January 2007
CIBA Vision Recalls O2Optix – In a letter to eye care
professionals dated Jan. 12, CIBA Vision Corp. issued a
voluntary recall of selected lots of O2Optix (lotrafilcon B)
soft contact lenses after the company found some lenses may
fall below the standard for ion permeability. The company
said product availability will be affected as significant
supply constraints and backorders are expected into the
second quarter with increasing improvements through
mid-year.
CooperVision Introduces Clear-Sight 1-Day –
CooperVision introduced the ClearSight 1-Day line of daily
disposable contact lenses with a 52% water content.
ClearSight 1-Day lenses are available in sphere powers of
6.00D to -10.00D in .50 steps above 5.00D and -6.00D with an
8.7mm base curve, 14.2mm diameter and a center thickness of
0.07mm at -3.00D.
February 2007
CL Dissatisfaction and Discontinuation – Researchers at
Ohio State University conducted a cross-sectional survey of
730 subjects to determine the frequency of and factors
associated with contact lens dissatisfaction and
discontinuation. The study found that dissatisfied contact
lens wearers had reduced self-reported wearing times
compared with satisfied contact lens wearers. The primary
self-reported reason for both contact lens dissatisfaction
and discontinuation was ocular symptoms (dryness and
discomfort) followed by preference for another correction
modality. Investigators conclude that a significant number
of contact lens wearers are not satisfied with contact
lenses and are at risk for discontinuation.
Microbial Contamination in Young CL Wearers –
Researchers at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University's School
of Optometry in China found 9% of lens extracts, 34% of case
extracts and 11% of solution samples were contaminated with
ocular pathogenic microorganisms. The most common
microorganisms isolated were Serratia spp., Staphylococcus
aureus and coagulase-negative staphylococci. Lens cases were
found to be the most frequently contaminated item and also
yielded the widest range of bacterial isolates. Contact
lenses used by occasional wearers were associated with a
higher contamination rate.
March 2007
B&L Recalls Twelve Lots of ReNu MultiPlus – Bausch
& Lomb initiated a limited, voluntary recall of 12 lots
of its ReNu MultiPlus lens care solution in the U.S.,
Canada, Latin America, Korea and Taiwan because they contain
an elevated level of trace iron.
CooperVision Adds to PC Hydrogel Family – CooperVision
introduced two additions to its PC Hydrogel family of
contact lenses: Proclear 1-Day and Biomedics EP. The
Proclear 1-Day is available in a sphere power range from
-0.25D to -10.00D in 0.50D steps over -6.00D. The lens has a
center thickness of 0.09mm at -3.00D, a Dk/t of 36.6, 60%
water content, an 8.7mm base curve and 14.2mm diameter. The
Biomedics EP is a multifocal, two-week lens designed for
emerging presbyopes with less than 1.50D Add. Biomedics EP
is available in sphere powers from, +4.00D to -6.00D in
0.25D steps and features an 8.7mm base curve and 14.4mm
diameter.
April 2007
ABB Optical and Con-Cise Merge – ABB Optical and Con-Cise
Contact Lens merged operations, creating the largest contact
lens distributor in the U.S. The companies said the merger
will further improve service levels to ECPs through
automation efficiencies and an enhanced ability to stock
infrequently ordered lens parameters, which they say will
increase order fill rates.
Vistakon to Discontinue Acuvue Toric – After Jan. 2008,
Vistakon will supply Acuvue Toric contact lenses only while
supplies last, as the company will discontinue this lens.
CooperVision Announces Management Changes –
CooperVision announced the following organizational changes:
Gregory A. Fryling, current president, will be leaving the
company to pursue other opportunities; Robert S. Weiss,
currently executive vice president and chief operating
officer, has assumed additional duties as president,
reporting to A. Thomas Bender, chairman and chief executive
officer; Steven M. Neil, currently vice president and chief
financial officer, has been named executive vice president
and chief financial officer.
May 2007
B&L Enters Merger Agreement with Warburg Pincus –
Bausch & Lomb (B&L) announced that it has entered
into a definitive merger agreement with the affiliates of
the global private equity firm, Warburg Pincus. The
transaction is valued at approximately $4.5 billion. Ronald
L. Zarella, B&L's chairman and CEO, said, “As a
private company, B&L will have greater flexibility to
focus on our long-term strategic direction to be a global
leader in providing innovative and technologically advanced
eye health products to eye care professionals and consumers.”
AMO Recalls Complete MoisturePlus MPS – Advanced
Medical Optics (AMO) announced an immediate voluntary recall
of its Complete MoisturePlus (CMP) multipurpose contact lens
solution (MPS) after data from the Centers for Disease
Control (CDC) showed the risk of developing Acanthamoeba
keratitis (AK) was at least seven times greater for patients
who used AMO CMP.
June 2007
CooperVision Brings Biofinity to U.S., Expands Toric
Offerings – CooperVision's Biofinity silicone hydrogel
contact lenses become available for daily-wear and
monthly-replacement in the U.S. Biofinity is manufactured
from comfilcon A with a 48% water content and 160 Dk/t. It's
available in sphere powers from -0.25D to -6.00D in a base
curve of 8.6 and diameter of 14mm.
July 2007
CooperVision Introduces Proclear Multifocal XR –
CooperVision introduced Proclear Multifocal XR contact
lenses, with extended sphere and ADD powers. Sphere powers
are 4.25D to 20.00D and -6.25 to -20.00D in ADD powers up to
2.50D. The lens is also offered in sphere powers of 20.00D
to -20.00D in 0.50D steps after -6.50D for three ADD powers
of 3.00D, 3.50D and 4.00D. Proclear Multifocal XR are
manufactured in omafilcon A material, feature a base curve
of 8.7mm and a diameter of 14.4mm.
