ABO Formation Moves Forward
The American Optometric Association (AOA), the American Academy of Optometry (AAO), the American Optometric Student Association (AOSA), and the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO) have entered into a joint Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) regarding the formation and organization of the American Board of Optometry (ABO).
The AOA and other optometric organizations have worked on creating the ABO, which will establish and implement a process for board certification of optometrists. Special counsel engaged to form the ABO recommended the use of a MOU as the first step toward forming the entity and to establish the basic organizational and governance elements for the ABO.
The AOA has made two appointments for the ABO board of directors: David Cockrell, O.D., from Stillwater, Okla., and Paul Ajamian, O.D., from Atlanta, Ga. The Board of Directors of the Academy has appointed Past President Dr. Tom Lewis as the Academy's representative. David A. Heath O.D., president, State University of New York State College of Optometry, will be ASCO's representative to the ABO. The AOSA Executive Council appointed Dr. Mary Phillips as the student association's representative on the ABO board.
The Association of Regulatory Boards of Optometry (ARBO), however, said it was unable to sign the MOU. In a statement ARBO said, "The ARBO Board of Directors voted unanimously that it is unable to sign the Memorandum of Understanding distributed by the AOA to the various groups represented on the new ABO Board. This vote was taken after advice from ARBO legal counsel that to sign the MOU was in direct conflict with ARBO's mission as well as the resolutions passed at the ARBO House of Delegates Meeting in June of 2009. ARBO remains fully committed to the concept of demonstrating continued competence within our profession, and is very willing to continue to work with the ABO as appropriate for our organization's mission and responsibility to its Member Boards. We look forward to continued dialogue with the entire profession on how best to protect the public we serve."
The AOA and other optometric organizations have worked on creating the ABO, which will establish and implement a process for board certification of optometrists. Special counsel engaged to form the ABO recommended the use of a MOU as the first step toward forming the entity and to establish the basic organizational and governance elements for the ABO.
The AOA has made two appointments for the ABO board of directors: David Cockrell, O.D., from Stillwater, Okla., and Paul Ajamian, O.D., from Atlanta, Ga. The Board of Directors of the Academy has appointed Past President Dr. Tom Lewis as the Academy's representative. David A. Heath O.D., president, State University of New York State College of Optometry, will be ASCO's representative to the ABO. The AOSA Executive Council appointed Dr. Mary Phillips as the student association's representative on the ABO board.
The Association of Regulatory Boards of Optometry (ARBO), however, said it was unable to sign the MOU. In a statement ARBO said, "The ARBO Board of Directors voted unanimously that it is unable to sign the Memorandum of Understanding distributed by the AOA to the various groups represented on the new ABO Board. This vote was taken after advice from ARBO legal counsel that to sign the MOU was in direct conflict with ARBO's mission as well as the resolutions passed at the ARBO House of Delegates Meeting in June of 2009. ARBO remains fully committed to the concept of demonstrating continued competence within our profession, and is very willing to continue to work with the ABO as appropriate for our organization's mission and responsibility to its Member Boards. We look forward to continued dialogue with the entire profession on how best to protect the public we serve."
Study Findings Show Children Successful with Disposable Lenses
A high proportion of Singaporean children requiring vision correction are able to successfully wear daily disposable contact lenses over a three-month period, according to a new study. The research, following a similar protocol as the Contact Lens in Pediatrics (CLIP) study conducted in the United States, evaluated the safety, efficacy, and physiologic performance of daily disposable soft lenses in Singaporean children ages 8 to 12.
Fifty-three neophytes requiring visual correction in both eyes participated in this open-label, bilateral, three-month dispensing study, sponsored by Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc. Subjects were fit with 1-Day Acuvue or 1-Day Acuvue for Astigmatism (both Vistakon). The refractive inclusion criteria were plano to -9.00D with astigmatism of <2.00DC in both eyes, or hyperopia of +0.50 to +6.00D with astigmatism of 0.75D or less. The subjects underwent follow-up evaluations, which included a questionnaire for parents and subjects, at one-week, one-month, and three-months.
