ABO/NCLE Offering Exams Four Times a Year

A few days ago, ABO/NCLE Executive Director James Morris, Esq., informed state’s licensing board that the organizations will offer their National Opticianry Competency and Contact Lens Registry Exams four times a year. Starting on June 15 this year, candidates will be able to register for the exams throughout the year. Applicants also will be able to select the exam date from two options.

ABO/NCLE Deadlines	and Exam Dates for	2014 and 2015
Exam Dates	Registration	Late Registration
Aug. 16-30, 2014	July 12, 2014	July 19, 2014
Nov. 8-22, 2014	Oct. 4, 2014	Oct. 11, 2014
Feb. 14-28, 2015	Jan. 10, 2015	Jan. 17, 2015
May 9-23, 2015	April 4, 2015	April 11, 2015
Aug. 15-29, 2015	July 11, 2015	July 18, 2015
Nov. 7-21, 2015	Oct. 3, 2015	Oct. 10, 2015

Hollywood Joins FDA Decorative CL Campaign

The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA), American Optometric Association (AOA) and the Entertainment Industries Council (EIC) have teamed up with entertainment industry-leading artists from the TV series American Horror Story on a first-of-its-kind decorative contact lens campaign to bring the dramatic realities of illegal and unsafe lens use to the forefront. “Artists and technicians work closely with each other, the actors, and doctors to ensure proper fit, vision and safety. We wouldn’t put our actors’ health in danger, and the viewers who want to emulate these characters shouldn’t either,” said technician Christien Tinsley, Tinsley Studios and Makeup Effects Designer for American Horror Story. The campaign launches just in time for end-of-school-year celebrations, a time when students are more likely to purchase and use decorative contact lenses. The premier of the first public service announcement in the series was held April 22nd at the 18th Annual PRISM Awards in Los Angeles. Read more.

Louisiana Considers Allowing ODs to Operate

“The medical community strongly opposes the optometry bills [before the Louisiana legislature]. Optometrists write that Senate 568 and House Bill 1065 would provide improved patient access to care by allowing optometrists to perform ophthalmic surgery. They describe these procedures as ‘noninvasive,’” reports The Town Talk. “In fact, these bills would allow optometrists to perform more than 120 different surgical procedures inside the eye, behind the eye, and around the eye by scalpel, laser or injection. Their use of the word ‘noninvasive’ betrays a lack of understanding of the surgery and a lack of respect for the complexity of the human body. Surgery by definition is invasive.” Read more.

Cup of Joe Keeps Retinal Degeneration Away

“Coffee drinkers, rejoice! Aside from java's energy jolt, food scientists say you may reap another health benefit from a daily cup of joe: prevention of deteriorating eyesight and possible blindness from retinal degeneration due to glaucoma, aging and diabetes,” says a Science Digest post. “Raw coffee is, on average, just 1 percent caffeine, but it contains 7 to 9 percent chlorogenic acid (CLA), a strong antioxidant that prevents retinal degeneration in mice, according to a Cornell study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry (December 2013).” Read more.

Americans Unware of Medication Effects on Eye Health

“The American Academy of Ophthalmology has released results of a Harris Poll that shows that a majority of Americans are unaware that taking common drugs and having light-colored eyes can make people more vulnerable to UV exposure, a contributing factor to certain eye diseases and conditions,” reports Medical News Today.

The academy “commissioned a national Harris Poll of more than 2,000 adults. The results revealed two major gaps in UV safety knowledge:

• “One-third of adults use medications that may increase photosensitivity, or increased susceptibility to damage from UV rays. However, 49 percent are unaware or do not believe those medications can cause photosentisity. These photosenitizing drugs include antibiotics containing tetracycline or floroquinolones (like Cipro), some birth controla nd estrogen pills, and certain anti-inflammatory pain relievers, such as ibuprofen (Advil) and noproxen sodium (Aleve).
• “More than half (54 percent) of Americans have light-colored eyes (blue, green or hazel). Yet, only 1 in 3 (32 percent) of those with light eyes and 29 percent of all polled know light eyes are more susceptible to UV damage. While people with eyes of any color can develop UV-related eye diseases, light eyes and sun exposure are associated with an increased risk of rare eye cancers, such as iris and uveal melanomas.” Read more.

