See the Nature of Health Care

LZ Granderson, a columnist for CNN and ESPN, raises an intriguing question about health care for the average American: 

"After trying nearly every brand of over-the-counter eyedrops available, I finally decided to see a doctor. A handful of tests later, the doctor told me he had no idea why my eyes were red. But that didn't stop him from giving me a prescription....After it ran out and I still had red eyes, I went to visit another doctor. He also ran a couple of tests. He also had no idea why my eyes were red. He also gave me a prescription. Hundreds of dollars spent, and yet I still have no answers or clearer eyes. But I do have an appointment with a third doctor and an allergist. I'm not sharing this story to complain. I'm sharing because if you know the average American makes only $33,000 a year -- which, adjusted for inflation, has not changed since 1988 -- or if you know the price of COBRA for a family of four, then you also know why a lot of Americans don't even bother to get on this hamster wheel.

Read more.

Getting Eye Smart during the Winter Holidays

Children are making their lists for Santa. While they know which are the most popular toys, they don't know which are the most dangerous. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, there were more than 250,000 toy-related injuries treated in U.S. emergency rooms in 2010; nearly three quarters of those injured were children under age 15. During this holiday season, the American Academy of Ophthalmology is offers five tips on how to choose safe toys for gift giving.

• Avoid purchasing toys with sharp, protruding or projectile parts.
• Make sure children have appropriate supervision when playing with potentially hazardous toys or games that could cause injury.
• If you plan to give sports equipment, provide appropriate protective eyewear with polycarbonate lenses. Check with your local Eye M.D. to learn about protective gear recommended for your child's sport.
• Check labels for age recommendations and be sure to select gifts that are appropriate for a child's age and maturity.
• Keep toys that are made for older children away from younger children.

For more information about keeping eyes healthy during the holidays and all year-round, visit Eye Smart, the Academy's public information website which provides information to the public about the importance of eye health. Through the EyeSmart program, ophthalmologists seek to empower people to preserve healthy vision, by providing the most trusted and medically accurate information about eye diseases, conditions and injuries. Visit www.geteyesmart.org to learn more.

The Bizarre and Unusual CL Solutions People Use

Twenty percent of consumers occasionally use unconventional solutions when cleaning, disinfect, and storing contact lenses: baby oil, beer, Coke, petroleum jelly, lemonade, fruit juice, and butter. That's one of the findings from research conducted in the United Kingdom by the Bausch + Lomb, makers of Biotrue multi-purpose contact lens solution. An overwhelming proportion of people reported using saliva or tap water as a solution when putting lenses in their eyes.  The average adult mouth contains 500 to 650 different types of bacteria. Both tap and distilled water may contain micro-organisms that can cause damage to the eye and have been associated with Acanthamoeba keratitis, a corneal infection that is resistant to treatment. Read more. 

Securities Firm Looks into Fraud at Cooper

The securities firm Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP, is investigating whether Cooper and its officers violated federal securities laws by failing to disclose what a Faruqi press release called "the true significance of its product recall." In August 2011, the company commenced a “limited voluntary” recall of its Avaira Toric line of contact lenses. Faruqi's press release stated that at that time, Cooper intentionally downplayed the breadth and impact of its quality control problems. On November 15, 2011, Cooper expanded its recall. Shortly thereaftrer, the company’s stock price fell. Request more information now by clicking here: www.faruqilaw.com/COO.

The Cleveland.InjuryBoard.com reports that "as the recall of Avaira contact lenses has been expanded, reports of adverse symptoms have also increased. Individuals who used Avaira Toric or Avaira Sphere contact lenses continue to report adverse events to CooperVision, as well as to their doctors, lawyers, and the FDA. There are increasing reports of serious eye injuries including corneal ulcers, corneal lesions, corneal abrasions, corneal edema, corneal erosion, and keratitis." Read more.

Behind the Scenes of the Browne-Dita Deal

The Los Angeles Times comes into the story behind the Thom Browne and Dita eyewear deal: "Fashion designer Thom Browne recently rolled out his latest brand extension -- a collection of retro-cool unisex sunnies and optical frames inspired by architects, politicians, industry and design of the 1940s, '50s and '60s. Besides being a super-stylish selection of shades that keys perfectly into the TB aesthetic, the eyewear program is noteworthy not only because it marks the label's first foray into licensed products, but also because the company behind the fabulous frames is Los Angeles-based Dita Eyewear." Read more.

