A public workshop entitled "Microbiological Testing for Contact Lens Care Products" will be held January 22-23, 2009 at the Food and Drug Administration's White Oak Conference Center in Silver Spring, Maryland. This workshop is co-sponsored by the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the American Academy of Optometry, the American Optometric Association, and the Contact Lens Association of Ophthalmologists in conjunction with the Food & Drug Administration (FDA). 
     The purpose of the workshop is to discuss test methods for evaluating the anti-microbial activity of contact lens care products with the goal to reach consensus on critical test method parameters for evaluating the activity of contact lens care products against Acanthamoeba. These parameters include organism species and strain, trophozoite culture and cyst production, microbial challenge level, and assay method for survivors. The workshop will also present and discuss critical elements for new or modified disinfection efficacy test methods that simulate "real world" consumer use conditions. These elements include contact lens and lens case uptake of preservative and other solution ingredients, solution evaporation, minimal consumer compliance, biofilm formation, and clinical isolates as challenge organisms.
     Registration for this workshop must be completed online at www.jcahpo.org/clmw by January 8, 2009. There will be no onsite registration. The registration fee is $250. Early registration is recommended as seating is limited. Registrants may also contact Ms. Janice Prestwood at 800- 284-3937, ext. 229. 

CooperVision's Biofinity silicone hydrogel contact lenses have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for extended wear in the United States, providing indication for overnight wear for up to six nights and seven days. The extended-wear approval is effective immediately and applies to all Biofinity monthly replacement lenses currently available.
     Designed with Aquaform technology, Biofinity monthly replacement lenses are made with a unique, naturally wettable lens material that offers high water content, a low modulus, and high oxygen transmissibility, according to the company. Practitioners can fit their patients with Biofinity, used on an extended wear basis, with lenses from their existing Biofinity fitting sets, without the need for new trial lenses.
     Biofinity lenses are manufactured with a third-generation silicone hydrogel material, comfilcon A. The water content of Biofinity is 48 percent, Dk is 128, and Dk/t is 160. The lens also features a base curve of 8.6mm, a diameter of 14.0mm, and is available in a sphere power range of +8.00D to -12.00D. For more information, visit www.coopervision.com.  

Independent ECPs raised retail prices of 20 leading soft contact lens brands a weighted average of 1.3% during 2008, according to just released data from ABB Concise's Soft Lens Retail Price Monitor. Of the 20 brands included in the analysis, average ECP pricing rose for 18 brands during 2008, while pricing decreased for two brands. Average prices rose 1% for brands in each major lens segment.
     The estimates are derived from ABB Concise's quarterly audit of independent ECP retail pricing. Prices reported are the average of the four quarterly audits in 2007 and 2008. The pricing of more than 450 practices is used to calculate the averages for each year. Brands included in the composite average are those that were audited in each of the eight quarters over the past two years. These brands account for approximately 76% of wholesale sales of frequent replacement contact lenses.
     According to the information provided by ABB Concise, as independents raised prices on 90% of the audited brands included in the analysis in 2008, 1-800-Contacts increased prices on just two of the brands. The 1-800-Contacts pricing comparison is based on the mail order/Internet company's pricing in the fourth quarter of each year.
     For more information, contact Lynda Baker at ABB Concise at LBaker@abbcon-cise.com or 800-772-3911.

Research suggests that many toric contact lens wearers are not satisfied with their visual performance. Make your patients' experience satisfying with new ACUVUE® OASYS™ Brand Contact Lenses for ASTIGMATISM. The latest in toric lenses combines HYDRACLEAR® Plus for all-day comfort with Accelerated Stabilization Design for crisp, clear vision. To learn more, go to jnjvisioncare.com.
Important Safety Information
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In their December Issue 16.12, WIRED Magazine highlighted Paragon CRT, which is manufactured by Paragon Vision Sciences, on their "10 Best Products Spun Off from NASA" list. WIRED is a monthly American magazine and on-line periodical that reports on how technology affects culture, the economy, and politics. News about Paragon CRT has been carried in over 180 newscasts and featured in over 150 consumer publications. For more information on Paragon CRT contact Paragon at 800-528-8279 or visit www.paragoncrt.com.  

