Poor Southerners Have the Highest Incident of Poor Eyesights, Says CDC

"Health officials say bad eyesight in the U.S. is most common in the South. A new report found the South was home to three-quarters of the U.S. counties with the highest prevalence of severe vision loss," goes an Associated Press report in the Augusta Chronicle. "The South also has higher rates of poverty, diabetes and chronic disease. Health officials believe those problems are all related to the vision loss. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released the report Thursday. Overall, about 3 percent of people had severe vision loss. The highest rate was from Owsley County, Kentucky, which surpassed 18 percent. The study is the CDC’s first county-level assessment of blindness and severe vision loss. It’s based on millions of U.S. Census Bureau survey responses from 2009 through 2013." Read more.

In the report entitled Geographic Disparity of Severe Vision Loss — United States, 2009–2013, the CDC reports that "vision loss and blindness are among the top 10 disabilities in the United States, causing substantial social, economic, and psychological effects, including increased morbidity, increased mortality, and decreased quality of life. CDC analyzed data from the American Community Survey to estimate county level prevalence of severe vision loss in the United States and to describe its geographic pattern and its association with poverty level." Get a copy of the report at http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/.

Campaign for Utah's AG Reportedly Received a Donation from 1-800 Contacts

"Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes accepted a $5,000 campaign donation from a contact lens seller based in the state after his office began defending a new law that critics say was written at the company's behest," according to an Associated Press report on ABC News. "Three of the nation's biggest contact lens makers are suing Utah over the law, which bans price-fixing for lenses and could have wide-ranging implications for the industry. They argue it is unconstitutional and was written to benefit discount retailers like 1-800 Contacts. The companies filed suit April 13. On May 1, Reyes' campaign deposited a $5,000 check from 1-800 Contacts, which by that time had joined the lawsuit in favor of the law." Read more. What is the significance? In this era of multimillion political campaigns, five grand ain't much. Besides it was the legislature that passed the law banning unilateral pricing by contact lens manufacturers.

New Eyewear from bene

"This Summer 2015, bebe Eyewear releases an optical collection that captures the spirit of adventure with exclusive animal camouflage prints and shimmery iridescent animal acetates," writes Midwest Lens. "Flowing silhouettes, metal logo cuff embellishments and ‘b’ rivet logos satisfy sophisticated tastes. Available in vibrant teal, amethyst and ruby jewel tones as well as earthy topaz and olive, this collection appeals to the many facets of the bebe girl and offers an assortment of feminine, fashionable styles." Read more.

New Eyewear from Modern Optical International

"The stage is set for back-to-school 2015 as value eyewear leader Modern Optical International announces the launch of its newly revamped URock Collection," announced Midwest Lens. "Geared exclusively for the male tween thru college crowd, the seven new URock styles offer minimalist designs that balance cool with edge. A masculine color palette along with subtle patterns and matte finishes invite broad appeal to this elusive, style-conscious demographic. Quality materials such as TR90 memory plastic, handmade zyl, and spring hinges support their active lifestyles. Value pricing plus a two-year warranty will earn parents’ stamp of approval. On-trend designs, teen-centric model names, a URock video and updated collection logo all embody the core of this essential eyewear collection. 'Do What Rocks Your World!'" Read more.

Eye Exams Get Patients to Seek Treatment for Chronic Problems

After comprehensive eye exams, patients seek follow-up treatment for certain chronic conditions from the primary care physicians and specialists, based on the advice of an eye care professionals. That's the finding of Eye Exam Impacts on Re-engagement for Chronic Conditions, a new study by UnitedHealthcare.

It  demonstrates how eye care professionals can play a key role in helping re-engage patients with chronic conditions into care. This may help enable cost savings and prevention of disease progression and complications. Study results showed that 33 percent of previously unengaged patients, defined as lacking medical care for any chronic conditions over the previous 18 months, were re-engaged into care with a primary care physician or specialist within 60 days following an eye exam. Another 24 percent of patients were re-engaged after 60 days following an eye exam.

The study followed more than 2,300 UnitedHealthcare plan participants enrolled in employer-sponsored health plans to determine whether patients lacking care for chronic conditions followed up for treatment with a primary care physician or specialist after an eye exam. The study examined re-engagement rates for people with seven chronic conditions: Crohn’s disease, diabetes, Graves’ disease, high cholesterol, hypertension, multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis. The results are important considering many people visit their eye care doctor more frequently than their primary care provider. Read more.

Hospital Reports Rise in Acanthamoeba Keratitis

"Specialists at Moorfields Eye hospital have noticed a rise in eye infections among contact-lens wearers and are warning users to take extra care," according to a BBC post. "Last year, doctors at the hospital treated 60 new cases of a particularly nasty infection called acanthamoeba keratitis - around two to three times more cases than in recent years. Bacteria, fungi and micro-organisms can stick to contact lenses and cause pain, irritation and serious harm. One woman whose eye became infected from her contact lens has described being kept awake for a week while doctors tried to treat the problem. Jessica Greaney, 18, a student at Nottingham University, was told the probable cause of the infection was a drop of water which had splashed on to one of her lenses while she was washing them." Read more.

Readers Make People Look Older, Says Study

One in four adults say reading glasses can make someone look ten years older, says a survey conducted by Jacksonville University, FL. The survey evaluates the effect that readers have on perceived age. Worldwide, nearly 1.7 billion people have presbyopia, and the number could jump to 2.1 billion by 2020.The Age Perception Impact Survey, conducted online and with support from Alcon, examined the perceptions and attitudes of aging among the US population between the ages of 38-54, also known as the Generation X population. It surveyed 1,067 adults who live in the continental United States. In addition, there were 50 interviews, which included sharing pictures of individuals with and without readers and asking interviewees to guess their age and personal attributes. Read more.

New Eywear from Ogi Kids

"Ogi Eyewear expands the Ogi Kids line with new styles in the “Mommy & Me, Daddy & I” collection, a high-demand series of coordinating adult and child-sized frames," reports Midwest Lens. "The Ogi Kids Collection by Ogi Eyewear combines form and function to create a unique line of fashionable frames modeled after the best-selling adult styles. This notion is beautifully demonstrated in the new OK316 and OK317. By fusing sophisticated textures with vibrant colors, these two additions help to solidify Ogi Kids as a leader in the children’s eyewear segment." Read more.

