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Sunday, September 15, 2013  
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Last question:
Over the last month, did you see a change in the frequency of children as patients in your office?

Yes— increased
   82%

About the same
   14%
No — decreased
   4%

Editor's Commentary - Jason J. Nichols, OD, MPH, PhD, FAAO
I really enjoy specialty lens fitting. Perhaps I am not familiar with research in this area, but I have wondered if any clinicians have actually assessed and measured the real impact specialty lenses can have on a patient's quality of life? For those of you actively involved in fitting diseased eyes, you are well aware of the benefits it can bring to these patients but it would be good to see some scientific confirmation of these benefits

Alden Optical Expands Astera Parameters
Alden Optical has expanded the parameter range of their Astera Multifocal Toric. Eyecare practitioners can now address even higher demands for near correction with the addition of a third ADD profile design. The new ADD profile also allows Alden to refine its fitting recommendation for all three Astera ADD profiles for improved precision with near vision correction. Specifically, ADD Profile 1 is now recommended to +1.50D, Profile 2 from +1.75D to 2.25D and Profile 3 for ADD requirements of +2.50D or greater.

Astera Multifocal Toric incorporates both advanced C2 multifocal optics developed in Europe by Precilens, as well as Alden Optical's innovative Dual Elliptical Stabilization (DES). These lenses offer clear, stable vision at all distances and the power of custom parameters to address any level of ametropia or need for custom lens geometry, according to the company.

Established in 1969, Alden Optical manufactures premium specialty and custom made-to-order soft and gas permeable contact lenses while offering unparalleled customer service. For more information, visit www.aldenoptical.com.
Menicon Introduces Unique pH Travel Pack
Unique pH, from Menicon America Inc., is now available in a convenient travel size designed to meet TSA guidelines for carrying liquids on board aircraft. The Menicon Unique pH Travel Pack contains a two fluid ounce (60 mL) bottle of Unique pH and a lens case.

The Travel Pack features a new bottle incorporating the latest in Blow-Fill-Seal technology - widely considered to be a superior form of packaging for pharmaceutical and healthcare products, according to the company. The bottle's dropper tip is sealed providing an extra measure of safety while also preventing unopened bottles from accidentally leaking in transit. Screwing the cap clockwise as far as it will go pierces its seal. Unscrew conventionally in the counter clockwise direction.

The Unique pH Travel Pack is available to patients through the Menicon WebStore. For more information on Menicon's GP lens care system, consisting of Menicon Unique pH, Menicon Progent, and Menicon Rewetting Drops, and the WebStore visit: info.meniconamerica.com.
Register Now for Optometric Management Symposium
Plan now to attend the Optometric Management Symposium on Contemporary Eye Care, December 6‑8, 2013 at Disney's Contemporary Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. This popular annual symposium provides the perfect balance of timely, disease management courses and practice-building courses with plentiful networking and leisure time to enjoy all that Disney resorts and theme parks have to offer.

The educational program is presented by the Pennsylvania College of Optometry, Salus University. For agenda, more information and to register, visit www.OMConference.com.
–ADVERTISING
New Fitting App for KeraSoft IC – Coming Soon in a U.S. Version
In the September 8 issue of Contact Lenses Today, we reported on the KeraSoft IC Morocco fitting app that is available in the UK through UltraVision CLPL. A version of this tool specifically for United States eyecare practitioners will be available soon. Watch for more details in October.
European Patent Office Grants a Patent for the Treatment of Sjogren's Syndrome
OphthaliX Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing therapeutic products for the treatment of ophthalmic disorders, announced that the European Patent Office issued a Certificate of Grant of Patent for European Patent No. 1778239 entitled "Adenosine A3 receptor agonists for the treatment of dry eye disorders including Sjogren's syndrome." This patent was granted to OphthaliX's parent and majority stockholder, Can-Fite BioPharma Ltd., and relates to OphthaliX's drug candidate CF101. The company is currently developing CF101 for ophthalmic indications, including dry eye syndrome (Phase III), glaucoma (Phase II) and uveitis (initiating Phase II).
Euclid Signs Agreement with Wenzhou Medical University to Promote the Use of Orthokeratology
Euclid Systems Corporation announced the signing of a cooperation agreement with Wenzhou Medical University Eye Hospital in Zhejiang, P.R. China. Through this cooperative agreement, Euclid will support and assist the University in several areas, including the training of new optometrists and ophthalmologists in the fitting and use of orthokeratology lenses, as well as to study of the advantages of orthokeratology for the prevention of the progression of myopia and for treatment for highly myopic patients. Wenzhou University will support Euclid by presenting at ophthalmology meetings and conferences, by being a resource for prescribing doctors throughout China, and by promoting the health benefits and care standards for orthokeratology. Additionally the University will work with Euclid to open an Ortho-K Trial Center on the hospital grounds as a model for prescribing doctors in China.

Standard GP on Keratoconic Eye
By Augusto Rosse, IACLE, Santiago, Chili

This is an image of a keratoconus patient wearing a regular GP with 3-touch fit. The lissamine green shows the apical touch and apical damage.

