EaseVision.com – News and gossips of vision care and optical industry

Improving eyesight is possible at any age. Many people think that once your vision decreased you are unable to reverse it. This could not be further from the truth. You would not be able to see the beauty of a sunset in the evening, a rose with the dew drops on it in the morning or the faces and expressions of those you love the most. In spite of their tremendous worth, most people take their eyes for granted.

Dr. Bates theorized that most impairments to good vision are caused by strain on the eyes. His treatment model helps patients relax that strain, lessening distortions of the eye and lens. This leads to improved vision and prevent further deterioration. If one treatment does not work then try to move quickly on to something else. This will increase your chances of success. Do not give up until you find a treatment that works for you.

If you smoke, stop. That is one of the simplest things you can do. Smokers have a higher risk of glaucoma, cataracts, macular degeneration and dry eye disease. The risk of smokers going blind is four times greater than for people who don’t smoke. Another major technique among Bates exercises is called palming. With palming, the patient closes their eyes and relaxes their eyelids. They gently cover their eyes with their hands to block out all light. No pressure is applied with the hands to the eyes, as this would be directly counterproductive.

Some doctors recommend patching for children. This involves wearing a patch over one eye to help build strength in the opposite eye. This is a successful treatment that has helped millions of children improve their vision. Improve Your Eyesight with eat a bowl of blueberries with yogurt for breakfast and drink goji berry juice throughout the day. The blueberries and the juice are high in antioxidants which prevent free radicals from damaging the cells and causing disease.

Modern medical science has developed a number of drug therapies and surgeries designed to improve vision. Many people take advantage of these options. However, just as many people would prefer to avoid the risks, side effects, and complications of invasive drug therapy and surgery. The Bates method offers an all natural alternative that works with simple exercises and little to no risk of side effects.

According to research presented at the American Academy of Optometry, contact lenses prescribed for longer replacement intervals can lead to more extreme over-wear, causing undesirable clinical effects. An article from opticianonline revealed some of the concerning figures about this situation. According to results of the research, more than half of wearers of frequent replacement contact lenses did not comply with their prescribed replacement schedule.

Participants in the survey contained two groups: one of them wore two-week contact lenses and the other group wore monthly lenses. Their responses were both disappointing. The research conducted an online sponsor-masked survey which took a random sample of 645 frequent replacement contact lens wearers. The results were quite bad and similar.

In the group containing two-week lens wearers, only 43% of them replaced their lenses as prescribed. There were 65% of them replaced lenses every three weeks, 85% at eight weeks or more and 2% at ten weeks or more. When researchers came to assess the group who wore monthly lenses, only 36% of them maintained lens replacement as required. About 55% only replaced their lenses at five weeks, 23% at eight weeks or more and 14% at 10 weeks or more.

Among all of these unexpected numbers, the most surprising one was the percentage of patients who extended lens replacement to eight weeks or more. Such an interval was significantly longer than a normal requirement. This result considerably surprised the study author Sheila Hickson-Curran who was also director of medical affairs at Vistakon.

The survey of the research is just an example of the popular practice among contact lens wearers. Most wearers will ask their doctors to extend the Rx “this one time” but will not schedule an appointment when they run out of their lenses. Encountering such kind of patients, eye doctors would wish them go to a retail chain for Rx and materials instead.

Lenscrafters is in a tough trouble. An internal Lenscrafters memo says that the company has to make strategic choices and hard decisions that will result in a lean, efficient and effective go-forward organization. This is exactly describing the VSIP program launched by Lenscrafters. By some people, this program is considered as “cut the fat”. 

According to officials from Lenscrafters, the VSIP program involves two parts, recognizing and rewarding those contributive associates on one hand and streamlining work and reducing costs on the other hand. Similar to an early retirement program, VSIP has actually been successfully implemented by some other companies. This time, Lenscrafters set the eligibility criterion of VSIP at 50 years of age with 5 years of service. This is the strict eligibility criterion and the company will not expand it, so that associates that do not meet these requirements can not volunteer for the program. 

