Vision Disorders More Costly Than Heart Disease, Alzheimer's, Diabetes, and Cancer

"The gradual loss of eyesight can affect more than your quality of life. It can impact your wallet too." That's the start of a USA Today. "According to a study published by Prevent Blindness America, National Opinion Research Center specialists at the University of Chicago determined the nation's annual cost of eye and vision disorders is about $140 billion. That makes it more costly than three of the top seven major chronic illnesses, including heart disease, Alzheimer's, diabetes and cancer. Eye problems cost only about $51.4 billion in 2007, meaning a more than $80 billion increase in five years." Read more.

"Bionic Eye" Argus II Offered in a Dozen U.S. Markets

The Argus II Retinal Prosthesis System (“Argus II”) will be initially offered in 12 major markets across the U.S. to treat patients with late stage retinitis pigmentosa (RP), according to a spokesperson for its manufacturer, Second Sight Medical Products, Inc.. This news follows U.S. market approval for the Argus II by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in this past February. The device is a “bionic eye.” Implant centers, based in hospitals in Ann Arbor, Atlanta, Baltimore, Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas, Durham, Los Angeles, Miami, Nashville, Philadelphia, and San Francisco--will accept consultations for patients with RP. Read more.

TOMS Restores Sight for 150,000

Blake Mycoskie, Founder and Chief Shoe Giver of TOMS, has announced that through its Giving Partners the company has hand-placed over 10 million pairs of new shoes on children in need and has helped give sight to over 150,000 people around the world, according to a company spokesperson.  The success of TOMS' One for One business model has led to a continued evolution of its Giving efforts, with the company having made major investments in its shoe manufacturing, economic empowerment and commissioned field research, and has developed product partnerships that have raised millions of dollars for non-profit organizations.   Read more.

Local Optical Shops and OD Offices Best Quality and Customer Service, Says Consumer Reports

“A new pair of prescription specs can run you hundreds of dollars. So how can you buy a good pair of glasses without leaving yourself seeing double over the cost?” That’s the start of Consumer Reports report on the retail eyewear industry. The results might surprise you. “One answer is to shop at Costco. The store topped our list of eyeglass retailers for overall satisfaction in Consumer Reports' 2012 survey of nearly 19,500 readers. Another option is to buy from eyeglass websites. Doing that, we were able to save as much as 40 percent, compared to buying at a walk-in optical chain store such as LensCrafters. The downside, of course, is that you have to wait for your glasses to be mailed to you, and it can be a hassle returning them if there's a problem. But if you don't mind paying more, or most of your purchase is covered by insurance, go for independent local optical shops or a private doctor's office, which got high scores for satisfaction from our readers and top marks for merchandise quality and customer service [italics our emphasis].” Read more. The report also offers good tips for your customers so you might consider letting them know.

Start-Up Hopes to Make Eye Exams More Accessible

“Somerville startup EyeNetra, which has developed inexpensive eye-testing technology leveraging smartphones, has raised $2 million in new equity funding,” notes the Boston Business Journal. “’We're excited to have raised another round of funding and look forward to continued progress in bringing new access to eyeglasses around the world,’ co-founder and CEO David Schafran wrote in an email.” The device is based on work conducted at MIT. Read more.

Sunglasses from Mykita and Damir Doma

Elle reports that “Circular-shaped frames are having a moment, and the latest collection to catch our eye is Mykita's glasses collaboration with Parisian brand, Damir Doma. The silhouette feels both menswear-inspired and futuristic, and fits perfectly into the contemporary graphic vibe of Damir Doma's Resort 2014 collection—especially the DD01 style, pictured….The DD01 is available in both sunglasses or prescription frames and are available for purchase in all Mykita stores, the Damir Doma flagship boutique in Paris, and selected opticians for $950 to $1,088.” Read more.

Sunglass from Darylynn Eyewear

Darylynn Eyewear, founded by Darylynn Ayala, has launched a collection. The collection is said to capture the beauty of women, inspired from the silver screen to Studio 54. The frames are made with high quality acetate, lenses are CR39 gradient in color UV 400 category filter 3, and all metal is stainless steel with brush matte finish. It has also created a new web site: http://www.darylynn.com. The line of sunglasses is being sold in optical shops and online for about $300 a piece. Read more.

Floating Sunglasses from Dragon

“Dragon has seamlessly blended fashion with function to create the H20 Floatable Collection—its first ever line of floating sunglasses,” according to a post on Midwest Lens. “Made for men and women who enjoy an active lifestyle in and around the water, the H20 Floatable Collection pairs 5 of Dragon’s most popular styles— including The Jam and the Double Dos—with a specially formulated injected frame designed to stay afloat in the ocean, pool or lake. Arriving just in time for summer, Dragon’s H20 Floatable Collection sunglasses are the answer to never losing your shades in the water again.” Read more.

Google Glasses the Future for ODs? One Person Thinks So

"Elyse Kleifgen is among 8,000 people chosen across the U.S. to pilot Google Glass, an eyeglasses mounted device that enables users to browse the Internet, shoot video and take photos," according to MLive.com. "Kleifgen, a second-year intern at Ferris’ Michigan College of Optometry professional program, applied to pilot the instrument through the social media service Twitter, saying the technology could help optometry evolve." Read more.

Modernizing Medicine's EHR to Use Eyefinity

Modernizing Medicine, Inc. , will integrate Eyefinity’s award-winning practice management portfolio with MMI’s electronic health record (EHR) software. Read more.

CL Acts as a Telescope

A team of DARPA-funded researchers from the United States and Switzerland led by University of California San Diego Professor Joseph Ford reportedly has created a slim, telescopic contact lens that can switch between normal and magnified vision. With refinements, the system could offer AMD patients a relatively unobtrusive way to enhance their vision. The team reports its work today in the Optical Society's (OSA) open-access journal Optics Express.Read more.

Virtual CLs that Run on Tears

"Diabetics could one day be able to monitor their blood sugar levels using bionic contact lenses, instead of having to resort to painful finger pricks. Researchers have developed a fuel cell that runs on tears, which they say could power lens-mounted glucose sensors," according to Chemistry World. "The idea of using lenses for diabetic monitoring has been around for years, as glucose levels in tears track blood glucose levels. An electrical glucose sensor in a lens would be in constant contact with tear fluid, and could produce readings for an on-the-spot display that could be easily read by the wearer. But such a sensor would need a power source, and so far this has proven a major stumbling block." Read more.

