: Marchon has renewed its global license with Fendi

ROME—Marchon has renewed its global license with Fendi, a division of LVMH (Moet Hennessey, Louis Vuitton S.A.), to manufacture and distribute sunglasses and optical frames for an additional five-year term, effective Jan. 1, 2009.

Marchon, which was acquired this summer by VSP Vision Care, has held the global license for Fendi eyewear and sunwear since 2005 and the license for the western hemisphere since 1991.

“Fendi is a jewel in our brand portfolio,” said Al Berg, CEO Marchon. “We have learned a lot working with the Fendi management team. Our sales results demonstrate what partners can do when working perfectly in tandem.”

Pierre Bessez, executive vice president of European designer brands for Marchon, added “Fendi is a very creative brand with rich heritage. It has been a fantastic success story for both the Marchon Design Center in Italy, and our creative counterparts at Fendi, Rome.”

“The collaboration between our design teams has been very successful,” concluded Michael Burke, CEO of the Fendi Group. “The beautiful eyewear and sunwear developed by Fendi and Marchon resonates with our global consumer base.”

The house of Fendi was established in Via del Plebiscito, Rome in 1925 by Edoardo and Adele Fendi. Since then Fendi has won international acclaim and emerged as a worldwide luxury brand. LVMH purchased Fendi in 2001 but it remains a family business with Silvia Fendi, the granddaughter of Edoardo and Adele, designing the brand’s menswear and accessories collections. Karl Lagerfeld has designed the Fendi women’s and fur collections since the 1960s.

Group provides Halloween eye-safety tips.

HealthDay (10/25, McKeever) reported that the advocacy group Prevent Blindness America "reminds everyone that a happy Halloween should be a safe one when it comes to your eyes." The group recommends that people "avoid costumes that could block vision," and use only "hypoallergenic or non-toxic make-up." Adults "should apply make-up to children," and remove it by with "cold cream or eye make-up remover, instead of soap." Trick-or-treaters should "avoid props or accessories with sharp edges or pointed ends, such as pitchforks, spears, knives, swords, or wands," and should wear "bright, reflective clothing," or decorate their "costumes and bags with reflective tape/patches." Finally, people should avoid "non-prescription contact lenses to change their eye color." In fact, "without a prescription, these are illegal to purchase, whether the lens are corrective or not. Improper use of contacts can lead to eye infections, corneal injuries, and even vision loss."

risks of decorative contact lenses

AOA warns consumers about risks of decorative contact lenses.
Medical News Today (10/21) reports, "With Halloween approaching, the American Optometric Association (AOA) is warning consumers about the risks of wearing decorative contact lenses without a prescription from an eye doctor." While the Food and Drug Administration regulates "decorative lenses as a medical device, similar to corrective lenses," some "decorative lenses continue to be illegally marketed and distributed directly to consumers through a variety of sources, including flea markets, the Internet, beauty salons, and convenience stores." Paul Klein, O.D., chair of the AOA's Contact Lens and Cornea Section, emphasized that "purchasing contact lenses without a prescription can result in serious eye health and vision damage since consumers are not properly educated on cleaning and disinfecting, nor in proper removal and application of the contact lens." He explained that "consumers who wear these contact lenses put themselves at risk of serious bacterial infection, or even significant damage to the eye's ability to function, with the potential for irreversible sight loss." Additional "risks associated with the use of decorative contact lenses include conjunctivitis, swelling, allergic reaction, and corneal abrasion due to poor lens fit."

Diseases that can be detected during eye exam

HealthDay (10/17, Preidt) reported that, according to a survey of "1,001 Americans age 18 and older" commissioned by the American Optometric Association (AOA), 26 percent of Americans "have not visited an eye doctor or eye-care specialist within the past two years," suggesting that "many people aren't paying enough attention to their eye health." AOA expert James Kirchner, O.D., recommended "a comprehensive eye exam" for adults "at least every two years." He emphasized that eye exams are "even more important for people who already use corrective lenses," who might just "assume they just need a different lens prescription, when they really have a more serious problem. With eye diseases and disorders, as with most health issues, early detection and treatment are often the keys to avoiding permanent problems." For example, the survey showed that 62 percent of respondents didn't know that signs of diabetes may be detected by an eye doctor, while 71 percent didn't know that a comprehensive eye exam can detect hypertension, brain tumors (75 percent), cancer (78 percent), cardiovascular disease (80 percent), and multiple sclerosis (90 percent).

