Blog

May 4, 2018

Prevent Blindness Declares May UV Prevention Month

Prevent Blindness has declared May as Ultraviolet (UV) Awareness Month to help educate the public on the dangers that UV exposure may have on vision.

When purchasing sunglasses, Prevent Blindness recommends consumers always read labels carefully and only buy sunglasses that clearly state that they block 99 to 100 percent of UV-A and UV-B rays. Sunglasses should be worn in conjunction with a brimmed hat. Wrap-around sunglasses are best. For those participating in outdoor sports activities, Prevent Blindness recommends consulting with an eye care professional on eye protection that both blocks UV as well as protects eyes from injury.

“Consistently wearing effective UV eye protection is a habit that we should practice year-round, not just in the warm-weather months. By wearing UV-blocking sunglasses and a visor, we can help protect our vision today and for years to come,” said Jeff Todd, president and CEO of Prevent Blindness.

Click HERE for the full press release.

May 4, 2018May 1, 2018

Safilo Celebrates Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day

Safilo celebrated its 3^rd annual Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day on Thursday, April 27^th, the first one orchestrated in Safilo’s new Secaucus North American headquarters. Safilo hosted a record-breaking 66 children between the ages of 5 and 15 who were either relatives or friends of Safilo employees.

The day was planned to go beyond the average “shadowing” of the adult that brought them. Children participated in a full day of fun-filled organized activities in a hands-on interactive environment, exposing them to many different careers within the company.

Some of the highlights of the day included:

Touring Safilo’s new corporate offices.
Understanding what the public relations team does.
Creating a budget with the accounting department and learning about the differences between a debit and credit.
Learning about the trends, colours, materials, etc. that inspires the product creation department when designing frames.
Playing interactive games with members of the customer service and human relations departments.
Using imagination and creativity to create summer window designs and Safilo logos.

The children were also treated to a lunchtime pizza party and a movie screening in the company’s second floor auditorium.

Click HERE to read the full press release.

May 3, 2018May 3, 2018

Preliminary Results in Clinical Trial for Dry AMD Implant

The first clinical human trial of an implant designed to treat dry AMD has produced preliminary results.

The trial, led by Dr. Amir Kashani of the Roski Eye Institute, at University of Southern California, involves four patients who received an implant of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE cells) which were derived from stem cells. The implant, consisting of a single layer of cells on a synthetic scaffold, is designed to integrate with the patient’s existing photoreceptors.

“Our goal is to implant healthy RPE to revive remaining photoreceptors and prevent any further loss of these light-sensing cells,” explained Dennis Clegg, a Professor at UC Santa Barbara and one of the researchers conducting the study. “Eventually, we would like to be able to provide implants at an earlier stage to prevent patients from losing photoreceptors in the first place.”

The four patients receiving the implant had late stage dry AMD with poor visual capabilities. “We are thankful for the patients that volunteer to do this,” Clegg said. “We explain to them this has never been done before in people. They are almost like astronauts going to the moon for the first time. It takes a lot of bravery on their part.”

While it is still early in the trial period, one patient has shown signs of improved vision with the conditions of the other three remaining the same. “Using advanced imaging methods, doctors can see evidence of integration between the implanted RPE and the host photoreceptors,” said Clegg.

The preliminary results were published in the journal Science Translational Medicine.

Top photo: Dennis Clegg

May 2, 2018April 24, 2018

OGA’s Kemi: The “Pixel” Effect

Kemi is an abbreviation of the word “chemical” – a reference to the technique of chemical engraving, used to create a “pixel” effect on the front of these frames.

Öga has chosen to work with the chemical engraving technique because the result is extremely fine and precise. To create this motif, the stainless-steel fronts of the frames are covered with a protective layer just like the motif that is to be engraved. Then, they are immersed in a solution that attacks the surface of the unprotected parts of the metal.

In order to perfect this graphic-art look, the temples are also embellished with this “pixel” effect motif, in this case created with a laser technique.

Kemi is available in seven round styles, from M to XL. All of the styles are made with a stainless-steel front and acetate temples, ensuring that the frame is comfortable and easy to adjust.

Distributed by Lanctôt: www.rlanctot.com

May 1, 2018

Call for Abstracts for Academy 2018 San Antonio Scientific Program

The Scientific Program Committee of the American Academy of Optometry invites the submission of abstracts for Academy 2018 San Antonio, to be held Wednesday, November 7 through Saturday, November 10. The Academy’s Scientific Program offers scientists, educators, and clinicians the opportunity to exchange the latest information in optometry and vision science in two formats, research paper presentations and scientific posters.

“The annual meeting of the Academy is a great forum to showcase your recent scientific and clinical findings in optometry and vision science, and we encourage authors to submit abstracts for both oral and poster presentations,” says Suresh Viswanathan, MS, PhD, FAAO, Chair of the Scientific Program Committee.

The abstract submission window will be open from May 1 through May 31 , 2018. This year, the Scientific Program Committee will present focused sessions on special topics that will include extended discussion, integration of clinical topics, and debate on current controversies. As a new feature this year, images can be uploaded along with abstracts (1 MB limit).

The Scientific Program Committee will consider all presentations including those from students and residents. Abstracts will be judged on the following criteria:

Adherence to submission guidelines
Scientific or clinical novelty
Methodologically sound
Quantitative description of the results
Conclusions that are substantiated by the results
Submissions of previously published copyrighted material (e.g. ARVO abstracts or journal articles) will not be accepted.

First authors (excluding students and residents) of accepted papers/posters are also eligible to register for Academy 2018 San Antonio at reduced rates. To read more about the submission guidelines or to submit an abstract, visit http://bit.ly/2HHgIic .