Sunday, February 28, 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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Adams Named President and CEO of Inspire

Inspire Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company focused on researching, developing and commercializing prescription pharmaceutical products for ophthalmic and pulmonary diseases, announced that it has named Adrian Adams as President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and elected him to its Board of Directors.
     Mr. Adams served as President and CEO of Sepracor Inc. since 2007. Under his leadership, Sepracor conducted multiple strategic business development activities, including the in-licensing of seven products and out-licensing deals with two major pharmaceutical companies. Sepracor was recently acquired by Dainippon Sumitomo Pharma Co. Prior to joining Sepracor, Mr. Adams was President and CEO of Kos Pharmaceuticals, Inc. from 2002 until the acquisition of the company by Abbott Laboratories in December 2006.
     Mr. Adams has over 30 years of experience in both specialty and large pharmaceutical organizations that, in addition to Kos and Sepracor, included ICI, SmithKline Beecham and Novartis. He has a broad background encompassing research and development, sales, international and national product marketing, business development and extensive general management experience.
     Mr. Adams holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from Salford University in the U.K.
     Inspire previously announced that Christy L. Shaffer, PhD, would step down as President and CEO when her successor joined the company. Dr. Shaffer has also resigned from the Board of Directors and will serve as a consultant to Inspire. 
     For more information on Inspire, visit www.inspirepharm.com

iPhone App for Contact Lens Professionals Released

EyeDock, LLC, announced availability of its iPhone application for download from the Apple iTunes store. The EyeDock app provides a searchable contact lens database according to name, manufacturer, or specific parameters. The app also includes tables for keratometry to base curve conversion and for vertexing lens power. The EyeDock app is free to download, but requires either a no-cost 30-day trial subscription or a paid annual subscription from EyeDock.com, allowing access to the contact lens database.
     "The EyeDock iPhone app brings a new level of efficiency to the fingertips of the contact lens practitioner," said Brian Chou, OD, FAAO, co-developer of EyeDock.com. 
     EyeDock.com is the leading online clinical reference for eye care professionals with over 1,500 paid subscribers, according to the company. Founded in 2003 by Todd Zarwell, OD, FAAO, and Dr. Chou, EyeDock.com features a searchable contact lens and ocular pharmaceuticals database. The website also provides clinical calculators that streamline the process of prescribing gas permeable and soft contact lenses. For more information, go to www.eyedock.com.

Programs Planned for Young Optometrists at Expo East

To engage young optometrists at International Vision Expo East, March 19 - 21, 2010 in New York City, several new programs have been planned. Designed for optometry students and optometrists who graduated from optometry school less than five years ago, the programs showcase the education, new products and networking events found at the show.
     Programs available to optometry students and young optometrists include:
· Free lunch session, "What Choices are There After Graduation and How Do I Get There?" (Course 3013)
· "The Art of the Deal: Practice Transitions and Associate Relationships" (Course 3313)
· Young Optometrist Networking Area at Shamrock Fest
· Free Audits of Continuing Education Courses - Students and young optometrists have the opportunity to sit in and "audit" any continuing education session that is not sold-out. Credits will not be provided for these courses.
     New this year, students and young optometrists who attend International Vision Expo East are also encouraged to capture footage of their time at the show: in the exhibit hall, during the continuing education courses and at after-hours events. All videos submitted to
dfralen@thevisioncouncil.org will be posted to the official International Vision Expo YouTube page.
     Students and young optometrists can register for a free exhibit hall pass and find more information at www.visionexpoeast.com. .

Visual Acuity and Stability for Your Patients with Astigmatism

Patients wearing contact lenses for astigmatism feel the lens sometimes rotates on the eye, resulting in blurry vision. The Accelerated Stabilization Design (ASD) of ACUVUE® OASYS™ Brand Contact Lenses for ASTIGMATISM provides greater stability by harnessing the pressure of the blink. ASD has four zones of stability to help maintain the position of the lens, resulting in more consistent visual acuity during repetitive eye movements and throughout everyday activities. So with ACUVUE® OASYS™ Brand for ASTIGMATISM, you provide your astigmatic patients with stable, crisp vision throughout their day.
For more information, click here.
 
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.
     ACUVUE®, ACUVUE® OASYS™, and VISTAKON® are trademarks of Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.
© Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc. 2010.

