Liposomal Sprays/Drops Might Be Good for Dry Eye

“Contact lens wearers with ‘dry eye’ and discomfort may find relief from sprays or drops that add lipids back to the eye, Australian researchers say,” reports Reuters. “They found that among contact lens wearers with the bothersome symptoms, the outermost layer of tears on the eye, a protective layer of lipids, is more degraded than among people without the symptoms. The liposomal spray used in the study is already available on the market, as are similar compounds in drop form, senior author Fiona Stapleton told Reuters Health by phone.” Read more.

Safilo and Jimmy Choo Extend Agreement

Safilo Group and Jimmy Choo have extended their licensing agreement until December 31, 2018, for the design, production and distribution of the Jimmy Choo eyewear collections of sunglasses and optical frames. This reflects the outstanding growth of the brand’s eyewear business across all major countries, especially in Europe and North America.

New Eyewear from XOXO

“Fashionable favorites and modern classics are featured in the latest additions to the XOXO optical collection. Bright pops of color and textures are featured on best selling frames that are perfect for the modern ‘it girl’!” That’s the word from Midwest Lens. “An updated color on a best-selling shape! Frenzy’s uplifted rectangular shape is accentuated by her full rim metal frame front and molded end piece. A waved metallic logo compliments the HD watercolor print on the temples. Frenzy is available in Black Orchid and Brown Aqua.” Read more.

Warby Parker’s Brick & Mortar Stores Seem a Success

“Warby Parker has made a name for itself by selling affordable, hipster-chic eyeglasses through a website, avoiding costly store expenses and licensing fees,” starts the Wall Street Journal post that appeared last week. “While that business has thrived, the startup’s promising next act is taking shape in a chain of storefronts dotting trendy retail neighborhoods from Boston’s Newbury Street to Abbot Kinney Boulevard in Los Angeles. Warby Parker is shaking up the glasses industry by offering home try-ons, online ordering and prescription frames for under $100. Co-founder and Co-CEO Neil Blumenthal discusses. Warby Parker’s eight brick-and-mortar stores are now collectively turning a profit, says Dave Gilboa, the company’s co-founder and co-chief executive. The stores sell an average of $3,000 a square foot annually, higher than most retailers not named Apple Inc.” Read more.

FFL Pumps Money into Eyemart Express

“San Francisco private equity firm FFL is investing in Eyemart Express,” reports Mergers & Acquisitions. “Eyemart, headquartered in Farmers Branch, Texas, is an optical retailer that has more than 150 stores in 30 states. The company sells private label and branded glasses, including Nike, Guess, Fendi, Calvin Klein and Armani.” Read more.

New Eyewear from Marchon

“There is no doubt that New York City has one of the most beautiful, unique and famous skylines in the world. Some of humanity’s most impressive engineering achievements can be seen here, creating an effect that is artistically pleasing. And, much like the city itself, the skyline is always changing,” notes Midwest Lens. “That is why New York City’s skyline has been chosen to celebrate the trendy and strikingly diverse new eyewear collection from MarchoNYC. Always evolving and creating new designs, the latest MarchoNYC collection represents the diversity of the city and the individuals that inhabit it. Shot from the rooftop of the famed Starrett-Lehigh Building, enjoy a closer look at the collection and all of the beauty and history this city skyline has to offer.” Read more.

A Proposal for Certification of Online Sellers of Prescription Eyewear

LegitScript will start a certification program for Internet-based sellers of prescription eyewear that complies with applicable laws, regulations, and safety standards. The company announced the start of the program at the beginning of November. It is seeking comments regarding its certification standards.

LegitScript got its start by certifying Internet pharmacies around the world, monitoring and classifying dietary supplements and similar products. It does not certify dietary supplement websites.

The company notes that "as in any industry, there are sellers who are safe, legitimate and comply with applicable regulations designed to protect patients — and those who unfortunately skirt the rules, which can lead to customers receiving a substandard product or putting their health at risk. We think that eyewear patients deserve to know which are which." Read more.

New Alexander Eyewear from A&A Optical

"A&A Optical announces the release of two new petite styles from the Alexander Collection: Quinn and Molly. Reveal inner grace and sophistication in eyewear inspired by the woman who adorns herself with rich color and style, whether understated or dramatic," according to Midwest Lens. "Alexander Collection offers fine hand crafted details, such as Swarovski crystal accents, metal inlays and delicate laser etching in acetate, metal, semi-rimless and combination frame styles. Alexander Collection is designed to complement women of all face shapes. Petite, average and perfect fit (extended fit) styles are available in eye sizes 47mm to 57mm." Read more.