WWD Post Says Luxottica to Buy Grupo Tecnol

"Italian eyewear maker Luxottica SpA today is expected to reveal that it is acquiring Brazil’s Grupo Tecnol for an enterprise value of about 120 million euros, or $160 million at current exchange, WWD has learned." That's the lead from the evolving post on WWD. "The Brazilian company, based in Campinas, São Paulo state, designs and manufactures eyewear under license for 14 brands including Benetton SpA, Pierre Cardin and Playboy, as well as own brands Tecnol, Iron and Jean Monnier, according to the firm. Grupo Tecnol currently operates about 90 retail locations in Brazil, a person familiar with the situation told WWD." Read more.

Action Sports Stars Launch Eyewear Line

"Leaders from different parts of the action sports industry have joined to create a new, premium sunglass brand that marries elevated street fashion and action sports," says Transworld. "Skateboard mogul and television star Rob Dyrdek and Pete Fox (CEO of Fox Head Inc.), will launch IVI (pronounced “eye-vee”) in the spring of 2012. Industry legend Jerome Mage, also a partner, is the lead designer. Read more.

Three Cosmetic CL Providers Comply with FTC

Three Internet marketers of cosmetic, "circle" contact lenses have agreed to resolve Federal Trade Commission charges by entering into settlements that will put a stop to their alleged illegal practice of selling lenses to consumers without prescriptions. Circle lenses are a type of decorative contact lens that covers not just the iris of the eye, as standard lenses do, but the white area as well. Wearing these lenses makes the eyes appear larger.

The settlements are part of the FTC's ongoing efforts to help protect consumers from the health risks posed by improperly used contact lenses, through enforcement of the FTC's Contact Lens Rule. The Rule requires sellers to verify that a consumer has a valid prescription for all contact lenses, including cosmetic lenses that do not correct vision. According to the Food and Drug Administration, the improper use of contact lenses, whether they are corrective or not, can cause corneal ulcers, corneal abrasions, vision impairment, and blindness.

The three settlements with Royal Tronics, Inc. and Jamil Hindi; Gene Kim; and Thy Xuan Ho bring the FTC's total number of contact lens enforcement actions to 10 since the agency issued the Contact Lens Rule in 2004.

What's Behind Warby Parker's Success?

Adveretising Age discusses the success of WP: "When the four co-founders of Warby Parker were readying the launch two years ago of their internet-based eyewear venture, they channeled a who's who list of marketing role models: Apple as a master of design and function; Zappos for customer experience; Nike for building an enduring brand; and Method and Patagonia as trailblazers with clear "do good" missions." Read more.

Metro Safety Eyewear More Like Everyday Eyewear

"Designed to look less like safety eyewear and more like everyday glasses, Gateway Safety's Metro eyewear is engineered to help employers increase PPE compliance on the job," according to PlantServices. "Metro offers a choice of four frame colors that are designed to allow both men and women to express their personal style. The glasses come with a variety of lens options, including anti-fog and reflective mirror options." Read more.

Starving Bacteria Fight Antibiotics for Eye Health

"Some bacteria fight off antibiotics even as they starve," says Nebraska Living. "For years, scientists believed antibiotics failed to work against starving bacteria because the medicines' target spot within the bacteria had slowed or gone dormant. As it turns out, the bacteria's starvation triggers a reaction that coincidentally helps them defeat antibiotics, a University of Nebraska Medical Center researcher said." Read more.

Clinical Drug Use Creates Vision Problems

"According to new research by University of Kentucky investigators, an emerging pharmaceutical platform used in treating a variety of diseases may produce unintended and undesirable effects on eye function," according to a post on MidwestLens. "The paper, 'Short-interfering RNAs Induce Retinal Degeneration via TLR3 and IRF3,' appears in the current online edition of the journal Molecular Therapy, a publication of the Nature Publishing Group and the American Society of Gene and Cell Therapy." Read more.

New PQ Collection Released by Ron Arad

"Eyewear brand 'PQ' by London-based Israel-born designer and architect Ron Arad features collections 'A-frame' and 'corbs', each building on the classic spectacles with simple yet unique ideas," according to Design Boom. "The 'corbs' frames are one single unit sculpted from a block of acetate. the hinges are different from the usual pin and socket, eliminating the problem of the hardware getting loose. the concept arose from looking at the vertebrae's of animals. Creating a series of joined hinges which are interlinked to a spine running on the inside of the arms allows for an inward bend but not an outward. to emphasize the unity of the spectacles and to emphasis the form, the lens is set back. The shape is an ode to le corbusier and his iconic glasses. " Read more. 

