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May 10, 2022May 10, 2022

Transitions® XTRActive® New Generations Lenses Are Available in Five Stylish Mirror Colors

To bring patients extra style this summer, Transitions® XTRActive® new generations lenses come in five stunning Style Mirror colours. Available in gold, silver, copper, blue green and blue violet, wearers can create all their own by pairing any colour lens with their favorite frames. Plus, these light intelligent lenses adapt seamlessly to any lighting environment providing the icon look patients want with the all-day protection they need. So, your patients have the choice to select the iconic colors as Grey, Brown and Graphite Green and add some style with one of the 5 mirrors.

Compared to the old Transitions XTRActive lenses, this new generation is darker overall[vi], darker in hot temperatures and in the car, and up to 35% faster to fade back[vii]. These advances are possible thanks to the new nano-composite matrix technology combined with new, extra powerful broad spectrum dyes which activate in both the UV and visible light spectrum.

“People are experiencing increased symptoms of eye strain and discomfort whether inside from screens or outdoors, and Transitions XTRActive lenses were designed with this issue in mind. In fact, three out of ten eyeglass wearers are very light sensitive^iv” said Brian O’Neil, Ph.D., global vice president, Innovation, Technology & Operations, Transitions Optical. “Wearers of Transitions Optical technology want flexibility between indoors, outdoors and driving to be better protected at all times. The new generation of Transitions XTRActive provides light protection regardless of the situation.”

In addition to this new generation, Transitions Optical began the rolling launch of Transitions^® XTRActive^®Polarized™ in Canada in January 2021. Both products provide extra protection for eyeglass wearers who are frequently in intense light situations or who are very light sensitive. Transitions XTRActive Polarized is an extension of the Transitions XTRActive range bringing the additional benefits of polarization to the extra dark photochromic category, while Transitions XTRActive new generation lenses offer the best extra darkness[viii]. Transitions XTRActive Polarized lenses are designed for patients who want extra protection in high-glare situations. The unique polarization technology reduces glare outdoors, providing sharper vision, a larger field of view and bright, vivid colours.

Transitions XTRActive new generation and Transitions XTRActive Polarized lenses are available now. Please contact your local laboratory that provides you the Transitions XTRActive portfolio to know more about their product availability.

Click HERE for the press release.

This post is sponsored by Transitions Optical.

[i] In the clear to dark photochromic category. Tests across polycarbonate and 1.5 grey lenses at 35°C achieving <18%T using Transitions Optical’s standard testing method.

[ii] Clear to dark photochromic category. Polycarbonate and 1.5 grey lenses tested at 23°C behind the windshield achieving between 18%T and 43%T.

[iii] Clear to dark photochromic category. Tested on grey lenses across materials at 23°C outdoors achieving >8%T (Category 3 Darkness Levels) using Transitions Optical’s standard testing method.

[iv] Protection from harmful blue light (380nm-460nm) across the following light situations: indoors at 23°C, behind the windshield and outdoors at 23°C, among polycarbonate and 1.5 grey lenses in the clear to dark photochromic category.

[v] From harmful blue light (380nm-460nm) at 23°C among polycarbonate and 1.5 grey lenses in the clear to dark photochromic category.

iv Transitions Optical, Quality of Vision and Vision Experience Test in Controlled Lab Situations (Lab Wearer Testing), U.S., Eurosyn, Q4 2019, N=135.

[vi] Compared to the previous generation, across materials tested on grey lenses at 23°C and 35°C.

[vii] Compared to the previous generation, across materials tested on grey lenses fading back to 70% transmission at 23°C.

[viii] In hot temperatures and in the car in the clear to dark photochromic category. Tests across polycarbonate and 1.5 grey lenses at 23°C and 35°C using Transitions Optical’s standard testing method.

May 9, 2022May 9, 2022

CooperVision Names Drs. Arumugam and Hammond to Expanded R&D Roles in Myopia Control and Management

CooperVision has announced expanded roles for two prominent researchers. Baskar Arumugam, B.Opt., Ph.D., FAAO, has been appointed Senior Lead Clinical Scientist and David Hammond, BAppSci(Microbiol), BAppSci(Optom), Ph.D., COT, has been appointed Lead Clinical Scientist on the CooperVision myopia research and development team. Both play integral roles in research and product development at the leading edge of myopia control, including in-depth analysis of seven years of data from the MiSight^® 1 day clinical trial.

*Baskar Arumugam, David Hammond, and Paul Chamberlain*

Drs. Arumugam and Hammond co-authored works related to the MiSight^® 1 day study’s six- and seven-year findings which were instrumental in demonstrating that MiSight^® 1 day works for nearly all children with myopia, cuts myopia progression by half, works at any age a child starts treatment (8+), works for as long as the child wears them, and that myopia control benefits from MiSight^® 1 day are retained after treatment.

This includes the peer review paper “Long-Term Effect of Dual-Focus Contact Lenses on Myopia Progression in Children: A 6-year Multicenter Clinical Trial” (Chamberlain P, et al.), now published in Optometry and Vision Science. Their paper “Myopia Progression on Cessation of Dual-Focus Contact Lens Wear: MiSight^® 1 day 7 Year Findings” (Chamberlain P, Arumugam B, et al.) and companion poster (Hammond D, Arumugam B, et al.) also received widespread attention following the 2021 American Academy of Optometry Meeting.

“Our immense body of foundational and clinical research into myopia control and management has ignited global interest and action to take on this disease, energizing the eye care community, public health officials, and parents,” said Paul Chamberlain, BSc (Hons), CooperVision Director of Research Programs. “We are well into our second decade of leading this field, and investing even more resources to advance the science, evidence-based products, and clinical guidance. Baskar’s and David’s deep knowledge and insights are central to these efforts.”

