Valeant Looking for Contact Lens Company—Maybe

Valeant Pharmaceuticals International Inc. remains “on the hunt for other companies, including makers of innovative contact lenses, as it presses on with efforts to take over Botox-maker Allergan Inc (AGN.N),” according to a Reuters report. “On a conference call with investors, Valeant Chief Executive Officer Michael Pearson said the company will not be content to remain the No. 4 global player in the contact lens industry.” Read more.

Hilfiger and Safilo Tie Knot Again

Safilo Group and the Tommy Hilfiger Group renewed their global eyewear licensing agreement for the exclusive design, development, production and distribution of the Tommy Hilfiger ophthalmic and sunglass collections. The agreement will run until December 31, 2020, with an optional five-year extension thereafter.

New Reading System Helps Visually Impaired ‘See’ Graphics

“People who are blind can now read more than just words, such as graphs and graphics, following the development of an affordable digital reading system by Curtin University researchers,” goes the post in Medical News Today. “Opening up new career paths and educational opportunities for people with vision impairment, the system combines a number of pattern recognition technologies into a single platform and, for the first time, allows mathematics and graphical material to be extracted and described without sighted intervention. Senior Lecturer Dr. Iain Murray and Ph.D. student Azadeh Nazemi of Curtin's Department of Electrical and Computing Engineering developed the device to handle the extraordinary number of complex issues faced by the vision impaired when needing to read graphics, graphs, bills, bank statements and more.” Read more.

New Eyewear from Vera Bradley

“The old and new come together in bold new color combinations for the perfect summer eyewear collection,” according to Midwest Lens. “The newest frames from the Vera Bradley Ladies collection offer classic and trendy looks in Vera Bradley latest colors. Jasmine, Blake, Marissa and Greta offer four sunny looks for summer that are perfect for any woman who loves Vera Bradley.” Read more.

New Eyewear from Eastern States

“Comprised of four plastic and four metal styles, the new release features a bright, diverse color palette,” writes Midwest Lens. “Several techniques are utilized to demonstrate the brand’s penchant for rich, attractive coloring. Plastic triple laminate temples feature cuts to show off the added color within their layers. Metal styles feature endpiece work that allows for subtle color accents to contrast their fronts. Additionally, a theme of dynamic detailing on endpieces such as flowing metal work, laser etching and rhinestones. A variety of shapes and sizes are featured in the entire new collection, showing an ability to fit standard size faces and tweeners alike.” Read more.

MIT Smartphone Eye Exam Raises $4 Million

“An MIT mobile health spinoff wants to bring vision tests to smartphones and has raised $4 million as part of a Series A round. In a phone interview with MedCity News, EyeNetra COO and co-founder David Schafran confirmed the fundraise but was fairly tight-lipped about details such as how the tests would be delivered and assessed,” notes MedCity News. “Previously known as PerfectSight, EyeNetra developed a device called NetraG that can be applied to mobile phones to create a smartphone vision test. The device can generate a recommended power for each person’s eyeglasses and contact lenses. It is designed to test for nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. It also measures for the distance between eyes. Its website claims its technology is as accurate as autorefractors, but a good deal less expensive than their $45,000 price tag.The company also is developing a data analytics component to identify patterns and trends to develop specific recommendations for each patient.” Read more.

Vision-Correcting Displays Compensate for Visual Impairments

“What if computer screens had glasses instead of the people staring at the monitors? That concept is not too far afield from technology being developed by UC Berkeley computer and vision scientists,” according to a post on Science Daily. “The researchers are developing computer algorithms to compensate for an individual's visual impairment, and creating vision-correcting displays that enable users to see text and images clearly without wearing eyeglasses or contact lenses. The technology could potentially help hundreds of millions of people who currently need corrective lenses to use their smartphones, tablets and computers. One common problem, for example, is presbyopia, a type of farsightedness in which the ability to focus on nearby objects is gradually diminished as the aging eyes' lenses lose elasticity. More importantly, the displays could one day aid people with more complex visual problems, known as high order aberrations, which cannot be corrected by eyeglasses, said Brian Barsky, UC Berkeley professor of computer science and vision science, and affiliate professor of optometry.” Read more.

Three Contact Lens Manufacturers Investigated for Price Fixing

“Moves by three of the four major U.S. contact lens makers to set price floors for many of their products, preventing low-cost retailers from discounting the expensive devices, have drawn scrutiny from lawmakers.,” reports Reuters. “The Senate Judiciary Committee's nine-member antitrust panel will meet on Wednesday to consider the decisions by Alcon, owned by Novartis AG ; Bausch+Lomb, owned by Valeant Pharmaceuticals ; and Johnson & Johnson to put in place minimum sale prices for some of their products. The practice would have been illegal just a decade ago but became legal when the Supreme Court ruled in 2007 that manufacturers can set minimum sale prices in some situations. Lawmakers will seek to determine whether these policies limit competition and lead to higher prices for consumers.” Read more.

New Eyewear from Seraphin

“Demonstrating a noteworthy tribute to masculine boldness, Seraphin Eyewear introduces the Lincoln. With its daring take on traditional men’s styled frames, a solid representation of bravery emulates throughout the Lincoln,” according to Midwest Lens. “Designed with a larger prominent face in mind, the Lincoln embodies modern masculinity with declared confidence. This notable appearance is carefully revealed in handcrafted Italian acetate in four traditional pattern options of Midnight Fade/Midnight, Blue Demi, Olive Demi, and Honey Tortoise. This distinguished frame gets a modern twist with its three-dimensional silver diamond-shaped rivets, giving depth and visual intrigue to the peaks of the Lincoln.” Read more.

New Columbia Eyewear from L'Amy

“L’Amy America, a division of global eyewear group TWC-L’Amy, announces the worldwide launch of two new tweener ophthalmic models, with metals featuring Columbia’s exclusive 180°™ hinge system, just in time for the back-to-school sell-in season,” writes Midwest Lens. “The new additions, to the now 11 model Columbia Tweener collection, are combination metal models, “Eagle Rock and Red Cliff.” The metals provide two distinct size options, with distinctive shapes, and Gripol™ rubberized temple stems for stability on face and super soft touch against the skin.” Read more.

Google Contact Lens Gives Each Person a ‘Signature’

“Two Google patents hot off the presses imagine a world where special contact lenses essentially turn your eye into a fingerprint, with each person having a unique, snowflake like signature,l” according to the website Phandroid. “Built in capacitive sensors would be used to ensure it’s an actual eyeball, not a fake replica, that is being scanned. The process has three steps:

1. Receiving light on an iris of an eye
2. Detecting, at one or more light sensors disposed on or within a transparent lens covering at least a portion of the eye, light reflected from the light incident on the iris of the eye, wherein the light reflected comprises image data indicative of a pattern associated with the iris.
3. Outputting an iris fingerprint based in part on the image data.”