Santa in Georgia Helps with Kids' Eye Needs

"The Pooler Lions Club is selling 100 Frasier firs this weekend. All proceeds will go toward buying glasses and contact lenses for children of the working poor," reports SavannahNow. "Santa Claus is in attendance. The club is selling 6-, 7-, and 9-foot trees for $44, $55 and $77, respectively." Read more.

Woman Wants Compensation after Bird Steals Her Gucci Sunglasses

Gucci sunwear, not
necessarily the pair missing.

Magpipe, not necessarily the
guilty one.

"A woman demanded a WA council pay for her $900 sunglasses after claiming a magpie swooped on the designer eyewear resting on her head and flew away with the Gucci shades," reports the Herald. "While falls and accidents on dodgy footpaths and roads were the top targets for public liability payouts, the magpie case was one of the more bizarre compensation claims rejected by Local Government Insurance Services." Read more.

Is Egypt's Eye Shooter Found?

"Egypt's general prosecutor on Friday ordered a police officer to submit to questioning regarding his suspected role in shooting protesters in the eyes during recent clashes in Cairo's Tahrir Square," reports CNN. "The evidence offered against El Shinawi includes videos recorded by protesters and posted on Facebook, Saeed said. At least five demonstrators have been shot in the eye, according to authorities." Read more.

Sightsavers Removes Cataracts from Child's Eye

"With deft, precise touches, Mastura Khatun goes about her work. On the operating table below her is a three-year-old girl, one eye staring upwards, a small brown disc visible through turquoise surgical sheets." That's the start of a Frederick Studeman post on the Financial Times. "Working through a microscope, Khatun starts to remove Erina Hossain’s cataract, making precise cuts as she moves around the girl’s clouded lens, before finally winkling it out. Then Khatun, senior consultant at the Islamia Eye Hospital in Dhaka, introduces an artificial lens, which she nudges into place. It is skilful work, requiring very steady hands. 'At any moment you can rupture the lens capsule,' she says." Read more.

Oracle Crew Wearing TAG Heuer Sunwear

Oracle crew will wear TAG Heuer watches and
sunglasses as part of the sponsorship deal.

TAG Heuer has signed up to sponsor the Oracle Racing crew for the 34th America’s Cup sail race in 2013," according to Professional Jewler. "The crew will be outfitted with TAG Heuer watches and eyewear during event, which is one of the most prestigious in the sailing calendar." Read more.

VEI Helps Underserved with Cataracts

Virginia Eye Institute has bee n accepting applications for its 19th Annual Cataract Mission program. The program was created to help underserved Virginians. Eligibility criteria for the application-based program include a lack of insurance (including Medicare or Medicaid) and a lack of financial means to pay for the surgery. Applications will be accepted through February 1, 2012. The screening day will be Saturday, February 18, 2012 and the surgery day Saturday, February 25, 2012. To date, Virginia Eye Institute’s Cataract Mission program has donated over 763 eye exams and 221 cataract surgeries.Read more.

NYSAC Grants Margarito a License despite Eye Injury

"WBA junior middleweight champion Miguel Cotto [has] made it clear that he plans to target the surgically repaired right eye of Antonio Margarito. The two boxers have been on a roller coaster ride for the last few days, while the New York State Athletic Commission was deciding the fate of Margarito's application for a boxing license," reports BoxingScene. "After hours of deliberation (that felt like weeks) on Tuesday afternoon, the NYSAC finally granted Margarito a license and the rematch moves forward as planned for December 3rd at New York's Madison Square Garden. But, the fact remains that Margarito's eye still appears abnormal regardless of the NYSAC's ruling." Read more.

UK's NICE Reject Lucentis

"Novartis AG's (NVS) eye care drug Lucentis has been rejected by Britain's health costs watchdog because of the medicine's high cost and doubts about its effectiveness in treating macular oedema," according to a Wall Street Journal post. "Macular oedema occurs when fluid collects in the retina, causing damage to vision. The U.K.'s National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, or NICE, Thursday said its independent appraisal committee was unable to recommend the injectable therapy "because of gaps and uncertainties in the evidence on the effectiveness of Lucentis compared with other treatments" and because of the drug's cost." Read more.

Gang of Thieves Hit High-End Optical Shops

"Two men walk into Village Eye Center in McLean. One appears to accidentally knock over a standing poster and politely props it back up. His partner, under the cover of such distractions, goes to work," starts the story in the Washington Post. "The men are part of a small band of high-end eyewear thieves who police say have hit vision stores in the Virginia and Maryland suburbs at least eight times since May. In one Virginia store, frames handcrafted from buffalo horn and wood were stolen, an optician at the store reported. Police released surveillance images this week hoping for help in the case." Read more.

