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December 10, 2014April 24, 2018

Artificial retinas see the light

Israelian scientists have developed an artificial retina that could restore sight in some patients.

Many research teams are striving to create a device that can replace retinas damaged by diseases such as AMD. However, all the devices offered so far use metallic parts, have encumbersome wiring or have low resolution.

The Isrealian researchers combined semiconductor nanorods and carbon nanotubes to create a wireless, flexible, light-sensitive film that could be used to replace a damaged retina. When they tested it on a chick retina, which is not yet light-sensitive, they found that the film absorbed light and sparked neuronal activity.

For further information: http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/nl5034304

December 10, 2014April 24, 2018

Jobson Optical Group and VuePoint IDS Canada Forge Strategic Alliance

VuePoint IDS Inc., Canada’s leading print and digital eye care publisher, and Jobson Medical Information LLC., have formed a comprehensive multi-year strategic partnership, effective immediately.

The partnership facilitates the Canadian expansion of Jobson’s renowned media titles, including 20/20^©, Vision Monday^©, VMAIL^© and Review of Optometry^© in collaboration with VuePoint’s recently acquired print and digital publications, including OPT!K^©, Canada’s fully bilingual B2B eye care publication.

Under the terms of the reciprocal and exclusive arrangement, Jobson is the representative of VuePoint in the US market, and VuePoint represents Jobson media titles and services in the Canadian market. In addition to the development of co-branded digital and print publications, the companies will cooperate on a range of services to eye care stakeholders including marketing research, continuing education, interactive services and custom program development.

“We are thrilled to be working with VuePoint IDS and David Pietrobon to extend the reach of our content and brands into the increasingly important Canadian market. VuePoint’s acquisition of M2L’s optical media properties provides it with a solid base of leading information brands, which it can build upon and enhance through its relationship with Jobson,” Marc Ferrara, CEO, Information Services Group, Jobson Medical Information, stated. “In addition, David’s extensive years of experience as both an ophthalmic industry executive and a media entrepreneur provides him with a unique and valuable framework which will allow VuePoint to meet the Canadian market’s evolving informational needs.”

David Pietrobon, President, VuePoint IDS, stated, “Partnering with Jobson provides us with access to tremendous world-class resources and capabilities. Combined with VuePoint’s Canadian perspective and market-leading access, the arrangement uniquely positions us to provide relevant and essential information to Canadian ECPs and effective communications solutions to all vision care stakeholders.”

More information on the recent acquisition by VuePoint is available HERE.

For further information: https://www.optiknow.ca/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/PressReleaseJobson.pdf

December 8, 2014April 24, 2018

New line of attack against eye infections

Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria may contain properties that allow it to stick to the surface of the eye, grow and cause damage.

After examining the genomes of a collection of the bacteria, a team of American researchers found that about 90% of them were related and formed a subgroup of S. pneumonaie with infectious properties that were different from any other known strains.

These new properties allow the bacteria to resist the normal clearance mechanisms of the eye, including blinking and tears, stick to the surface and cause damage. Including some of the bacteria’s proteins in a vaccine might prevent nearly 90% of the cases of conjunctivitis caused by this microbe.

For further information: http://www.nature.com/ncomms/2014/141112/ncomms6411/full/ncomms6411.html

December 8, 2014April 24, 2018

VuePoint IDS Acquires M2L Optical Media Division

M2L Inc. and VuePoint IDS Inc. are pleased to announce that they have reached an agreement in which VuePoint IDS Inc. has acquired M2L’s optical media properties including Opt!k^® magazine, Capsule DotClip e-Newsletter, InfoClip.ca Web Portal, iCan targeted e-mail/fax service and eyewear consumer magazine Tmag. Opt!k^®reaches over 13,000 Canadian eye care professionals and the digital media titles reach over 7,000 eye care professionals (ECPs). M2L Inc. will continue to provide its marketing services to eye care professionals and industry suppliers and expand the MicoTV digital signage service.

The transaction is effective immediately. There will be a transition period in which the M2L executive team, Danielle St-Jean and Marc M. Lavoie, and staff will fully support VuePoint in the seamless continuation of media activities to provide stakeholders with the same reliable and high quality service for which M2L is known.

The strong editorial team established by M2L will continue to provide outstanding work for VuePoint IDS Inc. Additional resources will be added to the team as VuePoint diversifies the content and provides additional products and services.

“I am sure that, with its expertise and resources, Vuepoint is well-equipped to address the evolving needs of the Canadian industry in an increasingly digital and multi-platform environment,” says the president and CEO of M2L Inc., Marc M. Lavoie.

VuePoint IDS Inc. is a new company founded by David Pietrobon, an experienced vision care industry executive and entrepreneur. Mr. Pietrobon was previously president and general manager of the Canadian divisions of leading multi-national corporations in the ophthalmic lenses, contact lens, and ophthalmic pharmaceutical industries, including HOYA Vision Care and CIBA Vision. He has also founded several innovative information technology companies based on partnerships with professional associations in the eye care industry, including Optometry.net and Vision Alliance Network. He was also a co-founder of EyeCarePro.net.

VuePoint is based in Guelph, Ontario, and will maintain a place of business in Quebec, in the greater Montreal area.

“M2L Media, through Marc and Danielle’s dedication, have done a great job in creating a truly national platform of excellent media services for the eye care industry. The Canadian Vision Care market is an exciting space rich with opportunities. VuePoint looks forward to engaging with the community, bringing insight and energy,” says Mr. Pietrobon.

In a separate news release to follow, VuePoint will announce a comprehensive multi-year strategic partnership with Jobson Medical Information, publishers of world-class industry publications including Vision Monday, 20/20 and Review^® of Optometry. The arrangement will facilitate the reach of Jobson’s media brands and content into the Canadian market to supplement VuePoint’s acquired media titles. Additionally, VuePoint will exclusively represent Jobson’s media titles and services in the Canadian market, and Jobson will represent the VuePoint titles in the US market.

For more info:

Press Release M2L – VuePoint

December 5, 2014April 24, 2018

New treatment for two eye diseases using microneedles

Tiny needles that are difficult to see with the naked eye could help in the treatment of glaucoma and corneal neovascularization.

The microneedles, ranging in length from 400 to 700 microns, may become the new way to deliver drugs to specific areas within the eye instead of the entire eye. This could increase their effectiveness, limit side effects, and reduce the amount of drug needed.

For glaucoma patients, one injection made every three to six months would replace daily eye drops.

In the treatment of neovascularization, the needles would be used to inject a drug that stops vessel growth in the area treated.

For further information: http://www.iovs.org/content/55/11/7376

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/11/141113105536.htm