Nutrition Matters in Eye Health

"New research gives optometrists yet another reason to discuss nutrition—and its impact on eye health—with patients," reports the American Optometric Assn. (AOA). "A recent study found that participants with high adherence to dietary guidelines had a lowered risk of visual impairment. The study tracked participants' adherence to specific dietary guidelines and the occurrence of visual impairments over 10 years. Researchers analyzed data from 3,654 participants from the Blue Mountain Eye Study, who were examined at baseline, and reexamined after both five and 10 years." Read more.

Doubtful that Blueberries Improve Night Vision

"Blueberries are super stars among health food advocates, who tout the fruit for not only promoting heart health, better memory and digestion, but also for improving night vision," starts the Science Daily post. "Scientists have taken a closer look at this latter claim and have found reason to doubt that the popular berry helps most healthy people see better in the dark." Read more.

New Sunglasses from Spy

"Spy is happy to introduce four new styles and a multitude of colorways to its Crosstown Collection—a premium line of handmade offerings inspired by the echoes of Spy’s West Coast heritage," reports Midwest Lens. "Exuding the essence of the collection, the Trancas, Mulholland, Emerson and Presidio feature Spy’s innovative Happy Lens, rich acetate frames, mixed metal accents and lustrous details." Read more.

HIV/AIDS Drugs to Treat AMD? Laser Surgery Shows Promise

“A landmark study published today in the journal Science by an international group of scientists, led by the laboratory of Dr. Jayakrishna Ambati, professor & vice chair of the Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences at the University of Kentucky, reports that HIV/AIDS drugs that have been used for the last 30 years could be repurposed to treat age-related macular degeneration (AMD), as well as other inflammatory disorders, because of a previously undiscovered intrinsic and inflammatory activity those drugs possess,” reports Science Daily. “Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) are the most widely used class of anti-HIV drugs. NRTIs are thought to be therapeutic in HIV/AIDS patients because they target the enzyme reverse transcriptase, which is critical for replication of HIV. Previous work from the Ambati lab found that a type of toxic molecule called Alu RNA accumulate in the retina to cause dry AMD; interestingly, Alu RNA and HIV are similar in that they both require reverse transcriptase to fulfill their life cycle.” Read more.

Meanwhile, “a new type of laser treatment has the potential to slow progression of age-related macular degeneration - a major cause of vision loss - without damaging the retina,” notes Medical News Today. “This was the conclusion of a study from the University of Melbourne in Australia, published in The FASEB Journal. Erica Fletcher, an associate professor in Melbourne's Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, and colleagues examined the effectiveness of a new low-impact, low-energy, laser treatment for patients with early age-related macular degeneration (AMD).” Read more.

How Does Outside Activity Affect Myopia? The Question of a New Study

“Despite what many parents may think, kids who spend a lot of time reading or squinting at tiny electronic screens aren't more likely to become nearsighted than kids who don't. However, that risk is only reduced if the child spends plenty of quality time outside,” says Science Daily. “The ‘outdoor effect’ on nearsightedness, or myopia, is a longstanding observation backed by both scientific and anecdotal evidence. It's so compelling that some nations in Asia, which have among the highest myopia rates in the world, have increased the amount of daily outdoor time for children in the hopes of reducing the need for glasses…’Data suggest that a child who is genetically predisposed to myopia are three times less likely to need glasses if they spend more than 14 hours a week outdoors,’ says optometrist Donald Mutti, OD, PhD, of The Ohio State University College of Optometry. ‘But we don't really know what makes outdoor time so special. If we knew, we could change how we approach myopia.’ Supported by a pilot grant from Ohio State's Center for Clinical and Translational Science (CCTS), Mutti is now focusing his research on the variables he feels have the most potential: invisible ultraviolet B rays (UVB) and vitamin D, and visible bright light and dopamine.” Read more.

Tear Film Contributes to Contact Lens Discomfort?

“Changes in the lipid layer of the eyes' natural tear film may contribute to the common problem of contact lens discomfort, reports a study in the December issue of Optometry and Vision Science, official journal of the American Academy of Optometry,” according to Medical Xpress. “Applying a liposomal eyelid spray appears to reduce drying of the tear film and help make wearing contact lenses more comfortable, according to the pilot study by Fiona Stapleton, PhD, FAAO, of University of New South Wales, Sydney, and colleagues.” Read more.