New Online Eyewear Company--Dharma Eyewear

Dharma Eyewear Co. launched its online store (Dharmaco.com) this week. The company employs "certified and board-licensed opticians" in its New York facility to produce the eyewear. Consumers choose up to five frames to try on for five days, free. The site also has try-on software. Read more.

John Lennon Sunglasses for Auction in California

"Elvis Presley's Cadillac, Steve McQueen's old truck and prescription sunglasses worn by John Lennon are among hundreds of items once owned by celebrities that are scheduled to be auctioned in California next month." That's the Associated Press story on Yahoo!News. "The Mecum Auction Company said Wednesday it will be displaying and auctioning about 2,000 pieces of celebrity-related memorabilia in Santa Monica, Calif. on July 26-27." Read more.

FDVIP Expands Vision Plans

“More insurance companies will participate in the dental and vision insurance program for federal employees and retirees in 2014, the first expansion since the program was created in 2006, the Office of Personnel Management announced Friday.” That’s the report from the Washington Post. “Next year the Federal Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FDVIP) will include four vision plans and 10 dental plans, including a new vision plan offered by Aetna and three new dental plans, offered by Blue Cross-Blue Shield, Delta Dental and Dominion Dental.” Read more.

Stand-Alone Vision Plans May Not Join California’s Exchange

“Vision Service Plan's launch on California's new health care exchange is downright blurry, and the firm is seeing red,” says the Sacramento Bee. “The Rancho Cordova company and others in the vision industry lobbied successfully last year for the right to sell adult vision insurance to individuals via the state's new health care exchange.But a new controversy has emerged, raising the prospect that vision plans will not be part of the state's exchange, Covered California, when it begins offering health insurance Oct. 1.” Read more.

CooperVision Expands Parameters for Avaira Toric CLs

Starting this month, CooperVision Inc. is expanding its parameters for its Avaira toric contact lenses with new +0.25D to +6.00D sphere powers to correct for hyperopia. A 2011 study indicated that 15.7 percent of hyperopes were also astigmatic. These new options join the existing parameter range, including sphere powers of plano to -6.00D in 0.25 steps; -6.50D to -10.00D in 0.50 steps; cylinder powers of -0.75, -1.25, and -1.75; and axes from 10 degrees to 180 degrees in 10 degree steps. Read more.;

New EHR System from VitalHealth

VitalHealth Software has released a cloud based EHR solution for eye care practices, which the company will demonstrate at the annual American Optometric Association conference in San Diego. The EHR system will be available through Uprise. Uprise functionality includes a fully integrated practice management component, insurance reimbursement processing, and online ophthalmic product ordering and tracking. Read more.

Braves Uggla Still Adjusting to CLs

“As he prepared for Tuesday night's game against the Royals, Braves second baseman Dan Uggla said he is still trying to get used to the contact lenses he began wearing for the first time last Thursday,” according to MLB.com. “Uggla did not report any problems during Friday night's game against the Brewers. But after experiencing blurred vision while batting the next two days, he opted to remove the contact lenses for his final two plate appearances of Sunday's series finale in Milwaukee.” Read more.

New from McGee’s Breast Cancer Awareness Collection

“The McGee Group is expanding the annual Breast Cancer Awareness collection to include Ladies, Girlfriends and Kids frames in Ribbons, Vera Bradley’s newest Breast Cancer Awareness color,” reports Midwest Lens. “The McGee Group has partnered with the Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer since 2006, donating a portion of the proceeds of all Vera Bradley eyewear to the Foundation. Vanessa, Pam, Jasmine, Darby, Winnie and Dawn highlight the fight to end breast cancer that is close to the hearts of the McGee Group and Vera Bradley.” Read more.

Online Company Capitalizing on the Discontinuation of Acuvue

Starting July 1, Acuvue will be discontinuing the Acuvue brand contacts from their product line. The Acuvue brand contact lenses. Some contact wearers have reported that they are upset with the recent changes, and would much rather stay with the soon to be discontinued Acuvue brands. Online contact lens companies are now urging customers to stock up on the brands that are soon to be discontinued. Up until July 1, they will be able to fulfill orders, but after that doors are closing, says a Cleocontactlenses.com spokesperson: "Some customers are even buying an entire year's supply of contact lenses. Seeing orders this large, is definitely unusual but we're not complaining." To capitalize on the hoarding, Clecontactlenses is doing a small promotion to encourage people to stock up on the discontinued lenses. Read more.

PBA Launches Most Beautiful Eyes 2013

Prevent Blindness America has launched its Most Beautiful Eyes Contest for 2013 on Facebook. The contest allows children across the United States the chance to win a $10,000 educational scholarship from Marchon Eyewear. Until the end of July, your patients can enters photographs of their children (zero-17) at https://www.facebook.com/preventblindness/app_549641338407995. For the month of August, the public will vote for the photograph of the child with the most beautiful eyes. The Facebook site notes that “each state will have one winner (void where prohibited), who will advance to the second round of voting. All state winners will receive a free pair of RKS sunglasses and a copy of the children’s book Jacob’s Eye Patch by Beth Kobliner Shaw and Jacob Shaw. The celebrity panel of judges will select a scholarship recipient from among the state finalists. The national winner and two family members will enjoy a weekend in Chicago to attend the Prevent Blindness America Annual Awards Banquet on Friday, Nov. 8, 2013, where the $10,000 educational scholarship will be officially awarded.”

Warning about Fireworks and Eye Health

The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) wants Fourth of July revelers to enjoy the colors, sounds and excitement of the upcoming fireworks season, without injury. Too often, there are injuries. For example, Americans purchased more than 212 million pounds of fireworks in 2011, up from 184.4 million pounds in 2010, according to the American Pyrotechnics Association. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) estimates the following:

• There were more than 18,700 injuries caused by fireworks in 2012, including 7,332 emergency department visits. 
• Thirty-six percent of the estimated emergency department-treated, fireworks-related injuries in 2011 were individuals younger than age 20.
• The parts of the body most often injured were hands and fingers (46 percent of injuries); eyes (17 percent); head, face and ears (17 percent); and legs (11 percent).
• More than half of the emergency department-treated, fireworks-related injuries were burns.
• There were 1,100 emergency department-treated injuries associated with sparklers and 300 with bottle rockets.

Read more.

