The Vision Council partners with the National Eye Institute this May in celebrating Healthy Vision Month. The 2024 campaign, “Reframe Your Future,” seeks to teach those living with a visual impairment about the importance of utilizing mental health services and vision rehabilitation to enhance their day to day lives.
According to the U.S. Surgeon General, the United States is facing a loneliness and isolation epidemic. Among visually impaired individuals, vision impairments have also been found to be associated with elevated feelings of anxiety and depression. In a recent study of nearly 3,000 US adults, individuals with worse vision impairment were associated with depressive and anxiety symptoms, with some also reporting social isolation.
“Living with a visual impairment, including low vision, not only impacts one’s physical health, but their mental well-being. We’re proud to support the “Reframe Your Future” campaign and bring awareness to this important issue. Through initiatives like Healthy Vision Month and resources offered by The Vision Council Foundation, we strive to empower individuals with low vision and other visual impairments to lead fulfilling lives and access the support they need for improved quality of life.”
Ashley Mills, CEO of The Vision Council
How to Support Someone Living with Visual Impairment
Share information about vision rehabilitation. These services—including training, tools, and technology—can help anyone with a visual impairment thrive in their daily lives.
Encourage people with a visual impairment to reframe their future. Living with vision loss can be isolating—but hearing stories from others who have overcome similar obstacles can help.
Fight the loneliness epidemic. People across the United States are feeling lonely and disconnected. So NEI and the U.S. Surgeon General are partnering to promote the 5-for-5 Connection Challenge to help everyone build and strengthen relationships—and inspire others to add connection to their daily lives. Learn about the challenge here.
Continuing its long-standing advocacy to promote better eye and vision health, The Vision Council recognizes a variety of industry observations throughout the year like Healthy Vision Month. A toolkit of promotional resources will be available for download later this month at thevisioncouncilfoundation.org.
For more information on eyecare and eye health, including low vision, visit The Vision Council Foundation and learn how healthy eyes are a critical part of your overall physical health and wellbeing.
Visioneering Technologies, Inc, producer of the NaturalVue® Multifocal 1 Day Contact Lenses (NVMF), continued its release of the 1-year prospective data of its ongoing multi-center, randomized, double-masked, controlled trial (RCT) at the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO). PROTECT (PROgressive Myopia Treatment Evaluation for NaturalVue Multifocal Contact Lens Trial) was designed to demonstrate the safety and effectiveness of NVMF for myopia progression control in children. PROTECT is a 3-year study involving 145 children with analyses planned after the 1-year and 2-year marks.
Dr. Ashley Tuan, Chief Medical Officer for VTI, presented new data from the PROTECT trial that focused on details of axial length and wearing time. Dr. Tuan also summarized data released earlier in the year on refractive error change and reduction. The poster entitled, “A Randomized Controlled Trial for Myopia Progression Control Using Catenary Power Profile Contact Lenses: 12-month Effectiveness and Safety,” was prepared by Dr. Tuan and Dr. Sally Dillehay.
The new data that outlines the distribution of change in axial length (mm) in patients showed that 58% of patients wearing NaturalVue had axial growth similar to age-matched emmetropic children. This data point, especially when paired with the previously release distribution of change in refractive error (D) data showing that 2/3 of patients or 64% experienced no meaningful progression of myopia (defined as -0.25 D or less of progression) further suggests NaturalVue Multifocal may effectively manage myopia among children under diverse clinical settings and populations.
Compliance is believed to be essential for myopia control success and is influenced by the quality of vision and comfort.1 Given that children on average wore NaturalVue for 11-12 hours per day is indicative that the lens provides excellent vision and comfort and a positive quality of life experience. We believe that these factors did contribute to the positive results seen thus far in the PROTECT study.
In addition to the new learnings listed above, the 1-year data set has revealed the following results thus far:
45% of patients had no progression (change <= 0 Diopters (“D”)) and ~2/3 of patients or 64% experienced no meaningful progression of myopia (defined as -0.25D or less of progression per year).
71% or (0.41D) reduction in refractive error progression, versus the control group.
Children wearing NaturalVue Multifocal Contact lenses showed an average refractive error change of 0.18 D.
0.17mm or 61% average reduction in axial elongation, versus the control group.
The average axial length change in children wearing NaturalVue Multifocal Contact lenses was 0.11 mm.