Fight against Unilateral Pricing Policies of Contact Lenses Grows

"Costco and online sellers like 1-800 Contacts would love to sell you cheaper contact lenses. But in recent years, the country’s biggest contact manufacturers have instituted minimum prices for their products that make it impossible for retailers to offer them at lower price points," reports Time magazine. "In testimony before Congress last summer, the Consumers Union declared such policies 'uncompetitive' and tantamount to price fixing: 'Consumers are denied more affordable alternatives. They pay more than they need to, and sellers who would like to make those affordable alternatives available are denied the opportunity to do so.'" Read more.

Kendall Jenner Stars in New Lagerfeld Campaign

"The latest act at total domination of the fashion world, Kendall Jenner stars in Karl Lagerfeld’s eyewear campaign. The first sneak peak is here, and it is obviously all kinds of chic. But when Karl and Kendall combine, it’s hard to expect anything less," according to Bustle. "Karl Lagerfeld posted a short video on his Instagram on Monday, giving us a preview of the making of his new eyewear campaign, starring Jenner and French model Baptiste Giabiconi. The full video, which is available on Karl.com, shows the two posing in oversized sunnies, army green shades, and coquettish reading glasses, while Lagerfeld shoots from behind his camera lens. And Karl also gives us some insight as to why the 19-year-old has experienced such widespread modeling success. He says, '[Kendall is] great and modern, and the girl of the moment.' Well, there’s no arguing that one." Read more.

ABO/NCLE Changed Certification Process for Next Year (2016)

In a recent email, the ABO-NCLE said that starting January 2016, it is changing certification renewal requirements. It will apply to all three-year certificates (certifications) that expire in 2016. Here are the new renewal requirements, as described by ABO/NCLE:

• ABO Certification Renewal: $85 renewal fee and completion of 12 ABO and/or NCLE approved CECs [continuing education credits], of which at least 6 hours are ABO approved technical CECs.
• NCLE Certification Renewal: $85 renewal fee and completion of 18 ABO and/or NCLE approved CECs, of which at least 9 hours are NCLE approved technical CECs.
• ABO & NCLE (Joint) Certification Renewal: $85 renewal fee for each certification and completion of 21 ABO and/or NCLE approved CECs, of which at least 5 hours of must be ABO approved technical CECs and at least 6 hours must be NCLE approved technical CECs.

"If you are licensed in a state that requires continuing education for license renewal, all you need to do is provide a copy of your current license, with your $85 payment, per certification. In order to maintain your ABO and/or NCLE Advanced & Masters Designation Renewal: $85 renewal fee for each certification and at least one-third of your required credits, as described above, must be Approved Level II or III CECs." Need more information? Contact ABO/NCLE on its certification webpage.

Ex-GOP Presidential Candidate KO's Ex-World Heavyweight Champ--For Vision

"The political world got a rare treat Friday night, courtesy of the last man to accept the GOP presidential nomination. Stepping into the boxing ring against four-time World Heavyweight Champion Evander Holyfield (albeit a Holyfield about ten years past due), former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney traded blows in one of the strangest celebrity boxing matches you’ll ever see," reports Bustle. "And frankly, you have to forgive both men that — Romney vs. Holyfield was awful boxing, but great charity.... Suffice to say, if you watched this fight expecting to be thrilled as a boxing fan, you were probably bitterly disappointed. But everyone else should feel good, because this boxing match was obviously not really about sweat or grind, but about raising money for a good cause — the event was estimated to bring in one million dollars for Charity Vision....As NPR detailed in covering this epic bout, Charity Vision is a non-profit organization, for which Romney’s son Josh serves is a volunteer vice president. Their primary mission is to provide corrective vision care — surgeries included — for people in underprivileged parts of the world." Read more.

More Eye Exams for Children in School

"Last year, I went with a small group of ophthalmologists to a South Bronx middle school to conduct vision exams. One neatly dressed boy had trouble seeing the big E at the top of the chart. He hesitated and made mistakes on the second line, and then put his head down, embarrassed. "I don’t think you can see the chart,' I said. He told me he couldn’t remember ever having an eye exam. I thought he might be an anomaly," says Pamelin F. Gallin, professor of ophthalmology and of pediatrics at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Medical Center. She argues for more eye exams of school children in the New York Times. "I was wrong. My colleagues and I have conducted 2,400 screenings on students in three New York City middle schools: one in the South Bronx, one in Williamsburg and one in the Washington Heights section of Manhattan. We have prescribed and distributed 450 free pairs of glasses to the nearly one-fifth of the kids who had 20/40 vision (which means street signs and chalkboards are blurry) or worse. Many of the kids knew they couldn’t see the board, but hadn’t thought to ask for a checkup, because their vision had deteriorated gradually." Read more.

Appeals Court Halts Utah's Ban on Unilateral Pricing Policies for Contact Lenses

"A federal appeals court has halted a new Utah law banning price-fixing for contact lenses that could have wide-ranging implications for the industry amid a fight between manufacturers and discount retailers," reports WRAL. "Lens maker Alcon Laboratories cheered the order Thursday. Along with Johnson & Johnson and Bausch & Lomb, the company says the law is an unconstitutional overreach written to benefit Utah-based online discount retailer 1-800 Contacts." Read more.

Explanation for the Mystery Black/Blue or White/Gold Dress

"Black and blue or white and gold? That is the question that took the world by storm back in February after two friends from Scotland posted a picture of a dress online seeking an answer because they disagreed on its color," reminds Medical News Today. "But it seems no one else can agree either; some of us see 'The Dress' as black and blue, while others see it as white and gold. Now, three new studies published in the journal Current Biology attempt to explain why." Read more. For the earlier blog post about this "mysterious" dress, click here.

Luxottica Renews License with Prada

Luxottica Group and Prada s.p.a. renewed their "exclusive license agreement for the design, production and worldwide distribution of prescription frames and sunglasses under the Prada and Miu Miu brands. The 10-year agreement will extend through December 31, 2025," according to the Wall Street Journal Transcript. Read more.

New Insights into Low-Light Vision

"Driving down a dimly lit road at midnight can tax even those with 20/20 vision, but according to a recent UC Irvine study, the brain processes the experience no differently than if it were noon. The same study also reveals how quickly the brain adapts to vision loss, contradicting earlier research and opening the door to novel treatments," reports Science Daily. "The findings, which appear in the April 21 edition of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, are significant for those who have suffered retinal damage or disease, said cognitive scientist Alyssa Brewer, the lead author. 'Previous research suggested that the two areas of the brain responsible for color processing received input only from cone photoreceptors -- the parts of the retina used in central, normal daylight vision for things like reading and seeing details and colors in a scene,' she said." Read more.