GlobalEyeglasses Attempts to Cut into Your Business This Weekend

The day before Thanksgiving, GlobalEyeglasses.com kick-started a four-day shopping bonanza to celebrate Black Friday. Wednesday started with 20% off eyeglasses and lenses. On turkey day,  consumers can get 40% off lenses with a "lens40" coupon. Tomorrow, it will have a buy-one-get-one sale along with free shipping with orders of more than $100.  It will repeat the buy-one-get-one sale on Monday.Read more.

The Hugo Boss Finish 4730 Mile Race in Less Than 17 Days

After 16 days, nine hours, 20 minutes at sea together with Alex Thomson and co-skipper Guillermo Altadill aboard Hugo Boss, the Boss Black Eyewear Collection crossed the finish line in Puerto Limón, Costa Rica, Friday 19 December at 23hours 20 minutes 0 seconds UTC. Since the fourth day of the race they have shared the lead of the fleet with the winners, Jean-Pierre Dick and Jeremie Beyou on board Virbac Paprec 3, when they made the decision to choose a more northerly course than the majority of their competitors. The Boss completed the 4730 miles theoretical course distance at an average speed of 12.03 knots.

Deaths at Indian Eye Camps

"Criminal negligence of doctors and post-expiry date medicines given at the free medical eye camps organised by the Chhattisgarh government has led to at least four deaths and 75 botched up eye surgeries in last four months, a Headlines Today special investigation has found." Read more at India Today.

Alberta's ODs Tackle Children's Eye Health

"A new scheme is being rolled out in Canada in an attempt to encourage improved eye health among children of kindergarten age," according to ContaactLens.co.uk. "The Alberta Association of Optometrists has announced that it will be launching an Eye See Eye Learn programme that will aim to address the impact that poor eyesight can have on children's educational progress, CTV has reported. It will be funded by Alberta Education and provide school children from participating schools a free pair of glasses." Read more.

Safety Tips for Your Patients during the Holidays

"The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) estimates in its most recent report that hospital emergency rooms treated 251,700 toy-related injuries in 2010 throughout the United States. Of that number, 72 percent of injuries were to those less than 15 years of age," says HealthNewsDigest. "Additionally, the CPSC found that 46 percent of the estimated 251,700 ER-treated injuries occurred to the head and face area. Lacerations, abrasions and contusions made up most of these injuries. Prevent Blindness America, the nation’s oldest eye health and safety organization, has declared December as Safe Toys and Gifts Awareness Month. The group encourages everyone to make conscientious purchasing decisions based on what is best for each individual child." For a print out of the tips you can hand to your patients/customers, click here.

Mom, Dod, Is That You?

"Whether comparing a man and a woman or a parent and a baby, we can still see when two people of different age or sex are genetically related," reports MedicalNewsToday. "How do we know that people are part of a family? Findings from a new study published in the Journal of VisionRead more. increases our understanding of the brain's ability to see through these underlying variations in facial structure. ...As described in the paper, (Relative faces: Encoding of family resemblance relative to gender means in face space), researchers conducted two experiments using original and synthesized cross-gender 'sibling' faces that resemble each other and 'anti-sibling' faces that have the opposite characteristics of the original face."

Argyleculture Shows New Line

"Reflecting class, stature and respect with a focus on fashion. The new men’s line of optical frames from Argyleculture represents understated luxury, sophistication, and the modern American lifestyle," says Eyesurf. "With a commitment to aesthetics and superior quality, Argyleculture Eyewear features European colors, masculine designs in multiple sizes, edgy metal embellishments, and a hint of classic Ivy League heritage. Magriffe, Hendrix and Chet are full rim handmade acetate frames featuring Italian-inspired triple laminate acetate complemented with modern rectangle eyeshapes. These designs offer subtle Argyleculture branding and unique design elements such as contrasting acetates and argyle inspired end pieces. Chet is available in two eyesizes, and each style is available in two colors." Read more.

CL for More than Sight and Meds. How about the Super Bowl?

"A new generation of contact lenses that project images in front of the eyes is a step closer after successful animal trials, say scientists," reports the BBC. "The technology could allow wearers to read floating texts and emails or augment their sight with computer-generated images, Terminator-syle. Researchers at Washington University who are working on the device say early tests show it is safe and feasible. But there are still wrinkles to iron out, like finding a good power source. Currently, their crude prototype device can only work if it is within centimetres of the wireless battery. And its microcircuitry is only enough for one light-emitting diode, reports the Journal of Micromechanics and Microengineering." Read more at BBC.com.

