Vistakon, Division of Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc., and the American Optometric Foundation (AOF), announced recipients of the Vistakon Ezell Fellowship program and AOF- Vistakon Research Grants.
     The recipients of the Vistakon Ezell Fellowships are: Eric Ritchey, OD, MS, FAAO from The Ohio State University, College of Optometry, Ohio, and Vidhyapriya Sreenivasan, BSOptom, MSc from the University of Waterloo College of Optometry, Canada. Each will receive $8,000 toward their graduate education and $750 in travel grants to the annual meetings of the American Academy of Optometry and the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology. These are competitive fellowships with the recipients selected from a very talented applicant pool.
     The recipients of the $25,000 AOF-Vistakon Research Grant are Frank Anasrasopoulos, MSc and Carol Lakkis, BScOptom, PhD, FAAO from Clinical Vision Research Australia, Victorian College of Optometry, Australia, for their work on The Effect of Contact Lens Materials on Expression of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Virulence Factors. The $10,000 Grant went to Blanka Golebiowski, BOptom, PhD and Isabelle Jalbert, OD, PhD, FAAO from the School of Optometry and Vision Science, The University of New South Wales, Australia, for their work on Nerves and Neuropeptides in Contact Lens Related Dry Eye. These are highly competitive research awards with the awardees selected solely by the AOF from a record 24 qualified applicants.
     Vistakon is proud to have partnered with the AOF for over a decade, providing over one million dollars of support for scholarships, fellowships, and research grants. "Vistakon is the only member of the Foundation's Visionary Circle. As partners we are truly changing the future of optometry by supporting education and the advancement of research," said Mark A. Bullimore, MCOptom, PhD, FAAO, Development Director, American Optometric Foundation.

Abbott announced that it has completed its acquisition of privately held eye care company Visiogen, expanding the company's vision care business.
     Abbott's $400 million cash purchase of Visiogen boosts the company's presence in the vision care segment, which it entered in February 2009 with its acquisition of Advanced Medical Optics. "Visiogen immediately provides Abbott Medical Optics with a talented team of dedicated professionals and an entry point into the accommodating IOL market," said Jim Mazzo, Senior Vice President, Abbott Medical Optics. "The innovative Synchrony accommodating IOL expands our diverse portfolio of cataract treatments and allows Abbott the opportunity to help the more than 1 billion people worldwide suffering from presbyopia."
     Visiogen's Synchrony accommodating IOL is a significant advancement in artificial lens technology, according to the company. It is designed to mimic the eye's natural ability to change focus (accommodation), delivering improved vision at all distances, potentially eliminating the need for glasses or contact lenses, reducing glare and nighttime halos, and improving contrast sensitivity. Synchrony has been available commercially in Europe since January 2009. It is currently under review by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. 

CONNECT, a non-profit organization dedicated to creating and sustaining the growth of innovative technology and life science businesses in San Diego, announced SynergEyes, Inc., the high Dk hybrid contact lens manufacturer, as a finalist for its 22nd annual Most Innovative New Product (MIP) Award. SynergEyes was announced as a finalist for ClearKone, its patent-pending advanced hybrid contact lens design for keratoconus patients.
     ClearKone is the first hybrid contact lens with FDA-clearance specifically designed for patients with emerging, moderate to advanced stages of keratoconus. This hybrid design incorporates the benefits of two types of contact lenses into one. Per the company, the SynergEyes differentiator is a patented bonding technology which attaches the soft "skirt" to the RGP lens, providing for an improved and smooth connection that ensures no detachment.
     The CONNECT MIP Award finalists were selected from approximately 100 entries representing a broad range of companies within eight categories. Finalists were selected by industry experts and business leaders through a rigorous screening process. Winners will be announced on December 11th.
     For more information on ClearKone and SynergEyes visit www.synergeyes.com. 