The company will announce approved participants in the VSIP on December 7. After direct communication with those participants, the company will cascade the information through the CSC Leadership Team to departments and teams. In fact, not all associates eligible for the 50/5 requirements will receive the VISP offer. Some roles in Manufacturing and Engineering, EyeMed Sales, Service and Production will be excluded. 

But associates ineligible for VSIP program can volunteer to be part of the Involuntary RIF and receive severance benefits. These people can be included in the involuntary reduction in force and should make a final decision after the VSIP program has finalized on December 7. Once being terminated, this group of associates can receive severance benefits. Before that, associates considering the Involuntary RIF can see Luxottica’s Standard Severance Benefits Plan, with which they can carefully balance potential gain against loss. 

The VSIP and involuntary RIF programs aim to cut off approximately 10% to 30% of the current workforce of CSC. After these two phases, the company will be able to maintain flat General and Administrative expense.

According to news at optics.org, a research team in the University of Murcia’s optical laboratory has invented a liquid-crystal device that can correct vision in both eyes simultaneously. This device can help optometrists prescribe corrective eyeglasses and contact lenses. In addition, this instrument can also be used to simulate the effect of laser refractive surgery or any other advanced vision correction. 

The useful device developed by the Murcia team actually consists of a single wavefront sensor and a liquid-crystal-on-silicon spatial light modulator. Through the way of modulating incident light, the liquid crystal can correct the wavefront of light entering the eyes. In detail, the liquid crystal contains proportionally rotated molecules. And researchers use approximately 58,000 independent pixels to control the wavefront of light entering each pupil. 

Capable of measuring and manipulating the optical aberrations from both eyes at the same time, the device helps optometrists control what is natural in normal vision. This breakthrough significantly changes the situation in the past when doctors had to use a bulky glass frame and mechanically switched and adjusted lenses. The invention of liquid-crystal device can profoundly replace the mechanical wheels and the traditional letter chart. In addition, this system is believed by Artal to help doctors conduct experiments that involve the working process of visual system and vision simulation before a lens implant surgery. 

In fact, this newly invented device is a natural extension of a former technology, which was also developed by the same team in Spain. As early as 2000, the team led by Pablo Artal created the first closed-loop instrument that was applied in the eye. After that, Pablo and his colleagues including Joshua Fernandez and Pedro Prieto have been trying to develop a binocular device that is capable of evaluating vision in both eyes simultaneously. After nearly 9 years’ efforts, the liquid-crystal device now announces their success. Currently, the team focuses on two directions of further research on both optical properties of the eye and the development of a more compact prototype.

It is said that Essilor has been seeking cooperation with sunglass specialist FGXI for several weeks. Two weeks ago, Essilor submitted a conditional $18-a-share offer but FGXI was said to want $23 a share from Essilor. A fact is that the two giants are under close contact. Covering a wide range of business in the optical industry, FGXI has been the cooperative target of Essilor. This signifies an obvious move in the Essilor that the company wants to set up a “direct the consumer” avenue. 

Focusing on the markets in North America and the United Kingdom, FGX International, Inc. designs and markets non-prescription reading glasses, sunglasses and costume jewelry. Headquartered in Smithfield, Rhode Island, FGXI has many trademarks, including FosterGrant, Magnivision, Anarchy, Angel, Gargoyles, Hyperflexx and Redi-Readers. In addition, the company also keeps brand names including Ironman Triathlon, Levi Strauss Signature, BodyGlove, C9 by champion and Daytona International Speedway to manufacture, market, distribute and sell its products. FGXI maintains distribution channels with mass merchandisers, chain drugstores, chain grocery stores, specialty retailers, variety stores, ophthalmic retailers as well as mid-tier department stores. 

The potential cooperation between Essilor and FGXI obviously shows Essilor’s attempt to go directly to consumers. This is absolutely not the traditional business model of Essilor. Currently, Essilor maintains a large network of eye care practitioners who are responsible for distributing Essilor products. During the past several years, sales at Essilor were on the increase that the sales number reached $209 million in 2006, $240.5 million in 2007 and approximately $255 million in 2008. A further step in Essilor is that the company is still expanding internationally by setting up offices in New York, Toronto, Stoke-on-Trent, England, Mexico City and Shenzhen, China. 

