CONTACT LENSES TODAY

July 16, 2006

Contact Lenses Today® is edited by Dr. Joseph T. Barr and the staff of Contact Lens Spectrum. This week CLToday® reaches more than 12,000 readers in 74 countries.

Eye Allergies Impact Contact Lens Wearers
A recent study by the Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America, “Eye on Allergies,” reports more than half (54%) of contact lens wearers who suffer from eye allergies find it very uncomfortable to wear their lenses while suffering from allergies. Approximately two million allergy sufferers reported eye allergies as their primary allergy. The survey found that the majority (73%) of those who wear contact lenses and suffer from eye allergy symptoms most often cope by increasing their use of rewetting drops, wearing their lenses less often or removing their lenses during the day. A significant minority (42%) say they switch to glasses. A leading allergy expert says daily disposable lenses may be the best alternative for allergy sufferers. Leonard Bielory, M.D., Professor of Medicine, Pediatrics and Ophthalmology, Director, Division Allergy/Immunology & Rheumatology at New Jersey Medical School, says, “Studies have shown that the use of daily disposable contact lenses may minimize the exposure of allergens and irritants that can often accumulate with repeated use of a single pair of lenses. The “Eye on Allergies” survey was conducted on behalf of Vistakon.
Alcon and AMO Settle Patent Disputes
Alcon Inc. and Advanced Medical Optics (AMO) have reached a global settlement agreement resolving all current patent disputes between the companies. The settlement provides for the dismissal of all pending lawsuits. As a result, AMO will request that the judgment and injunction previously entered against Alcon by the U.S. District Court In Delaware be vacated and the corresponding appeals will be dismissed.
    The settlement entitles both companies to continue marketing their current phacoemulsification product lines on a royalty-free basis and contains provisions designed to reduce the likelihood of patent disputes on future product offerings.
ABB Launches CL Re-order Site
ABB Optical has launched www.yourlens.com, a contact lens re-order site designed to help its accounts retain patients who prefer to order replacement lenses on-line. When patients log on, they will see your practice information automatically appear. You can specify lens prices and pre-register patients’ prescriptions and expiration dates, making verification unnecessary. You can also link your practice web site to http://www.yourlens.com.
VISTAKON® has begun airing national TV advertising in support of their exciting new contact lens, ACUVUE® ADVANCE™ Brand Contact Lenses for ASTIGMATISM, and to help increase patient visits. One advertisement — titled “Twins” — targets a younger audience and is geared towards first time contact lens wearers with astigmatism. The other — “A Day in the Life” — was created to appeal to a broader, more mature audience, including current toric wearers and dropouts. The commercials are to air on stations such as FOX, WB, MTV, and USA. Tune in!
--ADVERTISING
Global Keratoconus Congress Accepting Submissions
The Educational Program Committee of the Global Keratoconus Congress invites the submission of abstracts for the Free Papers and Scientific Posters Competition to be held January 26-28, 2007 in Las Vegas. Papers and Posters related to keratoconus, corneal topography, post penetrating keratoplasty or related irregular corneal surface, gas permeable lens and lens care topics are welcome. Please visit http://www.gkc2007.com for information.
Additionally, the Global Keratoconus Congress is pleased to announce that registration is open for attendees. The website has been updated to include hotel information and a preliminary agenda as well as registration information. Please visit http://www.gkc2007.com for information and to register.
--ADVERTISING


Optometry Hall of Fame Announces Inductees
The National Optometry Hall of Fame will induct seven new members at this year’s EastWest Eye Conference. The induction ceremony will take place on Thursday, October 12th at 12pm at the Cleveland Convention Center. This year’s inductees are John Castabile, O.D., Anthony Cullen, MSc., Ph.D., D.Se., Merton Flom, O.D., Ph.D., Gideon Lang, O.D., John D. Robinson O.D., Jack Runninger, O.D. and Damien Smith, O.D., Ph.D.
Blanchard Contact Lens Supports National Keratoconus Foundation
Blanchard Contact Lens and Rose K International issued a $10,000 donation to the National Keratoconus Foundation in support of the organization’s patient outreach and educational programs for 2006. The donation was made following a keratoconus patient support group meeting in Fla. that was co-sponsored by Blanchard and the Foundation.
Abstract: Fungal Keratitis and Non-Therapeutic CL Wear
Researchers at the University of Miami’s Bascom Palmer Eye Institute conducted a retrospective, cross-sectional study to determine whether there is an increase in culture-positive contact lens associated fungal keratitis. They reviewed he microbiology records of culture-positive fungal keratitis cases from Jan. 2004 to Dec. 2005. They found recovery from fungal pathogens among contact lens wearers increased from 26.7% (eight of 30) to 50% (18 of 36) of isolates in 2005. Fusarium species (54%) were the most frequent fungal pathogens. Soft contact lens wear among the Fusarium cases more than doubled (23.3% vs. 47.7%) from 2004 to 2005. The conclude that contact lens wear may be a risk factor for fungal keratitis.
Alfonso EC, Miller D, Cantu-Dibildox J, et al. Fungal keratitis Associated with Non-therapeutic Soft Contact Lenses. Am J Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2006 Jul;142(1):154-5.
Editor's Commentary: Global Keratoconus Congress
The Global Keratoconus Congress has been a long-time dream of mine. We look forward to hearing about the latest developments from researchers, clinicians and all those interested in care of the irregular cornea patient at this important meeting. We also look forward to seeing our many colleagues who are interested in sharing their ideas, especially about keratoconus, in Las Vegas next year.
Fitting Tip: Replacement CL Cases
When I hand my patients their contact lens prescription, along with reviewing the wear and disposal schedules, I remind them to throw out their contact lens case every time they throw out their toothbrush (every six months). Then, I give them a solution kit with a new contact lens case and say, “Here, just like your dentist gives you a new toothbrush, I'm giving you a new case. Please pitch the one you have at home." They all seem receptive to this and even remind me to give them one the next year if I forget. I take that as a good sign that they’ve at least remembered for one year!
Becca Lauffenburger, O.D.,
Wooster, Ohio
Best of the Month
Dr. Burt W. Dubow, submitted the “Best Fitting Tip of the Month” for June. His tip, “Piggybacking Lenses May Alleviate Binding,” may be seen in the, June 18, 2006 edition of CLToday.
This month at http://www.siliconehydrogels.org, get an update of silicone hydrogels at ARVO 2006 and review ‘oxygen flux‚’ as well as the cornea’s response to different levels of oxygen transmissibility.
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 T-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. Visit Contact Lenses Today for our Best Fitting Tips.
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