EssilorLuxottica and Eastman Kodak Company announced that they have signed a perpetual worldwide license agreement granting EssilorLuxottica the exclusive right to use the Kodak registered trademarks for products and services in connection with EssilorLuxottica’s business.
Effective January 1, 2024, EssilorLuxottica will permanently add the brand to its portfolio and will further develop the Kodak brand in the full range of EssilorLuxottica product categories.
Under the terms of the new agreement, EssilorLuxottica will continue to develop, manufacture and distribute optical products and services featuring the Kodak brand indefinitely.
“Kodak is an iconic brand rich in innovation and trusted by tens of millions of consumers around the world. We are pleased to make this substantial and permanent addition to our brand portfolio and are looking forward to leveraging our innovation capabilities and distribution network to create new opportunities for the brand and our customers,” said Paul du Saillant, Deputy CEO of EssilorLuxottica.
“We are excited about the opportunity to expand our brand licensing arrangement with a vision care industry leader like EssilorLuxottica. We know the Kodak brand is in good hands along with the other esteemed brands in the EssilorLuxottica portfolio,” said Jim Continenza, Kodak’s Executive Chairman and CEO.
Lacoste presents kids’ model L3658 from the L.12.12 collection. These rounded lensed glasses with the distinguished petit piqué pattern are perfect for young girls who value comfort and iconic style at the same time. The combination of iconic croc and petit piqué pattern perfectly embraces the brand DNA but is lightweight thanks to its bio-injected materials.
Myopia Profile, the internationally trusted clinical myopia management information center for eye care professionals (ECPs), announced several developments for its highly anticipated inaugural Myopia Action Month, scheduled for September 2023. The international event serves as an inspiring platform to bring together ECPs from around the world in a collective effort to combat the escalating prevalence of childhood myopia.
The launch of a dedicated website and ECP survey, plus the addition of several new industry sponsors, will further expand the initiative’s momentum.
“Early intervention and elevating the standard of pediatric vision care are pivotal in improving outcomes for children with myopia,” said Dr. Kate Gifford, co-founder of Myopia Profile. “Myopia Action Month encourages even more ECPs to be a part of the solution by providing them with the educational materials and clinical practice tools necessary to start taking action now, or for those already involved, to have a greater impact.”
The new, dedicated Myopia Action Month website (myopiaaction.com) is a central hub for exclusive news, resources, and activities updates. ECPs can sign up for timely e-newsletter updates leading up to the month-long initiative.
In addition, a “Have Your Say” survey empowers ECPs to share insights regarding the educational and clinical materials they want come September. This input will be instrumental in shaping the event to cater to their needs and aspirations, ensuring that Myopia Action Month becomes a personalized and impactful experience for all participants. Curriculum assets that will be shaped by ECP feedback include evidence-based and clinically relevant educational materials, practice tools, and online resources.
While on the surface, myopia may seem like an inconvenience that can be effectively managed with spectacles or contact lenses, below the surface, myopia can silently lead to severe ocular diseases.
As a result of the anatomical elongation of the myopic eye, key ocular structures are stretched and thinned which can lead to severe ocular diseases such as:
Only contact lens-based myopia control will be discussed in this article.
How Does Orthokeratology Help Myopia Control?
Orthokeratology uses specially designed rigid gas permeable lenses that are worn overnight to temporarily reshape the cornea. Changes in the corneal optical profile alter the retinal image profile and consequently induce peripheral myopic defocus. Research has shown that myopic defocus reduces excessive eye growth, thereby slowing down the progression of myopia. Patients that wear ortho-K overnight do not need to use spectacles or contact lenses during the day as the reshaped corneal profile eliminates the need for a myopia prescription.
Good candidates for ortho-K include those with:
myopia up to -4.50 D
astigmatism up to 3.00 D
Ortho-K has been shown to reduce the progression of myopia on average by 45% compared to a single vision lens. Furthermore, studies have shown that ortho-K is well tolerated with very few side effects. However, the downside is that ortho-K is not a permanent solution, and patients have to continue wearing the lenses each night to maintain the benefits. In addition, patient non-compliance with handling and hygiene is an issue, especially considering the young age group of the patients.
What are Specialty Soft Contact Lens Options for Myopia Control?
There are various soft contact lens options, including dual focus lenses and multifocals. Dual focus lenses, such as the MiSight® 1 day (CooperVision), have distinct correction (the prescription needed by the patient for clear vision) and treatment (additional plus power to create peripheral defocus) zones within the lens. Results from a multi-year clinical trial have shown this lens to be effective in slowing down myopia progression.
