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There was bad news about multi-purpose contact lens solutions. In Singapore, the ReNu MoistureLoc solution was for ever withdrawn after the outbreak of eye infections in 2006. In fact, multipurpose solutions (MPS) can also result in fungal contamination of the solution. According to a senior consultant ophthalmologist at the Singapore National Eye Center, the underlying cause is the multiple additives in these solutions. 

Eye care solutions are originally created to kill germs and bacteria. However, the strong agents in solutions may also damage the natural barrier function of corneal epithelial cells. The term used to describe the danger caused by MPS is cytotoxicity, which indicates the quality of being toxic to cells. Although cytotoxicity is reversible within a few days after the solutions are stopped, cell vitality can be decreased in the process of MPS use. 

Although more studies are needed to evaluate the long-term impact of MPS cytotoxicity, some brands of lens solutions are showed to be more harmful to corneal epithelium, which is the natural barrier of the corneal. There is already a study that has compared some brands of MPS, pointing out that the Alcon and Bausch & Lomb solutions are more cytotoxic than others such as the Complete Easy Rub solutions. 

Officials from Alcon and Bausch & Lomb fought back that the study was actually an in-vitro test and involved no actual lens wear. They argued that clinical results can not be predicted by in-vitro tests. Bausch & Lomb spokesman also pointed out that their products were assured by stringent quality control systems and approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. In addition, the study was funded by their competitors.

Despite those controversies, there is advisable ways to avoid potential risks of MPS. Some experts recommend saline solutions for lens rinsing after using MPS, which can remove preservatives found in MPS. Furthermore, contact lens solutions should be properly prescribed by lens practitioners.

From: www.eyeoverheard.com

Believe it or not, the online optical stores are booming. You can see from the hot group discussions in Ira’s GlassyEyes.com. According to my rough statistics, only ZenniOptical, the biggest online eyeglasses reatiler so far, takes about 2500 pairs of orders throughout the country EVERY DAY from their website, this is almost 1% of the total consumption of all the prescription eyeglasses in US (suppose the annual total sales of 75 million pairs).

No one can say 1% of the whole country’s business is small business! I remember about a month ago, Essilor called on all the ECPs in US to embrace the new technology to let part of their business online, or there will be further headaches.

CNET’s author Rich Broida wrote about Zenni earlier this year, is this good for country’s optical industry? Rich’s article is here: http://news.cnet.com/8301-13845_3-10219745-58.html

What do you think?

My thinking: being earlier aware of the matter, taking earlier action, the better!

The economic downturn is still squeezing the businesses of contact lens manufacturer Bausch & Lomb. Bausch & Lomb plans to stop the operation and production in its Livingston plant in Scotland, which will cause 500 jobs being lost. According to the plans of Bausch & Lomb, they will focus their production in Waterford Ireland and the plant in US. The decision states that the closure of  Scotland plant will ne done sometime between 2010 and early 2011.

The Bausch & Lomb decision has triggered the Scottish government to seek discussion with the company. John Swinney, the Scottish finance minister said the government is talking to senior management including CEO Geral M Ostrov. The company recognizes that the withdrawl of Scotland plant will cause tremendous influence on tis employees and their families, and promise to ensure that plant staff’s needs and concerns will be respected to the utmost possible level.

Bausch & Lomb will keep its Rochester (US) and Waterford (Ireland) plants which hold advantages over Livingston (Scotland) in cost and other major assesment criteria.

The Scotland plant used to be owned by Ron Hamilton, who was the founder of Daysoft. Bausch & Lomb purchased the plant in 1996 at the cost of 20 million British pounds. This former Daysoft founder expressed his apology in hearing that news of Bausch & Lomb closing the Livingston plant. He stated that, Bausch & Lomb, just like other struggling optical giants in this downturn crisis, is forced to take the unwilling action of withdrawl.

Asos Chicos

Sept, 9, 2009, Wednesday, Coastal Contacts Inc. (COA, TSX), an online retailer of contact lenses and optical eyeglasses, announces an increase in net profit for Q 3, 15% growth in revenues which mainly can be attributed to the quick growth of eyeglasses. Coastal Contacts started to sell optical eyeglasses from early 2008, and has witnessed great growth in this area.

Though enjoyed by the positive growth both in revenue and net earnings, the whole situation of Coastal Contacts is still not ideal. In the third quarter, this Vancouver-based company posted net earning of C$603,000 (foreign exchange gains at C$252,000 in this quarter), and the total revenue of C$37.51 million, with a net profit rate only at 1.6%, which is below industry everage.

Coastal Contacts spent in advertising C$5.04 million in third quarter, which is 26% more than that of last quarter. The company’s ads can be seen from the Google AdWords and AdSense, to the public transit systems around the selective cities in North America.

One exciting news is that COA is experiencing quick growth of eyeglasses sales to the contact wearers. In July, this Canadian company reached C$ 1 million of sales for the eyeglasses, which is the first time to reach this number, and is a milestone in its history. Most of the contacts wearers will mostly buy the relatively cheaper eyeglasses for back up, for the use of a short period of time at home mostly.

In Canada, Coastal Contacts runs its online business under the name ClearlyContacts.ca. Coastal Contacts is the first and the only company which is listed public in the area of online optical store.

As an international corporation based in Rochester, New York, Bausch & Lomb was an overwhelming leader in the eye health products market, including contact lenses and lens care products. Currently, the company also has been a victim of the spread financial crisis and its leading status is under challenge.

Affected by the current financial crisis, Bausch & Lomb is experiencing a debacle and is also probably to lay off some part of its large staff. There is information that the gross layoff will become true by Christmas, bringing many people unemployed. The exact number of unemployed workers will be over five hundred due to the shut down of the contact lens factory. What’s worse, the company may also be forced to settle down its production during the next 18 months.

In fact, there were some rescue attempts from both internal and external of the company. The company has made lots of efforts to make a revival and a number of Opposition MSPs have also required the Government to take a ‘Diageo-style’ rescue to help the company out of the declining situation. Unfortunately, all these efforts have brought no positive result.

In fact, the impending Christmas will witness a final fate of those skeptical workers. Although some of the victimized workers are not willing to accept the information of layoff, there have been some obvious signs from the company. The firm has transferred most of its efforts to its existing plants in Ireland and the USA, in order to maintain its competitiveness in the marker as much as possible.

In fact, Bausch & Lomb has been a market leader for a long period in selling eye health products. The notable brand of Ray-Ban was first developed by the company and sold to the Italian Luxottica Group in 1999. Bausch & Lomb has also expanded its business into medical area including medicines and implants in curing eye diseases. But now, all signs show that the fate of the company is much likely to suffer a change.

Asos Chicos