Maui Jim Releases the MauiPassport Rx Lens

LAHAINA, Maui--Maui Jim has introduced the MauiPassport Rx lens, which provides prescription sunglass wearers, including those who prefer wrap-styles, clarity, acuity, color enhancement and glare protection across the entire field of view.

“Our new lenses are designed specifically for our frames, base curves and materials,” said Chris Abbruzzese, vice president of marketing for Maui Jim.

“Factors such as pantascopic tilt, panoramic tilt and vertex distance are taken into account, resulting in lenses that optimize the performance of each individual prescription. With our latest technological breakthrough, we’ve not only eliminated the mold process but created concrete benefits for both patients and practitioners alike.”

For both single vision and progressive prescriptions, the MauiPassport uses digital surfacing technology to create each lens, a back-surface lens design created in conjunction with Shamir Optical Industry Ltd. to compensate for wrap-induced distortion and provide perfect edge-to-edge clarity. According to Abbruzzese, the new Maui Jim digital surfacing process is accurate to within 1/100th of a diopter. The lenses also incorporate Maui Jim’s patented glare protection and color enhancement of PolarizedPlus2 technology.

MauiPassport lenses are available for polycarbonate and Maui Evolution 1.6, in single vision and progressive and are priced to the dispenser between $207 to $614 for the lens.

American Eye-Q® Survey Indicates Strong Need To Educate Consumers About Eye Health

ST. LOUIS, MO, Oct. 9, 2008 –Too many Americans are not paying enough attention to their eyesight and overall eye health, according to a new survey by the American Optometric Association (AOA).

The AOA’s 2008 American Eye-Q® survey, which assesses public knowledge and understanding of a wide range of issues related to eye and visual health, showed that most Americans – 81 percent of respondents – wear contact lenses, eyeglasses or both. At the same time, however, 26 percent have not visited an eye doctor or eye care specialist within the past two years, as recommended by the AOA.

Since many eye and vision problems have no obvious signs or symptoms, people often are unaware that a problem exists. Early diagnosis and treatment of eye and vision problems are important to maintain good vision and eye health and, when possible, prevent vision loss.

“Every adult should have a comprehensive eye exam at least every two years, but it’s even more important for people who already use corrective lenses,” said Dr. James Kirchner, optometrist and AOA’s Eye Health Expert. “Too often we see people who have put off eye exams because they assume they just need a different lens prescription, when they really have a more serious problem. With eye diseases and disorders, as with most health issues, early detection and treatment are often the keys to avoiding permanent problems.”

Comprehensive eye exams are designed to:

Evaluate the functional status of the eyes, taking into account special vision demands and needs
Assess vision health and related systemic health conditions
Determine a diagnosis (or diagnoses)
Formulate a treatment and management plan
Counsel and educate patients about their visual, ocular and related systemic health care status, including recommendations for treatment, management and future care
Most Americans are unaware that comprehensive eye exams can detect more than just vision problems. Sixty-two percent didn’t know that signs of diabetes can be detected by an optometrist. Other diseases and conditions that respondents did not realize can be detected through a comprehensive eye exam include hypertension (not recognized by 71 percent), brain tumors (75 percent), cancer (78 percent), cardiovascular diseases (80 percent) and multiple sclerosis (90 percent).

Aging Eyes
Baby boomers need to pay particular attention to eye problems. The American Optometric Association recommends annual eye examinations for everyone over age 60.

It's a fact of life that vision changes as you age, and baby boomers – Americans born between 1946 and 1964 – are at the stage when vision problems often begin. But these changes don't have to compromise a person’s lifestyle.

According to the American Eye-Q® survey, 72 percent of respondents age 55 and older began experiencing changes in vision between the ages of 40 and 45. Their top concerns
about the effects of vision problems include not being able to live independently, cited by 48 percent; losing the ability to drive, 23 percent; and being unable to read, 21 percent.

Health problems in other parts of the body can affect vision as well. Individuals with diabetes or hypertension (high blood pressure), or people taking certain medications that have eye-related side effects, are at greater risk for developing vision problems.