Read more and see the schematic for the design.

New Eyewear from Mykita

“Bernhard Willhelm is well known for his extraordinary designs, their innovative cuts and witty references to pop culture. For the Autumn/Winter 2014 season, the brand once again decided to forgo a live presentation and instead used the city of Los Angeles to stage their new lookbook. The resulting images show Bernhard Willhelm’s most recent collection alongside two new models from the Mykita & Bernhard Willhelm sunglasses range: Ursula & Erwin,,” according to Midwest Lens. “A shape traditionally occurring in smaller frame dimensions, the octagonal silhouette is blown out of proportion for Ursula. Like sister hippie-esque model Janis, Ursula features sleek details; the temples as well as the nose pads are not treated or coated. The continued use of this reduced concept streamlines the frame, and the radical lens shape takes center stage.” Read more.

Luxottica Keeps Chanel in the Fold

“Italy's Luxottica has extended a license agreement to produce and distribute Chanel-branded eyeglasses until the end of 2018, renewable for a further two years, the world's largest eyewear maker by revenue said on Thursday,” reports Reuters. “The relationship between Luxottica and Chanel dates back to 1999 when the French fashion house launched its first-ever eyewear collections, CEO Andrea Guerra said in a statement.” Read more.

A Look at Premier Eye Care

“And for 20 years, she has built and led managed care company Premier Eye Care, which manages medical and routine vision care, including medical review, authorization and payment, for 2.7 million Floridians, through Medicaid and Medicare plans and private insurance plans, including Humana, WellCare and Simply Healthcare,” writes Florida Trend. “Premier, which also manages vision care for another 287,743 outside of Florida, is on Florida Trend’s list of the 100 Best Companies to Work For in Florida for the second consecutive year.” Read more.

Vuzix and Lenovo Launch Smart Eyewear in China

“Video eyewear and smart eyeglasses company Vuzix Corp. of Brighton said Thursday it had signed a deal with PC giant Lenovo to launch Vuzix’s M100 Smart Glasses into China,” reports the Democrat & Chronicle. “Vuzix launched the M100 — which includes a built-in computer and has similar capabilities as a smartphone — in late 2013 and has said it looks to the M100 to be a flagship product. According to Vuzix, the M100 in China will be co-branded as a Vuzix/Lenovo solution and marketed there as part of Lenovo’s New Business Development brand. as ‘Vuzix 100 Smart Glasses powered by Lenovo NBD.’ The Lenovo deal has Vuzix serving as the exclusive third-party provider of smart glasses to Lenovo for the Chinese industrial and commercial markets.” Read more.

New Columbia Eyewear from L’Amy

“L’Amy America’s Columbia Eyewear, an industry leader in outdoor ophthalmic design, announces the worldwide launch of several new models for the Summer, with design options in stainless steel or titanium,” according to Midwest Lens. “Bitterroot and Brundage are 2 new easy-wearing, traditional rectangles with slight sport attitude made of stainless steel which is durable, and has a soft-brushed finish with subtle two-color temple detail—the ultimate “daily commute” frame for more conservative tastes.” Read more.

New Eyewear from Vera Bradley Girlfriends

Midwest Lens writes, "The Vera Bradley Girlfriends collection offers a frame for every style, whether she prefers sport blue or pretty in pink. Farrah, Ivy and Paula offer a mix of trendy and classic eyeshapes and design details to make each girl feel extraordinary." Read more.

Loss of Children's Vision Care? Now Possible

Many American parents were counting on the benefits of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) to get vision screenings and, possibly, eyewear for their children. That could be out the question as a result of reason court rulings.

"Millions of low- and moderate-income people who signed up for health insurance with the help of federal tax-credit subsidies could find themselves without coverage or facing big premium bills if a destructive decision handed down by a federal appeals court in Washington on Tuesday is not reversed," starts an editorial from the New York Times. "It would be a crippling blow to the ability of the Affordable Care Act to reduce the ranks of the uninsured with grievous consequences for vulnerable customers." Read more. How do this affect children? The only Americans eligible for vision care coverage under the ACA are children.

Autofocusing Contact Lenses: Why not?

The Google-Novartis (Alcon) contact lens deal has re-ignited conversation about the future of contact lenses. Here's a part of what the MIT Technology Review discussed this week: "Quinn also believes that drug delivery may be another use for future contact lenses. If a lens could dispense medication slowly over long periods of time, it would be better for patients than the short, concentrated doses provided by eye drops, he says. Such a lens is not easy to make, though (see 'A Drug-Dispensing Lens'). The autofocusing lens is in an earlier stage of development, but the goal is for it to adjust its shape depending on where the eye is looking, which would be especially helpful for people who need reading glasses. A current prototype of the lens uses photodiodes to detect light hitting the eye and determine whether the eye is directed downward. Leveiller says the team is also looking at other possible techniques." Read more.

Kids Use Digital Devices More Than Parents Think

"According to the American Optometric Association (AOA), parents severely underestimate the time their children spend on digital devices," says News Medical. "An AOA survey reports that 83 percent of children between the ages of 10 and 17 estimate they use an electronic device for three or more hours each day. However, a separate AOA survey of parents revealed that only 40 percent of parents believe their children use an electronic device for that same amount of time. Eye doctors are concerned that this significant disparity may indicate that parents are more likely to overlook warning signs and symptoms associated with vision problems due to technology use, such as digital eye strain." Read more.

Federal Courts Issue Conflicting Rulings about Subsidies under ACA

"Two federal appeals court panels issued conflicting rulings Tuesday on whether the government could subsidize health insurance premiums for people in three dozen states that use the federal insurance exchange," reports the New York Times. "The decisions are the latest in a series of legal challenges to central components of President Obama’s health care law." Read more.

New Sunglasses from Blackfin

"The keynote for this summer is lightness according to Blackfin, the all-Italian eyewear brand," according to Midwest Lens. "The two frames in the Zero Edge line in beta-titanium display all that brand’s powerful personality, a unique combination of technology, quality and style. Barely a year since it made its debut on the market, the ultra-lightweight Blackfin Zero Edge collection is completed with two sunglasses, models that are the perfect synthesis of design, research, fashion and personality in which maximum style is complemented by featherweight appeal." Read more.

