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April 20, 2015April 24, 2018

See in the dark with eye drops?

Even though it’s being reported in Newsweek and other mainstream media that independent research group Science for the Masses has developed eye drops which they claim allows the user to see better in darkness, other researchers warn the drops could potentially cause permanent damage to the eye.

The drops contain chlorin e6, a chemical used in cancer therapies and which has been shown to improve night vision in mice, but has been shown in experiments in rabbits to cause damage to retinal cells.

The test subject, the group’s biochemical researcher, was administered the drops and then asked to identify symbols located ten metres away on varying backgrounds, and was able to identify individuals in the dark at up to 50 metres three times better than the control. No short term side effects were noted and the subject’s vision appeared to return to normal the next day.

“I think there is no evidence that use of chlorin e6 eye drops is safe at the doses described and I would strongly urge people not to administer this medication to the eyes,” says Dr. Jacque Duncan, an ophthalmologist at UCSF Medical Center.

Further information: http://hplusmagazine.com/2015/03/30/no-biohackers-did-not-just-discover-eyedrops-that-give-you-night-vision-and-using-them-might-damage-your-eyesight/

April 17, 2015April 24, 2018

Transitions Optical Appoints Sherianne James as Vice President of Marketing and John Ligas as Vice President of R&D

PINELLAS PARK, Fla. – Transitions Optical, Inc. has named Sherianne James, vice president, marketing and John Ligas, vice president, R&D, effective immediately.

“Maintaining what is unique about Transitions Optical, and looking for new ways to build the Transitions® brand and our technology continues to be a priority for us,” said Paddy McDermott, president, Transitions Optical. “Both John and Sherianne have made many contributions to our company over the years and their proven leadership expertise will enable us to work toward global and regional growth of the photochromic category.”

In her new role, James will help set the marketing strategy for photochromics throughout the organization and globally. To enable alignment of all initiatives, the regional marketing directors will now report to her. Under her leadership, they will work together to grow consumer demand for adaptive lenses and drive brand value for all of Transitions Optical’s customers.

James joined Transitions Optical in 2011 as director of global consumer and professional insights, before being promoted to the role of director of North America marketing in 2012. She was promoted to her current role of director, global marketing, in 2014, where she has been responsible for leading the global strategic marketing team and the global marketing council. James earned her bachelor’s degree at the University of Florida and her master’s from the Kellogg School of Management, Chicago.

In Ligas’ role as vice president of R&D, he will manage the Transitions Optical R&D team, including the evolution of light management technology. He will continue to serve as a member of the Transitions Optical operating committee.

Ligas joined PPG’s chemical division as a technician in 1973 in Barberton, Ohio. In 1980 he received his chemical engineering degree from the University of Akron and has been working in the photochromic field since 1988. Ligas transferred to the PPG Monroeville technical center in 1989. In 1992, he joined Transitions Optical in Pinellas Park as engineering manager, promoted to director, Product Leadership Team, in 1997 and then to his current position as director, R&D, in 2008.

April 17, 2015April 24, 2018

U of Waterloo Win Two of Five Student Travel Fellowships from The American Academy of Optometry (AAO)

Chau-Minh Phan and Hendrik Walther, of the University of Waterloo, School of Optometry received the 2015 travel fellowships to present their research at the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) meeting in May. Recipients are chosen by the AAO Research Committee, primarily for their accomplishments and potential in optometric research and education.

Source: http://www.aaopt.org/2015-arvo-student-travel-fellowship-receipients-announced

April 16, 2015April 24, 2018

Registrations Are Up for the Next Silmo

The next Silmo will be held September 25–28, 2015, and already organizers expect an increase in registrations and many new exhibitors.

Since registration opened two months ago, the number of exhibitors having reserved their space is 15% higher than it was at the same time last year. Also, the demand for exhibition space has increased 4%. So far, Silmo has 30 companies taking part for the first time.

Organizers are delighted with these indicators and with the success of European optical fairs in general this year. Opti Munich started the year off with 25,850 attendees, compared to 24,000 last year. Mido was next in February, counting a record 49,000 attendees, which is an increase of 8.7% over last year.

“We are benefiting from positive signals,” explains Philippe Lafont, president of Silmo Paris. These benefits include a European economy emerging from recession, an optics sector with a talent for renewing itself, the appeal of Paris for a number of international visitors and the ability of Silmo organizers to create content.

“Silmo is a platform for sales, a showcase for product offerings and trends, a resource for information and training,” says the president.

Sources for Mido: http://www.mido.it/doc/pr2015/en/2015_03_03_CS%20CHIUSURA%20MIDO%202015_EN.pdf

and Opti Munich: http://www.opti.de/en/press/press-releases/opti-press-releases/press-release/?no_cache=1&tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=1217&cHash=b4ba6ea43447a59987a4f7975ca7e866

http://www.opti.de/en/press/press-releases/opti-press-releases/press-release/?no_cache=1&tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=1152&cHash=c3b17f0db651aa3b88c639670a28ecf6

April 15, 2015April 24, 2018

An Eye Test that Sees Myopia Coming

A simple eye test in first grade could predict the onset of myopia years in advance.

When American researchers conducted a study with 4,500 children aged 6 to 11, they found that 414 of them became myopic (nearsighted) between the ages of 7 and 13. Among the 13 risk factors in the study, the Ohio researchers found that the strongest single predictor of myopia was refractive error.

Children who grow up with normal vision are slightly farsighted at around 6 or 7 years old. However, those who become myopic by their early teens show no refractive error when they are around 6 or 7.

Taking such a test at this age could predict the onset on myopia a few years later, allowing parents to plan for eye testing schedules and glasses. It would also open up research avenues into therapies that could prevent the need for glasses altogether.

To learn more: http://archopht.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=2206339