Cognoptix’s Sapphire II eye test identified Alzheimer’s disease patients via a beta amyloid (“Ab”) signature in their eyes in a 10-subject proof-of-concept clinical trial, according to a company spokesperson. By detecting a specific fluorescent signature of ligand-marked beta amyloid in the supranucleus region of the human lens, the eye test achieved a 200% differentiation factor between a group of five healthy volunteers and a group of five patients diagnosed with probable Alzheimer’s. The clinical data are published (“Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis by detecting exogenous fluorescent signal of ligand bound to beta amyloid in the lens of human eye: an exploratory study”) in the May 2013 edition of Frontiers in Neurology. In addition, the data are being presented in a poster session at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC) in Boston in July. Read more.
Thursday, May 23, 2013
Scientists Discover How Photoreceptors Distinguish Light
“A revelation of how photoreceptive cells in the eye distinguish between different light sources could pave the way for a novel class of optical devices,” reports Science Digest. “Millions of years of evolution have molded our eyes into highly sensitive optical detectors, surpassing even many human-made devices. Now, Leonid Krivitsky and his co-workers at the A*Star Data Storage Institute and the A*Star Institute of Medical Biology, Singapore, have shown that the photoreceptor cells found in the retina are even sensitive to the statistical properties of light. This ability could be harnessed in 'bioquantum' interfaces, a novel class of optical devices that use biological systems to detect the quantum nature of light” and the visual system. Read more.
A*Star had this to say about the discovery: “Being inspired by the ultimate characteristics of rod photoreceptors, we carefully investigated the impact of photon fluctuations of various classical light sources on their response (coherent and pseudothermal). Our results revealed capabilities of isolated rods in measurement of photon statistics. It is of future interest to investigate rod interfaces with nonclassical light, in particular, with correlated two-photon light and intense multiphoton twin-beam states. The developed approach can be also used in interfacing rods with realistic sources of intensity fluctuations, such as blinking star lights observed through turbulent atmosphere.” Read more.
EyeMed Launches New Plans
EyeMed Vision Care has launched EyePrefer vision plan. It has three levels of coverage. The new plan came about as a result of a study of its members. When offered a choice, members selected an enhanced plan 65 percent of the time. The survey also revealed that 87 percent of members want a tool to help guide decisions about selecting a plan. As a result, EyeMed developed EyeNav, an online tool that guides employees through a series of questions and recommends an EyePrefer plan based on their responses. Read more.
Eye Health Tips for Your 50+ Patients
Huffington Post recently ran with a great article about eye health for people older than 50. It’s easy to understand and to read, so you might want to recommend it to your older patients. It starts: “Eyesight naturally changes as we age. As we grow older, our eyes go from being able to refocus easily to having a harder time seeing detail, explained Dr. Rachel Bishop of the National Eye Institute. ‘People who used to be able to see well at distances and close up in their 20s will need glasses for reading by their mid-40s.’ But while glasses can help, there's another category of eye problems that post 50s may unwittingly be making worse: eye disease.” Read more.
New from Polaroid
Safilo reports that its new Polaroid Plus sunglasses collection represents the perfect partnership between cutting-edge polarization technology and a “New Basic” design. Polaroid has introduced its UltraSight Plus lenses, which are produced using the Thermofusion Plus technology. Polaroid’s exclusive Thermofusion process – which produces its polarizing filter, is 100% glue-free and designed to inject the polarizer into a polyamide lens. The company also has integrated its new metal ‘P-Label’ graphic mark on what it is calling a new and exclusive block hinge. Technical information about the collection is written inside the left temple. Read more.
Dallas Retailer Uses Video to Market Its Wares
Have you wondered how you can increase your market penetration? You might want to take a page from the Dallas-based retailer Goo Goo Eyes. It recently released the above video about 2013 trends in eyewear, which the company posted on its website and on YouTube. (It also could be used for in-store displays.) The video showcases the retailer’s broad selection of round glasses and sunglasses from designers including Theo and Oliver PeoplesRetro-inspired sunglasses. It also addresses new takes on cat eye sunglasses, mirrored lenses, aviators and round glasses. Read more.