Eyes Reveal What Tastes Good, Study Shows

“The brain's pleasure response to tasting food can be measured through the eyes using a common, low-cost ophthalmological tool, according to a study just published in the journal Obesity. If validated, this method could be useful for research and clinical applications in food addiction and obesity prevention,” notes a Science Digest post. “Dr. Jennifer Nasser, an associate professor in the department of Nutrition Sciences in Drexel University's College of Nursing and Health Professions, led the study testing the use of electroretinography (ERG) to indicate increases in the neurotransmitter dopamine in the retina. Dopamine is associated with a variety of pleasure-related effects in the brain, including the expectation of reward. In the eye's retina, dopamine is released when the optical nerve activates in response to light exposure.” Read more.

The Impact of the Affordable Care Act

If you want to get an idea of the impact of the Affordable Care Act, you might want to read a series being published by the New York Times. "To follow how the historic law is playing out, The New York Times will look periodically at its impact in Louisville, a city of 600,000 that embodies both the triumphs and the shortcomings of the medical system in the United States." Read more.

Update on Braves’ Uggla and Wood and Their CLs

Here’s the latest on Uggla, his hitting, and his contact lenses from the Atlanta Journal & Constitution: “Dan Uggla played his first game Friday night wearing new contact lenses and already came away encouraged. He went 0-for-2 with two walks but also hit a flyball nearly 400 feet to left  center field in the fifth inning of a 2-0 loss to the Brewers. ‘I felt great,’ Uggla said afterward. ‘The way I saw the ball tonight was night-and-day different than what it’s been. To get adjusted this quick to the contacts is really encouraging.’” Read more.

In another AJC post, there was an update about Braves pitcher Alex Wood: “Like his teammate Dan Uggla, rookie left-hander Alex Wood was encouraged by his first game wearing using new contact lenses Friday night against the Brewers. ‘It was awesome,’ Wood said. ‘I could see. I didn’t have to worry about glasses or anything. It was good.’ He proved it by going out and pitching a scoreless inning Saturday as well, in the first work of his career on back-to-back days. Wood gave up a leadoff double to Rickie Weeks before striking out the side in order to strand Weeks at second. ‘He did a terrific job,’ Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said. ‘The velocity was good to see there again. And the changeup he threw, the last pitch to (Norichika) Aoki might have been the best changeup he’s thrown all year. That ball just plain disappeared.’” Read more.

Dead Cone Cells Kill Rod Cells

“There are two major light receptor cells in the mammalian eye: rods and cones. New research by scientists from Duke University have shown that dying cone cells can trigger the demise of healthy rod cells, leading to the loss of vision,” according to Medical News Today. “The study by Kyoung-in Cho and colleagues, published in the journal PLOS Genetics, showed that when a multifunctional protein known as 'Ran-binding protein 2' (RanBP2) is removed from cone cells it causes not only those cells to die but also results in the demise of the healthy rod cells in the eye. The authors also show that the rod and cone cells undergo a cascade of distinct and unusual events as they are dying. The demise of these cells can play a part in diseases such as retinitis pigmentosa and age-related macular degeneration (AMD).” Read more.

British Retailer Promoting Eyecare thru Employers

“Specsavers Corporate Eyecare has produced new posters to help fleet managers make their eyecare provision more eye-catching.” That’s a post on Fleet News. “These are available now and can be edited and personalised by the individual company to promote the availability and value of eyecare.
Under safety, health and wellbeing regulations, it is the employer’s role to not only provide eyecare for relevant employees, but also to ensure that this provision is communicated. Specsavers has produced a range of posters to enable the employer to do just that. The materials target screen-users, drivers and those requiring safety eyewear, as well as covering the importance of looking after the eyes and the benefits this can have for wider health and wellbeing.” Read more.

New CL Saves Soldiers’ Eyes on the Battlefield

“When an improvised explosive device blows up in the face of an American soldier, medics rush to treat life-threatening injuries. That often means injuries to the eyes, which account for nearly 40 percent of all war wounds, can go untreated for days, frequently resulting in blindness,” reports KTTS. “Now, scientists at Mercy Research and Development (R&D) in Springfield, Mo., have a solution, thanks to a $4.8 million research grant from the U.S. Department of Defense. Mercy scientists have developed prototype contact lenses capable of delivering medication. They’re designed for medics to apply to soldiers’ eyes right on the battlefield - immediately stabilizing the eye and preserving vision.” Read more.

Uggla and Wood of the Braves Plop in New CLs

“Dan Uggla returned to the Braves lineup Friday night in Milwaukee, wearing newly fitted contact lenses and hopeful that it will make a difference in what’s been an uphill struggle at the plate,” reports the Atlanta Journal & Constitution. “Uggla entered the series against the Brewers hitting .194, with 92 strikeouts in 227 at-bats. He was diagnosed with astigmatism in spring training and tried contacts then, but he didn’t see immediate improvement with contacts and quit wearing them….He hopes to wear contacts for the remainder of the season and have laser surgery after the season. Uggla said doctors estimated he would need a two-week stint on the disabled list to recover from surgery…..Braves left-hander Alex Wood has had his own problems with astigmatism as well. The rookie reliever was fitted for contacts Thursday and was wearing them Friday in Milwaukee. Wood originally tried pitching in glasses, but had to wear regular glasses because his prescription sport goggles haven’t arrived. But during a spot start Tuesday afternoon against the Mets, his glasses kept falling off as he sweated in the heat of the day, and he eventually just put them in his pocket.” Read more.

Jenna Elizabeth’s Take on an Eye Exam

An odd video with a nice soundtrack: it's Jenna Elizabeth's five minute examination of an eye exam starring Chanel Imam. It was done with assistance from Shauns Eyewear, an online retailer of sunglasses. Shauns Eyewear (also called Shauns Shades) has instituted one of those buy-one-give-one programs as well.

New Drug Treatment for AMD

Medical News Today says that “a team of ophthalmologists at the University of Iowa has shown that a third drug, Eylea, can ease leaking and vision problems for wet AMD patients. In a study involving 31 AMD patients at the UI Hospitals and Clinics, researchers report that half of the eyes treated with Eylea had reduced fluid after three monthly injections. Moreover, in some cases subsequent bimonthly injections with Eylea were deemed as effective as monthly injections of Avastin and Lucentis over a similar time period, meaning fewer visits by patients and less cost.” Read more.

