpticAlign design to provide wearers with stable, comfortable vision that minimizes contact lens dryness. The company expects to start shipping Infuse for Astigmatism fitting sets to eye care professionals in July 2024. For more information, click here.
BostonSight SCLERAL program Beyond the Fit launches
BostonSight SCLERAL has launched Beyond the Fit, a consultation and fitting support program. Beyond the Fit provides BostonSight SCLERAL lens practitioners with tools including a comprehensive team of fitting consultants, lab technicians, and account support; educational support; and an online ordering and management platform.
Cleinman national meeting focuses on empowerment
Cleinman Performance Partners held its semi-annual networking meeting in May with a focus on empowerment. Keynote speaker, Meagan Johnson, a multi-generational expert and co-author of a best-selling book, Generations Inc., Managing the Friction Between Generations at Work, spoke to the meeting’s audience of eye care professionals about the knowledge they need to communicate effectively among staff members. More than 130 professionals across the United States and Canada participated in the meeting.
CooperVision’s Puerto Rico manufacturing facility receives six awards
CooperVision’s manufacturing facility in Juana Diaz, Puerto Rico, was recently honored at the 15th annual Puerto Rico Sustainability Best Practices, Health and Safety Summit. The Puerto Rico Manufacturers Association recognized the site with six awards for its programs and practices relating to its sustainability and occupational health and safety commitments, including the Platinum Recycling Award, Sustainability Gold, an award for its combined heat and power plant project, focused on leadership and decarbonization.
EssilorLuxottica to recover and reconvert land with focus on sustainability
EssilorLuxottica will create a solar farm near Pescara, Italy, to produce renewable energy for use by the company’s Barberini optical glass lens manufacturing site. The solar farm, which will be located on 40 hectares of land, will be the first large-scale ground-mounted photovoltaic system built and directly managed by EssilorLuxottica. The plant is expected to generate approximately 30,000 megawatt-hours of renewal energy per year, equivalent to the annual electricity consumption of approximately 10,000 families. The energy created by the farm will also be used to help support a “green area” that hosts sports facilities and natural food crops used by EssilorLuxottica’s corporate staff restaurants.
GPLI executive director Ed Bennett, OD, to step down, search for new executive director forthcoming
After nearly 36 years at the helm, Ed Bennett, OD, MSEd, FAAO, FSLS will be retiring from serving as both executive director and president of the Gas Permeable Lens Institute (GPLI). Dr. Bennett plans to step down from his current position by the end of 2024. A search for a new executive director will be forthcoming soon. Dr. Bennet took on the role of executive director in 1989, four years after GPLI’s original formation as RGPLI. Under Dr. Bennett, the RGPLI was renamed the GPLI in 2003 and in 2019 became a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
IDOC partners with Kering Eyewear for “luxury optical” training event
Optometric alliance IDOC, in partnership with Kering Eyewear, hosted an educational event to help train eye care professionals to tap into the luxury optical market. Attendees participated in conversations focused on the ways to sell luxury products, understanding luxury consumers, and creating a luxury environment in the practice. IDOC and Kering will be hosting a second luxury training event on June 18 in Asheville, N.C. Those interested in attending should reach out to IDOC for more information.
Myopia Profile offers downloadable tools in 20 languages
Myopia Profile has announced that educational guides, including the Managing Myopia Guidelines Infographic and the Managing Myopia Patient Brochure, are now available in 20 languages. These free-to-download resources support clinical communication and patient management through engaging infographics. For more information and to download these free resources, visit MyopiaProfile.com.
Optometry Cares and PERC Alliance announce Golden Opportunity Award recipients
Optometry Cares – The AOA Foundation and PERC Alliance announced the inaugural recipients of the Golden Opportunity Award, including Dr. Rebecca Chown (Hood River, Ore.), Dr. Melissa Macco (Reno, Nev.), and Alyssa Putman (Elmyra, N.Y.). Each award recognizes and supports optometrists who exemplify dedication to their profession and commitment to serving underrepresented and underserved communities. Each winner will receive $50,000 to open their own practice and will be honored on June 20 at the AOSA Optometry Student Bowl during Optometry’s Meeting in Nashville. For more information on the Golden Opportunity initiative, click here.
Sight Sciences reports on sustainability
Sight Sciences published its first Sustainability Report detailing its activities, performance, and results from the last three years. Key points from the report include:
- From 2021 to 2023, it supported 25 indigent care programs in more than 10 countries.
- As of December 31, 2023, it employed 214 people worldwide, with nearly 50% of the workforce comprised of women.
- To reduce the company’s environmental impact, in the first quarter of 2023 the company reduced its use of weekly air freight shipments and consolidated shipping to fewer monthly or bimonthly shipments using sea freight.
For additional information and highlights, please see the full Sustainability Report, which can be found here.
TFOS Conference invites startups to conference
During the 10th International Conference on the Tear Film & Ocular Surface (TFOS): Basic Science and Clinical Relevance, Oct. 30 to Nov. 2, in Venice, Italy, TFOS will host an innovation showcase featuring startup companies. Selected startups will have the opportunity to pitch their new concepts and explain how their idea will positively impact the health of the ocular surface on Oct. 31. Accepted startups will be asked to give a three-minute presentation, which will be followed by 3 minutes of questions. More information can be found here.
Valley Contax announces 2024 American Academy of Optometry Meeting student travel grant
Valley Contax, Inc., in partnership with Contamac US, announced the launch of the Academy 2024 Travel Grant Award to attend this year’s conference in Indianapolis. One student from the graduating classes of 2025 or 2026 will be selected. The applicants must submit a 100-word essay highlighting the teacher who impacted them most significantly and why. Submissions open on June 10 and close on Aug. 5. The Valley Contax social media team will announce a winner for this award on Aug. 19. The submission form can be found here.
The Vision Council releases Focused inSights 2024: Sports Sunglasses
The Vision Council has released its findings on adults’ sports sunglass usage and preferences, Focused inSights 2024: Sports Sunglasses. The survey results were released ahead of National Sunglasses Day on June 27. Key takeaways from the survey include:
- Men are three times more likely than women to own sports sunglasses.
- About half of the owners have prescription lenses in their sports sunglasses.
- The most favored feature of sports sunglasses is UV protection (40 percent)
The full report is available for download in The Vision Council’s Research Download Center. It is complimentary for members of The Vision Council, with a paid option for non-members.