We thank Augusto Rosse for sending this image and welcome photo submissions from our readers. It is easy to submit a photo for consideration for publishing in Contact Lenses Today. Simply visit http://www.cltoday.com/upload/upload.aspx to upload your image. Please include an explanation of the photo and your full name, degree or title and city/state/country.

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RESEARCH REVIEW
Loretta B. Szczotka-Flynn, OD, PhD, MS, FAAO

UVB-Blocking Contact Lenses Useful in the Dermatological Setting

Narrowband UVB (NB-UVB) phototherapy is an effective treatment option for a variety of dermatologic conditions such as cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) and psoriasis. Patients usually receive treatments three times per week. A therapeutic dilemma exists in the treatment of patients with CTCL and other photoresponsive dermatoses such as vitiligo, psoriasis and atopic dermatitis involving the eyelids. The standard use of UV-protective goggles during phototherapy prevents effective eyelid treatment. Our research group explored whether UV-blocking contact lenses could potentially be used for protection during UVA and UVB phototherapy, especially if eyelid closure is incomplete.

We studied six contact lenses with published UV-blocking capabilities and two contact lenses without UV-blocking properties as controls. Using published threshold damage data we calculated the theoretical safe exposure duration of the entire eye, cornea, lens and conjunctiva within the NB-UVB phototherapy unit with and without each protective contact lens. All six UV-blocking contact lenses provide better protection against UV radiation than contact lenses without UV-absorbing properties. The Class I UV blockers had the lowest measured transmittance at the peak NB-UVB irradiance, as well as at the wavelengths causing the greatest damage to the cornea and crystalline lens. The Safe Exposure Duration for the cornea is typically 0.1 minutes with no contact lens and a Class I UV blocking could theoretically extend this to more than 3 hours.

Some UV-blocking contact lenses potentially provide sufficient ocular protection during narrowband UVB phototherapy treatment, as the crystalline lens and cornea are adequately protected should a patient open his or her eyes within the unit for a short time.

Depry J, Golding R, Szczotka-Flynn L, Dao H, Baron E, Cooper K. UVB-protective properties of contact lenses with intended use in photoresponsive eyelid dermatoses. Photodermatol Photoimmunol Photomed. 2013 Oct;29(5):253-60.

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MATERIALS & DESIGNS
Ronald K. Watanabe, OD, FAAO

Miru: I can see!

Menicon has introduced Miru 1day disposable contact lenses. In Japanese, "miru" means "to see", an appropriate, though perhaps mysterious name for a contact lens. It is made of hioxifilcon A, a HEMA-GMA polymer with 57% water content and excellent water retention properties. The lens has aspheric optics, and a comfortable edge design. But the most unique aspect of Miru 1day may be the packaging.

Menicon developed packaging that they feel is more consistent with the daily disposable concept. The flat pack strip is about 1 mm thick and smaller than a credit card, but holds three lenses. Instead of having foil on a plastic blister, the lens is contained in 0.2 ml of fluid between two layers of foil. The foil peels easily, similar to an adhesive strip-bandage package. The lens rests on a special plastic disc that helps maintain the integrity and orientation of the lens. Every time the package is opened, the lens is oriented with the outside surface up, which makes it easy to grasp without having to touch and contaminate the inside ocular surface. Novel packaging with a well-performing lens make a great combination that may be a great choice for your patients.

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Microbial Contamination of CL Care Accessories and Compliance with Care Regimens in Nepal

These researtchers wanted to determine the rates of microbial contamination and identify contaminants associated with contact lens (CL) care accessories, and to investigate self-reported compliance levels with care of CL accessories and its association with contamination level.

A total of 46 CL cases and care solutions from asymptomatic soft contact lens wearers were collected. Samples from the CL cases and care solutions were cultured for microbiological identification and enumeration. A questionnaire regarding compliance to care and hygiene procedures were administered to each subject on their visit.

The percentage of microbial contamination for CL cases and care solutions was 50% and 10.9%, respectively. All the contaminants were bacterial. Staphylococcus aureus (37.0%, 17 of 46 cases) and Escherichia coli (8.7%, 4 of 46 cases) were the most common microorganisms detected in CL cases. In care solutions, S. aureus (8.7%, 4 of 46 samples), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (2.2%, 1 of 46 samples) were common contaminants. CL cases and care solutions that were used for <3 months were significantly less contaminated than those used for >3 months (10.9% versus 39.1%, p<0.05). Polyquad and Aldox based MPS solution showed no contamination. Subjects with medium or low compliance had highly significant rates of contaminations both in CL cases and solutions than for subjects with high compliance (p<0.05).

The researchers concluded that Nepalese soft CL wearers are at high risk of developing ocular complications due to high CL case and solution contamination. Frequent replacement of CL cases and solutions, as well as good compliance is recommended to reduce risk of contamination.

Panthi S, Paudel P, Chaudhary M, Sapkota K, Shah DN. Microbial contamination of contact lens care accessories and compliance with care regimens in Nepal. Cont Lens Anterior Eye. 2013 Jul 31.

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