Making a donation in lieu of a traditional holiday present is becoming more popular. Optometry Giving Sight is making it possible for people to give the gift of vision this holiday season by introducing an online Gift of Vision gift catalogue full of opportunities to give in a way that will really transform lives by addressing the needs of the millions of men, women and children who are blind or vision impaired simply because they do not have access to an eye exam and a pair of glasses. 
     The Gift of Vision program makes gift shopping quick and easy. First, go online to www.givingsight.org/giftofvision and choose your gift. Then, write a personalized message for the card your friend or relative will receive, which includes details of their gift. Optometry Giving Sight does the rest by sending the card and using your gift contribution to fund programs that deliver sustainable vision care services in the developing world. 
     Just $25 can provide an eye exam and pair of glasses for up to five people in countries with little or no access to quality vision care. A simple pair of glasses can eliminate the cycle of poverty by enabling children to go to school and parents to provide for their families.
     The Gift of Vision is not just for holiday giving. With a selection of cards for birthdays, weddings and Mother's/Father's Day, almost any occasion is right for a Gift of Vision.
     For more information visit www.givingsight.org/giftofvision, email usa@givingsight.org or call 1-888-OGS-GIVE. 

Younger patients have demonstrated compliance with contact lens replacement schedules and lens care. So it makes sense to introduce them to the most compliance-friendly contact lens modality, with single-use 1·DAY ACUVUE® MOIST® Brand Contact Lenses. In a recent study of approximately 500 myopic children ages 8 to 11 years old, children wearing contact lenses showed greater improvements in self-perception compared to children who continued to wear glasses.¹ These improvements were specifically seen in the areas of physical appearance, athletic competence, and acceptance among friends. In addition, children who disliked wearing glasses felt more confident in their schoolwork when they began wearing contact lenses. These results make it clear that fitting your younger patients in 1·DAY ACUVUE® MOIST® Brand Contact Lenses can truly make a difference!
Additional Information

1. Data on file. Johnson & Johnson, 2008.
     The level of maturity of each young patient and the degree of parental oversight and support should be taken into account in assessing whether the child can follow your recommended wear and care instructions and is a good candidate for contact lens wear.
     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.
     ACUVUE®, 1·DAY ACUVUE® MOIST® and VISTAKON® are trademarks of Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.
     © Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc. 2009.
--ADVERTISING

Internationally renowned ophthalmologists, optometrists and other eye care professionals met in Montreal to discuss the latest technologies and innovations in contact lenses and anterior segment science at the 2009 International Contact Lens Summit (ICLS). The event, sponsored by the Contact Lens Association of Ophthalmologists (CLAO), was held on September 24-26.
     The ICLS meeting was truly International in scope. In addition to CLAO, other major participating societies and associations included: Japan - Japan Contact Lens Society, Brazil - Sociedade Brasileira de Lentes de Contato, Europe  - European Contact Lens Society of Ophthalmologists and Asia Pacific - Asia Pacific Contact Lens Association of Ophthalmologists.
     Dr. Michael Goldstein, CLAO Scientific Program Chair observed that the ICLS curriculum was comprehensive and noted "We developed a unique course schedule that challenged participants with new ideas and concepts in an interesting and thought provoking environment." The CLAO ERF Keynote Lectureship entitled "Ocular Surface Disease" was given by Kelly Nichols, OD, PhD and the ICLS Keynote Lectureship entitled "Past, Present and Future of Contact Lenses" was given by Brien A. Holden, OD, PhD. The Oliver H. Dabezies Jr. Lectureship entitled "Multipurpose Contact Lens Solutions: Fact or Folly?" was given by H. Dwight Cavanagh, MD, PhD, and the Harold A. Stein Lectureship entitled "Update on Keratoconus and Its Management" was given by Florence Malet, MD.
     Two symposia at the ICLS were named In Memoriam for two former CLAO Members. The "New Uses for Contact Lenses Including Contact Lens Delivery of Medications" Symposium was named in memory of J. Pat Cummings, OD, FAAO and the "What's New in Dry Eye" Symposium was named in memory of Jeffrey P. Gilbard, MD. 