AMD Starts Earlier Than Once Thought

“It is widely accepted that age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the most common cause of visual impairment and blindness in industrialized countries. However, it is questionable whether it can continue to be defined as a disease in people in their 50s and beyond,” reports Science Daily. “Investigations to determine the incidence of age-related macular degeneration undertaken as part of the Gutenberg Health Study of the University Medical Center of Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU) have shown that even persons under the age of 50 years may be affected by an early form of the eye disease. Just under 4 percent of the 35 to 44-year-old subjects in the population-based study were found to be suffering from AMD.” Read more.

During August, Children’s Eye Health & Safety Awareness Month, PBA Offers Programs for Kids, Parents, and Teachers

Prevent Blindness has declared August as Children’s Eye Health and Safety Awareness month to inspire parents to make their child’s vision health a priority.  Family-friendly resources on a wide variety of topics that help parents take the right steps to keep their child's sight healthy for life can be found at preventblindness.org and through the National Center for Children’s Vision and Eye Health at Prevent Blindness (NCCVEH) website.  Topics covered include amblyopia (lazy eye), strabismus (crossed eyes), UV-protection and sports safety, and the Affordable Care Act and children’s vision.

Prevent Blindness also offers the following programs to help save children’s sight:

• The NCCVEH is teaming up with Family Voices and its National Center for Family Professional Partnership (NCFPP) for August’s Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month to offer families of children with special health care needs important information on vision issues.  Resources include Vision Health for Children on the Autism Spectrum, Families of Children with Vision Impairment: Working with Medical Professionals, and much more.
• Eye Spy,an eye health and safety education program, is designed for children. Through the program, children learn about eye anatomy, how the eye works, and eye safety. Teachers may also use the program in the classroom.
• Designed specifically for educators, Star Pupils Eye Health and Safety Curriculum for grades K-2, 3-5 and 6-8 provides teachers with interactive materials that help students learn the importance of sight, components of the eye and how we see, and how to identify objects and situations that can be dangerous to eyes.  The program meets National Health, National Science and National Physical Education standards and includes presentation guides, eye exam diagrams, in-class worksheets and an activity book for children to take home. It can be downloaded free upon request,
• The Eye Patch Club is geared to children with amblyopia and their families.  Eye doctors commonly treat amblyopia by having the child wear a patch over the unaffected eye for extended periods of time. This program encourages children to wear their patches as prescribed. Among other materials, members of the club receive their own special calendar and stickers.  The Eye Patch Club kit may be purchased for $12.95 by calling (800) 331-2020. Proceeds will go to support the sight-saving programs of Prevent Blindness.

Read more.

Marcolin and Emilio Pucci Sign Agreement

“Marcolin Group and Emilio Pucci announce having reached the worldwide exclusive license agreement for the design, production and distribution of sunglasses and eyeglasses for Emilio Pucci, the timeless fashion brand synonymous with luxury, color, design and “joie de vivre”, represented in its famous prints, innovative silhouette and fabrics that go beyond seasonal trends, for more than 60 years,” according to Midwest Lens. “The license, effective January 2015 with the launch of the first sunglasses collection, will have the duration of five years, renewable. The eyewear release will speak to an extremely feminine woman, embracing radiant and refined aesthetics and a luxury lifestyle in which creativity and minimalism will come together.” Read more.

Love or Lust at First Sight? Your ECP Knows for Sure

"Have you ever experienced love at first sight? What about lust at first sight? Though these two different emotional and cognitive states are difficult to distinguish from each other, researchers studying eye patterns have found that where your date focuses their eyes on you could reveal whether he or she is romantically or sexually attracted," reports Medical News Today. "Specifically, the findings reveal that eye patterns center on a stranger's face if the viewer regards that person as a potential romantic love partner, whereas the viewer focuses more on the other person's body when the feeling is one of sexual desire. Though this may seem like an obvious progression, researchers say that automatic judgement can happen as quickly as half a second, producing contrasting gaze patterns. The research team, from the University of Chicago, have published their results in the journal Psychological Science." Read more.

Call for Higher Standard for Pediacric Protective Eyewear

"Standards for protective eyewear for children and public health campaigns encouraging its use are crucial to reducing the incidence of ocular injuries in children, according to a clinical focus article published in the Medical Journal of Australia." That's the beginning of a Medical News Today post.  "Ms. Annette Hoskin, Research Fellow and her colleagues, from the Lions Eye Institute in Perth, reported that in Australia, 10% of severe ocular trauma in children occurred during sporting activities, with permanent visual damage resulting in 27% of those cases. Forty-eight per cent of eye injuries occurred in the home while playing with easily accessible objects." Read more.

Promote Back-to-School Eye Exams

Promote back-to-school eye exams to your patients. They need to be part of their children's preparations, notes Dr. Ida Chung, COVD (College of Optometrists in Vision Development) president. When a child struggles with reading, attentive parents often can see something wrong. Teachers might say a child has a  "tracking" problem. Pediatricians, however, cannot always identify the problem, as Suzanne Torres, mother of five, discovered. Her middle daughter, Mary, was in first grade. She developed difficulties reading. She knew her "wall words" (words put up on the classroom wall for Spelling), but she couldn't recognize them in a paragraph. Her pediatrician said that Mary's vision was fine. Her mother noticed that Mary's eyes, though, didn't move "correctly" when she read. Read more.

Light-Colored Eyes and Meds Increase Dangers of UV Light

Individuals with light-colored eyes or taking common OTC medications are at higher risk for UV damage, according to a recent study by the American Academy of Ophthalmology. The study, which involved more than 2,000 adults, found that the combination of light eyes and sun exposure can increase the risk of developing rare eye cancers. The study also found that approximately one-third of American adults take medications that can increase their susceptibility to damage from the sun's UV rays. Of this number, only about half of these adults were aware that medications such as antibiotics with tetracycline, birth control pills, and pain relievers such as ibuprofen and naproxen sodium can cause photosensitivity. Read more.

Unemployed More Likely to Lose Vision, Says Study

"Vision loss is associated with a higher likelihood of not working, researchers report. Also, people who do not work have poorer physical and mental health, are less socially integrated and have lower self-confidence, they say," notes Science Daily. "The authors analyzed employment rates by vision impairment in a nationally representative sample of working-age Americans. The study included 19,849 participants in the 1999-2008 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey who completed a vision examination and employment/demographic questionnaires. Employment rates for men with visual impairment, uncorrected refractive error (difficulty focusing the eye) and normal vision were 58.7 percent, 66.5 percent and 76.2 percent, respectively. For women, the respective rates were 24.5 percent, 56 percent and 62.9 percent. The odds of not working for participants with visual impairment were higher for women, those individuals younger than 55 years and people with diabetes." Read more.