Arumugam joined CooperVision in 2018, following several years on faculty at the University of Houston, where he also completed a postdoctoral fellowship. He earned a Ph.D. in myopia and ocular growth from the University of Melbourne.

Hammond joined CooperVision in 2020. Previously, he lectured on optometry and vision science at Flinders University and served as tenured faculty at Deakin University. He earned a Ph.D. in optometry, as well as molecular biology and microbiology from Queensland University of Technology and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of California, Berkeley.

Click HERE for the full press release.

May 6, 2022May 6, 2022

Bausch + Lomb Corporation Launches as a Publicly Traded Company

Bausch + Lomb Corporation launched as a publicly traded company when it began trading under the “BLCO” symbol on the New York Stock Exchange and Toronto Stock Exchange.

“Today marks a tremendous milestone for Bausch + Lomb and an important step forward on the path to an independent company focused on eye health,” said Joseph C. Papa, chairman and CEO, Bausch + Lomb. “Bausch + Lomb has long been associated with many of the most significant advances in eye health, and I am honored to work alongside our 12,000 global employees as we continue to focus on achieving our ongoing mission of helping people see better to live better all over the world.”

Bausch + Lomb currently has projects in various stages of pre-clinical and clinical development, including new over-the-counter eye care products, contact lenses, innovative software and prescription medications for myopia management, next-generation cataract and LASIK surgical equipment, premium intraocular lenses, investigational treatments for dry eye and preservative-free formulations of a range of eye drops.

Strong, Experienced Leaders Selected for Board of Directors and Executive Management Team

The Bausch + Lomb Board of Directors includes the following individuals:

Joseph C. Papa, Chairman
Thomas W. Ross, Sr., Lead Independent Director
Nathalie Bernier
Richard U. DeSchutter
Sarah B. Kavanagh
John A. Paulson
Russel C. Robertson
Andrew C. von Eschenbach, M.D.

The Bausch + Lomb executive management team includes:

Joseph C. Papa, Chairman and CEO
Christina Ackermann, Executive Vice President & General Counsel, and President, Ophthalmic Pharmaceuticals
Dennis Asharin, Executive Vice President, Chief Global Manufacturing and Supply Chain Officer
Sam Eldessouky, Chief Financial Officer
Joseph (Joe) Gordon, President, Global Consumer, Surgical and Vision Care
Yehia Hashad, M.D., Executive Vice President of Research & Development and Chief Medical Officer
Louis Yu, Ph.D., Executive Vice President, Chief Quality Officer
Kelly Webber, Executive Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer

Click HERE for the full press release.

May 6, 2022May 4, 2022

CNIB Guide Dogs’ Class of 2022 Graduates on International Guide Dog Day

As part of CNIB Guide Dogs’ class of 2022, 16 Canadians who are blind or partially sighted have graduated with their guide dogs on International Guide Dog Day (April 27) after completing intensive training.

Whether it’s avoiding obstacles, stopping at curbs and steps or negotiating traffic, these guide dogs foster independence for people living with sight loss. In these partnerships, the handlers provide directional commands, and the dogs ensure the teams’ safety.

At the graduation ceremony, five buddy dog partnerships have also graduated alongside the guide dog partnerships. A CNIB Buddy Dog is partnered with a child or youth who is blind or partially sighted. Whether it’s feeding, grooming or walking this well-trained family pet, a buddy dog provides a child with an opportunity to care for a dog and, in some cases, makes it easier to transition into a guide dog partnership.

“Today’s graduating dogs are changing the lives of Canadians with sight loss from coast to coast to coast. As we celebrate CNIB Guide Dogs’ 5^th anniversary this year, we have more than 150 dogs in the program, with 52 guide dog teams and 19 buddy dog partnerships across Canada,” says Diane Bergeron, president of CNIB Guide Dogs and guide dog handler for 38 years. “The other dogs are still being raised and/or trained.”

Since launching in 2017 with just 2 puppies and 2 staff members working from home, CNIB Guide Dogs has raised, trained, and matched 77 dogs in communities across Canada, including 52 guide dogs, 19 buddy dogs, and 6 ambassador dogs.

CNIB Guide Dogs will launch its own dog-breeding program in 2022 to train Labrador retrievers, golden retrievers, and crosses of the two breeds. The new breeding program will enable CNIB Guide Dogs to raise, train and match more dogs with people with sight loss across Canada, and help close the gap for those waiting to be matched with a guide dog or buddy dog.

Click HERE for the full press release.

May 5, 2022May 4, 2022

COS Launches New Brand: Strak Amsterdam

Amsterdam, capital of the Netherlands. Its luxurious canal houses and charming gabled facades represents the golden age of Dutch heritage. Nearing the end of the 20th century, the city emerged into a more innovative, contemporary and SLEEK architecture.

This transformation of a venerated culture was the inspiration to egress from the traditional eyewear landscape of piecemeal metal construction and bulky acetates, transpiring to a more innovative, contemporary and uninterrupted SLEEK design process.

Strak Amsterdam, the resulting new eyewear collection, is defined by frame fronts crafted from a single plate of Japanese titanium mated to temples formed from a single rod of Beta-titanium.

The new collection is dedicated to the premise of being lightweight yet sturdy. Craft and manufacturing extremes have resulted in a new, and decidedly raw capture of what it means to be industrial with style.

Distributed by Canadian Optical Supply.

Click HERE for the full press release.