Slim Design, Big Potential: Avalue MAB-T660 Powers AI in Every Corner
Avalue Showcases Smart Healthcare Solutions at CMEF, Collaborates with Intel to Drive Medical Imaging AI Innovation
SightGlass Studies (ARVO '25) Demonstrate 75% Myopia Management Efficacy + No Evidence of Rebound
Avalue’s Medical Computing Solutions: Alleviating Healthcare Staffing Challenges with Advanced Technology
Latest Contact Lens Update Focuses on Sustainability for Practices, Manufacturers, and Patients
CORE Launches SustainableEyecare.com
Avalue Drives the Precise Upgrade of Surgical Robots with AI-Powered Computing
CLI Video Series Offers Guidance on Contact Lens Wear and Care for New Patients
WCO and Alcon Dry Eye Wheel Now Available in French
Avalue Technology Showcases Cutting-edge Smart Healthcare Solutions at CMEF 2025
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Experts Address Consumer Contact Lens Online Search Habits
A recording of the “Digital Discovery: Consumer Searches Reveal Contact Lens Realities” panel from Vision Expo East 2025 is now available for viewing at https://bit.ly/DigitalDiscoveryPanel. Presented on the conference main stage in Orlando, the discussion delves into new Contact Lens Institute research surrounding consumer search habits and subsequent opportunities for enhanced practice management and patient experiences. The fast-paced conversation touches on the top 20 contact lens searches on Google, the majority of which were purchase driven; a revelation that consumers are seeking contact lens removal advice far more than insertion guidance; and continued opportunity to raise the benefits of both glasses and contact lens use with patients. Panelists include Roxanne Achong-Coan OD, FAAO, FIAOMC, FSLS, Dip CCLRT, of Coan Eye Care and Optical Boutique in Ocoee, Fla.; Ryan Corte, OD, of Northlake Eye in Charlotte and Asheville, N.C.; and Nishan Pressley, OD, of Essential Eyecare & Optical in Apopka, Fla. Contact Lens Institute Chairperson Charissa Lee, OD, MBA, FAAO, moderates the conversation. With run time of under 20 minutes, the video is ideal for use with individual and group staff training. It complements a range of additional reports and training tools developed through CLI’s See Tomorrow initiative, all accessible to the eye care community at no cost from contactlensinstitute.org CLI conducted the digital search research using Google “contact lenses” auto-complete results for U.S. and Canada, and TikTok auto-complete results in English, sourced via AnswerThePublic.com, with data collected weekly from January 3-31, 2025. Auto-complete suggestions employ language, location, and trending user behaviors to suggest the most searched phrases over the past several weeks. In addition, CLI analyzed Google Trends data for December 1, 2024, to January 31, 2025. Google Trends reports relative rankings of search terms over a defined period, using completed user behaviors, plus rank-ordered related topics and searches from the same user sample. The Contact Lens Institute advances the latest innovations in safe and effective contact lens and lens care products and services that provide unique benefits to patients while satisfying the evolving needs of eye care professionals. CLI undertakes activities that properly assess, enhance, promote, and balance contact lens and lens care industry welfare and growth, including the safe use of products in the marketplace. Its members include Alcon, Bausch + Lomb, CooperVision, and Johnson & Johnson Vision. For more information, visit contactlensinstitute.org
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Ortho-K Offers Significant Advantages Beyond Myopia Control, According to New Publication
While orthokeratology has earned considerable attention of late for myopia control, it remains a versatile, reversible, and evolving solution for correcting multiple refractive errors and providing freedom from traditional eyewear. Acknowledging renewed interest worldwide, the Centre for Ocular Research & Education (CORE) has dedicated Issue 82 of Contact Lens Update to provide guidance on the topic through expert knowledge and best practices for optimal lens fitting. The bi-monthly publication is available at no charge by visiting ContactLensUpdate.com. “Although ortho-k lenses are widely recognized for their role in slowing myopia progression, they were initially developed for the correction of both myopia and astigmatism. These lenses can also correct hyperopia, astigmatism, and presbyopia by reshaping the cornea overnight—incredible, high-precision technology deserving more recognition,” said Daddi Fadel, clinical scientist at CORE. “This non-surgical approach allows patients to experience clear vision throughout the day without the need for glasses or soft contact lenses. We developed the latest issue of Contact Lens Update to help eye care professionals make even more use of the approach.” Paul Gifford is an optometrist and research scientist specializing in orthokeratology and myopia control, an adjunct senior lecturer at UNSW Sydney, a visiting associate professor at the University of Waterloo, and co-founder of Myopia Profile Pty Ltd. His opening editorial provides an overview of orthokeratology’s advancements, its broad applications across the refractive spectrum, and its role in modern vision correction. He highlights its effectiveness, safety profile, and practical benefits, reinforcing the importance of integrating ortho-k into clinical practice for both children and adults. Asif Iqbal, who is pursuing his PhD in Specialty Contact Lenses at the Contact Lens and Visual Optics Lab, Queensland University of Technology, and Stephen Vincent, director of the Centre for Vision and Eye Research at the Queensland University of Technology, authored the feature article. Their contribution investigated the effects of overnight ortho-k on corneal tissue thickness in adult myopes by measuring topographical epithelial and stromal changes after three months and assessing the impact of lens decentration on corneal thickness. Aaron Wolf, the owner of Austin Optometry Group and Texas Specialty Eye Center in Austin, Texas, is an expert in specialty contact lenses, keratoconus, orthokeratology, and various ocular topography and imaging technologies. His clinical insight presents a case report on hyperopic orthokeratology with presbyopia, detailing lens design considerations, patient outcomes, and the potential of customized ortho-k lenses for presbyopic correction. The conference highlight comes from Randy Kojima, who serves as the research director for the KATT Design Group in Vancouver, B.C., and who is on the faculty on the Pacific University College of Optometry in Forest Grove, Ore. The study examines current ortho-k prescribing patterns, showing that while the majority of new fits are children and teenagers for myopia management, 14.5% were adults up to age 54, emphasizing the broader benefits of ortho-k beyond myopia control. In addition to a complete archive of back issues, ContactLensUpdate.com offers a resource library that provides no-cost professional tools, patient resources, images and video. It also houses complimentary technical training videos produced by International Association of Contact Lens Educators, plus an industry glossary. Industry professionals can access the latest issue directly from ContactLensUpdate.com or quickly sign up for email receipt of future issues. The publication receives support from the educational arms of Alcon, CooperVision, and Johnson & Johnson Vision
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TECH5 Introduces its Biometric Derived Keys Technology for Identity Management