Foster Grant, America's First Sunglass Producer, Turns 85

The Vampire Diaries actress and musician Kat Graham and Foster Grant CEO Cesar Melo celebrate Foster Grant's 85th Anniversary, Thursday, July 17, 2014, at Gansevoort Park Avenue in New York. Graham is the latest star to be featured in the brand's historic "Who's That Behind Those Foster Grants?" ad campaign. Foster Grant is credited with the birth of sunglasses in the United States, selling the first pair on the Atlantic City boardwalk for 10 cents in 1929. (Photo by Diane Bondareff/Invision for Foster Grant)

Gone Is Australia's Last Frame Manufacturer

Irene Luthy with an Optex frame.

"There is no future in sight for spectacle manufacturing in Australia. For the past 52 years, Irene Luthy’s factory, Optex Eyewear, has produced up to 2000 frames a week, 48 weeks a year. But soon, she will be lucky to be making any frames at all," starts the Brisbane Times Business Day post. "When Mrs Luthy, 82, moved her business from Melbourne to Dubbo in 1972, she landed a winning contract: the NSW Spectacles Program, a scheme providing free spectacles for disadvantaged people in that state. Chinese imports were on the rise and local frame manufacturers were beginning to collapse, yet Ms Luthy’s affordable, basic, plastic frames were in demand. But on July 1, after 22 years of partnership, the NSW Department of Family and Community Service determined that Ms Luthy and administrator VisionCare NSW had failed to win the tender and appointed Vision Australia as the new administrator. The decision has put Australia’s last major frame factory out of business." Read more.

How Well Are ECPs Compensated?

Do you want to know how eye care professionals are compensated? Then you might want a copy of the recently released 2014 ECP Compensation Study, a study conducted by Jobson Research and Local Eye Site. The study "provides users with average and median compensation for professional and staff titles, enabling users to benchmark their compensation policies against national and regional variances. The information is presented with interpretive commentary and charts comparing and contrasting the data," according to a Vision Monday post. "Pricing details and ordering information is available at the Jobson Research website." Read more.

New Sunglasses from Bomboogie

"Blackfin design, technology and personality combine with Bomboogie energy and style in a limited edition capsule collection of sunglasses. Four of Blackfin’s most iconic models are embellished with Bomboogie detail and color, creating a collection which was previewed at Pitti Immagine on the Bomboogie stand (Florence, June 17-20) alongside the new Spring/Summer 2015 fashion collection," reports Midwest Lens. "Bomboogie is synonymous with vitality and dynamism, clothes for people whose take on life is full of enthusiasm and true grit. Boombogie people choose to face up to the world with courage, daily seeking out new directions and fresh challenges. Amazing synergy is the inevitable result of a philosophy that chimes so perfectly with the Blackfin ethos." Read more.

Jobson Releases 2014 Optical Retailer Report

“Jobson Optical Research has released the 2014 U.S. Optical Retailer Report & Directory, which lists the top optical retailers in the U.S., including their company headquarters contact information, key executives, buyer names for all product categories, and trade names/DBAs,” reports Vision Monday. “The report/directory also includes Vision Monday’s most recent annual ranking and analysis of the “Top 50 U.S. Optical Retailers” based on their 2013 estimated sales and business unit counts.” Read more

British Courts Fine Man after Row with OD about CLs

“A dad has been fined in court after shouting abuse at Vision Express staff in a row over contact lenses,” according to a post from the Warrington Guardian. “Barry Dilworth, of Brambling Way, Lowton, screamed at an optometrist at the store in Golden Square as he was unhappy at the service. The 52-year-old then burst into a consultation room to confront the optometrist, who had gone to see another customer, and demanded an apology.” Read more.

More on the Dangers of UV Radiation

“Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation - from the sun, tanning beds, lamps or booths - is the main cause of skin cancer, accounting for around 86% of non-melanoma and 90% of melanoma skin cancers. In addition, excessive UV exposure can increase the risk of eye diseases, such as cataract and eye cancers,” writes Medical News Today. “The health risks associated with exposure to UV radiation have certainly been well documented, so much so that the World Health Organization (WHO) have now officially classed UV radiation as a human carcinogen. This year alone, Medical News Today reported on an array of studies warning of UV exposure risks. One study, published in the journal Pediatrics, revealed that tanning bed use among youths can increase the risk of early skin cancer, while other research found that multiple sunburns as an adolescent can increase melanoma risk by 80%. Furthermore, in response to reported health risks, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently changed their regulation of tanning beds, lamps and booths. Such products must now carry a visible, black-box warning stating that they should not be used by anyone under the age of 18. “ Read more.

New Sunglasses from Wiley X

“With its striking Olive Stripe Frame and Polarized Green Platinum Flash lenses, the new WX Moxy (Model #SSMOX04) epitomizes Wiley X’s popular Street Series sunglass family — bold looks, even bolder protection and the ability to go from the concrete jungle to the open road to the great outdoors without missing a beat,” according to Midwest Lens. “The WX Moxy’s lightweight, nearly indestructible frame features a wraparound design for optimal coverage and excellent field of view — so you can stay focused on the action whether fishing, mountain biking or hanging out at the beach. Of course, you’ll want to look great whatever you’re doing, so the WX Moxy is designed with “edgy” styling and slightly narrower temples that fit great and look good on a range of face sizes and shapes.” Read moreRead more.

Day in the Life of an Optician

We received the following email from the Opticians Association of America. We thought we would share.

Vision Monday is seeing how vast and manifold the optical industry is every single day. For their Sept. 1st issue, they would like to show their readers just how diverse and vibrant this industry is by asking different segments to document different parts of their day.

What does your company do each day that is interesting or particularly representative of your field? They are asking you to photograph and log at least 4-6 moments over the course of the next two weeks that you feel best represent or characterize what some of the various departments of your company do.

From the mundane to the outrageous they want to see it all. They've asked folks from all over the industry to do the same and they will plot them all out in the September issue in order to share with you all just how great and multifaceted the optical industry in the United States is.

They are offering the option of providing you with a disposable camera and printed worksheets to record the moments (as well as a self-addressed and stamped return envelope). You are of course also welcome to use your own digital camera and email them the images, as well as the completed worksheet, if that makes you more comfortable.

They are expecting a lot of amazing pictures, so they ask that you please email your worksheet and images back to John Sailer (Senior Editor, Vision Monday) at jsailer@jobson.com (or return your worksheet and camera that will be included in the envelope) by July 25th.

Please let them know which you would prefer (and provide a mailing address if you'd like the camera) so they can get you everything you need ASAP!

Click Here for the "A Day in the Life" Worksheet.  Have Fun!!!