Utah's Ban on Minimum Priced Contact Lenses Withstands Suit

"A federal judge is refusing to block a Utah law banning minimum prices for contact lens that has drawn the ire of the nation's largest manufacturers," according to an Associated Press story on Fox Business. "In a decision handed down Monday in Salt Lake City, U.S. District Judge Dee Benson said contact-lens makers like Johnson & Johnson and Bausch & Lomb haven't shown that the law is unconstitutional. The manufacturers sued the state last month amid an increasingly bitter fight with discount retailers like 1-800-Contacts. They said the law was written at the behest of the Utah-based discounter and minimum prices help eye doctors make recommendations." Read more.

Interchangeable Children's Eyewear Coming to U.S.

funoogles has launched its interchangeable, customizable prescription eyewear for children line in the United States. The idea came from founder Jessica Darcy's seven-year-old daughter, Ella-Jane. Born with a congenital cataract, Ella-Jane understood that glasses were necessary, but she bored with having to wear the same frames each day. She asked her mom if it would be possible to create glasses made of interchangeable parts, leading to the development of funoogles. "The first time Ella-Jane put on a pair of funoogles, she lit up with excitement," said Darcy. "Eager to show them off, she debuted this initial pair to her friends at school who then became interested in owning a pair of funoogles, too. With that I realized that other children should also have the opportunity to customize their glasses." funoogles glasses are made from TR-90. The "starter pack" includes a clear colored eyewear base known as a core (to keeps the lenses in place), an interchangeable outline clip, full clip, brow clip, and temples. The cost $99.99, which now are sold online, but the company wants to work with retailers. Read more.

Manufacturers of Impact-Resistant Lenses Put on FDA Alert List

The Food & Drug Administration has added two lens exporters to its list of companies failing to comply with FDA regulations: Jiangxi Look Optical Industrial Co., Ltd., and Koadak Optical Ind. Com., Ltd. Here's the FDA's reason: "Eyeglasses and sunglasses imported into the United States are required to comply with 21 CFR 801.410, "Use of impact-resistant lenses in eyeglasses and sunglasses". A certificate to comply with 21 CFR 801.410(g) must accompany each entry of eyeglasses and sunglasses showing the lens manufacturer has conducted tests of the lenses using the impact test described in paragraph (d)(2) of 21 CFR 801.410 or any equal or superior test. It has been reported that certificates from foreign manufacturers may not be valid. Tests by one U.S. distributor revealed 40-70% breakage which differed significantly from the manufacturer's certificate. Due to apparent certificate irregularities SAN-DO collected a sample of children's sunglasses. The manufacturer's certificate indicated that no lenses broke during testing. However, WEAC testing of the sample found that nearly every lens broke completely. More recently, SAN-DO collected a sample of adult prescription lenses. WEAC testing of the sample found that 38% of the lenses broke completely." Read more.

J&J Vision Care Looks at a $300 Million Expansion

Despite the lawsuits about the unilateral pricing policies, things must be going well for the manufacturers of contact lenses, at least for one. "Johnson & Johnson proposes $300 million, 100-job expansion in Jacksonville," reports the Florida Times-Union. "Johnson & Johnson Vision Care is considering a $300 million expansion to its contact lens plant in Jacksonville that would add an additional 100 jobs. It’s also seeking almost $98 million in city and state tax relief. The jobs would pay an average of $60,000 a year plus $30,000 in benefits and would be filled by end of 2017, according to legislation filed Wednesday afternoon with Jacksonville City Council. The company is asking for $7.1 million in property tax relief from the city over seven years and $90.3 million in state tax credit over 20 years." Read more.

Physician Fights Off Ebola Virus in Eye

"When Dr. Ian Crozier was released from Emory University Hospital in October after a long, brutal fight with Ebola that nearly ended his life, his medical team thought he was cured. But less than two months later, he was back at the hospital with fading sight, intense pain and soaring pressure in his left eye," according to the New York Times. "Test results were chilling: The inside of Dr. Crozier’s eye was teeming with Ebola. His doctors were amazed. They had considered the possibility that the virus had invaded his eye, but they had not really expected to find it. Months had passed since Dr. Crozier became ill while working in an Ebola treatment ward in Sierra Leone as a volunteer for the World Health Organization. By the time he left Emory, his blood was Ebola-free. Although the virus may persist in semen for months, other body fluids were thought to be clear of it once a patient recovered. Almost nothing was known about the ability of Ebola to lurk inside the eye." Read more.

Also read the post about changing eye color and about the Crozier case history.

Viral Infections Change Eye Color

"How can a viral infection change the color of a person’s eye?" asks the New York Times. "Months after Dr. Ian Crozier thought he had recovered from Ebola, he was stunned to find himself developing intense eye pain and fading vision. The inside of his left eye was still occupied territory, full of live, replicating virus. And one morning during this siege, he looked in the mirror and saw that his iris had changed from blue to green. Although such color changes are rare, they do occur from time to time during viral infections, eye doctors say. Herpes viruses are the most common cause, but other viruses can do the same thing. The changes in hue are almost always permanent." Read more. See this post as well.

App Overcomes Partial Color Blindness with Chrome Browser App

"The web isn't always a great a place to visit if you're color-blind -- in fact, you may not properly see the Chrome logo above. Thankfully, Google may have a way to fill in some of that missing picture," according to Engadget. "It recently released a Chrome extension, Color Enhancer, that tweaks the browser's colors to help overcome partial color blindness. All you do is walk through a basic calibration process, and the add-on does the rest. This isn't the most complicated addition in the world, but it could make a big difference if it helps you spot web objects that would otherwise go unnoticed." Read more.

Ebola Virus in Aqueous Humor after Being Undectable in Blood

Science Daily reports that "researchers are reporting a case study in which viable Ebola virus was present in the eye’s aqueous humor — the clear fluid in the front of the eye, between the lens and the cornea — 10 weeks after the virus was no longer detectable in the patient’s blood." Read more.

New Eyewear from Kilter

"This spring Kilter releases an optical collection that defies the norm," says Midwest Lens. "Wearable from school to skate, this collection of eight styles for teens features cutting edge shapes, cool camouflage and edgy color contrast. Each Kilter style features a signature “K” Kilter logo on the interior left temple, a defining detail." Read more.

Conlin at NYS Opticians Gala

Linda Conlin, the founder of OpticalCEUs, lectured at the annual NYS Opticians Gala Professional Development Symposium. The event, sponsored by the New York State Society of Opticians, drew more than 150 opticians to the Turning Stone Casino in Verona, New York. Conlin talked about the use of augmented reality contact lenses as a convenience for patients or as a device that dispenses medicine to the eye. OpticalCEUs, the 16 year old education program for opticians, was name as a sponsor of the event.