New Eyewear from Chloé

“The Chloé Spring 2014 eyewear collection is comprised of styles featuring intricate detailing and subtle elegance,” according to a Midwest Lens post. “Several interpretations of the ‘C’ logo appear throughout the collection, enhancing the feminine shapes. Mini metal studs and adornments embellish frame fronts while metal bars and logo plaques enrich temples. Inspired by the handbag collection, buckle details are also prominent in this collection.” Read more.

Abnormal Binocular Vision Increases Dramatically with Age.

“Abnormal binocular vision, which involves the way eyes work together as a team, increases dramatically as we age, according to research,” summarizes Science Daily. “The study also found a correlation between this condition, general health and antidepressant use. As many as 27 per cent of adults in their sixties have an actual binocular vision or eye movement disorder. That number rises to 38 per cent for those over age 80. About 20 per cent of the general population suffers from a binocular vision disorder, which affects depth perception and therefore may increase the risk of falls.” Read more.

Lupita Nyong’o Stars in Miu Miu’s New Campaign

“A&A Optical announces the release of four new ophthalmic and four new sun frames from luxury collection: Jimmy Crystal New York,” writes 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. Jimmy Crystal New York was established in 1991 and is renowned for fashion-forward designs and superior quality accessories. Designer pieces include ophthalmic eyewear, sunglasses and reading glasses in acetate, metal and combinations.” Read more.

New Marketing Campaign for Mykita

“Mystical moonscapes, rock formations and foreign flora and fauna provided the backdrop to the Mykita campaign shoot this year,” reports Midwest Lens. “For the sixth Mykita campaign in collaboration with artist and photographer Mark Borthwick, friends, family and models gathered on Lanzarote, an island of volcanic origin surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean. The stark island with its black beaches, rocky volcanic cliffs and smattering of odd-looking halophytes sets a unique scene with a truly otherworldly atmosphere. The setting – minimalist and fantastical at the same time – provided the framework for unconventional nature images, which – alongside a series of portraits taken in deserted landscapes – make up the visual language of the campaign.” Read and see more.

Essilor to Acquire iCoat, Expanding Its Stake

Vision Monday reports today that Essilor intends to acquire $26-million prescription laboratory iCoat. The news item noted that current management will remain in place. Read more.

Recently, Essilor completed acquisition of Coastal.com. During the past year, it has acquired at least a stake in the following organizations: Transitions Optical, the lab Katz & Klein, the wholesaler VIP Optical, sunglass producer Costa, sunglass manufacturer Xiamen Yarui Optical Company, R.D. Cherry, Plunkett Optical, and Frame Displays. It has set up partnerships with Jiangsu Youli Optics Spectacles, Riverside Optical, Benson Edwards Optical Lab, and CPS 360 Optical Lab. That’s not including its deal with Comprol and its move into managed care.

Alberta ODs Expand Scope of Practice

“The provincial government is extending the eye-care services provided by Alberta optometrists to reduce referrals to specialists,” according to a CBC News report. “’A key strategy in improving the health and well-being of Albertans is providing increased access to primary health-care services in communities,’ said Health Minister Fred Horne in a written statement. The changes, which come into effect this fiscal year, will allow optometrists to do the following: Prescribe certain oral and topical drugs, order lab tests, order and apply ultrasound tests, and treat certain types of glaucoma.” Read more.

Sunglasses that Your iPhone Tracks

“Everybody knows that the more you spend on a pair of sunglasses, the faster you lose them. Death, taxes and lost sunglasses: these three things are guaranteed,” goes the Time magazine post. “I can say with 99% confidence that I’ll never spend $350 on a pair of sunglasses. One, because I’m cheap. Two, because the last pair of $100+ sunglasses I owned were swallowed whole by the Atlantic Ocean before I even got my credit card statement….But – BUT! — the idea of a $350 pair of sunglasses that connect to your iPhone and alert you if you lose them seems to be a better use of $350 than a $350 pair of sunglasses that don’t connect to anything. These Tzukuri sunglasses will be available toward the end of the year for around $350,” Read more.

New Columbia Sunglasses from L’Amy

“L’Amy America, a division of global eyewear group TWC- L’Amy, announces the worldwide launch of the 2014 Columbia Performance sunglass collection,” says Midwest Lens. “Unveiling are 10 new models with designs specifically targeting the trail and road sport athlete, active women, and children. The new offering exemplifies Columbia’s core values of long-wear comfort and outdoor performance for men and women of all ages, shapes and sizes.” Read more.