TECH5, an innovator in the field of biometrics and digital identity management, launches its Biometric Derived Keys (BDK) technology called T5-AirKey. T5-AirKey is an innovative BDK technology that uses biometrics to derive keys that can be used to perform cryptographic operations like digital signing and encryption. This technology provides significant advantages by addressing the vulnerabilities inherent in the conventional and most widely used approach of storing and using static biometric templates for matching, whether on devices or in databases. The BDK functionality is achieved by generating a unique, random irreversible ephemeral key from a fresh biometric capture of face, fingerprints, or any other biometric modality. This real-time key is based on the user's biometrics, yet revocable, enables encryption and signing of sensitive data, eradicates the need for biometric template databases (honey pots), and eliminates man-in-the-middle attacks and diverse security vulnerabilities. It can not only be used to securely authenticate the user but can be also used for encrypting sensitive data that can only be unlocked by the owner with their biometrics. It can also replace the need for seed phrases required by many digital wallets – one of the biggest reasons for people to lose crypto assets. It will also enable better biometric approaches in IAM systems and passkey-like solutions. T5-AirKey is designed to address the most pressing challenges of legacy biometric systems, associated with using static biometric templates for matching, either stored in databases, device, or alternatively stored and presented in traditional 2D barcodes like QR codes. This technology mitigates risks such as template exposure for replay attacks, reverse engineering templates to generate face images or identifying traits like gender and ethnicity and overriding match results produced by the probabilistic matcher. Additionally, the technology eliminates the need for additional encryption during storage and transmission, or complex distributed template storage and matching computation systems. It can be easily combined with other cryptographic technologies to achieve post-quantum cryptography-proof solutions. T5-AirKey can be used in verifiable credentials (W3C VC) stored in digital wallets or embedded in codes, not only enabling encryption but also facilitating selective disclosure by encrypting different claims signed using different modalities of the same person. ISO 30136 guidelines address biometric template protection, requiring revocability, non-reversibility, non-linkability, and protected matching. However, most existing solutions fail to fully mitigate risks associated with stored templates. “TECH5’s Biometric Template Protection technology meets ISO 30136 compliance by encrypting raw templates. T5-AirKey goes a step further by ensuring that no templates are ever stored, eliminating static data vulnerabilities.” – Comments Rahul Parthe, TECH5’s Co-founder, Chairman and CTO. With T5-AirKey, TECH5 completes its technology offering for identity management systems, delivering a comprehensive response to modern identity threats while specifically tackling legacy challenges that continue to affect many biometric systems. “We are proud to launch this groundbreaking suite of technologies that revolutionizes the use of biometrics in cryptographic operations, identity verification, and secure data sharing, offering unparalleled privacy, flexibility, and fraud protection. We look forward to seeing companies implement it and achieve a new level of security in identity management. We are also looking forward to the impact it will have on Digital ID and Digital Public Infrastructure projects globally.” – Says Mr. Parthe.
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Avalue Medical-Grade Touch Panel PC HID-1337.. Driving Full Integration in Next-Generation Digital Healthcare Platform
Avalue Technology Inc. (TAIEX: 3479-TW), the global leader in industrial computing solutions, has launched 13-inch HID-1337 medical-grade touchscreen panel PC which complies with UL 60601-1, a safety benchmark for medical electrical equipment. With flexible utilization of medical data and images, HID-1337 enables real-time sharing of medical information and collaborative work, making it the ideal platform for smart integration of medical information. In light of accelerated development of telemedicine and PoC (point-of-care) diagnostics since the outbreak of COVID-19, and added urgency of an imminent super-aged world, healthcare systems must make the change from episodic care to providing preventive and long-term care, actively achieving age-inclusive and sustainable development. Such pressing need for advanced medical solutions is continuously reflected in the medical panel PC market. According to Global Growth Insights’ market survey report in the second half of 2024, the global market size for medical panel PC is estimated to be US$303 million in 2023 and is expected to reach US$403 million in 2032, with a CAGR of 3.2%. The global medical panel PC market is booming as a result of rapid advancement in medical device technologies and growing demand for healthcare in the aftermath of the pandemic. However, medical touchscreen panel PCs are not without their challenges – stringent standards and regulations in the medical field, big data generated in the healthcare industry due to widespread application of AI and machine learning and interoperability of medical imaging data, and the need to meet user-specific requirements for security, privacy and reliability. For use as a healthcare core platform, Avalue touchscreen panel PC HID-1337 is built with 12th/13th-Gen Intel® Core™ (Raptor Lake PS / Alder Lake PS) processor and Intel® Iris® Xe graphics, providing unparalleled performance and energy efficiency, and real-time integration of information, streaming medical data and images. Compliant with the UL 60601-1 medical standard, the Avalue HID-1337 medical panel PC ensures that medical procedures are carried out safely. The HID-1337 medical panel PC meets the stringent requirements of the healthcare industry, its front panel is IP65 dustproof and waterproof, antibacterial coating prevents the transmission of bacteria, and the full-flat panel is easy to clean even with ordinary sterilizers or detergents, making it suitable for monitoring patient status in the operating room or intensive care unit. At the healthcare personnel and patient level, safety, convenience and user experience are equally important. Preventing patients’ private data from cybercrime is an imperative issue for healthcare providers worldwide. Integrating patient monitoring solution, Avalue HID-1337 has built-in TPM and RFID to ensure only authorized users can log in to the system, assisting system access, and providing security of data and control system. With a flexible and user-friendly operating interface, its PCAP multi-touch screen can be operated with medical gloves. Compliant with IEC-60601-1-8 requirements for alarm systems in medical electrical equipment, it features a three-color light indicator to quickly alert healthcare personnel of critical warnings. 5W speaker provides clearer audio alarms, ensuring unmistakable alerts and notifications even in a noisy healthcare environment. Integrating 2.5GbE gigabit Ethernet, Avalue HID-1337 provides faster and more reliable network connection. It can be connected to multiple healthcare monitoring equipment through USB 3.1 type C, providing real-time analysis and diagnosis with patient data, such as vital signs and blood oxygen saturation, enabling healthcare personnel to respond immediately so as to improve the outcome of critical care. Avalue 13-inch HID-1337 is a portable medical panel PC that is easy to install and highly mobile, making it suitable for hospital, ambulance or healthcare site with limited resources. For, instance, the compact and lightweight HID-1337 makes it easier to retrieve health records and medical charts in a space-constrained ward or medical shelving trolley. Designed for compactness, powerful functions and enhanced security, Avalue HID-1337 touchscreen digital healthcare system meets requirements of mobile diagnosis and treatment in modern healthcare. Furthermore, it performs remarkably well in medical data management and monitoring, high-resolution medical images and alarm function, making it ideal for applications such as medical training or simulation and critical life monitoring system. For more information, visit Avalue Website or contact us using our online contact form.