Argus Enters Vision Plan Marketplace

Argus Dental Plan (www.argusdental.com) has formed Argus Vision to offer vision benefit plans as an added comprehensive benefit to employer groups and health plans. Argus Dental currently provides dental benefits nationally to members in New York, North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida and Georgia with future expansion into Texas. Read more.

Davis Vision Launches New Brand Strategy

Davis Vision is launching a new "Eyecare Reframed" brand strategy that it hopes will educate employers and consumers about eyewear and eye care. The model is said to wholly controls the end-to-end delivery of vision care, to include all labs, frame design, retail and every aspect of the customer service delivery. This includes a solid foundation of 40,000 independent and retail participating provider points of access. The system provides a superior customer experience,  as a result of the fact that Davis Vision's buying power comes from direct end-to-end management of the process, starting with eyewear fabrication which enables Davis to provide a more progressive low-to-no out of pocket offering through a proprietary eyewear collection, and through its retail arm at Visionworks, says a company spokesperson. Read more.

Good vs. Bad: The True Story of the Eye’s Bacteria

“Much as predators attack their prey in the animal world, there are bacteria that consume and kill other bacteria.” That’s a new post on Science Digest. “Scientists are reporting new progress in putting the predator microbes to work -- to attack dangerous bacteria that cause eye infections that lead to blindness and have grown resistant to antibiotics. Daniel Kadouri, PhD, an assistant professor of oral biology the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-New Jersey Dental School, is lead author of the study, which is published in the online journal PLoS ONE.” Read more.

CooperVision Introduces MyDay CL

CooperVision announced its newest contact lens development at the British Contact Lens Association Clinical Conference earlier this month. New MyDay daily disposable contact lenses are made with a material it’s calling Smart Silicone, maximizing oxygen delivery to the cornea, according to a company spokesperson. In addition to oxygen permeability, the disposables reportedly offer high wettability, making for a softer lens and a comfortable wearing experience. According to the company’s clinical research, two weeks of the new lens contributed to less eye redness, resulting in whiter looking eyes. They also report that nine out of 10 patients were satisfied with the comfort of MyDay lenses. Read more.

New from Charmant

Midwest Lens reports that the “latest Charmant Titanium release reflects the brilliance of clean, simple lines and understated elegance with a modern flair. Each frame offers wearable shapes and an array of colors sure to please.” Read more.

Older Adults Ignoring Nutrients in Daily Diet that Support Eye Health, Says Study

A recent review published as an Expert Opinion in the Journal of Clinical Interventions in Aging outlines the link between specific nutrients and eye health. But the review, funded by a grant from Bausch + Lomb, also found that many Americans over age 50 don’t consume enough of these nutrients in their daily diet to support their eye health. That’s according to a B+L spokesperson.

Elizabeth Johnson, Ph.D., a nutrition researcher at Tufts University, and Helen Rasmussen, Ph.D., R.D., an adjunct faculty member at Lesley University, and authors of this review of published literature, focused on the antioxidants vitamins C and E, lutein, zeaxanthin, zinc and the omega-3 fatty acids eicosahexaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) as important nutrients that can potentially help protect eye health as people age.

“Many adults don’t think about their eye health or sight until it’s too late to reverse the damage their eyes may have sustained,” said Dr. Johnson.  “Our review shows that incorporating proper nutrition into the diet can help adults protect their eye health. It’s a small step that can go a long way.”

The review is said to have highlighted data from the most recent NHANES (National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey) which indicates that most Americans fall below the optimal intake of these specific nutrients. Further, according to a recent survey conducted by the Ocular Nutrition Society, 78 percent of adults, ages 45-65, rank vision as the most important of their five senses, yet less than half are aware of important nutrients that may play a key role in eye health. Specifically, survey respondents were unaware of the specific nutrients, including omega-3 fatty acids (almost 60 percent), lutein (66 percent) and zeaxanthin (nearly 90 percent). Diet is the best way to get these specific nutrients, but for adults who don’t get the nutrients needed through diet alone, nutritional supplementation is warranted.

Read more.

Lutein and Zeaxanthin Slow Progression of AMD, Confirms New NEI Study

“National Eye Institute Deputy Clinical Director Emily Chew, M.D., Ph.D., presented the results from the second Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS2) at the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) annual meeting in May. Her presentation expanded upon the results published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA),” notes a news post from the AOA (American Optometric Assn.). “The primary analysis of the study tested whether adding FloraGLO Lutein and Optisharp Zeaxanthin, DHA + EPA, or a combination of the two to the AREDS formulation reduced the risk of progression to advanced age-related macular degeneration (AMD) by an additional 25 percent as compared to study subjects taking the original AREDS supplement, which was the study control arm. The data did not demonstrate a significant reduction in progression to advanced AMD in any of the three treatment arms as compared to the control group.” Read more.

Improving from 20/400 to 20/40

Midwest Lens reports that “Advanced Cell Technology, Inc., a leader in the field of regenerative medicine, today confirmed that the vision of a patient enrolled in a clinical investigation of the company’s retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells derived from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) has improved from 20/400 to 20/40 following treatment. The improvement was first reported on May 15, 2013, in a news article published by Reuters.” Read more.

EyeMed Says New Approach Makes Business Easier for ECPs

EyeMed Vision Care is implementing an updated business model that will keep it simple for eye care professionals to do business with the company and improve exam reimbursements. The model was tested with more than 150 independent provider locations and is designed to support provider practice growth, simplify administration, and deliver a wide choice of products and labs, according to a company spokesperson. The model was designed over the past two years with input from more than 2,000 independent providers collected through focus groups, beta tests, and a pilot program of more than 150 different provider locations. Read more to find out about the benefit details.

VSP Tells California to Use Colorado Model for Stand Alones

“VSP Vision Care has advice for board members from Covered California when they meet Thursday to decide how and when to offer stand-alone vision and other supplemental benefits in the new health insurance marketplace: look at Colorado.” That’s the report from the Sacramento Business Journal. “Last week, Connect for Health Colorado voted to provide direct access to stand-alone vision plans for consumers via a link during the health insurance enrollment process that starts Oct. 1. Like other states — including California — Colorado hit a stumbling block in March when new federal rules narrowed the way supplemental plans can be offered in exchanges. These products can be offered by separate state programs that share resources and infrastructure with a state-based exchange, but federal subsidies can’t be used for non-essential benefits — nor can exchange administrative fees support them.” For more details, read more.