Smartphone Eye Exams from Home? Possibly Says VSP. New Awards Program for Labs Providing Unity Lenses

"Imagine using a smartphone application to do an eye exam from the comfort of your couch and then sending the results to the doctor," starts the post on the Sacramento Bee. "Being innovative and ahead of the latest eyewear technology is the goal of VSP Vision Care’s new midtown think tank – called The Shop. VSP was Google’s original vision care provider and teamed up with the tech giant in early 2013 on Google Glass. VSP does all of the lenses for Google Glass and has trained 6,000 doctors in its use. The goal of the new facility is to test ideas, the kind of 'changes that will disrupt the industry, but that we want to be in front of,' said VSP President Jim McGrann. He offered the smartphone eye exam as a hypothetical example of the type of change VSP is looking to exploit, though he said the company is not working on such an app." Read more.

Meanwhile VSP's Optics Group launched a new award program for independently owned optical laboratories offering Unity Performance Optics lenses. Each year, VSP Optics Group will choose one independent lab that ranks highest in three main criteria for its work in the previous calendar. Read more.

Top Hospitals for Ophthalmology According to U.S. News

"The 11 hospitals ranked in Ophthalmology were named among the best for difficult cases and procedures by at least 5 percent of the ophthalmology specialists who responded to U.S. News surveys in 2012, 2013 and 2014. Another 24 hospitals received nominations from one or more physicians. They are listed alphabetically below the ranked hospitals," reports U.S. News & World Report. Here are the top five rankings. For more information, read. 

1. Bascom Palmer Eye Institute-Anne Bates Leach Eye Hospital, Miami;   
2. Wills Eye Hospital, Philadelphia; 
3. Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore;  
4. Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston;
5. Stein and Doheny Eye Institutes, UCLA Medical Center, Los Angeles.

Bollé Named Official Sunglasses of British Sailing Team

"The British Sailing Team is delighted to welcome Bollé to its sponsor family as the team’s Official Supplier of performance sunglasses and prescription eyewear for a third term up until March 2017," says RYA. "Bollé is an industry leader in eyewear and offers the highest quality sunglasses for performance and protection, and has worked in partnership with the British Sailing Team since the Beijing 2008 cycle. Using the very latest optical technology and polarization, Bollé will provide British Sailing Team members – sailors, coaches and support staff – with the very best eyewear from its Marine range in order to achieve optimum performance and maintain optical health both on and off the water." Read more.

The Making of Norman Childs--An Optician

"So, in 1979, after being turned down for a bank loan, but armed with seven credit cards, Childs opened up his own shop on lower Murray Avenue, dubbing the store 'Eyetique,' a named coined by his grandmother." This is part of the story about Norman Childs, an opitician, which recently appeared in The Jewish Chronicle. "The business took off in 1986, he said, when, after sheer persistence, he was able to convince Oliver Peoples...to allow him to be its first and exclusive distributor....Now 35 years later, Childs has 16 stores — including three under the name 3 Guys Optical, which features overruns sold at deep discounts — and his own line of 'Norman Childs' eyewear." Read more.

New Eyewear from Tura

"Tura Inc., the inventor of fashion eyewear in 1938, expands its re-mastered Tura collection with three beautifully crafted models," says Midwest Lens. "Inspired by the intricate designs of fine jewelry, the new Tura styles boast Swarovski crystals, bold animal prints, a sophisticated color palette, jewelry details, and wearable, feminine shapes. The frames also feature two-tone plating and rich enameling—they are truly jewelry for the face." Read more.

Google Develops Smart CLs with Novartis

"Google is developing a smart contact lens, with pharmaceutical giant Novartis, to help patients manage diabetes – in one of a number of moves focused squarely on billions of dollars of potential revenue available across the total digital healthcare market." So starts the Forbes post. "As technology moves further into treatment with remote consultations, monitoring and operations, robotic treatments, and advanced digital diagnosis, Google has seen the opportunity to apply its own eyewear technology (up until now limited as glasses called Google Glass) to the healthcare field." Read more.

"As part of the agreement, Google[x] and Novartis' eye care division Alcon will create smart lenses that feature "non-invasive sensors, microchips and other miniaturized electronics" and focus on two main areas," reports Engadget. "The first will provide a way for diabetic patients to keep on top of their glucose levels by measuring the sugar levels in their tear fluid, feeding the data back to a smartphone or tablet. The second solution aims to help restore the eye's natural focus on near objects, restoring clear vision to those who are only farsighted (presbyopia)." Read more.

Thunder's Westbrook Now Hawking Sunglasses

OKC Thunder point guard, NBA All-Star, and Olympic gold medalist, Russell Westbrook has released the 40-piece sunglass brand, Westbrook Frames. The unisex collection is available at www.WestbrookFrames.com. The Westbrook press release notes that Westbrook continues to drawn attention with his avant-garde style. He formed a three-way partnership with Westbrook, DMA United, and eyewear manufacturer Selima Salaun. Read more.

New Eyewear from Safilo's Hilfiger Collection

"The Tommy Hilfiger Group introduces their Fall/Winter 2014 eyewear collection, manufactured by Safilo Group S.p.A.," says Midwest Lens. "The new collection of optical frames for men features eclectic details that fuse functionality, comfort, versatility and style. An innovative combination of acetates introduces new brushed effects, color contrasts, graphic outlines and chromatic color blocking. The collection, available in Fall 2014, reflects the relaxed vibe, youthful spirit and irreverent attitude at the core of Tommy Hilfiger’s brand identity." Read more.

Concerns about Blue Light from Digital Devices Increase

Patient Says She Got the Wrong Implanted Lens--Twice

Carolyn “Dufrene asserts that on March 8, 2013 she came under the care of Haley and Silbernagel of Eye Care Surgery Center, located at 706 W. 15th Ave. in Covington, due to deteriorating vision because of cataracts in both eyes. On May 29, 2013 the plaintiff contends she underwent surgery to implant a lens in her eye, but after the operation she suffered from eye pain and had difficulty seeing out of the eye before it was determined that the wrong lens had been implanted. Dufrene claims the wrong lens had been implanted because the eye had been improperly tested prior to the surgery<’,” reports the Louisiana Record. “The plaintiff alleges that on June 17, 2013 she underwent a second surgery on her left eye to install the proper implant and that afterward she continued to have difficulty seeing out of the eye. Dufrene claims that when she went to get a second opinion another doctor told her that the wrong lens had been inserted again resulting in her vision only being 20/400 and that she would need another corrective surgery or would have to wear glasses to correct her vision.” Read more.

