In honor of Glaucoma Awareness Month (January 2009), EyeCare America, a public service program of the Foundation of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, is encouraging individuals without insurance to take advantage of its national Glaucoma EyeCare Program. The program offers free glaucoma eye exams for those who are uninsured and considered to be at increased risk for glaucoma. To find out if they are eligible to receive a referral for an eye exam, those interested can call 1-800-391-EYES (3937). The help line is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and 365 days per year. All eligible callers receive a referral to one of EyeCare America's 7,000 volunteer ophthalmologists who provide an examination for glaucoma and initiate treatment if necessary. Uninsured patients receive this care at no charge.
     Additionally, EyeCare America is providing VHS tapes, entitled Glaucoma and You which features baseball legend Willie Mays and actress Diahann Carroll, free of charge to those interested, and DVDs of the Glaucoma: A Guide for Latinos video (available in English and Spanish) which features boxing champion Oscar De La Hoya. These 30-minute educational videos were developed to increase glaucoma awareness, diagnosis and treatment among African-Americans and Latinos. Those interested in receiving either of the videos may call 877-887-6327. The videos will be available while supplies last.

Alcon, Inc. announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved its +3.0 diopter add power AcrySof IQ ReSTOR intraocular lens (IOL). This new lens, which was introduced in many major markets outside the United States earlier this year, is now approved in the U.S. for cataract surgery in patients with presbyopia. This lens is another technology advancement for the AcrySof IQ ReSTOR platform.
     "Advanced technology IOLs that correct for presbyopia and astigmatism are the fastest growing IOL segment of cataract surgery. The addition of this new lens meets a growing desire on the part of cataract patients for spectacle independence after cataract surgery. With the availability of the AcrySof IQ ReSTOR +3.0D lens, surgeons can deliver true performance at all distances for their cataract patients," said Kevin Buehler, Senior Vice President, Global Markets and Chief Marketing Officer. For more information visit www.acrysofrestor.com.

Athletes, teens, part-time wearers, and those who are solution-sensitive, suffer from allergies or frequently travel are all great 1·DAY ACUVUE® MOIST™ Brand Contact Lens candidates. All these patient types and more can benefit from the long lasting comfort of LACREON™ technology, the convenience of fresh lenses every day and the protection of Class II UV blocking.* Improve the quality of life for more patients by prescribing 1·DAY ACUVUE® MOIST™ Brand. To learn more, go to:
*Important Product and UV Information | Important Safety Information
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Dr. Erning Xia, Bausch & Lomb (B&L) research fellow, was recently awarded the Qilu Friendship Award for his outstanding contributions and dedication to the people of Shandong, a coastal province in the eastern region of the People's Republic of China. The Qilu Friendship Award is Shandong's highest award for foreign experts who have made outstanding contributions to China's economic and social progress. Erning was one of 20 foreign experts who received this prestigious award.
     A native of Nanjing, China, Erning joined B&L in 1995. He holds more than 70 issued or pending patents, has authored more than 30 scientific research publications and in 2007, was honored with B&L's CSO Award for his commitment and exhaustive research aimed at developing alternate formulations for a number of key ophthalmic products manufactured and marketed by the B&L subsidiary in China, B&L Freda. Erning's research has also been instrumental in the development of key products in the B&L contact lens-care business, including the Company's flagship brand, ReNu, and in the development of new formulations to treat dry eye and other eye diseases. Erning earned a Ph.D. in Pharmaceutics from the University of Iowa in Iowa City; a Master of Science degree in Biopharmaceuticals from China Pharmaceutical University; and a Bachelor of Science degree in Pharmacy from Nanjing College of Pharmacy.