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Purchase Factors Drive Online Contact Lens Searches (New U.S. & Canadian Research)
New research from the Contact Lens Institute (CLI) indicates that purchase factors are the primary driver of consumer online contact lens-related searches in the U.S. and Canada, representing 65% of top 20 query volumes. The latest installment of CLI’s See Tomorrow initiative also suggests there is considerable need to enhance patient education specific to contact lens removal, as well as to amplify discussions surrounding dual wear, i.e., patients situationally shifting between contact lenses and glasses. The initial findings from the Digital Discovery: Consumer Searches Reveal Contact Lens Realities study are being shared during Vision Expo East in Orlando this week. Additional data and insights are expected to be made public over the coming months. “Since 2021, our See Tomorrow program has unearthed a range of information about current and prospective contact lens wearers, all of which can help the eye care community deliver a better patient experience and elevate practice success,” said Stan Rogaski, CLI’s executive director. “Heading into 2025, we’ve turned our attention to consumer perceptions and needs as revealed through their online search habits—a window into what they are thinking yet may not be telling their eye doctors, opticians, and staff.” Among the top 20 contact lens-related searches on Google, 10 were purchase oriented, representing 65% of total volume. Of those, five pertained to specific contact lens retailers (53.5% by volume) and four pertained to price (9.75% by volume). That prevalence implies that practices may benefit from proactively discussing purchase dynamics ahead of and during exams, not waiting until a patient reaches the optical center. This includes price-performance alternatives and total cost—elements that prior CLI research found were important to current wearers. CLI also reported that consumers online are seeking help removing their contact lenses at least twice as often as insertion. The topic was the second-highest ranked “how to” contact lens search on Google (26.3% by volume) and the first-and third-highest ranked search on TikTok (61% by volume). Over a two-month span, Google searches about removal outpaced searches about insertion by 250% to 400%, and this was consistent among both U.S. and Canadian consumers. The findings suggest that additional emphasis on removal techniques may be warranted during in-office I&R training, as well as pointedly asking about removal challenges during post-fit check-ins. The third topic shared by CLI focused on unfulfilled dual wear opportunities, which the organization quantified in 2023 as representing 36% of all patients. Analysis of top 20 comparative searches on Google for contact lenses finds that 80% use an “or” conjunction, in contrast to 14% for “vs” and 6% for “and”—with the vast majority of contact lens comparisons being made to glasses/spectacles (94%) as opposed to LASIK (6%). Shifting that perspective may be aided if practices develop more intentional processes to prompt dual wear conversations during exams, as well as during ongoing communications with patients between visits. On Friday, February 21, at 10 a.m. ET on the Vision Expo East Main Stage, CLI will host a review of its most recent data. The Digital Discovery: Consumer Searches Reveal Contact Lens Realities panel features 2025 CLI Visionaries Roxanne Achong-Coan OD, FAAO, FIAOMC, FSLS, Dip CCLRT, of Coan Eye Care and Optical Boutique in Ocoee, Fla.; Ryan Corte, OD, of Northlake Eye in Charlotte and Asheville, N.C.; and Nishan Pressley, OD, of Essential Eyecare & Optical in Apopka, Fla., moderated by Charissa Lee, OD, MBA, FAAO, the 2025 CLI Board chairperson. CLI conducted the digital search research using Google “contact lenses” auto-complete results for U.S. and Canada, and TikTok auto-complete results in English, sourced via AnswerThePublic.com, with data collected weekly from January 3-31, 2025. Auto-complete suggestions employ language, location, and trending user behaviors to suggest the most searched phrases over the past several weeks. In addition, CLI analyzed Google Trends data for December 1, 2024, to January 31, 2025. Google Trends reports relative rankings of search terms over a defined period, using completed user behaviors, plus rank-ordered related topics and searches from the same user sample. The Contact Lens Institute advances the latest innovations in safe and effective contact lens and lens care products and services that provide unique benefits to patients while satisfying the evolving needs of eye care professionals. CLI undertakes activities that properly assess, enhance, promote and balance contact lens and lens care industry welfare and growth, including the safe use of products in the marketplace. Its members include Alcon, Bausch + Lomb, CooperVision, and Johnson & Johnson Vision. For more information, visit contactlensinstitute.org.
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Avalue Unveils Cutting-Edge AI-Driven Healthcare Solutions at HIMSS Global Health Exhibition in the U.S
Avalue Technology Inc. (TAIEX: 3479-TW), a global leader in industrial computing solutions, has announced its participation in the HIMSS Global Health Conference & Exhibition in Las Vegas from March 3-6, 2025. At the event, Avalue will demonstrate a range of innovative healthcare solutions centered around AI computing power and patient monitoring technologies. By integrating these with data capabilities, Avalue aims to empower healthcare institutions to achieve more precise, efficient, and labor-saving operations. Avalue is committed to transcending the role of a traditional hardware supplier and becoming a key partner in healthcare's digital transformation. Flexible Medical-Grade AIO for Enhanced Mobility Avalue's All-In-One medical-grade touch panel PCs are favored for medical workstations and telemedicine solutions, commonly used for patient information display and remote care. This year, Avalue has further extended the product line by providing smaller sizes of medical-grade touch panel PCs to enhance flexibility for medical staff, making them suitable for various hospital settings. New offerings include the 15.6-inch HID-1540 and the 13.3-inch HID-1337, both featuring exceptional medical device integration capabilities. Recognizing the need for mobile large-scale medical diagnostic equipment in hospitals, these smaller touch panel PCs will serve as monitoring and control interfaces, significantly improving mobility and diagnostic efficiency. High-Performance Servers: Empowering Medical Professionals Avalue will also showcase several server-grade solutions, including high-end motherboards like the HPM-ERSDE, featuring dual-CPU architecture and support for Intel's 5th Gen Xeon Scalable processors, and the high-performance HPS-ERSUTA server. These solutions are built around powerful AI inference computing capabilities, enabling cross-comparison with historical patient databases and medical images for precision medicine, helping medical personnel improve diagnostic efficiency and accuracy. Collaborating for Comprehensive Healthcare Solutions In the U.S., Avalue not only sells its own products but also seeks partners for system integration, creating win-win situations to increase market share. At HIMSS 2025, Avalue will join forces with several partners to demonstrate innovative medical technologies, including patient information systems and operating room management dashboards, facilitating real-time information display and efficient surgical scheduling in wards. In edge AI, Avalue and its partners use high-performance, lightweight AI inference systems to assist health checkups with precise impact analysis, enabling rapid identification of suspected lesions during health checkups and supporting doctors in making more accurate diagnoses, creating complete solutions. Avalue has also partnered with Intel to develop a custom software AI Experience Kit, providing customers with an optimal tool for selecting AI platforms. With field sites videos and selecting AI models, the kit can display computing power, latency, and video recognition frame rates when running solely on the CPU, iGPU, and dGPU, or in combined operation, simulating real-world application scenarios and providing customers with the most accurate and cost-effective platform selection options. Furthermore, Avalue is extending its reach into health monitoring, targeting the aging population market. The nFOPT® non-invasive optical fiber physiological monitoring technology, co-exhibited with partners, places optical fibers in a smart optical fiber pad with a thickness of only 2mm. It can monitor data such as sleep, breathing, heart rate, coughing, and turning over, applicable to elderly and infant care. The pad is deeply integrated with Avalue's medical-grade touch panel PCs for real-time operation and central management, significantly reducing the burden on primary healthcare workers while moving towards AI digital biomarker development. Finally, Avalue will showcase a variety of products such as electronic paper bulletin boards, electronic paper notebooks, and medical tablets, covering various hospital usage scenarios and helping medical institutions move towards environmentally friendly practices. Commitment to Customization and Regulatory Compliance Avalue is dedicated to providing customized solutions that meet the diverse needs of healthcare providers, focusing on specialized hardware and equipment that comply with stringent regulatory standards. With expertise in designing and certifying solutions to meet regulations such as CCC, CE, FCC Class B, UL60601-1, and IEC/EN 60601-1, AVALUE delivers flexible and tailored designs for medical imaging systems, surgical assistance devices, and non-contact physiological monitoring equipment. For more information, visit Avalue Website, or contact us using our online contact form.