Researchers report that most subjects and parents preferred contact lenses to spectacles across a wide variety of aspects, including vision, comfort, handling, and appearance. Overall vision quality and comfort, and end-of-day comfort were graded significantly better at each of the follow-up visits compared with baseline with spectacles (P<0.0001). Most children also reported wanting to continue wearing contact lenses after the study.
"The findings from this study were largely in agreement with the U.S.-based CLIP study," says study co-author Kurt Moody, O.D., Director of Design, Research and Development, Vistakon, division of Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc. The findings appeared in the July issue of Eye & Contact Lens.
Fifty-three neophytes requiring visual correction in both eyes participated in this open-label, bilateral, three-month dispensing study, sponsored by Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc. Subjects were fit with 1-Day Acuvue or 1-Day Acuvue for Astigmatism (both Vistakon). The refractive inclusion criteria were plano to -9.00D with astigmatism of <2.00DC in both eyes, or hyperopia of +0.50 to +6.00D with astigmatism of 0.75D or less. The subjects underwent follow-up evaluations, which included a questionnaire for parents and subjects, at one-week, one-month, and three-months.
Researchers report that most subjects and parents preferred contact lenses to spectacles across a wide variety of aspects, including vision, comfort, handling, and appearance. Overall vision quality and comfort, and end-of-day comfort were graded significantly better at each of the follow-up visits compared with baseline with spectacles (P<0.0001). Most children also reported wanting to continue wearing contact lenses after the study.
"The findings from this study were largely in agreement with the U.S.-based CLIP study," says study co-author Kurt Moody, O.D., Director of Design, Research and Development, Vistakon, division of Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc. The findings appeared in the July issue of Eye & Contact Lens.
Specialty GP and Corneal Topography Workshop
A two-day specialty contact lens workshop will feature the latest GP advances including large diameter aspheric lenses, scleral lens designs, orthokeratology, asymmetrical back surface designs and corneal topography analysis. There are two locations to choose from: Vancouver, B.C., Canada, Oct. 23-24th, 2009 and Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Nov. 20-21st, 2009. These courses provide 10.5 hours of COPE approved CE by the Pacific University College of Optometry contact lens faculty. For more information, e-mail marg@ptsoptics.com or register at http://www.ptsoptics.com/workshop.aspx.
Two Join B&L Board
Bausch & Lomb has tapped two business leaders to join its board of directors.
R. Kerry Clark retired in September 2009 as chairman and chief executive officer of Cardinal Health, Inc. Under his leadership, Cardinal Health acquired numerous medical technologies that helped the company expand its service to hospitals, pharmacies and clinicians across the United States. Before his leadership at Cardinal Health, Mr. Clark spent more than 30 years at Procter & Gamble Co. He is currently a director of Textron, General Mills and Hauser Capital Partners.
Robert J. Palmisano is the president, chief executive officer and director of ev3 Inc., a leading global provider of technology for treating peripheral vascular disease and neurovascular diseases. Prior to ev3, Mr. Palmisano was president and chief executive officer for IntraLase Corp., which designed and developed laser products for vision correction, until IntraLase was acquired by Advanced Medical Optics, Inc. Mr. Palmisano has a long history with Bausch & Lomb, holding various executive positions within the company from 1985 to 1996.
R. Kerry Clark retired in September 2009 as chairman and chief executive officer of Cardinal Health, Inc. Under his leadership, Cardinal Health acquired numerous medical technologies that helped the company expand its service to hospitals, pharmacies and clinicians across the United States. Before his leadership at Cardinal Health, Mr. Clark spent more than 30 years at Procter & Gamble Co. He is currently a director of Textron, General Mills and Hauser Capital Partners.
