The FDA has approved Zaditor (ketotifen fumarate, Novartis Ophthalmics) in full prescription strength for over-the-counter (OTC) use. Its the first OTC allergy eye medication approved for use in children as young as 3. The drug will be available in stores in January 2007 at a suggested retail price of $14.99.

Prevent Blindness America is again launching a nationwide search for citizens to become advocates for vision issues. The second annual Eyes on Capitol Hill event will give adults and children from across the country the opportunity to meet with government leaders in Washington to discuss their personal experiences with eye disease and vision loss. Go to www.preventblindness.net/eyesoncapitolhill.

Older people (mean age: 69.8 years) with vision loss are also more likely to have hearing loss, according to an analysis of the Blue Mountains Eye Study published in Octobers Archives of Ophthalmology. This finding suggests that these sensory impairments could share common risk factors and/or may be markers of biologic aging. The combination of these two sensory impairments also cumulatively decreases health-related quality of life.