CONTACT LENSES TODAY

April 14, 2002

Contact Lenses Today(R) is edited by Dr. Joseph T. Barr and the staff of Contact Lens Spectrum. This week CLToday(R) reaches 8,335 readers in 74 countries.

CIBA Launches Consumer Campaign
CIBA Vision will launch a $20 million U.S. consumer and professional marketing campaign to promote Focus Night & Day silicone hydrogel lenses. The campaign includes prime time TV ads during the NBA finals and the season finales of top-rated shows like “ER” and “Friends.” The company also has a new consumer Web site (www.nightanddaycontacts.com) and will provide consumer promotional items to eyecare practices.

B&L Promotes PureVision to Practitioners
Bausch & Lomb wrapped up a 16-city tour promoting PureVision, its silicone hydrogel material and lens. The seminars included data from H. Dwight Cavanagh, M.D., Ph.D., supporting improved safety and efficacy with these lenses worn up to 30 days continuously. One key finding: No cases of microbial keratitis reported in more than 2,200 patient-years of data with the PureVision lens. B&L is offering an online CE course on silicone hydrogel lenses on the SECO Web site at http://www.secointernational.com/.

INTRODUCING RENU MULTIPLUS MULTIPURPOSE SOLUTION
- No Rub Formula. Now, a superior no rub solution eliminates the rub and the worry. The most convenient no rub multipurpose solution regimen that offers your patients superior disinfecting*, intense cleaning and outstanding protein removal. Now your patients can get that "fresh lens" feeling every day without the need to rub.
*In FDA/ISO stand-alone testing. --ADVERTISING

CooperDirect Now Includes ReNu Lens Care Products
CooperVision’s direct-to-patient delivery option now includes a free 3-ounce bottle of ReNu MultiPlus Multi-Purpose Solution–No Rub Formula, a lens case and a patient care guide, with practitioner approval.

Bacteria May Be Cause of River Blindness
River blindness, or onchocerciasis, is the second-leading infectious cause of blindness worldwide. The disease has long been attributed to a parasitic nematode, Onchocerca volvulus, transmitted by the bite of black flies. Now, scientists have found evidence that it may not be the worms but the Wolbachia bacteria they carry that cause the disease (Science. 2002;295:1892-1895).

Internet Start-up Offers Online Diagnosis and Treatment
MyDoc.com, owned by Roche Diagnostics, claims consumers can get a diagnosis and treatment recommendation, including prescription, online from a board-certified physician within 15 to 20 minutes. The service targets people who have acute but minor conditions and want to save time. Common conditions that MyDoc.com is diagnosing online are: acute sinusitis, acute otitis media, and upper respiratory infections.

Abstract: Globe Luxates During Contact Lens Application
This case report describes the very uncommon punctate keratitis, manual reduction and sedation of a patient with a spontaneous globe luxation beyond the retracted eyelids that occurred during contact lens application. Portions of the external globe were visible well behind the equator and the lateral rectus muscle was quite visible. The patient reported that his eye “popped out” during contact lens application. Kunesh JC. and Katz SE. Spontaneous Globe Luxation Associated with Contact Lens Placement. Cornea; 28(1):2-4 (2002)

Editor's Commentary: New Publisher, Old Friend
Those of you who read the fine print may have noticed that CLToday has a new publisher, Boucher Communications, Inc. (BCI), If the name sounds familiar it’s because BCI publishes several eyecare journals, including Contact Lens Spectrum. So this change is actually a homecoming of sorts. CLToday was the brainchild of my good friend Ron Walker, who shared the idea with me one day about 4 years ago. I’ll admit I was reluctant to add one more “to do” to my weekly schedule, but I’m forever grateful that I did. CLToday has been one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done in this field. I’m confident that CLToday will continue to grow and flourish under BCI’s leadership. And I’m counting on you, our loyal readers, to let us know how we are doing.

Fitting Tip: Detecting Deposits on GP Lenses
Observe GP (oxygen permeable) lenses for deposits after cleaning and drying by “candling” them against a fluorescent tube background with the unaided eye or a loupe. To confirm back surface deposits, focus on the back surface with your radiuscope. Thanks to Robert Buffington, O.D., for reminding us of this last tip about the radiuscope.

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