Essilor is now moving into the retail segment through its potential partner FGXI. This significant move in Essilor is estimated to trigger some changes in the optical retail industry. Further actions of Essilor may include demise of the independent ECPs and labs.

Temporary burry vision has been reported on patients taking Viagra and similar drugs for erectile dysfunction (ED). In addition, some people also suggest other visual complications if these drugs are taken for a long term. On the other hand, a new study argues that these medications will never cause permanent eyesight impairment. 

In general, there are two types of medicines that are commonly used to inhibit selective phodiesterase type 5 (PDE5). Chemical sildenafil citrate is sold as Viagra and tadalafil as Cialis. By interfering with the action of PDE5 on the blood vessel in the penis, these medicines can effectively treat ED. Unfortunately, these drugs at the same time are suspected to affect the similar compounds in the retina of the eye. 

This suspicion leads to the randomized placebo-controlled study conducted by William H. Cordell of the Lilly Research Lab and his colleagues. Recruiting totally 224 healthy male participants, the study was carried out in order to assess the change in retina among men taking Viagra or Cialis. 85 of the subjects were randomly assigned to take 5mg of tadalafil every day for six months, and another group of 77 men was asked to take 50mg of sildenafil on a daily basis for a same period. In similar, 82 individuals took a placebo. In order to figure out potential changes in their retinas, researchers performed comprehensive ophthalmic tests on these subjects, before, during and after treatment. 

Nine men discontinued the study due to an adverse event, including two in the placebo group, one in the tadalafil group and six in the sildenafil group. In final, 194 participants finished the study. Researchers conducted eletroretinography, visual function tests and measurements of intraocular pressure on these individuals who completed the study. The result showed that there were no significant differences between treatment and placebo groups. In addition, researchers found no abnormalities suggesting drug toxicity.

The worldwide reputable eye care company Bausch & Lomb built new partnership with Phase Forward, which focuses on data management solutions for clinical trials and drug safety. As two leading companies in their respective fields, Bausch & Lomb and Phase Forward signed a multi-year contract. 

Both of the two sides were satisfied with this new relationship. For Bausch & Lomb, clinical trials of eye health products are a critical element. The firm aims to develop the highest quality eye health products in the most efficient manner. According to Bausch & Lomb’s vice president and chief technology officer John W. Sheets, the company could get an effective solution for automating and optimizing trial management from Phase Forward. 

According to chairman and CEO of Phase Forward named Bob Weiler, it was an honor for Phase Forward to cooperate with Bausch & Lomb. In other words, Phase Forward was quite willing to provide good services to all of its customers, including this new one. 

In detail, Bausch & Lomb will implement Phase Forward’s InForm Global Trial Management (GTM) electronic data capture (EDC) solution, including the Central Coding module. All units of Bausch & Lomb will be covered by this solution, including Surgical, Vision Care and Pharmaceuticals products. 

As a full integrated module of InForm, the Central Coding module to be implemented by Bausch & Lomb is multi-functional. While ensuring coding consistency and accuracy, the Central Coding module can streamline the process of coding medical terms and automating manual tasks. Bausch & Lomb will apply InForm GTM from Phase Forward earlier in its development circle, in order to view and act on clinical trial data.

Recently Hoya posted its net sales as well as other figures for the second quarter this year. The results indicated that Q2 was quite tough for Hoya that the firm’s net income was 45.9% down. As a routine, Hoya released all aspects of its divisions. Reports posted by Hoya annually cover all areas of the company. 

For sure, the eye care division was covered in the report. The eye care business unit under Hoya produces eyeglasses lenses. According to the report, net sales of eye care business totaled ¥110,725 million. This figure was about 12.4% down, compared to the same quarter in 2008. In addition, operating income from the same division was ¥21,807 million, which increased 5.6%, compared to the preceding fiscal year. 

