Sunday, January 17, 2010 A free weekly e-mail newsletter brought to you by: 
CLToday Contact Lens Spectrum
Edited by Jason J. Nichols, OD, MPH, PhD, FAAO and the staff of Contact Lens Spectrum
This week CLToday® reaches more than 14,000 readers in 74 countries. 
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Vistakon Introduces New 90-Pack for 1·Day Acuvue Moist Brand Contact Lenses

Vistakon, Division of Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc., announced the introduction of a new 90-pack for its 1·Day Acuvue Moist Brand Contact Lenses.
     In addition to the new 1·Day Acuvue Moist Brand 90-pack, the company says it has also reduced the price of its 1·Day Acuvue Moist Brand 30-pack and is offering a new wearer rebate specifically for 1·Day Acuvue Moist Brand patients.
     "Many eye care practitioners and consumers favor daily disposable contacts because of their health and convenience benefits, but doctors have told us that cost often factors into a patients decision to choose a one day lens," says Dave Brown, President, Vistakon. "Now, patients can have the convenience of a single-use lens, while enjoying the benefits of Lacreon technology and the value of a 90-pack."
     For more information, visit www.jnjvisioncare.com.

ARBO Announces COPE New Standards for Commercial Support Administrator/Provider Training Workshop

With the changes in the relationship between continuing education and industry sponsors, the COPE Approved Administrator/Providers role has become more important. As a part of the 6-month training period offered in the COPE SCS (Standards for Commercial Support) implementation, the Association of Regulatory Boards of Optometry (ARBO) is planning two training workshops for COPE Approved Administrators/Providers and Instructors. The workshop will cover the new COPE SCS in detail with ample time for discussion and questions. 
     Additionally, ARBO is planning to have a number of commercial supporters in attendance to share their grant application processes and be available to respond to your individual questions.
     The workshops are scheduled for Friday, March 5, 2010 at the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas, NV and Friday, May 21, 2010 at the Ritz-Carlton in Atlanta, GA. The tentative program includes: the History of COPE, Introduction to and Review of the COPE Standards for Commercial Support, COPE SCS Implementation Processes, and Corporate Supporter Presentations on Grant Application Processes.
     The registration fee is $150 per person and includes program materials, a continental breakfast, lunch, morning and afternoon breaks. Attendance may be limited due to space restrictions, so early registration is recommended. A limited number of sleeping rooms are being held at a special rate of $149 per night, plus applicable taxes. 
     For more information and to register go the ARBO website at www.arbo.org.

Happy contact lens patients mean healthy practice growth!

Your practice thrives when your patients are healthy and happyand ACUVUE® OASYS™ Brand Contact Lenses with HYDRACLEAR® Plus can help you fulfill this goal, by providing exceptional comfort, vision, and health. It's a fact: more than 9 out of 10 patients stay in ACUVUE® OASYS™ Brand.1 So when you fit your patients with ACUVUE® OASYS™, you're laying a solid foundation of patient commitment and satisfaction leading to practice growth.

$75 rebate for new wearers!
Good when patients get an eye exam and purchase 8 boxes of ACUVUE® OASYS™ (spherical product only). Visit www.jnjvisioncare.com/rebates.jsp for more details.

1. Data on file.
     ACUVUE® Brand Contact Lenses are indicated for vision correction. As with any contact lens, eye problems, including corneal ulcers, can develop. Some wearers may experience mild irritation, itching or discomfort. Lenses should not be prescribed if patients have any eye infection, or experience eye discomfort, excessive tearing, vision changes, redness or other eye problems. Consult the package insert for complete information. Complete information is also available from VISTAKON®, Division of Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc., by calling 1-800-843-2020 or by visiting jnjvisioncare.com.
     HYDRACLEAR® Plus is our brand name for the next generation of our proprietary technology that allows us to use a higher volume of a moisture rich wetting agent in a state of the art formulation. This creates a more wettable, ultra smooth contact lens, especially for challenging environments that make eyes feel dry.
     ACUVUE®, ACUVUE® OASYS™, HYDRACLEAR®, and VISTAKON® are trademarks of Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.
© Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc. 2010.

