VSP and Google have reached a deal to offer subsidized frames and prescription lenses for Google Glass.

UK-based Sauflon recently announced that it is entering the U.S. contact lens market with clariti 1day (somofilcon A), a daily disposable silicone hydrogel lens.

Wearable technology was the highlight of the recent 2014 Consumer Electronics Show (CES). I saw an increasing variety of fitness trackers, smart watches, and even smart glasses. Vuzix, GlassUp, and Epson had their latest models of smart glasses on display.

It took me three visits to my optometrist’s office to learn how to put contact lenses on and take them off. They were so patient with me. The optometrist, Dr. Tom Sekey, said, “So, you want a job here? You can answer the phone.” I got to see what he was doing, and it was so cool because it was really wonderful to be able to make people see. So, I decided to be an optometrist.

Andrew M. Brown, MD, is an allergist and immunologist with 47 years of experience and practices in otolaryngology, allergy, and immunology, and has been in practice in Gadsden, AL for the last 40 years. He graciously took time from his extremely busy practice, the largest allergy practice in the area, to talk with me. I started with the question: What would you like to tell an in-the-trenches optometrist about allergy?

Zyloware's MaxStudio.com collection debuts 2014 line. Santinelli introduces a new edging station. Carrera releases Jimmy Choo sunglass collection. SaltCityOptics.com and Rudy Project each have offerings for the outdoor active crowd. Gulden introduces the Bishop Dual Prism System for large angle strabismus.

X-Cel Contacts recently added the Flexlens ARC (Atypical Refractive Correction) custom soft lens to its collection of irregular cornea designs.

Kala Pharmaceuticals, Inc. recently announced that it has submitted an Investigational New Drug (IND) application to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to initiate a Phase 3 clinical program with its MPP-formulated loteprednol etabonate ophthalmic nano-suspension product (LE-MPP) for the treatment of post-operative inflammation and pain following cataract surgery.

Santinelli International recently unveiled its Xtrimer SE-1 Industrial Edger featuring dry-cut lens edging technology.

Ellex Medical Lasers Limited announced that it has recently acquired the canaloplasty business of US-based iScience Interventional, Inc.

Carl Zeiss Meditec AG announced it has acquired, through its subsidiary Carl Zeiss Meditec Inc., 100% of the shares in Aaren Scientific Inc., a U.S.-based manufacturer of intraocular lenses (IOLs).

It was me and over 150,000 other tech enthusiasts, gawking over all things electronic. The 2014 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) was impressive on scale and new technology. It was never more apparent how tightly electronic devices (EDs) have woven themselves into the modern fabric of our lives. In fact, the buzz tech of CES was tech “wearables.” Think Google Glass, fitness monitors, and smart watches that we wear on the body or on our clothes.

Nicox announced today that it is expanding its diagnostic portfolio with RetnaGene, a test to predict a patient’s risk of progressing to late-stage or wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The company plans to promote the test in the U.S. during the first half of 2014.

Your patients rely on you to help determine if they are good candidates for laser vision correction. We know that a patient’s systemic health can affect the safety and efficacy of refractive surgery.

Ocular allergy is one of the most common ocular surface diseases seen in a primary eyecare practice. Allergic conjunctivitis (AC) often exists concurrently with rhinitis and asthma, and patients with allergic rhinitis frequently present with symptoms of AC. AC is often linked to allergic rhinitis and requires co-treatment.

This issue is our annual allergy issue. I’ve often joked that in the spring, a young man’s thoughts turns to love, while an old optometrist’s thoughts turns to ocular allergy. Treating our patients who present with seasonal allergic conjunctivitis is a large part of a primary-care optometric practice, especially this time of year.

Retinal vaso-occlusive disorders are common causes of vision loss and blindness in the world. Diabetic retinopathy, the most prevalent retinal vascular disease, is a leading cause of blindness in patients between 20 to 74 years of age in the U.S.

A mid-50s female was sent for imaging of a choroidal nevus that had been followed clinically for several years without observation of changes. There was no suspicion of growth or significant elevation. The purpose of the imaging studies was to establish digital baseline characteristics and to add additional documentation.