New from Smith Optics
Over 75% of all Smith Optics frames and 100% of its injection- molded frames feature use Evolve frame material. Utilizing Rilsan Clear – made from easily renewable, non-GMO castor plants – the frame’s material creates lightweight, durable, and fully transparent sunglass frames that are over 53% bio-based. The line also comes with Carbonic TLT polarized or non-polarized lenses. The line also features styles with 6, 7, 8, and 9 base lens curvature. Models that include 6 base tend to be more flat relative to the face front. While 9 base styles provide the maximum amount of wrap around the face. The frames have Megol nose pads, whose gripping power is said to increase when exposed to moisture. Read more.
New from Badgley Mischka
Midwest Lens reports that “vintage styles and embellishments make Badgley Mischka designs matchless and in high demand. Cellina and Noelle, the latest additions to the Badgley Mischka optical collection, combine custom designs with romantic details for a high-fashion look inspired by Badgley Mischka’s signature line.” Read more.
No Clue How Google Glasses Will Play Out, Says Wharton
“With the introduction of Google Glass, an effort to create and market computerized eyewear, Google has captured the imagination of technologists, consumers, and even sketch comedy show Saturday Night Live, while also raising a number of social and privacy issues,” notes Knowledge@Wharton. “Experts at Wharton say that the Google Glass experiment will be important to watch from a business, marketing and cultural perspective, and they add that no one -- including Google -- has any clue how the search giant's efforts will play out.” Read more.
Google-Glass-Like Sunglasses from Recon
“One major obstacle that's been holding the Recon Instruments heads-up display from really taking off is that it was designed for goggles,” reports GizMag. “That's great for niche sports like skiing, snowboarding and skydiving, but it's useless for more common activities like running and cycling. The company is working to address that inherent shortcoming with the Jet, a pair of heads-up display sunglasses with a much more ambitious set of sporting and non-sporting uses.” Read more.
New form Gucci
The United Kingdom’s edition of the Elle writes: “We still haven’t given up hope that, at any moment now, summer is going to start and when it does we plan to be prepared – and that means updating our sunglasses collection. Topping the ELLE wishlist? The latest eyewear from Gucci, an eight piece capsule range called Diamond Glitter.” Read more.
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
PGAs Cause Droopy Eyelids
Science Digest reports that “prostaglandin analogues (PGAs) are often the first line of treatment for people with glaucoma. PGAs have long been associated with blurred vision, dryness, changes in eye color and other side effects. Now a new study has found that these drugs also cause upper and lower eyelid drooping and other issues that can interfere with vision.” Read more.
Essilor to Produce Safilo’s Polaroid Brand Lenses
Safilo has hooked up with Essilor for 10 years to design, manufacture and distribute polarized ophthalmic lenses under the Polaroid brand for use with eyewear products in general. Read more.
New Eyewear Company. So Say Like Warby Parker.
Men’s Journal reports that “if you're going to see a man about a dog, it might pay to shop at Fetch first. The new eyewear company sells hip designer shades, prescription glasses, and stylish readers then gives 100 percent of its profits to support animal rescue and adoption. Founder Ann Sacks started Fetch in order to marry her love of all things canine and feline with her passion for design, and the odd combination works – especially for the dogs and cats that are rescued from overcrowded shelters, given veterinary care, and then matched with new owners. Fetch offers a wide spectrum of frames, from small and sleek to sturdy and sporty. Squinters can pretty much craft the exact glasses they need by choosing between a host of frame colors, shapes, sizes, and lens types. Fetch also has a "Try at Home" program that allows potential buyers to road-test six pairs for a week in order to see which pair works best for them. Read more.
New from Safilo
Safilo showcases its new collections of optical frames for the next season and presents its new logo, which is said to recall the brand’s origins almost 80 years ago. Its Elasta line showcases optical frames in a classic but contemporary style embellished with the “Forte” hinge, now available in a new, modern version ensuring maximum comfort and reliability. This evolution of the original Elasta hinge, features an innovative compact mechanism that is designed for contemporary shapes and provides flexibility, resistance and durability.
The new Design frames are for men seeking functionality as well as style. The use of Optyl adds an unparalleled quality of lightness, flexibility and resistance to the collection. It supposedly has a new concept of rimless glasses to the Avantek technology, a stress- and distortion-free lens mounting system. There are no holes in the lenses and therefore no risk of distortion or deformation. The lenses are also easy to clean.