Vogue’s Brazilian Brand Ambassadors

Last month, “Vogue Eyewear launched its first Brazilian brand ambassadors: the three supermodels Isabeli Fontana, Izabel Goulart and Evandro Soldati, who will be hosting special initiatives to complete the global campaign, represented by the famous actress Eva Mendes,” according to a Midwest Lens post. “The three trendy young models – all 100% Brazilian – were the guests of honor of the PR launch held at the São Paulo Jockey Club in Cidade Jardim, an exceptional venue with a breathtaking view of the city skyline.” Read more.

Eyefly Donating Eyewear to Institute’s Vision Campaign

"Eyefly, the online eyewear retailer, has pledged to donate one frame for every frame they sell to the BRien Holden Vision Institute Say Eye campaign, according to an Eyefly press release appearing on a Wall Street Journal post. The remainder of the release read: “With an initial donation of 15,000 optical frames, Eyefly is lending its support, while serving to promote advocacy and education for the development of eye care worldwide. Brien Holden Vision Institute is one of the largest and most successful non-profit social enterprises in the history of eye care -- offering a practical fusion of science with licensing enabling its continuing research success to be reinvested in public health and further research to develop programs, models of vision care and up-scale education in developing communities worldwide. Brien Holden Vision Institute launched the Say Eye campaign to raise public awareness for the millions of people in developing communities whose lives could change dramatically with a simple eye exam and pair of glasses.” Read more.

New from Viva

“Viva International Group adds two new styles to their Rampage Eyewear collection,” reports Midwest Lens. “Bold and dramatic design elements, including sculpted temple treatments, soft matte finishes and pops of color, coordinate perfectly with the contemporary fashion apparel of today’s RAMPAGE woman.” Read more.

Toms Joins Forces with Jonathan Adler

The Los Angeles Times notes, “Just in time for the 4thof July, Toms eyewear has launched a patriotic-looking collection of shades in collaboration with the maestro of modernist design-with-a-twist Jonathan Adler. The capsule collection features three limited-edition, unisex styles that come with a needlepoint case featuring art by Adler. The styles are pretty great; they remind me of fireworks and peace pops. Can't you just taste summer now? As with all of Toms eyewear — and shoes — the glasses are One for One products, meaning that for every pair purchased, Toms will help give sight to someone in need.” Read more.

Warby Parker Pays Homage to the Man of Steel

“Eyewear designers Warby Parker released two new Superman-inspired frames to tie-in with the release of Man of Steel last weekend,” reports Comics Alliance. “Warby Parker designs eyewear with both style and affordability in mind, and the "Chamberlain" and "Percey" frames in the Man of Steel collection are no exception. With subtle red/blue detailing on the temples, these bold retro frames are fit for both men and women who are looking to add a dash of Daily Planet to their faces at $95 each (including prescription lenses) -- $15 of which will be donated to 826NYC, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting students ages 6-18 with their writing skills.” Read more.

Nike’s Impel Swift Ranked #1 Sports Sunglass

The Independent ranks what it calls the “ten best sports sunglasses.” Nike’s Impel Swift topped the list. For the other nine, read more.

Safilo Licensed to Produce Capsule Marc Newson Eyewear

In occasion of its 80th anniversary in 2014, Safilo has agreed  to design, produce, and distribute a capsule eyewear collection signed by Marc Newson. The collection will include optical frames and sunglasses. The collection will be released in Spring 2014. Read more.

How Some People View Eyewear

If you want to get an idea why online retailers are making some inroads in the eyewear market, read this first paragraph from a the press release of a new online retailer: “People looking to save money this summer on prescription eyeglasses can now turn to MarvelOptics.com for cheap eyewear online. People cannot afford to waste money on the over-priced eyeglasses sold in retail stores across the United States. With all of the things people will need to save money for this summer, including gas for drives down the beach, food for BBQ’s, and rent for the beach house, having to worry about paying for eyeglasses is a drag. But now, MarvelOptics.com offers stylish frames for as low as $5.95, so there will be plenty of money left over for another adventurous summer.” Six bucks for eyewear. Makes one wonder. Read more.

Rowley to Compete Head-On with Warby Parker

“Warby Parker carved out a new segment in the eyewear market three years ago, offering stylish, prescription lenses for just $95 per pair. Others have since joined the competition, including Cynthia Rowley, who is debuting a line of lower-priced eyewear online for women and another for men on Monday.” That’s the post on Mashable. “Non-prescription glasses and sunglasses cost $99 per pair; optical lenses cost $129 per pair. Thirty styles debut online at RowleyEyewear.com on Monday.” Read more.

Biofinity Said to Be Fastest Growing CL Brand

CooperVision claims that Biofinity brand was the fastest growing contact lens brand in the U.S. between April 2012 and March 2013. The number of new Biofinity patients reportedly grew faster than any other frequent-replacement contact lens brand. The company says that its Biofinity combines a high oxygen permeability (Dk128) and high water content (H₂O 48 percent), making for a more flexible lens (modulus 0.75 MPa). Read more.

States Limit Access to Health Care

“With only a few months remaining before Americans will start buying coverage through the new state insurance exchanges under President Obama’s health care law, it is becoming clear that the millions of people purchasing policies in the exchanges will find that their choices vary sharply, depending on where they live,” according to a New York Times post.”States like California, Colorado and Maryland have attracted an array of insurers. But options for people in other states may be limited to an already dominant local Blue Cross plan and a few newcomers with little or no track record in providing individual coverage, including the two dozen new carriers across the country created under the Affordable Care Act.”Read more.

Daas Opens Showroom in San Diego

Alexander Daas will open a retail showroom in San Diego’s Gaslamp District this month. Brand founder and designer, licensed optician Alexander Daas, will style, fit, and dispense prescription and non-prescription lenses. The brand also is sold in boutiques and optometrist offices nationwide. The showroom will carry other independent brands such as KBL and Initium. Read more.

‘Morse-Code’ Type Device Could Help Visually Impaired

“In the near future, a buzz in your belt or a pulse from your jacket may give you instructions on how to navigate your surroundings.” That’s the tease from Medical News Today. “Think of it as tactile Morse code: vibrations from a wearable, GPS-linked device that tell you to turn right or left, or stop, depending on the pattern of pulses you feel. Such a device could free drivers from having to look at maps, and could also serve as a tactile guide for the visually and hearing impaired. Lynette Jones, a senior research scientist in MIT's Department of Mechanical Engineering, designs wearable tactile displays. Through her work, she's observed that the skin is a sensitive - though largely untapped - medium for communication.” Read more.

