Addition Technology, Inc. announced that it has received FDA approval for an expanded range of additional sizes of Intacs corneal implants for keratoconus.
     David Schanzlin, MD, of Shiley Eye Clinic, La Jolla, CA, one of the original FDA medical monitors and first US surgeon to work with Intacs for keratoconus pioneer Prof. Joseph Colin, said, "Our colleagues in Europe have been presenting data for over 10 years regarding the benefits of the larger sizes. Based on the impressive results they have reported, I view this as an important breakthrough in addressing keratoconus, particularly in younger people where a transplant may not always be the first option."
     "We are pleased to receive FDA approval at this time. As a company, we have been studying and surveying the keratoconus market for more than ten years. We have learned that surgeons need more options when dealing with these unique and challenging cases. The expansion in our product offering will go a long way toward addressing this need," said William M. Flynn, President and Chief Executive Officer.
     Addition Technology, Inc., a privately held eye care company, specializes in novel solutions for sight-threatening eye indications. Intacs and Intacs SK corneal implants, AlphaCor artificial cornea and AlphaSphere orbital implant are patented devices, and the first of their kind, approved by FDA and granted CE Mark certification in Europe. Visit www.AdditionTechnology.com for more information.

Eyemaginations, Inc. announced the release of the latest version of its software for eye care practitioners, further advancing the level of patient education and marketing available to the eye care community. LUMA version 1.3 includes 12 new and enhanced ocular presentation topics including: Amblyopia Overview and Treatment Options; Blepharitis Overview; Retinal Vein Occlusion Overview; Fundus Photography Overview; HD Lenses; Lattice Degeneration Overview; Multifocal IOL (General); Multifocal IOL (Design I and II); Optical Coherence Tomography; and Wide Angle Retinal Imaging.
     Version 1.3 also includes new functionalities within the program, many of which were implemented based on client feedback: New anatomy perspectives within the Exam Advisor feature will enable the practitioner to use Blood Vessels, Visual Pathway, and Head - Front View as different angles; the Media Center navigation has been simplified and content has been rearranged and renamed to be more intuitive; and the user now has more control of functionality within the Media Player. Enhanced video controls and closed captions serve to improve the patient's visual experience.
     Regarding Eyemaginations' LUMA, Dr. Michael Goldsmid from San Diego, CA, stated, "Using the Exam Advisor feature while I am consulting with patients has made the explanation of their diagnosis much easier and more thorough, and they walk away more knowledgeable about their condition and treatment options. The presentations leave a lasting impression with the patient that supports my recommendations."
     Information about LUMA v1.3 can be found by calling Eyemaginations at 877.321.5481, emailing info@eyemaginations.com or by visiting http://luma.eyemaginations.com.

Bausch + Lomb (B+L) announces the U.S. launch of PreserVision Eye Vitamin and Mineral Supplement AREDS 2 formula. This builds on the original, clinically proven Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) formula, replacing beta-carotene with lutein (10mg) and zeaxanthin (2mg) and adding omega-3 fatty acids (1000 mg) per daily dosage. The product will be on retail shelves in early May, 2010.
     Scientific studies show that the inclusion of high levels of omega-3 fatty acids, lutein and zeaxanthin in the diet supports eye health. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the number one cause of severe vision loss and blindness in the United States for people over the age of 50.
     The AREDS 2 study, which is currently ongoing and expected to complete in 2013, is sponsored by the National Eye Institute/National Institute of Health and is the second nationwide clinical study to determine whether a combination of vitamins and minerals can further slow the progression of vision loss from AMD. PreserVision AREDS 2 formula is one of many formulas that are being evaluated in this study.

ReVision Optics (RVO) has begun its U.S. clinical trial of the PresbyLens corneal inlay for the correction of presbyopia. The clinical study will evaluate 400 presbyopic subjects for three years. During the initial phase of enrollment, 30 eyes will be treated at two clinical sites.
     According to the company, the PresbyLens has the potential to gently reshape the cornea to improve a patient's near or reading vision. The lens is made from a proprietary, optically clear, biocompatible material that is similar to the material used in a soft contact lens.
     RVO is a privately held corporation headquartered in Southern California. The company's main focus is the research and development of custom optical solutions dedicated to vision correction. The PresbyLens inlay, a patented refractive surgery solution, is the company's first product. The company is actively pursuing regulatory approvals and market opportunities for the PresbyLens worldwide. The PresbyLens has its CE mark and is approved for sale in Europe.
     For further information, visit http://www.presbylens.com.