Heads-Up Display on Contacts. Sooner than You Think

“Here's a hypothetical question: would you rather have a HUD [heads-up display] on glasses or a contact lens? If you answered ‘contact lens,’ the bad news is that you may be waiting some time... but the good news is that it just got a little more feasible, with the invention of the world's first 3D printer that can print LEDs,” posits CNET. “The team, led by Michael McAlpine at Princeton University's McAlpine Research Group, has successfully used its printer to 3D-print quantum dot LEDs -- LEDs that are considered the next step up from OLED. QLEDs shine brighter and with purer colour, at a lower power consumption rate, using cadmium selenide nanocrystals. They're also ultrathin, flexible and transparent -- like, for instance, contact lenses.” Read more.

Video Games Improving Vision in People with Lazy Eye

“Scientists have created video games that add an important element of fun to the repetitive training needed to improve vision in people - including adults - with a lazy eye and poor depth perception,” notes Medical News Today. “The training tools, including a Pac-Man-style "cat and mouse" game and a "search for oddball" game, have produced results in pilot testing: Weak-eye vision improved to 20/20 and 20/50 in two adult research participants with lazy eyes whose vision was 20/25 and 20/63, respectively, before the training began. Unlike the common use of eye patches on dominant eyes to make lazy eyes stronger, this type of testing uses a "push-pull" method by making both eyes work during the training. Patching is push-only training because the dominant eye remains completely unused. With push-pull, both eyes are stimulated but with the weaker eye exposed to more complex images that create a stronger stimulus.” Read more.

Eyewear Art Stirs Up More Controversy

“Michael Elion, the artist behind the giant Wayfarers staring at Robben Island, says he is open to the idea of his work becoming an open site of protest,” reports the Mail & Guardian. “Elion’s controversial artwork, partially sponsored by Ray-Ban eyewear manufacturer and called Perceiving Freedom, was spray-painted earlier this week as a statement against its corporate reflection. The work has been criticised on social media. The statue was positioned on the Sea Point promenade by Elion to commemorate Nelson Mandela, ‘because it would be crazy of me not to acknowledge that the device is looking at Robben Island.’ Mandela was incarcerated on the island for 18 of his 27 years as prisoner. A photograph of Mandela wearing similarly shaped glasses is positioned in the accompanying inscription. It was also stencilled with the words “Myopic Art” and images of slain Marikana miner Mgcineni Noki by the Tokolos Stencil Crew. This week, a petition calling for the artwork to be removed pending an investigation into, among other things, “how Art54 and the City of Cape Town allowed public art to function as advertising” was slowly gaining signatures. Artist Candice Breitz, who fielded a debate on the artwork on her Facebook page, was one of the 300 who had signed the petition by Wednesday.” Read more.

Database Server Goes Missing at Visionworks Store

More than five months ago, Visionworks, Inc., lost a database server from its Annapolis location on Jennifer Square. It went missing after it was replaced on June 2 during a scheduled upgrade. The company statement read: “The server potentially held partially unencrypted protected health information belonging to as many as 75,000 of the store’s customers. All credit card information housed on the server was encrypted, and therefore should not be at risk.” Thieves don’t make a habit of stealing encrypted servers. The company believes that the missing server accidentally was sent to one of the store’s local landfills, adding that there’s no reason to believe that any of the information residing has been accessed or used inappropriately. The retailer has notified the affected customers. It also is offering free credit monitoring for one year. Read more.

Tribute or Insult to the Mandela Memory?

“A giant pair of Ray-Ban sunglasses has become the most controversial artwork in South Africa,” says Global Post. “Yes, sunglasses — a hulking, steel-gray pair of Wayfarers, perched on a patch of grass along Cape Town's Sea Point promenade and angled in the direction of Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela and other political prisoners were once held. Capetonians awoke Tuesday morning to find the sculpture defaced with a generous helping of spraypaint: “WE BROKE YOUR HEARTS” was written on the frames, and “REMEMBER MARIKANA” stenciled on the lenses, referring to the 2012 police shooting of striking mineworkers at the Marikana platinum mine.” Read more.