Therefore, regular comprehensive eye exams are especially important later in life, when more people develop these types of chronic conditions and begin taking medications more frequently. Unfortunately, some people over 60 experience loss of sight beyond the normal, age-related vision changes. The good news is that more than half of survey respondents were aware of many of the risks of age-related eye diseases. The bad news is that the survey revealed limited understanding of the fact that without treatment, some eye diseases result in blindness. Macular degeneration, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy are among the age-related eye health conditions that can lead to permanent vision loss.

Rehabilitative services can give people with conditions such as low vision the assistance and resources needed to regain their independence and to help preserve remaining vision. A doctor of optometry can develop a rehabilitation program to help people with low vision live and work more effectively, efficiently and safely. Treatment options commonly include spectacle-mounted magnifiers, miniature hand-held or spectacle-mounted telescopes, and video magnification devices that enlarge reading materials on a video display monitor.

The American Eye-Q® survey revealed how respondents age 55 and older are addressing their age-related vision problems. More than half, or 60 percent, said they schedule frequent eye exams; 28 percent said they limit their night driving; 29 percent are increasing the nutrients necessary for healthy eyes; and 9 percent purchase books and other materials in large print.

Common Misconceptions and Other Findings
As in past Eye-Q® surveys, Americans continue to value their ability to see. Most respondents indicated that they worry about losing their vision (38 percent) more than their memory (31 percent), their ability to walk (14 percent) or their hair (8 percent).

Many respondents also held misconceptions about behaviors that can damage the eyes. For example, 71 percent incorrectly believe that reading under dim light can cause eye damage. Other misunderstandings about the causes of eye damage included sitting too close to the television, cited by 66 percent; and rubbing the eyes. While these behaviors can cause eye strain, they don’t cause physical damage to the eye or eye sight.

Nutrition is one promising means of protecting the eyes. However, respondents are unaware of what to eat to help their eyes. For example, only 2 percent of respondents correctly chose spinach as the best food for one’s eye health. Almost half, or 48 percent, believe the misconception that carrots are best for their eye health. Lutein and zeaxanthin, found in dark green leafy vegetables including spinach, help to protect against cataracts and age-related macular degeneration.
Fun Facts
Americans consider their eyes and eyesight important for reasons beyond health and vision. The survey indicated that 32 percent of respondents report they receive more compliments on their eyes than other features, and 42 percent said they consider color to be their eyes’ best attribute.

Source: http://www.aoa.org/x11023.xml

Glaucoma leading cause of preventable blindness

Glaucoma leading cause of preventable blindness in the U.K., eye experts say.
The BBC (10/9) reported that, according to eye experts, "up to half a million people in England and Wales risk losing their sight because they have undiagnosed glaucoma." The condition, which is the "leading cause of preventable blindness in the U.K.," is "caused by too much pressure inside the eye," and can affect "those who are already short-sighted, the over 40s, people with diabetes, and those of African-Caribbean origin." A recent survey by the pharmaceutical company "Pfizer suggests a third of people do not know" the symptoms of glaucoma. In fact, "fewer than half of those surveyed had undergone an eye test within the last five to 10 years, with one in five saying they would only visit the optician if a problem was obvious." Meanwhile, "a simulation developed at City University in London shows how badly glaucoma can affect driving" by creating "a 'tunnel vision' effect." The article features a video which depicts "how a driver experiences tunnel vision."



What is Glaucoma


Glaucoma refers to a category of eye disorders often associated with a dangerous buildup of internal eye pressure (intraocular pressure or IOP), which can damage the eye's optic nerve that transmits visual information to the brain.

With untreated or uncontrolled glaucoma, you might eventually notice decreased ability to see at the edges of your vision (peripheral vision). Progressive eye damage could then lead to blindness.

In fact, glaucoma creates at least some vision loss in more than half of the approximately 2.5 million Americans estimated to have the eye disease and is the second leading cause of blindness.

Glaucoma Symptoms
Glaucoma is often referred to as the "silent thief of sight," because most types typically cause no pain and produce no symptoms. For this reason, glaucoma often progresses undetected until the optic nerve already has been irreversibly damaged, with varying degrees of permanent vision loss.