There are various multifocal contact lens options, including extended depth of focus (EDOF) lenses, such as the NaturalVue® Multifocal (VTI). EDOF lenses have a continuous range of clear vision from distance to near, without distinct zones, which in turn provides a more natural visual experience. They can be used effectively for myopia control by inducing peripheral myopic defocus, which slows down myopia progression. Other effective multifocals are centre distance design and need to have an add power of at least +2.50D to impact myopia progression. Clinical studies show that the NaturalVue® Multifocal and the MiSight® 1 day lens show a reduction of between 52-55% and 59% in axial length and refractive error, respectively, compared to a single-vision 1-day lens.
The ACUVUE® Abiliti™1-Day (Johnson & Johnson Vision) is another myopia control that has been reported to reduce axial elongation by 0.105 mm on average over a six-month period. To date little else is known about the performance of the lens.
All of these lenses are single-use daily disposable lenses and have been approved in Canada for on-label use for myopia control. Similar to ortho-K, these lenses are well tolerated with minimal adverse effects; these lenses must be worn daily to maintain the benefits. Fortunately, reported compliance in children has been excellent with these lenses.
How do Contact Lenses Combined with a Pharmacological Approach work for Myopia Control?
Another approach for myopia control is the use of daily administration of low-dose atropine. While the underlying mechanism as to how atropine reduces eye growth is still being investigated, current clinical findings show that 0.05% atropine is effective in slowing down myopia by reducing refractive error changes and axial elongation by 66% and 51%, respectively.
An interesting concept currently being developed is the use of contact lenses to deliver atropine. The concept being that the patient would receive the combined or synergistic effects of both a contact lens and atropine for myopia control and, therefore, should produce a much better clinical outcome than either of these treatments alone. However, studies with 0.01% atropine and soft multifocal contact lenses show mixed results; one study showed that this combination was not any better than treatment with lenses alone, whereas another study showed that it did have a positive effect.
Studies using a combination of ortho-K and 0.01% atropine show there is an additive effect. All of these studies, however, use only 0.01% atropine, whereas 0.05% atropine has been shown to be more effective for myopia control. Nonetheless, the current research data shows there is a high likelihood that an atropine-releasing commercially available contact lens will be released in the foreseeable future.
Every Dioptre Counts
It is important to reiterate that all these strategies are not cures for myopia but rather only control and reduce the progression of the disease. Nonetheless, every dioptre counts. It has been shown that each additional dioptre increases the risk of myopic maculopathy, open-angle glaucoma, posterior subcapsular cataract, and retinal detachment by 58%, 20%, 21%, and 30%, respectively. So preventing even a one dioptre of refractive error increase could mean the difference between having vision and blindness.
Myopia is estimated to affect more than half of the world’s population by 2050, and almost 10% of the population having high myopia. This will lead to an increased prevalence of sight-threatening diseases such as retinal detachment, cataracts, glaucoma and macular degeneration.
Fortunately, integrating simple healthy lifestyle habits, such as encouraging children to spend more time outdoors, can delay the onset of myopia. But if that fails, then there at least are a variety of effective contact lens options available for myopia control, ranging from orthokeratology, multifocal contact lenses, and potentially contact lenses delivering low-dose atropine. It is important to take care of children’s vision, as a future without good vision is a dark and blurry one.
The Vision Council and RX, organizers of Vision Expo, announced the education program for Vision Expo West 2023, taking place September 27-30 at the Venetian Convention & Expo Center in Las Vegas.
The Show’s VisionEd optometry and opticianry educational programs, including OptiCon®@Vision Expo, will open Wednesday, September 27. Exhibits will open Thursday, September 28.
“With accredited optometric, opticianry, and business education spanning subjects from disease diagnosis and management, to the latest in eyewear and contact lens fitting, patient engagement and marketing, we are proud to offer valuable and sought-after content at this year’s Vision Expo West,” said Fran Pennella, Vice President of Vision Expo at RX and co-organizer of Vision Expo.
This year’s education program will feature more than 320 hours of custom-designed clinical content organized by key subject areas, including common eye diseases, optical technology, allied health, contact lens, practice management and business solutions. Attendees will learn from experts in the industry as they unveil ground-breaking technology and speak to the latest trends in diagnosing and treating common eye diseases.
In addition to the latest clinical offerings, Vision Expo West will offer actionable, business-focused courses highlighting ways to strengthen leadership, culture and profitability with topics ranging from customer experience to human resources. Each course will provide attendees with practical solutions designed for immediate implementation.
OptiCon®@Vision Expo returns with an unparalleled education program and exhibit hall experience for opticians, contact lens practitioners, and ophthalmic allied professionals. The OptiCon Hub will host pop-up talks, networking, social events and access to representatives and resources from ABO & NCLE, OAA, NFOS, CLSA and vendor partners.
