CT Optician Helps Haitians See Clearly

Bruce Tooker (last row, center) with MATH health care workers in Hiati this past November.

Just before Thanksgiving (Nov. 13-19), Connecticut Optician Bruce Tooker flew south. He went to Haiti as part of the Medical Aid to Haiti (MATH) program. The group served thousands of individuals without access to health care. "With help from Sister Ellen Flynn and interpreter Pastor Fenold, I was able to test more than 200 people for eyeglasses. All but three had never before had an eye test," reports Tooker.  MATH http://www.medicalaidtohaiti.orgsupports two full-time doctors who serve the poorest in and around Port-au-Prince. Six times a year, it sends medical volunteers from the greater Hartford area to help. Last year the main clinic and six mobile clinics served about 15,000 people. MATH “helps Haitians heal Haitians, with a commitment to serving the poor and supporting a reliable, consistent and sustainable healthcare system in Haiti.” Learn much more by visiting the organization’s website.

British Health Services Paying for 10 Bionic Eyes

"The NHS [British version of the NIH] will pay for 10 blind patients to have 'bionic eyes' to help treat an inherited form of blindness," reports the BBC."The bionic eye is a retinal implant which interprets images captured by a miniature video camera worn on a pair of glasses. Five patients will be treated at Manchester Royal Eye Hospital and five at Moorfields Eye Hospital in 2017.They will be monitored for a year afterwards to see how they get on in everyday life.

"'I'm delighted,' said Prof Paulo Stanga from the Manchester hospital. He has been involved in earlier trials of the Argus II Bionic Eye, made by the company Second Sight, in retinitis pigmentosa. He added: 'It surpassed all of our expectations when we realised that one of the retinitis pigmentosa patients using the bionic eye could identify large letters for the first time in his adult life.'
This disease, which is often passed down through families, destroys the light-sensing cells in the retina. It leads to vision loss and eventually blindness." Read more.

Optical Researcher David Robinson Dies

"David A. Robinson, a founding member of Johns Hopkins University's Department of Biomedical Engineering and distinguished service professor emeritus of ophthalmology, biomedical engineering, and neuroscience, died on Oct. 18. He was 92," according to a memoriam from Johns Hopkins University.

David A. Robinson, a founding member of the Johns
Hopkins University Department of Biomedical Engineering

 

"Robinson, who retired in 1993, studied electrical engineering at Johns Hopkins and received his master's and PhD degrees in 1956 and 1959, respectively. He joined the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine faculty as an instructor in 1961 and was named an assistant professor of biomedical engineering in 1966. In 1965, Robinson published a groundbreaking paper in the Journal of Physiology that is still considered to be the most comprehensive and thorough investigation of the mechanics of eye movements. 
 Robinson, named a full professor in the Department of Ophthalmology in 1975, developed a magnetic field search coil technique that remains today as the standard for recording eye movements in both basic and clinical eye movement laboratories. 
He was the first researcher to simultaneously record eye movements and activity of ocular motor neurons from fully alert behaving primates. The results produced the mathematical relationship known as the pulse-step of innervation."

Dating Life Span Using the Eye Lens

"In an investigation recently published in Science, a team of researchers used radiocarbon dating to put together a timeline of the Greenland shark's lifespan," writes ARSTechnica. "Because Greenland sharks lack bones—they’re cartilaginous fish—conventional methods of tracking growth, like carbon dating of bones, won't work. Instead, the team used a modified radiocarbon dating technique that has worked before on other boneless animals: tracking the chronology of the eye lens. The eye lens nucleus is composed of inert proteins. The central portion of the lens is formed during prenatal development, and during growth, the tissue retains the original proteins, which were largely made before birth." Read more.

OpticalCEUs Succeeds Again!

