Bausch + Lomb (B+L) is conducting a voluntary recall of a limited number of lots of ReNu Multi-Purpose Solution (MPS) and ReNu MultiPlus MPS in Europe and the Middle East.
     The first part of the recall involves a single lot (AA120) of 120ML ReNu MultiPlus MPS in Croatia, Dubai, Hungary, Slovenia, Romania, Turkey and Saudi Arabia. This is being initiated as a precaution as a small number of sensitivity issues with the lot have been reported. To put this in context, the company states that the number of reports represents less than 0.1% of the packs within this lot. However as a precaution, B+L decided to initiate a voluntary recall of this product.
     In a separate action, B+L is voluntarily recalling a limited number of lots of ReNu MPS and ReNu MultiPlus MPS in Europe and the Middle East. Routine testing has shown that, while these products are safe and effective when used as directed, they are not meeting the company's quality expectations.
     B+L decided to initiate the quality-related recall after their Stability Monitoring Program showed that the performance trend of certain lots did not meet their expectations. According to the company, there is no indication of a safety or efficacy issue and there have been no reported adverse events; rather, this recall is being conducted as a precaution.
     B+L has notified retailers and eye care professionals about the steps they should take if they have product from the affected lots in their inventories. No other B+L products, including other lots of ReNu MPS and ReNu MultiPlus MPS, are affected by this action.

Vistakon, Division of Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc., announced the Acuvue One Day Starts Today Sweepstakes.
     Now through September 25th, consumers may log on to www.moistcontactlens.com to enter the Acuvue One Day Starts Today Sweepstakes for a chance to win the grand prize of a $2,500 VISA gift card. They will also be eligible to win one of 84 $100 VISA gift cards awarded to seven winners each week throughout the sweeps entry period. Visitors also can download a Free Trial Pair Certificate for Acuvue Brand Contact Lenses. (Professional exam and fitting fees not included.)
     Promotion is subject to Official Rules, available at www.moistcontactlens.com. 

Eye care practitioners are quickly adopting new tools for engaging their current and prospective patients. But after activating a blog, Twitter account or Facebook page, a common question is, "What do I say?"
     AllAboutVision.com can help by providing eye care practitioners with a steady stream of topics of interest to consumers. Each time the website publishes a new article or news item, a note is posted to AllAboutVision.com's Facebook page. By following AllAboutVision.com on Facebook, eye care practitioners can get suggestions on what to write for their patients.
     "Originally, our objective was to simply keep eye care practitioners in the loop on what their patients might be reading," says Ron Walker, publisher. "We quickly realized that this flow of information could be helpful for a practice's own social media efforts."
     Vision Source in Kingwood, Texas, frequently inserts eye care news and tips into their Facebook page from a variety of sources, including AllAboutVision.com. "AllAboutVision.com pushes news to us, making it easy to educate patients about topics ranging from contact lens care to protecting eyes from UV radiation," says Tiffany Benta, who maintains the practice's Facebook page.
     Eye care practitioners can take advantage of AllAboutVision.com updates by visiting http://www.facebook.com/allaboutvision. Those who don't use Facebook can still get summaries of new articles and news via AllAboutVision.com's monthly Eye-Opener newsletter, available at http://www.allaboutvision.com/ecp/.

Alden Optical Inc, manufacturer of custom made-to-order soft and GP contact lenses, announced that a completely redesigned website is now available online at www.aldenoptical.com. This all new website features up-to-date product information and resources to assist practitioners with challenging custom fits and prosthetic lens applications. 
     Alden Optical President Tom Shone commented, "Practitioners will find the new website to be a valuable tool as they consider Alden as a resource for custom and specialty fitting." The new website features easy interaction and updated product information and downloads. "The new site is a much improved tool for practitioners, and we plan ongoing enhancements such as case studies, photography of prosthetic success stories and fitting tips to help with challenging scenarios. We want to make the Alden website a go-to resource for custom and specialty oriented practitioners," Shone added.

Lensco announced the appointment of Richard Chesney to National Field Manager. He will be responsible for assisting in the daily operations of the sales division, covering all U.S. Sales Territory Regions for Lensco. 
     Chesney joined Lensco in April 2006 as a Territory Manager and has been very instrumental in growing the sales volume in the state of Arizona. His 25 years of sales and management experience has played a vital role in his success of various sales channels.
     Commenting on his appointment Chesney stated, "We have a solid business model and foundation that will allow us to grow our company. The landscape and technology of optometry has changed over the past five years and I am excited with what lies ahead and the opportunities this industry will bring Lensco."  

Patients wearing contact lenses for astigmatism feel the lens sometimes rotates on the eye, resulting in blurry vision. The Accelerated Stabilization Design (ASD) of ACUVUE® OASYS® Brand Contact Lenses for ASTIGMATISM provides greater stability by harnessing the pressure of the blink. ASD has four zones of stability to help maintain the position of the lens, resulting in more consistent visual acuity during repetitive eye movements and throughout everyday activities. So with ACUVUE® OASYS® Brand for ASTIGMATISM, you provide your astigmatic patients with stable, crisp vision throughout their day.
For more information, click here. 