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Avalue to exhibit at Arab Health 2025, driving the digital transformation of healthcare
Avalue Technology Inc. (TAIEX: 3479-TW), a global leader in industrial computing solutions, will exhibit in the Arab Health 2025 to optimize the workflow for professional medical users in January 27 to 30, 2025. We recognize the urgency for changing existing workflow in modern hospital, here we demonstrate solutions including: l Luxury Patient Room l Clinics Infrastructure l AI Development Kit l Critical Demand in Veterinary /Emergency and Laboratory Revolutionizing the Luxury Patient Room Experience Avalue integrates state-of-the-art medical-grade technologies to enhance patient comfort and care in luxury patient rooms. The EPD-3150, a ePaper display delivers a premium visual experience with minimal eye strain, ideal for patient engagement or personalized health information. The medical panel PC HID-2340, equipped with the audio-visual module card, supports versatile video applications such as interface conversion, streaming, extension, or AVoIP routing, enabling seamless multimedia functionality. Complemented by the ENT-10T1 for digital note-taking or interactive communication, Avalue Healthcare's solutions bring a new level of sophistication and convenience to luxury patient rooms. Enhancing Infrastructure with Scalable Systems For clinical environments or critical demands such as veterinary, laboratory, and emergency use, Avalue introduces scalable hardware platforms tailored to the evolving demands of modern medical infrastructure. Avalue's Medical HMI and medical carts provide essential solutions. Our semi-rugged tablet CAXA0, supporting Android 11 and Windows 10, and 15-inch medical-grade touchscreen panel PC HID-1540 and APC-15WR2 with 12th Gen. Intel® Core™ or Rockchip processors streamline diverse healthcare tasks. These devices digitize workflows, offer quick access to vital information, and reduce paperwork, enhancing efficiency and enabling providers to prioritize patient care. Additionally, the SPC-1533-B1 panel PC, with a fully stainless-steel enclosure, meets stringent sterilization requirements. Go-To Solution for AI Development Needs The Medical-Grade Expandable Box System delivers high performance while meeting stringent medical certifications, supporting diverse peripherals for efficient data management. The lineup includes the MAB-T660, a Medical-Grade Expandable Box System powered by 12th/13th Generation Intel® Core™ Processors, and an IT-Grade Expandable Tower PC with a 12th/13th Gen. Intel® Processor. The IT-Grade Tower PC offers robust performance and flexible expandability, making it ideal for administrative or back-end operations. Avalue's computing platform delivers tailored design, manufacturing, and integration services, offering cost-effective solutions that go beyond standard configurations to meet diverse needs. Our open-frame architecture supports rapid deployment and updates of medical equipment, complemented by a wide range of peripherals. With extensive ODM/OEM expertise and deep experience in medical certifications, Avalue provides seamless, efficient solutions to tackle clients' unique challenges. Avalue emphasizes enhanced connectivity, enabling real-time data exchange for smarter decision-making. Our patient-centric platform fosters personalized care and tailored solutions. Visit us at Hall 2 Booth F19 to experience it firsthand! For more information, visit Avalue Website or contact us using our online contact form.
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CORE Publishes “The Science of Myopia Control: What Every ECP Should Know”
In response to widespread demand from eye care professionals to better understand myopia progression and intervention, the Centre for Ocular Research & Education (CORE) has themed Issue 81 of Contact Lens Update as “The Science of Myopia Control: What Every ECP Should Know.” The bi-monthly publication is available at no charge by visiting ContactLensUpdate.com “We are in the midst of a global myopia epidemic and public health crisis. Its prevalence continues to increase, with an estimated 50% of the world’s population projected to become myopic by the year 2050. High myopia is associated with the risk of serious ocular health problems which can lead to vision loss, such as retinal detachment, myopic maculopathy, and glaucoma,” said Jill Woods, Head of Clinical Research at CORE. “It is crucial for practitioners to be aware of the latest scientific findings to ensure their patients are given the highest standard of care. Intervention to slow myopia’s progression is particularly important for children, preventing them from becoming highly myopic as they age.” Debbie Jones, Clinical Professor and Lead Clinical Scientist at CORE, School of Optometry & Vision Science, University of Waterloo, recaps the September 2024 International Myopia Conference in the issue’s editorial. Her conference highlights include ways of identifying people at risk of developing myopia, barriers to increasing the amount of time spent outdoors, and new potential treatments such as colored light therapies, pharmaceutical treatment using a caffeine derivative, and optical films for spectacle lenses. The feature article is written by Vishakha Thakrar, an optometrist and owner of a specialty contact lens practice in Vaughan, Ontario, Canada. She outlines the findings of a systematic review investigating the intervention-dependent rebound effect that may occur after stopping myopia control treatment. The review presents studies that examined a range of optical, pharmaceutical, and low level red light therapies, including spectacles and soft contact lenses designed for myopia control and orthokeratology. The conference highlight is contributed by Lisa Ostrin, Associate Professor at the University of Houston College of Optometry, Texas, United States. The abstract summarizes a presentation from the 2024 International Myopia Conference describing the safety profile of an instrument used for low-level red light therapy. The work compares the emitted irradiance level to criteria established by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) to determine the class of laser, instrument group, and maximum permitted exposure time. Optometrist Oliver Woo, founder and chief clinical director of his eponymously-named orthokeratology and myopia management clinic in Sydney, Australia, presents the issue’s clinical insight column. The case report details a young patient’s journey through different therapies to manage her myopia, with Dr. Woo delving into why it is important customize the replacement frequency of orthokeratology lenses to each patient. Published six times per year, Contact Lens Update provides a global platform for unbiased clinical insights based in current research. Since 2011, each issue has provided dependable and up-to-date ocular health information for more than 60,000 leading eye care professionals. In addition to a complete archive of back issues, ContactLensUpdate.com offers a resource library that provides no-cost professional tools, patient resources, images and video. It also houses complimentary technical training videos produced by International Association of Contact Lens Educators, plus an industry glossary. Industry professionals can access the latest issue directly from ContactLensUpdate.com or sign up for email receipt of feature issues on the website. The publication receives support from the educational arms of CooperVision and Johnson & Johnson Vision.