The purchase of the Rose K business by Menicon Co. Ltd (Japan) has raised a number of questions from practitioners in North America per Lee Buffalo, Director of Sales and Marketing for Blanchard Contact Lenses. The question most on the minds of Rose K fitters is: "Does the change in ownership have any effect on product availability, professional support, or business policies?" The answer, provided by Jonathan Jacobson, General Manager of Global Business Strategy and Operations for Menicon, is an unequivocal "No." Jacobson stated, "The existing arrangements related to manufacturing and distribution of Rose K lenses in North America have not been affected and fitters should continue to obtain Rose K lenses from Blanchard Contact Lens and its network of authorized Rose K distributors." 
     Per a release issued jointly by Menicon and Blanchard, practitioners have also asked if the change of ownership means that they have to purchase Rose K lenses in Menicon Z material. Jacobson provided the following answer, "Rose K lenses continue to be available in Boston materials from Blanchard Contact Lens and Rose K distributors throughout North America. There are no plans to convert Rose K lenses from Boston materials to Menicon Z."  If a practitioner wants to order a Rose K lens specifically in Menicon Z, the practitioner should check with Blanchard or their Rose K distributor about availability.

The thought of Christmas shopping getting you down?  Give the Gift of Vision.  www.givingsight.org/giftofvision
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Cynacon/Ocusoft, a supplier of ophthalmic pharmaceuticals and supplies, announced the latest findings from a recent study by Yee et al. According to the company, OCuSOFT Lid Scrub Plus, in its "leave-on" formulation, was shown to effectively eradicate Demodex mites. The company further indicated that no other eyelid cleanser used according to manufacturer's instructions kills Demodex.
     Troy Smith, Vice President, Professional and Technical Relations, remarked "Researchers have for some time considered Demodex mite infestation as a factor in meibomian gland disease. It is exciting to note that our new OCuSOFT Lid Scrub Plus effectively kills Demodex mites utilizing its unique 'leave-on' formula. In blepharitis patients, one out of every six eyelashes contains Demodex mites, a number that increases with age. OCuSOFT Lid Scrub Plus is the only 'leave-on' formulation eyelid cleanser on the market facilitating optimal Demodex kill rates."
     For more information or to acquire samples please call 800-233-5469 or visit http://www.ocusoft.com. Additionally, as a convenience to patients, the product is available at CVS, Duane Reade and Long's Drug Stores.

Bausch & Lomb (B&L) announced that its Board of Directors has elected Susan A. Roberts as a Corporate Vice President. She is the company's Chief Compliance Officer, having been named to this post in 2006, and heads the global pharmacovigilance and safety surveillance groups.
     Ms. Roberts joined B&L in 1995 after several years in private practice as a trial lawyer at Harter, Secrest & Emery. She then held positions of increasing responsibility in the B&L law department, including serving as Vice President and Assistant General Counsel. Ms. Roberts holds a J.D. cum laude from the Albany Law School of Union University and a Bachelor's degree from Binghamton University.   

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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The authors report a case that demonstrates the importance of trial fitting before the dispensing of prescription contact lenses. The patient was an 18-year-old computer-using experienced hydrogel lens wearer who ran out of contact lenses. The patient purchased a brand new box of daily disposable lenses from a retail store having known his back vertex power. No trial fitting of the lenses was performed at the point of sale.
     After a day of wear of the lenses with significant computer use, the patient removed them and went to bed, but the next morning, presented on an emergency basis with severe pain and blurry vision in both eyes. Slit lamp examination showed significant bilateral corneal erosions that were treated with prophylactic antibiotics, steroids, and lubricants. A bandage contact lens was further given to his right eye. The characteristics of the daily disposable lenses and his computer overuse were viewed as contributing factors to the complication.
     The dispensing and wear of prescription contact lenses without a proper selection and fit led to bilateral corneal erosions in this patient. Though this case occurred in Taiwan, a jurisdiction where prescription contact lens sale is not regulated, the authors note that such a scenario could occur in jurisdictions where contact lens sale is regulated if, after confirmation of back vertex power, no effort is made to ensure that a purchased lens is safe or appropriate for a patient, such as when lenses are purchased through internet suppliers or in certain commercial retail settings.
Tseng SS, Yang WW, Hsiao JC. Bilateral corneal erosion due to retail purchase of unfitted prescription contact lenses: a case report. Cornea 2008;27:1179-81.

Care of the contact lens patient obviously includes determining the general appropriateness of the patient for contact lens wear, in addition to the actual fitting process, patient education, and appropriate follow-up care. I know that my educator colleagues across the world stress the importance of every aspect of the fitting process to their students as it is critical to the ultimate success of the contact lens patient. The abstract highlighted this week emphasizes this point, including proper lens parameter and material selection, in addition to education and aftercare conducted by experienced practitioners. Many of us have experienced similar situations with our patients, and this case reminds us of the potential unfortunate consequences that can occur in this regard. 
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?