Patient Notification
The new “Glasses Ready” feature, from Smile Reminder, helps you notify patients when their eyewear is ready for pickup. Patients can be notified via e-mail, text message or both.
This tool is available through Smile Reminder’s communication platform, which also offers automated appointment reminders and confirmations, last-minute appointment opening announcements, e-newsletters, e-surveys, custom promotions, patient recall notices, referral forms and a suite of web tools.
Call 1-866-605-6867, or go to www.smilereminder.com.
Thermal Transfer Printer
The Zebra GK420T thermal transfer printer, from Arch Crown, is a desktop printer with a 4-inch print capability. It can print five inches per second at 203dpi resolution. The Zebra GK420T is ideal for printing on Arch Crown’s Mylar bar code price tags. Printed text and bar codes, for example, will not rub off.
Call 1-800-526-8353, or go to www.archcrown.com.
Premium Lens Marketing Package
Zeiss Experience, from Carl Zeiss Vision, aims to provide premium lens marketing tools, including patient education resources, branding materials and practice promotional assistance.
The flagship element of Zeiss Experience is Zeiss Analysis, a new comprehensive selling process that helps the practitioner understand patients’ needs and helps patients become informed participants in the lens selection process. Other elements include:
• A branded Zeiss kiosk with interactive media for patients.
• The Zeiss i.Terminal, which features diagnostic, measuring and consulting technology.
• Point-of-purchase design options that all reinforce the practice’s offering of Zeiss optics.
Call (858)790-7700, or go to www.vision.zeiss.com/us.
Diagnostic Technology
Retinal Camera
The CX-1 retinal camera, by Canon, has received 510K clearance. This hybrid, fully digital retinal camera has mydriatic (optical viewfinder) and non-mydriatic (camera unit monitor) capabilities that the user can switch between with one button. It takes color, fluorescein angiography, red-free, fundus auto-fluorescence and cobalt pictures. It has 2x digital magnification capabilities.
The camera has a diopter compensation range of -10.00D to +15.00D. With a minus compensation lens, this extends to -31.00D to -7.00D. With a plus lens, it goes to -11.00D to +33.00D. The CX-1 features a 35mm working distance, a 50º mydriatic angle of view, and a 45º non-mydriatic angle of view. The camera base features a 65mm forward/backward range of motion, 110mm side-to-side range, and 30mm vertical range of motion. It can pan 30º to the right and left.
Call 1-800-970-7227, or go to www.usa.canon.com/eye-care.
Perimeter
The Guided Progression Analysis (GPA) module of the Humphrey Field Analyzer, by Carl Zeiss Meditec, has received Class II FDA approval specifically to assess the rate of visual field loss over a period of time.
The GPA software module is aimed at assisting practitioners with the detection, measurement and management of visual field loss progression. It assesses change over time (both from baseline and rate of change). GPA applies Early Manifest Glaucoma Trial criteria to determine which test points in the visual field have changed, and it uses the company’s proprietary Visual Field Index to measure the overall rate of visual field progression.
Call (925) 557-4100, or go to www.meditec.zeiss.com/us.
Dispensary Technology
Trial Lens Flipper
The Raff Trial Lens Flipper, from Gulden Ophthalmics, features a built-in level to help practitioners streamline and improve the lens trial and prescribing process by eliminating inadvertent off-axis lens rotation. The flipper can also be used to test dynamics and sustaining ability of relative accommodation directly, and relative vergence indirectly. Other uses include demonstration of increased add powers for presbyopes or at multiple distances, to check accommodation limitations in children and to trial minor prescriptions in children and presbyopes who have near vision asthenopia. The eight-well design of the flipper includes axis markings on each well. It is constructed of durable plastic to ensure rigid lens alignment.
Call (215) 884-8105, or go to www.guldenophthalmics.com.
Contact Lens Solution
Transparent Packaging
Bausch + Lomb has replaced its white solution bottle with a clear polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottle thanks to a partnership with Amcor Rigid Plastics and R&D/Leverage. The bottle, with its notable rounded shoulders, features optimized wall thickness and dimensions for proper user squeezability. The bottle is also textured for enhanced ergonomics.
Also, a clear, pressure-sensitive label made of polyolefin replaces the white label and enhances the clarity of the new design. The new ReNu Fresh bottles are blow-molded of a healthcare-approved grade of PET. Call (585) 338-6000, or go to www.bausch.com.
What's New on the Web
Lens Fitting Training Program
A new staff training program is available at www.FitSynergEyes.com, a website from SynergEyes that is dedicated to practitioner and staff education and training.
The new section includes five modules:
• Overview of SynergEyes lenses.
• Talking to patients about hybrid lenses.
• Integrating hybrid technology into your practice.
• Training your patients to handle and care for hybrid lenses.
• Working with patients who have irregular corneas.
FitSynergEyes.com provides a practice with the information necessary to be successful with hybrid lenses. Go to www.FitSynergEyes.com, or call 1-877-SEE-2012 (1-877-733-2012).