New Eyewear from Zylowear

“Zyloware Eyewear has announced the expansion of the Stetson Slims Collection in January 2015,” reports Midwest Lens. “Stetson Slims is appealing to men of all ages, with construction that is extremely lightweight, comfortable and fashionable while still maintaining the durability of a thicker zyl frame. Stetson Slim’s flexible stainless steel core wire temple eliminates the need for a bulky spring hinge or thick temple enhancing its lightness. When the Stetson Slims are worn, the weight is distributed throughout the zyl frame, relieving your nose of the pressure nosepads would normally leave. This makes Stetson Slims among the most comfortable zyl frame available.” Read more.

Actavis Acquires Allergan. Valeant Picks Up Nicox’s U.S. Ophthalmic Diagnostics Sub

“After seven months of bids, bluster and lawsuits, the hedge fund manager William A. Ackman and Valeant Pharmaceuticals appear to be giving up their pursuit of Allergan, the maker of Botox, as another big drug maker has trumped their hostile bid,” reports the New York Times. “Allergan agreed on Monday to be acquired for $66 billion by Actavis in a deal worth $219 a share in cash and stock…Combining Actavis and Allergan will create one of the 10 largest global drug makers, with about $23 billion in revenue expected next year. Cost savings could total $1.8 billion annually, the companies said. The deal will combine Allergan’s blockbuster product, Botox, with a suite of Actavis drugs in areas like women’s health and dermatology.” Read more.

Flush with cash from the Actavis deal, Valeant picks up Nicox Inc.’s U.S. ophthalmic diagnostics subsidiary for as much as $20 million, reports Reuters. Read more.

How to Select the ‘Right’ Frame, according to R. Westbrook

“You don't choose size of your nose, the color of your eyes, or the fullness of your brow (at least without the assistance of a plastic surgeon), but what you can do is accessorize those features with a great pair of glasses,” observers a GQ blogger. “Russell Westbrook, owner of a nice face to begin with, often opts to accent his features with colorful specs (see: here, here, and here). Taking his love affair with eyewear a step further, he recently launched his own line, Westbrook Fames, which has now partnered with JackThreads for a new line of shades, all coming in under $100. For thoughts on how best to frame the windows of your soul, we hit up Westbrook for some specific helpful tips.” Read more.

New Eyewear from Maximum Minimalist

“The new Airlock Collection is made for the Maximum Minimalist. Each frame is created with stainless steel, providing a durable and lightweight structure,” writes Midwest Lens. “Offering a rimless look, multiple silhouettes, handmade Zyl temples and a sophisticated color palette, the collection focuses on minimalistic styling with a contemporary twist. The collection utilizes the Dual Compression Mount System which is the most modern method for 3-piece mounting, providing faster fabrication time and no marks on the lens edge.” Read more.

Losing Sight with ‘No’ Reason Why

“The first hint the 68-year-old woman had that there was something really wrong with her eyes was that she kept having to enlarge the font on her computer. As a software analyst who spent most of her day in front of a screen, she knew that at times, usually in the late afternoon, bigger letters were easier on her eyes. But recently the words and letters blurred at all hours, and she found herself increasing the font size all the time. She hoped that it might be the screen — it was old and maybe not as sharp as it once was. But a new desktop display didn’t solve the problem,” writes Lisa Saunders, MD, in a New York Times Magazine article “Going Blind a Little at a Time.” “She went to her ophthalmologist. She’d always had pretty good vision, though she needed glasses for close work. Now an eyesight test showed that her eyes were much worse than they were the year before. The doctor examined her carefully. She had no cataracts. No sign of glaucoma. Her retinas were fine. Indeed, her eyes looked perfectly normal.” Read more.

Google Glass on the Ropes?

“After two years of popping up at high-profile events sporting Google Glass, the gadget that transforms eyeglasses into spy-movie worthy technology, Google co-founder Sergey Brin sauntered bare-faced into a Silicon Valley red-carpet event on Sunday,” according to a Reuters post. “He'd left his pair in the car, Brin told a reporter. The Googler, who heads up the top-secret lab which developed Glass, has hardly given up on the product -- he recently wore his pair to the beach. But Brin's timing is not propitious, coming as many developers and early Glass users are losing interest in the much-hyped, $1,500 test version of the product: a camera, processor and stamp-sized computer screen mounted to the edge of eyeglass frames. Google Inc itself has pushed back the Glass roll out to the mass market.” Read more.