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Three New Peer Reviewed Papers Expand Myopia Management Evidence for Diffusion Optics Technology
Three newly published peer reviewed papers are further expanding the extensive scientific evidence base of SightGlass Vision’s Diffusion Optics Technology™ (DOT 0.2) use for myopia management with children. “Independently, these Open Access papers each deepen knowledge of our innovative technology among the global ophthalmology and optometry communities. Collectively, they are providing eye care professionals with even more confidence in our approach and the impact that DOT lenses can have on children’s lives today and in the future,” said Marcella McParland, BSc, MCOptom, FAAO, FIACLE, FBCLA, vice president of Clinical, Medical & Professional Affairs for SightGlass Vision. “Control of Myopia Using Diffusion Optics Spectacle Lenses: 4-Year Results of a Multicentre Randomised Controlled, Efficacy and Safety Study (CYPRESS)” (Laughton D, et al) appears in BMJ Open Ophthalmology.[1] The study demonstrates that DOT 0.2 spectacle lenses are safe and effective at reducing myopia progression, significantly slowing eye growth, with additional benefit evident in the fourth year of wear. In addition to supporting the hypothesis that a slight lowering of retinal contrast can slow the progression of myopia, the clinical trial is first multicenter study to demonstrate myopia control in an ethnically diverse population with children as young as age six. This outcome in younger patients is noteworthy, due to their fast physiological and myopic eye growth. Published in Ophthalmic & Physiological Optics, the journal of The College of Optometrists, “Visual Impact of Diffusion Optic Technology Lenses for Myopia Control” affirms that the SightGlass Vision mechanism provides a clinically equivalent visual experience to standard single vision lenses across key measures.[2] The study at six U.S. sites was led by Professor James S. Wolffsohn, chief scientific officer for the International Myopia Institute and head of the Aston University School of Optometry. Wolffsohn and his co-authors emphasized that DOT lenses provided a clinically equivalent visual experience to standard single vision lenses and did not compromise reading speed, critical print size, and near visual acuity; maintained normal head posture and contrast sensitivities; and demonstrated excellent high- and low-contrast visual acuities and stereopsis. Written by noted vision scientists and researchers Drs. Jay Neitz and Maureen Neitz, “Diffusion Optics Technology (DOT): A Myopia Control Spectacle Lens Based on Contrast Theory” presents an in-depth review of the science behind DOT’s innovative methodology.[3] Appearing in Translational Vision Science & Technology, the paper explores the fundamentals of contrast theory, how it compares to blur and defocus approaches, and the resulting implications for the design of optical interventions. SightGlass Vision’s patent-protected technology has made its commercial debut in several markets, including China, the Netherlands, Israel, and Canada, as well as through preliminary market trials in other countries. The company operates as a joint venture of CooperCompanies and EssilorLuxottica. For more information, visit SightGlassVision.com
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Centre for Eye and Vision Research (CEVR) and SCOPE Health to Partner for Dry Eye Tech
The Centre for Eye and Vision Research (CEVR) and SCOPE Health Inc. have announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a collaborative partnership focused on developing innovative technologies for dry eye disease and other ocular surface conditions. By leveraging SCOPE’s knowledge and expertise in eye drop product formulation science, together with CEVR’s extensive experience in ocular drug discovery and delivery translational research, the pair are committed to developing innovative product approaches for doctor and patient unmet ocular surface disease needs. Professor Ben Thompson, CEO and scientific director of CEVR, remarked, “We are thrilled to collaborate with SCOPE Health Inc., a leading innovator in management solutions for ocular surface diseases. Through this collaboration and SCOPE’s ardent support, engagement in areas such as dry eye management at the practice level and global outreach will increase substantially to deliver tangible change. The research results will advance CEVR’s mission to develop technologies that preserve and enhance vision worldwide. This partnership merges cutting-edge science with formulation and commercialization expertise, paving the way for a transformative solution to support developing technologies that preserve and enhance healthy vision worldwide.” Tom Freyne, CEO of SCOPE Health Inc., said, “Disrupting the status quo and establishing a new standard of care for ocular surface diseases requires collective efforts. Under the leadership of CEVR’s Principal Investigators, Prof. Lyndon Jones, and Dr. Chau-Minh Phan, along with Dr. Howard Ketelson, head of Ideation & Discovery at SCOPE, this collaboration collectively harnesses our expertise's to develop and commercialize differentiated and clinically valued eyecare products.”
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DKSH and FrontierView Publish Whitepaper on Southeast Asia as a Growth Accelerator for Global Healthcare Firms
DKSH, a leading market expansion service provider in Asia and beyond, in collaboration with FrontierView, released the whitepaper “Southeast Asia as a Growth Accelerator for Global Healthcare Firms: Avenues to accelerate growth through expanded patient access.” The whitepaper, a result of a closed-door executive roundtable encompassing key leaders within the healthcare arena, provides an in-depth analysis on the region of Southeast Asia (SEA) as an untapped market that has yet to reach its full potential on the front of global healthcare investment. It provides an overview of the state of healthcare in the region, its foreseeable future, the challenges present and actionable recommendations for global healthcare firms to consider. As a region, SEA is home to approximately 8.5% of the world’s population, but has a healthcare expenditure that amounts to only 1.4% of the global total. This disproportionate scale is poised for positive change with an increased importance placed on healthcare in recent years following the COVID-19 pandemic. This coincides with a booming population and a sizable forecasted rise in overall wealth in the region – setting the stage for a unique backdrop for the healthcare industry. Cognisant of this prospect, FrontierView extensively reviewed SEA’s healthcare landscape with the support of DKSH, revealing numerous challenges endemic to the region. Though geographically limited, SEA is home to 11 countries, each with their own set of socio-economic difficulties that the whitepaper collated and analyzed. This highlighted very tangible hurdles for healthcare firms looking to enter the region, including localization and navigating multiple regulatory bodies. This is all encompassed by the overarching dominance held by public healthcare systems across the region, which has been largely characterized by their struggles related to budgetary and manpower constraints. Challenges revealed in the whitepaper also highlighted opportunities for global firms to increase healthcare accessibility in SEA. The constraints of public healthcare systems in the region have led to more active exploration of the private sector in order to fill the gaps. Shortfalls in the public sector have been addressed through solutions such as public-private partnerships which increase capability, efficacy and accessibility in the region without compromising government resources. The whitepaper also includes a series of recommendations backed by extensive analysis for global healthcare firms interested to enter the market. This includes forming strategies around addressing the personnel shortage, applying advanced technologies like AI to tackle unique local issues and supporting early detection as well as prevention. These recommendations and more elaborated in the whitepaper serve as an accessible and actionable guide for the private sector looking to enter this region brimming with latent opportunity. “At DKSH, we are dedicated to improving lives by increasing accessibility to healthcare across the region. We are conscious of the complexities involved in expanding healthcare efforts, especially when penetrating new geographies. With a century of experience as the partner of choice for navigating and thriving in Asia, DKSH has accumulated a wealth of knowledge. We are excited that we were able to share our expertise and support this whitepaper which will equip our partners with the latest insights and strategies to succeed in Southeast Asia.”, said Bijay Singh, Head of Business Unit Healthcare at DKSH. Alec Lee, Managing Director, Healthcare Research at FrontierView said that “Southeast Asia’s healthcare market is a fascinating topic and one that greatly benefits from continued in-depth analysis”. He added that “in addition to the data from our research, this whitepaper incorporates insights from leading healthcare companies, including DKSH, gathered during our executive roundtable. As a result, this has proven to be an exciting step in uncovering the full potential latent in this region. We hope that the actions outlined in the whitepaper will contribute to improving healthcare access.”