Some twelve dozen opticians from Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island attended OpticalCEUs Annual Fall Conference for continuing education in the Grand Pequot Ballroom, at the Foxwoods Resort and Casino on October 23. They picked the latest ideas in the field - from lens technology to reduce blue light exposure to contact lens fitting for irregular corneas. They listened to the following presentations:

• Just the Blue Light Facts, Ma’am! 
• Lensology – Lens Basics Review 
• Become a Contact Lens Fitter 
• A New Approach to Fitting Irregular Corneas 
• Contact Lenses – How We Got Here From There 
• Managing Ocular Allergies.

We love hearing from our attendees. Laura Crane wrote a while ago: "I always like to tell people that I was at the very first seminar that you ever did for opticians in Connecticut. I'm so glad to see how much you've grown over the years! I will always continue to attend your seminars as I find them very informative. Thank you for providing us with alternative options!"

Our Lecturers
Accredited lecturers Linda Conlin, Deborah Kotob of Vision-Ease and Joe Forte presented the seven courses for ABO/NCLE credits.

For 17 years Linda, an Adjunct Instructor with the Goodwin College Ophthalmic Sciences program, has provided continuing education and training for opticians at the state and national levels. She is ABO and NCLE certified, licensed in CT, MA and RI, and has written for 20/20 and EyeWitness magazines. She founded OpticalCEUs and launched OpticalCEU.com and Optical News from OpticalCEUs news blog for opticians.

Deborah, the ECP Education Facilitator for Vision-Ease, creates and presents ABO, NCLE and JCAHPO seminars related to optics and best practices. A Massachusetts-licensed optician, she has owned two optical businesses and was a sales representative for MODO and Luxottica. Deborah has achieved ABOM and NCLE certifications.


Joe, the director of contact lens services for Greenwich Ophthalmology Associates, lectured at CUNY Tech, Vision Expo and Optifair. He recently received his NCLE Masters Certificate. He is certified as an Advanced Level speaker, and was program director of the Interboro Institute College of Opticianry where he taught courses in various areas of contact lenses and optics. Joe has been a Fellow of the CLSA since 1992.

Goodwin College's Ophthalmic Program Accredited

At the October 2, 2016 meeting, the Commission on Opticianry Accreditation (COA) approved accreditation for Goodwin College’s Ophthalmic Science Program. Maryann Santos, director of the Goodwin program, reported that it was found to be in compliance with the Essentials of an Accredited Educational Program for Opticianry. The accreditation lasts for two years. This accreditation classification will be in effect retroactive to May 25, 2016 and expiring May 24, 2018. The accreditation status will include all graduates of the program in 2016. This accreditation status will be extended to 6 years when the program is able to demonstrate full compliance with the remaining potential/non-compliant sections of the Essentials. This is standard for newly accredited programs.The commissioners said that they are honored to list the Ophthalmic Science Program at Goodwin College among its accredited programs, according to Santos.

OpticalCEU Speaker Joe Forte Earns His NCLE Masters

Joe Forte recently earned his NCLE Masters Certificate. The percussionist and the director of contact lens services for Greenwich Ophthalmology Associates, Greenwich, CT, has long served the education needs of opticians. He lectured at CUNY Tech, Vision Expo and Optifair. He is certified as an Advanced Level speaker. He was program director of the Interboro Institute College of Opticianry where he taught courses in various areas of contact lenses and optics. Joe has been a Fellow of the CLSA since 1992.

In order to attain this esteemed status, Joe had to do the following for NCLE examiners:

The NCLE Master in Contact Lens Technology designation demonstrates to the public and colleagues that an individual has attained a superior level in Contact Lens Technology.... [And he needed to satisfy the following conditions:]

●Currently a Fellow of the Contact Lens Society of America (CLSA), or

●Have written two published NCLE-approved Advanced Level III articles, or

●An NCLE-approved Speaker with two NCLE-approved Advanced Level III Courses, or

●Have one published NCLE-approved Advanced Level III article AND one NCLE-approved Advanced Level III Course for which you are the NCLE-approved Speaker. 