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®, ACUVUE® OASYS®, and VISTAKON® are trademarks of Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.
© Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc. 2010.
--ADVERTISING

Optometry Giving Sight invites all optometrists to take part in the fourth annual World Sight Day Challenge from September 1-October 14 (World Sight Day). There are 670 million people around the world who are blind or vision impaired simply due to uncorrected refractive error - that's more than double the population of the U.S. 
     "Optometry Giving Sight is challenging the optical profession and industry to help fund the delivery of sustainable vision care and glasses to all who need them," said Dr. Vic Connors, CEO of Optometry Giving Sight. "This World Sight Day marks the half way point in global efforts to eliminate avoidable blindness by the year 2020. We have made significant progress already by training thousands of new eye care professionals to provide services in underserved communities, as well as the infrastructure to support them. We have the strategy - we now just need your help to raise the funds to achieve the goal."       
     Register for the World Sight Day Challenge at www.givingsight.org. Optometrists can make a donation online or pledge their eye exam fees from one day between September 1 and October 14. They can also request a free practice kit that contains everything they need to promote their involvement to patients including our new Giving Poster. Optometry Giving Sight can also provide assistance with placing an article in local papers. 
     Optometry Giving Sight guarantees that 85% of all donations go directly to programs that give sight to those most in need. It currently funds projects in more than 18 countries in Latin America, Africa and Asia.

Ocusoft, Inc. announced the launch of a newly redesigned website for their prescription-only supplement for Dry Eye, Tears Again Hydrate, www.tearsagainhydrate.com.
     According to the company, Tears Again Hydrate is the only prescription supplement specially formulated for the dietary management of inflammatory conditions of the eye including dry eye syndrome, blepharitis, and meibomian gland dysfunction. The website has been updated with a new look and improved navigation to increase functionality and overall user friendliness.
     "We streamlined the content and added intuitive navigational tools so that patients and doctors would be able to access information throughout the site with greater ease and efficiency," said Linda Dang, Marketing Manager.

Former Kemin Health President and FloraGLO Lutein inventor, Rod Ausich, died June 25 after a courageous battle with cancer.
     Ausich was President of Kemin Health until late 2009. He is credited with realizing lutein's benefits for eye health in combating age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and pioneering a new methodology for the development of purified lutein still used at Kemin today, per the company.
     Ausich joined Kemin in 1994 as the director of research and development for Kemin Industries. After he realized lutein's benefits for eye health, a separate business unit was formed, Kemin Health, to focus on the commercialization of FloraGLO Lutein. Prior to joining Kemin, Ausich worked for Amoco Corporation for nearly 14 years as a research scientist.
     He received his undergraduate degree in biology from the University of Wyoming and a graduate degree and PhD in plant sciences from Indiana University. Ausich authored seven published and five pending patents.

Plan now to attend the Global Specialty Lens Symposium to be held January 27-30, 2011 at the Paris Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. This meeting will include insightful presentations by international experts in the field, hands-on demonstrations of cutting-edge products and valuable continuing education credits.
     The Educational Program Committee of the GSLS invites the submission of abstracts. Papers and abstracts related to presbyopia, keratoconus, corneal topography, post penetrating keratoplasty or related irregular corneal surface, myopia control, orthokeratology and lens care topics are welcome.
     Those interested in submitting can visit www.GSLSymposium.com for more information. Web submissions only. Deadline for submissions is August 31, 2010.
--ADVERTISING

Prevent Blindness America (PBA) has established the National Center for Children's Vision and Eye Health, made possible by a multi-year cooperative agreement from the Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB), a bureau of the Health Resources and Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The new program is designed to serve as a major resource for the establishment of a public health infrastructure to advance and promote children's vision and eye care, as well as provide leadership development, health promotion, education, and training to public and private entities throughout the United States.
     As part of the first phase of the new initiative, PBA has formed the National Center for Children's Vision and Eye Health National Expert Panel comprised of leading professionals in ophthalmology, optometry, pediatrics, public health, academia, family representatives and other related fields who have a vested interest in the field of children's vision and eye health. Panel members will provide recommendations for national and statewide strategies to develop public health infrastructure that ensures early detection and a continuum of vision and eye care for children.
     The Panel is chaired by Dr. Shirley Russ, Clinical Professor of Pediatrics, Health Sciences at the University of California and a member of the Department of Academic Primary Care Pediatrics at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. Serving as Chair Advisors are Dr. Joseph M. Miller, MPH, Pediatric Ophthalmologist and Professor and Head of Ophthalmology and Vision Science at the University of Arizona, College of Medicine, and Dr. Sandra S. Block, Professor of Optometry at Illinois College of Optometry and Public Health Committee member of PBA.
     For more information on the National Center for Children's Vision and Eye Health, visit www.preventblindness.org. 

Daily disposable contact lenses were introduced into the market 16 years ago. Data that we have gathered from annual contact lens fitting surveys conducted in Australia, Canada, Japan, The Netherlands, Norway, the UK and the USA between 2000 and 2008 indicates an overall increase in daily disposable lens fitting during this period.
     Daily disposable lenses are especially popular in Japan, Norway and the UK. There is a trend for these lenses to be fitted on a part-time basis. Males are over-represented in daily disposable lens fitting - a trend that is especially evident in Canada. Daily disposable lens wearers are about two years younger than wearers of reusable lenses in Japan and The Netherlands. The convenience and health benefits of daily disposable lenses are expected to fuel continued growth in this sector.
Efron N, Morgan PB, Helland M, Itoi M, et al. Daily disposable contact lens prescribing around the world. Cont Lens Anterior Eye. 2010 Jul 2. 

A few weeks ago, we had some excellent reader feedback on the topic of daily disposable prescribing. We received feedback from practitioners across North America, in addition to some very unique regions across the globe (often with high daily disposable prescribing rates). Although daily disposable prescribing in North America is relatively low, it is on the rise (see the abstract this week). Look for more discussion on the pros and cons of daily disposable contact lenses in the August issue of Contact Lens Spectrum.
Jason J. Nichols, OD, MPH, PhD, FAAO