Bausch & Lomb (B&L) has named Joseph Barr, O.D., M.S., as Vice President, Global Clinical & Medical Affairs and Professional Services, Vision Care. In this newly created position, Dr. Barr is responsible for leading a team of clinical researchers, medical affairs and professional services professionals who deliver products and service to eye care practitioners. Barr's group provides internal and external clinical research, integrated education for eye care practitioners, and support for eye care organizations and academic institutions.
     Dr. Barr joined B&L in July 2007 as Vice President, Global Research and Development, Vision Care. Prior, he served as the Associate Dean for Clinical Services and Professional Program at The Ohio State University, College of Optometry. From 1983 to 1998, he was chief of the Contact Lens Clinical Service and was Chairman of the Clinic Committee/Chief of Optometry Clinical Services from 1986 to 1996. 
     From 1987 to 2007, Dr. Barr was editor of Contact Lens Spectrum, holding one of the longest editorial tenures in healthcare publishing. He also edited Contact Lens Today. Dr. Barr holds a combined Master's Degree in Physiological Optics/Fellowship in Contact Lenses from The Ohio State University, College of Optometry. 

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has posted details on the information presented at the June 10, 2008 meeting of the Ophthalmic Devices Panel of the Medical Devices Advisory Committee which was held to provide advice to the FDA regarding modifications to preclinical and clinical testing guidance for contact lens care products, as well as modifications to product and patient labeling for these products.
     Among the issues discussed were: various changes to Disinfection and Preservative Efficacy testing protocols for contact lens care solutions including the addition of more resistant clinical isolates, such as Acanthamoeba, to these tests; whether to continue to have no-rub directions in multi-purpose solution product labeling; revision of the current Regimen Test for contact lens solutions; creation of an additional group for silicone hydrogel contact lenses, and possibly subcategories within that group; specification of a lens care product discard date; and lens case use and replacement. The Panel gave specific recommendations regarding disinfection efficacy, biocompatibility, and contact lens-care product solution compatibility testing. The Panel also provided advice regarding the classification of silicone hydrogel contact lenses and on various aspects of clinical study design.
     Specifics of these discussions and presentations can be accessed at: http://www.fda.gov/ohrms/dockets/ac/08/slides/2008-4363s1-00-index.html. For a general summary and information on purchasing transcripts visit http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/panel/summary/opth-061008.html.  

Acuvue Oasys for Astigmatism is the fourth contact lens in the Acuvue family of products to receive a Seal of Acceptance for Ultraviolet Absorbing Contact Lenses from the American Optometric Association's Commission on Ophthalmic Standards. The announcement was made in Seattle at the annual meeting of the American Optometric Association (AOA).
     The AOA's Commission on Ophthalmic Standards, which provides independent evaluation of ophthalmic related products, awards the seal. The specifications for the seal of acceptance are in accordance with published standards of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and International Standards Organization (ISO).
     "Although UV-blocking contact lenses provide important added protection for patients, they should not be viewed as a stand-alone solution," notes Jeffrey L. Weaver, O.D., Director, Clinical Care Group, AOA. "Contact lenses should always be worn in conjunction with high-quality UV-blocking sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat for maximum UV protection for the eyes."

The Association of Optometric Contact Lens Educators (AOCLE) held its annual workshop hosted by the New England Collage of Optometry in Boston earlier this month. Contact lens educators, representing the 19 schools and colleges of optometry in the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico, attended along with representatives from numerous contact lens industry members. New this year was the presentation of the Dr. Lester Janoff Memorial Award, to honor this long time educator, administrator and contact lens researcher who passed away in 2006. The award is presented to an optometric educator who has demonstrated excellence in education, publication and research. The first recipient of this award was Dr. Luigina Sorbara (Waterloo).
     Other awards included the George Mertz New Educator Travel Award, which is given to a new contact lens educator to attend their first AOCLE workshop. This year's recipients were Nicky Lai (TOSU), Eunice Myung Lee (SCCO) and Mika Moy (UCB). Dr. Ron Watanabe (NECO) was also presented with a plaque to thank him for his leadership as Chair of the organization in 2006-2008.
     Elections for new officers were held. The new 2008-2010 officers are: Chair: Etty Bitton (Montreal); Vice-Chair: Vinita Henry (UMSL); Secretary: Bruce Morgan (MCO); Treasurer: John Corzine (UCB); Immediate Past-Chair: Ron Watanabe (NECO); and Communications: John Mark Jackson (SCO), Sue Kovacich (IU) and Andrea Janoff (NOVA).

