A global investment firm has acquired the US’s largest contact lens retailer 1-800 Contacts for a reported $AU4.2 billion. Read more
GrandVision strikes new partnership to pilot online vision testing
The world’s first CE-certified online eye test that allows customers to renew glasses and contact lens prescriptions online instead of in-store is being trialled in Finland and Poland. Read more
Atropine dose comparison shows a clear winner for myopia control
A concentration of 0.05% atropine slowed the rate of myopia progression in pre-teen children compared with two other concentrations of the drug, according to findings published in Ophthalmology. Read more
Cornea resistant to the novel coronavirus – study
A new study has suggested the cornea can resist infection from the novel coronavirus, in findings that bode well for corneal transplants and similar procedures. Read more
EssilorLuxottica and Facebook are developing Ray-Ban smartglasses
Social media giant Facebook is joining forces with EssilorLuxottica to develop smartglasses under its Ray-Ban brand. Read more
Twin licensing deals bolster Bausch + Lomb’s myopia portfolio
Bausch + Lomb has acquired an exclusive license for a novel myopia control contact lens developed by a Sydney ophthalmic research institute, just days after signing another deal to commercialise an investigational microdose formulation of atropine. Read more
Australia marks 20th anniversary for World Sight Day
An active social media campaign, including a video message from Prime Minister Scott Morrison, is highlighting the contributions of the eye sector over the past 20 years ahead of World Sight Day. Read more
Cornea transplant policy out-of-step with current evidence
A US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) policy that automatically disqualifies men who have had sex with men in the preceding five years from donating corneas is not justified by current evidence, research shows. Read more
AOA galvanises to fight controversial contact lens rule
Opposition in the US is gathering against a new ruling which allows patients to comparison shop for contact lenses with a copy of their prescription in hand. Read more
AI-driven headset that detects AMD set for Australian debut
A US company that has incorporated dark adaptometry into a new wearable headset for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is on the cusp of introducing the AI-guided technology to the Australian ophthalmic market. Read more