"Engineers from the US and Finland have tested a wireless contact lens featuring a working LED light on a living eye for the first time," according to a post in The Engineer. "Although the proof-of-concept device only contained a single pixel, it could pave the way for lenses that display emails and text messages directly to the wearer’s eyes or provide real-time health monitoring information such as glucose levels. The lens — developed by researchers at Washington and Aalto universities — consists of an antenna that receives power in the form of radio waves, an integrated circuit to store the energy and a transparent sapphire chip containing a single blue LED. One of the key challenges in developing the lens was finding a way to allow the eye to focus on a display so close to it. The human eye cannot resolve images closer than a few centimetres so a contact lens display would normally appear blurry. Washington University researcher Prof Babak Praviz told The Engineer that this problem was overcome using Fresnel lenses — very thin lenses that effectively consist of a series of prisms rather than a single optical element."Read more in The Engineer.

 "The lenses would provide the wearer with ‘info-vision’ – hands-free information updates streamed across your field of vision," according to Metro. "The device currently contains only a single pixel but researchers hope to produce lenses that could be used to display short emails and texts. They could also be used in gaming or navigation systems and may be linked to biosensors in the user’s body to provide up-to-date information on glucose or lactate levels. The contacts, created by researchers in the US and Finland, are thinner and flatter than usual lenses and contain an antenna to accept power wirelessly." Read more in Metro.

Calvin Klein Comes Out with New Fall/Winter Line

"Sleek, architectural lines and discrete temple embellishments create a minimalist design, synonymous to the Calvin Klein Collection identity." That's what MidwestLens has to say. "A sophisticated color palette plays a key role in this season’s collections. Femininity is prevalent in each women’s frame through the use of luxurious horns, gradient zyls and translucent or textured details. The men’s collection is iconic and masculine with custom grey zyl interiors, unique hinge treatments and polarized lenses on all sun styles." Read more.

Pucci Reportedly Revitalizes Eyewear Collection

"Emilio Pucci revitalizes the eyewear collection through the innovative incorporation and mastering of shapes and lines," says MidwestLens. "Iconic prints from the Pucci Palazzo archives highlight frame end pieces, strong brows and sleek temples. Depth and dimension is displayed with translucent patterned temples. Fluid lines curve to hug female silhouettes and frame shapes range from full rounds to modified cat-eyes." Read more.

Seiko Extends Its Free-Form Product

Eyesurf reports that "Seiko Optical Products of America...extends its free-form product offering with new SEIKO Surmount Ws (Wide & Short), 100% internal free-form progressive lenses...New SEIKO Surmount Ws is a hard design progressive lens offering a 42% wider reading area with clear distance vision to the periphery." Read more.

New Lagerfeld Line

"The Karl Lagerfeld Fall/Winter 2011 debuts an assertive eyewear collection for men and women this season," according to a MidwestLens post. "Shapes from the women’s sun wear collection are vintage inspired and amplified by use of colors – dark hues that graduate to light and then are infused with a contrasting color burst or rich tortoise shells and horns. The Karl Lagerfeld logo placements are strategic. Sleek metal begins at end pieces and is then punctuated with the “KL” initials mid temple. The men’s collection showcases retro shapes with modern color gradients and the “K” temple exemplifies skilled craftsmanship. Intricate hinges seen throughout collections are incorporated at end pieces, including an industrial interlocking hinge." Read more.

Company Investigates CooperVision

Finkelstein Thompson is investigating whether the CooperVision made misleading and false statements to the investing public by significantly increasing its guidance three times during the fiscal year 2011 in March, June and August 2011, all the while knowing that it had defects in certain of its contact lens product lines that would have a large impact on the company. The company is asking individuals who purchased shares of Cooper between March 4, 2011 and November 15, 2011, or have information relating to this investigation, please contact Finkelstein Thompson's Washington, DC offices at (877) 337-1050 or by email at contact@finkelsteinthompson.com.

Most Beautiful Eyes in America Belong to...

The winner of the grand prize of Pevent Blindness America's “Most Beautiful Eyes” contest is Kayla Helfereich, age 8, of S.C. Helferich received a $25,000 scholarship. As the runners-up, Lyla Zaragoza, age 2, of Okla., won a $4,000 scholarship, and Mainer Hailey Verrill, age 4, received a $2,000 scholarship. Read more. 