Opticians Get Retinal Imaging without Need of Dilation

i-Optics and Hoya Vision Care signed a multiple-year contract to launch a unique collaboration in a several optical retail markets. i-Optics developed EasyScan, which reportedly generates medical-grade retinal images within three minutes without pupil dilation. The two companies believe that their partnership will enable to provide affordable eye exams and customized advice. HOYA sees the direct connection of retinal imaging and protective lens treatments for protection against harmful UV rays and blue light emissions from digital devices. Besides that, it actively involves the customers in the purchasing process of their new pair of lenses and helps to raise awareness of the importance of good eye care and eye care solutions. Hoya and i-Optics start their partnership this summer in the Netherlands, Germany, Spain, Austria, Italy and the USA. As of the beginning of 2015 both companies expect to expand their exclusive collaboration globally. Read more.

New Scanner Helps Diagnose Amblyopia and Strabismus

A new clinical study published in in JAMA Ophthalmology has identified REBIScan's Pediatric Vision Scanner (PVS) as superior approach to testing preschool children for amblyopia and strabismus. Study author Reed Jost, senior author Dr. Eileen Birch, and their colleagues from the Retina Foundation of the Southwest tested 300 children using the PVS (and also using Welch Allyn's SureSight autorefractor), and then examined the children individually. In an independent study supported by the Thrasher Research Fund, they found that the PVS significantly outperformed the SureSight in sensitivity, identifying 97% of children affected by the targeted conditions, and made significantly fewer unnecessary referrals of healthy children (better specificity). Read more.

Essilor Earns Good Housekeeping Seal for Its Crizal--Again

For the second year in a row, Essilor of America has earned the esteemed Good Housekeeping Seal for the entire Crizal No-Glare lens product portfolio. Evaluated by the Good Housekeeping Research Institute, the Seal emblem offers additional credibility to the performance of the Crizal brand. Read more.

“New” Drug Protects against Degenerative Blindness

“In a new study led by UC San Francisco (UCSF) scientists, a chemical compound designed to precisely target part of a crucial cellular quality-control network provided significant protection, in rats and mice, against degenerative forms of blindness and diabetes,” reports Science Daily. “In addition to opening a promising drug-development path for the wide range of diseases caused by cell loss, the new research offers a new view of the workings of the unfolded protein response (UPR), a cellular ‘life-or-death’ signaling network: When cells are under stress, the UPR works to ensure that they produce properly configured proteins, but those cells not up to this task are quickly prompted by the UPR to self-destruct.” Read more.

Treating AMD-Related Depression

A multi-disciplinary rehabilitation therapy can cut the risk of AMD-related depression in half, says a new study funded by the National Eye Institute (NEI), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The findings were published in Ophthalmology. The trial recruited 188 participants with bilateral AMD from an ophthalmology practice affiliated with Wills Eye Hospital in Philadelphia. They averaged 84 years, 70 percent were women, and half percent lived alone. Their best corrected vision was no better than 20/70. Participants manifested mild depressive symptoms and were at risk for developing clinical depression. Read more about the trial at NEI. The findings were published in Ophthalmology.

5 Nonprofits Get Google Glasses

"Five nonprofit groups got word Wednesday that Google will help them fulfill visions of using the technology titan's Internet-linked Glass eyewear to do good," reports Phys.org. "'Giving through Glass program winners were selected from 1,300 proposals from US charities with ideas of how to use the eyewear to achieve their goals. Google will give each group a $25,000 grant along with a pair of yet-to-be publicly released Glass eyewear and guidance from the technology firm's engineers. ...Winning proposals included using Glass to let students see through the eyes of Paralympic athletes to foster empathy for people with disabilities; encourage girls to learn math and science, and improve communication by people with autism, hearing loss, or speech problems. Glass will also be used on a '3,000 Miles to a Cure Race Across America' to raise money and awareness for brain cancer research." Read more.

New Eyewear from XOXO

"Meet the new girl on the block! The XOXO Girl collection features fun and flirty looks for the hipster who loves keeping up with the latest styles," says the new post on Midwest Lens. "From boyfriend chic to feminine fashionista, Cheer, Crush, Insider, Rebel and Spirit offer five unique looks for the young trendsetter." Read more.

New Development in Augmented Reality Contact Lenses

"Imagine having an ultra high-resolution display built directly into a pair of contact lenses," reports ABC Science. "This could be the future of digital displays thanks to scientists at Oxford University, who have adapted a material currently used to store data on DVDs and transformed it into a radical new display technology. Writing in Nature today, they say the material could usher in a new generation of displays that are thinner, lighter, with higher resolution and lower power consumption than any existing technology. They could even be mounted on flexible or transparent surfaces, raising the possibility of applications beyond just e-readers and smartphones to things such as car windshields and contact lenses." Read more.

New Eyewear from Zyloware's Sohia Loren Collection

"The Sophia Loren M254 is the next beautiful addition to the Sophia Loren Petite Collection," according to Midwest Lens. "The oval shaped, full rim frame features an extended endpiece to fit an average sized head but has a smaller eye size. The endpiece is an elegant ribbed design with crystal stones that leads to subtle inlaid mother of pearl zyl temples. Spring hinges, snap-in nosepads and the ability to accommodate progressive lenses completes this frame. Colors: Gold (057) • Brown (183). Sizes: 48-17-130. Special Features: Full rim metal frame; Designed metal endpiece with crystal stones; Mother of pearl zyl temples; Snap-in nosepads; Spring hinges; Accommodates progressives." Read more.

UV Protection Drive Moves Ahead

The Vision Care Institute, a Johnson & Johnson Co., has released a UV Protection App that reportedly will help eye care professionals educate patients about the causes and effects of UV exposure and steps they can take to help protect their eyes. Australians have been using a similar app call SunSmart for years. Meanwhile the Vision Council and the AAO are pushing the need for UV protection on the consumer level. “Less than half of parents enforce sunglass use for their children, according to recent surveys by the Vision Council, a trade group, and the American Academy of Ophthalmology,” goes an excellent story in the Wall Street Journal about UV protection and dangers. “Years of overexposure can lead to cancer of the eye or eyelid. It has also been linked to an increased risk later in life for cataracts, a clouding of the lens of the eye, and macular degeneration, the leading cause of blindness in adults. About half of Americans have lighter colored eyes that make them more susceptible to UV-related damage.” Read more or print out for your patients.