Hoya valued more about the increase of operating income from vision care business. But the company has encountered fierce competition from other lens producers in Asian countries. Some optical manufacturers produce low-priced lenses in Japan, Asian countries, and European nations. In addition, the performance of eye care division in Hoya has still been offset by the appreciation of yen. Compared to 2008, the eye care and Pentax units under Hoya struggled. 

The only good news is that health care group in Hoya still gained significant growth, reaching 11%. This increase may speed up Essilor’s E-health Care plan.

The Japanese lens maker Hoya Corp spent $1 billion on the acquisition of Pentax Corp, which is the only unprofitable unit among Hoya’s divisions. But now, Hoya is planning to spend a further $1 billion in purchasing another company in the health care industry in order to expand its health-care unit. According to Hoya’s chief operating officer Hiroshi Hamada, Hoya will target assets as large as Pentax or pursue smaller venture-capital firms overseas. 

The health-care division is the most profitable unit in Hoya. This planned acquisition is in accordance with the company’s strategy, which also triggered the purchase of endoscope maker Pentax. Currently, the Pentax division under Hoya is facing larger rivals in the digital-camera market. Pentax is now supplying Samsung with single lens reflex cameras sold under the South Korean’s brand. 

But Hoya is also seeking to build a partnership with a consumer electronics company. Samsung is an ideal partner to have a deeper relationship, but Hoya still has no final decision. In the camera business circle, Hoya is still a small player but the firm will never shut down this business. The world’s largest maker of camera devices Canon Inc posted 246 billion yen in the first quarter. But Pentax’s sales were only 24.6 billion yen, only one tenth of Canon’s. 

However, Hoya is seeking another optical firm with the expectation to strengthen its health-care division. This unit accounted for about 14% of Hoya’s overall sales in the first quarter, compared to 10% in the same period of last year. Hoya now manufactures contact lenses and surgical implanted lenses. 

But Hoya is weak in basic technologies, according to states by an analyst at Ichiyoshi Research Institute in Tokyo named Mitsuhiro Osawa. He also pointed out that the newly acquired company should also help Hoya expand distribution channels for medical equipment. It is very hard to build a network so ECPs from the new firm are helpful for Hoya’s distribution.

“Keeping Your Attention” campaign from Shamir won the second CEBA Award, which was announced on October 12^th by American Business Media. This is the second time Shamir won CEBA Award. In 2008, the company received CEBA Award through its campaign named “In the Office: Autoreply”.

 Instituted in 1995, the Creative Excellence in Business Advertising (CEBA) Awards is presented by American Business Media every year, in order to recognize the top business-to-business advertising campaigns. The CEBA Awards was first conceived to enhance relationships among advertisers, agencies and publishers. This annual Awards is also used by people in this field to celebrate significant achievements in business publications, digital media and face-to-face events. 

There were hundreds of entries competing for the CEBA Awards from 2008 to 2009. CEBA Awards have a total of 14 different categories and 39 finalists were selected to compete for the final awards. Shamir’s “Keeping Your Attention” ad campaign was nominated in the category named the Single Ad-Spread or Larger. There were other two rivals in the same category for final competition. The first ad campaign named “Continental Airlines” was created by New York ad agency Mediavest. The second one called “Strive Collection” was sponsored by Eric Mower and Associates. All of them are national ad agencies. But Shamir won the final award of this category. 

Began in June of 2008, Shamir’s “Keeping Your Attention” campaign has creatively gained readers’ attention by utilizing untraditional imagery and copy. Receiving the second CEBA Award, Shamir takes it as an honor because the agency has been in a row for just two years. This award represents Shamir’s status among advertising’s elite agencies and in-house design teams such as BBDO, Ogilvy & Mather, and McCann Ericson and so on. 

Fully owned by Shamir Optical Industry, Shamir Insight based in Israel is a public company developing and manufacturing premium progressive lenses and molds for the ophthalmic industry. The company has many brand names such as Shamir Autograph, Shamir Creation, Shamir Piccolo and the like.