CONTACT LENSES
Bring Back Lenses
Alden Optical, Inc., has expanded the Phoenix Program to include additional lenses recently discontinued by the major contact lens manufacturers. The Phoenix Program was developed in 2010 to provide practitioners with a simple solution when faced with discontinued soft sphere brands. Alden Optical offers lenses in polymacon, methafilcon, Benz 3X and Benz 5X in any base curve/diameter combination and with spherical powers of +/- 30.00D.

For more information including a complete conversion guide, visit http://aldenoptical.com/products/custom-soft/sphere/phoenix.

Satisfaction Guaranteed
VSP Vision Care and Vistakon, announced an exclusive satisfaction guarantee on Acuvue Brand Contact Lenses for VSP members. Members with contact lens coverage can try the Acuvue brand with little or no financial risk through their VSP provider. If they’re not completely satisfied, up to $60 of their benefit will be reinstated as long as their eye care professional contacts VSP within 30 days of the start of the trial.

For more information, visit http://specialoffers.vsp.com/acuvue.

ON THE WEB
Multicultural Blog

A new multicultural blog, hosted by Transitions Optical, Inc., provides best practices and cultural-based tips from Transitions Optical’s Diversity Advisory Board members. The blog is updated monthly with posts covering a wide range of topics: from business-building and ethnic marketing techniques, to strategies for overcoming potential language and cultural barriers. The blog is structured to allow eye care professionals to join or start a conversation by posting comments or asking questions.

To access the multicultural blog, eye care professionals must first register for Transitions Optical’s online trade portal, free of charge, by visiting Transitions.com/PRO and clicking on the “Register” button. By registering for the trade portal, eye care professionals will also have access to a variety of complimentary marketing tools and educational products.

Improve Your Web Presence
Active Presence from Smile Reminder allows eye care practices to control and streamline their web reputation and patient acquisition through a three-part system:

• First, Active Monitor routinely combs the web looking for all reviews mentioning a specific practice. These reviews are then reported along with other important facts such as overall review score and a comparison review rating. This report allows a practice to routinely track their evolving online reputation.
• Second, Active Review enables practices to manage their “webutation” with automatic pushing of patient reviews to online directories such as Google, Yahoo! or Bing. Active Review also aides practices in directing patient reviews anywhere their online reputation needs help.
• Third, Active Push assists practices with managing their listings online. With hundreds of directories available all across the web, it becomes nearly impossible for a practice to manually submit and manage their practice information one listing at a time. Active Push submits to these directories, which are then watched by Active Monitor.

For more information, visit www.smilereminder.com.

Certified EHR

Mountain Computer Systems’ EyeBase Smartware, a full-featured EMR/Office Management solution for optometrists, has received the federal government’s “meaningful use” stamp of approval by earning Modular Certification. The designation officially deems the electronic health record (EHR) software capable of enabling providers to qualify for funding under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

Tested and certified under the Drummond Group’s Electronic Health Records Office of the National Coordinator Authorized Testing and Certification Body (ONC-ATCB) program, the EHR software is 2011/2012 compliant in accordance with the criteria adopted by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. 

For more information, go to www.visioncare.net/mountaincomputer.

OPHTHALMIC LENSES
Expanded Parameters
LifeRx D28 lenses from Vision-Ease Lens are now available in both gray and brown, the offerings broaden the prescription range on the D28 poly photochromic line. Other extensions include extended adds on existing base curves (2.00D, 4.00D and 6.25D) out to 4.00D. The base curves 0.50D (2.00D – 3.00D adds) and 8.50D (1.00D – 4.00D adds) are also available.

LifeRx lenses are manufactured with 100% renewable energy and deliver a combination of rapid darkening, industry-leading fade-back speed and indoor clarity. In addition to D28 options, LifeRx lenses are also available in 7 x 28 trifocal, D35 bifocal, Illumina and Outlook progressive lenses, Aspheric SFSV and Spherical SFSV.

For more information, visit www.vision-ease.com.

Gradient Coating
MauiGradient from Maui Jim features a darker coating at the top that gradually gets lighter moving down the lens. All single gradient, prescribable lenses are precision engineered using the company’s SuperThin lenses that are lightweight and scratch- and impact-resistant. These lenses feature the company’s patented PolarizedPlus2 technology to cut glare and enhance color. The ultraviolet ray reduction features up to nine layers of built-in protection.