The women’s Glamour collection reportedly conveys a timeless elegance and charm. The glasses are embellished with glamorous, precious detailing ensuring a unique, seductive look at all times.
To make optical frames more appealing to youngsters, the new Seventh Street models feature playful graduated shading effects and trendsetting shapes, for a lively, fashionable look. They come in a variety of shapes and colors. Read more.
The new OXYDO collection reportedly focuses on a minimalist design for young people who want to stand out from the crowd. Oxydo reinvents itself and presents its new logo: a clean and essential tribal-inspired ideogram that plays with symbols to convey the brand’s fresh, spontaneous attitude.
Carrera is said to return to its origins: racing. The new collections of sunglasses and optical frames reflect the brand’s stylistic heritage, through strong themes of the past which are revisited with a contemporary flair and embellished with new distinctive detailing, for a unique, timeless style. Read more.
Monday, May 20, 2013
Visually Impaired “Can” Use Echolocation
Scieince Digest reports that “new research from the University of Southampton has shown that blind and visually impaired people have the potential to use echolocation, similar to that used by bats and dolphins, to determine the location of an object. The study, which is published in the journal Hearing Research, examined how hearing, and particularly the hearing of echoes, could help blind people with spatial awareness and navigation. The study also examined the possible effects of hearing impairment and how to optimise echolocation ability in order to help improve the independence and quality of life of people with visual impairments.” Read more.
NEI Remembers Stephen J. Ryan
Stephen J. Ryan, M.D., highly regarded for his leadership and tireless advocacy on behalf of the NEI, passed away April 29, 2013. An internationally recognized expert in retinal diseases and ocular trauma, Ryan was the president of the Doheny Eye Institute, an independent nonprofit institution affiliated with the University of Southern California (USC), from 1974 to 2012. As the first full-time chairman of the USC Department of Ophthalmology, Ryan in 1974 forged the affiliation between Doheny and USC. Today, Doheny is recognized as a premier institution for ophthalmic research, training, and clinical care. Ryan also served as dean of USC's school of medicine, now called the Keck School of Medicine, from 1991 to 2004. Read more.
New from XOXO
“For a style that is feminine, alluring, confident and modern, look no further than the latest additions to the XOXO eyewear collection. With four new looks featuring exclusive patterns and trendy embellishments, XOXO eyewear offers bold and edgy fashion for all styles,” writes the blog from Midwest Lens. “Standout, Frenzy, Phenom and Uptown combine sexy feminine eyeshapes with intense colors and prints for the latest in fashionable eyewear.” Read more.Friday, May 17, 2013
More Eye Exams, Fewer "Dead Cats" According to a Specsavers Ad
Supreme Court Declines to Hear Aspex Suit against Altair
“The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to hear the appeal of Aspex Eyewear’s lawsuit against Altair Eyewear, according to a VSP Global press release,” reports Healio’s Primary Care Optometry News. “The two parties disputed patent number 5,737,054, which is a design for a magnetic clip-on to hold a clip-on auxiliary frame to a primary frame, such as a sunglass clip-on frame to a prescription frame, according to the release. By dismissing this litigation, the high court upheld the 2012 decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit as to who held the patent, thereby reaffirming the District Court of Massachusetts’ dismissal of the patent infringement lawsuit.” Read more.
New from Wiley X
“Eyewear innovator Wiley X, Inc. has added a new model to its growing Black Ops Collection — the new polarized WX Twisted. A member of the company’s Street Series family, this stylish and functional sunglass combines a stealthy look with the state-of-the-art protection that has made Wiley X a leading provider of protective eyewear to U.S. military, law enforcement, Secret Service and other tactical wearers. The addition of Wiley X’s polarized lenses ensures sharp, distraction-free vision in a variety of high-glare situations, whether patrolling near water, out on the highway or in the ‘urban jungle,’” notes Midwest Lens. “Like all Black Ops Collection glasses, the WX Twisted features an understated, wraparound Matte Black frame that provides excellent coverage and fit for medium to large size faces. This virtually indestructible frame is outfitted with versatile, shatterproof Polarized Smoke Grey lenses utilizing Wiley X’s advanced Filter 8 polarizing technology — for clear vision under a wide range of light conditions.” Read more.
