Blog

January 6, 2016April 24, 2018

Register Now for Vision Expo East!

Registration is now open for the next International Vision Expo East, which will take place in New York from 14^th to 17^th April 2016.

This is an important year for The Vision Council and organizers Reed Exhibitions, as it marks the 30^th year the event has taken place.

“For 30 years Vision Expo has cultivated a vibrant event in which the global eyecare community can come together for the betterment and progress of the profession, the industry, and the health and quality of life of patients,” adds Tom Loughran, industry vice president, Reed Exhibitions. “Every member of this community, young professional or industry veteran, has something unique and important to contribute.”

To register: www.VisionExpoEast.com

For discussion: visionaries.visionexpo.com

January 5, 2016April 24, 2018

Preliminary Study Results for Topical Anti-VEGF Eyedrop for Wet AMD

In a November 12th presentation at the 2015 Ophthalmology Innovation Summit at the American Academy of Ophthalmology (OIS @ AAO) in Las Vegas, Nev., PanOptica President and CEO Paul G. Chaney reported progress with the clinical development program for PAN-90806, a clinical-stage candidate as a topical anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) eyedrop for the treatment of neovascular eye diseases, including preliminary results from the monotherapy arm of a Phase 1/2 study showing signals of safety and anti-VEGF biological activity in patients with wet AMD.

“Neovascular eye diseases frequently require continuous, life-long treatment in order to attain optimal efficacy. A safe and effective topical anti-VEGF eyedrop would reduce the treatment burden associated with current therapies, potentially eliminate injection-related risks, and would also be compatible with the growing number of combination therapies for AMD and diabetic macular edema,” noted Elias Reichel, M.D., Professor and Vice Chair for Research and Education in the Department of Ophthalmology at the New England Eye Center in Boston, Massachusetts.

Mr. Chaney presented preliminary Phase 1/2 results in which signals of anti-VEGF biological activity were observed across all PAN-90806 monotherapy dose arms in patients with wet AMD, including at the lowest doses. Those signals were confirmed independently by a focus panel of retina experts. He noted that safety assessments of PAN-90806 are ongoing, and that no treatment-related systemic adverse events (AEs) have been reported to date; safety signals thus far have been limited to ocular surface findings at higher doses.

Further information: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20151112005385/en/PanOptica-Reports-Progress-PAN-90806-Topical-Anti-VEGF-Eyedrop

January 4, 2016April 24, 2018

60s Style Meets Trusted Quality in RR322 rocco Sunglasses

With a substantial frame and clear nod to 60s style, the RR322 rocco sunglasses by Rodenstock fit the modern hipster in fine fashion. Fashion-conscious men will appreciate the classic decorative rivets and can choose from black, havana, black and turquoise havana, or black and orange, in size: 52/40.5/145.

Distributed by Eyestock: www.eyestock.ca

January 4, 2016April 24, 2018

Implant for Stimulating Tear Reflex Offers Dry Eye Treatment

Scientists at Stanford have developed a device that electronically stimulates tear production, offering a potential treatment for dry eye disease. The 16 mm long device, implanted beneath the inferior lacrimal gland and activated wirelessly, sends pulses from an electrode to the afferent nerves around the tear gland. This activated the tear reflex and increased tear production by 57% in the rabbit test subjects.

The original design was intended only to stimulate the tear gland itself, but the researchers discovered that activating the nerves around the tear gland produced a much larger tear volume. The next step for is to determine whether the tears produced by the device match natural tears in lipid and protein content, and the device is currently undergoing clinical trials for FDA approval for Oculeve, the company founded by the study authors, to bring a product to market.

“I hope to see it on the market in the next year,” says Professor Daniel Palanker, senior author of the study. “Meanwhile, we’re continuing research into the mechanisms of the tearing response, its enhancement and quality of the tears produced by neural stimulation.”

Allergan announced the completion of the acquisition of Oculeve in August 2015.

Further information: http://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1741-2560/13/1/016006

January 2, 2016April 24, 2018

Vision Institute 5th Biennial Northern Ontario Optometric Conference – Sudbury, ON

The Vision Institute of Canada will host a 2-day Optometric Conference and Trade Show May 28th and 29th in Sudbury Ontario. The event will deliver 12 hours of Continuing Education. Speakers lined up for the day include Dr. Bernard Hurley, MD, Dr. Derek MacDonald, OD, Dr. Victor Spear, OD, and Sarah McIver , OD.

Lecture topics will include Glaucoma Diagnosis and Management, OCT Interpretation for Glaucoma, Current Topics in Eye Care Technology, Update on Retinal Vascular Disease Management, Evolution in the Management of Corneal Disease and New Developments for Post-Cataract Treatment.

The event is expect to attract around 75 Optometrists.