CONTACT LENSES TODAY
July 10, 2005
Contact Lenses Today® is edited by Dr. Joseph T. Barr and the staff of Contact Lens Spectrum. This week CLToday® reaches more
than 10,000 readers in 74 countries.
B&L to Acquire Chinese Pharmaceutical Co.
Bausch & Lomb has entered into an agreement with Shandong Chia Tai Freda Pharmaceutical Group (CTF), the leading ophthalmic pharmaceutical
company in China. This acquisition will accelerate the company’s expansion in this rapidly growing market. CTF primarily develops, manufactures and markets medications
used to treat ocular inflammation and infection, glaucoma and dry eye. The acquisition is expected to close in the third quarter, subject to Shareholder approval.
Making the Most of Your Telephone
A new video training program from Wink Productions is meant to help staff improve their telephone skills. The program contains a CD that
describes multiple elements of professional telephone use in the eye care practice, a customizable telephone procedure manual and training booklets. Topics covered include
telephone etiquette, how to handle irate and talkative callers and scheduling appointments. To view a demonstration, prices or place orders, go
to http://www.winkproductions.com.
AOA Business from Optometry’s Meeting
The 108th Annual AOA Congress passed several resolutions at Optometry’s Meeting in Dallas, Texas. Outgoing president Wes Pitman, O.D.,
noted the recently launched InfantSEE program is the largest initiative brought about by the profession. Dr. Richard Wallingford, incoming president, announced a new
resolution that will allow affiliates to borrow funds for specified legal and legislative purposes. The AOA will also continue to: support a decorative contact lens bill
that would categorize plano lenses as medical devices; work with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to enforce the Fairness to Contact Lens Consumers Act; and combat
provider discriminations in states where insurance plans exclude optometrists.
HYDRACLEAR Technology – The Science Inside ACUVUE ADVANCE
Since the launch of ACUVUE ADVANCE Brand Contact Lenses with HYDRACLEAR, Eye Care Professionals across the country have reported an influx
of patients requesting that new lens with HYDRACLEAR. What is this remarkable technology that helps keep eyes looking clear and white and feeling great all day long?
HYDRACLEAR is the VISTAKON brand name for our proprietary technology that brings together a remarkable moisture-rich wetting agent with high performance base materials
to form clear, wettable lenses resulting in a unique, silky, soft feel. It’s the science inside ACUVUE ADVANCE that delivers comfort for even the longest
days.
--ADVERTISING
Unilens Sees Sales Growth in Fourth Quarter
Unilens Vision Inc. expects to report a sales increase of about 39% in the fourth quarter, which ended June 30th with the completion of the
company’s fiscal year. Sales for the quarter should reach at least $1,550,000, compared with $1,117,182 in the same quarter last year. For the 2005 fiscal year, sales
should reach or exceed $4,950,000, compared with $4,074,577 in 2004. Unilens also expects to report record net income for the quarter and fiscal year.
Vision CRC Launches Web Site
The Vision Cooperative Research Center announces the launch of its new web site
at http://www.visioncrc.org. Features of the site include news sections, updates on CRC activities and publications. The site
will be updated on a monthly basis.
Abstract:
Investigating Microchannel Contact Lenses
It has been suggested that placing microchannels on the posterior surface of silicone hydrogel contact lenses may increase transverse
lens movement and tear mixing. Australian researchers conducted a small pilot study to investigate whether these microchannels have an effect
on contact lens performance.
Fifteen experienced hydrogel lens wearers wore a microchannel lens (MC) in one eye and a standard silicone hydrogel (STD) in the other over a period of six hours. A
range of clinical performance measures was assessed, including visual acuity, lens movement, comfort and patient preference. Results suggest that microchannels do not
adversely affect contact lens performance or subjective lens preference over a short-term wearing period. The MC lenses produced less physiological impact on the conjunctival surface than STD lenses and exhibited less conjunctival staining. Researchers conclude clinical investigation of MC lenses in a larger group of subjects,
over a longer wearing period is warranted.
Weidemann KE, Lakkis C. Clinical performance of microchannel contact lenses. Optom Vis Sci. 2005
Jun;82(6):498-504.
Editor's Commentary:
Are
Times A’ Changing?
I used to say that using toric soft lenses for patients with monovision was double jeopardy, and that toric, multifocal soft lenses was
triple jeopardy. In the past, it seemed there were too many cases in which you could achieve good, measurable acuity but the patient wasn't satisfied with their vision.
New technology in soft toric lenses make using them for monovision a better option. The new toric multifocals have also been well received. We'd love to hear what you
think about these options. If you have sent us tips or comments in the past, please send them again, we've had some dreadful computer problems lately and there's a chance
we may have lost some of your insightful comments.
Fitting Tip:
Eliminating Contact Lens Mix-Ups
I always make it a point to caution all contact lens wearers to never open both caps of their case at the same time. As simple as this is,
it prevents mixing up the lenses. Many patients who wear the same power in both eyes cannot see the reason, but I point out the difference in corneal curves. And, even
if the corneal curves are identical, it is always a good practice to keep the lenses separate in case the Rx should show a discrepancy at some later
date.
--David L. Maitin, O.D.
Cherry Hill, NJ
The Global Orthokeratology Symposium (GOS) is Coming to Town
(July 28 to 31, 2005 in Chicago, Ill. -- for the first time in the U.S.A.)
Learn how to manage and market your overnight orthokeratology
practice.
--ADVERTISING
This month at http://www.siliconehydrogels.org, review the daily
wear performance of silicone hydrogels; read the results of contact angle analysis of lens wettability; and scan a synopsis of silicone hydrogels research at ARVO
2005.
Report adverse contact lens reactions here: http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/medwatch/ or
call (800) FDA-1088.
Access a reporting form for complications you've seen that were a result of contact lenses dispensed without a valid
prescription at the Association of Regulatory Boards of Optometry's (ARBO's) Web
site: http://www.arbo.org/arbo.asp?dt=R&doc=Complications. Complete and send the form online or print
it out and fax it to (866) 886-6164.
Send your favorite tips to tips@cltoday.com -- if your tip is
selected as 'Best of the Month,' you'll receive a free golf shirt (see http://www.CLToday.com for details). Please include your
full name, degree or title and city/state/country.
Visit Contact Lens Spectrum (http://www.clspectrum.com) for interactive clinical posters and issue archives.
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