Anti-Inflammatory Sulindac Helps with AMD

“Sulindac, a known anti-inflammatory drug, can protect against oxidative damage due to age-related macular degeneration (AMD), scientists have found,” according to Science Digest. “Their studies suggest that sulindac could be an inexpensive and relatively non-toxic therapeutic approach for treating AMD, one of the primary causes of vision loss in the elderly. AMD gradually destroys sharp, central vision, which is needed for seeing objects clearly and for common daily tasks such as reading and driving. Currently, no cures exist for the majority of AMD cases.” Read more.

Wearing Contact Lens Largest Risk Factor in Eye Infections, Says CDC Study.

Each year, Americans make nearly a million doctor visits for eye infections (primarily keratitis), costing $175 million. That’s the estimate from a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) first of its kind study. The largest risk factor: Wearing contacts. CDC analyzed national databases of outpatient care centers and emergency rooms to develop the first national estimates of how much keratitis occurs in the United States. CDC experts found that Americans made an estimated 930,000 visits to doctor’s offices and outpatient clinics and 58,000 emergency room visits annually due to eye infections. Women were slightly more likely to be affected than men, accounting for 63 percent of office visits and about 55 percent of emergency room visits. The condition was spread relatively evenly across age groups. The report was published November 13 in CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

Great website to send your patients: Click here.

November 17 through 21, 2014, marks the first annual Contact Lens Health Week. To celebrate the week, CDC has developed a campaign to promote eye health, in collaboration with doctors, public health, eye care industry, and regulatory partners. By focusing on the best ways to wear and care for contact lenses, CDC hopes to help reduce the risk of eye infections and complications associated with poor contact lens hygiene in the estimated 38 million Americans who wear contact lenses.  Read more.

For your own Contact Lens Health Week Toolkit from the CDC, click here.

New Chantal Thomass Eyewear from Eastern States

“Eastern States Eyewear is proud to introduce five additional optical styles in Chantal Thomass,” reports Midwest Lens. “Noted throughout Paris for its feminine, sexy lingerie – the eyewear utilizes the identifiable features of the brand to influence its design. The flowing contours of the acetate temples are a nod to the feminine shape and silhouette. Bow ties, a theme seen throughout the brand, are often used as a subtle accent in various areas of the frame. The acetate colors demonstrate the brocade and animal print patterns seen throughout the Chantal Thomass portfolio. The upswept cat-eyes and modified rectangular shapes are a nod to the brand’s vintage influences while still graced with a modern twist.” Read more.

Simple Accommodation Test in Preschoolers Not Effective

“In preschool-aged children, a simple test performed in the ophthalmologist's or optometrist's office greatly overestimates the eye's ability to ‘flex and focus’ in order to see small objects clearly, reports a study in the November issue of Optometry and Vision Science,” according to Science Digest. “Young children don't have as much ‘accommodative amplitude’ as suggested by the subjective office test.” Read more.

Scientists Closer to Developing ‘Artificial Retina’

“The loss of eyesight, often caused by retinal degeneration, is a life-altering health issue for many people, especially as they age,” notes Science Digest. “But a new development toward a prosthetic retina could help counter conditions that result from problems with this crucial part of the eye.” Read more.

New Ways of Treating Eye Bacterium

“Scientists from Massachusetts Eye and Ear/Harvard Medical School Department of Ophthalmology have used the power of new genomic technology to discover that microbes that commonly infect the eye have special, previously unknown properties. These properties are predicted to allow the bacterium -- Streptococcus pneumoniae -- to specifically stick to the surface of the eye, grow, and cause damage and inflammation,” reports Science Daily. “Researchers are now using this information to develop new ways to treat and prevent this bacterium, which is becoming increasingly resistant to antibiotics. Their findings are in the current issue of Nature Communications.” Read more.

New Brendel Sunglasses from Tura

“Tura Inc., the inventor of fashion eyewear in 1938, debuts the 2015 women’s sunwear styles from Brendel. The eye-catching frames include edgy geometric shapes, color blocking and fades, bold prints, custom acetate, Italian zyl, and cast metal décor. Starting now, retailers who pre-order the new sunwear styles and take delivery before year-end will receive special promotional pricing,” says Midwest Lens.  Read more.

High Concentrations of Oxygen May Cause AMD

"High concentrations [of oxygen], referred to as oxidative stress, may very well be the cause of more than 70 widely-spread diseases such as cancer, heart disease, neurodegenerative diseases, and eye diseases including macular degeneration," according to a Medical News Today post. "Scientists at Florida Atlantic University's Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, as well as the Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, have found that sulindac, a known anti-inflammatory drug, can protect against oxidative damage due to age-related macular degeneration (AMD), one of the primary causes of vision loss in the elderly. Their findings were released in an article titled "Pharmacological protection of retinal pigmented epithelial cells by sulindac involves PPAR-α" in the prestigious National Academy of Sciences." Read more.