Web Portal
A new web portal from Transitions Optical provides eye care
practitioners with a central resource for product information, business
resources tools and programs. The site creates one access point for
practitioners to search for and learn about the full family of products
available from Transitions Optical, as well as the programs, marketing
tools, education and events the company offers. Go to
www.transitions.com/pro.
There's an App for That, Too
Practice iPhone Interface
MacPractice iPhone interface 2.0, from MacPractice, allows practitioners to connect to their office database—specifically, to the appointment schedule and patient records. Doctors can review patient photos, alerts, prescription history and appointment history; post charges to a patient’s account; and can then tap to call or e-mail the patient. The patient’s address is linked to Google Maps. Go to
www.macpractice.com.
Frames
Catherine Deneuve Lunettes by Viva International Group
Viva International Group presents the new line from Catherine Deneuve Lunettes. This Spring 2010 collection showcases timeless beauty and pure elegance for today’s woman. It includes:
• CD-276, a modified oval acetate frame that features a laser-etched subtle floral motif highlighted by miniature stones. It is available in size 51/17-135 and in colors brown, champagne and plum.
• CD-277, a semi-rimless modified oval acetate frame features a floral pattern on the inside of the frame. This frame comes in size 53/17-135 and in colors black, brown and burgundy.
• CD-281, a modern metal frame with acetate temples. This frame features snakeskin print etched into the temples. It is available in size 51/17-135 and in colors brown, champagne and slate.
• CD-282, a semi-rimless metal frame with snakeskin-etched acetate temples. It comes in size 53/16-140 and in colors brown, burgundy and champagne.
Call 1-800-345-8482, or go to www.vivagroup.com.
Candie’s by Viva International Group
Viva International Group debuts the “Mirror, Mirror, on the Wall” collection from Viva introduces the newest collection from Candie’s Eyewear, Retro Chic. This trendy group of frames exemplifies Candie’s style. And, all three include spring hinges. The group includes:
• C Ella, a handmade acetate frame with a semi-rimless metal front. The frame features laser-engraved color-block treatments and a metal logo plaque. It comes in size 50/16-135 and in colors burgundy, black and brown.
• C Estella, which sports a modified oval metal front paired with acetate temples. The
frame’s color-block treatments set off the logo treatment. This frame is available in size 50-15/135 and in colors green, black and burgundy.
• C Fiona, an acetate frame that features an engraved logo and floral design accentuated with stone and stud detailing. It is offered in size 51/15-135 and in colors burgundy/purple, black/pink and brown.
Call 1-800-345-8482, or go to www.vivagroup.com.
Lipstick Eyewear by REM
REM Eyewear announces the launch of Lipstick Eyewear, frames for women who wear the latest trends with their own stylish twist. The collection’s debut line includes ten frames that highlight vibrant colors and patterns. Some of these frames are:
• Artist, a rectangular full-rimmed frame in zyl. The frame features a contrasting overlay and laser cut-out circular patterns on the temples. It is available in size 51/17-140, and in colors red, brown and black.
• Book Smart, a teacup-shaped full-rimmed zyl frame. The frame highlights contrasting colors on its layered front and its reptilian textured temples. This style comes in size 51/17-140 and in colors brown, black and purple.
• Oh So Pretty, a semi-rimless frame with a metal front and coordinating zyl temples. The color of the frame face is drawn from the multicolored accents that run the length of the wide temples. This frame is offered in size 51/18-140 and in colors plum, black and brown.
• So Haute, a squared-off oval metal frame. This style features a sleek face with geometric, angular temples. It is available in size 52/16-140, and in colors slate, brown and purple.
Call 1-800-423-3023, or go to www.remeyewear.com.
Lucky Brand Eyewear by REM
REM Eyewear presents the latest line of eyewear from Lucky Brand. Vintage-inspired styling blends with modern shapes and pops of bold colors and textures. Lucky frames also feature several logo treatments, including a signature clover detail on the temple tip or a “Lucky you” inner temple logo plaque. The collection includes:
• Jude, a men’s vintage rectangular full-rimmed zyl frame. This style is available in colors blue, black, olive and tortoise, and in size 50/19-140.
• Michelle, a women’s full-rimmed zyl rectangular frame with contrasting accent colors at the hinge. It features a layered vintage floral pattern on the temples. This frame is offered in colors brown/blue, black/crystal, burgundy/yellow and purple/blue, and in size 51/16-135.
• Sync, a men’s rectangular zyl sunglass. It comes in colors tobacco/brown, brown/gray, smoke/gray, and in size 56/13-140.
• Demo, a women’s vintage oversized zyl sunglass. The temples showcase an intricate etched pattern. This style is available in red/gray, black/purple and tortoise/brown, and in size 56/15-135.
Call 1-800-423-3023, or go to www.remeyewear.com.
ck Calvin Klein by Marchon
High-Tech Accessory Case
Marchon presents a limited-edition accessory from ck Calvin Klein. This dual-accessory sunglass case with built-in speakers includes a jack that is compatible with all iPods, computers, mp3 players, smartphones and other audio devices. The case also features a wrist strap and small zippered pouch for money and credit cards. Call 1-800-645-1300, or go to
www.marchon.com.
