The Battle Against Cataracts Marches On

By Mary Kane
Friday, June 9, 2023 8:30 AM According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than one million cataract surgeries are performed each year and more than half of Americans over the age of 80 are living with cataracts. Cataract is the leading cause of vision loss in the U.S., as well as the leading cause of blindness worldwide, the CDC said. VMAIL Weekend recently sat down with Dr. David Litoff, a corneal specialist and surgeon specializing in both cataract surgery and refractive surgery. Here’s what he had to say about the early signs of cataract, how patients can protect themselves from developing cataracts and what's involved in cataract surgery.

Myopia and Digital Eye Strain Receive Attention from Apple Within New iOS17 Health Features

By Staff
Friday, June 9, 2023 12:21 AM CUPERTINO, Calif.—New vision health features that encourage healthy behaviors that help reduce the risk of myopia are making some headlines this week after Apple introduced its new iOS 17, iPadOS 17, and watchOS 10 systems on Monday.

Prevent Blindness Launches Efforts to Provide Education and Resources on the Effects of Vision Loss and Blindness on Mental Health

By Staff
Thursday, June 8, 2023 12:24 AM CHICAGO—Because individuals with vision loss can experience a higher prevalence of depression, anxiety and other mental health issues as compared to their sighted peers, Prevent Blindness, the nation’s leading nonprofit eye health and safety organization, has engaged experts from around the country to raise awareness, provide education and offer newly developed resources for patients, care partners and health care service professionals. The second day of the upcoming 2023 Prevent Blindness Focus on Eye Health Summit, set for July 13, will be dedicated to presentations and forums addressing mental health and vision.

ECPs Remain Upbeat Despite Economic Challenges of Inflation and Staffing Needs, The Vision Council's Provider inSights Survey Shows

By Staff
Tuesday, June 6, 2023 12:27 AM ALEXANDRIA, Va.—Today, The Vision Council released a new research study reporting on operations and sentiments of U.S. eyecare providers. The 2023 first quarter Provider inSights dives deep into how eyecare providers view the current state of their practices, the eyecare industry, and the American economy overall. "This study demonstrates that American eyecare providers have an optimistic outlook for their businesses in 2023," said Alysse Henkel, senior director of Market Research and Analytics at The Vision Council.

VM Examines How Virtual Reality Headsets and Other Wearables Are Transforming Vision Care

By Staff
Monday, June 5, 2023 12:15 AM NEW YORK—Once considered the stuff of science fiction, wearable technology in health care—including fitness trackers, smartwatches and other personal monitors—is now mainstream. And the demand is clearly growing. According to a report from Insider Intelligence, consumers’ use of wearable technology to track their health has more than tripled in the past four years, and this year, more than a quarter of the population will be wearing these devices.

Prevent Blindness Declares June as Cataract Awareness Month, Providing Educational Resources on Eye Disease that Affects Millions

By Staff
Thursday, June 1, 2023 12:24 AM CHICAGO—Cataract is the leading cause of blindness worldwide, according to The International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness. More than half of all Americans will have cataract by the time they are 80 years old. Prevent Blindness, the nation’s leading nonprofit eye health and safety organization, has once again declared June as Cataract Awareness Month in an effort to provide patients, care partners and professionals with information on topics related to types of cataract, risk factors, symptoms, cataract surgery and available financial assistance resources.

Lora Castle Joins BostonSight as Director of Professional Affairs and Consultation

By Staff
Tuesday, May 23, 2023 12:18 AM NEEDHAM, Mass.—BostonSight has announced that Lora Castle, COA, NCLE, has joined the organization as director of Professional Affairs and Consultation for BostonSight SCLERAL.

Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Reports that Patient Cases and Deaths From Contaminated Eye Drops Grow

By Staff
Monday, May 22, 2023 12:24 AM ATLANTA—The outbreak of extensively drug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa associated eye drops recalled earlier this year has grown, with 81 cases and four deaths now reported across 18 states, according to the latest update from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The outbreak strain, carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa with Verona integron-mediated metallo-β-lactamase and Guiana extended-spectrum-β-lactamase (VIM-GES-CRPA), had never been reported in the U.S. prior to this outbreak. The outbreak is associated with multiple types of infections, including eye infections.

My Eyelab Signs Franchise Agreements to Open Four New Stores

By Staff
Monday, May 22, 2023 12:15 AM PALM SPRINGS, Fla.—My Eyelab, a retail brand of Now Optics, announced it has signed multiple agreements which will bring four new franchise stores to Flint, Mich.; Chattanooga, Tenn.; Greenville, Texas; and Newport News, Va.

The Vision Council Releases 2023 Q1 Consumer inSights Report Highlighting Comparative Demographic Trends

By Staff
Thursday, May 18, 2023 12:30 AM ALEXANDRIA, Va.—Today, The Vision Council released a new report examining the differences in U.S. consumers’ eyecare journeys. The 2023 first quarter Consumer inSights report found several key differences in how generations utilize optical care and exercise purchasing power within the optical industry. “While certain eye trends span every demographic, today’s report is critical in helping us better understand consumer trends from a cross-generational perspective,” said Alysse Henkel, senior director of Market Research and Analytics at The Vision Council.

Save The Date: The Vision Council’s Annual National Sunglasses Day Celebration Is June 27

By Staff
Monday, May 1, 2023 12:21 AM ALEXANDRIA, Va.—The Vision Council is planning to celebrate National Sunglasses Day on June 27 and highlight the importance of wearing UV-protective eyewear all year long. "Sunglasses play a crucial role in promoting eye health," said Ashley Mills, CEO of The Vision Council.

Apellis Partners With Acclaimed Actor Henry Winkler to Raise Awareness of Geographic Atrophy (GA)

By Staff
Thursday, April 27, 2023 12:18 AM WALTHAM, Mass.—Apellis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. has announced a new campaign with acclaimed actor Henry Winkler to raise awareness of geographic atrophy (GA), an advanced form of age-related macular degeneration and a leading cause of blindness.

Prevent Blindness Declares May as Ultraviolet Awareness Month to Educate Public on Dangers to Eyes From UV Exposure

By Staff
Tuesday, April 25, 2023 12:24 AM CHICAGO—Prevent Blindness, the nation’s leading eye health and safety nonprofit organization, has declared May as Ultraviolet (UV) Awareness Month. As many Americans begin to prepare for Memorial Day weekend and spending time outdoors in the warmer weather, the group provides educational materials on the possible negative effects of UV exposure to the eyes and vision, according to an announcement from Prevent blindness. Although everyone is at risk for UV-related eye problems, the risk is higher for people who:

Registration Is Now Open for THE Myopia Meeting in Chicago and Vancouver

By Staff
Tuesday, April 18, 2023 12:21 AM ROSEMONT, Illinois, and VANCOUVER, Canada —The Review Education Group will host THE Myopia Meeting in Rosemont, Illinois, and Vancouver, Canada, on Sunday, May 21, and Sunday, June 11, respectively.

Transitions Optical Publishes Five Trends for the Optical Industry in 2023

By Staff
Friday, April 14, 2023 12:21 AM PINELLAS PARK, Fla.─Transitions Optical has released a new trend report that highlights five trends for the optical industry in 2023. The report and trends were curated based on research and insights that resulted from in-depth conversations with Transitions Pro Forum members in the U.S. and Canada.