Is Veterinary Eye Tech More Advanced Than Ours?

HOT TOPIC

A New 7-Day Lens Has Arrived

Big news in the contact lens world. Alcon recently unveiled its Precision7 contact lens. This 1-week replacement lens features the company’s innovative Activ-Flo Technology. According to Alcon, the Precision7 lens is designed to provide 16 hours of outstanding comfort and precise vision, even on the 7th (last) day. Alcon claims this is made possible by a unique combination of a water-loving moisturizing agent embedded in the lens matrix and a proprietary replenishing agent that continuously releases to keep the lens surfaces moisturized for 7 days.

Alcon

The Precision7 contact lens will be available in both sphere and toric designs and is expected to become broadly commercially available in the United States beginning in January, followed by international markets.

My Two Cents

I typically don’t like to profile new product releases such as contact lenses in this section; however, this one deserves some airtime. In my opinion, the Precision7 lens could find a niche in the market. Many of our patients love their bi-weekly replacement lenses, but they “forget” to replace them promptly, which can lead to severe issues, as we’re all aware. The concept of a weekly replacement lens is definitely more intuitive than a bi-weekly replacement lens, which could afford many of our patients an easier habit to get into. Of course, daily lenses are preferred for all the reasons that have been pounded into us for years, but this lens could provide an excellent option for those who aren’t quite ready to make that jump. I do have a few questions, the chief one being: Is this lens designed to be worn for 6 nights straight, or is it expected to be removed nightly? I’m excited to learn more about it!

OUTSIDE THE LANE

Device Clears Corneal Infections in Seconds—in Animals

Last week at the London Vet Show, Photon Therapeutics launched a new device that claims to clear corneal infections in animals in just 5 seconds. The product, called PhotonUVC, is a non-contact treatment that emits an extremely low dose of ultraviolet C light in the target area.

Photon Therapeutics

The company claims the device kills bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other “infecting organisms” while being safe for the host tissues. Photon Therapeutics also claims the PhotonUVC is simple to use and eliminates the need for antibiotic drops, avoiding patient/owner compliance issues. The device will cost £4,995, or about $6,400. (Read more here.)

CAN YOU RELATE

FOMO. The fear of missing out. That was the feeling I had all last week, knowing the Academy meeting was taking place and I wouldn’t be in attendance. You see, this is the first Academy meeting I have missed since I earned my fellowship more than 5 years ago, and it’s always one of my favorites. Not only is the CE amazing, but it’s also a fun setting in which to lecture. I also see many friends and colleagues who only attend that meeting each year. It was a bummer not getting a chance to connect with my former professors such as Josh Lotoczky, OD, FAAO, from Michigan College of Optometry, and William Denton, OD, FAAO, FSLS, FORS, from South Carolina, among others I can always count on seeing at the meeting.

I’ve mentioned previously that I’ve been on the road a lot lately giving lectures and attending conventions, and I finally hit that breaking point where I knew I had to start saying “no” to some events. Also, having a 6-year-old son means that he is, and always will be, my priority and that his events take precedence over mine.

All this to say, as sad as I was to not connect with everyone in Indy this past week, it was terrific to spend the weekend at home with my son and to do some work at an event we sponsored locally. I haven’t said “no” many times in my (relatively) young career, but it did feel good to do so this past week. Sometimes, we need to remember our main priorities—in this case, my son—and that sometimes it’s okay to say “no.”

IMAGE OF THE WEEK

Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease.

Paul Hammond, OD, FAAO, @kmkoptometrypro

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“You have to decide what your highest priorities are and have the courage—pleasantly, smilingly, nonapologetically—to say ‘no’ to other things. And the way to do that is by having a bigger ‘yes’ burning inside.”

— Stephen Covey, American educator and author