CONTACT LENSES TODAY
January 6, 2008
Contact Lenses Today® is edited by Dr. Carla Mack and the staff of Contact Lens Spectrum. This week CLToday® reaches more than 14,000 readers in 74 countries.
AOA Emphasizes Importance of Comprehensive Eye Examinations
During National Glaucoma Awareness Month
With almost two-thirds of adult Americans, who do not wear corrective lenses, not receiving regular comprehensive eye examinations, millions of people are putting their vision and their quality of life at risk, according to the American Optometric Association in the press release sent to promote public awareness of glaucoma and the importance of early detection.
Glaucoma, often called "the sneak thief of sight" because it can strike without symptoms, is one of the leading causes of blindness in the United States. According to National Eye Institute, more than 3 million Americans have glaucoma, but only half of them know it. Glaucoma most often occurs in people over age 40. People who are very nearsighted, diabetic or who have a family history of glaucoma are also at high risk for the disease.
According to the AOA's 2007 American Eye-Q survey, 67 percent of Americans believe that glaucoma is preventable. In reality, the disease cannot be prevented, although it is treatable if caught in the early stages.
Since vision lost to glaucoma cannot be restored, the AOA is emphasizing the importance of regular, comprehensive eye examinations for people at risk including a tonometry test to measure pressure in the eyes; an examination of the inside of the eyes and optic nerves; and a visual field test to check for changes in central and side vision.
Invention Alerts Wearers to Replace Contact Lenses and Contact Lens Cases
A newly introduced contact lens device known as LensAlert features a flashing display that notifies users when it's time to change lenses and lens cases. A digital timer included with the device allows contact lens wearers to set their replacement schedule depending on how frequently lenses and cases need to be changed. The digital display automatically counts down the days. When the display flashes "0" it's time for a change. The patented dish design easily fits the most popular lens cases.
LensAlert is sold exclusively through doctors' offices. The company is offering a free sample of the product to any doctor who sends a request via email or fax. Email to
lensalert@aol.com or fax to 314-725-5873. Visit
www.lensalert.com for more information.
Explore Patient Satisfaction Beyond the Chair
Your patients demand clear, stable vision through all types of activities, plus comfort that lasts all day. Meet their needs and build satisfaction with ACUVUE ADVANCE® Brand Contact Lenses
for ASTIGMATISM. Accelerated Stabilization Design offers stability, regardless of head position or gaze, and harnesses positive lid interaction to stabilize the lens quickly. Could you satisfy more astigmatic patients and build your practice with ACUVUE ADVANCE®
for ASTIGMATISM?
More About ACUVUE ADVANCE®
for ASTIGMATISM
Important Safety Information
--ADVERTISING
ISTA Pharmaceuticals Submits NDA for Xibrom QD
ISTA Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced that the company has submitted a New Drug Application (NDA) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for Xibrom QD (once-daily). The company is seeking approval for Xibrom QD as a treatment for inflammation, pain, and photophobia following cataract surgery.
Xibrom is a topical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory compound for the treatment of ocular inflammation and pain. Xibrom, approved in 2005, is the first and only FDA-approved twice-daily NSAID for inflammation and reduction of pain following cataract surgery. Xibrom, under a different trade name but identical formulation, was launched in Japan in 2000 by Senju Pharmaceuticals Co. Ltd. ISTA acquired U.S. marketing rights for Xibrom in 2002 and launched the product in the U.S. in 2005.
NeuroMetrix Completes the Acquisition of EyeTel Imaging; Looks to Expand Market for the DigiScope into Optometry
NeuroMetrix, Inc., a medical device company with products for diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the nervous system, neurovascular disorders, and pain, announced that it has acquired substantially all of the assets of EyeTel Imaging, Inc. and has assumed certain specified liabilities. NeuroMetrix originally obtained an exclusive license to commercialize EyeTel's DigiScope throughout the physician office market in October 2006 and has been marketing the product since early 2007.
The DigiScope is an FDA 510(k) cleared diagnostic device that can be used for the early detection of diabetic retinopathy and other eye diseases. The DigiScope may also be useful in the evaluation of other common retinal and optic nerve disorders, such as age related macular degeneration and glaucoma. Gary L. Gregory, NeuroMetrix Chief Operating Officer, stated: "In addition to our existing efforts in the physician office arena, we look to bring the DigiScope platform to the optometry arena. This will allow NeuroMetrix to deliver this advanced technology to an even broader market."