But with acute angle-closure glaucoma, symptoms that occur suddenly can include blurry vision, halos around lights, intense eye pain, nausea and vomiting. If you have these symptoms, make sure you immediately see an eye care practitioner or visit the emergency room so steps can be taken to prevent permanent vision loss.



Diagnosis, Screening and Tests for Glaucoma
During routine eye exams, a tonometer is used to measure your intraocular pressure or IOP. Your eye typically is numbed with eye drops, and a small probe gently rests against your eye's surface. Other tonometers direct a puff of air onto your eye's surface.

An abnormally high IOP reading indicates a problem with the amount of fluid (aqueous humor) in the eye. Either the eye is producing too much fluid, or it's not draining properly.

Normally, IOP should be below 21 mmHg (millimeters of mercury) — a unit of measurement based on how much force is exerted within a certain defined area. If your IOP is higher than 30 mmHg, your risk of glaucoma damage is 40 times greater than someone with an IOP of 15 mmHG or lower.* This is why glaucoma treatments such as eye drops are aimed at keeping IOP low.


Your eye pressure (intraocular pressure) will be measured with a tonometer. Some tonometers blow a puff of air onto your eye's surface. Others rest gently against the surface of your eye, which will be numbed with eye drops. (Photo courtesy of National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health)
Other methods of monitoring glaucoma involve imaging of the eye's optic nerve and internal structures (scanning laser polarimetry or SLP, optical coherence tomography or OCT, confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy, etc.) to establish a baseline and make sure no obvious changes have occurred over a period of time, which might indicate progressive glaucoma damage.

Visual field testing is another way to monitor whether blind spots are developing in your range of vision, resulting from glaucoma damage to the optic nerve. Visual field testing involves staring straight ahead into a machine and clicking a button when you notice a blinking light in your peripheral vision. The visual field test may be repeated at regular intervals so your eye doctor can determine the extent of vision loss.

Instruments such as an ophthalmoscope also may be used to help your eye doctor view internal eye structures, to make sure nothing unusual interferes with the outflow and drainage of eye fluids. Ultrasound biomicroscopy also may be used to evaluate how well fluids flow through related angles of the eye's internal structure. Specialized lenses also may be used (gonioscopy) for better viewing of internal eye structures.

Types of Glaucoma
The two major types of glaucoma are acute angle-closure glaucoma, with angle referring to the configuration of internal eye structures that drain fluids, and chronic or primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). Other variations include congenital glaucoma, pigmentary glaucoma, and secondary glaucoma.


Primary open angle glaucoma is one of the most common forms of the disease. See animation.
Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG): About half of Americans with chronic glaucoma don't know they have it. Glaucoma gradually reduces your peripheral vision. But by the time you notice it, permanent damage has already occurred. If your IOP remains high, the destruction can progress until tunnel vision develops, and you will be able to see only objects that are straight ahead. [Read more about primary open-angle glaucoma, including risk factors.]

The cause of normal-tension glaucoma is not known. But many doctors believe it is related to poor blood flow to the optic nerve. Normal-tension glaucoma is more common in those who are Japanese, are female and/or have a history of vascular disease.

Normal-tension glaucoma: Like POAG, normal-tension glaucoma (also termed normal-pressure glaucoma, low-tension glaucoma or low-pressure glaucoma) is an open-angle type of glaucoma that can cause visual field loss due to optic nerve damage. But in normal-tension glaucoma, the eye's IOP remains in the normal range. Also, pain is unlikely and permanent damage to the eye's optic nerve may not be noticed until symptoms such as tunnel vision occur.

Pigmentary glaucoma: This rare form of glaucoma is caused by pigment deposited from the iris that clogs the draining angles, preventing aqueous humor from leaving the eye. Over time, the inflammatory response to the blocked angle damages the drainage system. You are unlikely to notice any symptoms with pigmentary glaucoma, though some pain and blurry vision may occur after exercise. Pigmentary glaucoma affects mostly white males in their mid-30s to mid-40s.

Angle-closure glaucoma: Angle-closure or narrow angle glaucoma produces sudden symptoms such as eye pain, headaches, halos around lights, dilated pupils, vision loss, red eyes, nausea and vomiting. These signs may last for a few hours, then return again for another round. Each attack takes with it part of your field of vision. [Read more about causes and risk factors for angle-closure glaucoma.]