Linda Conlin Speaking to NH Opticians

Linda Conlin will speak at the annual New Hampshire Opticians Conference. The conference will be held on Oct. 16 at the Grappone Conference Center in Concorde, NH. She will have presentations on keratonus, the cornea, and malpractice.

Sight: The Story of Vision Airs Tomorrow on PBS

A one-hour documentary produced for PBS broadcast and distribution. The story’s threads will weave the tale of the journey of humanity that discovered the science; technology and medicine that allows us to understand how sight works, cure diseases of the eye and correct vision. Efforts will be made to make this a coproduction with international partners like BBC, NHK, ABC (Australia) and other international broadcasters."For more information, click. People will also be able to download the eBook or iBook also entitled The Story of Vision, produced by Mark Mattison-Shupnick, Jobson’s director of education and training content. Four articles by Linda Conlin appear in the book.

Register Today for OpticalCEUs Continuing Education Program for Opticians

Need to renew your state license and ABO/NCLE certification? Want the best value in continuing education? Need a full-day, 7-credit program? F.E. Enterprises’ OpticalCEUs has what you want and need!
Pick up the latest ideas in the field - from lens technology to reduce blue light exposure to contact lens fitting for irregular corneas. Earn your ABO/NCLE credits with 7 courses at the GRAND PEQUOT BALLROOM, Foxwoods Resort and Casino on Sunday, October 23rd.
They’ll help you: Advise your patients about the effects of blue light exposure Provide top-notch patient care with new technology for managing ocular allergies Expand your knowledge of contact lens materials, treatments and their applications As always, conference attendees can enjoy a delicious hot buffet lunch compliments of OpticalCEUs. Online registration or registration by phone or mail opens Monday, Aug. 29th. Register now! Earn accreditation! Have some Foxwoods fun!

Morning Sessions

Afternoon Sessions


___ Just the Blue Light Facts, Ma’am! Speaker: Deborah Kotob (1 ABO) 9am-10am – NEW!




___ Become a Contact Lens Fitter Speaker: Joe Forte (1 NCLE) 1pm-2pm – NEW!


___ Lensology – Lens Basics Review Speaker: Deborah Kotob (2 ABO) 10am-Noon – NEW!




___ A New Approach to Fitting Irregular Corneas Speaker: Joe Forte (1 NCLE) 2pm-3pm – NEW!





___ Contact Lenses – How We Got Here From There Speaker: Linda Conlin (1 NCLE) 3pm-4pm – NEW!








___ Managing Ocular Allergies Speaker: Joe Forte (1 NCLE) 4pm-5pm





Our Lecturers
Accredited lecturers Linda Conlin, Deborah Kotob of Vision-Ease and Joe Forte will present seven courses enabling you to earn ABO/NCLE credits.

For over 15 years Linda, an Adjunct Instructor with the Goodwin College Ophthalmic Sciences program, has provided continuing education and training for opticians at the state and national levels. She is ABO and NCLE certified, licensed in CT, MA and RI, and has written for 20/20 and EyeWitness magazines. She founded OpticalCEUs and launched OpticalCEU.com and Optical News from OpticalCEUs news blog for opticians.

Deborah, the ECP Education Facilitator for Vision-Ease, creates and presents ABO, NCLE and JCAHPO seminars related to optics and best practices. A Massachusetts-licensed optician, she has owned two optical businesses and was a sales representative for MODO and Luxottica. Deborah has achieved ABOM and NCLE certifications.

Joe, the director of contact lens services for Greenwich Ophthalmology Associates, lectured at CUNY Tech, Vision Expo and Optifair. He recently received his NCLE Masters Certificate. He is certified as an Advanced Level speaker, and was program director of the Interboro Institute College of Opticianry where he taught courses in various areas of contact lenses and optics. Joe has been a Fellow of the CLSA since 1992.

OpticalCEUs Fall Seminar Registration Will Begin Sept. 1

Linda Conlin, president and founder of OpticalCEUs and F.E. Enterprises, announced that registration for OpticalCEUs annual Fall seminar for opticians will begin on September 1. You will be able to save your seat online, by phone, or by mail. The seminar will offer approved courses for seven ABO/NCLE credits. Watch for more announcements.