1-Day Acuvue TruEye Brand Introduced in U.S.

News Medical reports that Vistakon has introduced its 1-Day Acuvue TruEye Brand Contact Lenses (narafilcon A) in the U.S. The post notes that 1.3 people worldwide already use the silicone hydrogel daily disposable lens. Some practices already carry the lens and the company expects to expand distribution in coming months. The lens reportedly has a “distinctive balance of properties” that enables it to offer comfort “comparable to a contact lens-free eye.” It is the world's first daily disposable contact lens made with a super-breathable silicone hydrogel material that provides 98 percent of available oxygen to the open eye. Read more.

Essilor and Wenzhou Medical Research Myopia

To strengthen research on myopia, Essilor International and the Wenzhou Medical University, in China, have launched a research platform: the Wenzhou Medical University-Essilor International Research Center (WEIRC), according to an Essilor spokesperson. This partnership aims to create a research platform in the field of vision science. It will focus as a first step on myopia in children: its etiology, its epidemiology and the means, mostly based on ophthalmic lenses, to control its progression. Read more.

Connection between Low Birth Weight and Age-Related Vision Loss?

“Medical researchers at the University of Alberta recently published their findings that rats with restricted growth in the womb, causing low birth weights when born, were most susceptible to developing age-related vision loss, compared to their normal weight counterparts,” according to a Science Digest post. “The research team members say additional work needs to be done to see if this same link exists in people, and if it does, doctors will need to better monitor vision concerns in adults who were born with a low birth weight.” Read more.

Safilo Renews License with Marc Jacobs

Safilo Group and Marc Jacobs International renewed their licensing agreement for the design, manufacture and worldwide distribution of Marc Jacobs and Marc by Marc Jacobs branded optical frames and sunglasses collections. The new agreement will now run until December 31st, 2024. Read more.

Lagerfeld Says His Eyewear Balances ‘Ugly Faces’

“You've got to hand it to Karl Lagerfeld, he certainly knows how to drum up a bit of publicity. Take this video for his eponymous label's autumn/winter 2013 eyewear collection for example; most creative directors would spout some nonsense about the inspiration behind the collection, and how the ergonomic design fits perfectly onto the face (or something like that). But not Lagerfeld, oh no.” That’s the report from the Telegraph. “‘They balance ugly faces and they make beautiful faces more beautiful," he says without a hint of sarcasm. What more could you want out of a new pair of glasses?” Read more.

New from ClearVision

“In 2013, the ClearVision Kids Collection offers 40+ designs, including more tween styles than ever, meeting every eyewear need for kids from 0-16. The collection now includes edgier designs in plastics and flat metal, and more color infused and architectural styles to reflect more adult styling. Inspired by current trends in kids and tween clothing and sneakers, the collection will please even your most fashionable young patients!” That’s a recent post on Midwest Lens. “After surveying its customers and a marketplace evaluation, ClearVision expanded its kid’s collections to include frames appropriate for the teen and tween marketplace. Adding more mature styles into its Op kids, Jessica McClintock for Girls and IZOD Boys collections gives ECP’s a wider scope of frames for its customers! Also included in this year’s program is Op, the popular surfer brand, and Junction City, ClearVision’s fashion-value private label brand.” Read more.

New Layer to Cornea Discovered

"Scientists have discovered a previously undetected layer in the cornea, the clear window at the front of the human eye," notes a Science Digest post. "The breakthrough could help surgeons to dramatically improve outcomes for patients undergoing corneal grafts and transplants." Read more.

New from Yves Saint Laurent

"The Yves Saint Laurent brand proposes classical and refined French design, through sophisticated collections, the use of exclusive materials, and a variety of shapes, customised by the style icons which characterize the creations of this maison," according to Midwest Lens. "The collections are targeted at both a male and female public, aged between 25 and 50, and are positioned in the luxury and premium segments of the market. The products are sold all over the world." Read more.

Boise Ranked Top Eye Health City

Boise is the top city where more residents took care of their eyes in 2012, according to VSP Vision Care's 2013 Eye Health Index.The index reviewed tens of millions of VSP claims from more than 100 geographic areas. VSP began analyzing claim data in 2012 to recognize the top cities whose citizens are getting eye exams as part of their healthcare routine.

The Top 10 2013 Eye Healthy Regions in the United States

1. Boise
2. Sacramento (10th in 2012)
3. Oklahoma City-Tulsa (9th in 2012)
4. Wichita (2nd in 2012)
5. Columbus, OH (6th in 2012)
6. Des Moines
7. Birmingham, AL (4th in 2012)
8. Denver (5th in 2012)
9. Raleigh, NC (3rd in 2012)
10. Bay Area, CA (San Jose 7th in 2012)

Fendi to Break Up with Marchon and Hook Up with Safilo

Safilo Group and Fendi will hook up with a licensing agreement for the design, production and worldwide distribution of Fendi sunglasses and optical frames, valid until December 31, 2022. Read more. 

The partnership will begin at the beginning of next year when Marchon’s licensing agreement with Fendi will expire. Marchon and Fendi partnered up in 1991, beginning with a regional license for the Western Hemisphere. In 2005, the license expanded to include all global markets. Read more.

Artist Sells Kaleidoscopic Eyewear. Why? Want a Pair?

This falls under the category of why-waste-your-time. “While creativity always seems to flourish through unconventional ideas, artist Pam Tietze has created a line of eyewear that will distort your vision—in a good way,” notes a post on ComplexArt+Design. “Holes kaleidoscope glasses have lenses made from prisms used in chandeliers and provide the naked eye with a visual effect of viewing the world through crystal glass.” Read more.

Dita Von Teese Poses for Dita Eyewear’s Legends Campaign

“Shot by Dita Eyewear cofounder and creative director John Juniper and French snapper Lionel Deluy, the new 'Legends' campaign dropped this week,” reports Yahoo! OMG!. “The brand has recently unveiled the Lancier luxury-sport range (set to retail from $800 to $2,000), which feature interchangable sea, land and air lenses for different sporting activities.” Read more.

HIPPA Compliance Mandatory in September

Optometrists and other health care entities have until Sept. 23 to comply with newly revised Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Privacy and Security Rules. The updated HIPAA rules formally took effect March 26, 2013, but in most cases practitioners have 180 days to bring practices into compliance. That’s the word from the American Optometric Assn. (AOA). The require most optometric practices to review privacy and security policies, update Notices of Privacy Practices (NPPs), and take a few additional measures. Read more.

