Contact Lens Care
Solution
Biotrue,
from Bausch + Lomb, is a multipurpose solution inspired “by the biology
of your eyes” to help lenses stay clean and wet throughout the day,
says the company. The solution is pH balanced to match healthy tears,
includes hyaluronan, and helps to prevent lysozyme denaturization
(which maintains the protein’s antimicrobial activity). Biotrue is for
soft contact lenses, including silicone hydrogel lenses. Call
1-800-553-5340, or go to
www.biotrue.com.
Dry Eye Therapy
Beads,
by Eye Eco, are “thermoeyes” gel packs that boost the intensity and
duration of Tranquileyes moist heat treatment. These microwaveable
packs are inserted into Tranquileyes goggles for use in 15-minute
sessions. Similarly, Beads can be placed in the freezer for use as a
cold compress in cases of lid puffiness and inflammation. Beads are
made from glycerin and water, and each pack provides approximately 50
heat treatments. Call 1-888-730-7999, or go to
www.eyeeco.com.
Glaucoma
IOP Reduction
Neptazane,
from Fera Pharmaceuticals, are methazolamide tablets for the reduction
of intraocular pressure. These tablets come in 90-count bottles and are
available in 25mg and 50mg strengths. Neptazane is indicated in the
treatment of ocular conditions where lowering IOP is likely to be of
therapeutic benefit—e.g., chronic open-angle glaucoma, secondary
glaucoma and preoperatively. It is contraindicated in cases of low
sodium and/or potassium serum levels, marked kidney or liver disease or
dysfunction, adrenal gland failure and hyperchloremic acidosis. In
patients with cirrhosis, usage may lead to hepatic encephalopathy, and
long-term usage is contraindicated in patients with angle-closure
glaucoma because the angle may close in spite of lower IOP. Call (414)
434-6604 or go to
www.ferapharma.com.
Diagnostic Technology
Portable Ophthalmoscope
The Pocket Ophthalmoscope, from Gulden Ophthalmics, includes no lenses or
filter wheels. It can be used for accurate central fundus evaluation,
says the company, and it can be carried by the eye care professional to
be used as needed. The user turns on the light of the ophthalmoscope
and holds it up to the eye—the patient’s own cornea and lens focus the
light and provide a magnified view of the back of the eye—specifically,
the optic disc and macula. The ophthalmoscope comes in a slip-in case
and requires two AAA batteries. It contains a miniature 2.5 volt lamp.
Call (215) 884-8105, or go to
www.guldenophthalmics.com.
Patient Education
Spanish Language Brochure
El Sol Y Sus Ojos: Lo Que Ud. Necesita Saber is the Spanish-language version of HealthyWomen’s The Sun and Your Eyes: What You Need to Know,
from its “Fast Facts for Your Health” brochure series, which was
developed with the support of Vistakon. This brochure offers women
guidance on sunglasses selection and information on UV-blocking contact
lenses. View and download the brochure at
www.healthywomen.org/sunandyoureyes. It is free to eye care professionals.
Ophthalmic Lenses
Lens Standard Update
The
American National Standards Institute (ANSI) has published a series of
updates to the Z80.1 standard for prescription spectacle lenses:
Z80.1-2010. These changes are designed to increase the durability and
quality of lenses. The update includes:
•
Measurement of transmission power. Measurement is now reverting to the
sphere and cylinder method without a change in tolerances, as opposed
to the method adopted in 1995, which based results on the meridian of
the highest power.
• Use of compensated power. Use of compensated
power for the as-worn position has been expanded to include both
distance power and add power.
• Lens durability. Two new ISO
standards resulted in this update: specifications and test methods for
anti-reflective coatings (ISO 8980-4) and minimum requirements for
abrasion-resistant spectacle lenses (ISO 8989-5). AR standards now test
the lens for delamination after rubbing, humidity and UV radiation. The
minimum requirement for abrasion resistance applies to the lens only if
the vendor makes a claim regarding this feature.
For the full text of the updates, go to www.webstore.ansi.org.