Auxano Diagnostics, LLC, a subsidiary of Auxano Biomedical, LLC, announced the application of the company's breakthrough wound care technology to the treatment of dry eye syndrome (DES) with the Auxano point-of-care indicator system. Brian Windsor, PhD, Chief Technical Officer for Auxano Biomedical, said, "We are excited that the advances of our wound care technology can be applied to the treatment of DES and other ophthalmic diseases. Our point-of-care indicator system has the potential to provide earlier and more accurate guidance to millions of DES sufferers."
     Auxano's system is a rapid point-of-care diagnostic indicator for ophthalmic inflammatory diseases and has the potential to provide for accurate indications of DES within minutes, according to the company. The company has developed a similar point-of-care product for wound care that is based on the efficient and accurate detection of active enzymes in biological samples. This MMP indicator is in clinical trials through a partnership with a global technology company with the expectation of a CE mark in December 2009, followed by FDA 510(k) approval.
     Auxano's primary focus is the adaptation, optimization and commercialization of the existing technology for acute and chronic inflammatory diseases of the eye, in particular, dry eye syndrome. Initial data indicates positive results for detecting physiologically relevant MMP levels in dry eye syndrome.
     Auxano Diagnostics and Auxano Biomedical are portfolio companies of Emergent Technologies, Inc. For more information on Emergent Technologies, Inc., visit www.etibio.com.

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

NovaBay Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced that the company has named Mark Anderson, PhD as chief scientific officer, a new position for the company.
     "We are adding Mark to our team at a critical time as our partnerships with Alcon and Galderma gather significant clinical momentum and our already robust internal pipeline continues to expand," said Ron Najafi, PhD, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NovaBay.
     Dr. Anderson's credentials include over 17 years of successfully leading research and development programs. He holds numerous patents, patent applications and publications to his credit. Prior to joining NovaBay, he has held senior positions at Myriad Genetics, Elitra Pharmaceuticals, Pfizer-Agouron and Ligand-Glycomed. Dr. Anderson holds a doctorate from Purdue University, and completed postdoctoral studies in chemical biology at Harvard University.
     "It is an honor to be working with this accomplished scientific team," commented Dr. Anderson. "NovaBay's Aganocide compounds offer the potential to significantly impact the widespread and growing problem of drug resistance to bacterial, viral and fungal infections. I look forward to beginning my work to further expand the already impressive portfolio of product candidates."

The purpose of this study was to investigate static upper eyelid pressure and contact with the ocular surface in a group of young adult subjects.
     Static upper eyelid pressure was measured for 11 subjects using a piezoresistive pressure sensor attached to a rigid contact lens. Measures of eyelid pressure were derived from an active pressure cell (1.14 mm square) beneath the central upper eyelid margin. To investigate the contact region between the upper eyelid and ocular surface, we used pressure sensitive paper and the lissamine-green staining of Marx's line. These measures combined with the pressure sensor readings were used to derive estimates of eyelid pressure.
     The mean contact width between the eyelids and ocular surface estimated using pressure sensitive paper was 0.60 +/- 0.16 mm, while the mean width of Marx's line was 0.09 +/- 0.02 mm. The mean central upper eyelid pressure was calculated to be 3.8 +/- 0.7 mmHg (assuming that the whole pressure cell was loaded), 8.0 +/- 3.4 mmHg (derived using the pressure sensitive paper imprint widths) and 55 +/- 26 mmHg (based on contact widths equivalent to Marx's line).
     The researchers concluded that the pressure sensitive paper measurements suggest that a band of the eyelid margin, significantly larger than the anatomical zone of the eyelid margin known as Marx's line, has primary contact with the ocular surface. Using these measurements as the contact between the eyelid margin and ocular surface, we believe that the mean pressure of 8.0 +/- 3.4 mmHg is the most reliable estimate of static upper eyelid pressure.
Shaw AJ, Collins M, Davis B, Carney L. Eyelid pressure and contact with the ocular surface. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2009.

We have certainly known for a long-time that lid apposition (to the globe) is an important aspect in contact lens fitting, particularly with certain GP contact lens designs. Lid apposition may also generally relate to friction between the palpebral conjunctiva and the contact lens or ocular surface. The abstract this week provides new insights into these old ideas, using some novel technologies. It will be interesting to see how application of this technology will help us better understand what happens under different circumstances such as with different materials or in dry eye conditions.
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.