Link between Balance and Uncorrected Refractive Error

“UC Davis Health System Eye Center research has found that visually impaired individuals and those with uncorrected refractive error …have a significantly greater risk of diminished balance with their eyes closed on a compliant, foam surface than individuals with normal vision,” according to Science Digest. “The research, published in the June 6 issue of JAMA Ophthalmology, suggests that vision may play an important role in calibrating the vestibular system, which includes the bones and soft tissue of the inner ear, to help optimize physical balance. The work provides direction for more targeted studies on how poor vision impacts vestibular balance, and how to better develop fall prevention strategies for those with poor vision.” Read more.

Essilor Goes to Extremes to Test Xperio

Essilor is running what it’s calling the Extreme Testing project in the Canadian Arctic with scientist and polar traveller Eric Brossier. Brossier, who crosses the Canadian Arctic on the scientific observation vessel the Vagabond, lives under extreme light and weather conditions with his family, often facing freezing temperatures (-40°c), harsh winds, and periods of midnight sun and polar night. For four months, Brossier and his family will carry out a number of tests using 12 high-performance indoor and outdoor Essilor lenses, including the Xperio. Eric and his family have to undergo long hours of vision with only artificial and dim light during the 24-hour nigh period. Essilor believes that his findings will allow it to improves its high-performance lenses. Read more.

Continuous Medical Monitoring with CLs

More of the light emitting diode contact lenses reported last week: “Soft contact lenses could display information to the wearer and provide continuous medical monitoring,” according to a MedCityNews post. “For those who find Google Glass indiscreet, electronic contact lenses that outfit the user’s cornea with a display may one day provide an alternative. Built by researchers at several institutions, including two research arms of Samsung, the lenses use new nanomaterials to solve some of the problems that have made contact-lens displays less than practical. A group led by Jang-Ung Park, a chemical engineer at the Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology, mounted a light-emitting diode on an off-the-shelf soft contact lens, using a material the researchers developed: a transparent, highly conductive, and stretchy mix of graphene and silver nanowires. The researchers tested these lenses in rabbits—whose eyes are similar in size to humans’—and found no ill effects after five hours. The animals didn’t rub their eyes or grow bloodshot, and the electronics kept working. This work is described online in the journal Nano Letters.” Read more.

Eyewear Pouches from Mykita and Côte & Ciel

Midwest Lens reports that  “MYKITA has partnered up with French accessories brand Côte & Ciel, known for their iconic designs for people on the move, to create a distinctive collection of protective eyewear pouches.” Read more.

New from Vera Bradley Kids

“Rylan, Misty and Dawn from the Vera Bradley Kids collection bring Vera Bradley’s most beloved styles to their youngest of fans. Each frame features spring hinges for a comfortable fit and the added detail of a hot-stamped flower on the temple tip,” according to Midwest Lens. “Combining style and colors to create a sweet look, Rylan, Misty and Dawn are perfect for the young girl who loves Vera Bradley.” Read more.

History of AR Eyewear

“We've seen the prototypes that led Google to Glass, but there are many devices that predate Mountain View's smart specs, and Augmented World Expo in Santa Clara, California was able to gather and display a historic number of such headsets this week,” reports EnGadget. “From Steve Mann's handmade WearComp 1 and EyeTap prototypes to Glass-like precursors from Optinvent and Vuzix, it's quite the comprehensive collection -- over thirty devices in all. While they may make their way into a museum some day, we're bringing pictures of them all to your screen right now. Enjoy.” See the pictorial display.

New from Tura’s crush and oio

Tura, Inc., has launched “new styles for its popular crush and oio brands, which are being promoted in the month of June with an attractive back-to-school offer,” according to Midwest Lens. “Oio eyewear is known for its stylish shapes that are playful, colorful and textured. The brand focuses on adventurous kids and tweens who want to emulate their older siblings, but also wish to express their individuality. The two new oio designs capitalize on the popular vintage and color-blocking trends this year. Each acetate style is retro-inspired with a fun pop of color at the temples. Fully equipped with spring hinges, these styles are ideal for kids on the go!” Read more.

Sunglass Wearing Dog Hero of Turkey Protests

“Protesting in Istanbul's Gezi's Park began May 28, and has become increasingly tense. But there has been one bright spot among the standoff between the police and the protesters: One hero, on the protesters' team, is of the four-legged variety,” according to a Yahoo! News post. “Protesters have started calling him ‘Sunglasses Motorcycle Dog’ or ‘SMD.’ Why? Because he wears sunglasses.” Read more.

Clay Courts Affect Tennis Players’ Vision

“Clay courts present particular challenges that do not exist on grass or hard courts,” reports the New York Times. “The game is slower, the balls bounce higher, the rallies last longer. And the dirt from the courts blows into players’ eyes, making it look as if they are battling a Saharan sandstorm in addition to heavy topspin. In a quarterfinal match between Serena Williams and Svetlana Kuznetsova on Court Suzanne Lenglen on Tuesday, gusts of wind repeatedly blew the red dust as high as Williams’s ponytail.” Read more.

Rembrandt Wants Ruling on CL Patent Infringement Case

“Rembrandt Vision Technologies LP urged a Federal Circuit panel on Tuesday to reverse a jury verdict and judgment ruling that two lines of Johnson & Johnson Vision Care Inc. contact lenses don't infringe its patent, claiming the judge erroneously barred key evidence that could have swayed the jury,” says a recent Law 360 post. “According to Rembrandt, U.S. District Judge Timothy Corrigan granted an overly broad motion in limine prior to the jury trial.” Read more.

New Promo Video for Lagerfeld Eyewear

“The stunning Dutch model renowned for her androgynous style [Saskia de Brauw] and famous Spanish model Jon Kortajarena were chosen for the new Karl Lagerfeld eyewear campaign,” reports Yahoo! OMG! South Africa. “This 10-second teaser reveals a few creations from the new eyewear collection…. Both models have already featured in spring/summer 2013 Karl Lagerfeld campaigns.” Read more.

Case against B+L’s ReNu Dismissed

“A New York judge has dismissed hundreds of claims over Bausch & Lomb's contact-lens solution, rejecting plaintiffs' attempt to submit recent scientific studies on the link between ReNu ML and eye infections,” reports Thomson Reuters. “New York Supreme Court Justice Shirley Kornreich granted Bausch & Lomb's motion for summary judgment, dismissing a group of cases consolidated in New York state court…ReNu ML was pulled from the shelves in 2006 following an outbreak of fusarium keratitis…. Later that year, the Centers for Disease Control and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration published findings that ReNu ML users ran a higher risk of developing fusarium infections.” Read more.

