News

What Happened to Refresh PM? Consumers Upset by Lack of Availability

Refresh PM disappeared from store shelves last fall, much to the dismay of people with severe dry eye.

In this interview, we speak with Dave Gibson, Associate VP of Consumer Eyecare at Allergan and ask him:

* What happened?
* What alternatives are available?
* When will Refresh PM will be back on store shelves?!

ODwire.org members can comment in this thread.

News

CEwire2019 Starts on January 26th! $189 for 56 COPE credits; Large Vendor Discounts

CEwire2019 is coming! REGISTER HERE!

Over 9,000 ODs have chosen to participate in CEwire events over the past five years, and this year features our biggest roster of speakers and vendors yet.

Watch LIVE online on January 26th & 27th, or ON DEMAND at your own pace and on your own schedule through July 1st, 2019.

Visit the virtual exhibit hall to get exclusive discounts from leading vendors, and tune in to the CEwire2019 Livestream, where we’ll chat with optometric thought leaders and eye care industry executives.

Learn more at https://www.cewire2019.com  or REGISTER HERE.  We look forward to seeing you at the event!

Taking CE Has Never Been Easier

Receiving your COPE credits is incredibly simple:

1. Register for CEwire 2019
2. Login and watch the lectures live online, January 26th & 27th, OR on demand through July 1st, 2019
3. Complete a short quiz after each hour of class (take the quizzes as many times as you need to in order to pass)
4. We transmit your credits to ARBO automatically, and also provide you with a digital certificate after you complete each course

There is no better education value in eye care!

Profits for Charity

Profits from the event are being shared with leading eye care charities:
The American Academy of Optometry Foundation
VOSH International

Learn more about the missions of each organization by clicking on the links above. CEwire is proud to have contributed to both organizations at our prior four virtual conferences!

 

Exhibit Hall


CEwire2019 also features a virtual exhibit hall, where leading vendors will demo their products and provide you with the most up-to-date information. Many will have staff available live via text chat during the event!

Several exhibitors will be offering exclusive show discounts to CEwire2019 attendees.

Check here to get the latest news on show discounts and information about the show.

 

CEwire2019 Livestream!

As in prior years, the team will broadcast live from CEwire HQ, giving you the latest updates on the conference, current discounts being offered at the show, and interviewing leaders in eye care.

They will be joined in studio by special guest analyst Gretchyn Bailey, NCLC, FAAO, Editor in Chief and Content Channel Director at Optometry Times.

Learn more at https://www.cewire2019.com  or REGISTER HERE.  We look forward to seeing you at the event!

ODwire.org TV

Dr. Michele Andrews on Biofinity Energys: What and Why

In this ODwire TV segment, we speak with Dr. Michele Andrews, Sr. Director of Professional & Academic Affairs at CooperVision about the science and clinical usefulness of the new Biofinity Energys contact lens.

Learn how the lens works, and which patients can best utilize it!

CooperVision is also offering free marketing materials to docs who want to Rx the lens.

Visit this site to order the materials for your patients.

ECPs may log in & discuss Energys here.

News

Walman Instruments Opens ODwire Store

I’m happy to announce that Walman Instruments has opened a store in the ODwire.org Classifieds!
Here’s a brief description of the company, for those who are unfamiliar:
Walman Instruments is a multi-line distributor of ophthalmic instrumentation that has been serving eye care professionals since 1915. We offer the finest products from more manufacturers than anyone in the industry. Our extensive selection enables our sales professionals to create custom designed solutions to meet the unique needs of your practice. We will exceed your expectations!
 
We have the largest showroom and training center in the U.S., and a multi-million dollar inventory. You can see the latest in diagnostic instruments before you buy, and get delivery when you need it. Our exclusive financing and trial programs are designed so that you can provide the best patient care, and stay within your budget.
 