Researchers Prove that We Like Seeing Nudes

Researchers at the University of Tampere and the Aalto University, Finland, have shown that the perception of nude bodies is boosted at an early stage of visual processing. The research was funded by the Academy of Finland," according to a post on MedicalNewsToday. "Most people like to look at pictures of nude or scantily clad human bodies. Looking at nude bodies is sexually arousing, and a nude human body is a classic subject in art. Advertising, too, has harnessed half-clothed models to evoke positive images about the products advertised. Brain imaging studies have localized areas in the brain which are specialized in detecting human bodies in the environment, but so far it has been unknown whether the brain processes nude and clothed bodies in different ways. Researchers at the University of Tampere and the Aalto University, Finland, have now shown that the perception of nude bodies is boosted at an early stage of visual processing." Read more.

Law Firm Looks into Handling Suits against CooperVision

Spangenberg Shibley & Liber is investigating potential lawsuits against CooperVision related to injuries suffered from using Avaira contact lenses. Read more.

National BBB Takes Coastal Contacts to Wood Shed

"The National Advertising Division of the Council of Better Business Bureaus has recommended that Coastal Contacts, Inc., discontinue an 'up  to 70 percent' savings claims and modify advertising that promoted 'free' products," according to Dealer Communications. "Further, in a case of first impression, NAD – the advertising industry’s self-regulatory forum – reached a determination regarding the messages conveyed by general social-media endorsements, and more specifically, the endorsements signified by “likes” on Facebook. The claims at issue were challenged before NAD by 1-800 Contacts, Inc. NAD reviewed express claims that included" a variety that Dealer Communications lists. 

Third Baseman Sandoval Undergoes Lasik

"Pablo Sandoval of the San Francisco Giant had Lasik eye surgery this week. According to an interview with Sandoval, he has been experiencing a problem with his left eye for over a year.  For a baseball player, that can mean serious problems at the diamond-shaped work place," according to an About post. "Sandoval's taking a risk, but not a crazy one.  Any surgery has risks and this one had the potential to make his vision perfect, or to cause new issues and/or fail to correct the problem he currently has.  He's already tried the less invasive methods of contact lenses and goggles, but finally felt the need  to have LASIK eye surgery.  Sandoval's approach has been a prudent one, considering that his vision will make or break his career." Read more.

St. Louis OD and Civic Rights Advocate Dies at 87

"Dr. James A. DeClue Sr., former president of the St. Louis chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and one of the first black optometrists in Missouri, died Wednesday (Nov. 16, 2011) of congestive heart failure while in hospice care at St. Alexius Hospital . He was 87 and lived in Creve Coeur." That's the report from the St. Louis Today. Read more.

Diabetes Not Taking Toll on Eyesight as It Once Did

Medscape  reports that "the age-adjusted percentage of people with diabetes reporting visual impairment (VI) dropped substantially between 1997 and 2010, from 23.7% in 1997 to 16.7% in 2010, according to National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, published in the November 18 issue of Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report." Read more.

Look Ease Eliminates Temples

“Look Ease” could provide more comfort than standard eyewear support.  The product would consist of eye glasses with a comfortable neck strap and no temples. It reportedly can be worn comfortably over the ears around the back of the head while the glasses are on. When the glasses are not needed, the glasses can hang securely against the chest without snagging or poking. The design would allow a wearer to find the glasses easily when needed, eliminating the hassle of digging deep into a purse or pockets. Variations of Look Ease could include different sizes, colors and styles for reading glasses, sunglasses, 3-D and safety glasses. A slider or toggle may be added for a tighter, more secure fit.Read more.

Multibrands Helps Finance Safilo's Polaroid Acquisition

Safilo Group and Multibrands Italy B.V. signed a loan agreement and an investment and underwriting agreement whereby Multibrands Italy B.V. will grant Safilo Group the financial support to partially fund said acquisition. Multibrands Italy B.V. will provide Safilo at least two thirds of the purchase price of the Polaroid Eyewear. 

In addition, Multibrands will loan Safilo 44 million Euros immediately following the acquisition, for a portion of the purchase price. Multibrands could also underwrite and pay-in a reserved capital increase of Safilo Group approximately equal to Euro 44 million, through the set-off of the credit deriving from the above mentioned loan with the debt deriving from the subscription of the reserved capital increase. Safilo will finance the remaining 21 million Euro for Polaroid.