Changes in Mental Frame of Reference Causes Visual Difficulties for Elderly

“For many older adults, the aging process seems to go hand-in-hand with an annoying increase in clumsiness,” notes a Science Digest post. “New research suggests some of these reaching-and-grasping difficulties may be caused by changes in the mental frame of reference that older adults use to visualize nearby objects.” Read more.

New from Totally Rimless

Midwest Lens writes “the style and sophistication of the art deco movement are brought to a fashionable climax in the most recent eyewear styles from Boutique by Totally Rimless. TR 195, TR 196 and TR 197 incorporate the geometric elegance of 1920’s fashion, art and architecture through epoxy colors, jeweled stone accents and angular eyeshapes. With adjustable nose pads and spring hinges for a sure fit, the latest additions to the Boutique collection combine fashion and comfort for a perfect frame.” Read more.

Eyes Read the Future of Health

Medical News Today reports that “the width of blood vessels in the retina, located at the back of the eye, may indicate brain health years before the onset of dementia and other deficits, according to a new study published in Psychological Science, a journal of the Association for Psychological Science.” Read more.

New Vision Plan Launched for Small Businesses

Small-business owners interested in providing employees quality dental and vision insurance benefits without incurring the expenses of administering two plans can now offer PolicyLink Dental + Vision Plan from Standard Insurance Company. The plan allows employers to choose their benefits offerings from The Standard’s eligible dental products and determine a plan maximum. Within that overall plan maximum, employers can designate an amount for their vision maximum benefit from four options: $150, $200, $300 and $350.

New from Candie’s

“Viva International Group introduces four new ophthalmic and three new sunglass styles to the Candie’s Eyewear collection this summer. The new styles capture the fun lifestyle of today’s Candie’s girl combined with pops of color, stone accents and an eclectic mix of design elements,” according to Midwest Lens. “This season, tortoise is presented in an assortment of bold interpretations, including model C Opaline, a handcrafted acetate style complimented by contrasting colors on the inside of the frame. Model C Onix features a modified rectangle metal front in a satin finish combined with acetate temples in tortoise variations. A secondary color is revealed on the inside of this style’s temple, as well.” Read more.

New from Gotti Switzerland

Gotti Switzerland had added four styles of sunglasses to its Spin & Stow collection. The earpieces for each titanium frame rotates so the sunglasses can fold flat and fit in a small case. The nylon lenses have an anti-reflective coating on the inside, providing additional protection to the wearer. Read more.

Tempest in a Teapot over Oakley’s

“Some Westmoreland County [PA} sheriff's deputies will be wearing stylish shades this summer — at taxpayers' expense,” reported the Trib Live.  "The county has purchased $112 Oakley sunglasses for 14 deputies under an annual uniform allowance that usually pays for shirts, pants and other less tony items. Taxpayers paid more than $1,500 this year for the fancy eyewear. But officials said on Tuesday that taxpayers will no longer pay for the high-end sunglasses.” Read more.

Cooper Sells Its Japanese CL Operation

“CooperVision has reached an agreement to divest Aime. This Aime unit runs a contact lens operation in Japan,” according to a notice form NASDAQ.com. “It will be sold to Nippon Contact Lens Inc. The company did not reveal the terms of the sale.” Read more.

Transitions Gets a Little Country at the CMA Music Festival

Continuing its efforts to raise awareness about the importance of vision health in connection with the sights around us, Transitions working with Grammy Award winning Darius Rucker kicked off Nashville area events from June 3 to 9. The events tied in with the CMA Music Festival. Transitions is the official eyewear of the festival. It has set up its Performance Park in Nashville's Walk of Fame Park, and it has invited more than 70,000 festival attendees to its Enhanced Vision Experience – offering the most enhanced view of some of today's best country music artists atop Transitions' two-story deck through trials and simulations of the Transitions family of products as well as participate in some of their favorite outdoor activities and have the chance to win great prizes, including a meet and greet with Darius Rucker. Read more.

New Safety Eyewear from Honeywell

“Honeywell Safety Products has unveiled Uvex Pheos safety eyewear, which combines streamlined styling with technologically advanced materials to deliver high-performance protection. The eyewear’s frameless design features duo-spherical lenses for unparalleled optical quality and superior all-around coverage,” according to Utility Products. “The dielectric style comes with Uvex Dura-streme dual action anti-fog, anti-scratch coating for exceptional versatility and value. Available in two sizes and three lens tints, Uvex Pheos is designed to fit the workforce and perform to perfection in nearly every application.” Read more.

New from Zyloware

This month, Zyloware Eyewear has released new eyewear styles for its Sophia Loren, Stetson, Stetson Off Road and Randy Jackson Collections. Read more.

Atheer’s Eyewear Brings ‘Minority Report’ to AR. Google Drops Facial Recognition

“While Google prepares to release eyewear that provides a window to the Web, a startup on the edge of its campus is readying glasses that overlay the Internet on the world in 3D,” writes Yahoo! OMG!. “Atheer Labs on Thursday provided the first public look at prototype eyewear that lets people manipulate virtual objects, maps and more in the air in a style reminiscent of a scene in the film ‘Minority Report.’” Read more.
Meanwhile, “Google late Friday put out word that it won't add face-recognition features to Glass, in a bow to privacy fears raised about the camera-enabled Internet-connected eyewear,” reports Yahoo! Sports New Zealand. “’We won't add facial recognition features to our products without having strong privacy protections in place,’ Google said in an online message aimed at software developers creating applications for Glass.” Read more.

FDA Approves Lagado LSH Latheable Silicone Hydrogel

“Latheable Silicone Hydrogel materials will open new opportunities for growth in the custom soft lens manufacturing category,” said the manufacturer Lagado, a wholly owned company of Menicon, after it received approval from the FDA. The lenses reportedly can be made in all designs using  current manufacturing processes, enabling specialty lens fitters and their manufacturing partners to offer custom made silicone hydrogel lenses for any condition. Lagado LSH lenses are plasma oxidized using a proprietary process to produce a low wetting angle and improved wettability – helping to promote lens comfort, improve visual performance, and reduce the potential for deposits. Read more.