Redskins Running Back Eyewear Fashion Star

“Washington Redskins running back Lache Seastrunk is an incredible athlete who can put points on the scoreboard in a hurry (emphasis on hurry as seen here). He is also the wearer of some beautiful spectacles,” says The Redskins Blog, the NFL team’s official site. “While there’s no denying that he’s hoping to add another dimension to the offense, be a trusty weapon for Robert Griffin III and spell Alfred Morris and Roy Helu Jr. to ensure they don’t tire, he doesn’t want you to confuse his choice of wearing glasses to that of a hipster’s paradise. As seen in the picture above from the NFL Combine in February and other off-the-field events, Seastrunk wears glasses. Becoming a point of everyday conversation now, ESPN 980 personality Chris Cooley asked the rookie if it was a fashion statement or something of need….’These really are prescription glasses,’ Seastrunk explained to a questioning Cooley.” Read more.

Two Thumbs Up for Kors-Luxottica Deal

The investment bank and asset management company “Piper Jaffray believes the recently signed 10-year license agreement between Michael Kors and Luxottica  represents a multi-year opportunity for both companies,” according to Yahoo!Finance. “After meeting with Luxottica, Piper believes the company's goal of $100M in wholesale sales in three years could prove conservative given the growing appeal for the Michael Kors brand.” See the story.

New Sunglasses by Carrera and Choo

Carrera and Jimmy Choo have released a capsule collection of Carrera by Jimmy Choo sunglasses for men. It comes at the heels of the reported success of the women’s version last year. It also marks Choo’s first foray into the men’s eyewear. The collection is said to blend “the eyewear expertise and passionate attitude of Carrera with the innate confidence, effortless attitude and overtly masculine style expressed by the Jimmy Choo man.” Read more.

New Eyewear from A&A’s Pez Line

“A&A Optical announces the release of four new smart styles from Pez eyewear: Catch, Peanut, Popsickle, and Slide,” notes Midwest Lens. “The Pez collection offers stylish and classic eyewear for children in bright colored plastics, and super tough metals. Cable temples and pediatric fits are available for infants. Tough and sturdy, Pez eyewear offers a No Questions Asked Lifetime Warranty.” Read more.

Scientists Grow Corneal Tissue

“A team of scientists from several Harvard-affiliated centers in Boston, MA, has grown human corneal tissue in mice using adult-derived human stem cells. They believe their breakthrough will bring hope to people who have impaired or lost vision due to burns, chemical injuries, or eye diseases that damage the cornea,” reports Medical News Today. “Dr. Bruce Ksander, associate professor of ophthalmology at Harvard Medical School, and also of Massachusetts Eye & Ear Infirmary, and colleagues write about their work - the first known example of tissue grown from a human stem cell - in the journal Nature. The cells that make up the cornea - the transparent ‘window’ of tissue at the front of the eye - are constantly damaged from blinking and exposure to the outside world. To repair the damage, the eye maintains a small number of ‘limbal stem cells’ at the edge of the cornea.” Read more.

Intraocular Pressure Measured Wirelessly—Long Term

“A wireless device that was implanted in the eye of a glaucoma patient and monitored for well over a year measured intraocular pressure safely and accurately, researchers report.” That’s the word from Reuters appearing on  Health e Galaxy. “The device, still in early stages of development, shows potential to provide a first in glaucoma research: continuous, long-term data on the fluctuations of eye fluid pressure, researchers say. ‘The data we will gather could change the way we treat glaucoma as we do not know to what extent fluctuations in eye pressure lead to loss of vision,’ Dr. Samir Melki, Director of the Boston Eye Group and lead investigator in the study, told Reuters Health by email. Dr. Melki and his team published their findings online in JAMA Ophthalmology.” Read more.

New Eyewear from Judith Leiber

“The Intaglio collection is influenced by the printing method from which it takes its name; this method utilizes an image that has been incised into a surface,” according to Midwest Lens. “The frames in the Intaglio eyewear group feature intertwining acetate links that have been created using thermoforming, a new molding technology.” The new additions--JL 1683 in Onyx, Topaz/Onyx, Aquamarine Tortoise, and Topaz/Ruby—also use more than 170 Austrian crystals. Read more.

New Eyewear from Puma

“This season, Puma enhances its high-quality eyewear collection with several dynamically stylish new optical looks for the newly launched youth segment. Each profile reflects the key Puma characteristics of edgy athletic design and optimum functionality,” writes Midwest Lens. “Inspired by a demand for eyewear that effectively meets all the needs of today’s full lives, these frames promise cool, understated appeal and unsurpassable long-wearing comfort – even under the most trying of circumstances. The final look and feel denote spontaneity and high energy.” Read more.

New Sunglasses from Ray-Ban

Ray-Ban has added a fluid coloring for the lenses and frames of its Wayfarer eyewear, called Iridescence. It's not an optical illusion. The lenses are made of silica micro-crystals that are coated with refractive metal oxides. Depending on the power and angle of light, the oxides produce various colors that blend with one another, producing a liquid appearance. The frames undergo the same  treatment and respond to sunlight similarly.  Read more.

ABO/NCLE Reinstate Registration Grace Period

A few months ago, ABO/NCLE cancelled the grace period for registering continuing education credits with the organization. That's no longer the case. Yesterday, an optician received the following from ABO/NCLE:

If you are unable to complete the necessary requirements, or fail to turn in your renewal fee prior to the end of the year, ABO & NCLE have established a ninety (90) day grace period, ending on March 31 of the year immediately following your expiration, with an additional $50 fee, for you to complete any remaining course work and to file your renewal paperwork.

Deneuve Eyewear Renews with Maroclin

"Luxury eyewear maker Marcolin Group has renewed the licensing agreement with French award winning actress Catherine Deneuve," notes Pambianco News. "Marcolin will relaunch ‘Catherine Deneuve Lunettes‘, which was first launched in 1989 under a different license. Marcolin will oversee design, production and distribution." Read more.

Smart Glasses for the Visually Impaired

Oxford University researchers are measuring how their smart glasses can help people with limited vision navigate and avoid walking into obstacles, says a university press release. "The idea of the smart glasses is to give people with poor vision an aid that boosts their awareness of what's around them – allowing greater freedom, independence and confidence to get about, and a much improved quality of life," says Dr. Stephen Hicks of the Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences at the University of Oxford, who is leading the development of the glasses. 'We eventually want to have a product that will look like a regular pair of glasses and cost no more than a few hundred pounds - about the same as a smart phone,' he adds.

The smart glasses consist of a video camera mounted on the frame of the glasses; a computer processing unit that is small enough to fit in a pocket; and software that provides images of objects close-by to the see-through displays in the eyepieces of the glasses. Read more.

