Santen Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. and Inspire Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced that the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare granted approval for the new dry eye treatment drug, DIQUAS Ophthalmic Solution 3% (generic name: diquafosol tetrasodium), which has been in Phase 3 FDA trials in the United States.
     Diquafosol was licensed for certain ophthalmic uses from Inspire and DIQUAS Ophthalmic Solution 3% was developed by Santen as a treatment for dry eye. The companies report that, in clinical studies conducted in Japan, DIQUAS Ophthalmic Solution 3% was shown to improve dry eye symptoms by promoting secretion of mucin and water, thereby bringing the tear film closer to a normal state. In addition, no serious ocular or systemic adverse drug reactions were found during the clinical trials.

Bausch + Lomb (B+L) Multi-Focal contact lenses is teaming up with Christine Baranski to entice Americans to share their funniest stories about life with reading glasses for a chance to win a trip to Hollywood and star in a web video. Baranski, a former reading glasses user, is sharing her story at www.goodbyereaders.com on how she made the switch to B+L Multi-Focal contact lenses to show men and women they do not have to sacrifice convenience for clear, crisp vision.
     A new B+L promotion, the "Goodbye Readers, Hello Hollywood" contest invites Americans over the age of 40 to visit www.goodbyereaders.com until May 28, 2010, and submit a photo and short essay about their funniest mishaps with reading glasses, and how B+L Multi-Focal contact lenses have helped them or could help them in the future.
     The top five entries in the contest will be selected by B+L on June 7, 2010. Submissions will be judged based on originality and humor, and America will then have the opportunity to vote on their favorite finalists at www.goodbyereaders.com between June 7 and June 25 to select the top two winning entries. Both grand prize winners and a friend will receive "star treatment" with round-trip airfare to Los Angeles, hotel accommodations, a makeover and may be featured in a video for B+L Multi-Focal contact lenses. There is no purchase necessary to enter or vote.

Eyemaginations, Inc. announced the opening of a new office in Century City in Los Angeles, California to support the growing sales of its software products. For the past several years, Eyemaginations has been on an aggressive and strategic path of global expansion, providing patient education software solutions in a variety of health care verticals, including eye care, ENT, hearing health, and allergy. Currently, the company has nearly 10,000 clients in over 90 countries worldwide.
     "This announcement represents the continuation of a very strong growth trend for Eyemaginations," said Jeffrey Peres, President and CEO of Eyemaginations. "To date, we have developed a variety of technological solutions that continue to serve the medical community. With offices in Maryland, Germany and now California, we can better serve our customer base globally." 
     Michael Sopher, Vice President of Business Development, will head this location. Warren J. Luster has also joined the Eyemaginations southern California team. With 20 years of experience in health care, Mr. Luster has a breadth of knowledge in sales, practice development consulting and marketing. He most recently served as Director of Business Development for Cataract and Refractive Surgery at Bausch + Lomb. Prior to joining Bausch + Lomb, Mr. Luster partnered with Summit Technology, Alcon Surgical, and Wavelight, Inc. 
     For more information on the company, visit www.eyemaginations.com.

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

The global economic crisis of 2009 significantly impacted consumers around the world, bringing about changes in spending patterns to help them cope with the recession. While many areas were hit by belt-tightening measures, according to GfK Asia's full year 2009 Pan Asia Contact Lens retail audit report, the combined retail sales of contact lens across the five key Asian markets of Hong Kong, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore and Taiwan totaled 592 million USD.
     GfK Asia Pte Ltd (GfK Asia), part of the global GfK Group, is a leading research company with over 25 years experience in providing reliable Asian retail and technology market data. Last year, GfK Asia's Optic Care audit report revealed that contact lens sales averaged approximately 18% of an optical shop's total. Disposable contact lens continued to dominate sales with almost three-quarters (74%) of the overall contact lens pie. Across the five markets covered, the greatest consumers of contact lens were the Koreans (42%), followed by Taiwanese (28%).
     The disposable contact lens category registered a 9% growth year. Within the disposable contact lens category, the silicone hydrogel segment recorded the strongest growth rate, hitting a high of 24% in the second half of 2009.
     Sales of contact lens in the five Asian markets are still predominately driven by independent stores which accounted for 64% share of sales last year, with the remaining 36% contributed by chain retailers. The region has an estimated 12,600 optical retailers and optometrists, of which 78% are independent stores. While chain retailers make up a smaller proportion, they typically out perform the market average with 36% share of sales.

The American Health Assistance Foundation (AHAF) has awarded 52 grants totaling more than $8 million dollars to scientists worldwide who are working in the areas of macular degeneration, glaucoma and Alzheimer's disease. "AHAF takes a broad and global perspective on research, pushing the limits of what is scientifically possible in an effort to find treatments and cures for these incapacitating and life altering age-related diseases," said Guy Eakin, PhD, Vice President Scientific Affairs, for the AHAF.
     Researchers will examine the important roles smoking and aging play in macular degeneration. Previous studies have shown smoking to be a high risk factor for age-related macular degeneration. This study will provide an understanding of the effect of smoking on the blood supply to the cells of vision in the retina. Studies will also look at the impact of cholesterol on aging eyes. The AHAF has also awarded funds for studies on blood pressure and the role of the body's natural antioxidant defenses in controlling glaucoma, the leading cause of blindness in the United States. In addition, these grants are exploring diagnostic and drug therapies in all three disease areas.
     The AHAF is a non-profit organization dedicated to finding cures for age-related and degenerative diseases by funding research worldwide. To learn more about this research visit www.ahaf.org.  

Researchers wanted to compare children's reports of comfort, vision, and contact lens-related issues in gas permeable (GP) and soft (SCL) contact lens wearers.
     Subjects were 116 8- to 11-year old children in the Contact Lenses and Myopia Progression Study. Aspects of contact lens wear were compared for children remaining in their original treatment group (either GPs or SCLs) for 3 years. Questionnaires were completed at every visit, as was visual acuity evaluation. Comparisons were made between the two groups using logistic regression or mixed linear models analyses as appropriate to examine the contact lens wearing experience. Additionally, children crossing over from GP wear to SCLs were compared with children remaining in GP lenses to determine the potential factors related to GP dissatisfaction.
     Seventy percent of GP wearers and 93% of SCL wearers wore their assigned lenses every visit. GP wearers wore their lenses significantly fewer hours per week than the SCL wearers (76.2 h/week vs. 86.8 h/week, respectively, p = 0.003). GP wearers had statistically significantly better visual acuity though the difference was not clinically meaningful (p < 0.001). Comfort was poorer among the GP wearers using the Ocular Pain subscale (p < 0.001) but did not differ using a subjective question about comfort. Symptoms were more frequent in GP wearers than SCL wearers (p = 0.002) and were related to reports of discomfort. Significant factors relating to crossing over from GPs to SCLs were lower wearing time with GPs and itching.
     The authors concluded that children are able to successfully wear GP and soft contact lenses. Long-term adaptation occurred more frequently to SCLs than to GPs. The amount of time GP lens wearers are able to comfortably wear their contact lenses and the amount of itching may help determine whether they will remain in that modality.
Jones-Jordan LA, Walline JJ, Mutti DO, et al. Gas Permeable and Soft Contact Lens Wear in Children. Optom Vis Sci 2010.

As much as I enjoy spring, I was rudely reminded this week that allergy season is upon us. There are many options for our contact lens wearers with allergies including education, emphasis on contact lens care, frequent replacement modalities such as daily disposables, and medications. Make sure you and your staff keep each of these treatments in mind. One day we may even have a drug-eluting contact lens that will help us treat this annoying disease.
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.