CIBA Vision is introducing expanded parameters for its Air Optix for Astigmatism lens, now available in the -2.25 cylinder power from plano to -6.00D. In addition, the -1.25 and -1.75 cylinder powers are now available in high minus powers (-6.50D to -9.00D). CIBA Vision plans to expand the parameter range for Air Optix for Astigmatism even further in the future to include plus powers.
     Air Optix for Astigmatism lenses combine the Precision Balance 8|4 design with a highly breathable silicone hydrogel material. According to the company, Air Optix for Astigmatism allows over five times more oxygen through the lens compared to the leading low Dk/t hydrogel toric lenses. The lenses, recommended for monthly replacement, are approved for daily wear and up to six nights of extended wear. Air Optix for Astigmatism lenses are made of lotrafilcon B, and have a Dk/t of 108 @ -3.00D, -1.75D x 180. They are available from plano to -6.00D in 0.25D steps, with cylinder powers of -0.75D, -1.25D, -1.75D and -2.25D, and from -6.50D to -9.00D in 0.50D steps in -1.25D and -1.75D cylinder powers. The lenses have a diameter of 14.5 mm, a base curve of 8.7 mm, and feature a blue handling tint.
     For more information, visit www.cibaVision.com. 

Optometry Giving Sight has named Vic Connors, OD as CEO of the global fundraising organization in the United States. Dr. Connors will also remain as Chair of the National Committee in the United States and as a member of Optometry Giving Sight's Global Board. He is the Immediate Past President of the World Council of Optometry, and is a Past President of the AOA and the Wisconsin Optometric Association.
     Dr. Connors fills a position held on an interim basis by Clive Miller, Global Deputy CEO of Optometry Giving Sight. Miller will continue to manage the strategic marketing and development of the global organization.
     The National Committee of Optometry Giving Sight in the United States also welcomes new members. The Committee, chaired by Dr. Connors, now includes: Barry Weiner, private optometrist, as Deputy Chair; Larry Hookway, President, VOSH International; Rick Weisbarth, Past President American Academy of Optometry and Vice President, Global Head, Professional Development and Partnerships, CIBA Vision; Jan Cooper, CHSI Optometrist, Trustee, California Optometric Association; and Paul Karpecki, researcher, educator and author.
     Professor Brien Holden, Global Chair of Optometry Giving Sight, is stepping down from the U.S. National Committee. For more information about Optometry Giving Sight visit www.givingsight.org or call 1888 OGS GIVE. 

RegeneRx Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. announced that its ophthalmic drug candidate, RGN-259, was used to treat four neurotrophic keratitis patients with non-healing eye ulcers caused primarily by the herpes zoster virus under a "Compassionate Use" IND (Investigational New Drug application). RGN-259 is a sterile eye drop formulation of TB4 being developed by RegeneRx for use in treating ophthalmic wounds and related disorders.
     Dr. Steven Dunn, a corneal specialist and the sponsor/principal investigator of the IND, utilized RGN-259 to treat the corneal ulcers that had not healed for at least six weeks and in some cases several months, despite all standard treatments. According to the company, in all four patients, the eye ulcers either completely healed or demonstrated significant improvement by treatment day 28, the maximum treatment period allowed under the clinical protocol. The patients were followed for an additional 30 days post-treatment. The results showed that completely healed ulcers remained healed and those that had demonstrated significant improvement continued to improve after treatment by RGN-259 was stopped. RGN-259 was well-tolerated and there were no drug-related adverse events, per the company's announcement.  

Bausch & Lomb (B&L) announced that the company will sponsor the registration fee for North American Cornea and Contact Lens Residents to attend the upcoming Global Specialty Lens Symposium. B&L is a platinum level sponsor of the meeting which will be held in Las Vegas, January 15-18, 2009.
     By attending this meeting, residents will have a unique opportunity to interact with industry leaders and colleagues and receive education on the latest products and procedures relating to specialty contact lenses. Topics include:
  · Contact Lenses for Pediatrics and Adolescents
  · Myopia Management with Contact Lenses
  · Management of Keratoconus and Irregular Astigmatism
  · Large Corneal and Scleral Lens Designs for Keratoconus
  · Management of Presbyopia
  · Management of Astigmatism and Other Refractive Errors and Ocular conditions 
  · Lens Care and Compliance
     B&L will also host a private luncheon for the residents on Friday, January 16 at the Bally's Hotel. For more information and to register for the meeting, visit www.gslsymposium.com. 

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Allen Hwang, a former marketing executive at Procter & Gamble (P&G) and Pabst Brewing Company has been named Chief Marketing Officer at 1-800 CONTACTS. The company also announced that Dave Walker, Vice President of Operations, has received additional executive duties.
     Hwang most recently held the position of Vice President of Marketing. He now assumes greater marketing responsibilities including new initiatives associated with one of the country's largest retailers. In that capacity, Hwang will lead a major integration effort involving the company's phone and web services. He held brand management positions at The Gambrinus Company and P&G and was Director of Marketing at Pabst Brewing Company.
     Walker was given additional executive responsibilities associated with one of the company's major retail partners. This new assignment is in addition to Walker's ongoing responsibilities managing the company's call center, distribution center and verification department. 

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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A variety of approaches are available for cleaning, rinsing, disinfecting and storing reusable soft contact lenses. As demonstrated in this report of the results of annual UK prescribing surveys conducted over the past 12 years, there has been a steady increase in the use of multi-purpose solutions, which in 2007 represented 93% of all lens care systems prescribed. This increase is attributed to factors such as simplicity, reduced cost and enhanced compliance with these products. The apparent reversal of this trend in 2008 is probably due to an undermining of patient and practitioner confidence in multi-purpose solutions relating to withdrawals of some multi-purpose solutions from the market, and controversies concerning corneal staining with some lens-solution combinations.
Efron N, Morgan PB. Soft contact lens care regimens in the UK. Cont Lens Anterior Eye Nov 2008 (Epub ahead of print).

It is our tradition to provide an annual report in the January issue of Contact Lens Spectrum to summarize the events of the last year in the field of contact lenses. Topics we usually discuss include trends in the industry, changes in lens materials or designs, formulations, and indications, as well as major newsworthy events. This annual report is of course not exhaustive, but it is broad and comprehensive in nature. We also traditionally select an "Event of the Year" which is difficult to do, but we choose something we consider to be the landmark issue or event that has had or will have a major impact on our field. I would like to know your nominations for "Event of the Year." What events or issues occurred in 2008 that you consider to be critical to our field? Please send your thoughts and feedback to tips@CLtoday.com.
Jason J. Nichols, OD, MPH, PhD, FAAO

This month at www.siliconehydrogels.org: factors affecting patient comfort, lens-solution staining, part two of our ARVO 2008 synopsis, and silicone allergies - fact or fabrication?