New CDC Report Shows One Quarter of Contact Lens-related Eye Infections Due to Improper Use, Modifiable Factors
-Prevent Blindness Declares October as Contact Lens Safety Awareness Month, Provides Tips on Protecting Eyes from Injury, Infection-
CHICAGO (Sept. 22, 2016) – According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 41 million Americans wear contact lenses. However, data from a recent Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report shows that of contact lens-related corneal infections reported to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), close to 20 percent of patients had “a central corneal scar, a decrease in visual acuity, or required a corneal transplant following the event.” In addition, more than 25 percent of the infections were accompanied by “modifiable factors, including sleeping in contact lenses or poor contact lens hygiene.”
Prevent Blindness has recently declared October as Contact Lens Safety Awareness Month in an effort to educate the public on the best ways to obtain, care for and use contact lenses. The non-profit group has a dedicated webpage with free information at:http://www.preventblindness.org/wearing-contact-lenses.
Contact lens sales are regulated by both the FDA and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Prevent Blindness reminds the public that it is illegal for anyone to sell contact lenses without a prescription. Even if the lenses are cosmetic or non-correcting, they are still classified as medical devices.
Prevent Blindness recommends the following tips for contact lens care:
- The best way to help avoid eye injuries and infections is to follow the instructions as prescribed by an eye care professional.
- Before handling contact lenses, wash hands with soap and water, then rinse and dry them with a lint-free towel.
- Minimize contact with water, including removing lenses before going swimming or in a hot tub.
- Never sleep in contact lenses unless prescribed by an eye doctor.
- Contact lenses should not be rinsed with or stored in water (tap or sterile water).
- Wear and replace contact lenses according to the schedule prescribed by an eye care professional.
- During cleaning, using fresh solution, rub contact lenses with clean fingers, then rinse the lenses with solution before soaking them – even if the solution is a “no-rub” variety.
- Contact lens cases should always be cleaned with fresh solution – not water. Then leave the empty case open to air dry.
- Keep the contact lens case clean and replace it regularly, at least every three months.
- Do not re-use old solution or “top off” the solution in your lens case.
- Do not use cracked or damaged lens cases. Lens cases can be a source of contamination and infection.
To help keep Halloween fun and festive, Prevent Blindness also recommends that costume-wearers:
- Always wear hypoallergenic or non-toxic make-up. Only adults should apply the make-up to children and remove it with cold cream or eye make-up remover instead of soap.
- False eyelashes and costume make-up can also irritate eyes. It’s very important to follow the directions on the product package on how to apply and remove safely.
- Never share contact lenses.
- Avoid props or accessories that have sharp edges or pointed ends such as pitchforks, spears, knives, swords or wands.
“For many, contact lenses are a safe an effective way to improve vision,” said Hugh R. Parry, president and CEO of Prevent Blindness. “We urge everyone to be cautious when using contact lenses, whether for prescription or cosmetic purposes, and to always follow the instructions of an eye care professional.”
For more information on contact lens or Halloween eye safety, please call 1-800-331-2020 or log on to www.preventblindness.org.
About Prevent Blindness
Founded in 1908, Prevent Blindness is the nation's leading volunteer eye health and safety organization dedicated to fighting blindness and saving sight. Focused on promoting a continuum of vision care, Prevent Blindness touches the lives of millions of people each year through public and professional education, advocacy, certified vision screening and training, community and patient service programs and research. These services are made possible through the generous support of the American public. Together with a network of affiliates, Prevent Blindness is committed to eliminating preventable blindness in America. For more information, or to make a contribution to the sight-saving fund, call 1-800-331-2020. Or, visit us on the Web at preventblindness.orgor facebook.com/preventblindness.
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Vision 2020 USA to Hold Briefing on World Sight Day on new NASEM Report on Eye and Vision Health
CHICAGO (Oct. 5, 2016) – As part of World Sight Day on Thurs., Oct. 13, 2016, Vision 2020 USA will be holding a luncheon briefing at the Rayburn House Office Building, Room B-369 from noon to 1 p.m. The subject of the briefing will be the new National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, Health and Medicine Division (NASEM) consensus study, “Making Eye Health a Population Health Imperative: Vision for Tomorrow.”
The report examines core principles and recommends public health strategies to reduce visual impairment and promote eye health in the United States. Scheduled panelists include:
· Lori Grover, OD, PhD, Senior Vice President for Health Policy, King-Devick Test, Inc.
· Eve Higginbotham, SM, MD, Vice Dean, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania
· Meg McCoy, JD, MPH, Senior Program Officer, NASEM
Sponsors of the briefing include Alliance for Eye and Vision Research, American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Optometric Association, Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, Casey Eye Institute, Helen Keller International, International Eye Foundation, Lighthouse Guild, Lions Club International Foundation, Optometry Giving Sight, Prevent Blindness, Seva Foundation, and Vision Impact Institute.
“Our hope for this briefing is to leverage this new report to elevate the dialogue about the importance vision and eye health to our nation,” said Jeff Todd, event moderator, chair of Vision 2020 USA and COO of Prevent Blindness. “We hope to then continue these discussions to increase appropriate funding, research, and programming to improve vision services across the lifespan.”
To attend the Vision 2020 USA World Sight Day briefing and luncheon, please contact Dina Beaumont at (202) 407-8325 or [email protected].
