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July 12, 2019

Vision Expo West Provides Diversified Education Content at 2019 Show

New education at Vision Expo West 2019 will offer attendees a wide range of tracks, courses, workshops and competitions featuring the latest in leadership, marketing, patient care and more with real-time planning and interactive demonstrations. With over 300 hours of educational content available, attendees will have the opportunity to fulfill multiple aspects of their professional aspirations.

Exploring the intricacy of marketing in today’s society, new EyeInnovate Marketing Workshops will provide attendees hands-on training and onsite instruction for ease of implementation when returning to their business or practice. Hosted by Marketing4ecps, each course will cover four fundamental marketing channels including social media, digital marketing, video and blogging, and merchandising.

A new myopia track will examine the latest in myopia care, prevention and patient education with courses curated by the top professionals in the field. As one of the most common conditions seen by optometrists, this track will guide clinicians through strategies to manage and slow the progression of myopia. Additionally, the Brien Holden Vision Institute will offer an interactive session on how to apply the latest myopia innovations in patient care.

As part of the EYE2EYE Series, the OptiCon @ Vision Expo General Session will feature a presentation by Rebecca Alexander, psychotherapist, extreme athlete, activist and author of the memoir “Not Fade Away.” Born with Usher syndrome type III, a disease that leads to loss of both vision and hearing, Alexander will share her personal story in her presentation, Climbing Ever Higher: An Inspirational Story About True Vision.

Panelists will compete for the audience’s votes in the new Battle at the Sands: Case Challenges in Optometry competition. Eight panelists will present cases that highlight imaging technology for a chance to be named the winner. Following the competition, attendees will have access to a free imaging workshop.

The new Leadership Forum with Roberto Monaco will present attendees with three inspirational and business-focused courses. Specifically designed for the optical industry, these courses will teach attendees how to increase their leadership effectiveness, eliminate a negative mindset, embrace and implement change, and improve communication skills.

For the Vision Expo West 2019 education brochure for optometrists, click here. For the Vision Expo West 2019 education brochure for healthcare professionals, click here.

To register for Vision Expo West 2019, visit visionexpowest.com and be sure to follow along on all of Vision Expo’s social media channels, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.

Source: Vision Expo

July 12, 2019

Filippo Pustetto Named Blackfin Global Sales Director

Pramaor, the Agordo-based (Belluno, Italy) company specialized in the manufacture of high-end titanium eyewear under the Blackfin brand, has named Filippo Pustetto global sales director, as of July 8. Reporting directly to CEO Nicola Del Din, the new manager will define and implement a sales strategy consistent with the company’s growth, sales and profit objectives, through the development and management of a sales force currently made up of 30 direct sales agents and 25 distributors in 35 countries.

Forty-four years old, native to Treviso, Pustetto spent 17 years at Safilo in various sales positions. Initially, three years in exports, managing distributors in the East European and Turkish markets; followed by 8 years as sales director in the Spanish branch and, the last 3 years as country manager for the Italian market, after a three-year interlude in the brand arena as distribution manager for proprietary and licensed brands.

Having strengthened the production department in 2017 by bringing in Ivo Benvegnù as Chief Operations Officer, and the marketing department in 2018 with Simone Favero as Marketing Manager, the company brought Pustetto on board, with his extensive international experience in the eyewear industry, as part of a strategic development plan that calls for the expansion and strengthening of the sales division with the aim of positioning the brand in the high-end market segment.

Click HERE for the full press release.

July 12, 2019

2018 Global Operations Awards Ceremony

On June 25, the annual Global Operations Awards ceremony was celebrated at Essilor’s Innovation and Technology Center in Créteil, France. Following a two-day agenda including visits to the R&D center in Créteil and Shopper Lab in Paris, nominees joined jury members and colleagues from around the globe to eagerly await and welcome the announcement of the winners.

Now in its 15^th year, the competition drew 207 project submissions. This year’s awards highlighted exceptional projects from all Global Operations teams across the Group based on nine categories: Customer Satisfaction, Service Improvement, Society, People Development, Safety & Working conditions, Eco Responsible, Cost Competitiveness, New Products & Services and Innovation. In addition to the 9 categories, there is the “Coup de Coeur” vote, which rewards the project that has garnered the most likes in an open vote for employees.

The Global Operations Awards aim to recognize team contribution to Essilor Group Global Operations priorities. The awards reflect our innovation DNA and shine a light on new ideas which can be implemented by local people from the ground, with the aim of inspiring replication around the Group.

Winners and nominees alike enjoyed a moment of well-deserved recognition and applause as they picked up trophies and certificates and were photographed together with top management.

A few key figures:

207 project files submitted:
– 30 projects from Europe
– 57 projects from North and Latin Americas
– 120 projects from Asia

100 jury members

3,947 people voted with a “like” for the People’s favourite/“Coup de coeur”

395 “likes” were totaled for the “Coup de coeur” winner

Source: Essilor

July 11, 2019July 8, 2019

New Treatment for Severe Dry Eye

A phase I/II clinical trial for a new treatment of severe dry eye disease has shown promising results.

The treatment is based on a biosynthetic form of recombinant deoxyribonuclease ⁠— or DNase for short — an enzyme that breaks up linkages within the DNA backbone. DNase is currently an approved treatment for cystic fibrosis, but its use in treatment of severe dry eye is still considered experimental by the FDA.

In a randomized, placebo-controlled trial published in Translational Vision Science and Technology in May, patients given eye drops with DNase reported less eye discomfort and had healthier corneas than patients taking the placebo.

Dr. Sandeep Jain, professor of ophthalmology at the University of Illinois at Chicago, the principal investigator of the trial, said that his research team noticed strands of DNA forming a web on the surface of the eye in patients with dry eye disease, which was causing an inflammatory response.

“There is an increase in the number of white blood cells called neutrophils that gather on the surface of the eye,” Jain said. “Neutrophils release DNA which forms webs on the cornea called neutrophil extracellular traps, which cause inflammation of the ocular surface and attract additional neutrophils in a vicious cycle.”

The trial involved 47 patients with dry eye disease, roughly half of which had Sjogren’s syndrome, 30 per cent had non-Sjogren’s dry eye disease, and 17 per cent had ocular graft versus host disease (GVHD).

After an eight-week trial the group taking the DNase drops showed an OSDI (ocular surface disease index) score reduction of 27.3 compared to the baseline and a “statistically significant and clinically meaningful” reduction in corneal staining. The different types of dry eye disease all had similar responses to the treatment.

“The data from this early clinical trial suggests that DNase eye drops may be safe and effective for treating severe dry eye, and we look forward to conducting larger randomized trials to definitively prove its efficacy,” Jain said. “There are currently only two approved drugs to treat dry eye, and they don’t work for everyone, especially those with severe disease, so having a new drug that can treat the disease is very important.”

July 10, 2019July 8, 2019

Etnia Barcelona’s Nod to the 70s

If you seek uniqueness look no further than the TSIM SHA TSUI, new to the avant-garde collection from Etnia Barcelona.

Inspired by bold 70s style, this oversized square shape is defined by a metal bridge and linear temple core design, visible through the translucent acetate of all four of the available colours. Set with adjustable nose pads, this frame is for men or women seeking fashion forward eyewear style with a nod to the past.

https://www.etniabarcelona.com/

Vision Expo West Provides Diversified Education Content at 2019 Show

Filippo Pustetto Named Blackfin Global Sales Director

2018 Global Operations Awards Ceremony

New Treatment for Severe Dry Eye

Etnia Barcelona’s Nod to the 70s

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