Sunday, March 2, 2008 A free weekly e-mail newsletter brought to you by: 
CLToday Contact Lens Spectrum
Edited by Carla Mack, O.D., F.A.A.O. and the staff of Contact Lens Spectrum
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Weber Appointed President of CooperVision

The Cooper Companies, Inc. announced that John A. Weber has been appointed president of CooperVision. Weber previously served as president, Asia Pacific since April 2007 and vice president, worldwide manufacturing and distribution of CooperVision from January 2005 to March 2007. Prior to that, he served in several senior executive positions at Ocular Sciences, Inc. including executive vice president, worldwide operations.
     Commenting on the appointment, Robert S. Weiss, Cooper's chief executive officer, said, "John brings extensive worldwide operational experience to his new role. With his background and experience within CooperVision, he is ideally suited to continue driving our success."

TVCI Satellite Learning Center Opens at SCCO

The Vision Care Institute, LLC, a Johnson & Johnson Company, is partnering with leading optometry schools and colleges throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico to extend its professional-level training opportunities for optometry students with distance learning and live programming at on-campus satellite centers. The Southern California College of Optometry is the fourth optometry school to participate. 
     "The satellite learning centers provide a direct link between the main campus of The Vision Care Institute in Jacksonville, Florida, and the optometry schools, enhancing students' experiences with even more information and skills useful for their careers," says Richard Clompus, O.D., FAAO, Director, The Vision Care Institute, LLC.  "Educational programming at the satellite centers includes distance learning programs for first- through fourth-year optometry students, using video conferencing technologies from the Jacksonville headquarters. Additional satellite centers will be built at other optometry schools in the future."
     "The Vision Care Institute Satellite Learning Center at the Southern California College of Optometry is the key link in completing the state-of-the-art campus," said Dr. Lesley Walls, President of SCCO. "I anticipate a high demand for its use by our faculty and students and anticipate that it will help promote professional private practice for our graduates."

Increased Comfort Delivers Lasting Patient Satisfaction

Nothing drives referrals like satisfied patients. And nothing satisfies patients like the comfort and minimal corneal staining that can be provided by ACUVUE® OASYS Brand Contact Lenses with HYDRACLEAR Plus. In a recent clinical study, new wearers exhibited no significant difference in corneal staining and reported no significant difference in overall comfort between ACUVUE® OASYS and no lens. And in an in-market trial, 89% of patients fit with ACUVUE® OASYS would recommend their doctors based on their experience. How will you satisfy your patients and build your practice with ACUVUE® OASYS?
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Marietta Vision Introduces VisionCare 2 Contact Lens

Marietta Vision announces the launch of a cost effective alternative for etafilcon contact lens fitters. According to the company, the VisionCare 2 lens features characteristics of the most popular etafilcon materials including good wetting, good Dk, consistent hydration and good comfort, but at almost half the price. Marietta Vision believes that having a low cost, but high quality contact lens product as an alternative to more expensive brands could be a valuable tool for many practices helping the patient on a budget. For more information visit http://www.mariettavision.com

Blanchard Contact Lens Presents Donation to National Keratoconus Foundation

Blanchard Contact Lens, in conjunction with Rose K International, recently presented the National Keratoconus Foundation its 2008 annual sponsorship contribution of $10,000. Blanchard has partnered with the National Keratoconus Foundation in past years with like contributions in support of the Patient Outreach and Education Program of the Discovery Eye Foundation as part of its ongoing support and commitment provided by the NKCF for keratoconus patients.  
     "As manufacturer of the Rose K family of lens products in North America, and in recognition and support of keratoconus contact lens practitioners fitting Rose K lenses, we feel an obligation to provide continued support for the dedication and efforts the National Keratoconus Foundation provides these patients", said Lee Buffalo, Director of Sales and Marketing at Blanchard.