On Wednesday, September 27, Vision Expo West will host the Battle at the Sands, a competition during which panelists will compete against each other by presenting interesting cases highlighting imaging technology. The audience decides who wins each match via attendee interactive polling technology. The competition is fierce, and the stakes are high as the loser goes home and the winner advances until the final showdown.
Vision Expo West will also offer the Global Contact Lens Forum, which provides attendees with practical, timely tips in both clinical and business processes to help take their specialty contact lens practice to the next level. A panel of respected, highly successful contact lens practitioners will provide personal insights gleaned from their road map to success, followed by the business of contact lenses. Finally, learn about myopia control, including the good, the bad and the ugly.
To download the Vision Expo West 2023 education brochures, click here.
Applications are now open for the 2027 Sergio Cereda Eyewear Design Award, inviting emerging designers to submit a three-frame optical or sunglass collection under the theme “The DNA of Design: Eyewear Reimagined.”
Safilo Group has completed the acquisition of SPY+ and Serengeti from Bollé Brands, adding two complementary brands to its portfolio and strengthening its position in sport, outdoor and premium performance eyewear.
Following the first event in the Optometry Practice Strategy Series, the program now turns to its fall lineup of COPE-accredited webinars for Canadian optometrists, with more than 100 registrants already confirmed for each upcoming session.
Bausch + Lomb’s third annual State of Dry Eye survey suggests that dry eye symptoms may affect emotional wellbeing, stress, productivity and self-confidence, while also highlighting awareness gaps around related health conditions.
Prevent Blindness has declared July as Dry Eye Month and is offering no-cost educational resources to help the public and allied healthcare professionals better understand dry eye symptoms, risk factors and management.
Applications are now open for the 2027 Sergio Cereda Eyewear Design Award, inviting emerging designers to submit a three-frame optical or sunglass collection under the theme “The DNA of Design: Eyewear Reimagined.”
Safilo Group has completed the acquisition of SPY+ and Serengeti from Bollé Brands, adding two complementary brands to its portfolio and strengthening its position in sport, outdoor and premium performance eyewear.
Following the first event in the Optometry Practice Strategy Series, the program now turns to its fall lineup of COPE-accredited webinars for Canadian optometrists, with more than 100 registrants already confirmed for each upcoming session.
Bausch + Lomb’s third annual State of Dry Eye survey suggests that dry eye symptoms may affect emotional wellbeing, stress, productivity and self-confidence, while also highlighting awareness gaps around related health conditions.
Prevent Blindness has declared July as Dry Eye Month and is offering no-cost educational resources to help the public and allied healthcare professionals better understand dry eye symptoms, risk factors and management.
Applications are now open for the 2027 Sergio Cereda Eyewear Design Award, inviting emerging designers to submit a three-frame optical or sunglass collection under the theme “The DNA of Design: Eyewear Reimagined.”
Safilo Group has completed the acquisition of SPY+ and Serengeti from Bollé Brands, adding two complementary brands to its portfolio and strengthening its position in sport, outdoor and premium performance eyewear.
Following the first event in the Optometry Practice Strategy Series, the program now turns to its fall lineup of COPE-accredited webinars for Canadian optometrists, with more than 100 registrants already confirmed for each upcoming session.
Bausch + Lomb’s third annual State of Dry Eye survey suggests that dry eye symptoms may affect emotional wellbeing, stress, productivity and self-confidence, while also highlighting awareness gaps around related health conditions.
Prevent Blindness has declared July as Dry Eye Month and is offering no-cost educational resources to help the public and allied healthcare professionals better understand dry eye symptoms, risk factors and management.
Applications are now open for the 2027 Sergio Cereda Eyewear Design Award, inviting emerging designers to submit a three-frame optical or sunglass collection under the theme “The DNA of Design: Eyewear Reimagined.”
Safilo Group has completed the acquisition of SPY+ and Serengeti from Bollé Brands, adding two complementary brands to its portfolio and strengthening its position in sport, outdoor and premium performance eyewear.
Following the first event in the Optometry Practice Strategy Series, the program now turns to its fall lineup of COPE-accredited webinars for Canadian optometrists, with more than 100 registrants already confirmed for each upcoming session.
Bausch + Lomb’s third annual State of Dry Eye survey suggests that dry eye symptoms may affect emotional wellbeing, stress, productivity and self-confidence, while also highlighting awareness gaps around related health conditions.
Prevent Blindness has declared July as Dry Eye Month and is offering no-cost educational resources to help the public and allied healthcare professionals better understand dry eye symptoms, risk factors and management.