Forget the $1.2 Billion Warby Parker Raised. Look at Its Plans for Smart Phones

There's more to notice than the billions Warby Parker whipped up to fund its 20-store brick-and-mortar expansion. "The company is also building new technology to make shopping for frames in stores and online easier. Gilboa said Warby Parker is investing in technology to let customers conduct eye exams using just their mobile phones," reports the Wall Street Journal's Digits.

In case you have not paid attention, Warby Parker recently raised $1.2 billion. "The capital will help expand Warby Parker’s chain of retail shops, where the company generates a growing portion of sales. The storefronts, started in 2013 as an experiment, now employ about half of the company’s 500 employees and help drive awareness for the Warby Parker brand in each of the 9 U.S. cities where they operate." Read more.

NEI Research Will Noninvasively Image Cells in Greater Detail

Artist's rendering of neural activity in the retina. Light that enters the eye
activates rod and cone photoreceptors, which in turn activate retinal ganglion cells.
Signals travel to the brain via retinal ganglion cell axons.
Photo credit: National Eye Institute.

"Five bold projects will develop new technology to noninvasively image cells of the eye in unprecedented detail," according to NEI. "The National Eye Institute (NEI) announced the awards as part of its Audacious Goals Initiative. NEI has committed $3.8 million to the projects in 2015 and up to $17.9 million over the next five years, pending the availability of funds. NEI is part of the National Institutes of Health. The NEI Audacious Goals Initiative is a coordinated effort to spur new therapies for blinding diseases. The central audacious goal is to restore vision by regenerating neurons and neural connections in the eye and visual system. Special emphasis is devoted to cells of the retina, including the light-sensitive rod and cone photoreceptors, and the retinal ganglion cells, which connect photoreceptors to the brain via the optic nerve." Read more.

Costco Accuses Johnson & Johnson of Forcing Customers to Pay Higher Prices for Contact Lenses

"Costco Wholesale Corp. has accused Johnson & Johnson’s Vision Care Inc. of causing the retailer’s customers to pay higher prices for the eye company’s contact lenses," reports the Wall Street Journal. "Costco in March filed a complaint against Johnson & Johnson, which revealed the suit late Friday in its quarterly report to the Securities and Exchange Commission." Read more.

New Kenzo Eyewear from L'Amy America

"The Kenzo Eyewear line consists of both ophthalmic and sunwear. Kenzo’s trademark is spontaneity and fun," writes Midwest Lens. "Kenzo has a fresh attitude with respect for the heritage of the brand. Kenzo Eyewear is for the woman or man who’s not afraid of color and prints." Read more.

OpticalCEUs Spring 2015--the Movie

OpticalCEUs 2015 Spring Continuing Education Seminar for Opticians a Success

"Judge" Linda Conlin, founder of OpticalCEUs,
lecturing about malpractice at the recent
OpticalCEUs continuing education
seminar at Foxwoods.

Around 12 dozen opticians came to the Grand Pequot Ballroom, Foxwoods Resort and Casino on Sunday, April 26. By the end of the day and after a delicious hot lunch, they returned home with 7 ABO/NCLE credits. They listened, took notes, and discussed presented at seven sessions from four excellent speakers:

Miru 1day – New Technology in Daily Disposable Lenses Speaker: Donna Schaub (1 NCLE) 9am-10am

Blue Perspective Speaker: Deborah Kotob (1 ABO) 10am-11am

Night Vision Speaker: Deborah Kotob (1 NCLE) 11am-Noon

Day By Day Speaker: Joe Forte (1 NCLE) 1pm-2pm

Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Lenses, But Were Afraid to Ask Speaker: Joe Forte (1 ABO) 2pm-3pm

You Be the Judge: Opticians and Malpractice Speaker: Linda Conlin (1 NCLE) 3pm-4pm

Reflecting on Refraction. Speaker: Joe Forte (1 ABO) 4pm-5 pm.

New Nicole Miller Eyewear from L’Amy America

"Glamorous, feminine and summer ready-to-wear are the trademarks of the six new styles-three ophthalmic, three sun – L’Amy America is launching in their Nicole Miller collection, ready for Summer 2015 wearing." That's the word from Midwest Lens. Read more.

Microsoft Gets Patent for Agumented Reality Eyewear

"The artificial-intelligence race could be heading back to the eyeglass shop," reports the Wall Street Journal's Digits. "Google Glass may be stumbling, but Microsoft MSFT -0.30% appears to be taking a fresh look at the idea of smart glasses. Microsoft cinched a U.S. patent for Internet-connected, see-through glasses. But here’s the twist: They would be able to detect and interpret the emotions of people within their field of vision. The patent for 'a wearable emotion detection feedback system,' was filed in October 2012, and awarded earlier this week, according to a public filing by the U.S. patent office. It’s unclear whether Microsoft is serious about any near-term commercial applications, or is just tinkering. A spokeswoman said, 'Microsoft regularly applies for and receives patents as part of its business practice; not all patents applied for or received will be incorporated into a Microsoft product.'" Read more.

Children's Eye Injries from "Toy" Guns on Rise

"Over 3000 children were treated in U.S. emergency departments in 2012 for eye injuries related to paintball guns, airsoft guns, BB guns and pellet guns, which are popular non-powder guns. A new report published in the Journal of the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus (AAPOS) analyzes the trends in hospital admissions associated with different types of firearms and suggests regulations that can help prevent serious injuries." That's the word from Science Daily. Read more.

Dry Eye Finally Linked to Allergens in New Study

"New ophthalmology research from the University of Miami shows that dry eye - the little understood culprit behind red, watery, gritty feeling eyes - strikes most often in spring, just as airborne allergens are surging," according to Medical News Today. "The study marks the first time that researchers have discovered a direct correlation between seasonal allergens and dry eye, with both pollen and dry eye cases reaching a yearly peak in the month of April. The paper was published online in Ophthalmology, the journal of the American Academy of Ophthalmology." Read more.

Computerized Vision Screening for Children Works, Says Study

"A new report published in the Journal of the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus (AAPOS) describes the effectiveness of a new computer-based vision-screening test, the Jaeb Visual Acuity Screener (JVAS), which is suitable for use in schools and pediatrician's offices," according to Science Daily. "'Broad adoption of this tool would result in a more standardized approach to pediatric vision screening in diverse medical and community office settings,' commented lead investigator Tomohiko Yamada, OD, of the Department of Ophthalmology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota. 'In comparison to traditional vision testing methodologies, this software-based tool provides the advantage of running on any windows-based PC in a pediatrician's examination room -- avoiding testing in distracting office hallways.' JVAS is a computerized screening program developed by the Jaeb Center for Health Research that is designed to identify children with subnormal visual acuity in a rapid and reproducible manner. It uses a set testing algorithm to minimize subjective tester bias. It also uses age-specific visual acuity standards to provide a simple pass/fail result for four age groups (3, 4, 5 or 6, and 7 and over)." Read more.

