Just in time for back-to-school, Bausch + Lomb is teaming up with award-winning actress Marcia Gay Harden to raise awareness of vision care with parents and kids. Studies reportedly show that kids with glasses sometimes choose not to wear them, which negatively affects their performance in school.

The company noted that the Contact Lenses in Pediatrics (CLIP) Study, conducted at Ohio State University College of Optometry, New England College of Optometry, and University of Houston College of Optometry, showed that 68 percent of children and 65 percent of teens reported improved performance in activities after wearing contact lenses.

The company also is running a contest, "Seeing Eye to Eye," which asks parents with kids between the ages of 10 and 19 to submit a story of 200 words or less along with a photo by Aug. 27. The grand prize winners will receive a $5,000 scholarship and the opportunity to attend the American Music Awards on Nov. 21. For details go to www.facebook.com/soflens. In addition the company is offering a back-to-school promotion for its SofLens disposables.

Posted by ct3/opticalceu at 9:42 PM EDT
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That's precisely what the Brits are beginning to ask themselves, according to a new study. A vast majority of Brits (66%) believe that opticians are ripping them off, and 25% believe that their opticians pressured them into buying prescription eyewear.

In case you were thinking that British opticians were ruffians and hooligans, think again. The study notes that the problem has nothing to do with morality and everything to do with language. Apparently opticians use too much jargon (industry speak) and confuse their customers.

The story is receiving extensive play in the British press.  

Posted by ct3/opticalceu at 7:33 AM EDT
Updated: Saturday, 31 July 2010 7:38 AM EDT
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Imagine CLs that record your body temp. With the use of nanotechnology, NASA researchers are putting biosensors into CLs. Professor Babak Parviz will present "What If Your Contact Lens Could Show You Images." Parviz will provide an overview of the process it took to build contact lenses.The presentation will be August 3 in the Reid Conference Center at NASA's Langley Research Center in Hampton, VA.

Posted by ct3/opticalceu at 6:35 AM EDT
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Some 29 volunteer ophthalmologists examined 499 individuals recently as part of the American Academy of Ophthalmology's first EyeSmart EyeCheck vision screening, a program created to detect eye disease and visual impairment. Because of findings from research conducted by the Los Angeles Latino Eye Study (LALES) revealed that Latinos have higher rates of visual impairment, the AAO decided to offer its first EyeSmart program at the Family Health Fair hosted by Lady Queen of Angels Church in downtown Los Angeles. More than 50 percent of the patients were afflicted by some type of visual impairment and 70 percent needed follow-up care.

Posted by ct3/opticalceu at 9:04 AM EDT
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Four percent of the world's population is blind or vision impaired, even though 80 percent of the blindness is avoidable. For example, a good deal of blindness is the result of trachoma, which affects 84 million people, annually leaving 8 million visually impaired, and river blindness, which infects 18 million people, resulting in blindness for more than a quarter million. The lives of 153 million people, who have no access to eye care, could be changed dramatically.

That could change on October 14 with international support from optometrists and opticians. If you think you may want to help Vision 2020, you can get the low-down by using this link.

Participants in the program include IAPB (International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness), World Blind Union (WBU), International Council of Opthamology, Merck & Company, Carl Zeiss, Light for the World, International Centre for Eyecare Education, and many more. 

Posted by ct3/opticalceu at 7:44 AM EDT
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