Connection between Glaucoma and Apnea? Maybe

"Scientists have successfully measured the eye pressure of sleeping patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome for the first time, finding an unexpected correlation with glaucoma," according to Science Daily. Read more.

Blind Opticianry Professor Teaches Students about the Blind

"On a recent Monday afternoon, Opticianry Professor Blair Wong told his students to pair up with interns from the Carroll Center for the Blind, who were visiting class that day. For the next 30 minutes, the students were supposed to lead the interns, who were blind, through the narrow hallways of the Ben Franklin Institute of Technology as they went on a tour of the school," starts the Boston.com post. "The dozen or so students stood up and walked over to the adults interns, politely introducing themselves before carefully placing their hands on the interns’ elbows. Wong stood at the front of the room looking down. He would need someone to guide him, too." Read more.

Renewed Warnings about Workplace Eye Injuries

"According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are more than 2,000 workplace-related eye injuries in the United States each day. This amounts to more than 730,000 on-the-job eye injuries every year, with more than 36,000 resulting in time off from work. The annual price tag for these injuries hovers around $300 million annually. In addition, many eye injuries, like other workplace injuries, are never reported for a variety of reasons. So, if anything, these statistics underreport the urgency of the situation," reports OSH Online. "And we need to add one more statistic for consideration. While the number of injuries per day can vary depending on the source, virtually all sources agree that 90 percent of these eye injuries could be prevented if the worker wears the proper protective eye gear." Read more.

Good Morning America Questions Online Eye Test

"Good Morning America delved into the online 'vision test' known as Opternative with a GMA Investigates segment, aired Aug. 5, that took the company's claims to task and confirmed AOA's concerns that such an inadequate service can pose a threat to patient health," reports  AOA (American Optometric Assn.) "'There's potential for missing things that can be very significant to your eye health and your systemic health.' What the GMA segment uncovered completely validates patient safety alarms, and drew a strong response from viewers who saw optometry on the side of the public, fighting for the highest quality eye care." Read more.

FTC Sues 1-800 Contacts for Restraint of Trade

"A leading proponent of the Coalition for Contact Lens Consumer Choice, 1-800 Contacts has been called to task over business practices found to undermine contact lens marketplace competition, antitrust regulators say." That's the post from the American Optometric Assn. (AOA). "The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) filed suit against 1-800 Contacts on Aug. 8, alleging that the company unlawfully used its market power to orchestrate and maintain anti-consumer agreements with rival online contact lens retailers. These agreements not only suppress competition in online search advertisements, but also "restrict truthful and non-misleading internet advertising to consumers, resulting in some consumers paying higher retail prices for contact lenses," according to the FTC's administrative complaint." Read more.

Have a Solution to Poor Vision Care Worldwide? Read This!

Through a program called See Change Challenge, NineSigma and Essilor are looking for companies, universities, individuals, app developers, vision scientists, optometrists, or engineers to develop solutions that will improve vision care worldwide. Up to five winners of the first phase of the challenge will each earn 25,000 € in cash, and will have the opportunity to enter the second phase, where there will be an additional amount of 100,000 € in cash for up to two final winners. Essilor will also potentially support the final winners with development contracts to help them build and scale up their solutions.

The challenge aims to draw proposals low-cost, easy-to-use and scalable solutions that can be used by primary vision care workers. The proposals may include pure software solutions, software solutions based on consumer devices such as smartphones, or pure hardware devices that enable more people to be trained to become primary eye care workers.

The solutions should include the following: ability to provide measurements of eyesight refractive errors for children, adults, and individuals with ametropia or presbyopia or cataract pathology; Ease of learning; ease of use; adapted to 'nomad' usage; user independent; little to no calibration or maintenance; and of course, reliable and accurate Solution providers can learn more about this opportunity by going to the Essilor See Challenge site on NineSights.com. The submission deadline is October 21, 2016.

Compound in Broccoli May Protect from Macular Degeneration

"Buck Institute study also shows that palmitoleic acid protects the retina from environmental damage in mouse models of disease," according to Medical News Today. "Buck researchers boosted the potency of a broccoli-related compound by ten times and identified it as a possible treatment for age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the leading cause of vision loss affecting more than 10 million older Americans. The research, published in Scientific Reports, also highlights the role of lipid metabolism in maintaining the health of the retina, reporting that palmitoleic acid also had protective effects on retinal cells in culture and in mice. The "good-for-you" compound in broccoli which prompted the inquiry is indole-3-carbinol (I3C), which is currently being studied for cancer prevention." Read more.

Eye Test Might Show the Onset of Alzheimer's

"Scientists may have overcome a major roadblock in the development of Alzheimer's therapies by creating a new technology to observe in the back of the eye progression of the disease before the onset of symptoms," notes Science Daily. "Clinical trials are starting soon to test the technology in humans, according to a new paper." Read more.

Scientists Reconnect Optic Nerves in Mice

Medical News Today says that "in mice with severed optic nerves, scientists coaxed eye-to-brain connections to regrow along their former routes and link to the right parts of the brain." Read more.

Australian Scientists Have a New Glaucoma Test

"UNSW Australia scientists have developed a testing protocol that identifies the blinding eye disease glaucoma four years earlier than current techniques," reports Science Daily. "The patented method involves patients looking at small dots of light of specially chosen size and light intensity. An inability to see them indicates blind spots in the eye and early loss of peripheral vision. A study assessing 13 patients using this improved technique for visual field testing has been recently published in the journal Ophthalmic and Physiological Optics." Read more.

FDA Approves Dry-Eye Medication

"Drug regulators in the United States have approved Xiidra, which is lifitegrast ophthalmic solution 5 percent, to treat dry eye disease," reports Medical News Today. "Xiidra is the first prescription eye drop approved to treat both the signs and symptoms of dry eye - a group of conditions where the tear fluid produced by the eyes is either insufficient to lubricate the eyes properly, or of the wrong consistency." Read more.FDA, Food & Drug Administration, Xiidra, Dry Eye,

New Alcon Contact Lens for Presbyopia

Alcon has introduced Dailies Total1 Multifocal contact lenses for people with presbyopia, notes a press release appearing on NASDAQ. This multifocal lens reportedly provides both seamless distant, intermediate and near vision, and the outstanding comfort of the Dailies Total1 water gradient lens technology, which is said to reduce end-of-day dryness, as the water content approaches nearly 100% at the outermost surface of the lens. The "hydrophilic" (water-loving) surface of the lens is almost as soft as the surface of the cornea (corneal epithelium) to enhance comfort, while the lens design offers a smooth progression of power designed to provide a seamless experience between distant, intermediate and near vision. Read more.

Sunglasses Made from Old Maine Lobster Traps

Two years ago, Harpswell native John Turner was walking on South Portland’s Willard Beach when he came upon a washed-up wooden lobster trap," reports the Portland Press Herald. "He thought the grained, weathered wood could be crafted into the perfect pair of classic Wayfarer-style sunglasses, an accessory that is already drenched with plenty of attitude and nostalgia....He founded Traps Eyewear with Daniel Dougherty...[T]hey hired a Detroit designer and a woodworker from Bath to craft what the duo believes to be the first pair of sunglasses made out of salvaged lobster traps.Traps Eyewear shades, priced at $240-$285, have temples made of salvaged lobster trap wood. They’re available at Rough & Tumble in Portland and Day Trip Society in Kennebunkport." Read more. Sunglasses, Traps Eyewear, Lobster, Maine,

Goodwin College to Run ABO & NCLE Review Courses

On July 28, the Ophthalmic Science Department at Goodwin College will run review classes for the ABO and NCLE exams. The cost: A donation of non-perishable food items for families in need. The department also asks participants not to donate items at or near their expiration date. Aside from that requirement, you need to fill out the form found at this link: SU2016 ABO/NCLE Review Registration. Please complete all boxes on the ABO/NCLE registration form. You must register before July 26 at 11:59 pm. You can submit the registration via a link at the bottom of the SU2016 page above.