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World Council of Optometry and Alcon Launch “WCO Alcon Dry Eye Wheel” Tool in Spanish
The World Council of Optometry (WCO) and Alcon Dry Eye Wheel, a practical tool that helps with the diagnosis and treatment of dry eye disease, is now available in Spanish. Developed by world-renowned educators Professors Jennifer Craig, Lyndon Jones, and James Wolffsohn, the wheel is an at-a-glance, interactive tool designed to easily reference the three pillars of mitigation, measurement, and management. It is accessible to the Spanish-speaking optometry community at no cost via the WCO website at https://dryeye.worldcouncilofoptometry.info/interactive-dry-eye-wheel/ WCO and Alcon initially partnered to develop the dry eye disease education initiative to raise optometrists’ understanding of dry eye and deliver resources on practical management. Dry eye disease can be a chronic, painful condition. About 1.4 billion people are affected by dry eye symptoms worldwide,1 with reports of increased occurrence aligning with notable factors such as increasing use of technology, environmental triggers, and an aging population.2 The education initiative brings together experts to share the latest dry eye disease data and science with clinical and academic colleagues. With 41% of people in Mexico and 13% of people who live in Brazil suffering from dry eye,3 continued education and resources directed specifically toward Latin American countries are much needed. The availability of the Spanish wheel complements the recent publication of Latin American Consensus on Ocular Lubricants and Dry Eye (LUBOS) in Oftalmología Clínica y Experimental, the scientific journal of the Argentinian Council of Ophthalmology. The work aims to create a diagnostic and therapeutic algorithm for dry eye, focused on the proper use of lubricants. “It was imperative that the wheel be available in Spanish, since it’s one of the most widely spoken languages in the world,” said Dr. Sandra S. Block, O.D., M.Ed., MPH, FAAO, FCOVD, president of the World Council of Optometry. “This latest development affirms WCO’s continued commitment to education around the diagnosis and treatment of dry eye disease. We are grateful to Alcon for their continued partnership in the fight against this global epidemic.” The wheel’s Spanish translation was provided in collaboration with Colegio Federación Colombiana de Optómetras – Fedopto. To use the Dry Eye Wheel in Spanish and discover other dry eye disease resources on the WCO website, visit: https://dryeye.worldcouncilofoptometry.info/interactive-dry-eye-wheel/
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CORE Publication on Multifocal Contact Lenses Builds Fitting Confidence and Aids Wearer Adoption
Although an increasing number of multifocal contact lens options are available, global prescribing rates remain relatively low, primarily due to perceived fitting challenges in the category. The Centre for Ocular Research & Education (CORE) has focused Issue 80 of Contact Lens Update on providing insights and tips for eye care practitioners to build greater confidence in recommending multifocal lenses and to aid successful wearer adoption. The bi-monthly publication is available at no charge by visiting ContactLensUpdate.com "Multifocal soft contact lenses have been available for decades; however, their penetration into the market remains low, despite more advanced products being introduced over that time. These lenses are available in a wide range of powers, including astigmatic corrections, and in various materials. They also come in different replacement schedules, including daily disposable options,” said Jill Woods, Head of Clinical Research at CORE. “These innovations present an opportunity to fit more of the presbyopic population than ever before, yet many patients are unaware of the possibility. Contact Lens Update Issue 80 is designed to help overcome the profession’s cautiousness—rooted in legacy concerns about fitting time and a fear of failure—by presenting new research that can be directly translated into better patient care and satisfaction.” James S. Wolffsohn, Professor of Optometry and the Head of the School of Optometry at Aston University, writes the issue’s opening editorial. He presents a comprehensive overview of the BCLA CLEAR (Continued Learning Evidence-based Academic Reports) presbyopia initiative, providing an update on current knowledge and management of the condition. Jill Woods is a global expert on presbyopia, myopia control, dry eye, and contact lens performance. With nearly 20 years of experience in presbyopia research and numerous publications in the field, she provides the feature article that examines how patients' initial reactions to soft multifocal contact lenses can predict overall vision satisfaction and intention to purchase after one week of wear, which can be a strong indicator of success. Doerte Luensmann, a Senior Clinical Scientist at CORE, contributes her expertise in clinical trial management for multisite global and domestic studies, assisting in study design and site management. Her clinical insight infographic offers a proactive guide for optimizing multifocal soft contact lens fitting, including determining full refraction and ocular dominance and ensuring patient satisfaction with follow-up communication and training. The conference highlight is shared by Sabyasachi Goswami, a graduate student in Brain & Cognitive Sciences at the University of Rochester, who specializes in visual neuroscience with research interests in myopia, accommodation, and optical limitations of human vision. The study examines how various refractive zonal designs in multifocal contact lenses affect visual quality, including acuity, contrast sensitivity, and preference, using adaptive optics to suggest possible patient-specific customization. In addition to a complete archive of back issues, ContactLensUpdate.com offers a resource library that provides no-cost professional tools, patient resources, images and video. It also houses complimentary technical training videos produced by International Association of Contact Lens Educators, plus an industry glossary. Industry professionals can access the latest issue directly from ContactLensUpdate.com or quickly sign up for email receipt of future issues. The publication receives support from the educational arms of CooperVision and Johnson & Johnson Vision.