Goodnight Moon Goes 3-D for the Visually Impaired

“Goodnight room, goodnight moon. Goodnight cow jumping over the moon.” That's the start of a University of Colorado Boulder post. A children’s feel-good classic, Goodnight Moon, could get a shot in the arm. A CU-Blouder team printed the first 3D version of it, allowing visually impaired children and their families to touch objects in the story as they read it aloud. With more than 40 million copies in print, the Margaret Wise Brown story was a logical first choice for CU-Boulder’s Tactile Picture Books Project. CU-Boulder computer science Assistant Professor Tom Yeh and his team now are using the same techniques to print other popular children’s books, including Harold and the Purple Crayon and The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Read more.

New Eyewear from Ogi Eyewear

"Ogi Eyewear is excited to debut two new styles to enhance the 'Mommy and Me' Collection, solidifying Ogi Kids as a leader in the children’s eyewear segment," notes Midwest Lens. "By paralleling playful with practical, Ogi injects a spirited liveliness into each kids’ style. The collection reflects the growing demand for kids’ eyewear that is refined and sophisticated. Each of the two styles are available in a variety of bright colors carefully picked to exemplify the playful nature of the collection. Ogi Eyewear redefines children’s frames by developing styles that are in sync with the latest fashion movements for tomorrow’s influential trendsetters." Read more.

CLs with Antimicrobial Peptide Safe

"A recent study published in Optometry and Vision Science supported the biocompatibility of contact lenses coated with an antimicrobial peptide, which could help lower the risk of contact lens-related infections," reports Optometry Times. "The study, conducted at the University of New South Wales School of Optometry and Vision Science in Sydney, Australia, found that the melamine-coated contact lenses could be worn safely without any major side effects." Read more.

New Eyewear from Eastern States' Jaguar Ultimate Collection

"Jaguar Ultimate styles are defined by the highly distinguished materials utilized in their construction," according to Midwest Lens. "Each of these ophthalmic styles is constructed of Pure Titanium and features 23 CT Gold plating. On the temples, the official Jaguar logo is encased in a piano lacquer with a resin covering. Each acetate temple tip features a metal ending providing an added touch of class and panache. Coloration utilizes various bicolor combinations with selective black enhancements." Read more.

PBA Runs Annual Golf Tournament

The Seventh Annual Prevent Blindness Swing Fore Sight Golf Tournament, held during Vision Expo West, will take place Sept. 17 at the Spanish Trail Country Club, Las Vegas. The tournament brings together top executives and staff in the vision industry for a morning of golf while supporting the sight-saving programs and services of Prevent Blindness. The Transitions Healthy Sight for Life Fund will serve as the event’s gold sponsor. Additional sponsors to date include Essilor USA, National Association of Vision Care Plans (NAVCP), Refac , REM Eyewear and Vision Ease. Sponsorships are available including the silver sponsor, cart sponsor, award sponsor, hole sponsors, golfer gift sponsors and more. Read more.

Oasys, Moist, TruEye to Replace Acuvue Advance, Announces J&J

Effective March 31, 2015, Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc., will discontinue Acuvue Advance, Acuvue Advance for Astigmatism, and Acuvue Advance Plus. The company also says that revenue lenses will no longer be available. The company already announced that it will discontinue the diagnostic lenses for the same brands on Aug. 1, 2014. During this period, the company will provide practitioners in-office tools to make the transition to the most current Acuvue products. The company also will alert contact lens wearers via the Acuvue website (www.acuvue.com). The company also will offer a reimbursement fee up to $100 toward patients’ fitting fees when wearers of the discontinued lines are prescribed an annual supply of contacts in the Acuvue Oasys, 1-Day Acuvue Moist, or 1-Day Acuvue TruEye families. Read more.

At the same time, the company said that its Acuvue Oasys brand now comes in a new six-month supply pack (12 lenses per box), replacing the three-month packs as of yesterday. The new packs will be available in all parameters that are currently available in the current three-month and annual packs: Power ranges of 8.4 and 8.8 BC including -0.50D to -6.00 in 0.25D steps, -6.50D to -12.00D in 0.50 steps, +0.50D to +6.00D in 0.25D steps, and +6.50D to +8.00D in 0.50D steps. Read more.

Tactile Technology Helps the Blind

"Imagine feeling a slimy jellyfish, a prickly cactus or map directions on your iPad mini Retina display, because that's where tactile technology is headed. But you'll need more than just an index finger to feel your way around," says Science Daily. "New research at UC Berkeley has found that people are better and faster at navigating tactile technology when using both hands and several fingers. Moreover, blind people in the study outmaneuvered their sighted counterparts -- especially when using both hands and several fingers -- possibly because they've developed superior cognitive strategies for finding their way around." Read more.

Protective Eyewear Maybe Not Adequate for U.S. Soldiers

"Researchers at UTSA are discovering that the current protective eyewear used by our U.S. armed forces might not be adequate to protect soldiers exposed to explosive blasts," reports Medical News Today. "According to a recent study, ocular injuries now account for 13 percent of all battlefield injuries and are the fourth most common military deployment-related injury. With the support of the U.S. Department of Defense, UTSA biomedical engineering assistant professor Matthew Reilly and distinguished senior lecture in geological sciences Walter Gray have been collaborating with researchers at the U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research at Joint Base San Antonio Fort Sam Houston and the UT Health Science Center at San Antonio to understand the unseen effects that can occur as a result of a blast injury." Read more.

EyeMed Launches Member Mobile App

EyeMed Vision Care has launched a mobile app so its members can access information about their vision plans, a digital copy of their member ID card, and locate network provider. The “EyeMed Members” app is available through the iTunes store for iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch users. EyeMed plans to launch a version of the app for Android devices soon. The current version  requires iOS 6.1 or later version and is optimized for iPhone 5. Read more.

New Sunglasses from Costa

"Inspired by the beauty and wonder of the ocean’s coral reefs, Costa adds three more styles to its women’s collection in Starfish, Pluma and Sea Fan." So starts the Midwest Lens post. "The new styles join Isla, Goby and Blenny, also new in 2014. Much like the reef system, these new styles provide a burst of color on the surface, but contain incredible performance features behind the scenes." Read more.

Cooper to Buy Sauflon, a Producer of CLs

"The Cooper Companies announced it has entered into definitive agreements to acquire Sauflon Pharmaceuticals, a European manufacturer and distributor of soft contact lenses and solutions, in a transaction valued at approximately $1.2B," reports Yahoo! Finance. "Sauflon forecasts revenue of approximately $210M for FY14, up approximately 22% year-over-year. Excluding one-time charges and deal-related amortization, the transaction is expected to be accretive to EPS in FY15. The acquisition will be financed with off-shore cash and credit facilities." Read more.