Vistakon, Division of Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc., named Colleen Riley, OD, MS, FAAO, Dipl CL, as Vice President, Professional Development. In this role, Dr. Riley will lead the company's continuing efforts to develop and implement strategies and programs that focus on professional and practice development for eye care professionals. She also will oversee all activities for The Vision Care Institute, LLC, a Johnson & Johnson Company.
     Dr. Riley brings 17 years of progressive experience as a practicing optometrist, academic instructor and clinical research strategist in corporate and clinical settings to the position. As a key member of the Research and Development team for Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc. she has played an integral role in all stages of product development for many of the company's products, developed new study designs and metrics to measure vision, health, and comfort, and has led the company's clinical claims organization.
     Dr. Riley attended the Indiana University School of Optometry where she received her Doctor of Optometry in 1992 and her Master of Science in Physiological Optics in 1998. She joined Johnson & Johnson Vision Care in 2004 as Assistant Director, Research and Development and has served in a number of other positions, most recently as Director, Design Research and Development.
     Dr. Riley is a Fellow and a Contact Lens Diplomate in the Section on Cornea, Contact Lenses and Refractive Technologies of the American Academy of Optometry and is an accomplished speaker and author. She was a Principle Investigator in the Collaborative Longitudinal Evaluation of  Keratoconus (CLEK) Study funded by the National Eye Institute. In 2007, she was selected as one of the top 20 Most Influential Women in the Optical Industry. 

Erythromycin ophthalmic ointment was recently placed on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Drug Shortages website list, which was developed to respond to drug shortages that may have a significant impact on public health. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the FDA and the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) have asked healthcare professionals to reserve current supplies of erythromycin ophthalmic ointment for neonatal prophylaxis use and to use alternative drugs for the treatment of superficial ocular infections involving the conjunctiva and/or cornea caused by organisms susceptible to erythromycin, as well as for treatment of post-surgical and post-traumatic events.
     Inspire Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced that it has been communicating with the FDA and is increasing its production of AzaSite (azithromycin ophthalmic solution) 1% in response to the manufacturing supply shortage of erythromycin ophthalmic ointment (0.5%).
     The CDC recommended AzaSite as an acceptable substitute for neonatal prophylaxis use where erythromycin ophthalmic ointment is not available. The recommendation was made on the basis of available data on pharmacology and gonococcal microbiologic sensitivity. AzaSite contains azithromycin, a macrolide antibiotic, and is formulated for topical ophthalmic use; however, AzaSite has not been approved by the FDA for the treatment of prophylaxis of ophthalmia neonatorum and no clinical trials have been conducted using AzaSite in this population.
     CDC guidance information can be found at  http://www.cdc.gov/std/treatment/2006/erythromycinOintmentShortage.htm.  

A new survey that included 200 soft toric lens wearers between the ages of 18 and 49 showed that more than 80% of soft toric contact lens wearers in the U.S. have experienced a rotational recovery issue such as blurred or fluctuating vision. The survey from the Bausch & Lomb Center for Patient Insights also demonstrated that rotational recovery issues can affect overall satisfaction among toric lens wearers.
    The survey, conducted by independent research firm Decision Analyst, found that rotational issues occur across a broad cross-section of daily activities. As a result, 25% of toric lens wearers agree that they have to work harder at their daily tasks and participate for shorter intervals in many activities.
    Currently, a study is being conducted that will provide a better understanding of rotational recovery. Those results will be presented at the American Academy of Optometry meeting taking place November 9-11 in Orlando, Florida.

Last week's story on CooperVision's expansion of the parameters of its Avaira two-week replacement silicone hydrogel lenses may have been confusing. To clarify, the new 8.4 base curve is only for plus powers (+0.25D to +8.00D). The 8.5 base curve is for the minus powers (-0.25D to -12.00D). The full range is +8.00D to -12.00D.
     We apologize for any inconvenience. For additional information, visit http://www.coopervision.com.