Premium Lenses
Crizal
Sapphire lenses with Scotchgard Protector, from Essilor of America,
resist glare, scratching and smudging. The lenses feature Essilor’s
proprietary enhanced light transmission (ELT) system, which aims to
maximize light transmission through the lens by reducing glare and
visible reflection further. So, these lenses have 50% less reflection
than Essilor’s other premium lens, Crizal Avancé with Scotchgard
Protector, the company says. The lens’ scratch resistance is due to the
proprietary SR Booster layer, and its cleanability is thanks to its
High Surface Density process, which achieves a contact angle of 116º.
Call 1-800-THE-EYES (1-800-843-3937) or go to
www.crizalusa.com.
Patient Care
Nutraceutical
EyePromise,
a line of nutraceuticals from ZeaVision, are intended to rapidly
increase macular pigment density in the eye. EyePromise Ten and
EyePromise Restore, both included in this line, contain the same 2:1
ratio of zeaxanthin and lutein as is found in the healthy human eye.
Call (856) 833-2800, or go to
www.zeavision.com/internalsunglasses for more.
Contact Lenses
Lens Promotion
SofLens
daily disposable contact lenses are being promoted by Bausch + Lomb
with a contest in affiliation with actress Marcia Gay Harden. This
“Seeing Eye to Eye” contest invites parents with kids between the ages
of 10 and 19 to submit a story of 200 words or less before August 27,
2010. Submissions can cover any topic, and the grand prize winner will
receive a $5,000 scholarship and a trip to attend the American Music
Awards in Los Angeles, including airfare and hotel accommodations.
Entries will be judged on relevance and creativity. For more, go to
www.facebook.com/soflens or to
www.soflens.com.
Custom Contact Lenses
The
Phoenix Program, from Alden Optical, is intended to provide a solution
for practitioners and patients when a preferred soft sphere brand is
discontinued. In the Phoenix Program, Alden’s custom manufacturing
facilities, broad parameter capabilities and material availabilities
allow the company to offer lenses that are close substitutes to many
discontinued lenses. For example, Alden Optical offers lenses in
polymacon, methafilcon, Benz 3X and Benx 5X in any base curve/diameter
combination, with spherical powers of +/-30.00D. Practitioners need to
call Alden or an authorized distributor with the patient’s current Rx,
brand and specifications, and the company says that it can custom
manufacture a very close replacement and ship it within two business
days. Call 1-800-253-3669, or go to
www.aldenoptical.com.
Low Vision
Frames
Tech-Optics
International presents a new line of Metco frames in contemporary
colors. These frames are designed for prismatic, lenticulars and
high-plus lenses. They are available in ebony, coffee, burgundy,
gunmetal blue, platinum and gold. For more information and a catalog,
call 1-800-OPTICS-7 (1-800-678-4277), or go to
www.techopticsinternational.com.
What's New on the Web
Social Media Support
AllAboutVision.com
is offering Facebook fans topics for their own Facebook pages and other
social media outlets. AllAboutVision.com is posting regular updates and
news on its Facebook wall that doctors can pass along to their own fans
and followers. This initiative is intended to help doctors communicate
with patients about relevant topics and news. Go to
www.facebook.com/allaboutvision.
Patient Education
OcuSoft
introduces two new product websites. The site for Tears Again Hydrate
provides easily accessible information and resources about the
prescription product, and the website also features improved graphics,
navigation, functionality and user appeal. It also teaches patients
about dry eye and nutrition’s role in managing the condition, and the
site includes a list of FAQs about both the condition and the
supplement. Go to www.tearsagainhydrate.com. The site for Tears Again
Advanced Liposome Spray provides information about the product to
patients, answers to questions about meibomian gland dysfunction and
related ocular conditions. The site also links up visitors with eye
care practitioners who dispense the product. Go to
www.tearsagainspray.com.
Low Vision Device Store
Lighthouse
International now offers its comprehensive selection of low-vision
products for home, office and travel online. The store includes talking
products, large-faced watches, large-button electronic devices,
closed-circuit televisions and handheld readers. The store also offers
canes, Braille watches, Braille playing cards, a talking color
identifier, and other products for patients who are blind or visually
impaired. Proceeds benefit Lighthouse International’s non-profit
mission to fight vision loss through prevention, treatment and
empowerment. Go to
www.lighthouse.org/store.
