A record number of delegates made this year's Clinical Conference of the British Contact Lens Association (BCLA) the largest in its 32-year history. A total of 1,027 delegates registered for the conference, held in Birmingham, U.K. from May 29 - June 1. According to the BCLA, this is the second successive year that the event has attracted more than 1,000 delegates. Including those who only attended the exhibition, there were an estimated 1,500 visitors to the event in total. Delegates came from 48 different countries; over half of those registered (55%) were from overseas.
     Speakers from around the world were a prominent feature of this year's lecture program. Principal Keynote Speaker Professor Deborah Sweeney, CEO of the Vision CRC in Sydney, Australia, told delegates, "Many of us consider the BCLA Clinical Conference to be the premier contact lens event worldwide." 
     Awards presented at this year's conference included:
     - The BCLA Medal, which is awarded to an individual for outstanding achievement in the field of contact lenses, went to Professor Desmond Fonn, University of Waterloo, Canada.
     - The Dallos award, an annual award of £5,000 to fund a research project which is judged likely to further understanding of a topic related to contact lenses or the anterior eye, was presented to Martin Cardall, Aston University, Birmingham.
     - Dr. Rachael Peterson, University of Waterloo, Canada, was honored as the Irving Fatt Memorial Lecturer.   
     The 2009 BCLA Clinical Conference and Exhibition will be held in Manchester from May 28-31. For more information on BCLA events and how to join, visit www.bcla.org.uk or email vfreeman@bcla.co.uk.  

Bausch & Lomb (B&L) announced that it has named Flemming Ornskov, M.D., MPH, as Corporate Vice President and Global President, Pharmaceuticals. He is responsible for the company's prescription ophthalmic pharmaceuticals and generics, as well as its general eye health and vitamins businesses.
     Most recently, Dr. Ornskov was CEO and President of LifeCycle Pharma, an emerging cardiovascular and transplantation specialty company. Prior, he served as CEO and President of biotech start-up Ikaria, Inc. From 2002 to 2005, he was President of the Ophthalmics Business Unit for Novartis, and formerly led Novartis' U.S. cardiovascular franchise. Dr. Ornskov has also held multiple leadership positions at Merck & Co. He serves on several boards, and is Chairman of the Board for Santaris Pharma A/S and Astion Pharma A/S. Dr. Ornskov received a M.D. degree from University of Copenhagen, a M.B.A. degree from INSEAD and a Master of Public Health degree from Harvard University.
     "Dr. Ornskov's expertise in specialty and ophthalmic pharmaceuticals, plus his broad global experience developing pharmaceuticals from early stage discovery to market introduction, will help further accelerate Bausch & Lomb's goal to create long-term value," said Gerald M. Ostrov, B&L Chairman and CEO.

Athletes, teens, part-time wearers, and those who are solution-sensitive, suffer from allergies or frequently travel are all great 1•DAY ACUVUE® MOIST™ Brand Contact Lens candidates. All these patient types and more can benefit from the long lasting comfort of LACREON™ technology, the convenience of fresh lenses every day and the protection of Class II UV blocking.* Improve the quality of life for more patients by prescribing 1•DAY ACUVUE® MOIST™ Brand. To learn more, go to:
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Unilens Vision Inc. announced that it is eliminating processing and shipping costs on all Unilens GP exchange lens orders. The policy covers all Unilens single vision and multifocal GP contact lenses, including the C-VUE GP brand. According to Unilens the program is designed to increase the profitability for independent practitioners.
     "At Unilens, we have a longstanding commitment to supporting the growth and strength of high quality independent optometry with some of the best specialty lens technology and dynamic programs available in the industry today. Our new GP policies will save independent practitioners considerable time and money, thereby contributing to more practice profitability," stated Michael Pecora, Chief Executive Officer of Unilens Vision Inc. "We look for this new program to continue to solidify our partnership with independent eye care professionals across the country," stated Pecora.

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In microbial keratitis associated with contact lens use, Pseudomonas is the most common etiologic agent. The purpose of this study from the Institute of Ophthalmology, University of Sassari in Italy was to report on the microbiological findings of eight Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains isolated from contact lens-associated corneal ulcers.
     Scrapings from contact lens-related corneal ulcers were inoculated for culture. Identification and antibiotic susceptibility testing were performed by using the Vitek system (bioMèrieux). The Pseudomonas' ability to form biofilm; produce gelatinase, elastase, and alkaline protease; and adhere to and invade human corneal epithelial cells was studied. Polymerase chain reaction with enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus primers (ERIC-PCR) was used to establish clonal relationship between the different isolates.
     All the strains showed multiple antibiotic resistance (resistance to four or more antibiotics), but all were susceptible to aminoglycosides and fluoroquinolones. Biofilm production was weak in five cases and absent in the remaining three cases. All isolates were able to produce alkaline protease and gelatinase but not elastase. Adherence to human corneal epithelial cells was poor (0-15 bacteria/cell) in five cases and medium (16-60 bacteria/cell) in three cases. Five isolates were found to be efficient invaders (>1000 CFU/mL). ERIC-PCR showed eight different genetic patterns.
     Because multiresistant Pseudomonas isolates are common, the researchers recommend antibiotic susceptibility testing in all cases of Pseudomonas keratitis so that, if there is no response to initial empiric treatment, antibiotics can be modified according to susceptibility results. Researchers further stated that the ability to produce alkaline protease and gelatinase and invade the corneal epithelium may play a major role in the pathogenesis of contact lens-related Pseudomonas aeruginosa keratitis. Also, ERIC-PCR seems to be an inexpensive, fast, reproducible, and discriminatory DNA typing tool for effective epidemiologic surveillance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates potentially transmissible between patients with ocular infections.
Pinna A, Usai D, Sechi LA, Molicotti P, Zanetti S, Carta A. Detection of virulence factors in Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains isolated from contact lens-associated corneal ulcers. Cornea. 2008 Apr;27(3):320-6.

Recently my students listened to a two hour lecture on orthokeratology or corneal reshaping and then were able to practice what they learned in the laboratory immediately following by fitting these reverse geometry designs on each other. Many of them were pleasantly surprised by how simple the fitting process seemed after understanding the basics. Several stated this was definitely a lens design they would fit and promote in their practice. One student, who stated that she has not been particularly interested in the specialty designs we've been studying, thoroughly enjoyed this topic. Understanding the lens designs is critical when fitting reverse geometry and any specialty GP lens. However, I think the bigger battle is actually taking the plunge and using these designs in your practice. It is easy to get comfortable with what you know, but when you are willing to try new lens designs, you may discover that it is not as difficult as you thought.
Carla Mack, O.D., M.B.A., F.A.A.O.

This month at www.siliconehydrogels.org: the latest advancements in silicone hydrogel lenses, complications relating to over wear of hydrogel lenses, the growing popularity of silicone hydrogel lenses on a university campus, and part one of our 2007 AAO update.