New Crizal and Xperio Consumer Ads
Essilor of America launched two multimedia ad campaigns targeting consumers. They will highlight Crizal No-Glare and Xperio UV lenses. The Crizal 2013 campaign, which should reach more than 214 million consumers, will focus on the benefits of no-glare lenses and the importance of UV protection by showcasing the Eye-Sun Protection Factor (E-SPF). (The system evaluates eye protection against UV rays. E-SPF values vary from two to a maximum of 25 for clear lenses and 50+ for sunwear.) The Xperio UV commercials will feature scenes on the road, ski slopes, and in the tropical sun, situations where the Essilor lenses eleminate reflective glare while offering E-SPF 50+.
Essilor says it’ll send merchandisers to more than 4,000 practices across the United States to help incorporate Xperio UV point-of-purchase and educational materials. Merchandising materials will be available later this year. Find out more about these commercials at crizalusa.com, xperioUVusa.com, facebook.com/CrizalUSA, and facebook.com/XperioUV.
Thursday, May 16, 2013
Software Developers Explore Uses for Google Glass
Meanwhile, "Facebook and Twitter launched applications Thursday for Google glasses as developers rushed to learn more about tailoring software for the Internet-linked eyewear yet to hit the market," according to a Yahoo! OMG! post. Read more.
New from Dragon
Notching One’s Way to the Eye’s Structure
“A small ensemble of musicians can produce an infinite number of melodies, harmonies and rhythms. So too, do a handful of workhorse signaling pathways that interact to construct multiple structures that comprise the vertebrate body. In fact, crosstalk between two of those pathways - those governed by proteins known as Notch and BMP (for Bone Morphogenetic Protein) receptors - occurs over and over in processes as diverse as forming a tooth, sculpting a heart valve and building a brain,” starts a Medical News Today post. “A new study by Stowers Institute for Medical Research Investigator Ting Xie, Ph.D., reveals yet another duet played by Notch and BMP signals, this time with Notch calling the tune. That work, published in this week's online issue of PNAS, uses mouse genetics to demonstrate how one Notch family protein, Notch2, shapes an eye structure known as the ciliary body (CB), most likely by ensuring that BMP signals remain loud and clear.”
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Lawsuit Claims OD Examined Same Patient 61 Times in Four Years
McKnight's Long-Term Care News & Assisted Living reported that "the defendant...filed more Medicare and Medicaid claims than any other optometrist in the nation during a six-month period in 2008, according to the complaint. He sought reimbursement for treating as many as 100 nursing home residents in a single day, and he provided eye exams that were 'unnecessary and unreasonable' given the residents' health status, the suit states." Read more.
Safilo Supports Ethiopian Project
Google-Glass-Like Sunglasses Comes from Canada
What’s Behind Warby Parker’s Success? And What Came before It Jumped from the Virtual to Real World
“Before co-founding Warby Parker, [Neil] Blumenthal directed VisionSpring, a group that trains women in developing countries to sell affordable glasses in their communities…Research conducted by the University of Michigan demonstrated that users of VisionSpring eyeglasses experienced a 35% increase in productivity and a 20% increase in monthly income, Blumenthal points out. ‘In international development terms, that is a miracle.’" That’s part of the insight into Warby Parker by the University of Pennsylvania’s business analysis site Knowledge@Wharton.
At VisionSpring, Blumenthal found a “disconnect” between cost of manufacturing and the purchase price in the U.S. Then the article provides “background”: “One company -- Luxottica -- dominates the eyewear industry. As of 2012, Milan-based Luxottica's retail network consisted of more than 7,000 stores, including LensCrafters, Pearle Vision and Sunglass Hut stores.” The article notes that it owns the optical shops in Target and Sears, has chains in Europe and Asia; owns the brands Ray-Ban, Oakley, and Oliver Peoples; and designs/manufactures eyewear for the likes of Versace, Prada, Burberry, DKNY.
“It's an industry ripe for disruption, but because of Luxottica's heft, ‘it takes incredible creativity and brilliance’ to go up ‘against an opponent that has that much power,’ says Barbara Kahn, director of the Jay H. Baker Retailing Center at Wharton [the business school associated with UPenn].” Just as a recap: Warby Parker has established a successful online eyewear retail. It recently opened a shop in the SOHO section of Manhattan and plans to open another store in Boston opening this month on Newbury Street. Read more to understand how WP could change the eyewear retail market forever.