CONTACT LENSES TODAY
February 25, 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.
Jury Finds CIBA Engaged in False Advertising
In a U.S. District court in New York City, a jury determined that CIBA Vision willfully engaged in false advertising and promotion to eye
care professionals about its O2Optix contact lenses. According to a lawsuit filed in Sept., 2004 by Johnson & Johnson Vision
Care, CIBA Vision falsely claimed that 90 Dk/t
is a critical minimum level for the avoidance of severe hypoxic stress in daily wear of contact lenses. The jury also found the company deliberately offered misleading
description and representation of J&J’s Acuvue brand. As part of the ruling, CIBA was ordered to pay damages to J&J, according to J&J.
A spokesperson for CIBA Vision
says the company is pleased with the outcome of this case. According to CIBA Vision, J&J was seeking approximately $7 million in damages. The jury awarded J&J about
$150,000 and required that it pay the J&J costs.
Insite Vision Enters Agreement with Inspire
InSite Vision has granted Inspire Pharmaceuticals exclusive rights to commercialize AzaSite for ocular infection in the U.S. and
Canada.
AzaSite is a topical anti-infective treatment for bacterial conjunctivitis, which is currently under new drug approval (NDA) review by the Food and Drug
Administration (FDA). It contains the drug azithromycin and DuraSite, InSite’s patented drug delivery system. If approved, AzaSite will be the first antibiotic with
a once-daily regimen after initial dosing.
AOA Launches Grant Program
The American Optometric Association (AOA) has launched its Keeping Injuries Down in Sports (K.I.D.S.) state association grant program,
sponsored by Liberty Sport. The grants provide funding assistance for projects that support public education and awareness of the prevention of sports-related eye
injuries through the use of appropriate personal protective eyewear. A total of $100,000 is available for the state grants with each grant worth up to a maximum of
$10,000. You can apply through your state association by April 16. Only one application per state is permitted, though it may contain multiple projects.
The AOA
will evaluate and track all projects. Collaborations with other health associations and/or public agencies are allowed and must reflect broad-based sponsorship. The
official application form and instructions are available at http://www.aoa.org/kids-grant.xml.
Patients Report Comfort, Crisp Vision with ACUVUE® OASYS™
What are contact lens wearers saying about the ACUVUE® OASYS™ Brand Contact Lenses with HYDRACLEAR™ Plus? In a recent
study, 92% of patients reported the ACUVUE® OASYS™ Brand Contact Lenses felt fresh and maintained natural moisture in adverse environments. 74% reported
comfort while on the computer and 83% said they forgot they were wearing contact lenses when wearing the ACUVUE® OASYS™ Brand. And, 80% reported
that ACUVUE® OASYS™ felt as natural as their own eyes. Also, 90% of patients reported crisp, clear vision at every moment.
--ADVERTISING
VSP Launches Company Blog
VSP Vision Care has announced the launch of its company blog, which is meant to be a conduit for company leaders to share their thoughts
and invite the interchange of ideas on a wide range of topics. Readers will have the opportunity to communicate directly with VSP leaders on an evolving spectrum of
subjects including eyecare innovations and healthcare advancement. The blog also features an RSS feed capability that alerts subscribers to new
content. Visit http://www.vspblog.com.
Upcoming Meetings
The Orthokeratology Academy of America will hold its 2007 education meeting from April 20-22 at the University of Houston College
of Optometry. The meeting features over 16 hours of COPE-approved CE and includes both beginner and advanced ortho-k
training. Visit http://www.okglobal.org for more information.
The Bronstein Contact Lens Seminar has announced its 2008 meeting
will take place in Scottsdale, Ariz., from Jan. 11-13, 2008. For more information, call the Arizona Optometric Association at 602-279-0055.
Vistakon Appoints new Director, Professional Affairs
Carol Alexander, O.D., F.A.A.O., has joined Vistakon as Director, Professional Affairs. She will begin her transition to the company in
July. Dr. Alexander is a private practitioner with more than 20 years experience. She is a past president of the Ohio Optometric Association and has also served on
several national AOA committees in the areas of regulation and legislation.
Abstract:
Alcohol Delamination of the Epithelium for Recalcitrant RCE
Researchers at Queens Medical Center in the U.K. recently investigated the safety and efficacy of alcohol delamination of the corneal
epithelium for recalcitrant recurrent corneal erosion syndrome (RCE). They studied 20 eyes of patients with RCE who remained symptomatic despite topical lubrication
and three months of wearing an extended wear bandage contact lens. The causes of RCE were trauma (14 eyes), anterior basement membrane dystrophy (five) and
idiopathic (one). They treated patients with alcohol delamination and followed-up at one week, one month and at 12 months. Success was defined as resolution of
symptoms after one month of treatment, partial success as significant reduction in symptoms manageable with topical lubricants.
Two eyes were lost to follow-up, 15 (83%) qualified as successful, three as
partially successful. There were no failures or intraoperative complications. One patient developed
transient subepithelial haze that resolved with topical steroid treatment, one had a change in refraction, and one patient developed herpectic stromal keratitis
two months post-op, which was treated successfully. The researchers conclude that alcohol delamination of the corneal epithelium is a safe and effective method for
treating patients with recalcitrant RCE.
Singh RP, Raj D, Pherwani A, Lagnado R, et al. Alcohol Delamination of the Corneal Epithelium for Recalcitrant
Recurrent Corneal Erosion Syndrome. Br J Ophthalmol. 2007 Feb;[Epud ahead of print].
Editor's Commentary:
Oxygen Matters
The decision of the U.S district court in NYC is interesting (see our first story above). It seems the jury is sure of the Dk/t
necessary for daily wear, even if scientists disagree amongst themselves. But we all agree that oxygen is very important, not only for what we see, such as gross
corneal edema and neovascularization, but more so for what we can’t see, such as molecular and cellular changes that can lead to real, clinical complications. And,
keep in mind that up to two thirds of daily CL wearers occasionally sleep in their lenses.