CONTACT LENSES TODAY
October 22, 2006
Contact Lenses Today® is edited by Dr. Joseph T. Barr and the staff of Contact Lens Spectrum. This week CLToday® reaches more
than 12,000 readers in 74 countries.
Study Identifies Receptor that Enables Clear Cornea
A team of international researchers found the cornea stays clear by expressing a soluble form of a receptor that traps factors enabling
growth of vision-obstructing blood vessels, VEGFR-1. When levels of this protein are low, blood vessels begin to form in the eye, impairing vision. The cornea’s lack of
blood vessels has been perplexing researchers because the cornea contains vast amount of VEGF-A, which promotes blood vessel growth. VEGFR-1 is produced in the cornea
and absorbs VEGF-A. Dr. Balamurali K. Ambati, the study’s lead author, says, “If we understand what keeps the cornea avascular in the first place, that will hopefully
help us restore it when [the cornea] is breached.”
Researchers believe therapies that boost levels of VEGFR-1 could prevent the formation of blood
vessels, a component in the spread of cancer and the cause of macular degeneration. They are now focused on understanding how the body produces the protein and how to
deliver a synthesized version of it into the eye with drops. They’ve already studied the impact of the drops in small animal studies.
Coastal Contacts Acquires Asian Distributor
Internet retailer Coastal Contacts announced this week that it has acquired AsianZakka Pte. Ltd., the second largest online distributor of
contact lenses in Asia. The company operates through several web portals in the region. Roger Hardy, President and CEO
of Coastal says, “Japan alone is the second largest contact
lens market in the world and other countries in the region such as Korea, China and India represent significant business opportunities.”
Study Weighs Risks and Benefits of Seafood
A recent report from the National Institute of Medicine
(NIM) reviews scientific evidence of seafood’s benefits and risks and offers examples of
how such information might be presented better to the public. The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
requested the IOM convene a 12-member committee to produce the “Seafood Choices: Balancing Risks and Benefits” report.
Seafood contributes a
variety of nutritional benefits to the American diet. They are a source of protein, calcium, iodine, copper, zinc and omega-3 fatty acids. Some nutrients may also affect
bioavailability, toxico-dynamics and target-organ transport and so, affect the toxicological response to certain compounds. However, contamination of marine resources is a
concern because of the potential for adverse health effects. Human exposure to toxic compounds through seafood can be managed by making choices that provide desired
nutrients balanced against risk exposure to such compounds. Such information was not previously available.
“Seafood Choices: Balancing Risks and
Benefits,” consolidates information on both risks and benefits for sensitive population groups and addresses all segments of the population. To download a copy of the
report and read the specific population guidelines, visit
http://iom.edu/CMS/3788/23788/37679.aspx.
To help clarify these issues, Environmental Defense has several
downloadable tools in which consumers can find seafood information, including a Seafood Selector, fish oil supplement chart, a list of best and worst seafood choices and a
chart of consumption advisories based on over 80 data sets on seafood contaminants
from http://www.environmentaldefense.org.
Patients Report Comfort, Crisp
Vision with ACUVUE® OASYS™
What are contact lens wearers saying about the ACUVUE® OASYS™ Brand Contact Lenses with HYDRACLEAR™ Plus? In a recent study, 92% of patients
reported the ACUVUE® OASYS™ Brand Contact Lenses felt fresh and maintained natural moisture in adverse environments. 74% reported comfort while on the computer
and 83% said they forgot they were wearing contact lenses when wearing the ACUVUE® OASYS™ Brand. And, 80% reported that ACUVUE® OASYS™ felt as natural
as their own eyes. Also, 90% of patients reported crisp, clear vision at every moment.
--ADVERTISING
Global
Keratoconus Congress 2007
Register now for the first-ever Global Keratoconus Congress to be held January 26-28, 2007 in Las Vegas. This meeting will be hosted at Bally’s on the Las
Vegas Strip. Please visit http://www.gkc2007.com. There you will find the most up-to-date educational program agenda and information
on hotel accommodations, as well as the ability to register for the event.