Glaucoma can be very destructive to your vision; in fact, it's the second-leading cause of blindness in the United States.
Congenital glaucoma: This inherited form of glaucoma is present at birth, with 80 percent of cases diagnosed by age one. These children are born with narrow angles or some other defect in the drainage system of the eye. It's difficult to spot signs of congenital glaucoma, because children are too young to understand what is happening to them. If you notice a cloudy, white, hazy, enlarged or protruding eye in your child, consult your eye doctor. Congenital glaucoma typically occurs more in boys than in girls.

Secondary glaucoma: Symptoms of chronic glaucoma following an eye injury could indicate secondary glaucoma, which also may develop with presence of infection, inflammation, a tumor or an enlarged cataract.

http://www.allaboutvision.com/conditions/glaucoma.htm

Amoeba infection threatens eyesight of contact lens-wearer

Texas CBS affiliate KENS-TV (10/8, Rigby) reports on the case of Beverly Keller of Castroville, Texas, a contact lens-wearer who is suffering from an eye infection that was caused by an amoeba. Keller traveled "to San Antonio every day...to see an eye specialist," because the "pain in her right eye was extraordinary." She "was diagnosed with acanthamoeba," which is "a tiny parasite living in her cornea," that if left untreated "could have caused her to lose her eye in a matter of days." Ophthalmologist Dr. Kenneth Maverick said, "You ask a patient what their degree of pain is, and an acanthamoeba is a 10 out of 10. And that's because it actually nibbles on some of the nerves in the eye." The organisms "often come from pools, hot tubs and even well water." In order to destroy the parasites, "powerful eye drops" are used. "Acanthamoeba infections are more common in the south where the weather is warmer. Overall, the risk is about one in 10,000 contact lens wearers."

Replace your contacts after swimming in risk areas like mentioned!

Possible drawbacks of LASIK surgery discussed.

In a column for Canada's Brantford Expositor (10/7), Dr. W. Gifford-Jones related a discussion with a patient who wanted to know "if she should toss away her eye glasses and have her vision corrected by LASIK surgery." Dr. Gifford-Jones explained that "millions of North Americans have had this procedure done and are happy with the result," but added that "now the FDA (Federal Drug Administration)...wants stronger warnings of complications on patient information material" because of the "devastating surgical complications" that can occur. In particular, Dr. Gifford-Jones pointed out that "some patients suffer side effects that impair the quality of their eyesight -- even if visual acuity is improved" -- such as reduced nighttime vision, and added that "others develop the dry eye syndrome." While noting that it was not his intention "to put the fear of death into anyone who contemplates LASIK surgery," Dr. Gifford-Jones wrote that "it's wise for people to follow the old time-tested advice...let the buyer beware"

Sales of designer glasses have increased significantly.

Massachusetts CBS affiliate WBZ-TV (10/2, Ebben) reported on its website that when Gov. Sarah Palin (R-Alaska) "hit the campaign trail, her eyewear sparked a trend. The Japanese designer of her glasses says sales have quadrupled." Some of "those orders may be coming from people with 20/20 vision" who wear glasses even though there is no need. According to one consumer, "You look sophisticated. It looks great, and you kind of have more respect because people" believe glasses make one look intelligent. Experts say that "the trend is growing with both men and women, but it has really" taken off with men.

Article provides AMD overview.

The American Chronicle /EmPower Research (9/30, Ravikiran) provided an overview of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), including its causes, types, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatments. AMD is the "major cause of blindness in the elderly. Loss of vision in AMD is a result of degeneration of rods and cones in the macular region of the central retina, which is responsible for high acuity vision." The condition "can make it difficult or impossible to read or recognize faces, although enough peripheral vision remains to allow other activities of daily living." AMD "may be caused by a variety of factors," including "genetics, age, nutrition, smoking, and sunlight exposure." The condition "is classified as either wet (neovascular) or dry (non-neovascular)." Wet AMD "occurs when new vessels form to improve the blood supply to oxygen-deprived retinal tissue." These vessels, however, "break easily, causing bleeding and damage to surrounding tissue." Dry AMD, which is more common, "is caused by aging and thinning of the tissues of the macula," and is characterized by "loss of pigment in the retina," as well as drusen, which "are small, yellowish deposits that form within the layers of the retina."