Simple Eye Test for 7 Year Olds Predicts Onset of Myopia

"Researchers have found that a simple eye test in first grade could predict the onset of nearsightedness by eight grade," reports Medical News Today. "Such a test could enable parents to plan eye testing schedules and glasses, and even opens up the research opportunities into therapies that could prevent the need for glasses.A study of over 4,500 children published in JAMA Ophthalmology identified 414 who became nearsighted (had myopia, in which further distances are seen as blurry) by the time they were between 7 and 13 years of age." Read more.

New Crocs Eyewear from A&A Optical

"A&A Optical announces the release of two new adult styles from Crocs eyewear: CF332 and CF619. Crocs eyewear interprets the relaxed and distinctly fun Crocs spirit, incorporating the unique style and creative design in terms of colors, shapes, materials and comfort of Crocs branded products," reports Midwest Lens. "The collection uses an assortment of high quality materials such as ultra lightweight stainless steel, hypo-allergenic silicone rubber and flexible polymer." Read more.

Updated Ophthalmic Career Progression Program Available from NAO

The National Academy of Opticianry has updated it Ophthalmic Career Progression Program text. The text reportedly "very closely follows the American Board of Opticianry (ABO) Task Analoysis, the basis for the National ABO Certification Exam." The text consists of four illustrated volumes, each with an exam. There's also a final exam. NAO also has a fifth volume that focuses on contact lenses.The text was written by three renowned academics in opticianry:

• Diane F. Drake, LDO, ABOM, FCLSA, FNAO
• David F. Meldrum, LDO, ABOM, FNAO, and
• Randall L. Smith, M.S., ABOM, NCLEC, FNAO.

The OCPP is a convenient, affordable home-study, on-the-job training tool for apprenticing opticians. Several states accept it as a viable method to achieve required training and education for licensing and national certification. It is also widely used in states that don't require licensing and certification as a quality, thorough base-line for on-the-job training. To find out more about the program go to www.nao.org and click into the Ophthalmic Career Progression Program (OCPP) for more information or call NAO (800-229-4828).

OpticalCEUs Fall 2014 Conference--the Movie

New Method for Measuring Low Light Vision

"A simple method of testing 'twilight vision' gives reliable results in identifying people who have decreased visual acuity under low light conditions, according to a new study," according to Science Codex. "Using filters to test at a light level 100 times lower than for daylight visual acuity testing, vision care professionals can obtain 'reliable and repeatable' measurements of twilight vision, report Jason S. Ng, OD, PhD, and colleagues of Southern California College of Optometry at Marshall B. Ketchum University in Fullerton, Calif." Read more.

Earning Almost $300K, Ophthalmologists Don't Think to Get Paid Enough

"Ophthalmologists are in the middle of the pack when it comes to compensation and professional satisfaction. Yet the majority of ophthalmologists think they should be better paid, according to the Medscape Ophthalmologist Compensation Report 2015," notes Medscape. "Ophthalmologists surveyed reported earning $292,000 per year on average in 2014. That is more than $100,000 higher than pediatricians, the lowest earners ($189,000), but a roughly equal amount below that of the perennial highest earners, orthopedists ($421,000). Ophthalmologists are also right in the center for earnings not linked to patient care (such as expert witness duties, product sales, or speaking engagements), picking up an average of $14,000 in outside work, on par with rheumatologists, general surgeons, and gastroenterologists." Read more. Maybe they should join the thousands of fast-food workers protesting throughout the U.S. for $15 an hour or $30K per year.

Luxottica and Google Working on New Version of Google Glass

"A new version of Google Glass is in the works and will be out soon, the chief executive of Italian eyewear maker Luxottica said Friday," reports the Wall Street Journal's Digits. "The partnership with the U.S. tech giant to build Glass—the Internet-connected eyewear—is going ahead, said Massimo Vian, speaking at the company’s general meeting in Milan, Italy. Earlier this year, Google stopped selling the first version of Glass and shut its Explorer program, moving the project out of its Google X research lab into a standalone unit. Yet the firm made clear that it was still working to make the eyewear ready for users. The changes sparked speculation that Google would abandon Glass. However, Executive Chairman Eric Schmidt told The Wall Street Journal that it has been put under the watch of Tony Fadell, head of Google’s Nest connected home division, 'to make it ready for users.'" Read more.

The Family of Optical Leader Dennis Antonucci Asks for Your Help

"Two years ago Dennis Antonucci, my brother, was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), which is more popularly known as Lou Gehrig's disease. Since that time, he has experienced progressive muscular degeneration through his arms and neck.  This degeneration has made even the smallest of tasks difficult to do without assistance from others. Dennis is very fortunate to have help from his family and friends but today this help is not enough." That's the start of the opening YouCaring.com site for Glastonbury resident Dennis Antonucci. As a laboratory business consultant for Essilor, a licensed optician, and graduate of Middlesex Community College, Dennis earned the respect of opticians throughout the region. He donated his time. Now he and his family need our help, as his brother notes.

"During December 2014, Dennis was selected to participate in a stem cell therapy study. Stem cell therapy is a treatment which involves the injection healthy neural cells directly into a patient’s spine in order to assist the immune system in its fight against a disease. As a double-blind, placebo-controlled study, the hospital staff administering the treatment does not know if the patient is getting healthy cells or a placebo. Consequently, Dennis does not know if he received healthy stem cells or a placebo. Assuming Dennis received healthy cells, it will be many months before it is known whether the treatment was successful.

"Since his participation in the study, Dennis has continued to experience muscular degeneration as evidenced by worsening speech and more difficulty in swallowing food. In fact, his inability to eat has gotten so bad that Dennis had to be fitted with a feeding tube in order to stop his weight loss. Needless to say, the ongoing degeneration is a constant struggle for Dennis and his family and friends.

"While everyone is pitching in to help Dennis, his poor health has reached a point where he needs specialized equipment and trained individuals dedicated to his care. This equipment and care requires financial contributions beyond those covered by insurance and available from Dennis’ circle of family and friends. We are asking for donations to help Dennis. These donations can be in the form of cash, check, and credit card or by clicking donate now. As the administrator of this site and co-administrator of donations, I promise that every donated dollar will be used only for devises and home care to assist Dennis in sustaining his health." So far, the YouCaring site has received more than $8,000 in donations. The family is looking for $50,000. Please donate today so the family can reach its goal and continue its support of Dennis, who gave often to the optical community. Donate now.

