About one-fifth of children with sensorineural hearing loss also have ocular disorders, according to a report in the February issue of Archives of OtolaryngologyHead & Neck Surgery. Given the effects of hearing impairment, children with sensorineural hearing loss are particularly dependent on other means of information acquisition, the authors write. If these children were to have unrecognized ophthalmologic abnormalities that limited visual acuity, there could be further detrimental effects on development.

 

Primary open-angle glaucoma is not linked to higher mortality, according to a meta-analysis in the February issue of Archives of Ophthalmology.

 

SECO International presented three key awards during its annual meeting:

Optometrist of the South 2009. Martha Greenberg, O.D., was given SECOs highest honor. She practices at EyeCare Professionals in Russellville, Moulton and Red Bay, Ala.

Young Optometrist of the South. This awardgiven to Chevron Ergle, O.D., who practices in Jacksonville, Ark.is presented to an O.D. in practice for less than 10 years.

Paraoptometric of the South. This award was presented to Emily Ellison, who works in the practice of Jeff Foster, O.D.; Kurt Steele, O.D.; and Jeremy Diamond, O.D., in Newport, Tenn.

 

The FDA has approved Alcons aspheric AcrySof IQ Toric intraocular lens (IOL). The new lens offers an enhanced aspheric optic that improves image quality and increases contrast sensitivity in cataract surgery patients with astigmatism, the company says. Alcon plans to launch the new IOL in early April, at the 2009 American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (ASCRS) annual meeting in San Francisco.

 

Pfizer, Inc. announced that it will make public its payments to health-care professionals for consulting, speaking engagements and clinical trials. This makes Pfizer the first biopharmaceutical company to commit to reporting payments for conducting Phase I-IV clinical trials, in addition to disclosing payments for speaking and consulting, the company says. This disclosure demonstrates Pfizers commitment to increased transparency and public candor. Pfizer plans to publish its first annual online update on www.pfizer.com in early 2010. Parameters under consideration include reporting payments to recipients whose aggregate amount exceeds $500 in a year, including the value of non-monetary items (such as meals) that exceed $25 in value. Pfizer says it will post payments regularly, and each will clearly list the recipient name or institution, the payment made and the service provided.

 

A new regulation in British Columbia now allows optometrists there to prescribe and administer topical medications and remove superficial objects from a patients eye. This brings optometrists in British Columbia up to speed with those in most other Canadian provinces.

 

Abbott has completed its acquisition of Advanced Medical Optics. The company will now be called Abbott Medical Opticsa subsidiary of Abbott. Abbott brings to AMO the strength, reach and resources of one of the leading healthcare companies in the world. Although our name and ownership have changed, under Abbott we remain as focused as ever on developing innovative new products and meeting your needs and the needs of the patients you serve, says President Jim Mazzo.