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Expert Panel Discusses How to Reduce Contact Lens Dropout
A recording of the “Disrupting the Dropout Dilemma: Bold Moves to Keep Patients in Contact Lenses” panel from Vision Expo West 2024 is now available for viewing at https://youtu.be/oKiCJ9osn-E. Presented on the Innovation Stage in Las Vegas, the 30-minute discussion previews new Contact Lens Institute consumer research that points to straightforward, high-return actions by eye care practices have the potential to increase retention rates among new and long-term contact lens wearers. Panelists include Jennifer Seymour Brusven, LDO, NCLE-AC, ABO-AC, Yesnick Vision Center; Janelle Davison, OD, Brilliant Eyes Vision Center; and Shalu Pal, OD, FAAO, FSLS, FBCLA, FIAOMC, Dr. Shalu Pal & Associates. Contact Lens Institute Chairperson Carla Mack, OD, FAAO, Dipl AAO, FBCLA, moderates the conversation. The research was commissioned by the Contact Lens Institute and conducted by Prodege from August 9-21, 2024, via an online survey. Respondents were U.S. residents ages 18-64 who reported wearing soft contact lenses at least once per week, inclusive of new wearers (n=200) and long-term wearers (n=201). A comprehensive report, part of the Contact Lens Institute’s See Tomorrow initiative, will be published in early November. The Contact Lens Institute advances the latest innovations in safe and effective contact lens and lens care products and services that provide unique benefits to patients while satisfying the evolving needs of eye care professionals. CLI undertakes activities that properly assess, enhance, promote, and balance contact lens and lens care industry welfare and growth, including the safe use of products in the marketplace. Its members include Alcon, Bausch + Lomb, CooperVision, and Johnson & Johnson Vision. For more information, visit contactlensinstitute.org
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IMC 2024 News: Multiple Studies Reinforce SightGlass Vision DOT Efficacy for Myopia Management
Multiple studies presented this week at the 2024 International Myopia Conference (IMC) in China significantly reinforce the performance of SightGlass Vision’s Diffusion Optics Technology™ (DOT 0.2) spectacle lenses in slowing myopia progression in children1. The studies affirm positive performance in clinical and real-world settings, demonstrating excellent safety and efficacy, and the lack of a rebound effect. “The range and depth of evidence being shared at IMC—nine works on contrast theory and DOT lenses as well as an invited guest lecture on contrast theory—should further expand confidence in DOT spectacle lenses, our innovative approach to myopia control,”1,2 said Andrew Sedgwick, CEO of SightGlass Vision. CHINA and U.S. BASED Clinical Trials With IMC taking place in Hainan, of particular interest is the six-month data reporting from the CATHAY trial—a two-year, randomized, controlled study across five hospitals in China. Control of Myopia Using Diffusion Optics Technology (DOT) Spectacle Lenses in a Chinese Population: 6-Month Results (Chen Z, et al.) evaluates 186 participants after six months of wear, demonstrating that DOT lenses substantially slows myopia progression as evidenced by minimal change in axial length (AL) and cycloplegic refractive error compared to control group.1 A related analysis—Initial Axial Length Response to Diffusion Optics Technology (DOT) Spectacle Lens Wear (Laughton D, et al.)—shows that AL elongation is halted in almost half of the DOT lens group after six months of wear.3 Following completion of the four-year CYPRESS clinical study in the United States, 54 children were enrolled to assess if the treatment benefit was retained after discontinuing DOT lens wear. Myopia Progression After Cessation of Diffusion Optics Technology (DOT) Spectacle Lenses (Hill J, et al.) presents six-month interim results from the study, suggesting that neither refractive error nor AL increases are faster after DOT lens discontinuation compared to the control2. “Patterns of Ocular Growth in Young Children Wearing Diffusion Optics Technology (DOT) Spectacle Lenses: A 3-Year Longitudinal Study” shares the particularly positive outcomes for six- and seven-year-old patients in the CYPRESS clinical trial4. Real World Efficacy in China and Canada CLINICAL SETTINGS During IMC, SightGlass is making public two real world studies that further validate clinical trial results, using data from patients in China and Canada. Real-World Effectiveness of Diffusion Optics Technology (DOT) Spectacle Lenses for Myopia Control in Chinese Children (Wang L, McParland M) reviews clinical records from 147 DOT lens patient records. Results show that changes in both refractive error and axial length at six and 12 months from baseline are not significant.5 One-Year Myopia Control Performance of Contrast Modulation Spectacle Lenses Compared to Defocus-Based Spectacle Lenses in a Canadian Practice (Ho K, et al.) analyzes the efficacy of DOT spectacle lenses and peripheral defocus spectacle lenses in 80 Asian-Canadian children ages six to eight at treatment initiation. The study indicates that DOT lenses are more effective in slowing myopia progression (45% better as measured by mSER) compared to the other myopia control lens.6 FOUNDATIONAL RESEARCH SightGlass Vision’s commitment to building scientific understanding surrounding myopia control will also be evident at the IMC, including posters on Subfoveal Choroidal Thickness Changes After 1-Week of Myopia Control Spectacle Lens Wear (Desiato A, et al.), Contrast Sensitivity Function Differentiates Between Myopia Control Spectacle Lens Designs with Glare and Luminance Manipulations (Wolffsohn J, et al.) and Why Does Near Work Cause Myopia and How Might We Intervene Optically? (Langan R). Myopia innovator, researcher, and University of Washington Professor Jay Neitz, PhD, has been invited to present on Contrast Theory and its Implications for Novel Myopia Interventions. SightGlass Vision’s patent-protected technology has made its commercial debut in several markets, including China, the Netherlands, and Israel, as well as through preliminary market trials in other countries. The company operates as a joint venture of CooperCompanies and EssilorLuxottica. For more information, visit SightGlassVision.com ### 1 Chen et al. Control of Myopia using Diffusion Optics Technology (DOT) spectacle lenses in a Chinese population: 6-month results. To be presented at International Myopia Conference 2024. 2 Hill et al. Myopia progression after cessation of Diffusion Optics Technology (DOT) spectacle lenses. To be presented at International Myopia Conference 2024. 3 Laughton et al. Initial axial length reduction in response to Diffusion Optics Technology (DOT) spectacle lens wear. To be presented at International Myopia Conference 2024. 4 Sheppard et al. Patterns of ocular growth in young children wearing Diffusion Optics Technology (DOT) spectacle lenses: a 3-year longitudinal study. To be presented at International Myopia Conference 2024. 5 Wang et al. Real-World Effectiveness of Diffusion Optics Technology (DOT) Spectacle Lenses for Myopia Control in Chinese Children. To be presented at International Myopia Conference 2024. 6 Ho et al. One-Year Myopia Control Performance of Contrast Modulation Spectacle Lenses Compared to Defocus-Based Spectacle Lenses in a Canadian Practice. To be presented at International Myopia Conference 2024.
