Vistakon Names Olivares Director of Professional Education and Lakkis as Clinical Research Fellow
Vistakon has named Giovanna E. Olivares, OD, FAAO, Director, Professional Education, responsible for developing strategies for the implementation of the company's professional educational programs.
Dr. Olivares joined Vistakon in 2004 as Manager of the R&D Design Clinical Research Group, where she led a multidisciplinary group overseeing the clinical development of new products, including Acuvue Oasys for Astigmatism. Her team also developed novel methodologies and equipment to test vision and to measure patients' contact lens user experience.
Before joining Vistakon, Dr. Olivares was a practicing optometrist. She also served as the Director of Professional Affairs and Clinical Development at Unilens Corporation and was an Assistant Professor at the State University of New York College of Optometry.
Vistakon also named Carol Lakkis, BScOptom., PhD, Clinical Research Fellow, Contact Lens Products, responsible for research and development of innovative new products.
Dr. Lakkis brings nearly two decades of clinical research experience to the position. She joins Vistakon from Clinical Vision Research Australia at the Australia College of Optometry where she served as Research Director. Prior, Dr. Lakkis held several positions in the Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences at the University of Melbourne as well as positions at the School of Optometry at the University of California at Berkeley.
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Academy for Eyecare Excellence Continues To Expand Its Online Education Offerings
The CIBA Vision Academy for Eyecare Excellence has expanded its professional education programs with sixteen new online learning modules. The modules cover both advanced and basic topics, ranging from multifocal soft lens fitting to ocular anatomy. Selected modules are designated for the eye care practitioner and others are designed for staff members.
Over the next few months, more clinical content will be added to include modules that cover corneal staining, contact lens induced dry eye and lens care. Additional business and management content will also be added and include patient communication strategies, business simulation exercises and guidance on how to maintain patient loyalty.
For more information, visit www.cibavisionacademy.com/us.
1-800 Contacts Announces "Free Contacts for Life" Sweepstakes Promotion
1-800 Contacts' "Free Contacts for Life" sweepstakes will reward winners with all the contact lenses they will need for life, without any special clauses or criteria other than maintaining a valid contact lens prescription.
The promotion kicked off September 9 with full media support. The promotion also includes a referral component. If a participating customer refers a friend or family member into the sweepstakes and that referred friend wins, the referring customer also wins. One to two winners will be chosen daily throughout the September.
Contestants can enter online. Phone and web customers will also be entered automatically when they order during September.
Global Specialty Lens Symposium, January 27-30, 2011, Paris Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas
Plan now to attend the Global Specialty Lens Symposium in January 2011. With an expert international faculty and a CE-accredited agenda, the 2011 GSLS will include insightful presentations by experts in the field, hands-on demonstrations of cutting-edge products as well as scientific papers and posters. Look for more detailed information in future issues of Contact Lens Spectrum and online at www.GSLSymposium.com.
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ISTA Initiates Phase 3 Clinical Program for Remura in Dry Eye Disease
ISTA Pharmaceuticals, Inc. has initiated a Phase 3 clinical program of ISTA's proprietary formulation of Remura (bromfenac ophthalmic solution for dry eye) for alleviating the signs and symptoms of dry eye disease. The Phase 3 efficacy studies are being conducted under a Special Protocol Assessment (SPA) agreed upon with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
ISTA plans to conduct four randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled Phase 3 studies. The recently initiated Phase 3 studies will evaluate the efficacy and safety of bromfenac in two simultaneous studies operating under a common protocol in approximately 1000 patients with mild or moderate dry eye disease. The multi-center trials will be conducted at more than 30 sites in the U.S. Two concentrations of bromfenac (both lower than the currently marketed Xibrom (bromfenac ophthalmic solution 0.09%), will be dosed in addition to placebo. Patients will be randomized at a ratio of 1:1:1 to receive either bromfenac or placebo in both eyes twice daily and will be evaluated over the course of 42 days. For both efficacy studies, the objective sign of conjunctival staining will be measured using the lissamine green test and subjective symptoms will be measured using the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI). ISTA anticipates reporting results in the middle of 2011.
The two remaining Phase 3 safety studies are the subject of additional SPAs currently under review by the FDA. The Company expects to conduct a six-month and a twelve-month safety study and anticipates it will initiate one or both of these studies later this year, subject to reaching agreement with the FDA on the SPAs.
This month at www.siliconehydrogels.org: the results of the 2009 International Contact Lens Prescribing Survey, the impact of UV-absorbing silicone hydrogel lenses, fitting silicone hydrogels for patients with sub-optimal endothelial cell function, and our synopsis of silicone hydrogels at the 2009 American Academy of Optometry meeting.
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