One-year data from studies of similar design to PROTECT have been predictive of the final 3-year results.2 The PROTECT study data will continue to be reviewed and analyzed with additional details to be shared as available. The final results of the study and any regulatory uses thereof will be based on the analysis of the complete 3-year data set.
“For the majority of patients, the study showed that NaturalVue held axial length growth to that of age-matched emmetropic children. Additionally, the wearing time results are important as these are directly related to the results seen across the study. These new data continue to validate our confidence in the effectiveness of NaturalVue Multifocal Contact Lenses. NaturalVue Multifocal 1 Day will continue to mine the study and share results with the industry and eye care practitioners around the world.”
Dr. Ashley Tuan, VTI Chief Medical Officer
“As we continue to glean new learnings from this extensive data set, it is evident that NaturalVue represents a powerful tool for eye care practitioners to use to manage myopia. These results should provide confidence to both eye care practitioners and parents that NaturalVue will provide excellent vision for patients while also helping to slow the progression of patients’ myopia.”
Dr. Juan Carlos Aragón, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of VTI
VTI expects to release longer-term 2- and 3-year data when available.
To download a Fact Sheet summarizing the findings to date, click here.
* Note: This reflects the 1-year data set. The PROTECT study is ongoing and data will be reviewed, analyzed, and shared as available. Data presented here are limited by the range of age, race, geographical locations and study duration.
Data is based on a modified PP (Per Protocol) analysis including children between ages 8 and <13 with refractive error between -0.75 and -4.00 D versus age-matched controls wearing spherical lenses. SD = standard deviation
This information may describe uses for this product, i.e., Myopia Progression Control, which have not been approved by the FDA for use in the United States. It is intended for educational purposes only. NaturalVue® Multifocal is part of an ongoing randomized clinical trial (RCT) studying its effectiveness for myopia progression control.
Myopia control: Seeing beyond efficacy. Optom Vis Sci. 2024 Mar 1;101(3):134-142. doi: 10.1097/OPX.0000000000002119. PMID: 38546754.
Efficacy in myopia control. Progress in Retinal and Eye Research 83 (2021) 100923 VTI-RCT-PR4
GIGI STUDIOS presents HILARY (6889/0), a design crafted from high-quality Italian acetate. It is extremely lightweight due to the inner bevels and the thinner acetate used. The gradient colour of the acetate has turned this model into one of the most acclaimed in the GIGI STUDIOS Spring-Summer collection. A genuine declaration of style that does not compromise on comfort.
GIGI Studios is a brand founded in Barcelona by a family that has always been surrounded by glasses. This family spirit has led to partnerships with independent eyewear sellers and distributors in more than 45 countries. At GIGI Studios, we transmit knowledge and experience while passionately embracing the future.
Without distinction, GIGI Studios wants to support people in their self-expression by making them feel more creative and self-confident. GIGI Studios’ designs are the result of constant improvement, a process of exploration through materials, shapes, and colours seeking designs that enhance the uniqueness of the individual.
In time for Vision Health Month this May, the Canadian Ophthalmological Society (COS) has released a new survey to assess Canadians’ awareness, understanding, and concerns around eye and vision health.
Canadians’ Familiarity with Eye Diseases
Of the four leading eye diseases affecting vision, cataracts and glaucoma are still the most commonly known among Canadians. Two-thirds (65%) of survey respondents are familiar with cataracts – a slight increase from 62% in 2022, and more than half (53%) are familiar with glaucoma – up from 47% in 2022.
However, more education on other eye diseases is needed. Less than half (41%) are familiar with age-related macular degeneration (AMD), despite being one of the leading causes of vision loss for people over the age of 55 which affects approximately 2.5 million Canadians. Fewer (25%) are familiar with diabetic retinopathy, which can affect those living with diabetes.
“As Canadians become increasingly familiar with the four major eye diseases, there is a need for continued education to encourage proactive care. While the survey reveals increased awareness, it also highlights significant concerns and alarming symptoms experienced by Canadians over the past two years, emphasizing the necessity for comprehensive eye health education and regular eye exams.”
Dr. Phil Hooper, president, Canadian Ophthalmological Society
Eye Health Concerns and Symptoms Affecting Canadians’ Eyes and Vision
When it comes to their eye health, the majority of Canadians (81%) are concerned or have experienced at least one factor when it comes to their eyes and vision. Among the top three are too much screen time; exposure to sun/UV rays; and environmental factors, such as wildfire smoke and pollution. Canadians in BC and Alberta are directionally more concerned with environmental factors than those in the East.
