CONTACT LENSES TODAY
December 2, 2007
Contact Lenses Today® is edited by Dr. Carla Mack and the staff of Contact Lens Spectrum. This week CLToday® reaches more than 14,000 readers in 74 countries.
CIBA Vision and CooperVision Settle Global Patent Dispute
CIBA Vision, the eye care unit of Novartis, and CooperVision, Inc., the contact lens unit of The Cooper Companies, Inc., have reached a final global patent litigation settlement with which resolves all current patent infringement lawsuits between the two companies.
CooperVision had alleged that CIBA Vision infringed patented technologies relating to the edge design and rotational stabilization of contact lenses while CIBA Vision alleged that CooperVision infringed patented technologies relating to silicone hydrogel contact lenses. Under the terms of the settlement, the companies have agreed to cross license rights to these patents, as well as certain other patent rights. This settlement includes CooperVision paying a royalty on its net U.S. contact lens sales of Biofinity until 2014 and on net sales outside of the United States until 2016. CIBA Vision has licensed two patent families from CooperVision related to contact lens designs. Further terms of the agreement are confidential.
CLMA Presents Annual Awards
At the Contact Lens Manufacturers Association 46th Annual Meeting, the organization presented the following awards: Honorary Recognition Award to Charley Creighton, in appreciation for a lifetime of dedication and service to the contact lens industry; Industry Enhancement Award to Dr. Eef van der Worp, for unselfish dedication to the CLMA and the contact lens industry; Trailblazer Award to Jim Drain, for outstanding achievement in product development to the enhancement of the contact lens industry and GP Practitioner of the Year to Dr. Robert Grohe, for outstanding professional expertise in fitting GP contact lenses to the benefit of the contact lens industry and corneal health.
CIBA Vision Launches FreshLook Color Studio Website
Now patients can “try on” FreshLook colors and effects even before they get to their eye care professionals’ office. FreshLook Color Studio, a new section of www.freshlookcontacts.com, an on-line tool that allows patients to upload their photo, select the FreshLook color they’d like to see on their eyes and then view their new look. This simplifies the color selection process and can help save chair time for practices by allowing patients to try the different colors and effects, change their eye color in subtle or dramatic ways and pre-select their favorite look. Additionally, patients can even print their favorite look on a free trial certificate (free trial does not include professional fees or eye examination), that they can bring to their next eye care professional visit.
To build patient awareness, practices can place a link to the FreshLook Color Studio on their practice website, or even provide access to the site in the waiting area of the practice.
Alcon Publishes First Corporate Giving Report
Alcon Laboratories, Inc. recently published its first annual Corporate Giving Summary titled A Legacy of Passion, which details Alcon’s dedication to enhancing, protecting and restoring sight for people worldwide.
Over the past three years Alcon has contributed $123 million in financial and product support to global charitable organizations and programs for improving patient care, aiding global eye health, supporting U.S. communities and advancing eye health and education. The company also has a Global Medical Mission Program through which Alcon donates pharmaceutical products and surgical equipment to countries in need and supports more than 1,100 medical missions a year. Alcon was also an early and continued supporter of ORBIS and works with Caribbean Mercy ships.
Alcon collaborates with eye care physicians and domestic organizations to help prevent blindness and educate individuals about their eye health. On a local level, the report indicates that the company places strong emphasis on employee volunteerism and local-area giving.
Explore Patient Satisfaction Beyond the Chair
Your patients demand clear, stable vision through all types of activities, plus comfort that lasts all day. Meet their needs and build satisfaction with ACUVUE ADVANCE® Brand Contact Lenses for ASTIGMATISM. Accelerated Stabilization Design offers stability, regardless of head position or gaze, and harnesses positive lid interaction to stabilize the lens quickly. Could you satisfy more astigmatic patients and build your practice with ACUVUE ADVANCE® for ASTIGMATISM?
More About ACUVUE ADVANCE® for ASTIGMATISM
Important Safety Information
--ADVERTISING
Richard A. Meier Named President of Advanced Medical Optics
Advanced Medical Optics, Inc. (AMO) announced that Richard (Randy) A. Meier has been named president of the company. He retains his existing chief operating officer title and responsibilities, which include leadership of the company's eye care and cataract/implant businesses, global customer services and manufacturing operations. The title of president at AMO was previously held by James V. Mazzo who remains the company's chairman and chief executive officer.
VCA Report Shows Millions May Be Driving with Uncorrected Visual Impairments
Among Americans behind the wheel this holiday season will be some of the 11 million with uncorrected vision problems. Depending upon where those drivers live, their last DMV-required vision screening could have been eighteen years ago and some may never have had one at all, according to a report by the Vision Council of America (VCA).
While most states have consistent laws on seat belt safety, helmet use and speeding, there is no consistency with vision screenings among states.
The VCA report, "Keeping Our Eyes on the Road," reviewed vision screening laws across the country. While some states require vision screenings every time drivers renew their licenses, other drivers can wait as long as 18 years before they are required to have their eyes re-checked. Nine states do not require vision screening at all upon license renewal. In the absence of standards for vision screenings, drivers have to be especially aware of their own responsibility to maintain good vision.
Run for Vision Nets Record Participation and Proceeds for the EBAA
The 2007 Bausch & Lomb Run for Vision, held during American Academy of Ophthalmology in New Orleans, attracted a record 253 participants and contributed more than $12,500 in proceeds to the Eye Bank Association of America (EBAA).