How We Watch TV Could Identify Glaucoma Earlier, Says Study

"One of the leading causes of blindness worldwide could be detected by how our eyes respond to watching TV according to a new study," notes Science Daily. "With millions of people living with undiagnosed glaucoma, the research could help speed up diagnosis, enabling clinicians to identify the disease earlier and allowing treatment to begin before the onset of permanent damage." Read more.

Vistakon Employees Donate $22K to K9s for Warriors

"Vistakon, the Jacksonville entity of Johnson and Johnson Vision Care, rallied its employees to donate more than $22,000 to Operation Orion to help the non-profit, K9s for Warriors," reports First Coast News. "The group, based in St. Johns County, is building a new facility in Nocatee. The money will operate the new center, which planners say will be the leading PTSD recovery center in the country using service/rescue dogs...K9s for Warriors currently operates in a small house in Nocatee. The program has a waiting list now more than a year long for veterans with PTSD coming in from all over the U.S." Read more.

New Ducks Unlimited Eyewear from the McGee Group

"Ducks Unlimited is committed to conservation and authentic outdoor style," according to Midwest Lens. "The premier collection from the McGee Group offers stylish, comfortable and durable optical and sport frames to suit any outdoor enthusiast." Read more.

New Treatment for Dry Eye

Supporting research into a better treatment for dry eye has been one of Dr. Jerome Wujek’s tasks for the past eight years and has just begun to reach fruition with the launch of an FDA-approved Phase I clinical trial that will test the safety and efficacy of a novel drug called P-321 Ophthalmic Solution. The drug is applied as an eye drop and targets a unique mechanism involved in maintaining moisture in the eye. Its development was supported through two NEI SBIR grants to Parion Sciences, Inc. and through the NCATS Bridging Interventional Development Gaps (BrIDGs) program, which gives investigators access to NIH subcontractors who conduct preclinical safety studies necessary for an FDA Investigational New Drug (IND) application. Read more.

New Oga Sunglasses from Morel

"Design and functionality, the foundation of the ÖGA collection have contributed to 15 years of the brand’s optical success. Morel releases sunglasses from the ÖGA collection perfectly in tune with the brand’s identity centered on functional design," notes Midwest Lens. "The exclusive patented flex-hinge system is the focus of these frames. The colored design of the visible spring blade extends along the inner temple in a bright rubber line (green, blue, red, orange, and yellow). This flex-hinge with cam return and anti-rocking effect is an integral part of the products aesthetic." Read more.

NFL Players Sporting Decorative Contact Lenses

"NFL players are known to express their individuality. It's harmless fun, usually in the form of eyeblack patters or maybe even a special big-play celebration. However, Buffalo Bills defensive end Mario Williams took it to another level on Sunday," reports Fox Sports. He wore red contact lenses.

The sports network continued with the following: "That's cool. And freaky. And also not unique. Another helpful soul on social media spotted Falcons defender Kroy Biermann rocking red lenses as well."  Read more.

Apparently Williams, Biermann, and the sportswriter overlook the problem of imitation. How many Friday-night players will now run to their nearest convenience store or gas station to buy decorative contact lenses? Each Halloween too many adults and adolescents suffer harm simply because they are not purchasing CLs from doctors.

Speaking of which, "a dozen retailers in the Los Angeles area are facing federal charges for selling illegal contact lenses designed to look like cat’s eyes, CBS Los Angeles is reporting. Dubbed 'Operation Cat Eyes,' the contact lens crackdown targeted multiple retail outlets–several of which were temporary operations selling Halloween merchandise–that sold the illegal contact lenses. According to KSBY in San Luis Obispo, the illegal cat-eye contacts were contaminated with bacteria that can cause blindness," says Inquisitr. "The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) considers all contact lenses, even cosmetic or decorative contacts, as prescription medical devices that must be regulated by the FDA. In other words, as far as the FDA is concerned, people can’t use decorative cat-eye contacts unless you have a prescription for regular contacts." Read more.