Goodwin's Ophthalmic Science Department to Open Optical Training Store

On May 11, the Ophthalmic Science department of Goodwin College will open its Optical Training Store, licensed by the Connecticut's Department of Health. Under the direct supervision of a clinical instructor, the department's students will use the skills learned during their previous three semesters to assist with and to fit eyewear for Goodwin College students, the college's employees, and on-campus employees of Goodwin contractors. Naturally the store will model a setting of a traditional optical practice. The store will operate on a walk-in basis to patients presenting prescriptions less than a year old. It will not work with insurance plans, but the store says that it will offer "substantial" discounts. To find out more about the optical training program and the store, go to Ophthalmic Science department of Goodwin College.

New Eyewear from ClearVision

"With a nod to the brand’s vibrant styling splashed with a tropical vibe, the three Op 'Sherbet'releases light up youthful faces with a colorful palette of sweet, on trend designs," notes Midwest Lens. "Featuring a menu of delectable, “frozen treat” shades like Chocolate, Mint, Cherry and Blueberry, each of the full acetate styles is available in six colors and one size each." Read more.

Elton John's Heart-Shaped Glasses Stolen from Museum

"Officials say a pair of Elton John's heart-shaped glasses has been stolen from a display case at a Memphis museum," according to the Kelowna Daily. "Memphis police said Wednesday the glasses were taken from the Memphis Rock n' Soul Museum. Officers were called to the museum Tuesday night, when employees noticed the glasses were missing. Officers said the case holding the glasses sustained no real damage. Police said a museum manager told officers someone would have to use a set of tools to remove the item from the case. An officer processed the case for fingerprints." Read more.

New Kids Eyewear from Safilo

"Safilo presents the new Kids by Safilo eyewear collection: a ground-breaking eyewear project devoted to 0-8 year olds, conceived for children’s necessities, designed with a medical-scientific approach and engineered with advanced technologies and materials," reports Midwest Lens. "Kids by Safilo optical frames are created to respond to children’s unmet needs. As the ideal blend of innovation and comfort, the new eyewear collection perfectly matches children’s requirements and, at the same time, their parents’ expectations. Through the collaboration with SIOP (Società Italiana di Oftalmologia Pediatrica) and in compliance with the guidelines of WSPOS (World Society of Paediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus), Safilo has created a specific product with the adoption of a medical-scientific approach to meet the key needs of children in terms of eyewear." Read more.

While J&J and Costco Duke It Out in California, Costco Sides with Utah about Contact Lens Pricing

"Johnson & Johnson’s contact lens unit on Friday urged a California federal judge to toss Costco Wholesale Corp.’s antitrust suit alleging J&J drives up prices by cutting off retailers that sell its lenses at a discount, arguing its unilateral pricing policies are 'entirely lawful,'" notes Law 360. "Cotsco’s suit is one of many related suits recently filed in California federal court over the allegedly anticompetitive pricing floor. The discount retailer has alleged that other contact retailers pressured Johnson & Johnson Vision Care Inc. to set an anticompetitive minimum retail." Read more.

"Warehouse store giant Costco is siding with the state of Utah in a lawsuit filed over a bill that bans price-fixing of contact lenses," reports Fox 13, the Fox affiliate in Salt Lake City. "In a motion filed Monday in federal court and obtained by Fox 13, Costco Wholesale seeks to intervene in a series of lawsuits filed by contact lens manufacturers against the state over Senate Bill 169, which was signed into law by Governor Gary Herbert last month. Court records show U.S. District Court Judge Dee Benson granted Costco’s motion to intervene. Former federal judge Paul Cassell is representing 1-800-CONTACTS, which is also siding with the state." Read more.

Louisiana Contact Lens Wearer Sues Manufacturers

"A woman has brought an anti-trust lawsuit against several major optical suppliers, alleging unfair trade practices dating to 2013," reports the Louisiana Record. "Jennifer L. Crose filed a class action complaint against CooperVision Inc. of Pleasanton, Calif.; Alcon Laboratories Inc. of Fort Worth; Bausch and Lomb Inc. of Bridgewater, N.J.; Johnson and Johnson Vision Care Inc. of Jacksonville, Fla.; and ABB/Con-Cise Optical Group LLC (a.k.a. ABB Optical Group) of Coral Springs, Fla., in the U.S. District Court of the Eastern District of Louisiana on March 31. According to the lawsuit, the defendants engaged in conspiratorial behavior to artificially control the price of contact lenses. Seeking to represent herself and class members who purchased contact lenses sold by the defendants collectively, Crose alleges that the manufacturers, who allegedly control more than 97 percent of the market, sought to fix, raise, maintain and/or stabilize the product prices by imposing price floor policies (PFPs) originating in mid-2013." Read more.

New Adler Eyewear from REM

"Designer Jonathan Adler and REM Eyewear have launched their women’s eyewear collection that is currently available at optical and department stores. The eyewear collection includes sunglasses, readers and optical frames distributed globally." That's the word from Midwest Lens. Read more.

New Eyewear from Silhouette

"SPX Illusion throws a curve to conventional style. Imagine wearing a contemporary-modernized full rim style that feels just as good as wearing nearly nothing at all! SPX Illusion offers extreme comfort and lightness due to our patented SPX material, along with color and finish stability," notes Midwest Lens. "Silhouette’s patented High-Tech Titanium and proprietary SPX material provide unparalleled flexibility and durability: SPX is twice as strong as acetate, most commonly used in the market. The SPX material revolution set the standard of excellence and high quality in the eyewear industry, and Silhouette as a leader in innovation, style, and design." Read more.

VSP Creating Its Own AR Eyewear. Watch Out Google Glass?

"VSP Global’s innovation labs in New York and Sacramento have developed a prototype of a wearable computer that doesn’t look like one," reports the Sacramento Business Journal. "In fact, it looks like a stylish pair of glasses.Think of it as Google Glass light. The wearable computer is the product of what VSP calls the Genesis Project. Designers and engineers at The Shop in midtown Sacramento packed all the electronics into the Genesis. Marchon Eyewear, VSP's frames line, also is working on the project." Read more.

Consumer Reports Blasts CL Pricing Policies -- Again!!!