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CLI Research Pinpoints Actions to Reduce Contact Lens Dropout
Several straightforward, high-return actions by eye care practices have the potential to increase retention rates among new contact lens wearers, according to consumer data from the Contact Lens Institute (CLI). The association is previewing its latest research during this week’s Vision Expo West conference in Las Vegas, part of its multi-year See Tomorrow initiative. CLI’s nationwide survey revealed that new (<2 years) and long-term (≥2 years) soft contact lens users share many similarities regarding factors that influence their decision to continue wear. Yet there are several differences that doctors and staff can lean into to help maintain satisfaction among more recently fit patients. This is particularly important when prior studies have shown that one in four wearers may drop out in the first year alone. “Broadly speaking, we found that new wearers benefit from more personalized care to meet their lifestyle needs, more attention from the entire practice team, and more encouragement and training,” said Stan Rogaski, CLI’s executive director. “That translates into happy, healthy patients whose satisfaction ratings skyrocket once they cross the two-year mark, turning them into lifelong contact lens fans.” A remarkable 86% of long-term contact lens patients characterized their overall satisfaction as high (8-10 on a 10-point scale), with 67% of new wearers stating the same. Among the long-term group, overall dissatisfaction was nearly non-existent, with a scant 2% providing a rating of 4 or less. When asked about doctor and staff actions to promote continued wear, contact lens patients identified three as most influential. They included making sure that contact lens prescriptions are updated to adapt to lifestyle changes (69% new wearers, 57% long-term wearers), providing trial lenses for new prescriptions (69% new wearers, 66% long-term wearers), and making sure people understand contact lens care (67% new wearers, 51% long-term wearers). While previous CLI See Tomorrow research has illustrated the importance of engaging the entire practice staff in patient communication, the latest data reinforces the essential nature of taking an all-hands approach. Among long-term wearers, 59% say that their eye doctor extremely or greatly influences the decision to keep using contact lenses, with 52% reporting the same for their optician, 35% for exam staff technicians, 25% for optical staff, and 21% for administrative staff. Notably, these percentages soar for new wearers by double digits—74% for their eye doctor, 64% for the optician, 53% for exam staff, 53% for optical staff, and 44% for administrators such as receptionists. Wearers also say the greater amount of time spent with the doctor and exam staff increases trust in their recommendations. This is more prominent among new wearers (74%), although still prevalent with long-term wearers (57%). The median opinion of what constituted “adequate” total exam time is 16-20 minutes for both groups. - Vision Expo West Events On Thursday, September 19, at 10 a.m. PT, three CLI Visionaries—eye care professionals who exemplify outstanding contact lens prescribing practices—will discuss the preliminary research findings and implications on the Vision Expo West Innovation Stage. “Disrupting the Dropout Dilemma: Bold Moves to Keep Consumers in Contact Lenses” panelists include Jennifer Seymour Brusven, LDO, NCLE-AC, ABO-AC, Yesnick Vision Center; Janelle Davison, OD, Brilliant Eyes Vision Center; and Shalu Pal, OD, FAAO, FSLS, FBCLA, FIAOMC, Dr. Shalu Pal & Associates. CLI Chairperson Carla Mack, OD, FAAO, Dipl AAO, FBCLA, will moderate. And after resoundingly positive feedback from their temporary transformation at Vision Expo East, the Bad Habits—the “EyeDocs of Rock”—will once again become the Good Habits during the Vision Expo East opening night event. With one iconic song, the group will put contact lens wearer retention center stage in a way that will have attendees singing along for days afterward. Showgoers can present their badge for admission at Brooklyn Bowl at The Linq Promenade, beginning at 9 p.m. PT. “After spending the past several months discussing how the eye care community can attract new contact lens wearers, we’re excited to turn everyone’s attention to keeping current wearers enthusiastic. The data we’ll share at Vision Expo West is only a fraction of what’s to come in our comprehensive research report later this year,” said Rogaski. The new research was commissioned by the Contact Lens Institute and conducted by Prodege from August 9-21, 2024, via an online survey. Respondents were U.S. residents ages 18-64 who reported wearing soft contact lenses at least once per week, inclusive of new wearers (n=200) and long-term wearers (n=201). The Contact Lens Institute advances the latest innovations in safe and effective contact lens and lens care products and services that provide unique benefits to patients while satisfying the evolving needs of eye care professionals. CLI undertakes activities that properly assess, enhance, promote, and balance contact lens and lens care industry welfare and growth, including the safe use of products in the marketplace. Its members include Alcon, Bausch + Lomb, CooperVision, and Johnson & Johnson Vision. For more information, visit contactlensinstitute.org
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Myopia Action Month Returns, Uniting ECPs Worldwide this September
Myopia Profile has announced the return of Myopia Action Month this September (MyopiaAction.com). The initiative unites eye care professionals (ECPs) globally to address the rising prevalence of childhood myopia by taking decisive action against the epidemic. The program, enhanced based on inaugural year feedback, features four weeks of free online seminars, expert-led lectures, and educational resources, all focused on advancing myopia management as the standard of care. “Myopia Action Month was a tremendous success in 2023, and we’re even more excited for year two with the introduction of considerable new content,” said Dr. Kate Gifford, co-founder of Myopia Profile. “The latest offerings provide essential tools and resources that empower ECPs to take meaningful action in protecting the long-term eye health of children.” Throughout September, evidence-based educational materials, practice tools, and online resources will be available to ECPs, ensuring that learning is both relevant and directly applicable to clinical practice. New programming and highlights include: Online Seminar Series: Available on-demand from September 9, two learning streams cater to ECPs at different stages of their myopia management journey. The Foundations Seminar provides insights into research, efficacy, and defining success, while the Advanced Seminar for more experienced ECPs explores new technologies and strategies to enhance practice. ‘Made Simple’ Course Bundle: Myopia Profile’s new suite of ‘Made Simple’ Foundation Courses will be offered at special bundle pricing throughout September, providing comprehensive learning at a significant discount compared to purchasing individual courses. Practice Resource and Team Training: The world-first Myopia Management for the Practice Team certification course empowers practice managers, optical assistants, dispensers and trainees to answer parent questions and upskill, with a microlearning format designed to suit busy days. The new My Kids Vision survey practice tool and training opportunities can be accessed through Myopia Practice Accounts. The global initiative aligns with the World Council of Optometry’s advocacy for myopia patient care and is fully supported by Myopia Profile’s visionary sponsors including CooperVision, EssilorLuxottica, HOYA, OCULUS, Johnson & Johnson Vision, Menicon, Ocumetra, Alcon, Topcon Healthcare Europe, SightGlass Vision, Inc., and Visioneering Technologies, Inc. For more information on Myopia Action Month, including how to access the Online Seminar Series, visit www.myopiaaction.com