New Eyewear from Esprit

"Contemporary flair and an air of spontaneity, this newest Esprit release focuses on a love for life and an easy confidence. With an emphasis on comfort and color, each style feels and looks wonderful," according to Midwest Lens. "Made with Ultem, a material that is strong, flexible, lightweight and right on trend, each style is colorful, a true eye-catching statement maker." Read more.

Men Go Back in Time. Eyesight Improves

"One day in the fall of 1981, eight men in their 70s stepped out of a van in front of a converted monastery in New Hampshire," according to a story in the New York Times Magazine. "They shuffled forward, a few of them arthritically stooped, a couple with canes. Then they passed through the door and entered a time warp. Perry Como crooned on a vintage radio. Ed Sullivan welcomed guests on a black-and-white TV. Everything inside — including the books on the shelves and the magazines lying around — were designed to conjure 1959. This was to be the men’s home for five days as they participated in a radical experiment, cooked up by a young psychologist named Ellen Langer." There were vast improvements in their health--including their eyesight. Read more.

Inventor of Photochromatic Lenses (and CorningWare) Dies at 99

"S. Donald Stookey, a scientist with Corning Glass Works who in the 1950s accidentally discovered a remarkably strong material that could be used not just to make the nose cone of a missile but also to contain a casserole in both a refrigerator and hot oven — its durable culinary incarnation was called CorningWare — died on Tuesday in Rochester. He was 99," reports the New York Times. "Dr. Stookey invented synthetic glass ceramics, the highly versatile range of materials that continue to be refined for new uses, including glass stovetops. He also developed photosensitive glass and glass used in eyeglasses that darken in response to light." Read more.

New Eyewear from Skaga

“Scandinavian Eyewear’s Skaga brand has a deeply rooted heritage in Sweden that dates back to 1948, notes Midewest Lens. “Over the years, many distinguished Swedish designers have created glasses for Skaga, the most famous of whom were Sigvard Bernadotte, Carl-Anne Breger and Sighsten Herrgard. Today, the design legacy is still very much a part of the company and the aim of the team’s work is to create elegant Scandinavian designs with a contemporary feel – and to continue to write design history.” Read more.

Delaware Improving Student Performance with a Technology Called Eyewear

“As leaves turn and campaign season signals colorful change ahead, politicians at the local, state and national levels debate what works in education programs designed to improve academic outcomes for America’s children,” notes Roll Call. “And while both sides have our kids’ best interests at heart, most of what they’re debating is theory, spinning off educated guesses about the success or failure of ideas with little short-term application on the blackboard or the blacktop. Something very different is happening in Delaware. Right now in the First State, local, state and federal officials are joining with the private sector to bring a technology into classrooms that is guaranteed to improve academic outcomes as soon as it is applied. The technology? Eyeglasses.” Read more.

Conventional Measuring Techniques for Soft Contact Lenses No Longer Fit for Purpose, Says Study

“A team from Georgia Tech have measured the mechanical properties of soft contact lenses under practical conditions using an atomic force microscope (AFM),” reports Materials Today. “With more than 30 million contact lens wearers living in the US, making lenses more comfortable is a growing research issue, and defining their properties is key to understanding their performance. Researchers from Georgia Institute of Technology have measured the complex mechanical properties of commercial soft contact lenses, and found that conventional measurement techniques are no longer fit for purpose.” Read more.

Peripheral Vision Blocked with Google Glasses?

"’Never miss a moment’ with Google Glass, claims the software and computing giant behind the creation. But a new study finds this may not the be the case,” reports Medical News Today. “Researchers from the University of California-San Francisco say the head-mounted device may partially obstruct users' peripheral vision.” Read more.

New Eyewear from Nike

“Nike Vision continues to seamlessly blend athletic inspiration and innovation together to create premium quality junior eyewear with a youthful, fashion forward twist,” notes Midwest Lens. “The new Junior Optical Collection offers a fresh approach to style with an assortment of vibrant color combinations that are accentuated with signature logo details. For the athlete in everyone, Nike Vision provides kids prescription glasses to see sport better.” Read more.

Essilor to Spend More Than a Billion on New Acquisitions in 2015

Essilor International SA (EI)…may spend as much as 1 billion euros ($1.2 billion) next year on acquisitions globally as it expands into emerging markets,” according to a report on Bloomberg.com. “Essilor will focus on deals in fast-growing markets such as China, India and Latin America, Hubert Sagnieres, the Charenton-le-Pont, France-based company’s chairman and chief executive officer, said in an interview in Shanghai. He expects China to become the lensmaker’s top market in as early as five years…Essilor is eyeing partnerships and stakes in competitors globally to meet a revenue growth target of 13 percent this year, the executive said. Sales increased by 14 percent in the third quarter, boosted by acquisitions which included Canadian online retailer Coastal Contacts Inc. this year. The French company has spent about $2.6 billion on 17 acquisitions in the past three years with the biggest one being the $1.73 billion deal for the full control of its Transitions Optical venture, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.” Read more.