No. 7 Distributing Unilens in UK

Unilens Vision Inc. has named No. 7 Contact Lens Laboratory Ltd. as the exclusive distributor in the United Kingdom and EU countries for the Unilens' C-Vue Advanced HydraVUE family of custom silicone hydrogel contact lenses.

A New Twist to the CooperVision Avaira Recall

"Subsequent to the announcement of the total recall of Avaira contact lenses this Wednesday, the Department of Health (DH) today (November 18) endorsed the recall of another product, FreshKon Airis 1-Month contact lenses, by its local distributor Oculus Optical (H.K.) Co., Ltd.," according to a DH press release.  "A DH spokesman said the recall was necessary as additional information from CooperVision Hong Kong revealed that Avaira was also marketed by another company as FreshKon Airis 1-Month in Singapore, with products imported to Hong Kong and distributed by Oculus Optical (H.K.) Co., Ltd. since March this year." Read more.

Consumer Reports notes the following about Cooper's recall:

"CooperVision has announced that it has expanded its worldwide recall of Avaira contact lenses to include Avaira Sphere lenses, after reports of wearers experiencing hazy vision and discomfort. On its website, CooperVision stated that the recall was due to the discovery of a residue (silicone oil) on certain Avaira lenses. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the presence of the residue can cause severe eye pain or eye injuries requiring medical treatment, in addition to just hazy vision or discomfort. Not everyone experiences the same symptoms. It is unclear how many total sets of Avaira Sphere contact lenses are subject to this recall. The FDA states only that it is 'a limited number of lots,' and there is no total provided by CooperVision either." Read more.
 

Bolle Official Eyewear of PGA Australia

"The PGA of Australia today announced Bollé as the Official Eyewear of the PGA Tour of Australasia in a deal extending across the next two years," according to MIVision. "The partnership gives Bollé the ability to market their range of eyewear through two of this season's biggest sports events, the Emirates Australian Open and the PGA Championship presented by Coca-Cola while also gaining exposure through the PGA's extensive golf channel." Read more.

LB Grand Prix Winners Don Petrols

The top two finishers at the 37th annual Long Beach Grand Prix shared more than the victory stand. Both winner Mike Conway and runner-up Ryan Briscoe choose to wear Petrol Eyewear, developed by automotive enthusiasts and endorsed by professional race car drivers. Petrol Eyewear offers superior driving optics designed to increase depth perception, sharpen vision, reduce eye fatigue, and protect the wearer from harmful UV and high-intensity visible light.Read more.

More on the CooperVision CL Recall

CBS News reports that "nearly 5 million more CooperVision contact lenses are being recalled because they may cause blurry vision, eye pain, and injuries requiring medical treatment. CooperVision Inc. says it will expand its recall of Avaira soft contacts to include 4.9 million Sphere lenses, which have already been shipped to customers around the world." Read more.

Jil Sander Has New Line

MidwestLens reports that "this Fall season, Jil Sander debuts a collection of sun wear and ophthalmics that are pure in design and minimalist in nature. Each frame is a vibrant statement created through colorations from the staple blue to modern influenced red, purple, olive, fuchsia and horns. Shapes contour the female silhouette with metal brows sculpted to slightly curved and modified ovals molded out of rich zyl." Read more.

Another CL That Dispenses Medicine

Another "drug-dispensing contact lens developed at Auburn University could replace eye drops as the most popular way to deliver drugs to the eye, the professor behind the development said last week," reports the blog AL. "A team of chemical and biomedical engineers led by Auburn professor Mark Byrne has created a way to embed drugs in contact lenses and deliver a steady dose of the drug over the prescribed life of the lens.Glaucoma patients and those needing anti-inflammatories, antibiotics and antihistamines may within a few years be able to treat their eye ailments without the use of eye drops or ointments, Byrne said. The lenses, which so far have been successfully tested in rabbits, could one day be commonly prescribed for patients recovering from laser eye surgery or cataract surgery, or for people who simply have allergies that make their eyes burn, he said." Read more.

Oakley Releases Team USA Olympic Eyewear

The U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) and Oakley, Inc.  released their Team USA eyewear collection. The collection includes four men’s sunglass designs (one of which is available in two renditions) and two women’s designs. Each of the special editions is highlighted with United States Olympic Team colors, and the Team USA mark is laser etched at the corner of the lens. The collection will be available at Oakley.com and through the company’s domestic distribution channels. In addition, the U.S. Olympic Committee will sell the products online via TeamUSAShop.com and through storefronts at its training centers.