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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Optometry Giving Sight and VOSH (Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity) International have formed a cooperative partnership. The Memorandum of Understanding, which was signed in Seattle on June 28th, recognizes Optometry Giving Sight's special expertise in the raising of funds for programs to support the goals of VISION 2020: The Right to Sight in the area of uncorrected refractive error and VOSH International's activities in the design, implementation and execution of such programs. 
     Under the terms of the agreement, Optometry Giving Sight will allocate a percentage of total donor funds raised in the United States to VOSH International for sustainable vision care projects that build local capacity and infrastructure. In addition, VOSH International will be able to apply for grant funds from the general grant pool when these are announced. Optometry Giving Sight agreed to award a seat on its National Committee to VOSH International, and VOSH International agreed to award a seat on its Board of Directors to Optometry Giving Sight.

Menicon Company, Ltd. and the Novovision Clinic in Madrid have embarked on a new study, Myopia Control with Orthokeratology Contact Lenses in Spain (MCOS), to compare the axial length growth between white European myopic children wearing orthokeratology contact lenses (OK) and distance single-vision spectacles (SP) over a two-year period. In this prospective, single-center clinical trial, sixty-two subjects 6 to 12 years of age with myopia of -0.75 to -4.00 D and astigmatism < =1.00 D were randomly allocated to wear OK or SP correction. Measurements of axial length (using partial coherence interferometry, Zeiss IOLMaster), anterior chamber depth, corneal topography, cycloplegic refraction and visual acuity are being performed at 6-month intervals. According to information provided by Menicon, the MCOS study offers a number of notable features: a prospective design; well matched samples and high resolution ocular biometry measures, which collectively should elucidate whether OK contact lens wear is a feasible method of myopia control.

Sirion Therapeutics, Inc., a privately held ophthalmic-focused biopharmaceutical company, announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved its new drug application for Durezol (difluprednate ophthalmic emulsion) 0.05%, a topical steroid for the treatment of postoperative ocular inflammation and pain. The approval came after a six month priority review.
     The company reports that in two Phase 3 trials evaluating Durezol in patients diagnosed with significant postoperative inflammation (more than 10 anterior chamber cells), Durezol rapidly reduced inflammation and pain. Mean intraocular pressure for all study groups remained within the normal range throughout the study. 
     Sirion Therapeutics plans to make Durezol commercially available in late 2008. For more information, please visit http://www.siriontherapeutics.com.

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In this prospective, randomized, investigator-masked study in 48 healthy human volunteers, researchers at Ophthalmic Research Associates (Andover, MA) evaluated endothelial cell density (ECD), morphology and central corneal thickness (CCT) following intensive use of levofloxacin 1.5% (IQUIX, Vistakon Pharmaceuticals, LLC) over a two-week period. Dosing of levofloxacin 1.5% was as indicated for corneal ulcer, and, in this study, a total of 224 drops were administered over 14 days. Specular microscopy and pachymetry were conducted at baseline and on Day 21.
     Researchers reported that there were no significant changes in all endpoints. Mean ECD was 2767±317 and 2786±295 cells/mm2; mean cell size variability (CV) was 31.4±5.2 and 31.8±5.9; mean percent hexagonal cells was 59.8 ±10.8 and 61.9±11.3; and, mean CCT was 560±36 and 568±46 µm at pre- and post-dose evaluations, respectively.
     Researchers concluded that levofloxacin 1.5% does not adversely affect the corneal endothelium in humans even after intensive dosing, and the findings further demonstrate that the high concentration of levofloxacin in IQUIX is safe.
Abelson MB, Torkildsen G, Shapiro A, Lapsa I. Corneal safety of 1.5% levofloxacin ophthalmic solution (IQUIX) in humans. Presented at ASCRS Symposium & Congress; April 4-9, 2008. Chicago, IL. Poster #176.

Do you ask what every one of your patients are doing to care for their lenses or do you assume that if they are "experienced" they don't need instruction? "What solution are you using? Do you rub your lenses? Do you air dry your case every day? Do you reuse solution? Do you ever sleep in your lenses?"
     Once is clearly not enough. I think most doctors educate new wearers and after that make big assumptions. Ever since the fungal keratitis outbreaks, I am vigilant about teaching all of my contact lens patients, including experienced wearers, about proper care and wear.
     I designed a quick 12-point questionnaire, with yes or no answers, that my staff reviews with our contact lens patients. Under each question are a photo and an explanation of proper lens care for that topic. Before I enter the exam room, my staff gives the form to me and I discuss what the patient is not doing correctly. I tried to make it easy to use and something the patient would pay attention to, while making sure that I'm neither interrogating nor embarrassing the patient.
Keith E. Watson, O.D., M.E. 
Vernon, CT

My practice, like yours, is facing a good problem. We are running out of space for our diagnostic contact lenses. Almost weekly we have a sales representative delivering a new set of a brand new lens design or material or parameter expansions. I love that I always have new technology to offer but have to admit that I also let out the occasional sigh and the "Where are we are going to put these?" The result for our practice has been positive because we are forced to purge the old, keep the new and become better organized.
Carla Mack, O.D., M.B.A., F.A.A.O.

This month at www.siliconehydrogels.org: third generation silicone hydrogels; corneal oxygen consumption with different silicone hydrogel lenses; and part two of our 2007 AAO update.