The Children's Eye Foundation's (CEF) program announced the completion of the first phase of its national research project. The program advocates effective screening of children so they will "see by three," and aimed to demonstrate that this screening can be done in what they referred to as the "medical home," that is any pediatrician's office or health clinic. Dr. Chamblee, Vice President of Programs, said, "It's very exciting to complete the first phase of See by Three and we are proceeding with the next step, publishing research papers to the medical community." See by Three's third phase will be a nationwide public awareness campaign to parents and health care providers. Dr. Chamblee continued, "The first phase of this program has shown that screening children in the medical home provides a very positive outcome for children."
    The CEF promotes the prevention, treatment, research, and public awareness of children's eye diseases and disorders, including strabismus and amblyopia. The mission of the CEF is to optimize the quality of life of children by eliminating preventable vision loss and eye disease. The CEF is the official Foundation of the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus (AAPOS). For more information, including strategic partnership opportunities, please contact Thomas Rogers, CEF Executive Director at t.rogers@childrenseyefoundation.org; or visit http://childrenseyefoundation.org/programs/seeby3news.html.

17+ hours of CE  ·  International Speakers  ·  Hands-on Access to New Products  ·  On the Strip in Las Vegas
Join Contact Lens Spectrum and the Health Care Conference Group for the Global Specialty Lens Symposium (GSLS), January 15-18, 2009, at Bally's Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, NV. The GSLS will include presentations on the latest techniques and technologies for the successful management of ocular conditions - from presbyopia to pediatric vision correction - using today's specialty contact lenses. Truly an international meeting, GSLS will provide insights of experts from around the globe and hands-on access to the most current products available. The program will be accredited for continuing education under COPE, NCLE and JCAHPO, offering 17+ credit hours. 
     Visit www.GSLSymposium.com for more information or to register for this unique meeting. Companies interested in exhibiting should contact Sean Casey at 732-483-4302 or sean.casey@wolterskluwer.com. 
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These researchers set out to evaluate the effect of wear on dynamic in vitro dehydration of silicone hydrogel (Si-Hi) contact lens (CL) using a previously described gravimetric procedure. Five different silicone hydrogel (Si-Hi) contact lenses (CL) were evaluated after being worn by patients under daily wear conditions for 15 days to one month. Lenses were conditioned and disinfected with a multipurpose solution after each day of wear. Lenses were left to dehydrate in an analytical balance under controlled conditions of temperature and relative humidity and the results compared with data from new lens samples of the same power and material. Several quantitative parameters were obtained and compared between worn and unworn samples.
     The quantitative parameters derived from the dehydration curves showed statistically significant differences between worn and unworn lenses regarding the initial dehydration rate and ability to maintain their original hydration. Worn lenses showed shorter phase I duration (decreased by 30 to 60% compared to unworn samples), a significantly faster initial dehydration rate (increased by about 1%/minute), and lower water retention index (decreased by 10 to 20%) as derived from the initial cumulative dehydration. All the differences were statistically significant for all lenses (p < 0.05).
     The authors concluded that the initial dehydration rates were significantly increased in all CL after wear. This could be of clinical interest because it represents the average initial dehydration rates during the first moments when the lens is left to dehydrate after a blink. This study suggests that even after the lenses had been equilibrated in saline solution for several days, the materials lose their ability to retain water.
Gonzalez-Meijome JM, Lopez-Alemany A, Almeida JB, Parafita MA. Dynamic in vitro dehydration patterns of unworn and worn silicone hydrogel contact lenses. J Biomed Mater Res B Appl Biomater 2008.   

We have known for many years that traditional hydrogel contact lens materials dehydrate on the eye, but the amount of dehydration varies depending on polymer composition. There have been a few recent studies that have shown relatively low levels of dehydration in silicone hydrogels, but this week's highlighted abstract shows that simply wearing these lenses can increase dehydration. There has also been corresponding debate about the clinical consequences of contact lens material dehydration. Things that have been considered include discomfort, tight fitting lenses, corneal staining, and alterations in oxygen permeability. Although there are not firmly proven links between dehydration and each of these factors, there is probably no question that contact lens material dehydration is an important clinical consideration in your fitting practices.
Jason J. Nichols, OD, MPH, PhD, FAAO

This month at www.siliconehydrogels.org: Using silicone hydrogels to mask irregular astigmatism; the relationship between oxygen transmissibility and overnight corneal swelling; and part one of our BCLA 2008 synopsis.