Nike's Strobe Sunglasses Interpret Field Info--Reportedly

"Nike on Thursday unveiled the SPARQ Vapor Strobe Eyewear -- a pair of wraparound sunglasses that re-create the effect of an intense strobe light show at a rock concert," reports the Oregonian. "The effect is intended to help athletes better interpret information on a playing field and the glasses, Nike officials said, have been part of Oregon quarterbacks on-field practice arsenal for about four years. The Oregon-based footwear and apparel company also introduced a series of video vision tests that could be characterized as elaborate, high-tech versions of whack-a-mole."  Read more. You can read more about the eyewear at the 4traders.com site.

View full sizeBruce Ely / The OregonianJermaine Smith, a model, demonstrates the 3-D Body Scanner that allows Nike to develop form-fitting uniforms. Nike showed off the scanner Thursday, the day of its annual football products presentation. Senior technical designer Meg Okies looks on. Read more.

Safilo Agrees to Buy Polaroid

Safilo has agreed to acquire Polaroid Eyewear from StyleMark. Polaroid Eyewear, which invested the first man-made commercial polarizer in 1929 and the first Polaroid sunglasses in 1935, is part of the StyleMark. For the year 2011, the Polaroid Eyewear business is expected to record sales of approximately $63 million and generate an expected EBITDA of around $8.75 million. Read more.

Will Margarito's Eye Keep Him Out of the Ring

The rematch between junior middleweight titlist Miguel Cotto and Antonio Margarito may be held up. Apparently the New York Boxing Commisssion needs to rule on his eye condition. ESPN reports that "the New York commission, which denied Margarito's original application for a license after he applied for one on Oct. 31 because of the serious eye injury he suffered last year, held a three-hour-plus closed hearing on Wednesday...
The commission heard testimony from the commission eye specialist, a doctor from its medical advisory board and two doctors who support Margarito's application, including his eye surgeon." Besides breaking his orbital bone, he developed a large cataract in his right eye. Read more.

Perry Dons Carrera's in Music Video

Perry in Carrera's

Carrera sunglasses make their debut in the latest Katy Perry music video "The One That Got Away," the sixth single from the singer's record breaking album Teenage Dream. "The One That Got Away" features the always fun and flirty Perry donning a pair of gold Carrera  1 metal aviator sunglasses which are part of the brand's recently relaunched vintage collection. The video for the single which is currently in rotation in the U.S. will be released worldwide in November 2011.

VSP and Boys & Girls Club Helping 50,000

VSP Vision Care and Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) reached the VSP Eye Pledge campaign goal to provide more than $19.2 million worth of free eye exams and glasses to 50,000 at-risk youth. In the online campaign that kicked off in mid-August, VSP and BGCA partnered to encourage everyone to visit www.SeeMuchMore.com and take the free VSP Eye Pledge.  For each pledge made, a gift certificate for a free eye exam and glasses was directed to a local Club child in need. Read more.

Luxottica & Armani Getting Re-Hitched?

Giorgio Armani

Luxottica and Armani "are inching closer to signing an exclusive licensing deal, the companies announced Wednesday," CNBC reported yesterday. "The two companies have signed a letter of intent which is preliminary to the signing of a 10-year licensing agreement. The licensing agreement is expected to cover the design, manufacturing and global distribution of sun and prescription eyewear under the Giorgio Armani, Emporio Armani and A/X brands. The deal is anticipated to start in January 2013." Read more.  

As noted yesterday, Armani and Luxottica have signed a letter of intent regarding the licensing deal. The Safilo-Armani licensing deal will not expire until December 31, 2012. Safilo hooked up with Armani only after a falling out with the previous licensee--Luxottica.

Modo and Summer Rayne Saving the Planet?

The Modo eyewear line "eco " "by Summer Rayne Oakes are  vintage-inspired eyewear with a modern twist crafted from the highest quality 95% certified recycled materials. Every pair of glasses sold helps restore forests and sustains communities throughout Mozambique." That's the word on Summer Rayne's blog. Read more.

Peoples Creates New Line with Takahiro Miyahita

"Oliver Peoples teams up with Takahiro Miyahita...Turns out that the Oliver Peoples team scoured for original pieces in old factories and warehouses, then replicated techniques with tools that Oliver Peoples used years ago when originals could not be located," reports Complex. "Miyashita then put the finishing touches and fused parts of the original. A redux of vintage and modern masterpiece. The collection consists of the Solo1st Teardrop which features an aviator shape and double bridge metal sunglass and the Solo1st Round which offers a blend of antique gold and silver in round frames. Buy the collection now at Colette, $485." Read more.