Alimera Sciences Signs Second Agreement with Emory University for Potential Treatments Using New Class of Antioxidants

Alimera Sciences has entered into a second exclusive worldwide agreement with Emory University to explore oxidative stress management, specifically the reduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS), as a treatment for ophthalmic diseases.
     According to Alimera, the agreement gives the company the exclusive option to license a class of small molecule compounds, known as triphenylmethanes, as a potential treatment for ocular disorders such as diabetic retinopathy and the dry form of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), particularly the late stage of this condition, which is known as geographic atrophy. This agreement is in addition to the September 2007 option to license the NADPH (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate reduced form) oxidase inhibitors for similar treatments.
     "This second agreement with Emory expands our opportunity to develop expertise in the management of ROS and its damaging effects on the eye," said Dan Myers, President and CEO for Alimera Sciences. "Researching these compounds, as well as the NADPH oxidase inhibitor compounds from our previous agreement with Emory, provides Alimera with an excellent chance of addressing these significant ophthalmic disorders."
     Per the company announcement, Alimera will be responsible for both the development and commercialization of the compounds and Emory will receive milestone payments and royalties from net sales.

Abstract: Topiramate for the Treatment of Chronic Corneal Pain

In this case study researchers set out to explore the option of using anticonvulsant drugs to modulate pain from corneal erosions.
     N.M. is a 28-year-old woman with posttraumatic recurrent corneal erosions treated with bandage contact lenses, Muro-128, topical ketorolac, doxycycline, stromal micropuncture, and laser epithelial keratomileusis over the course of four years. Because of persistent episodes of corneal pain, she was prescribed topiramate.
     Before starting topiramate therapy, N.M. had experienced 3-4 awakenings at night because of pain and 5-6 episodes of spontaneous tearing and pain during the day. She started topiramate at 25 mg orally four times a day without significant change in her symptoms. After one week, the dose was escalated to 50 mg orally four times a day, and within one day, she experienced 0-1 awakenings at night. She had approximately 2-3 episodes of pain and tearing during the day. The dose was escalated to 100 mg orally four times a day. At that dose, the patient continued to have pain relief but complained of nausea. The patient's topiramate was weaned off to determine whether her symptom relief was caused by the medication or improvement in her condition. Once off the topiramate, N.M.'s nausea resolved but her corneal symptoms returned at the same frequency as before the initiation of topiramate. Therefore, she was restarted on topiramate 50 mg orally four times a day with rapid onset of improvement in her symptoms.
     The authors concluded that anticonvulsants such as topiramate may be effective in the management of pain caused by recurrent corneal erosions.
Nampiaparampil DE, Nampiaparampil RG, Prasad AG. Topiramate for the treatment of chronic corneal pain.
Cornea. 2008 Jan;27(1):124-6. 

Editor's Commentary: The Business of Eye Care

Last week, I had the pleasure of speaking to a group of prospective optometry students about the career of optometry and my experience as a clinician in various modes of practice, an educator and faculty member, a researcher and an editor. I feel strongly that eye care is a great career with more opportunities and variety than you may think at first glance. I spoke about how optometry has progressed over the last ten years and how exciting the future looks with expanded scope of practice and innovative products. Thinking back to when I was applying and accepted to optometry school, I realize that I had no real understanding that I would one day be working in or running a business. At the time, medical care or vision care did not equate to business in my mind, even though I worked in several practices for a few years before being accepted to school. If you asked me then if I would ever consider running a business I would have said "no way." Thankfully, things change and not only do I enjoy managing my multi-faceted business, I enjoy educating our students and practitioners on this as well. I don't have a perfect practice and I don't think anyone does. Managing any business is a very active process that needs constant attention and alteration. Just as we must maintain our clinical skills with continuing education, our business skills need continuing education as well. I was proud to talk about both my profession and my business to these college students.
Carla Mack, O.D., F.A.A.O.

This month at http://www.siliconehydrogels.org consider whether silicone hydrogels require one or more unique FDA class(es); review the case of a pediatric patient successfully fit with silicone hydrogels after a diagnosis of unilateral congenital cataract; read about a study designed to determine the quantity and identity of protein deposited on silicone hydrogel lenses; and review the latest silicone hydrogel research in part two of our synopsis of the 2007 BCLA meeting.
Report adverse contact lens reactions here: http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/medwatch/ or call (800) FDA-1088.
Send your favorite tips to tips@cltoday.com. Your tip may be selected as best of the month. See http://www.CLToday.com for details. Please include your full name, degree or title and city/state/country.
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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