Practice Tip: Warn Patients About Unprescribed Cosmetic Contact Lenses
In recognizing that cosmetic contact lenses are a common Halloween accessory, it makes sense to educate patients that, as with all contact lenses, they require a valid prescription, says Carly Rose, OD, FAAO, in the “Leading Off” news item “Help Patients Prevent Horror Stories This Halloween.” (See https://www.optometricmanagement.com/issues/2022/october-2022/leading-off-help-patients-prevent-horror-stories-t). Specifically, patients need to know that wearing contact lenses that are not properly fit by an eye care professional may leave the eye more susceptible to scratches or corneal ulcers that can lead to scarring, infection, and permanent vision reduction or loss. Optometrists can refer patients to the CDC website on cosmetic lenses for additional information: https://bit.ly/3Qx73xi .
 
CooperVision Expands Manufacturing at Scottsville, N.Y. to Include Biofinity Toric Multifocals
CooperVision has expanded its made-to-order manufacturing at its facility in Scottsville, N.Y. to include all Biofinity toric multifocal contact lenses for the United States and Canada. All trial lenses and six-packs of the brand’s most prescribed powers are now being produced at the site, with plans to manufacture 100% of the United States’ and Canada’s Biofinity toric multifocal six-pack volume within the next few months. 
 
Eyenovia Announces Positive Phase 3 Study Results for Presbyopia Therapy 
Eyenovia revealed positive results from its VISION-2 Phase 3 study of its MicroLine 2% pilocarpine micro-array print (MAP) formulation for presbyopia vs. placebo. Specifically, the study met its primary endpoint with a statistically significant proportion of subjects treated showing a 15-letter or more improvement in distance-corrected near VA and less than a five-letter loss in distance acuity vs. placebo in low-light conditions two hours post-treatment, according to a press release.
 
GSLS Travel Grant Awarded to Ohio State University College of Optometry Student
Valley Contax Inc., in partnership with Contamac US, announced its travel grant winner, awarded funds to attend the Global Specialty Lens Symposium, in Las Vegas. Specifically, the award went to Joanna Liu, a fourth-year student at The Ohio State University College of Optometry. 
 
Johnson & Johnson Vision’s Acuvue Abiliti Receives Approval from Health Canada 
Johnson & Johnson Vision received approval from Health Canada for its Acuvue Abiliti Overnight Therapeutic Lenses for myopia management. The lenses are worn overnight for the control of myopia and are specifically designed to match a patient’s eye based on its unique corneal shape and prescription to temporarily reshape the cornea, according to the company. 
 
LENZ Therapeutics Reveals Topline Results for Phase 2 Clinical Trial on Presbyopia Treatment 
LENZ Therapeutics reported positive topline results for its Phase 2 INSIGHT clinical trial of two investigational formulations of aceclidine to treat presbyopia. Specifically, LNZ100, aceclidine, and LNZ101, aceclidine + brimonidine, achieved the primary endpoint of three-line or greater improvement in near VA without losing one line or more in distance VA at one hour of treated subjects compared to vehicle-treated patients, the company says.
 
NECO, Massachusetts Community Health Centers Celebrate 50 Years of Eye Care
New England College of Optometry, with the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers, celebrated 50 years of partnership with Community Health Centers, where students and faculty provide eye care services. Members of industry, faculty, staff, and alumni attended the celebration, according to a press release. Additionally, an award reception recognized the work and dedication of six NECO community members: Drs. Crystal Lewandowski, Meng Meng Xu, Nicole Pogue, John Pietrantonio and Roger Wilson, as well as Baljot Saini (Class of 2024). 
 
NEI Awards Grant For Development of Drug to Treat Optic Neuritis Therapy 
The National Eye Institute awarded Trethera a $1.6 million grant to develop TRE-515, a treatment for optic neuritis. The therapy has been shown to prevent demyelination in multiple disease mouse model studies. The grant will support the preclinical development activities required for an IND application in response to those studies, according to a press release.
 
Notal Vision Telemonitoring Device Shows Predictive Value in AMD Progression
Notal Vision, Inc. reports that a study in Ophthalmology Retina (ALOFT) shows that patients who used the company’s ForeseeHome AMD Monitoring program and had alerts that did not result in an immediate wet AMD diagnosis were twice as likely than other dry AMD patients to convert to the more serious form of the condition over the same period. Additionally, Notal Vision Inc. says the finding was even more remarkable for patients who had wet AMD in one eye and dry in the other eye, with a 44% chance of converting to wet AMD over the next two years.
 
Novaliq’s CyclASol New Drug Application Accepted by FDA 
Novaliq announced that the FDA accepted the NDA for its CyclASol (cyclosporine ophthalmic solution), anti-inflammatory product for the treatment of signs and symptoms of dry eye disease (DED). CyclASol demonstrated in two pivotal studies fast onset of therapeutic effect in DED patients, clinical meaningful improvement of ocular surface damage, and excellent tolerability, according to a press release. Additionally, results from a 12-month long-term study confirmed the effects are maintained and improved for most sign and symptom endpoints.
 
SightGlass Spectacles Shown to Reduce Axial Length and Cyocloplegic SER in Clinical Trial
The CYPRESS myopia control clinical trial demonstrated the safety and efficacy of SightGlass Vision spectacles with Diffusion Optics Technology for children ages six to 10 at enrollment. Specifically, the intervention significantly reduced both axial length and cycloplegic spherical equivalent refraction progression vs. control, according to a press release.
 
Vision Council Drafts Resolution for World Sight Day
The Vision Council’s Government and Regulatory Affairs team drafted a resolution to express support for the goals of World Sight Day and can be read on congress.gov. In other news, The Vision Council, in its role as secretariat of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Z80 Accredited Standards Committee for Ophthalmic Optics, announced the newly elected vice chair of ASC Z80: Lauren Binachi, director, global quality and compliance at Marchon Eyewear. Ms. Binanchi has 22 years of experience in the eyewear industry and experience as a technical expert representing ANSI for working groups. Finally, The Vision Council reminds members that the November social media content calendar is now available to download here. 

OD Notebook is published weekly on Wednesdays. Unless otherwise noted, the information presented is based on press releases and/or announcements by the respective organizations. Find earlier editions here. To submit a press release to be considered for publication, click here.