--ADVERTISING

Sperian and PBA Form Strategic Partnership

Sperian Protection, manufacturers of safety eyewear, and Prevent Blindness America (PBA), the nation's oldest volunteer eye health and safety organization, announced they have entered into a strategic partnership to help reduce workplace eye injuries and promote a culture of safety. Together, the industry leaders will develop an innovative nationwide safety leadership program to educate and certify workers, empowering them with the skills they need to promote safe working conditions among their peers.
     PBA and Sperian recently concluded an in-depth study of workplace safety programs. More than two hundred safety directors in North America were interviewed, and various types of safety programs were evaluated. Sperian and Prevent Blindness America found that promoting proper eye protection is an important first step in creating a successful culture of safety, and that peer-to-peer education is a key factor in improving compliance. Results of the groundbreaking study will help shape the innovative programs that they will introduce.

AOA Campaigns for Eye Safety in the Workplace

In honor of March's Save Your Vision Month, the American Optometric Association (AOA) is encouraging Americans to prevent workplace eye strain and eye injuries by following some easy and important steps. The AOA reports that visual discomfort, eye strain and eye injuries in the workplace are not only common, but cost billions in lost productivity each year. Research indicates that 2,000 workers each day in the United States sustain job-related eye injuries requiring medical treatment, yet safety experts and doctors of optometry agree that 90 percent of all eye and vision injuries could be prevented with simple safety steps such as wearing properly designed and fitted protective eyewear.
     "Healthy vision is critical to successfully completing job-related tasks," said James Sheedy, OD, PhD, Director of the Vision Ergonomics Laboratory at the College of Optometry at Pacific University and AOA's occupational vision specialist. "And while most people think of construction or manufacturing as high-risk occupations where eye injuries are prevalent, even jobs requiring 'smart phones,' laptops and desktop computers can cause vision problems if not used properly."
     According to the AOA's American Eye-Q survey, nearly half of all Americans (46 percent) spend five or more hours per day using a computer or a PDA (personal digital assistant). Prolonged use of electronic devices may lead to symptoms of Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS). "CVS can be a serious problem for those who spend hours in front of a computer or hand-held electronic device on a daily basis," said Dr. Sheedy. "However, in this digital era, no one expects Americans to simply stop using these devices. Small steps can make big changes to ease vision strain."
     Many professions require protective eyewear to help reduce the risk of eye injuries. The AOA advises that with proper eye protection, thousands of injuries could be prevented. Yet the Bureau of Labor Statistics found that in approximately 60 percent of eye injury cases, workers failed to wear proper protective eyewear.
     While working around the house, it seems an even greater percentage fail to protect their sight. The Eye-Q survey found that nearly two-thirds of Americans do not wear safety glasses or goggles when working on home improvement projects.
     For information on AOA's recommendations for eye safety in the workplace, please visit www.AOA.org.

Abstract: Comparative Analysis of Carmellose 0.5% vs. Hyaluronate 0.15% in Dry Eye: A Flow Cytometric Study

Researchers wanted to compare the effects of Viscofresh 0.5% (carmellose sodium 0. 5%) versus Lubristil (sodium hyaluronate 0.15%) in dry eye syndrome and to study the influence of these two treatments on the expression of various inflammatory markers by flow cytometry in impression cytology specimens.
     In this randomized, masked-observer, parallel group, single-center study, 15 patients with dry eye syndrome were randomized to sodium carmellose 0.5% or sodium hyaluronate 0.15% 1-month treatment after a 1-week washout period. Corneal staining with fluorescein, breakup time, Schirmer 1 test with anesthesia (Jones test), and tear clearance were assessed. Besides, conjunctival impression cytology was performed to investigate inflammatory markers (CD3, CD11b, and HLA-DR) using flow cytometry.
     Carmellose group showed statistical improvement compared with the hyaluronate group in breakup time, corneal staining, and HLA-DR. The two other inflammatory markers had also a tendency for a decreased expression in both groups, with no statistical significance. There was neither visual acuity loss nor other complications related to treatment.
     The researchers concluded that both artificial tears improve dry eye signs and symptoms and inflammatory markers expression, with significant better results in carmellose group.
Sanchez MA, Torralbo-Jimenez P, Giron N et al. Comparative analysis of carmellose 0.5% versus hyaluronate 0.15% in dry eye: a flow cytometric study. Cornea 2010;29:167-71.

Editor's Commentary: Scleral Lenses

At this year's Global Specialty Lens Symposium (GSLS), there were some excellent presentations on the growing segment of scleral and mini-scleral lenses. As those who have fitted these types of lenses know and will tell you, with these lenses you will often offer patients who have "tried everything else" another chance at contact lens (and visual) correction. In fact, the comfort and vision can be truly amazing. Look for more coverage of this topic later this year in Contact Lens Spectrum.
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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