CONTACT LENSES TODAY

December 24, 2006

Contact Lenses Today
® is edited by Dr. Joseph T. Barr and the staff of Contact Lens Spectrum. This week CLToday® reaches more than 12,000 readers in 74 countries.


Happy Holidays!
Dear Reader: In observance of the holiday season, there will be no regular issue of CLToday next week. Regular issues will resume on Jan. 7, 2007. The staff of CLToday wishes you a safe and happy holiday season.

Alcon Recalls Systane Free
Aclon Laboratories has announced a voluntary recall of Systane Free LIQUID GEL lubricant eye drops in response to 11 customer reports citing foreign material. After testing particles from unopened, partially used bottles that were returned, the company identified the foreign material as mold, though the development of infection is considered unlikely due to the characteristics of the mold. There have been no reports of fungal infections associated with the 11 reports. Testing and analysis determined the cause of the problem if the formulation of the product and is not the result of any manufacturing processes. The recall applies only to Systane Free and no other formulations of Systane lubricant eye drops.
    Consumers in possession of Systane Free LIQUID GEL should discontinue use and call 1-866-608-3936 or visit http://www.systane.com for instructions. Alcon will replace any bottles of Systane Free LIQUID GEL with a 15ml bottle of its original formulation of Systane lubricant eye drops.

B&L Buys Alimera OTC Allergy Products
Bausch & Lomb (B&L) announced the acquisition of Alimera Sciences OTC allergy franchise, including Allaway (ketotifen fumarate ophthalmic 0.025%), an antihistamine recently approved by the FDA for up to 12 hours of temporary relief for itchy eyes due to ragweed, pollen, grass, animal hair and dander. Allaway contains the same active ingredient and is shown to be therapeutically equivalent to Zaditor (ketotifen fumarate, Novartis), according to the company.

J&J Closes Pfizer Consumer Healthcare Acquisition
Johnson & Johnson (J&J) announced the closing of its previously announced acquisition of Pfizer Consumer Healthcare. With the acquisition, J&J’s Consumer group portfolio now features products such as Listerine oral care products, the Nicorette line of smoking cessation treatments, Sudafed cold, flu and allergy products, as well as Visine products.

Show Your Patients the Difference
Some of your astigmatic patients may still not realize that they’re able to wear contact lenses. Your astigmatic patients already wearing contact lenses might say that their vision is good enough, but may be hoping for something better. Finding the right lens for these patients can provide a substantial boost to your contact lens practice. ACUVUE® ADVANCE™ Brand Contact Lenses for ASTIGMATISM gives patients a breakthrough design with real-world results. Its Accelerated Stabilization Design (ASD) offers patients superior rotational stability, and immediate, all-day comfort. Try ACUVUE® ADVANCE™ Brand for ASTIGMATISM on your patients and ask them to see the difference during daily activities and throughout the day. And now, ACUVUE ADVANCE for ASTIGMATISM meets more patients' needs with the introduction of -2.25 cylinder.
--ADVERTISING

Global Keratoconus Congress 2007
Don’t miss the inaugural Global Keratoconus Congress! This educational event will be held January 26-28, 2007 at Bally’s in Las Vegas. Please visit http://www.gkc2007.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 and information for making your hotel reservations.


--ADVERTISING

FDA Approves Paragon Z CRT
The FDA has approved Paragon Z CRT contact lenses for overnight corneal reshaping. The lenses combine the design of Paragon CRT with Menicon Z material.

Menicon Web site for Kids
Menicon Co. has launched the first web site-based contact lens educational platform for children between the ages of six and 12 at http://www.menigame.com. Menigame aims to educate children and their parents about the need for regular eye exams and the principles of contact lens wear through five short videos. The site also features four interactive games for children to play while they learn. It is currently available in English and French, with other languages to follow.

CLMA and GPLI Sponsor GKC
The Contact Lens Manufacturers Association (CLMA) and the GP Lens Institute (GPLI) will participate as Gold level sponsors at the Global Keratoconus Congress (GKC), to beheld Jan. 26-28 at Bally’s in Las Vegas. The meeting will provide information from experts around the world on the latest diagnostic tools and treatments for keratoconus as well as video-aided fitting sessions. Visit www.gkc2007.com to view the entire program and register for the event.

Abstract: Scytalidium Keratitis in CL Wearers
Researchers in the U.K recently described the presentation and treatment of a case of atypical, reticular, corneal infiltrate with surrounding, immune-like ring caused by Scytalidium fungal species. A 21-year-old female equestrian patient with a history of contact lens wear presented with persistent keratitis and photophobia in the right eye after she was injured by a volleyball. While an initial culture was negative and the keratitis responded to topical steroids, the keratitis persisted. Repeat corneal scrapings and cultures revealed Scytalidium species. Clinicians began treatment with topical amphotericin B 0.15% and oral fluconazole 200mg twice a day, which eradicated the infection. The patient’s best-corrected visual acuity was 20/20. The authors conclude that Scytalidium species fungal organisms can cause an indolent keratitis.
Farjo QA, Farjo RS, Farjo AA. Scytalidium Keratitis: Case Report in a Human Eye. Cornea. 2006 Dec;25(10):1231-3.


Editor's Commentary: Thanks and Some Wishes
It’s the time of year when we think back on all we have to be thankful for. A couple of things that I am thankful for: all my great friends in this field and the opportunity to communicate with all of you via CLToday. I have a couple of wishes too: please send your patient care, patient management and contact lens fitting tips to us; and please tell us how you like our web site and Contact Lenses and Solution Summary (CLASS) on-line at http://www.clspectrum.com.
    Thanks to all of you who have supported Contact Lens Spectrum and CLToday over these many years. Have a great 2007!


Fitting Tip: Send Us Your Tips
CLToday is currently seeking Fitting Tip submissions. If your tip is chosen as best of the month, you will receive a CLToday t-shirt. Please send your fitting tips to tips@cltoday.com.

This month at http://www.siliconehydrogels.org, read part two of our BCLA summary, review the effects of silicone hydrogel lenses on corneal exhaustion syndrome, and daily wear, and explore the impact of lubricating drops on lens wearability.

Report adverse contact lens reactions here: http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/medwatch/ or call (800) FDA-1088.

Access a reporting form for complications you've seen that were a result of contact lenses dispensed without a valid prescription at the Association of Regulatory Boards of Optometry's (ARBO's) Web site: http://www.arbo.org/arbo.asp?dt=R&doc=Complications. Complete and send the form online or print it out and fax it to (866) 886-6164.

Send your favorite tips to tips@cltoday.com -- if your tip is selected as 'Best of the Month,' you'll receive a free golf shirt (see http://www.CLToday.com for details). Please include your full name, degree or title and city/state/country.
Visit Contact Lens Spectrum ( http://www.clspectrum.com ) for interactive clinical posters and issue archives. Visit Contact Lenses Today for our Best Fitting Tips.
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