Art Optical Contact Lens, Inc. has just released Thinsite2, a new and improved version of their most popular thin lens design, Thinsite. With the introduction of Thinsite2, the company hopes to build on the success of the original Thinsite design.
     Utilizing patented lathing techniques and advanced mathematical concepts, Art Optical says that it has made it possible to craft a thinner overall lens profile that reduces lens mass and increases oxygen transmissibility while maintaining lens stability. Combined with the hyper-Dk permeability of Boston XO₂ material, according to the company, Thinsite2 lenses are especially appropriate for patients with extreme cases of myopia and hyperopia, and the ultra thin and light lens profile also aids in lens centration. The company also reports that, by eliminating stress points, Thinsite2 is less prone to lens flexure than other ultra-thin designs, even in lower powered lens parameters. Plus, the company states that the junctionless front surface technology reduces lens awareness and lid interaction to promote easier, faster adaptation for all patients.
     Manufactured exclusively by Art Optical in Boston XO₂ material, Thinsite2 is available in parameters to fit the vast majority of patients. For additional information on Thinsite2, visit www.artoptical.com or contact the Art Optical Customer Care or Consultation team at 800-253-9364.

Vistakon, Division of Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc., and the American Optometric Foundation (AOF), announced recipients of the Vistakon Residency Awards. The 2009 winners are:
Dr. George W. Mertz Contact Lens Residency Awards
  · Gloria Chiu, OD, Southern California College of Optometry
  · Karen DeLoss, OD, University of Houston College of Optometry
Dr. Sheldon Wechsler Contact Lens Residency Awards
  · Kristine Dalton, OD, University of Waterloo, School of Optometry
  · Emily Kachinsky, OD, MS, New England College of Optometry
Dr. Terrance Ingraham Pediatric Optometry Residency Awards
  · Catherine McDaniel, OD, MS, University of Houston College of Optometry
  · Aparna Raghuram, OD, PhD, New England College of Optometry
     Each will receive $4,000 toward their graduate education, including a $750 travel fellowship to attend the Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Optometry in Orlando, November 11-14.
     The Vistakon Residency Awards are intended to promote post-graduate optometric clinical education by supporting residents who demonstrate talent and commitment in the fields of children's vision and contact lenses. These are highly competitive fellowships with the recipients selected by the AOF from over 30 applicants. Vistakon is proud to have partnered with the AOF for over a decade, providing over one million dollars of support for scholarships, residency awards, fellowships, and research grants.

Now is the perfect time to fit more of your patients in ACUVUE® OASYS™ Brand Contact Lenses with HYDRACLEAR® Plus for all-day comfort and Class 1 UV blocking* for great protection against UV rays. To learn more about our innovations in comfort, vision and health, go to:
*Product and UV Information   
 Important Safety Information

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Initial outcomes of the Stabilization of Myopia by Accelerated Reshaping Technique (SMART) Study as reported by Euclid Systems Corporation show an 80.5% success rate with first lens and 95.5% success rate with second lens for the Emerald corneal reshaping lens, making the Emerald lens unmatched with any other empirically fit corneal reshaping lens, per the company. The data presented at the Global Specialty Lens Symposium is after a one year period and is part of a five year longitudinal study conducted by EyeVis Eye and Vision Research Institute led by principal investigators S. Barry Eiden, OD, FAAO and Robert Davis, OD, FAAO of the SMART Study Group. 
     According to Dr. Eiden, "Fitting Emerald lenses empirically for my overnight Ortho-K patients is simple and fast, making the overall experience a positive one for me and my patients."
     Emerald lenses are exclusively designed and manufactured with Boston materials by Euclid Systems Corporation. For further information, please call 1-800-477-9396, ext.10 or 703-471-7145, ext.10. 

Sirion Therapeutics, Inc., a privately held ophthalmic-focused biopharmaceutical company, announced that it has entered into an agreement with Advanced Vision Research, Inc. (AVR) to co-promote, within the United States, AVR's new MacuTrition oral retinal nutritional supplement and its recently launched NutriDox Convenience Kit for meibomian gland therapy. AVR is a privately held ophthalmic specialty company and manufacturer of the TheraTears dry-eye product line. The Sirion sales force will promote MacuTrition and the NutriDox Convenience Kit and provide sampling for the TheraTears line.
          According to the companies, MacuTrition is the first major oral nutritional supplement that addresses oxidation, inflammation and neovascularization, three very important processes that threaten long-term eye and general health, and play a key role in those at risk for macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy. MacuTrition, available over-the-counter, is a combination of synergistic anti-oxidants, anti-inflammatories and anti-angiogenics, including fish-oil omega-3s, vitamin D, green tea extract and tocotrienol (vitamin E).

To participate in the Contact Lens Spectrum (CLS) and Eurolens Research on the current state of contact lens prescribing in the United States, download the form at www.cltoday.com/USsurvey2009.doc. After clicking the link you will be prompted to Open or Save the document. Save the document to your computer, so that you can fill in your data and save the information at your convenience. The questionnaire is simple to complete and provides the most information without unreasonably imposing on your professional time. Please email the completed form to Lisa Starcher at lisa.starcher@wolterskluwer.com or fax to 215 827-5390 no later than May 15, 2009.
     You will be automatically entered into a drawing to receive one of six $50 American Express Gift Checks for returning a completed survey. Be sure to include your full contact information with your email or fax to be entered into the drawing. If you have any questions, please call Lisa Starcher at 215 367-2168.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether contact lens wear affects children's self-perceptions. The Adolescent and Child Health Initiative to Encourage Vision Empowerment Study was a randomized, single-masked trial conducted at five clinical centers in the United States. Subjects were 8- to 11-year-old myopic children randomly assigned to wear spectacles (n = 237) or soft contact lenses (n = 247) for three years. The primary endpoint was the Self-Perception Profile for Children Global Self-Worth scale. Secondary outcomes included the Physical Appearance, Athletic Competence, Scholastic Competence, Behavioral Conduct, and Social Acceptance Self-Perception Profile for Children scales.
     Global self-worth was not affected by contact lens wear [analysis of variance (ANOVA), difference = 0.06; 95% CI, -0.004 to 0.117]. Physical appearance (ANOVA, difference = 0.15; 95% CI, 0.07 to 0.22), athletic competence (ANOVA, difference = 0.08; 95% CI, 0.01 to 0.15), and social acceptance (ANOVA, difference = 0.10; 95% CI, 0.03 to 0.17) were all greater for contact lens wearers.
     The researchers concluded that, although contact lens wear does not affect global self-perceptions of 8- to 11-year-old myopic children, their physical appearance, athletic competence, and social acceptance self-perceptions are likely to improve with contact lens wear. Eye care practitioners should consider the social and visual benefits of contact lens wear when choosing the most appropriate vision correction modality for children as young as 8 years of age.
Walline JJ, Jones LA, Sinnott L et al. Randomized Trial of the Effect of Contact Lens Wear on Self-Perception in Children. Optom Vis Sci 2009.

I fly quite frequently and it always reminds me just how critical humidity is relative to my ocular comfort. The humidity in a pressured airplane cabin is likely as low as 10% and studies have shown that this level of humidity sustained for as little as 1 to 3 hours can be associated with significant mucosal irritation (eyes, skin, and upper airways). The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) requires liquid solution bottles that are "carried on" to be less than 3 ounces (~88.7 mL). It is important we remember this in the care of our "frequent flyer" patients - whether it be ocular lubricants, therapeutics, or contact lens care solutions. A quick mention of this to your patients will help remind them of how valuable your care is.
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.