"Today the manufacturers that account for about 98 percent of all contacts sold in the U.S. are setting minimum retail prices. Who benefits from denying discounts to price-conscious consumers? High-price retailers, including eye doctors who sell contact lenses directly to their patients. And the eye doctors determine which contact lenses to prescribe for each patient. So each manufacturer wants to stay on the doctors’ 'good list.'" That's represents one of many shots across the bows of the major contact lens manufacturers by Consumer Reports. "Without this warped incentive, contact lens manufacturers would likely welcome retail discounting, because more consumers could afford to buy contacts. Manufacturers would still set the wholesale price, so each retail sale, at any price, would provide the same benefit for the manufacturer. That’s how a healthy competitive market should work. Consumers Union fought this battle more than a decade ago. It used to be that eye doctors wouldn’t even give patients the contact lens prescription, making it exceedingly difficult to get contacts anywhere else but at the doctor’s—and at the price the doctor charged. That finally changed in 2003, when Congress passed the Fairness to Contact Lens Consumers Act, requiring eye doctors to hand over that prescription." Read more.

Scientists Eliminate Halo Effect from Contact Lenses for Presbyops?

"Since the dawn of the contact lens, wearers with presbyopia have had to endure the notorious 'halo effect'...A corrective method discovered by Israeli scientists may help beat back the blinding nuisances once and for all." That's the word from Digital Trends. "Researchers at Bar-Ilan University in Israel think they have a tenable solution. They describe a technique in the journal Optics Communications that involves a smoothening of the surface of multifocal lenses, a process that 'does not complicate the fabrication complexity of the lens' but 'yields the same optical performance in treating presbyopia and assisting people after cataract surgery,' says Professor Zeev Zavelsky, head of the Electro-Optics study program of the Faculty of Engineering and co-author of the paper." Read more."

New Eyewear from Tommy Bahama

"This Spring 2015 Tommy Bahama Eyewear delivers refreshing modern shapes, crisp coastal colors and elevated tropical patterns from paradise," writes Midwest Lens. "For men, handsome horn patterns, fresh matte finishes and iconic basket weave designs complement new contemporary shapes with an introduction to XL sizing. The women’s collection features tropical tortoises, oceanic prints and nautical design details on fresh, fashion-forward shapes." Read more.

Alcon, B&L, and J&J Sue Utah Over Contact Lens Bill

"Three leading national contact lens manufacturers are ganging up in federal court to try to prevent enforcement of new amendments to Utah law that they say are aimed at protecting Utah-based 1-800 Contacts at the expense of the U.S. Constitution," reports the Salt Lake Tribune. "Alcon Laboratories Inc., of Fort Worth, Texas; Bausch & Lomb Inc., of Bridgewater, N.J.; and Johnson & Johnson Vision Care Inc., of Jacksonville, Fla., are asking the U.S. District Court in Utah to stop state Attorney General Sean Reyes from enforcing SB169, which was signed last month by Gov. Gary Herbert.
In its lawsuit, Alcon said the passage of SB169 was under "the specter of protectionism" with 1-800 Contacts' officials offering testimony in support of the bill during its legislative passage. Bauch & Lomb, in a separate lawsuit, said the measure was "motivated by a parochial desire to protect a major in-state business at the expense of a targeted class of out-of-state corporations." Read more.

Read more about the Utah ban and potential bands in Idaho, Illinois, and California and similar legislative efforts in New Jersey and Oregon.

Ophthalmologist with Ties to Sen. Menendez Indicted by Feds

"Florida doctor Salomon Melgen, who has been charged with corruption along with New Jersey Democratic Senator Bob Menendez, was indicted on Tuesday on Medicare fraud charges, the U.S. Attorney's office in Miami said," goes the Reuter's story appearing on the Huffington Post. "Melgen, 61, an ophthalmologist in North Palm Beach, was charged with 46 counts of healthcare fraud, as well as 19 counts of fraudulent claims, and 11 counts of making false statements relating to health care, prosecutors said in a statement. Menendez and Melgen, who are close friends, were both charged in an alleged political corruption conspiracy earlier this month in New Jersey." Read more.

Stem Cells Used to Treat Macular Degeneration

"An injection of stem cells into the eye may soon slow or reverse the effects of early-stage age-related macular degeneration, according to new research from scientists at Cedars-Sinai," according to Medical News Today. "The stem cell injection resulted in 130 days of preserved vision in laboratory rats, which roughly equates to 16 years in humans." Read more.

New Eyewear from A&A's Jimmy Crystal New York

"A&A Optical announces the release of two new ophthalmic frames from luxury collection: Jimmy Crystal New York," says Midwest Lens. "The designer eyewear collection is comprised of striking limited edition pieces reminiscent of a collector’s item. Each style is unique and special, featuring hand set Swarovski elements." Read more.

Naomi Campbell and Jourdan Dunn Promoting Burberry's Eyewear

"One is a legendary supermodel and the other is quickly following in her footsteps, so it made sense for Naomi Campbell and her modern-day protegee Jourdan Dunn to team up for a new campaign," reports the Daily Mail. "Naomi, 44, and 24-year-old Jourdan have been unveiled as the faces of Burberry's new eyewear range, the Gabardine collection. The second joint campaign for the catwalk stars sees them cuddling up on set and modelling the seasonal styles inspired by gabardine - a fabric invented by Thomas Burberry and the original material of the iconic trench coat." Read more.

New Sunglasses from Nike Vision

"Nike Vision, the premium eyewear brand combining the science of vision with expertise in sport, announces its inaugural pair of young athletes’ performance eyewear,' goes the Midwest Lens post. "For more than a decade, Nike Vision’s sport eyewear has been the choice of top athletes. The brand’s first youth performance style will be the Skylon Ace XV Jr." Read more.

Car Manufacturer Mini to Offer AR Glasses

"Mini is rolling out a new product, and no, it's not a car. Announced at the Auto Shanghai show, the Mini Augmented Vision is actually a pair of augmented reality glasses that offers up info about your ride in your field of vision," according to an Endgadget report. "You can see some of the following details as you're riding around in your Mini vehicle of choice: destination points that you can select pre-ride, the navigation display of your first and last mile, heads up info like speeds and speed limits, navigation arrows plus points of interest on your route, incoming message notifications, an X-ray view of the vehicle, plus a view of the curb from the car's external cameras so you can park easier." Read more.

JINS Opens Retail Outline in San Francisco

"Tokyo-based eyewear brand JINS announced plans to expand into the U.S. market with the opening of its first U.S. flagship store in San Francisco in spring 2015," reports design:retail. "Since opening its first store in 2001, JINS has opened more than 300 retail locations across Japan and China. JINS' U.S. flagship store, which will be located at 151 Powell St. in Union Square, will offer more than 4,900-sq.-ft. of shopping space. The company also will launch a U.S. e-commerce site." Read more.