Robert J. Palmisano is the president, chief executive officer and director of ev3 Inc., a leading global provider of technology for treating peripheral vascular disease and neurovascular diseases. Prior to ev3, Mr. Palmisano was president and chief executive officer for IntraLase Corp., which designed and developed laser products for vision correction, until IntraLase was acquired by Advanced Medical Optics, Inc. Mr. Palmisano has a long history with Bausch & Lomb, holding various executive positions within the company from 1985 to 1996.
Uncover the contact lens patients who are suffering silently
Your contact lens patients may be suffering in silence when it comes to comfort. Though 90% of patients state that they are satisfied with contact lenses,1 almost 1 in 5 contact lens wearers are considering dropping out.2 The primary reason? Discomfort.2 But there's hope. Just by asking the right questions, you can reveal those patients who are experiencing discomfort in their current contact lenses. And by recommending ACUVUE® OASYS™ Brand Contact Lenses, you can open their eyes to a new world of comfortable, healthy, contact lens wear!
$100 rebate for new wearers! Good when patients get an eye exam and purchase 8 boxes of ACUVUE® OASYS™ (spherical product only)
Visit jnjvisioncare.com/rebate for more details.
1. Contact Lens User and Engagement Study, Jan-Oct 2008 & US Government Census Data. 2. 2008 Gallup study of the consumer contact lens market.
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.
HYDRACLEAR Plus is our brand name for the next generation of our proprietary technology that allows us to use a higher volume of a moisture rich wetting agent in a state of the art formulation. This creates a more wettable, ultra smooth contact lens, especially for challenging environments that make eyes feel dry.
ACUVUE®, ACUVUE® OASYS, HYDRACLEAR, and VISTAKON are trademarks of Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.
Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc. 2009.
--ADVERTISING
$100 rebate for new wearers! Good when patients get an eye exam and purchase 8 boxes of ACUVUE® OASYS™ (spherical product only)
Visit jnjvisioncare.com/rebate for more details.
1. Contact Lens User and Engagement Study, Jan-Oct 2008 & US Government Census Data. 2. 2008 Gallup study of the consumer contact lens market.
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.
HYDRACLEAR Plus is our brand name for the next generation of our proprietary technology that allows us to use a higher volume of a moisture rich wetting agent in a state of the art formulation. This creates a more wettable, ultra smooth contact lens, especially for challenging environments that make eyes feel dry.
ACUVUE®, ACUVUE® OASYS, HYDRACLEAR, and VISTAKON are trademarks of Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.
Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc. 2009.
--ADVERTISING
New Punctal Occluder Introduced
Odyssey Medical is extending its dry eye options with the introduction of the Micro Flow Punctal Occluder. The Micro Flow punctal occluder is designed to provide a simple, reversible means of partial occlusion by limiting the drainage of tears into the lacrimal duct. It is intended for use in patients experiencing epiphora caused by a punctal stenosis or when total punctal occlusion is too aggressive. Available in three sizes (small, medium and large), the Micro Flow is packaged in a Sterile Pre-loaded (one pair per box) and Non-Sterile Bulk (five pair per box) configuration. For more information, visit www.odysseymed.com.
Ad Campaign Focuses on IOL
Bausch & Lomb is conducting a direct-to-consumer advertising campaign in nine U.S. media markets to educate baby boomers and seniors about Crystalens, the only FDA-approved accommodating intraocular lens (IOL). Television advertising featuring Crystalens will run on national cable networks in four New York markets: Albany, Rochester, Syracuse, and New York City. In addition, the ads will be seen in Las Vegas; Phoenix, Ariz.; Tucson, Ariz.; Tampa, Fla.; and West Palm Beach, Fla. National magazine advertising is also being utilized.
"We know that when many +55 patients find that they can reduce or eliminate the need for glasses or contacts after Crystalens surgery, they become very interested in learning more about it," said Amy Jacobs, director of Global Marketing for the Crystalens. The advertising campaign has generated a tenfold increase in traffic to the Web site, resulting in increased sales for Crystalens. For more information visit www.crystalens.com.