Walman is proud to be a 100% employee-owned company. Our people own the company; our people make the difference. From eyewear, Rx and contact lens service to equipment sales and repair, Walman has a vested interest in ensuring your complete satisfaction and future success.
Check out the store & leave any questions for the company in their official thread.
Interview

Drs. Lyerly & Townsend on the tech behind SYSTANE® COMPLETE

In this ODwire TV Episode, Drs. Jennifer Lyerly and William Townsend talk to us about the technology behind SYSTANE® COMPLETE.

We review the drop’s mechanism of action, and why it gives effective dry eye relief, whether the etiology is evaporative, aqueous-deficient, or mixed.

All eye care practitioners are invited to log in and discuss here.

News

National Vision Donates to Nova Southeastern Optometry, School to Change Name?

Last week  Nova Southeastern University’s (NSU) College of Optometry announced it received a significant philanthropic gift from National Vision, Inc.

Subsequently, we learned that Nova was planning to change its name — ostensibly to the “National Vision” College of Optometry.

This planned move has sparked controversy among university alums, to the point where over 2,000 have signed a petition to not change the school’s name.  Many Nova students were also seen wearing black armbands at the recently completed Vision Expo West, in order to protest the move.

While corporate sponsorship is an increasingly common way to help fund academic institutions, one can see why this move has fallen afoul of some grads, as National Vision tends to downplay the role of the ECP in many of their ads:

What is your opinion about the situation?  ECPs can weigh in here.

 

Webinar

Offset Multifocal Optics with OptiSync Technology

Offset Multifocal Optics with OptiSync Technology
with Drs. Matthew Lampa and Stephanie Ramdass

Soft contacts frequently decenter temporally, which can lead to sub-optimal visual outcomes.

In this ODwire.org webinar, Drs. Matt Lampa and Stephanie Ramdass discuss the science behind this decentration, and how the NEW OptiSync Technology allows you to offset the multifocal optics from the center of the lens and target alignment with the patient’s visual axis.

Registered ODwire.org members can comment on the technology (and multifocal fits in general!) in this thread.

Interview

Changes to the FTC’s Contact Lens Rule (… and how docs can help stop illegal sales)

The FTC is proposing changes to the Contact Lens Rule that can impact both clinicians and patients alike.

In this InSight Studio interview, we speak with Edward S. Bennett, O.D., M.S.Ed., Chair of the Contact Lens and Cornea Section Council of the American Optometric Association about the proposed changes, and how docs can help prevent illegal contact lens sales.

Remember to report any illegal sales to the AOA via e-mail at StopIllegalCLs@aoa.org

News

Join us at the ZEISS Optometric Digital Summit 2018!

Now Available ON DEMAND. REGISTER HERE & start watching immediately!

ZEISS OPTOMETRIC DIGITAL SUMMIT 2018
ONLINE July 28 and July 29 | 11am EST to 2pm EST
https://www.ods2018.com/

Register Here (totally free!)

ZEISS invites you to attend the ZEISS Optometric Digital Summit 2018, a two-day complimentary online program including live sessions and an interactive product showcase within a virtual exhibit hall, designed to provide you with the latest technological innovations and clinical solutions for your practice.

Taught by industry leaders, you’ll get trained and informed on how the integrated diagnostic imaging solutions from ZEISS will help shape the future of your practice.

Event attendees will also be eligible for special show promotions and discounts on ZEISS instruments.

Learn more, look at the course list, and register here (totally free!)

You can discuss the summit in this thread.

Hope to see you there!

Practice Management

Shocker: Only 1% of ODs use Amniotic Membranes

An ODwire.org member reports that based on the latest CMS data, Only 409 optometrists reported CPT code 65778 (placement of an amniotic membrane) in 2017.

That 409 docs represents approximately 1% of the total number of practicing ODs in the US.

That, in our opinion, is both disappointing and shocking.

And represents a major missed opportunity both for patient and doctor alike.

Read more about the statistics, and why so few docs are working with amniotic membrane technology.

Do you utilize amniotic membranes in your practice?
If not, why not?

Weigh in!

… and if you’re interested in the topic, also take a listen to an interview we did with Dr. Sheila Morrison of UH on the importance of amniotic membranes to practitioners today: