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.

Patient Sues Lenscrafters for Reportedly Withholding Pupillary Distance Request

"A Jersey City man alleges he was refused his eyewear prescription information and has filed a class-action suit. Blane Friest filed a complaint in May in the U.S. Superior Court of New Jersey - Essex County against Luxottica Group SpA, Luxottica USA LLC, Luxottica Retail North America, Inc., The United States Shoe Corp., Lenscrafters and John Does citing violation of the New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act, Truth In Consumer Contract Warranty and Notice Act and the New Jersey Antitrust Act." That's the beginning of a recent Legal News Line post. "According to the complaint, the plaintiff alleges that on Dec. 22, 2014, he purchased prescription eyewear from Lenscrafters. In July 2015, the plaintiff contacted Lenscrafters to ask about the pupillary distance used in the glasses that he bought, but the defendant allegedly refused to give him this information. The plaintiff holds the defendants responsible because the defendants allegedly refused to give an important piece of information to the plaintiff despite knowing about the regulation from the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs stating that consumers have the right to obtain vital information such as the pupillary distance from licensed ophthalmic dispensers." Read more.

New Marketing Campaign for Prada Sunglasses

"Italian fashion label Prada is portraying a freethinking mentality through a digital effort for its Mod eyewear collection," writes Luxury Daily. "In a series of films, model Vanessa Moody is cast as the leader of a girl gang in which she and her posse traverse a landscape of repurposed factories and underground clubs. When watched as a unit, the films spell out a hidden message, giving viewers incentive to tune in for the entire set. 'The concept for this collection of films was to create the suspense and social media attraction during the launch of eyewear line,' said Anna Szubrycht, founder and president of Chic Being, a Santa Monica, CA-based luxury brand consultancy." Read more.

Willow Smith Models for Chanel Eyewear

"She’s a steady part of the Chanel family and is featured front and center in the brand’s latest eyewear ads. Long-time Chanel muses Kristen Stewart and Gisele Bündchen had to sit this one out, as Chanel Creative Director Karl Lagerfeld photographed his most recent muse, Willow Smith, for the house’s fall/winter ad," goes the Forbes post. "The campaign marks a first for the 15-year-old daughter of Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith. Willow’s Chanel campaign debut was announced earlier this year in March, following Chanel’s fall/winter 2016 fashion show at Paris fashion week." Read more.