"We know that when many +55 patients find that they can reduce or eliminate the need for glasses or contacts after Crystalens surgery, they become very interested in learning more about it," said Amy Jacobs, director of Global Marketing for the Crystalens. The advertising campaign has generated a tenfold increase in traffic to the Web site, resulting in increased sales for Crystalens. For more information visit www.crystalens.com.
Global Specialty Lens Symposium, Jan. 28-31 2010, Ballys Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas
Plan now to attend the Global Specialty Lens Symposium in January 2010. With an expert international faculty and a CE-accredited agenda, the 2010 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.
--ADVERTISING
--ADVERTISING
Abstract: Managing Meesmann Dystrophy
This report describes a case of Meesmann dystrophy with unusually severe symptoms and punctate epithelial keratopathy managed with a therapeutic contact lens.
Meesmann dystrophy is a non-progressive autosomal dominant corneal epithelial dystrophy characterized by intraepithelial cysts, which is likely to be caused by an intraepithelial metabolic abnormality. Cases may be asymptomatic or be associated with symptoms of irritation, lacrimation, and photophobia. Palliative treatment includes ocular lubricants, cycloplegia, and therapeutic contact lenses. In severe cases, management with epithelial debridement, phototherapeutic keratectomy, and lamellar keratoplasty has been advocated. Most recently, the genetic and molecular basis of Meesmann dystrophy have been explored, and mutations in the genes encoding corneal epithelial keratins have been reported.
Jalbert I, Stapleton F. Management of Symptomatic Meesmann Dystrophy. Optom Vis Sci 2009
Meesmann dystrophy is a non-progressive autosomal dominant corneal epithelial dystrophy characterized by intraepithelial cysts, which is likely to be caused by an intraepithelial metabolic abnormality. Cases may be asymptomatic or be associated with symptoms of irritation, lacrimation, and photophobia. Palliative treatment includes ocular lubricants, cycloplegia, and therapeutic contact lenses. In severe cases, management with epithelial debridement, phototherapeutic keratectomy, and lamellar keratoplasty has been advocated. Most recently, the genetic and molecular basis of Meesmann dystrophy have been explored, and mutations in the genes encoding corneal epithelial keratins have been reported.
Jalbert I, Stapleton F. Management of Symptomatic Meesmann Dystrophy. Optom Vis Sci 2009
Editor's Commentary: Learning Potential
It is important that we all stay current in our field, and there are many ways to do this. One way is through some of the excellent meetings that take place each year. I've listed some potential meetings of interest for the remainder of this year and the first quarter of next year. This list is not exhaustive. If yours is not on the list, please e-mail us the details and we'll do our best to make sure we cover an announcement of it.
Vision Expo West - Sept. 30- Oct. 3 (2009), Las Vegas (USA)
East-West Eye Conference - Oct. 1-4 (2009), Cleveland (USA)
Orthokeratology Academy of American - Oct. 15-18, Phoenix (USA)
AAO (ophthalmology) - Oct. 24-27 (2009), San Francisco (USA)
CLMA - Nov. 6-8 (2009), San Antonio (USA)
AAO (optometry) - Nov. 11-14 (2009), Orlando (USA)
Optometric Management Symposium - Dec. 4-6 (2009), Orlando (USA)
Bronstein Symposium - Jan. 15-17 (2010), Scottsdale (USA)
Global Specialty Lens Symposium - Jan. 28-21 (2010), Las Vegas (USA)
SECO - Feb. 10-14 (2010), Atlanta (USA)
Heart of American Contact Lens Society - Feb. 12-14 (2010), Kansas City (USA)
NCC (Dutch Contact Lens Congress) - March 14-15 (2010), Veldhoven (Netherlands)
Vision Expo East - March 18-21 (2010), New York (USA)
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.
Report adverse contact lens reactions here: http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/medwatch/ or call (800) FDA-1088.
Report possible grievances related to the Fairness to Contact Lens Consumers Act or associated Contact Lens Rule at: https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/.
Report possible grievances related to the Fairness to Contact Lens Consumers Act or associated Contact Lens Rule at: https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/.
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