CONTACT LENSES TODAY

February 11, 2007

Contact Lenses Today® is edited by Dr. Joseph T. Barr and the staff of Contact Lens Spectrum. This week CLToday® reaches more than 12,000 readers in 74 countries.


Borish Biography
William Balwdin, O.D., has penned a biography of Dr. Irvin M. Borish, O.D., titled “Borish,” that explores the private and professional life of the clinician/researcher/inventor/educator/philanthropist. Dr. Borish played a key role in the founding of Indiana University School of Optometry and was the first optometrist voted into the National Optometry Hall of Fame.
    Obtain a copy of the book with Dr. Borish’s signature and a greeting at http://www.opt.indiana.edu/bcor/borishbook/index.htm. You can also meet Drs. Baldwin and Borish at this year’s SECO meeting in Atlanta to acquire an autographed copy. Proceeds will go to support the Borish Center for Ophthalmic Research. Contact Hillary Person at 812-855-0351 or hlheflin@indiana.edu for more information.

Allergan Introduces Optive
Allergan has announced the launch of Optive lubricant eye drops, a new artificial tear product that the company says works both on the ocular surface and at the cellular level to relieve dry eye symptoms. The company says in cases of dry eye, the tear is hypertonic, so it does not sufficiently hydrate or protect the surface of the eye. Optive provides a lubricating and hydrating shield on the surface of the eye, then penetrates below the surface to provide osmoprotection to the corneal epithelial cells, according to the manufacturer.
    Optive is available in multi-use bottles and preserved with purite, a preservative that the company says dissolves into natural tear component without resulting in cellular damage to the ocular surface.

Soft CL Inventor Honored
This year’s National Inventors Hall of Fame inductees will include among them Otto Wichterle, inventor of the soft contact lens. Each year, the National Inventors Hall of Fame honors individuals whose work have changed society and improved the way we live. Otto Wichterle’s soft contact lens proved to be less expensive and more comfortable than previous models. The group says a significant part of his invention was the process for making the lenses. Arthur Nobile will also be inducted for his discovery of the steroids prednisone and prednisolone, a significant advance in medicine. They will be inducted at the annual induction ceremonies in Akron, Ohio on May 4th and 5th.

Wet Lens, Patient Satisfaction
Among those ages 35-49, 65% of patients who consider dropping out of contact lens wear cite dryness sensation as a key reason. ACUVUE® OASYS™ Brand Contact Lenses with HYDRACLEAR™ Plus are made from senofilcon A, a next generation silicone hydrogel material. The proprietary formulation includes a remarkable moisture-rich wetting agent and no surface coating. The senofilcon A material balances properties to meet the demands of contact lens wearers in environments that can make eyes feel tired and dry. This breakthrough material creates a lens so moist and smooth that an eyelid glides effortlessly over it. ACUVUE® OASYS™ Brand Contact Lenses can help keep your patients in contact lenses by increasing their comfort and also giving them crisp vision and healthy lens wear.

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First World Congress on Refractive Error
Register now for the World Congress of Refractive Therapy, hosted by the International Centre for Eye Care Education (ICEE) in Durbin, South Africa from March 14th to 16th. Go to http://www.icee2007.org.za for more information.

Press Conference Educates Legislators on Children’s Vision
A congressional briefing and press conference on Capitol Hill this month was held in an effort to raise awareness for H.R. 507, the “Vision Care for Kids Act of 2007.” Pediatric ophthalmologist Jean Ramsey, M.D. and pediatric optometrist Andrea Thau, O.D., shared real-life examples of children who could have benefited from preventative vision care with more than 60 participants.
    H.R. 507 is sponsored by U.S. Reps. Gene Green (D.-Texas), Eliot Engel (D.-N.Y.), Vito Fossella (R.-N.Y.), Bill Pascrell (D.-N.J.), Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R.-Fla.) and John Sullivan (R.-Okla.). The bill is supported by the alliance of the Vision Council of America (VCA), American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus (AAPOS), the American Optometric Association (AOA) and Prevent Blindness America (PBA). For more information or to support the legislation, visit http://www.2020advocacy.com.

Abstract: Microbial Contamination in Young CL Wearers
Researchers at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University’s School of Optometry in China recently conducted a study to examine the rates of microbial contamination and identify contaminants associated with contact lenses and lens care accessories used by a group of young contact lens wearers. They performed bacterial cultures on contact lenses, cases and care solutions collected from participants.
    Of the samples tested, they found 9% of lens extracts, 34% of case extracts and 11% of solution samples were contaminated with ocular pathogenic microorganisms. The most common microorganisms isolated were Serratia spp., Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase-negative staphylococci. Lens cases were found to be the most frequently contaminated item and also yielded the widest range of bacterial isolates. Contact lenses used by occasional wearers were associated with a higher contamination rate. The investigators note that using either saline or multipurpose solution to rinse the lenses before insertion appears to be an effective method of reducing incidence of contamination.
    They conclude the finding demonstrate that contact lenses and lens care accessories are not well maintained by contact lens wearers and suggest regular reviews and enforcement of lens care procedures is essential.
Yung MS, Boost M, Cho P, Yap M. Microbial contamination of contact lenses and lens care accessories of soft contact lens wearers (university students) in Hong Kong. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt. 2007 Jan;27(1):11-21.


Editor's Commentary: GKC Buzz Continues
We continue to get lots of positive feedback on the first Global Keratoconus Congress (GKC). Like many meetings, the GKC depends on industry support. We would like to extend our thanks to all of our sponsors and exhibitors that helped make the inaugural congress a success. You can view pictures of attendees, exhibits, posters and speakers at http://www.healthcareconferencegroup.com/conferences.asp?conf=78&page=8. If you attended, please send us any contact lens tips you learned during the meeting and share them with your colleagues.

Fitting Tip: Keratoconus Tip
Keep the back surface of the GP lens worn for keratoconus very clean, with daily cleaning using a surfactant and/or particulate cleaner (for non-surface treated lenses) and enzyme cleaning. Or use Progent every six months to prevent protein buildup from causing corneal erosion.
The Editor


This month at http://www.siliconehydrogels.org, review the results of a study on non-compliance in contact lens wearers, learn about piggyback fittings of silicone hydrogels for post-surgical patients, consider the benefits and challenges of spherical lens, soft lenses and silicone hydrogel lenses for toric lens wearers, and evaluate the fitting practices of Canadian optometrists from 2000-2006.

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

Access a reporting form for complications you've seen that were a result of contact lenses dispensed without a valid prescription at the Association of Regulatory Boards of Optometry's (ARBO's) Web site: http://www.arbo.org/arbo.asp?dt=R&doc=Complications. Complete and send the form online or print it out and fax it to (866) 886-6164.

Send your favorite tips to tips@cltoday.com -- if your tip is selected as 'Best of the Month,' you'll receive a free T-shirt (see http://www.CLToday.com for details). Please include your full name, degree or title and city/state/country.
Visit Contact Lens Spectrum ( http://www.clspectrum.com ) for interactive clinical posters and issue archives. Visit Contact Lenses Today for our Best Fitting Tips.
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