--ADVERTISING

Healthy Eyes for Life Foundation Changes Name

Effective January 4, 2010, the newly formed Healthy Eyes for Life Foundation became known as The Foundation for Eye Health Awareness. The name change occurred to prevent confusion within the optical industry and to clarify the purpose of the foundation. The formation of the foundation was reported in the October 11, 2009 issue of Contact Lenses Today.   
     For information about the foundation, visit www.eyehealthsummit.com.

DAC International Acquires Opteq Technology from Contamac

An agreement was recently reached to transfer all technology for the Contamac BV Opteq System to DAC International, Inc. in Carpinteria, California. DAC International and Opteq R&D in turn, have come to an agreement whereby DAC International will acquire the technology to allow for the design, manufacture, sales and service of the Diatop Lathe, the proprietary blocking system, and the Calculens Software which comprise the Opteq System.
     The companies' management believe this arrangement meets their respective long term goals, i.e., Contamac Ltd.'s continuing dedication to the development of superior materials for the production of contact and intraocular lenses, and DAC International's desire to add a high-end, polish-free, contact and intraocular lens production system to their substantial product line.
     The Opteq system includes the Diatop Lathe, a precision machine capable of producing polish-free lenses in a variety of materials, the Calculens Software Package equipped to feed lens designs directly to the lathe, and a proprietary blocking system ensuring the highest quality in lens generation. DAC International plans to begin deliveries of the Opteq System in April 2010.
     In addition, Ken Payne has returned to DAC International, filling the position of European Sales Manager. His long career in the contact and intraocular lens industries began with Allergan UK, then DAC for many years followed by an Engineering Manager position at Contamac. In May of 2004 he became the Managing Director of Contamac BV. Ken also spent several years as President of EFCLIN (European Federation of the Contact Lens Industry). 

VisionWeb's Money Madness Sweepstakes Returns For Spring 2010

VisionWeb, a provider of technology services to the optical industry, announced the return of its online ordering promotion for eyecare providers, VisionWeb's Money Madness Sweepstakes. The Sweepstakes rewards practices for placing more of their orders via the VisionWeb network (VisionWeb portal site or an integrated practice management system), and encourages practices to take advantage of one-stop shopping to over 400 suppliers on the VisionWeb network.
     This installment of VisionWeb's Money Madness Sweepstakes runs February 14 - April 10, 2010, and is open to all eyecare providers who are VisionWeb members. Each VisionWeb account will earn entries in weekly and grand prize drawings for meeting their weekly order goal. Additional entries are earned by ordering to multiple supplier types (spectacle lenses, contact lenses, and frames). More details on the promotion are available at www.visionweb.com.
     Members interested in participating in the promotion may visit the VisionWeb site at www.visionweb.com. Eyecare providers who are not yet VisionWeb members can contact VisionWeb Customer Service at (800) 874-6601 to register their practice and start ordering online.

GSLS 2010 Registration Still Available Plus Reduced Room Rates at Bally's Las Vegas as Low as $69!

Global Specialty Lens Symposium, January 28-31, 2010, Bally's Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas
There is still time to register for the 2010 Global Specialty Lens Symposium. With an expert international faculty and a CE-accredited agenda, the 2010 GSLS will include insightful presentations by experts in the field, hands-on demonstrations of cutting-edge products as well as scientific papers and posters. Plus, the reduced room rates at Bally's Las Vegas, as low as $69 a night plus applicable taxes, are still available. Look for more detailed information and registration information online at www.GSLSymposium.com.
--ADVERTISING

Abstract: Twenty First Century Trends in Silicone Hydrogel Contact Lens Fitting: An International Perspective