About Vision 2020 USA
VISION 2020 USA has been organized to better coordinate the efforts of the many US organizations working in the field of blindness prevention, both nationally and internationally. VISION 2020 USA is committed to assuring the right to sight for all peoples both within the US and countries outside the US. Launched on April 30, 2009, nearly 40 organizations have come together under the VISION 2020 USA umbrella. VISION 2020 USA is the national entity within the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) and its VISION 2020: The Right To Sight initiative. IAPB’s mission is to eliminate the main causes of avoidable blindness and visual impairment by bringing together governments and non-governmental agencies to facilitate the planning, development and implementation of sustainable national eye care programs. IAPB promotes VISION 2020, its joint initiative with the World Health Organization (WHO).
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STATE OPTICAL CO. SETS OUT TO ESTABLISH NORTH AMERICA AS THE NEW EPICENTER FOR LUXURY EYEWEAR
Chicago based luxury eyewear brand introduces its 18 piece debut collection into Canada’s independent eyewear market
Chicago, IL, October 5, 2016—Today, STATE Optical Co. officially launches to optical offices across Canada with a collection of American-made luxury acetate frames that are designed to meet the eye of Canada’s innovators, entrepreneurs, free thinkers, limit pushers, and status quo changers, - or as STATE calls them, the “New Originals.” The launch collection consists of 18 unique styles and a range of color palettes, each of which pays homage to the brand’s Chicago roots by being named after popular streets within the city. The new line of eyewear is currently available at nearly 400 optical retailers in cities across the U.S., including New York City, Chicago, Denver, New Orleans, Seattle and Los Angeles. With this announcement, Canada is now the only country outside of the U.S. where STATE Optical Co. frames are available for purchase.
STATE is the collaboration between husband and wife team Scott and Amanda Shapiro, eyewear executive Jerry Wolowicz, entrepreneurial cousins Marc Franchi and Jason Stanley, and award-winning eyewear designer Blake Kuwahara, whose eyewear is celebrated by fashion media and worn by celebrities. As a former optometrist, Blake lends a unique point of view in the design of these high-end frames, focusing as much on look and style as fit and comfort.
Each frame’s temple tip echoes the STATE logo, which is comprised of a pyramid of 21 individually drilled “dots” that are filled by hand with clear epoxy and polished. In addition, the acetate palette was curated with colors and structures chosen specifically to enhance the silhouettes and flatter the face.
“It’s important for me that eyewear not only looks good on the face, but feels good in the hand. It’s both visual and tactile,” says Blake. “It’s about the subtleties of the curves and the attention to the milling and polishing that makes a frame special. Because I was able to work directly with Marc and Jason on the execution of the frames, we were able to bring those nuances out in this collection.”
STATE becomes one of a few eyewear brands designed and manufactured exclusively in North America, with an office and factory headquartered just outside of Chicago. Every STATE frame undergoes an arduous 75+ step process from start to finish, utilizing a team of 45+ talented craftsmen and leading-edge, globally-sourced technology. The company employs an elite team of highly skilled artisans who take pride in handcrafting the eyewear - a skill that has been virtually absent in North America for nearly 30 years.
“Right or wrong, we have an immediate connotation to something that’s Made in Italy. Made in France. Made in China,” said Scott Shapiro, CEO and Co-Founder of STATE Optical, Co. “It’s been so long since products were regularly made here in the US, that this generation’s palate has been cleansed. STATE was founded to redefine what it means to be “Made in America,” and do something that’s never been done in our industry.”
To find out more, go to stateopticalco.com
About STATE Optical Co.
STATE Optical Co. is a family owned and operated eyewear company based just outside of Chicago, Illinois. The company’s proprietary manufacturing facility exclusively makes STATE eyewear and sunwear and is backed by the same customer friendly policies and commitment to the independent eyewear market that have guided Europa Eyewear’s business since 1977. STATE Optical Co. is available to Canadian customers exclusively through Europa Eyewear Canada.
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Thema - A Family Factory is bringing the art in eyewear making to the United States!
Since Thema’s debut to the North American market a few years ago, the release of iGreen Plus and Custom Frames has truly revolutionized the way of selling glasses by giving the customer an opportunity to design their own eyewear. Due to such high demand and the increasing need to reduce the production time of custom frames, in the Fall of 2016 Thema will be opening the doors to their first North American factory in Miami, Florida. Customers in the United States will now be able to receive Thema products that are made in the USA!
Description:
Thema - A Family Factory introduces the iGreen Custom collection from iGreen Eyewear. This collection allows customers to be the frame designer and have their eyewear made just the way they desire. Over 500 different colors are available in three different eye sizes to adapt to customers’ needs. Interchangeable temples also give frames a fresh new look every time the wearer decides to switch them. The iGreen frame is manufactured using a new polymer, which is very flexible, ultra-lightweight and has a perfect memory shape. By investing in clean and environmentally-safe production methods, less water and electrical energy is required to make these frames. This collection is targeted toward men, women and children looking for comfort, lightness and the desire to stand out from the crowd through their choice of eyewear.
Philosophy:
“Separating oneself from the competition requires taking bold steps,” says Giulia Valmassoi, Thema - A Family Factory North American director. “iGreen Custom has created the possibility to offer an extraordinary bespoke service in your store. ‘Heart’ made in Italy just for you!”
Marketing:
Merchandising materials include an iGreen Custom freestanding display and box, counter cards, display tube, plexi display plaque, temples set with temples display and a frame display.
Thema—A family factory represents the following brands: Giorgio Valmassoi 1971, Philosopheyes, Foves 1964, O-Six, and iGreen Eyewear.