CIBA Vision Introduces Focus Dailies Progressive with
AquaRelease – CIBA Vision introduced its new Focus Dailies
Progressive with AquaRelease contact lenses, which include a
sustained release, blink-activated moisturizing agent.
August 2007
CLC Survey: Many Patients Not Aware of New CL Options –
The results of the Contact Lens Council's (CLC) “Eye on
Innovations” survey showed that consumers aren't aware of
all their current contact lens options. More than 83% of
respondents say they would like to try contact lenses if
they are available to satisfy their individual eye care
needs. Participants are reportedly unaware of some of the
major advancements in contact lenses:
FTC Issues Warning Letters to 10 Prescribers – The
Federal Trade Commission (FTC) sent warning letters to 10
prescribers for allegedly failing to release prescription
information to patients, imposing additional fees before
doing so or requiring patients to purchase contact lenses
from them. The letters were sent in response to consumer
complaints filed with the FTC.
CooperVision names new CEO – CooperVision appointed
Robert Weiss, the company's chief operating officer, to
succeed Thomas Bender as CEO. Mr. Weiss has been with
CooperVision for 30 years. He will takeover on Nov. 1, 2007,
the start of the company's 2007-08 fiscal year.
September 2007
B&L Shareholders Approve Warburg Pincus Merger –
Bausch & Lomb shareholders voted to approve the proposed
merger with Warburg Pincus LLC at a special meeting of
shareholders held on Friday, September 21. The tabulation
indicated that more than two-thirds of shareholders entitled
to a vote at the meeting voted in favor of the transaction,
which is expected to close early in the third quarter.
CooperVision Announces Management Changes – Effective
November 1, 2007, Thomas R. Shone will assume the role of
president, CooperVision U.S. and will be responsible for
sales, marketing, customer service and professional
relations. Mr. Shone previously served as senior vice
president of strategic marketing for the company. Additional
changes include the promotion of Steve Reiman to vice
president of strategic accounts and Mark W. Bertolin to vice
president of sales development and technology. Jeffrey A.
McLean will continue in his role as president of the
Americas and will also oversee distribution and packaging
throughout the United States, Canada, Latin American, Mexico
and South America.
October 2007
NAD Recommends Bausch & Lomb Discontinue Claims for
ReNu MultiPlus Regarding Sales and 'Trust' – The National
Advertising Division (NAD) of the Council of Better Business
Bureaus recommended that Bausch & Lomb, Inc. discontinue
claims that suggest that ReNu MultiPlus Solution is the
top-selling or most "trusted" among contact lens
wearers. Bausch and Lomb in its advertiser's statement said
that while it is "disappointed by NAD's finding that
the selection and use by consumers of a medical device does
not equate with consumer trust of the product, Bausch &
Lomb will be guided by NAD's recommendations in its future
advertising."
CIBA Vision Announces Executive Appointments – Henna
Inam, currently President, Americas Region at CIBA Vision,
has been appointed to the position of Chief Marketing and
Innovation Officer. She will lead CIBA Vision's overall
Global Marketing efforts. Concurrently, Francesco
Balestrieri has been named President, North America Region.
In this new role, CIBA Vision's U.S. and Canadian country
organizations – including Sales and Marketing – will
report to him.
Hydrogen Peroxide Lens Care Hits Two-Year Share High in
U.S. – In the third quarter of 2007, hydrogen peroxide
lens care products accounted for 14 percent of the total
disinfectant category retail sales, the highest share it has
achieved in the U.S. since the fourth quarter of 2005.
Vistakon's Acuvue Oasys CLs Get Nod from FDA for Use as
Bandage Lens - Vistakon, a division of Johnson & Johnson
Vision Care announced that the U.S. Food & Drug
Administration (FDA) has granted an additional indication
for Acuvue Oasys Brand Contact Lenses with Hydraclear Plus,
approving the lens for therapeutic use as a bandage lens for
certain acute and chronic ocular conditions. Acuvue Oasys
for therapeutic use can also provide vision correction
during healing if required, according to Vistakon.
A clinical study was conducted for this therapeutic
indication through a retrospective collection of data. Study
records were evaluated from 43 subjects who were fit with
Acuvue Oasys in therapeutic applications.
November 2007
CIBA Vision settles patent litigation with CooperVision -
CIBA Vision has reached a final global patent litigation
settlement agreement with CooperVision, Inc.resolves all
current patent infringement lawsuits between the two
companies. CIBA Vision has licensed its so called "Nicolson"
patents to CooperVision. This will enable both companies to
move forward in bringing forth new and improved innovations
to meet the needs of eye care professionals and consumers.
The Nicolson patents cover high-oxygen-transmissible contact
lenses, including CIBA Vision’s O2OPTIX™, AIR OPTIX™
and NIGHT & DAY® silicone hydrogel contact lenses.
In exchange, CooperVision will pay CIBA Vision a royalty
on US net sales of its Biofinity® contact lenses until 2014
and on net sales outside of the US until 2016. CIBA Vision
also has licensed two patent families from CooperVision
related to contact lens designs.
Recalls, research and management changes got most of the
attention in 2007. Earth-shattering? Maybe not. Eye Care
Professional Magazine would like to hear how these stories
(and other events not mentioned here) affected your contact
lens practice in 2007 and what you expect in 2008.