The EBAA is a not-for-profit organization of eye banks dedicated to the restoration of sight through the promotion and advancement of eye banking. The oldest transplant association in the United States, the EBAA is a nationally recognized accrediting body for eye banks. Since 1961, EBAA member banks have restored sight to nearly one million individuals. For more information, visit
http://www.restoresight.org/ .
B&L Names A. Robert D. Bailey Corporate Vice President and General Counsel
Bausch & Lomb has named A. Robert D. Bailey corporate vice president and general counsel. Bailey was most recently vice president, assistant general counsel and assistant secretary for the company. Bailey replaces Robert B. Stiles who has announced his intention to retire from Bausch & Lomb in 2008.
Global Keratoconus Congress 2007
Register now for the second Global Keratoconus Congress to be held January 25-27, 2008 in Las Vegas. This meeting will be hosted at Bally's on the Las Vegas Strip. Please visit http://www.GKCongress.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.
Companies interested in exhibiting should contact Heather Seasholtz at 215-643-8073.
--ADVERTISING
Abstract:
GP Contact Lenses and Severe Higher-Order Aberrations in Postsurgical Corneas
Even in the absence of significant residual refractive error, patients can be highly symptomatic after corneal refractive surgery. The presence of glare, halos, monocular polyopia, and loss of contrast are principally caused by the presence of higher-order aberrations. In this study private practitioners in Texas investigated the efficacy of rigid gas-permeable contact lenses in reducing these higher-order aberrations.
In a prospective study, 20 eyes of 10 consecutive, highly symptomatic patients who had undergone refractive surgery were fitted with semiscleral rigid gas-permeable lenses (Macrolenses). The most successful lens design for each patient was evaluated by using ray-tracing aberrometry (iTrace). The results showed the cohort had a mean uncorrected visual acuity of 20/30 and a mean best spectacle-corrected visual acuity of 20/25. The mean visual acuity with the treatment lenses was 20/20. The contact lenses reduced the combined higher-order aberrations by a mean of 65% (range, 30%-77%), combined coma by 71% (range, 39%-93%), spherical aberration by 82% (range, 41%-100%), and trefoil by 44% (range, 90% reduction to 727% increase). Multiple linear regression showed a high correlation with preoperative levels of myopia and mesopic pupil area as independent variables and postoperative spherical aberration as the dependent variable (R = 0.82, SE = 0.09, F = 31.08, P<0.0001).
The authors concluded that rigid gas-permeable contact lenses were shown to reduce elevated total higher order aberrations to normal levels in all of these cases following corneal refractive surgery. The mean reduction was 66% for total higher order aberrations and 83% for spherical aberration. Correlation was shown between high preoperative refractive error and pupil size in relation to postoperative spherical aberration.
Gemoules G, Morris KM.Rigid gas-permeable contact lenses and severe higher-order aberrations in postsurgical corneas. Eye Contact Lens. 2007 Nov;33(6 Pt 1):304-7.
We guarantee that 85% of every dollar donated by optometrists, their staff and
patients goes toward sustainable, uncorrected refractive error projects.
--ADVERTISING
Editor's Commentary:
Give It Another Go
What an amazing time to be a contact lens practitioner. Compared with just a decade ago, our contact lens options for patients have grown immensely. One of the many benefits of fitting patients in my academic setting is that we have access to and we fit a fair number of the lenses that are available. Though we are responsible for educating our interns, sometimes we end up learning from them as well. I do try to keep an open mind with regards to all the contact lenses and solutions available and always make it a priority to fit as many of the newly available lenses as possible. This week, I had an intern who examined a hyperopic presbyope who was interested in contact lenses after an unsuccessful try about five years ago. I've been adamant that all my interns make a decision and recommend the best option for the patient. My intern did just that and I instantly replied that I had tried this lens design on several patients (two to be exact) and was not happy with the results. He persevered and reminded me that this patient seemed like the ideal candidate for this lens. We fit the lens and while it settled, I presented realistic expectations of a first time contact lens wearer in a multifocal design. In office, the contact lens diagnostic trials allowed great simultaneous distance and near vision and the elated patient left wearing lenses. This scenario confirmed that my two prior patients in this design were not representative of all patients and not all will have poor outcomes with this design. If you have diagnostic lenses taking up space and collecting dust because you haven’t given them the appropriate chance they deserve, I challenge you to try them again this week and see if you are surprised by the outcome.
Carla Mack, O.D., F.A.A.O.
This month at
http://www.siliconehydrogels.org explore the significance of the recent
“no-rub” solution recalls, learn about atypical upper lid margin staining in
dry-eyed silicone hydrogel wearers and review the latest in silicone hydrogel
research.
Report adverse contact lens reactions here: http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/medwatch/ or call (800) FDA-1088.
Send your favorite tips to tips@cltoday.com. Your tip may be selected as best of the month. See http://www.CLToday.com for details. Please include your full name, degree or title and city/state/country.
For more information on Contact Lenses Today including archives of previous issues or to subscribe to this newsletter, please visit our website at www.cltoday.com.
For the latest articles on contact lenses, important clinical information and helpful tools related to the contact lens practice go to www.clspectrum.com.
CLToday Services: Subscribe; Unsubscribe; submit news to news@cltoday.com; or, fax 1-215-643-3902.