Restoring 3D Vision to Stroke Victim

"Impaired vision is one of the most common consequences of a stroke. In rare cases, patients may even lose their ability to perceive depth," according to Science Daily. "Such patients see the world around them as flat, like a two-dimensional picture. This makes it impossible for them to judge distances accurately – a skill they need, for instance, when reaching for a cup or when a car is approaching them on the street. A patient with this particular type of visual dysfunction has recently been studied in detail by a research team. The team has developed the first effective treatment regime and have identified the area of the brain that, when damaged, may cause loss of binocular depth perception." Read more.

Eye Tests for Eight Year Olds Predicts Nearsightedness in 13 Year Olds

"Researchers have found that a simple eye test in first grade could predict the onset of nearsightedness by eight grade," reports Medical News Today. "The authors of the new study call for more pre-school testing of childhood vision in the US. Such a test could enable parents to plan eye testing schedules and glasses, and even opens up the research opportunities into therapies that could prevent the need for glasses. A study of over 4,500 children published in JAMA Ophthalmology identified 414 who became nearsighted (had myopia, in which further distances are seen as blurry) by the time they were between 7 and 13 years of age." Read more.

New Sunglasses from Elle

"Characterized by the confidence and understated glamour of a quintessential Parisian woman, the ELLE look is a smart fusion of modern femininity and sartorial panache that feels and looks good to wear. This attractive, effortless style with its underlying French flavor is the secret of ELLE’s enduring lead in today’s bustling fashion market," according to Midwest Lens. "ELLE eyewear expresses the ambiance of the brand in a new sunglasses collection that carries the poise and beauty of Paris: the city and its women. Frame profiles are sensuously sculpted revealing slender, tailored lines and a smooth touch on frame curves and angles. Fresh inspirations are drawn from the baroque opulence of Parisian architecture with contemporary references displayed as ornate but tasteful temple decorations. Colors are the sensation of the new ELLE eyewear styles with fabulous new shades and innovative executions. Orange flashes, summer blues and daring reds are striking statement hues while the colour spectrum is reborn in dazzling gradients and sublime pearled tones." Read more.

Ce6 Drops May Treat Night Blindness

"The eyedrops utilize a mixture of insulin and chlorin e6 (Ce6) - a chlorophyll analog that has be used for many years in laser-assisted cancer treatment. Ce6 has light-amplifying properties, allowing surgeons to use energy from low-power light sources to destroy tumor cells," notes Medical News Today. "However, recent research has found that Ce6 could also be used to treat night blindness and improve the vision of people with certain visual disturbances, through direct application to the eye." Read more.

Kristen Stewart Continues as Chanel's Eyewear Model

"Actress Kristen Stewart rocks a pair of thick framed Chanel glasses in a new campaign for the fashion house's eye wear," reports UPI. "The black-and-white ads for the for the spring-summer 2015 collection were shot by Chanel's creative director Karl Lagerfeld and feature a series of close-ups of Stewart's profile." Read more.

New Jersey and Oregon Fight Anti-Unilateral Pricing Programs for Contact Lenses

"Oregon has become a battleground," reports KGW.com. "'As more and more consumers figure out what's going on, they're going to be more and more outraged,' said Bryan Kohler, a lobbyist for 1-800 Contacts. The company is pushing legislation in Oregon that would stop contact lens makers from setting a minimum price on contacts. Over the past year and a half, all four major contact lens manufacturers enacted policies that restrict what retailers can charge for contact lenses. These new minimum pricing policies mean discounters like 1-800 Contacts and Costco can no longer sell contacts at a lower price than their competitors. Costco argues these new policies are anti-competitive because they limit buying choices for the roughly 39 million Americans who wear contacts." Read more.

In New Jersey, "putative class action suit filed in federal court in Newark accuses four manufacturers and a distributor of disposable contact lenses of conspiring to eliminate price competition by entering into illegal resale price maintenance agreements with retailers," reports a NJ Law Journal post. Read more.

These two states join a growing list of states looking to ban unilateral pricing programs, such as Idaho, Illinois, and California. and Utah, which has already signed a ban into law.

New Eyewear from Plume Paris

"Without sacrificing creativity the Plume Paris collection releases beautiful designs that are not only comfortable to wear but exude confidence. The newest styles are a wonderful mixture of inspirations from the past with an eye to a more modern and edgy style. One of the most significant design elements to the collection is the blending of easy to wear frame shapes with exquisite and unique temple and brow-bar designs," notes Midwest Lens. "A notable trend in this season’s collection is the designer’s inclination for a moderate feline eye-shape. These captivating cat-eyes have been embossed with bold colors and prismatic patterns, offering coquette looks in women’s eyewear. Plume Paris spectacles are far from being demure, as they confidently capture a spectator’s curiosity." Read more.

Idaho, Illinois, California Consider Bans on Unilateral Pricing for Contact Lenses

"Idaho, Illinois, California and several other states are considering legislation that would bar contact lens makers from setting price floors that make discounting impossible," reports Reuters. "Last week Florida became the latest to act on a bill, when its Senate Health Policy Committee approved a measure that would ban the price floors, according to a senate staffer. The bill is backed by Tom Lee, the chairman of the state Senate Appropriations Committee. To read the full story on WestlawNext Practitioner Insights, click here: bit.ly/1MmZpmN ."

Earlier this week Utah banned the practice. See OpticalCEUs post.

Surgeons in Hawaii Implant Bionic Retinal Device

The Argus II "bionic eye implant has the potential to restore vision to patients, who have been in total or near total darkness."

"Groundbreaking bionic retinal implant surgery has been performed in Honolulu by a team at the Eye Surgery Center of Hawaii. The procedure is the first of its kind in the Asia-Pacific region to help restore vision for the blind," according to a Medical News Today post. "The team of doctors, led by Dr. Gregg T. Kokame, completed the cutting-edge procedure on March 24, 2015. Dr. Mark Humayu, Prof. of Ophthalmology at the University of Southern California (USC) Eye Institute, Los Angeles, CA and the co-inventor of the Argus II implant was also present for this historic event." Read more.

New Eyewear from A&A Optical

"A&A Optical announces the launch of new eyewear collection, Seventy one. An ode to yesteryear, Seventy one, named for the inception year of A&A Optical, features adult eyewear styles for the millennial demographic that will release nationwide in April 2015," reports Midwest Lens. "A nod to indie-prep style, Seventy one is engineered for the millennial market with timeless shapes, organic color variations, and a unique fusion of materials and textures. Metal frames crafted with distinctive color stories, and acetate frames welded with bold metal accents are the collection’s signature style." Read more.