Marcolin and Ginko Group Team Up in Mainland China

Marcolin SpA and Ginko Group have initiated a joint venture a joint venture. The partners anticipate that the deal will improve their presence in mainland China, including the distribution of Marcolin eyewear. GINLIN Optical Shanghai Ltd. Co., the name of the new joint venture, will be based in Shanghai and owned on a 50/50 basis by Marcolin and the Ginko Group. In 2013, Marcolin sold about 13.4 million eyeglasses with more than 1350 models. The 5000-employee Ginko Group had a “turnover” amounting to $500 million and market capitalization of $2 billion. Read more.

New Eyewear from Marcolin

“On the occasion of the 90th Anniversary of the legendary Meisterstück, Montblanc’s iconic fountain pen, Marcolin has also created a two-piece limited edition eyewear collection,” according to Midwest Lens. “The timeless elegance and sophistication of the Meisterstück, present in the all the 90th Anniversary Collections of watches, jewellery, writing instruments and leather, is also highlighted in the two eyewear models. The frames pay homage to the finest craftsmanship for which the Maison is renowned and showcase the highest eyewear manufacturing standards. Both the eyeglass and the sunglass models take inspiration from the characteristics that have made the Meisterstück one of the world’s most famous luxury icons.” Read more.

Video Game Key to Helping Visually-Impaired Children

“Researchers are to begin testing a new computer game which they hope could hold the key to helping visually-impaired children lead independent lives,” says Medical News Today. “Developed by a team of neuroscientists and video game designers from the University of Lincoln, UK, and the WESC Foundation, one of the UK's leading specialist schools for visually impaired children, the Eyelander game features exploding volcanoes, a travelling avatar and animated landscapes. The idea is to improve the functional vision of children who have sight issues due to a brain injury rather than damage to the eye itself. Functional vision is used to perform everyday tasks such as safely crossing the road or finding a book on a bookshelf, but when the visual pathways between the brain and the eyes become damaged, the messages aren't correctly relayed and the visual field becomes reduced.” Read more.

OpticalCEUs Fall 2014 Busts All Attendance Records

OpticalCEUs Fall 2014 continuing education seminar for opticians, which is celebrating its 15th anniversary this year, has busted all previous attendance records. On Nov. 2, 2014, scores of opticians will arrive at the Grand Pequot Hotel at Foxwoods Resorts. They will come from Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island for the annual event. They will earn seven ABO/NCLE continuing education credits, which they will use for the ABO/NCLE certifications and for their opticians’ licenses in their respective states. Deborah Kotob, Linda Conlin (founder of OpticalCEUs), and Joe Forte will present courses on the following:

• The Full Spectrum of Prism Speaker: Deborah Kotob  (1 ABO) NEW!

• Night Vision Speaker:  Deborah Kotob (1 NCLE) NEW!

• Contact Lenses on the Job Speaker: Linda Conlin (1 NCLE)

• Day By Day Speaker: Joe Forte (1 NCLE) NEW!

• Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Lenses, But Were Afraid to Ask Speaker: Joe Forte (1 ABO) NEW!

• Score with Contact Lenses for Sports Speaker:  Linda Conlin (1 NCLE)

• Reflecting on Refraction Speaker:  Joe Forte (1 ABO) NEW!

Directions
Foxwoods is located at 350 Trolley Line Blvd., Mashantucket, CT 06338, on Route 2 between I-395 and I-95. Click this link for the directions to Foxwoods. Valet parking is free. For accommodations, call Foxwoods at 1-800 PLAY BIG. Overnight reservations are not associated with the seminar.

New Eyewear from Nine West

“The new Nine West Eyewear Collection pulls inspiration from the hottest trends seen on the runway, creating stylish and modern eyewear that appeals to any fashion aficionada,” according to Midwest Lens. “The collection is designed for the style chameleon seeking fresh fashion that is equally diverse as it is chic. Featuring ombre colorations, translucent frames and temples, and trendy silhouettes, the collection captures the brand’s modern, sexy style.” Read more.