Sunday, May 9, 2010 A free weekly e-mail newsletter brought to you by: 
CLToday Contact Lens Spectrum
Edited by Jason J. Nichols, OD, MPH, PhD, FAAO and the staff of Contact Lens Spectrum
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Wharton and The Vision Care Institute Team Up for Chief Executive Optometrist Webinar

The Aresty Institute of Executive Education at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and The Vision Care Institute, LLC, announced that they will host the first Chief Executive Optometrist Webinar developed specifically for optometrists. This exclusive online learning offers both new and established optometrists executive-level education to help them achieve higher levels of success in their practices.
     Scheduled for Tuesday, June 8, 2010 at 8:00 PM EDT, the webinar will focus on decision framing. This one-hour interactive course will examine strategies for framing problems and demonstrate when and how to apply them. It also will show doctors how to deconstruct more complex challenges and offer strategic approaches for addressing key issues. All theoretical aspects of the course are illustrated through practical examples directly applicable to the contact lens practice.
     The Chief Executive Optometrist Webinar will be presented by Kathy Pearson, PhD, Adjunct Associate Professor, Operations and Information Management Department at the Wharton School, and Walt West, OD, FAAO, Program Director at The Vision Care Institute, and is available at no cost to participants.
     For more information and/or to register, please visit www.tvciedu.com

B+L Introduces New Soothe Xtra Hydration Dry Eye Therapy Lubricant Eye Drops

Bausch + Lomb (B+L) announced the U.S. launch of new Soothe Xtra Hydration lubricant eye drops. Together with Soothe XP Xtra Protection formula, new Soothe Xtra Hydration provides a comprehensive over-the-counter portfolio for patients with dry eyes.
     According to the company, the Soothe portfolio is now aligned with the most recent international Dry Eye Workshop (DEWS) sponsored by the Tear Film & Ocular Surface Society. DEWS created a new definition of dry eye and helped develop two major classifications of dry eye: aqueous-deficient dry eye and evaporative dry eye.
     Available at major retailers in May, new Soothe Xtra Hydration, for aqueous-deficient dry eye therapy, moisturizes and restores the deficient aqueous and mucin layers of the tear film to provide lasting hydration and comfort, per the company. Soothe XP Xtra Protection, for evaporative dry eye therapy, re-establishes the lipid layer of the tear film to provide up to eight hours of relief. The latter product is widely available at major retailers.

Ocusoft Launches New and Improved Website

Ocusoft, Inc., a supplier of ophthalmic pharmaceutical products and supplies, announced the launch of its newly redesigned website at www.ocusoft.com.
     The new website includes resources for both doctors and patients. New features make it easy to search for Ocusoft products, ophthalmic supplies or simply information on ocular surface conditions. With a user friendly interface, improved navigation, simple search options and a secure online shopping cart, the revamped website is ideal for quick and easy ordering.
     Linda Dang, Marketing Manager for Ocusoft, states, "We researched what our customers wanted and applied that towards www.ocusoft.com. The site offers a convenient shopping experience and boasts over 2,500 products available to eye care professionals. Customers can also sign up to receive exclusive promotions and other special offers via e-mail."

Offer your patients all-day comfort that won't blink away

1·DAY ACUVUE® MOIST® Brand Contact Lenses provide your patients comfort with every blink. They are the only daily disposable contact lenses that feature patented LACREON™ Technology, which permanently embeds a hydrophilic wetting agent into the lens material. This allows your patients to comfortably wear contact lenses longer throughout the day compared with DAILIES® AquaComfort PLUS™1 - which in turn leads to exceptional patient satisfaction.
Additional 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®, 1·DAY ACUVUE® MOIST®, LACREON™, and VISTAKON® are trademarks of Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.
     Other brand names/product names are trademarks of their respective owners.
© Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc. 2010.
--ADVERTISING

Fast Facts for Your Health: The Sun & Your Eyes: What You Need to Know Provides Important Sun Safety Tips

While 85 percent of Americans recognize that UV rays can damage their eyes, only 65 percent wear sunglasses as protection, and even fewer (39 percent) make sure their children wear sunglasses, according to Attitudes and Perceptions about Vision Care, a 2009 survey report from The Vision Care Institute.
     To help parents, caregivers and others better understand the risks associated with UV exposure to the eyes and steps to take to minimize UV exposure, HealthyWomen, the leading independent health information source for women, is offering a free educational resource, Fast Facts for Your Health: The Sun & Your Eyes: What You Need to Know.
     "This latest in our series of Fast Facts for Your Health resources can help families understand the potential damage that UV can cause to their eyes and vision. It's a quick read on the unexpected sources of UV radiation damage, as well as straightforward, practical advice for minimizing the risks of UV exposure," says Elizabeth Battaglino Cahill, RN, and Executive Director of HealthyWomen. 
     Fast Facts for Your Health: The Sun & Your Eyes: What You Need to Know was developed with the support of Vistakon, Division of Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc., and can be viewed or downloaded at www.healthywomen.org/sunandyoureyes.  
     Note: Eyecare professionals can obtain a complimentary and customizable PDF, which can be used online or printed, by e-mailing their request to: fastfactsuv@inkandroses.com. ECPs should follow the these steps when e-mailing their request.
Provide information they want to display (i.e., practice name, address, phone number, web site address) following these specifications:
   · Between 1 and 8 lines
   · Type no larger than 12 points
   · Logo may be supplied to be used in place of name/address. Will be sized to fit.
   · Must fit in upper right hand corner of publication

