CONTACT LENSES TODAY
May 7, 2006
Contact Lenses Today® is edited by Dr. Joseph T. Barr and the staff of Contact Lens Spectrum. This week CLToday® reaches more
than 12,000 readers in 74 countries.
Update on Keratitis Infections
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) announced this week that it has confirmed 102 cases of
Fusarium keratitis, with another 12 possible
cases and 81 cases still under investigation in 31 states the U.S. Due to a lag in reporting, the CDC only has complete data for 58 cases. Of those, 56 are contact lens
wearers, 32 reported using Bausch & Lomb’s (B&L) ReNu with MoistureLoc, 15 reported using ReNu MultiPlus, seven reported using an unspecified ReNu brand, three used
Advanced Medical Optics’ (AMO) solutions and three more used solutions from Alcon. Some cases reported using more than one type of solution, so the solution categories
are not mutually exclusive.
In a statement released in response to the new data, B&L says, “It would be expected that the distribution of lens care products associated
with these cases would be roughly proportional to the products’ relative market share.” The company admits, however, that the 57% share of cases preliminarily reported for
the MoistureLoc formulation is disproportionately higher than its U.S. market share of less than 10%. B&L says this disproportionate representation is the reason the
company voluntarily withdrew MoistureLoc while the investigation continues. The company also notes that in the small sample of cases analyzed by the CDC so far, the 27%
representation of ReNu MultiPlus is well below its approximate 40% market share.
B&L also announced that a small number of
cases — less than five — have been reported in Europe and are under
investigation, but do not represent any unusual trend in that region. A
spokesperson for B&L also says media attention and the company’s outreach
efforts have resulted in increased patient and practitioner scrutiny.
May is Healthy Vision Month
Healthy Vision Month is an annual observance sponsored by the National Eye Institute (NEI) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH)
and
the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). This year’s focus is on steps employers and employees can take to reduce the number of job-related eye
injuries. More than 2,000 U.S. workers require medical treatment for eye injuries on a daily basis, more than 800,000 per year. Many injuries occur because employees are
wearing the wrong eye protection, protection that doesn’t fit or no protection at all. The initiative will also reinforce the importance of regular, comprehensive eye
exams as the first step to avoid eye injuries on the job, because poor vision can affect work performance and safety. For additional information,
visit http://www.healthyvision2010.nei.nih.gov/hvm.
Campaign Focuses on AMD Awareness
Prevent Blindness America and the Macular Degeneration Partnership, are sponsoring a new AMD education campaign, “My Eye Health: In the Wink
of An Eye,” with funding from (OSI) Eyetech and Pfizer Ophthalmics. The program is aimed at educating patients about the signs and symptoms of AMD and the importance of
early detection. The organizations say a new study shows only 55% if those over the age of 65 are aware of wet AMD and less than 10% know vision can deteriorate rapidly
with the disease. The study also shows more than half of adults over the age of 65 don’t know about available treatment options for AMD. Free vision screening and seminars
for older American will take place in 15 cities as part of the program. National public service announcements will feature Actress Betty White. The campaign’s web site at
http://www.myeyehealth.org provides additional information and offers free Amsler grids, as well as instructions for monitoring
vision at home. Call 1-866-702-3237 for more information.
ACUVUE® ADVANCE™ Brand Contact Lenses for ASTIGMATISM help unmask low cylinder astigmats.
Correcting astigmatism used to be a choice between clear, stable vision or long-lasting comfort. For low cylinder astigmatic patients this
meant a spherical or aspheric lens prescription that masked their condition.
Now, you have a chance to unmask these patients. Because of Accelerated Stabilization
Design, ACUVUE® ADVANCE™ for ASTIGMATISM offers crisp, stable vision regardless of the activity. Because of patented HYDRACLEAR™ Technology the new lens
provides immediate and all-day comfort.
Now, patients might not have to tolerate even a low level of blur that comes with masking their astigmatism.
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AMO Appoints New Head of Eye Care Group
Richard A. (Randy) Meier, executive vice president of operations and chief financial officer for Advanced Medical Optics (AMO), has assumed
the additional responsibility of president of the Eye Care Group. Mr. Meier’s appointment follows the retirement of James C. Cooke, formerly president of the Eye Care
Group.
"I am confident in Randy’s ability to take the Eye Care Group forward. As the chief architect of AMO's rationalization and repositioning initiative, he has a
direct and deep understanding of Eye Care’s challenges and opportunities," says AMO President and CEO Jim Mazzo. "In addition, he has been integral to the overall growth
and financial performance of AMO, demonstrating his leadership capabilities and vision for the business."
Global Keratoconus Congress 2007
Mark your calendars for the first-ever Global Keratoconus Congress to be held January 26-28, 2007 in Las Vegas. The Global Keratoconus
Congress is an assembly of experts in the field of patient care, teaching and research. They will share the latest information on this chronic sight-threatening
condition that affects one in 2,000 people. Attendees will learn about the latest approaches to contact lens fitting, surgical techniques, clinical research and
appropriate third-party reimbursement for medically necessary contact lens care. Manufacturers and laboratories that support the care of these patients will assist
in demonstrating the usefulness of their latest products and treatments. More information will be coming soon.
Abstract:
Contact Lens Solutions Vs. Acanthamoeba Strains
Researchers in Austria recently conducted a study to determine the susceptibility of
Acanthamoebae to various contact lens disinfecting
systems. They tested ten solutions, including one new system, for effectiveness against cysts of three
Acanthamoeba strains. They were mainly interested in incubation
time of eight hours and cyst quantities of 10
The Global Orthokeratology Symposium presents "Fundamentals of Corneal Reshaping"
— a newly formatted educational experience for 2006. Held in conjunction with the Southern California College of Optometry, this 2-day course
designed for the novice or new orthokeratology practitioner will focus on patient selection, corneal topography, choosing a design — plus "live" fitting and next-day
follow-up with actual patients. Go to http://www.GOS2006.com for more information.