New Cole Haan and DuraHinge Eyewear from ClearVision

“ClearVision Optical’s Cole Haan eyewear begins its revitalization this spring with new sophisticated eyewear styles. Taking inspiration from timeless classics, the new release elegantly fuses tradition and modernity into its 14 new confident men and women styles,” notes Midwest Lens. “Men’s frames feature well-crafted shapes in Italian plastics and crisp metals like titanium. Women’s styles blend materials in unparalleled hues with a borrowed-from-the boys profile. Focusing on silhouettes and rich materials, the collection is ideal for today’s makers, creators, and innovators. Following is a selection of the key ophthalmic styles that join the Cole Haan collection.” Read more.

In another post, Midwest Lens notes that “ClearVision Optical introduces new styles to its best-selling DuraHinge collection this spring. Offering the strength and durability that the collection is known for, the new release also features trendy textured accents, youthful fronts, matte finishes, and tortoise temples, adding a stylish kick to the collection.” Read more.

Why People Sometimes Don’t See the Obvious

“By using a novel technique to test brain waves, …[researchers] are discovering how the brain processes external stimuli that do and don't reach our awareness,” reports Medical News Today. “A paper about their results, "Dynamics of Alpha Control: Preparatory Suppression of Posterior Alpha Oscillations by Frontal Modulators Revealed with Combined EEG and Event-related Optical Signal," published this month in the Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience, reveals how alpha waves, typically thought of as your brain's electrical activity while it's at rest, can actually influence what we see or don't see.” Read more.

New Eyewear from Mykita and Maison Martin Margiela

“Glasses firm Mykita officially launched its new collaboration with Maison Martin Margiela and opened its latest global store Thursday in Bikini Berlin, the city’s most buzzed about retail space,” reports WWD. “It’s the second location in-town for the local eyewear innovators, who were looking to find a western counterpart to their successful shop in the eastern Mitte district. Mykita found a match in this new concept mall, which has been championed by leading city retailers Andreas Murkudis and Robert Klanten of Gestalten Verlag, both of whom have spaces in Bikini Berlin.”

New Sunglasses from Dita

“Dita Von Teese's new sunglasses are ‘intimidating.’” So starts the Yahoo! News post. “The burlesque beauty is set to launch a range of eyewear with Dita Inc., which will include ten unique spectacles. Describing a pair of shades called Femme Totale, Dita shared her inspiration behind the design….Dita Von Teese Eyewear will first debut in selected department stores in Italy, Spain and France, with prices ranging from $235 to $285. The star has had the help of her close friend John Juniper, who co-founded DITA Inc. and named it after her.” Read more.

Cutting Edge Eyewear from Selima Optique

“Hiroshi Sugimoto has created ‘oculist witness’ – the first of two limited edition eyewear designs for luxury brand Selima Optique,” notes Design Boom. “The Japanese photographer debuts the glasses today, the April 25th opening of his solo show ‘lost human genetic archive’ at the Palais de Tokyo in Paris, where he will wear a prototype, providing guests with a sneak preview of the forthcoming specs that are being made in a limited edition of 25 pairs, available exclusively through Selima Optique later this spring.” Read more.

New Sunglasses from Diane von Furstenerg

“The Diane von Furstenberg Spring 2014 Eyewear Collection draws inspiration from DVF ready-to-wear and accessories,” according to Midwest Lens. “Colorful zyl wrapping the frames imitate movements of the iconic wrap dress. Many different iterations of the iconic DFV chain link are seen this season. New temple treatments feature temples made up of metal chain link. Color blocking, elegant logo plaques and DVF’s signature hardware each find their way into the collection through sleek and subtle details.” Read more.

Contact Lenses Coated with Peptides Reduce Infection and Are Safe, Says New Study

Contact lenses coated with a peptide lower the risk of infections, reports a study in Optometry and Vision Science. Researchers from the University of New South Wales in Sydney evaluated the safety of wearing contact lenses covalently bonded with melimine, a cationic peptide.  Peptides, part of the immune system, can inhibit microbial growth. Their results indicate that melimine-coated CLs are safe and biocompatible. The coated contacts caused increased staining of the cornea. Patients rated the comfort of coated and non-coated lenses the same. There was no delayed reactions to wearing the coated lenses, such as red eye, and the peptide remained active a day after the lenses were removed. Read more.