Hydrogel Vision Corporation, makers of Extreme H2O soft contact lenses, announced the expansion of their 54% Toric LC product line with axis around-the-clock in 15° steps.
     Extreme H2O 54% Toric LC (low cylinder, 0.65D) is geared toward the 55% of astigmatic patients from 0.50D to 1.00D, according to the company. The lens was initially launched in 30° axis requiring fewer parameters, yet providing virtually the same vision as lenses within 10° axis. The expansion to 15° steps enables a more precise fit, while still requiring fewer parameters, enabling a quick fit. Lenses are currently available in the following axis: 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, 90, 105, 120, 135, 150, 165, 180.
     Free diagnostic sets of the Extreme H2O 54% Toric LC and MC lenses are available directly through Hydrogel Vision and through any of their authorized Extreme H2O distributors. Extreme H2O lenses are marketed exclusively through independent eye care providers via an industry first technology licensing and distribution agreement. For more information about Hydrogel Vision and Extreme H2O lenses, call 1-877-336-2482 or visit www.extreme-h2o.com.

On Wednesday, October 15, from 9:00-10:30 PM EDT, Vistakon will present an OD Wire webinar titled "Uncover, Unlock, and Capitalize on the Astigmatic Opportunity: Are You Ready?" The presentation will focus on unlocking the Astigmatic Opportunity, the opportunity to improve patient satisfaction and loyalty by offering contact lenses for astigmatic patients, through new research in these areas and will draw on the experience of successful contact lens practitioners. The company believes that this opportunity is unrealized and under-developed in many practices today. 
     Presenters Michael Slusky, OD, Sheila Hickson-Curran, MCOptom, FAAO, Director, Medical Affairs, Vistakon, and Thu Bang, MBA, Vistakon Marketing will discuss the Accelerated Stabilization Design of Acuvue Oasys for Astigmatism and the results this lens has shown in quick, successful fitting, and increased patient satisfaction. In addition to the lens design and research, they will discuss practice building tips, including the introduction of Acuminder In Office, to improve your astigmatic patients' experience.
     Space is limited. To register, please visit https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/970275832.  After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the Webinar.

Athletes, teens, part-time wearers, and those who are solution-sensitive, suffer from allergies or frequently travel are all great 1·DAY ACUVUE® MOIST™ Brand Contact Lens candidates. All these patient types and more can benefit from the long lasting comfort of LACREON™ technology, the convenience of fresh lenses every day and the protection of Class II UV blocking.* Improve the quality of life for more patients by prescribing 1·DAY ACUVUE® MOIST™ Brand. To learn more, go to:
*Important Product and UV Information | Important Safety Information
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UK based UltraVision is supporting an elite team of professional and retired England rugby stars and colleagues as they aim to conquer an immense challenge of cycling up and across and the length of the Pyrenees in eight consecutive days; Biarritz to Banyuls. The 933km challenge incorporates ascents totaling 20,000 meters, including the Col du Tourmalet, a steep 6,939 foot mountain pass and one of the main features of the Tour de France.
     The funds raised by the team will be supporting Bliss, a charity that provides support for premature babies, and the PRA Benevolent Fund, providing support for players who have retired from professional rugby due to serious injury or illness. The combined team is already well on their way to raising their target of over £250,000 in total for these worthy causes.
     UltraVision is the Official Contact Lens Supplier to the PRA, the representative body and collective voice of professional rugby union players in England.

CooperVision's Online Customer Service Center, known as MyCooperVision, has seen a significant increase in usage over the past year, now accounting for nearly 25 percent of CooperVision's annual direct revenue. MyCooperVision, which is available exclusively to practitioners, can be accessed through www.coopervision.com. It provides an easy way for eye care practitioners and their staff to order products and review account transactions online. The site also arms practitioners with contact lens information; fitting tools and techniques; and the latest news on CooperVision products, policies, and services. Currently, more than 32,000 eye care professionals are registered users of the website.
     According to the company, one of the most utilized features of MyCooperVision is CooperDirect, which is an online ordering and fulfillment program where contact lenses are shipped directly to patients. CooperVision offers no-charge shipping for orders placed through CooperDirect, as well as those shipped directly to the office, when four or more orders of multipacks are placed at a time. It can be used to fulfill both annual supplies and individual replacement lenses.
     MyCooperVision is one of the many resources that CooperVision offers practitioners as part of its "More than Meets the Eye" experience which encompasses tools they need for improving practice profitability, educating staff and patients, and taking advantage of continuing education opportunities. 

Join Contact Lens Spectrum and the Health Care Conference Group for the Global Specialty Lens Symposium (GSLS), January 15-18, 2009, at Bally's Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, NV. The GSLS will include presentations on the latest techniques and technologies for the successful management of ocular conditions - from presbyopia to pediatric vision correction - using today's specialty contact lenses. Truly an international meeting, GSLS will provide insights of experts from around the globe and hands-on access to the most current products available. The program will be accredited for continuing education under COPE, NCLE and JCAHPO, offering 17+ credit hours. 
     Visit www.GSLSymposium.com for more information or to register for this unique meeting. Companies interested in exhibiting should contact Sean Casey at 732-483-4302 or sean.casey@wolterskluwer.com.
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Overnight orthokeratology is becoming more and more popular especially in the Asia-Pacific region where the treatment is primarily used for myopic control in young children. Risk of complications in contact lens wear increases during overnight wear and may further increase when the treatment is used on children. The aim of this paper is to provide a comprehensive guideline for practitioners to improve their orthokeratology practice and minimize unnecessary or preventable complications.
     The fundamental requirement for starting an orthokeratology practice is to have proper education in the area and to equip the practice appropriately. Overnight trial fitting is recommended to confirm the physiological response prior to commencement of the treatment. Practitioners should provide adequate information, both oral and written, to patients before and after the commencement of treatment to avoid any legal dilemmas and to improve patients' compliance. Costs for the treatment should be transparent and provision of an emergency contact number is a must. Patients should be regularly recalled for aftercare visits and all communication with patients should be properly documented. In this paper, patient selection and the clinical procedures were discussed and a standard of practice in orthokeratology proposed.
     The authors believe that the key to providing a safe orthokeratology practice is to continually update knowledge in the field, and to practice to the highest professional standards.
Cho P, Cheung SW, Mountford J, White P. Good clinical practice in orthokeratology. Cont Lens Anterior Eye 2008;31:17-28.

There is currently significant debate within the industry, among researchers and among eyecare practitioners, about the role of corneal staining in the comfort, health and safety of our contact lens patients. In fact, it's difficult to avoid discussion of these topics, even if you want to. Most acknowledge that certain contact lens-care solution combinations can be associated with corneal staining, but others are quick to qualify this statement. What information related to this topic has most influenced your contact lens practices over the last few years, and what message has had the most impact? We strive to provide timely and useful information through our email and print media, and look to expand on topics related to this that will simplify this challenging yet important topic. Please share your comments with me and continue to send your thoughts, feedback, and tips to tips@CLtoday.com.
Jason J. Nichols, OD, MPH, PhD, FAAO

This month at www.siliconehydrogels.org: multipurpose solutions, one- and two-step peroxide solutions and the effect of continuous wear on epithelial barrier function.