Approximately 75,000 optometric staff members across the country will have the opportunity to access American Optometric Association (AOA)-member benefits, thanks to a motion approved in 2013 that allows eyecare professionals working for AOA-member ODs to become AOA associate members.

VSP Vision Care announced the launch of its new Health Plan and Public Exchanges Business Unit, which focuses on increasing patient access to eyecare providers.

A new study from The American Society of Transplantation and The American Society of Transplant Surgeons suggests HC-matching, in combination with blockade of IFN-y, holds promise as a means of enhancing corneal allograft survival.

SynergEyes, Inc. has launched a new service to help ensure eyecare professionals success with Duette (MaxVU RGP, Flex20 silicone hydrogel) hybrid contact lenses.

Bausch + Lomb recently introduced the MoRoCCo VA app in the U.S., which is designed to help eyecare professionals (ECPs) select the correct KeraSoft IC lens for their patients with keratoconus and other cornea irregularities.

Lacrivera launched a dry eye line.

The Optometric Society (TOS) is accepting applications for membership. TOS is an optometrist-only professional association formed by and representing the interests of optometrists throughout the United States.

Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc., announced the appointment of Millicent Knight, OD to the role of head of Professional Affairs, Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, North America.

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).