Maui Jim’s new single gradient lenses can be found in a range of frames, from fashion-forward to retro-aviators, crafted from lightweight, highly durable acetate or titanium with anti-corrosive hardware.

For more information on Maui Jim, visit www.mauijim.com.

NUTRACEUTICALS
Improved Formulation

The zeaxanthin-based EyePromise Restore nutraceutical from ZeaVision, LLC has been improved with a 25% increase in omega-3s and the addition of Vitamin D3. Chris Barber, President of ZeaVision explains, “EyePromise Restore is a patented zeaxanthin (zee-uh-zan-thin)-based ocular formula designed to rapidly increase macular pigment density in the eye. EyePromise Restore also contains several additional ingredients scientifically demonstrated to support ocular health. The recent formula improvements were based upon doctor recommendations and important new scientific information.”

Directed toward consumers and ECPs, the “AMD Challenge” website ( www.amdchallenge.com) allows visitors to play a scratch-off game that reflects how AMD can adversely affect central vision, review an overview of key AMD risk factors and potentially win a free bottle of EyePromise Restore.

Dry Eye Supplement

Dry Eye Formula supplement from Macular Health helps to reduce dry eye symptoms, including burning, stinging, redness and intermittent visual disturbances. The key ingredients of Macular Health’s Dry Eye Formula are borage seed oil, flaxseed oil and omega-3 fish oil. Flaxseed oil, the world’s richest source of omega-3 fatty acids, helps to restore the oily portion of a tear film that moistens the eye.

For more information, visit www.macularhealth.com.

An Added Benefit
OS² Ocular Support Solution from AmeriSciences features Lutein and Zeaxanthin, omega-3 fatty acids (EPA & DHA) and alpha lipoic acid, which works uniquely in both water and fat, while vitamins E and C work only in fat and water, respectively. Alpha lipoic acid’s antioxidant properties also have the potential of benefiting the carotenoids, the company says.

For more information, visit www.amerisciencesrx.com.

DIAGNOSTIC TECHNOLOGY
Portable Imaging Device

High-definition UBM Plus from Accutome Ultrasound is a portable anterior segment imaging device that features 48MHz probe plugs that plug directly into a laptop or desktop computer.

The UBM Plus eliminates signal loss and provides sharp images. It also features data analysis tools useful for measuring sulcus-to-sulcus, anterior chamber depth, positioning of intraocular lenses and the filtration angle of the eye. The software captures 34-second film loops. While reviewing the scans, the user can simply take a snapshot of a particular image. The built-in reports template pulls these images and information to create a detailed report in seconds. The UBM Plus interfaces easily with electronic medical records.

For more information, visit www.accutome.com.

Early Detection

Nova-DN VEP Vision Testing System from Diopsys, Inc., detects optic nerve disease, including glaucoma and other neuro-visual disorders.

It allows clinicians to objectively assess optic nerve disease earlier than traditional vision tests because it uses Visual Evoked Potential (VEP) technology and proprietary software to evaluate the entire vision system from the eye to the visual cortex. The Nova-DN records the electrical response of a patient’s entire vision system and provides reports that enable doctors to compare tests over time to track disease progression.

For more information, visit www.diopsys.com. 

LID HYGIENE
Lid Health Kit

Prescription-only Ocudox Convenience Kit from Ocusoft Inc., contains Ocudox (Doxycycline Hyclate 50mg, 60 Capsules), Ocusoft Lid Scrub PLUS Extra Strength Pre-Moistened Pads (30) and Tears Again Advanced Liposome Spray (15mL). Each component in the Convenience Kit was carefully selected as a result of requests from doctors seeking a simple yet effective treatment option to manage acute cases of lid disease.

The leave-on Lid Scrub offers anti-bacterial properties to eradicate seven different strains of bacteria, the company says. Tears Again advanced was designed to relieve irritation when applied directly to the eyelids with the eyes closed by depositing water and lipids as well as vitamins A, C and E. 

For more information, call (800) 233-5469 or visit www.ocudox.com.

OFFICE DESIGN
New Presentation Option

Eye Designs introduces a new fabric tray to enhance the presentation of eyewear to your customers. The Presentation Fabric Tray helps keep track of the customer’s selections and is ideal when delivering the finished prescription to the customer for final fitting and adjustments. The black tray has four compartments that are lined with satin ivory fabric to separate and protect the eyewear being sampled.

For more information, visit www.eyedesigns.com.