Presbyopia often signals the end of contact lens wear, even for committed wearers. But now with ACUVUE® OASYS™ Brand Contact Lenses for PRESBYOPIA, you can satisfy the comfort and vision needs of your presbyopic patients. The unique optics of STEREO PRECISION TECHNOLOGY™ leverage the eye's natural depth of clear focus for balanced vision at all distances, with less dependence on illumination. And the STEREO PRECISION SELECT™ Tool removes the guesswork of fitting, allowing for a 74% fit success rate in two visits or less.¹ With ACUVUE® OASYS™ Brand for PRESBYOPIA, you're expanding the solid foundation of patient commitment and satisfaction provided by all ACUVUE® OASYS™ contact lenses-supporting continued practice retention and growth.
Click here for more information. 
 
1. Data on file. Johnson & Johnson, 2008.
     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™, STEREO PRECISION TECHNOLOGY™, STEREO PRECISION SELECT™, and VISTAKON® are trademarks of Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.
© Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc. 2010.
--ADVERTISING

AMD Alliance International (AMDAI) announced the winners of their first film contest. The AMDAI video contest yielded more than 40 entries from around the world.
     The winning video was submitted by Adam Mosher, a student at the University of Guelph, Ontario, studying English and philosophy. It is an animated short video that succinctly and creatively describes the dangers, symptoms and risk factors of age-related macular degeneration. As first place winner, Mosher received $10,000 (USD).
     To view the video and other contest prize winning entries, visit: http://www.amdalliance.org/en/film-contest.html.

Prevent Blindness America (PBA) has declared April as Women's Eye Health and Safety month in an effort to encourage all women to make their eye health a priority and schedule a dilated eye exam.
     The 2008 "Vision Problems in the U.S." study from PBA and the National Eye Institute consistently shows that more women are diagnosed with major eye diseases. And, of the more than 3.6 million Americans age 40 and older who suffer from visual impairment, including blindness, 2.3 million are women. Women are also more susceptible to dry eye syndrome. Approximately 6 million women and 3 million men have moderate to severe symptoms of dry eye syndrome, according to the National Women's Health Resource Center. It is more frequent in post-menopausal and pregnant women, due to hormonal fluctuations. 
     And for older women, a recent study published in the March 2010 issue of Ophthalmology showed that women who are post menopausal and receiving Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) treatments may be at an increased risk for cataracts. The study by Birgitta E. Lindblad, MD, Sundsvall Hospital, Sweden as part of the Swedish Mammography Cohort (SMC), states that of the more than 30,000 postmenopausal Swedish women studied, those who were using or had used HRT had significantly higher rates of cataract removal compared with women who had never used HRT.

The researchers wanted to prospectively investigate the effects of passive cigarette smoke exposure on the ocular surface and tear film in soft contact lens (SCL) wearers.
     Twelve right eyes of 12 SCL wearers without any ocular or systemic diseases and 10 right eyes of 10 subjects who never wore contact lenses were examined before and 2 hours after 5 minutes of passive cigarette smoke exposure in a controlled smoke chamber. Tear evaporation rate measurement, tear film break-up time (TBUT) examination, ocular surface fluorescein, rose bengal stainings, and Schirmer I test were performed at each visit.
     The mean tear evaporation rates, TBUTs, and vital staining scores were significantly worse in CL wearers compared with healthy control subjects. TBUTs showed significant worsening after passive smoke exposure in both groups. The mean tear evaporation rate and vital staining scores showed a significant increase with brief passive smoke exposure in subjects not wearing CLs but not in CL wearers.
     The authors concluded that even brief passive exposure to cigarette smoke is associated with adverse effects on the ocular surface as evidenced by an increase in tear instability and damage to the ocular surface epithelia in SCL wearers and non-CL wearers.
Ward SK, Dogru M, Wakamatsu T, et al. Passive Cigarette Smoke Exposure and Soft Contact Lens Wear. Optom Vis Sci 2010.

We often hear negative reports about the abuses and miss-regulation of contact lenses, including some of the recent political discussion about the proposed change in prescribing rules in British Columbia, Canada. However, this week I thought I would highlight an instance quite the opposite which is worthy of notice and praise. Specifically, Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal stepped in and demanded that retailers stop the illegal, over-the-counter sale of contact lenses. Certain contact lenses were being distributed to and sold by convenience stores/gas stations. It's nice to bring you a positive message recognizing the enforcement of appropriate oversight of contact lenses as medical devices.
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.