Practice Tip: Establish Rapport to Create Optical Loyalty
One way to develop a rapport with a patient is to create a connection with them, writes Kenneth Daniels, OD, FAAO, in the March issue article, “Create Loyalty to Your Optical.” To accomplish this, he suggests optometrists and/or opticians treat every patient interview as a “first date,” so the patient’s lifestyle can be matched with their refractive needs. This creates a connection and, therefore, loyalty to the optical, he writes. “If I talk to a patient and learn he is 54, male, a computer software engineer, a cyclist, and swimmer, and diabetic, then I can assume he will need standard dress progressive lenses…” See https://www.optometricmanagement.com/issues/2023/march-2023/create-loyalty-to-your-optical.
American Optometric Association Announces Keynote Speaker at Optometry's Meeting
The American Optometric Association (AOA) named Cassandra Worthy, founder and CEO of Change Enthusiasm Global, as its keynote speaker. She will open the meeting during the AOA Experience and Opening Reception, supported by Johnson and Johnson Vision, on Wednesday, June 21, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Optometry’s Meeting will occur June 21 to June 24 in downtown Washington, D.C., at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center under the banner “Voicing Your Vision.” To register and book housing, click here. Early bird pricing ends tomorrow, March 31. Registration is open to both members and nonmembers. Special members-only pricing is available.
American Optical’s Lensometer Receives Landmark Designation
The American Society of Engineers recognized the American Optical Lensometer as a Mechanical Engineering landmark of historical significance. A dedication ceremony was held to mark the designation, which is granted to artifacts that represent a significant step forward in the evolution of mechanical engineering.
Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry Announce Inaugural Award Recipient
The Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO) awarded Dr. Herbert Wertheim ASCO’s inaugural Herbert Wertheim Award, affectionately called “The Herbie.” Dr. Wertheim received his award in October during a special recognition reception in San Diego during the American Academy of Optometry’s annual conference. The Herbert Wertheim Award recognizes remarkable individuals or organizations that have accomplished high-impact, ground-breaking, and innovative programs, or initiatives, and contributed substantially, or have the potential to sustainably address, eye and vision health and/or the social determinants of eye health and vision care, at the local, national, or global level.
Bausch + Lomb Dry Eye Drug Reaches Primary Endpoints in Phase 3 Trial
American Journal of Ophthalmology published results from MOJAVE, the second pivotal phase 3 trial for NOV03 (Bausch + Lomb, perfluorohexyloctane), which is being investigated to treat the signs and symptoms of dry eye disease associated with meibomian gland dysfunction. The study was based on results from 620 subjects ages 18 years and older, randomized to receive treatment with NOV03 q.i.d. or control treatment. At week eight, reduction from baseline in total corneal fluorescein staining was statistically greater in the NOV03 arm vs. control, and the VAS dryness score was statistically significantly improved in the NOV03 arm vs. control.
CooperVision Announces Best Practices, Scholarships
CooperVision named its 2023 Best Practice honorees and student scholarship recipients. The 2023 Best Practice honorees are: Bella Vision, Spartansburg, SC; Belle Vue Specialty Eye Care, Hattiesburg, Miss.; The Chicago Lighthouse, Chicago; City of Vision Eye Care, N.M.; Clarity Vision Apex, Apex, N.C.; Cornea & Contact Lens Institute of Minnesota, Edina, Minn.; Hellerstein & Brenner Vision Center, P.C., Greenwood Village, Colo.; National Vision, Independence, Miss.; South Bay Family Eye, Long Beach, Calif.; and TrueVision Eye Care, Morrisville, N.C. In addition to the practices, these students received scholarships: Emily Benson, The Ohio State University College of Optometry; Makayla Harr, University of Pikeville Kentucky College of Optometry; and Susmitha Narisetty, Michigan College of Optometry at Ferris State University.
CooperVision Boosts Biofinity Toric Multifocal Delivery Speed by 50%
CooperVision says it accelerated North American delivery times by more than 50% of all Biofinity toric multifocal contact lenses to U.S. and Canadian customers after transitioning the manufacturing to its New York production facility in late 2022. All trial lenses and six-packs of the made-to-order lenses now come from CooperVision’s facility in Scottsville, N.Y., reaching customers in seven days, on average, the company says.
COVD 2023 Closes Registration Tomorrow
College of Optometrists in Vision Development will close registration for its annual meeting tomorrow, March 30. The meeting, taking place April 25 to April 29 in Toronto, includes an opportunity for 27 COPE Qualified CE credits, insights from industry experts, and networking with colleagues. Register at https://covd2023.com/.