In the past 2 years, 71% of Canadians have experienced one or more symptoms around their eyes or their vision, with screen time being the leading factor to their symptoms:
Dry, itchy and irritated eyes due to screen time (34%)
Headaches / eye strain due to screen time (30%)
Sensitivity to light (29%)
Blurry vision (27%)
Excessive tearing or watery eyes (26%)
Seeing halos around lights (17%)
Redness or swelling of the eyes (16%)
Advancing Eye Health Through Innovations
Regarding innovations in eye health that Canadians would like to see more of, better access to eye care (51%) and more effective treatments for eye diseases (48%) top the list, while nearly 4 in 10 (37%) would like to see less invasive treatments for eye diseases. Few Canadians want the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a more efficient way to detect vision/eye problems and eye diseases (19%) and virtual eye exams (18%).
To learn more about the four major eye diseases and get information on overall eye health, visit seethepossibilities.ca.
Marcolin and K-Way®, French brand born in 1965 – currently owned by Turin-based group BasicNet – and known worldwide for its revolutionary rain jackets, announce they have signed an exclusive licensing agreement for the design, production, and worldwide distribution of K-Way® brand sunglasses, optical frames, ski goggles and eyewear for kids.
The partnership, officially beginning on January 1, 2025, will last 6 years, until December 31, 2030. The new agreement and resulting collaboration with a brand that has always perfectly combined a sports spirit with a fashion attitude, will allow Marcolin to further expand its license portfolio and reinforce its presence in the lifestyle segment.
The K-Way® SS25 eyewear collections – the first to be produced by Marcolin – will be presented in early 2025 to then become available worldwide by distribution through a network of selected stores.
As always, lool demonstrates its leadership in technology, offering a collection where luxury and details coexist with comfort, lightweight (8g), excellent flexible properties and high durability.
Embrace children's unique styles in eyewear selection with a custom approach, ensuring confidence, comfort, and individuality in their first pair of eyeglasses.
Each year the American Academy of Optometry (AAO) recognizes distinguished individuals who have made countless important contributions to advancing the profession of optometry.
Transitions® showcased Gen STM at the Festival d'été de Québec from July 4 to July 14. Located on Grande Allée, the booth featured an eye-catching setup that attracted festivalgoers eager to explore the offerings.
As always, lool demonstrates its leadership in technology, offering a collection where luxury and details coexist with comfort, lightweight (8g), excellent flexible properties and high durability.
Embrace children's unique styles in eyewear selection with a custom approach, ensuring confidence, comfort, and individuality in their first pair of eyeglasses.
Each year the American Academy of Optometry (AAO) recognizes distinguished individuals who have made countless important contributions to advancing the profession of optometry.
Transitions® showcased Gen STM at the Festival d'été de Québec from July 4 to July 14. Located on Grande Allée, the booth featured an eye-catching setup that attracted festivalgoers eager to explore the offerings.
As always, lool demonstrates its leadership in technology, offering a collection where luxury and details coexist with comfort, lightweight (8g), excellent flexible properties and high durability.
Embrace children's unique styles in eyewear selection with a custom approach, ensuring confidence, comfort, and individuality in their first pair of eyeglasses.
Each year the American Academy of Optometry (AAO) recognizes distinguished individuals who have made countless important contributions to advancing the profession of optometry.
Transitions® showcased Gen STM at the Festival d'été de Québec from July 4 to July 14. Located on Grande Allée, the booth featured an eye-catching setup that attracted festivalgoers eager to explore the offerings.
As always, lool demonstrates its leadership in technology, offering a collection where luxury and details coexist with comfort, lightweight (8g), excellent flexible properties and high durability.
Embrace children's unique styles in eyewear selection with a custom approach, ensuring confidence, comfort, and individuality in their first pair of eyeglasses.
Each year the American Academy of Optometry (AAO) recognizes distinguished individuals who have made countless important contributions to advancing the profession of optometry.
Transitions® showcased Gen STM at the Festival d'été de Québec from July 4 to July 14. Located on Grande Allée, the booth featured an eye-catching setup that attracted festivalgoers eager to explore the offerings.
