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June 25, 2019June 25, 2019

Allergan Acquired by Abbot Labs Spin off, AbbVie Inc.

AbbVie Inc., the pharma spin-off from Abbot Labs and Allergan announced that the companies have entered into a definitive transaction agreement under which AbbVie will acquire Allergan in a cash and stock transaction for a transaction equity value of approximately $63 billion.

According to Allergan, the portfolio including medical aesthetics, eye care, CNS and gastrointestinal businesses, will enhance AbbVie’s growth platform and create substantial value for shareholders of both companies.

The strategic rationale cited in the news release is that Allergan’s product portfolio will be enhanced by AbbVie’s commercial expertise and international infrastructure.

Upon completion of the transaction, AbbVie will continue to be incorporated in USA and have its principal executive offices in North Chicago, Illinois and will continue to be led by current chairman and CEO, Richard A. Gonzalez. Two members of Allergan’s Board, including chairman and chief executive officer, Brent Saunders, will join AbbVie’s Board upon completion of the transaction.

Click HERE for the full press release.

June 25, 2019June 21, 2019

CORE Develops “Five Minute Overviews” of IMI Papers plus Clinical Guidance

The International Myopia Institute (IMI) has announced plans to continue disseminating results of its recent white papers, including developing short summaries, as noted in a June update to its members. Acknowledging far-reaching interest in the topic, the Centre for Ocular Research & Education (CORE) has published “five minute overviews” of each paper ahead of the official release, authored by the CORE clinical science team. In conjunction with Dr. Kate Gifford, CORE has also created a downloadable set of practical tips on how to implement the clinical management guidelines in practice.

The summaries, reference guide and additional myopia management insights can be accessed for free at https://contactlensupdate.com/category/issues/myopia-matters/

“IMI’s efforts and impacts cannot be understated, especially given the widespread and growing interest in stemming the progression and problems created by myopia. We expect to see the same focus on myopia at this week’s American Optometric Association Optometry’s Meeting gathering in St. Louis,” said Karen Walsh, clinical scientist and editor of Contact Lens Update, CORE. “It’s clear that many practicing eye care professionals want a consolidated version of the papers, along with practical guidance on how to create an evidence-based routine for myopia management. We hope our efforts amplify the tremendous body of knowledge being built by the IMI.”

The summaries and clinical insights fact sheet are part of a special edition of Contact Lens Update, which 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. The publication receives support from the educational arms of Alcon and Johnson & Johnson Vision.

Source: CORE

June 20, 2019June 19, 2019

Safilo Announces New, State-of-the-Art North American Distribution Center in Denver

Safilo announces plans to open a new state-of-the-art North American Distribution Center in Denver, Colorado, to further improve its speed-to-market and increase service levels to customers across the region.

The company took possession of the new Denver Logistics Hub on Tuesday, June 18^th with the expectation of being fully operational within the third quarter of this year. The existing Safilo North American Distribution Centers in Clearfield, Utah, Montreal, Canada and the other existing facility in Denver will be integrated into the new Denver facility. The company’s best-in-class lab facility for Smith prescription lenses, currently located in Clearfield, Utah, will also be relocated to the new Denver Distribution Center.

This decision follows the company’s plans to merge four Distribution Centers into one innovative hub and operationally streamline and modernize its U.S. logistics and distribution network. The first phase was initiated by the move in June 2016 of its Parsippany, N.J. Distribution Center to the current Denver D.C. This was followed, in July 2017, by the move of Safilo’s North American headquarters to Secaucus, N.J. to a more modernized work environment in closer proximity to New York City and its showroom there.

The new logistics hub in Denver will allow for an important improvement in efficiency: a 20% increase of inventory capacity and a 15% improvement in delivery performance; it will also include greener, energy-efficient and environmentally-sustainable features, including carbon footprint reduction and the use of eco-friendly materials for packaging. This is made possible thanks to a $6 million investment in high tech systems with a strong focus on innovation. The new hub will be fully integrated with Safilo’s HQ through a unique IT platform, enabling the service level in North America to be further enhanced, as well as in all other regions globally.

Click HERE for the full press release.

June 20, 2019June 18, 2019

Registration Now Open for Vision Expo West 2019

Registration is now open to all for Vision Expo West 2019. Returning to the Sands Expo Convention Center in the iconic city of Las Vegas on Sept. 18–21, this year’s Show will feature new destinations, education courses, empowering panels and more.

“In this ever-evolving industry, we are proud that Vision Expo continues to be the ultimate destination for every member of the vision community to enhance their career and grow their business,” said Joanne Mohr, Vision Expo event director, Reed Exhibitions. “With new and innovative education, the latest medical technologies and an unrivaled buying experience, attendees will have the ability to design a show experience that fits their personal needs.”

Following its success at Vision Expo East, Exhibit Hall destination the BRIDGE will make its debut at Vision Expo West with a full schedule of events, including the OptiCon @ Vision Expo keynote speaker, fashion trends presentations, Roberto Monaco’s Leadership Forum and the exclusive Boutique Buyer panel.

Attendees will have the opportunity to invest in themselves with over 300 hours of educational courses that explore the latest in business strategies, fashion trends, medical innovations and more. A new myopia track will explore patient education as well as cutting-edge prevention methods and strategies. Additionally, the Brien Holden Vision Institute will offer a new engaging and interactive session on myopia management featuring the leaders in myopia education and research.

Attendees can experience the glamour of Las Vegas and connect with members of the vision community from across the world at the annual ODs on Facebook Party held at TAO Nightclub and the Vision Expo Opening Night Party at the Brooklyn Bowl Las Vegas.

For all opticians, contact lens technicians and ophthalmic allied professionals, OptiCon @ Vision Expo will offer a comprehensive package that includes up to 15 hours of ABO & NCLE approved continuing education, Exhibit Hall access, two lunch vouchers, tailored special events and discounted hotel rates.

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

Source: Vision Expo

June 20, 2019June 17, 2019

Incidence of Eye Complications of Shingles Tripled, American Study Finds

The incidence of herpes zoster ophthalmicus (HZO) tripled to 30.1 cases in 100,000 people in 2016 compared to 9.4 cases per 100,000 people in 2004, according to a large study from the Kellogg Eye Center at the University of Michigan. Their findings were presented in May at the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology meeting in Vancouver.

Shingles, a reactivation of the varicella zoster virus responsible for chickenpox, will affect an estimated 30 per cent of Canadians. The symptoms are a red rash with blisters and can be accompanied by acute nerve pain. There are around 130,000 new cases of shingles in Canada each year, and the number of new cases of shingles has been steadily increasing. Around 13 per cent of patients develop postherpetic neuralgia, a complication affecting the nerve fibres that causes a burning pain to remain in the area long after the rash and blisters have disappeared.

Study author Nakul Shekhawat, an ophthalmologist at the Kellogg Eye Center, said that because of “the severity of the disease and potential sight-threatening complications,” it’s important to identify the most at-risk patients. Keratitis, uveitis and episcleritis are all possible complications of HZO.

Adults over 75 had a higher rate of incidence than younger adults, at 53 cases per 100,000. Incidences of HZO were also higher among whites (30.6 cases per 100,000) compared with other racial groups. Women were more likely to be at risk for HZO than men.

A vaccine for shingles is available in Canada, found to be 97 per cent effective for adults between 50 and 69 years old and 91 per cent effective in adults over 70, and is effective even for people that haven’t had varicella (chickenpox) infection.

“Older patients were at far greater risk for HZO, highlighting just how important it is for older adults to get the shingles vaccination,” said Shekhawat.