Global Specialty Lens Symposium Calls for Award Nominations
The Global Specialty Lens Symposium (GSLS) is seeking nominations for its two awards that will be given at 2024 GSLS. These awards: (1) the GSLS Award of Excellence and (2) the GSLS Rising Star Award. The former recognizes lifelong achievements in the contact lens field, especially as they relate to specialty contact lenses. The latter recognizes an emerging leader in the cornea and contact lens fields. Send the names, title/affiliation/contact information, and a summary (up to 500 words) of why the nominee should be considered for either award to GSLS Chair Jason Nichols, OD, MPH, PhD, at jason.nichols@broadcastmed.com by June 15.
Haag-Streit Launches Corneal Ectasia Display for the Eyestar 900
Haag-Streit launched a corneal ectasia display for the Eyestar 900 swept-source-based precision OCT analyzer. The display features OCT-based topography for elevation information of the cornea’s front and back surface, as well as pachymetry maps and profiles, Belin ABCD grading, and complementary parameters to aid in identifying signs of ectatic changes, and the first signs of keratoconus, according to Haag-Streit.
International Sports Vision Association Announces Appointments to Board, Advisory Committee
The International Sports Vision Association (ISVA) named executive and advisory board members, effective April 1: Alireza Somji, OD, to president, and Frederick R. Edmunds, OD, FAAO, to vice president. Adding to the Association’s advisory board: Paul Brewer, OD, founder of Diverge Sports Vision, in Meriden, Idaho; and Melissa Bussey, OD, owner and founder of MB Optometry and Sports Vision, in Windsor, Ont.
Kala Announces Positive Momentum in Phase 2b Trial
Kala Pharmaceuticals, Inc., announced positive safety data from the first cohort of the CHASE phase 2b clinical trial evaluating KPI-012. KPI-012 is a human mesenchymal stem cell secretome for the treatment of persistent corneal epithelial defect. The first cohort of two enrolled patients were dosed q.i.d., with both successfully completing at least one week of dosing with no safety issues observed.
McDougall Communications Recognized by Public Relations Society of America
Two contact lens-focused initiatives led by McDougall Communications are being recognized as finalists for the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) 2023 Silver Anvil awards. Specifically, the PRSA nominated CooperVision’s MyDay multifocal contact lens US launch for the Marketing (Business-to-Business) and Integrated Communications (Business-to-Business) categories. Additionally, the PRSA nominated the Contact Lens Institute’s “See Tomorrow” initiative for the Content Marketing (Associations/Non-Profits/Government) and Integrated Communications (Associations/Non-profits) categories.
NOW Awards Announced at VEE
Vision Expo East 2023 announced the winners of its inaugural NOW Awards, honoring brands that embodied the latest trends and innovation in eyewear. They include: MITA Eyewear, Nora Cabrera, and Boca 20W frame, for sunglasses under $250 retail category; Maison Nathalie Blanc, Guillaume Pottecher, and Clara C656 frame, for the sunglasses in the $250 to $500 retail category; BAARS x Gogosha, Julia Gogosha and Guillaume Thuau, and CHKE frame, for the sunglasses in the $500 and above retail category; Rimmel Eyewear, Andres Warszawski, and RMLOP11 frame, for the optical under $250 retail category; Ethnicity Eyewear, Chris Esposito, and Laval C04 frame, for the optical $250 to $500 retail category; Le Lab by Pierre, Pierre Cariven, and HABIBI Tokyo frame, for the optical $500 and above category; Vintage Frames Company and Corey Shapiro, for the special design/brand activation category; and Strak Eyewear, Tom Kramer, and A5 frame for the People’s Choice Award, among others. Winners were chosen by an advisory review committee populated by media and retail professionals.
Visus Therapeutics Phase 3 Trial on Brimochol PF Progresses
Visus Therapeutics announced it has completed patient enrollment, and conducted the last visit, for a phase 3 trial, BRIO-I, measuring the effectiveness of Brimochol PF. Brimochol PF is a preservative-free topical ophthalmic solution for the treatment of presbyopia. BRIO-I is a double-masked, randomized, multi-center, safety and efficacy study that enrolled emmetropic phakic and pseudophakic presbyopic subjects.
XP Health Survey Shows Employees Not Using Vision Care Benefits, Despite Valuing Their Vision
A survey conducted by The Harris Poll for XP Health reveals that while employees value vision care as much as dental care, many are not using it, due to confusion about how to take advantage of it. It appears that clear and accessible information from employers about what benefits exist and how/when to access benefits might help encourage enrollment and usage, according to an XP Health news release. The survey of 1,009 full-time employed adults in the U.S., aged 25 and older, who are eligible to receive vision benefits from their employer, was conducted online between Feb. 3 to Feb 13, 2023. For the full survey results, visit https://www.xphealth.co/whitepaper/.
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.