Menicon Appoints North Asia Business Development Director

Menicon Co., Ltd. announces the appointment of Jackson Leung as North Asia Business Development Director in Menicon's Global Strategy and Operations group. Jackson will report to Jonathan Jacobson, Menicon's General Manager, Global Strategies and Operations.
     Jackson joins Menicon with over 20 years experience in the contact lens industry, having worked in a variety of positions with several leading companies, including Bausch + Lomb and Essilor. Jackson is an optometrist by training. For the past ten years, Jackson was responsible for the Polymer Technology business of Bausch + Lomb in Asia, where he led the expansion of the Boston lens and lens care business in the region. 
     Toshio Matsushima, Senior Executive Officer for Menicon Co. Ltd, said, "We are extremely pleased to welcome Jackson to Menicon. His knowledge, experience, and leadership will be invaluable in expanding our business in China and throughout the region. We are highly focused on growing our presence in China through our local partners and with the Menicon distributor, Itabashi Trading Corporation. Jackson will be leading all Menicon activities in China and throughout North Asia."

Optovue Announces FDA Clearance for New Compact SD-OCT

Optovue has announced that the new iVue compact SD-OCT received FDA 510(k) clearance. The iVue compact SD-OCT system is delivered on a standard slit lamp style base and is comprised of a small scanning head (4.5 lbs / 2.2 kg), a control module, laptop PC and foot switch. The system can be mounted to a small table and may have other mounting options in the near future for other eye care environments.
     "This regulatory clearance for the U.S. market allows us to offer the benefits of advanced OCT imaging to more segments within eye care, where the economic feasibility of the larger systems simply did not work," stated Paul Kealey, Vice President of Marketing for Optovue.

Abstract: Changes in Wave-Front Aberrations after GP Contact Lens Fitting in Post-LASIK Patients with Visual Complaints

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of rigid gas permeable (GP) contact lenses in reducing wave-front aberrations in post-laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) myopic patients.
     This cross-sectional study included 30 patients with visual complaints after a conventional LASIK procedure for correcting myopia. The 30 patients were fitted with GP contact lenses. Wave-front measurements were taken before and after GP contact lens wearing.
     Compared with bare eye examinations, root mean-square values of higher-order aberrations (HOAs) significantly decreased with GP contact lens use. Among these, spherical aberration decreased from 0.507 (SD 0.304) microm to 0.164 (SD 0.121) microm (t = 7.186, p < 0.001); coma decreased from 0.470 (SD 0.312) microm to 0.165 (SD 0.090) microm (t = 5.566, p < 0.001); secondary coma decreased from 0.079 (SD 0.050) microm to 0.044 (SD 0.027) m (t = 4.118, p < 0.001); and total HOAs decreased from 0.782 (SD 0.449) microm to 0.307 (SD 0.140) microm (t = 6.710, p < 0.001).
     The researchers concluded that fitting GP contact lenses effectively decreased HOAs induced by conventional myopic LASIK surgery. Possible reasons may be the elimination of irregularity and dissymmetry on the corneal anterior surface, relief of the aspherical extent of the central corneal surface, and enlargement of the effective optical zone.
Tan G, Yang J, Chen X, He H, Zhong X. Changes in wave-front aberrations after rigid gas permeable contact lens fitting in post-laser in situ keratomileusis patients with visual complaints. Can J Ophthalmol 2010;45:1-5.

Editor's Commentary: Taking the Pulse of Clinical Practice

One of the emerging areas in the contact lens field relates to the idea of using pharmaceuticals to promote comfortable contact lens wear. In addition to currently available pharmaceuticals, industry appears to have a strong pipeline that may lend itself in the future to reducing the contact lens-dry eye problem. What is not clear to me is where the field lies in terms of potential acceptance and use of these agents in the contact lens wearing portion of the typical practice. In other words, would clinicians (and patients) actively embrace the use of pharmaceuticals to reduce dry eye in lens wearers? Please email your opinions on this to me at jnichols@optometry.osu.edu.
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.

Report adverse contact lens reactions here: http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/medwatch/ or call (800) FDA-1088.

Report possible grievances related to the Fairness to Contact Lens Consumers Act or associated Contact Lens Rule at: https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/.
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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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