Pfizer Initiates Phase 2 Clinical Development for Glaucoma Treatment in Japan
NicOx S.A. today announced that Pfizer has initiated a phase 2 clinical study for PF-03187207 in Japan. This dose-ranging phase 2 study in Japan is a new experimental medicine for the treatment of glaucoma, which is currently in an ongoing phase 2 proof-of-concept study in the United States. PF-03187207 is the lead development compound generated under the August 2004 collaboration agreement between Pfizer and NicOx, which focuses on the research and development of nitric oxide-donating prostaglandin F2-alpha analogs for the treatment of glaucoma. PF-03187207 has the potential to have an increased capacity to reduce high IOP relative to currently marketed agents.
This new Japanese study will compare the safety and efficacy of PF-03187207 to Xalatan (latanoprost) in Japanese patients. Xalatan is a proprietary Pfizer product and the leader in worldwide glaucoma sales, with approximately $1.5 billion of franchise sales in 2006.
Global Keratoconus Congress 2008
There is still time to register for the second Global Keratoconus Congress! This educational event will be held January 25-27, 2008 at Ballys in Las Vegas. The more than 300 current registrants hail from 24 different countries. Please visit
http://www.GKCongress.com. There you will find the most up-to-date educational program agenda and information on hotel accommodations, as well as the ability to register for the event and information for making your hotel reservations.
Companies interested in exhibiting should contact Heather Seasholtz at 215-643-8073.
--ADVERTISING
Abstract:
The Effect of Contact Lens Induced Edema on the Accuracy of Goldmann Tonometry
In this study from the UK, researchers examined the effect of contact lens induced edema on the accuracy of Goldmann tonometry measurements of intraocular pressure (IOP) in mature subjects. Twenty-two healthy subjects aged between 50 and 60 years were recruited. Corneal curvature, IOP, and central corneal thickness (CCT) were measured before and after two hours of monocular closed eye wear of a thick hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) contact lens. Measurements were then repeated at 20 minute intervals for one hour after lens removal.
Both CCT (+54.1 mum) and IOP (+2.7 mm Hg) increased significantly after lens wear (p<0.001, paired t test with Bonferroni correction). For the hour following lens removal, the measured IOP was correlated to the increase in CCT (r = 0.84, p<0.001), at a rate of 1.0 mm Hg/10 mum (95% confidence interval, 0.8 to 1.2 mm Hg/10 mum, linear mixed model analysis).
The authors concluded that a relatively small increase in CCT from contact lens induced corneal edema caused an overestimation error in Goldmann tonometry measurements of IOP in healthy mature subjects.
Hamilton K, Pye D, Hua S, Yu F, Chung J, Hou Q. The effect of contact lens induced oedema on the accuracy of Goldmann tonometry in a mature population. Br J Ophthalmol. 2007 Dec;91(12):1636-8. Epub 2007 May 15.
Editor's Commentary:
Do Something
The end of a year is a time that I choose to reflect on how I've grown both personally and professionally and what I've accomplished throughout the year. Some years I have specific goals with specific timelines and in other years I'm in search of new opportunities. At the beginning of a year, I'm always a bit restless with anxious anticipation to get started on new goals or new endeavors and wondering what unexpected opportunities the New Year will hold. Recently, a very wise person told me that you are much more likely to succeed if you do something...anything...rather than choosing to do nothing. Whatever your goals for the year, no matter how grand or minute, take the first step and do something. You will be on your way to success. At the very least, you won't be able to say that you did not try. Best of luck to you!
Carla Mack, O.D., F.A.A.O.
This month at http://www.siliconehydrogels.org consider whether silicone hydrogels require one or more unique FDA class(es); review the case of a pediatric patient successfully fit with silicone hydrogels after a diagnosis of unilateral congenital cataract; read about a study designed to determine the quantity and identity of protein deposited on silicone hydrogel lenses; and review the latest silicone hydrogel research in part two of our synopsis of the 2007 BCLA meeting.
Report adverse contact lens reactions here: http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/medwatch/ or call (800) FDA-1088.
Send your favorite tips to tips@cltoday.com. Your tip may be selected as best of the month. See http://www.CLToday.com for details. Please include your full name, degree or title and city/state/country.
For more information on Contact Lenses Today including archives of previous issues or to subscribe to this newsletter, please visit our website at www.cltoday.com.
For the latest articles on contact lenses, important clinical information and helpful tools related to the contact lens practice go to www.clspectrum.com.
CLToday Services: Subscribe; Unsubscribe; submit news to news@cltoday.com; or, fax 1-215-643-3902.