CooperVision has unveiled its revamped corporate website, CooperVision.com, with new technology and content that, according to the company, dramatically enhance the site's user experience. The latest step in the company's effort to better serve the needs of both practitioners and their patients, CooperVision.com now offers an attractive design, intuitive navigation, and other helpful features.
     The enhanced CooperVision site features a new search function that allows practitioners and patients to find information more quickly. The site's redesigned architecture provides the ability to efficiently navigate considerable amounts of information, including eye care conditions, fitting tips and tools, and product background. Several enhancements have also been made to MyCooperVision, CooperVision's Online Customer Service Center that is available exclusively to practitioners. Accessed through the company's corporate practitioner site, MyCooperVision now features new modules that allow practitioners to customize and manage their online experience. From account information to news feeds from eye care-related websites, practitioners will have the information they choose to be most relevant right at their fingertips.
     "Many of the site's changes were the direct result of feedback and recommendations from customers. Our goal was to enhance the user experience, and decrease the time needed to find important information," said Mark Bertolin, Vice President, Sales Development and Technology, CooperVision. "The site enhancements reflect our commitment to providing excellent customer service and support, as well as being a valuable source of information for practitioners and patients alike."
     This latest online evolution is part of CooperVision's "More than Meets the Eye" experience, the company's ongoing commitment to providing practitioners with much more than a wide range of premium contact lenses. Moving forward, CooperVision plans to make additional upgrades that will further enhance the online experience.

Now is the perfect time to fit more of your patients in ACUVUE® OASYS™ Brand Contact Lenses with HYDRACLEAR® Plus for all-day comfort and Class 1 UV blocking* for great protection against UV rays. To learn more about our innovations in comfort, vision and health, go to:
*Product and UV Information   
 Important Safety Information
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An energy efficiency project capable of saving $200,000 each year at Bausch & Lomb's (B&L) Waterford facility took a "Highly Commended" award in the Sustainable Energy Ireland competition for companies from all over Ireland. B&L was second only to the winner in the large energy user category, the Guinness brewery in Dublin. The award, presented by Brendan Halligan, Chairman of Sustainable Energy Ireland, was sponsored by the Electricity Supply Board and Bord Gais. Derek O'Connor, Plant Electrical Engineer, and Billy Matthews, Facilities Engineering Manager, accepted the award on behalf of B&L Waterford.
     The project which won this prestigious award is just one of the energy saving initiatives that Waterford's facilities department develops and implements annually. Since 2006, the Waterford plant's energy consumption has been reduced by four million kilowatt hours. This equates to 2,400 tons of carbon dioxide and, since June of this year, savings in excess of $360,000 have been realized.

The thought of Christmas shopping getting you down?  Give the Gift of Vision.  www.givingsight.org/giftofvision
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EyeScience Labs announced the availability of its advanced ocular nutrition line for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and dry eye syndrome at CVS Pharmacy stores nationwide. This marks the first time EyeScience Macular Health Formula and EyeScience Dry Eye Formula are available through the retail market.
     According to the company, EyeScience Macular Health Formula is the most complete eye vitamin supplement specifically for AMD. Based on more than two decades of ocular research, EyeScience Macular Health Formula contains 14 clinically proven nutrients to support a healthy retina, including omega-3, lutein, zeaxanthin, bilberry, grape seed extract, selenium, L-glutathione and alpha lipoic acid.
     EyeScience reports that its EyeScience Dry Eye Formula is a clinically proven, next-generation nutritional supplement that addresses the underlying causes of dry eye syndrome. Unlike eye drops that work from the outside in for immediate temporary relief, per EyeScience, EyeScience Dry Eye Formula goes further by working from the inside out, targeting the root causes of dry eye symptoms. The company states that, with time, this unique oral formulation can reduce or eliminate dependence on artificial tears or eye drops, allowing for sustained relief from dry eye discomfort. EyeScience Dry Eye Formula contains a proprietary blend of an omega-3 essential fatty acid; flaxseed oil; lactoferrin; magnesium; and Vitamins B-6, C and E.
     For additional information, including product features and purchasing details, please visit www.EyeScience.com.

17+ hours of CE  ·  International Speakers  ·  Hands-on Access to New Products  ·  On the Strip in Las Vegas
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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In this study, symptoms, signs, perceptions, and objective measures in university buildings were examined. Two problem buildings with a history of dampness and complaints were compared with two control buildings. Health investigations among university staff were performed at the workplace (n = 173) including tear film stability [non-invasive break-up time (NIBUT) and self-reported break-up time (SBUT)], nasal patency (acoustic rhinometry), nasal lavage fluid analysis [NAL: eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), myeloperoxidase (MPO), lysozyme and albumin] and atopy by total serum IgE and IgE antibodies (Phadiatop). Exposure assessment included inspections, thermal and atmospheric climate at 56 points modeled for all work sites. Multiple regressions were applied, controlling for age and gender.
     Exposure differences between problem buildings and controls were small, and variations between rooms were greater. Workers in the problem buildings had more general and dermal symptoms, but not more objective signs than the others. Adjusted day NIBUT and SBUT increased at higher night air temperatures, with B (95% CI) 0.6 (0.04-1.2) and 1.3 (-0.02 to 2.5), respectively. Higher relative humidity at mean day air temperature <22.1 degrees C was associated with adjusted NIBUT and SBUT, with B (95% CI) 0.16 (0.03-0.29) and 0.37 (-0.01 to 0.75), respectively. Air velocity below recommended winter values and reduced relative humidity in the range of 15-30% were associated with dry air and too low temperature.
     Practical Implications: Thermal climate in university buildings may be associated with both perceptions and physiological signs. Reduced night time air temperature, increased difference in air temperature between day and night, and fast changes in air temperature might impair indoor environment. This may have implication for energy-saving policies. It might be difficult to identify the exposure behind, and find the reason why, some buildings are defined as "problem buildings."
Bakke JV, Norback D, Wieslander G et al. Symptoms, complaints, ocular and nasal physiological signs in university staff in relation to indoor environment - temperature and gender interactions. Indoor Air 2008;18:131-43.   

Depending on the part of the country or world in which you live, this time of year can be associated with challenging environments for our patients. Environmental conditions can lead to changes in ocular comfort in both our contact lens and non-contact lens wearing patients that are otherwise normal. The lower humidity and increased air currents can each promote changes in tear stability (evaporation) and patient symptoms. It is important that we be proactive in making our patients as comfortable as possible.
Jason J. Nichols, OD, MPH, PhD, FAAO

This month at www.siliconehydrogels.org: Using silicone hydrogels to mask irregular astigmatism; the relationship between oxygen transmissibility and overnight corneal swelling; and part one of our BCLA 2008 synopsis.