Questions? Contact: Maryann Santos, Program Director of Ophthalmic Science at Goodwin College.

Event Date: Thursday, July 28, 2016

Location: Goodwin College
403 Main Street
(corner of Crosby and Main Street)
East Hartford, CT 06118

Time: 5:30 pm Registration and Check-In
6:00-8:30 pm ABO Review
6:00-8:30 pm NCLE Review

New Acuvue Vita Said to Offer Superior Comfort

A new 30-day daily wear contact lens with new HydraMax technology provides superior comfort all month long over other leading monthly brands, according to its manufacturer Johnson & Johnson Vision Care Inc. The non-coated silicone hydrogel formulated lens is called Acuvue Vita Brand. The new lens is said to do the following:

• Maximize and maintain lens hydration all month long,
• Enhance comfort through a unique Infinity Edge, and
• Provide UV protection by blocking approximately 93.4% of UVA rays and 99.8% of UVB rays.

The material in new lens, senofilcon C, is designed to integrate the optimal density and distribution of beneficial lipids throughout this lens, while maintaining a low deposition profile. The lens is said to leverage the function of lipids to help maintain lens hydration by reducing the evaporation rate through this lens. The company notes the rate is 33% lower than other leading monthly brands.

CooperVision Launches Contact Lenses That Reportedly Fight Digital Device Fatigue

"CooperVision has announced the launch of a mass-market contact lens designed specifically to combat digital device-related eye fatigue, according to sources in the industry." The Rochester Democrat and Chronicle reported last week. "Biofinity Energys, the name for the silicone hydrogel lens created to help thwart dry and irritated eyes, blurred vision, eye strain and other symptoms associated with technology use, was launched at the American Optometric Association’s annual meeting Wednesday in Boston....The Biofinity Energys lens combines CooperVision’s proprietary Aquaform Technology, which prevents eye dryness, with a new optical design called digital zone optics, which integrates layers of aspheric curves across the front of the lens. The layers distribute more positive power across the center of the lens to help wearers shift between on-screen and off-screen activities without any impact to their distance vision." The lenses are available in the United States starting this month. Read more.

AllAboutVision Sold to Essilor

"Essilor of America has acquired AllAboutVision.com, the consumer website for information relating to vision, eye health, and eyewear. Essilor made the announcement June 24," reports Market Scope. "The price of the deal was not disclosed. AllAboutVision.com was launched in January 2000 as a source for eye health and vision correction news and information." Read more.

Eyeglasses Could Improve Global Economy by $225 Billion, Says EYELliance

World Economic Forum, Social Entrepreneurs, and EYElliance have reported that by improving the vision of 2.5 billion people the world's economy will grow $225 billion. The report, entitled  Eyeglasses for Global Development: Bridging the Visual Divide, notes that of the 4.5 billion people who need vision correction, only 1.9 billion actually correct their eyesight. Over 2.5 billion people still live with uncorrected poor vision, and its social and economic consequences. 95% of them live in developing countries where they lack awareness of the impact of poor vision and access to basic vision care solutions, according to a press release from Essilor, a stack-holder in Eyelliance.

In 2015, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and inclusive businesses collectively distributed less than 8 million pairs of eyeglasses in developing countries. Essilor accounted for 20% of these eyeglasses.

"Political will, investment and the engagement of private sector actions can overcome barriers to solving the problem at scale. In 2015, only $37 million, or two cents per person affected, was spent to solve this problem," noted the report's bullet points.

To read a PDF of the report, click this link:   Eyeglasses for Global Development: Bridging the Visual Divide.