5 things you missed at SECO 2017 in Atlanta

March 8, 2017

Article

SECO 2017 has come to a close, but Optometry Times has you covered with things you may have missed while taking in a lecture, perusing the exhibit hall, or exploring Atlanta’s Centennial Park.

ATLANTA-SECO 2017 has come to a close, but Optometry Times has you covered with things you may have missed while taking in a lecture, perusing the exhibit hall, or exploring Atlanta’s Centennial Park.

Check out the latest industry trends and new products announced this past week at SECO 2017.

Click here to see 5 things you missed at SECO 2017

Johnson & Johnson Vision Care unveils toric daily contact lenses

Johnson & Johnson Vision Care (JJVC) launched Acuvue Oasys 1-Day for Astigmatism contact lenses. The lenses feature the company’s Blink-Stabilized design along with its HydraLuxe technology that aids in vision quality and comfort, according to the company.

“We set out to create a better contact lens option for patients with astigmatism, bringing together our best technologies in material and design for a lens that provides clear, stable vision with the exceptional comfort people have come to expect from the Acuvue Oasys family,” says Giovanna E. Olivares, OD, global astigmatism platform director at Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.

Acuvue Oasys 1-Day for Astigmatism also provides Class I UVA and UVB protection.

CooperVision announces daily toric lens now available in 90-pack

CooperVision, Inc. announced the availability of a 90-pack configuration for clariti 1 day toric contact lenses.

“The one-day contact lens category continues to grow as a whole, and increasingly, eyecare professionals are choosing silicone hydrogel for their one-day patients,” says Inga Grote-Ebbs, director, one-day brands for CooperVision.

CooperVision, Inc. says the addition of the 90-pack cartons enables ECPs to prescribe up to a three-month supply in one box similar to astigmatism patients which is a convenience they are accustomed to with other lenses.

VTI launches NaturalVue Sphere daily contact lenses

Visioneering Technologies, Inc. (VTI) launches NaturalVue Sphere 1 daily disposable contact lenses. These lenses feature ComfortEdge technology which, according to the company, helps promote tear exchange designed to keep the lenses clean and clear.

NaturalVue (etafilcon A) Sphere 1 contact lenses are available in powers ranging from +4.00 D to -12.00 D in 0.25 D steps.

“A full power range with 0.25 D steps will help practitioners fit a broader patient range, which is particularly beneficial to high myopes where 0.25 D makes a huge dfference,” says Sally M. Dillehay, OD, FAAO, chief medical officer, vice-president of regulatory and clinical affairs.

The contoured edge is designed to help tears circulate for decreased debris build-up, which can compromise and hinder vision, according to the company.

Alcon launches marketing portal for ECPs

Alcon unveiled its new marketing portal with digital resources and content to help eyecare professionals (ECPs) strengthen its online outreach to patients.

The portal offers e-marketing tools and training as well as patient educational videos and other content.

“We know that ECPs are time-strapped and don’t always have the availability or staff resources to build a strong online presence for their practices,” said Jonathan Balch, head of US lens marketing at Alcon Vision Care. “Alcon’s portal allows us to partner with ECPs by providing a wide variety of resources and content so they can better market to their online audiences and build their businesses.”

In the portal, ECPs will find the following resources:

• Social media content to share with information about Alcon Vision Care products and helpful eye care tips and reminders to help ECPs educate patients on a variety of eyecare-related topics.

• Video content that new and existing contact lens wearers can visit to learn about proper contact lens care, new products, and more.

• Brand logos and product photography are available to be used on a variety of platforms including blogs, social media, email newsletters, and more.

• Lifestyle photography can be downloaded and used on ECPs’ social media channels or websites.

In addition, Alcon renews its commitment to Think About Your Eyes and pledges $73 million.

Alcon directly supported eye health in 2016 by providing nearly 650 medical missions that served more than 480,000 patients around the world and facilitated more than 47,000 surgeries. The market value of the donated products and services during this time totaled nearly $73 million, according to the company.

Alcon looks to continue its support of Think About Your Eyes public awareness campaign. In an effort to encourage healthy contact lens wearing schedules, Alcon will donate $5 to the program for each annual supply of Alcon daily or monthly disposable contact lenses purchased by patients-up to a total of $2 million.

Also, Alcon has launched Air Optix Choice, a new program which aims to provide patients access to the latest technology in monthly contact lenses and a replacement schedule.

The program offers savings on most Air Optix contact lenses, including Alcon’s new Air Optix plus HydraGlyde. At the same time, Alcon will extend its existing Dailies Choice Program, which allows ECPs to offer patients access to a convenient and compliant contact lens option by reducing the price of Dailies lenses to that of two-week replacement lenses, according to the company.

The Air Optix Choice and Dailies Choice programs are both available online.

SECO International elects Lynn Hammonds, OD, as president

SECO International announced the election of Lynn Hammonds, OD, as its new president along with the appointment of numerous other officers during its annual House of Delegates meeting at SECO 2017.

Dr. Hammonds was first elected to the SECO International Executive Committee in 2013.

Other newly installed officers include:

• Emilio Balius, OD, president-elect

• J. Max Ernst, OD, vice president

• Max Raynor, OD, treasurer

• Richard Durocher, OD, secretary

• Ted McElroy, OD, immediate past president

For more information about SECO International: www.secointernational.com.