--ADVERTISING
Check Yearly and Reading is Fundamental Promote Eye Exams
In an effort to educate parents about the importance of vision care for children, Check Yearly and Reading is Fundamental (RIF) last month
distributed vision health kits to librarians. The groups distributed over 40,000 kits to public librarians, elementary school librarians and RIF volunteers. Within a
month, they received requests for an additional 2.4 million educational materials from librarians across the country. The kit includes a poster of
the “Here Kitty, Kitty,” public service advertisement and a "Dewey Decimal Scavenger Hunt," an educational activity that combines vision health education and use of the
Dewey decimal system. There’s also a “Parents’ Guide to Reading Success for Children,” which can be photocopied and distributed to parents.
For
more information or to obtain a copy of the kit, visit http://www.checkyearly.com.
Eyefinity Integrates with Insight Software
Eyefinity announced the integration of its web-based services with Insight Software L.L.C.’s My Vision Express business management and
point-of-purchase software. My Vision Express customers can now access Eyefinity’s online tools and services such as VSP claim filing, online product and lab ordering,
online continuing education courses and access to practice management information resources.
Abstract:
Relative Cytosensitivity to Multipurpose Solutions
A recent study conducted at King Saud University’s College of Applied Medical Sciences Department of Optometry investigated the relative
ocular lens cytosensitivity to three multipurpose solutions; Opti-Free Express (Alcon), ReNu MultiPlus (B&L) and Complete Comfort Plus (Allergan). Researchers used lens culture
and resazurin microplate assay method to compare cell viability levels of cultured bovine lenses. They obtained pre- and post-exposure fluorescence emission levels of
the lenses and compared them with baseline and control measures.
They found that Opti-Free Express and ReNu MultiPlus solutions exhibited more cytosensitive effect
compared with Complete Comfort Plus. They conclude that the resazurin assay and lens culture would be a reliable system for in vitro investigation of the effect of
contact lens solutions and other ophthalmic formulations on ocular tissue.
Oriowo MO. A fluorometric study of relative ocular lens cytosensitivity to multipurpose contact lens solutions using the resazurin assay method. Toxicol In
Vitro. 2006 Dec;20(8):1548-54. Epub 2006 Jul.
Editor's Commentary:
Continuing Education
I read a lot about our field. In the last week, I've learned how the cornea stays clear (see our first story). And also that fish is
good (see story about seafood). I knew that.
I’ve also learned that if you overestimate how long patients wear contact lenses, you’ll also
overestimate how many will have a contact lens infection. And, I re-learned how many children don't get eye examinations … again.
We talk
about how silicone hydrogel contact lens wear is up and that's great. And we’re always hearing about the great contact lens prescription legal debate. But I still
don't understand two things; Why can't kids get their eyes examined, and when will baby aphakes have
the lens they deserve?
We all know some kids
who haven't had an eye exam. This weekend, vow to get them scheduled for one. I know I will.
Fitting Tip:
More on Generic Solutions
One of my patients buys generic contact lens solutions all the time and, as suggested in Yesterday’s
CLToday Fitting Tip of the Month, I
advised her that she was taking a risk and explained that private label solutions can change from month to month. She said she always knows exactly what she is getting
because she reads the patent numbers on the box or bottle of solution. I checked this out and she is right. Generic solutions have the patent numbers of the big name
product on the bottle. So the patient can indeed buy generic and stay with the specific solution I recommend, as well as save some money.
Stephen
Byrnes, O.D., F.A.A.O.
Londonderry, N.H.
This month at http://www.siliconehydrogels.org, learn more about the new silicone hydrogel materials and develop an
understanding of piggyback lens systems.
Report adverse contact lens reactions here: http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/medwatch/ or
call (800) FDA-1088.
Access a reporting form for complications you've seen that were a result of contact lenses dispensed without a valid
prescription at the Association of Regulatory Boards of Optometry's (ARBO's) Web
site: http://www.arbo.org/arbo.asp?dt=R&doc=Complications. Complete and send the form online or print
it out and fax it to (866) 886-6164.
Send your favorite tips to tips@cltoday.com -- if your tip is
selected as 'Best of the Month,' you'll receive a free
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