Silicone hydrogel contact lenses were introduced into the market in 1999. To assess prescribing trends of this lens type since then, up to 1000 survey forms were sent to contact lens fitters in Australia, Canada, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, the UK and the USA each year between 2000 and 2008. Practitioners were asked to record data relating to the first 10 contact lens fits or refits performed after receiving the survey form. Analysis of returned forms revealed a rapid increase in the prescribing of silicone hydrogel lenses over the survey period. In 2008, silicone hydrogel lenses represented 36% of all soft lenses prescribed. The categorization of the majority of lenses prescribed as 'refits' is primarily attributed to the mass conversion of lens wearers from hydrogel to silicone hydrogel lenses. Silicone hydrogels may soon represent the majority of soft contact lenses prescribed.
Morgan PB, Efron N, Helland M et al. Twenty first century trends in silicone hydrogel contact lens fitting: An international perspective. Cont Lens Anterior Eye.

Reader Commentary: On Fitting Children in Contact Lenses

Many years ago, we had a five year-old patient with anisometropia (OD +4.50 and OS plano). Of course, eyeglass wear caused him diplopia so he basically walked around suppressing the vision in his right eye. Since he also was amblyopic, over several months we worked with spectacles and patching which greatly improved his OD vision.
     At the end of the patching period, I wondered about fitting him with a disposable soft contact lens so we could continue to help him use the vision in his right eye as well as his left. We were easily able to teach him to insert and remove his contact lens and he became our youngest contact lens wearer. We haven't looked back since!
     We regularly fit eight year-olds, but we don't hesitate to fit patients as young as five, especially if they have anisometropia or amblyopia. Most parents wear contact lenses themselves, so they are "experts" for their children if they have any handling issues at home.
Kim B. Even, OD
King of Prussia, PA
 
I've fit some children as young as eight years old and have refused to fit some 18 year-olds. I think it is a matter of maturity and responsibility. Also, I take into consideration the parents' role in this decision. The parents must have a clear understanding of proper lens care, disposal and handling. I do, however, normally fit children with 1-day disposables to take most of the guess work out of compliance.
Allan D. Feldman, PhD, NCLEC
Newton, NJ

The positive psychological results of early contact lens wear in children are really not surprising. I am certainly an advocate of contact lens fitting for children even at an early age.  However, my strong (and almost only) recommendation is for orthokeratology. The reasons are: 1. Studies are showing the therapeutic effect of limiting/halting the progression of axial length and myopia. 2. The lenses are worn only at home with parental supervision which greatly reduces the chance of infection.
Alfred Hutt, MD, OD, FACS
Holyoke, MA

Whether to fit a child is a judgment the practitioner has to make. If the doctor has given a complete eye health check, and the child can demonstrate good hygiene habits, can communicate and understand compliance, follows your check-up policies and is mature enough to play by the rules, well then, make the call.
     I have had many patients as young as nine successfully wearing contact lenses. These patients have grown into young adults and currently continue to wear their lenses successfully.
     There are many patients of all ages who are not good candidates for many different reasons. There are advantages and disadvantages to any age group. Age, in my opinion, does not affect the decision making process.
Renee Huber, LDO
Reno, NV

Editor's Commentary: More on Children and Contact Lenses

As noted elsewhere in the issue, many of you are quite bullish on fitting children in contact lenses. In fact, with all the comments sent to me this week, I don't think I've received one comment that expressed concern. The one recurring theme I've noticed is that most of you generally feel that there is no specific age cut-off rather, it's critically important to evaluate the maturity of each individual patient during the pre-fitting examination. That's wise advice. Thanks for your feedback and look forward to future coverage of this topic.
Jason J. Nichols, OD, MPH, PhD, FAAO 

This month at www.siliconehydrogels.org: a review of the potential uses, efficacy, safety and clinical performance of antimicrobial contact lens technology.

Report adverse contact lens reactions here: http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/medwatch/ or call (800) FDA-1088.

Report possible grievances related to the Fairness to Contact Lens Consumers Act or associated Contact Lens Rule at: https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/.
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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 visit the Contact Lens Spectrum website at www.clspectrum.com.
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