Younger patients have demonstrated compliance with contact lens replacement schedules and lens care. So it makes sense to introduce them to the most compliance-friendly contact lens modality, with single-use 1·DAY ACUVUE® MOIST® Brand Contact Lenses. In a recent study of approximately 500 myopic children ages 8 to 11 years old, children wearing contact lenses showed greater improvements in self-perception compared to children who continued to wear glasses.¹ These improvements were specifically seen in the areas of physical appearance, athletic competence, and acceptance among friends. In addition, children who disliked wearing glasses felt more confident in their schoolwork when they began wearing contact lenses. These results make it clear that fitting your younger patients in 1·DAY ACUVUE® MOIST® Brand Contact Lenses can truly make a difference!
1. Data on file. Johnson & Johnson, 2008.
     The level of maturity of each young patient and the degree of parental oversight and support should be taken into account in assessing whether the child can follow your recommended wear and care instructions and is a good candidate for contact lens wear.
     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®, 1·DAY ACUVUE® MOIST®, and VISTAKON® are trademarks of Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.
© Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc. 2009.
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ISTA Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Bepreve (bepotastine besilate ophthalmic solution) 1.5% as a twice-daily prescription eye drop treatment for ocular itching associated with allergic conjunctivitis in patients two years of age and older.
     ISTA conducted multiple clinical studies, evaluating the safety, efficacy, onset and duration of effect of Bepreve. Two Phase 3 double-masked, placebo-controlled, conjunctival allergen challenge (CAC) studies demonstrated Bepreve significantly reduced ocular itching. In addition, the studies achieved statistical significance and demonstrated Bepreve's rapid onset of action in providing relief to persons with ocular itching associated with allergic conjunctivitis.
     Bepreve is a non-sedating, highly selective antagonist of the histamine (H1) receptor. It has a stabilizing effect on mast cells, and it suppresses the migration of eosinophils into inflamed tissues. The compound's primary mechanisms of action are believed to make it an effective treatment against ocular itching associated with allergic conjunctivitis.
     The product is expected to be available in the fourth quarter of 2009. Full prescribing information is available on ISTA Pharmaceuticals' website at http://www.istavision.com.

Nearly nine-in-ten (86%) women over the age of 35 are concerned that their vision is getting worse as they age, and 74% say they have problems with near vision, according to a survey conducted by Walker Communications for Working Mother magazine and Acuvue Oasys Brand Contact Lenses for Presbyopia. 
     Nearly half (46%) say that having good near vision is most important to get them through their daily activities, but cite problems with everyday tasks such as reading (66%), working on a computer (63%), using a cell phone/PDA (49%), seeing things in low light (45%), or trying to read a menu (44%). Nearly three-in-ten (27%) working mothers who participated in the survey agree that problems with near vision bothers them most while multitasking at work.
     The inability to see clearly also has psychological and physiological effects on women.  Participants note that vision problems make them feel frustrated (61%), old (50%), physically uncomfortable due to headaches and eye strain (47%), and less confident to perform activities (30%). Women who have switched from contacts to bifocal or progressive lens eyeglasses say they feel less attractive (26%), less confident (17%) and less able to perform certain activities as well as when they are wearing their contacts (14%).

This paper describes riboflavin and ultraviolet light (UV) collagen crosslinking as an effective treatment for infectious keratitis. A 25-year-old previously healthy female contact lens user was diagnosed with unilateral severe keratitis with unclear pathogenesis, although the clinical presentation suggested acanthamoeba as the infectious agent. A 4-mm diameter, annular, semi-opaque infiltrate was found on the paracentral parts of the cornea in the left eye (OS). Laboratory examinations for bacteria, herpes simplex, and acanthamoeba were performed, but no specific pathogen could be detected. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at presentation was 20/1000. Treatment was initialized with broad-spectrum antibiotics also covering acanthamoeba. During the first month of treatment the keratitis progressed and the corneal thickness diminished. Therefore, treatment with riboflavin and UV collagen crosslinking was initiated.
     After riboflavin and UV collagen crosslinking therapy, there was a rapid decrease of pain and necrotic material. Reepithelialization of the cornea started within a few days and was complete within a month. After 2 months, the wound had healed completely. Nine months after the UV treatment, BCVA was 20/30.
     The authors concluded that this case illustrates the positive effects of riboflavin and UV collagen crosslinking on presumed infectious keratitis with a satisfactory final visual outcome. This may be a promising new treatment for keratitis, although this remains to be elucidated in detail in future studies. Until more data are available this treatment should only be considered in therapy-refractive keratitis or ulceration and not in the first line of defence since it may have cytotoxic side effects.
Moren H, Malmsjo M, Mortensen J, Ohrstrom A. Riboflavin and Ultraviolet A Collagen Crosslinking of the Cornea for the Treatment of Keratitis. Cornea 2009.

You are likely aware of significant changes in the processes and rules associated with continuing education that are currently underway. Some of these new rules are intended to manage potential conflicts of interest, particularly of the speakers and the content that is presented. However, in order for education to remain unbiased, it is important that all aspects of these issues are managed effectively, including the process of selecting speakers, venues, and educational themes and topics.
Jason J. Nichols, OD, MPH, PhD, FAAO 

This month at www.siliconehydrogels.org: adverse events with daily wear of silicone hydrogels, SEALs with extended wear, controlling case contamination, contact lens complications, and part two of our AAO 2008 synopsis.