Blog

March 18, 2020March 16, 2020

CooperVision Seeks Proposals for Science and Technology Awards

CooperVision is now accepting submissions for its 2020 Science and Technology Awards program, with a focus on novel research concepts to address myopia and presbyopia. The program fosters partnerships between recipients and CooperVision scientists to explore new dimensions in vision care, with the goal of translating innovative ideas into practical solutions.

Over its history, the program has made 14 grants totaling $2 million to investigate matters such as ocular surface health, contact lens discomfort, contact lens functionality, and retinal response to optical defocus.

In 2020, submissions will be considered for the following subjects:

Strategies and interventions to slow myopia progression, with an emphasis on new technologies for treatment and management; effective solutions for fast progressors; understanding environmental factors that may initiate and prolong progression; and intelligent systems and data approaches for identifying at-risk eyes.

Technologies to enhance the optical functionality of contact lenses for the correction of presbyopia.

Proposals may span proof-of-concept through translational stages and are eligible for two types of awards. The CooperVision Seedling Award is intended for investigation of early stage concepts for a one-year period, with a maximum grant of $100,000. The CooperVision Translational Research Award is a two-year grant for substantive projects with funding up to $400,000. It is intended to incentivize collaboration with CooperVision in new research areas.

CooperVision Science and Technology Awards are open to any researcher with principal investigator (PI) status holding an OD, MD, PhD or equivalent degree. Applicants such as postdoctoral fellows with a waiver of PI status must submit appropriate documentation before funding can be disbursed.

Interested applicants must submit a letter of intent before May 31, 2020. If a letter is accepted, an applicant will be invited to submit a full proposal.

Additional information and the online application are available at https://coopervision.com/our-company/science-and-technology-awards.

Source: CooperVision

March 18, 2020February 28, 2020

Researchers at Yale Have Pinpointed Cells That Are Linked to Macular Degeneration

Researchers have found the cells linked to the leading cause of blindness in elderly.

In the Oct. 25 issue of the journal Nature Communications, Yale researchers reported that glial cells, also called support cells and vasculature cells, which supply blood to the retina as well as cone cells, contribute to macular degeneration.

Genome-wide studies have identified almost three dozen genes that play a role in the disease, but the exact location where they inflict damage had remained unknown until now.

The Yale/Harvard/MIT team used new single-cell sequencing to generate the first comprehensive human retinal atlas. They used data analysis technology to localize their effects to specific cell types associated with the disease.

This new information can help find treatments for macular degeneration in the future. “This study helps pinpoint cell types that can be investigated closely to develop new types of therapeutics,” said co-senior author Brian Hafler, assistant professor of ophthalmology and visual science and of pathology at Yale.

While age is the most significant risk factor for developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD), other risk factors such as heredity, blue eyes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, and smoking have also been identified. AMD accounts for 90% of new cases of legal blindness in Canada.

While current treatments of both the dry and wet form of macular degeneration of injections, photodynamic therapy and vitamin supplements can provide some benefits, there can be continued progressive vision loss even with treatment. There is still a gap for effective treatments for the largely affected population. The identification of these risk cells provides possible points of interest for new therapies to improve and restore vision in AMD patients.

References:

http://.news.yale.edu/2019/10/24/yale-researchers-find-cells-linked-leading-cause-blindness-elderly

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-019-12780-8

Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)

March 17, 2020February 28, 2020

Echo: Bold and Colourful

Featuring a loon design by the talented Ojibwe artist Donald Chretien, Echo is a soaring best-seller. Available in a combination metal/acetate – Black or Brown/Blue, this frame will set you apart from the crowd.

Distributed by: www.claudiaalan.com

March 16, 2020March 16, 2020

Opticians’ College Release COVID-19 Guidelines and Action Plan

The College of Opticians of Ontario (COO) have issued a statement to the province’s Opticians who, as front-line health care professionals, work in close proximity to patients and therefore exposes them to a measured risk of infection including COVID-19.

The College references the recently updated (December 2019) Standards of Practice and to use professional judgement to decide whether to engage in remote practice with patients .

In the case that remote practice is not possible, COO makes the following recommendations:

Consider scheduling appointments with patients to reduce the number of patients in the dispensary at one time.
Sanitize surfaces, frames and equipment between patients.
Wash hands between patients.
Disinfect frames thoroughly before returning to the display using anti-bacterial soap and water or with a disinfecting wipe that is safe for frame material.
Post signs in your dispensary asking patients who are feeling unwell to reschedule.
Include messaging on your website, voicemail and email asking patients to reschedule if not well and advising of delivery options for contacts and eyeglasses.
Upon arrival at the dispensary, ask patients if they are experiencing fever, cough, or shortness of breath and/or have recently returned from travel outside of Canada and reschedule appointments as needed.

For its part, the College will temporarily be moving to a remote office model until further notice in order to safeguard the health and safety of the staff and board members as well as minimize service disruptions to the public and registrants and will be posting regular updates on their social media networks.

March 13, 2020March 20, 2020

COVID-19 Disrupts Spring Meeting Events

On the heals of the deferral of large international exhibitions including MIDO and Vision Expo East, a number of industry events have announced cancellations due to rising concerns over the spread of COVID-19.

Here is a summary of the event cancellations and event changes:

Updated March 17

The Ontario Association of Optometrists Symposium and Infomart, schedule April 3-5 has been postponed. The AGM and town hall will be conducted as a virtual meeting. See statement here.

The Ontario Opticians Association’s Inside Optics 2020, will continue as a webcast event only. Scheduled Sunday April 19th. View details here.

Vision Expo East – will be rolled into Vision Expo West, regularly scheduled in Las Vegas September 23-26

Transitions Optical GEN 8 City Tour events – Events cancelled including March 16 (Calgary), 23 (Winnipeg) and 30 (Halifax). Read the press release from Transitions Canada.

The American Optometric Association annual meeting, “Optometry’s Meeting”, scheduled June 24-28, have posted a notice confirming that that event is “proceeding as planned”. Updates available here.

ARVO – (Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology) – May 3-7 in Baltimore Cancelled.

Please review the Optik Events Calendar to see status of upcoming meetings. Attendees and prospective registrants should check with meeting organizers for confirmation of status of events and plan accordingly.