Ophthalmology Times Staff Reports

LenSx Lasers Inc. announced that the FDA has granted 510(k) clearance for its femtosecond laser used for anterior capsulotomy during cataract surgery.

Heidelberg Engineering has two new models in its family of multimodality ophthalmic imaging devices (Spectralis).

Abbott has announced a definitive agreement to acquire Visiogen Inc. for $400 million in cash, providing the company with a next-generation accommodating IOL technology (Synchrony), according to a prepared statement.

The FDA has approved bepotastine besilate ophthalmic solution 1.5% (Bepreve, ISTA Pharmaceuticals) as a twice-daily prescription eye drop treatment for ocular itching associated with allergic conjunctivitis.

Alcon has announced in a prepared statement that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire ESBATech AG, a Swiss biotechnology company.

Adair Eyewear, a family owned eyewear retailer, has launched an online reading glass boutique called TrendyReaders.com.

A new lens has been introduced into the market (iZon SL Lenses in Transitions VI, Ophthonix) that provides an ultraviolet-light-activated, changeable tint that can offer many HD vision benefits, including better vision in low luminance and intermediate contrast conditions.

The Suites at Vision Expo West (VEW) will be moving from the traditional location inside the Venetian Hotel to the new Palazzo Las Vegas.

The FDA will resume scientific review of the STAAR Surgical Co. premarket approval (PMA) application for its toric implantable contact lens ([TICL]; Visian Toric Implantable Collamer Lens) for patients with myopia and astigmatism after removing the "integrity hold" restrictions it put in place in 2007, according to the company.

Bausch & Lomb has opened a new 300,000-square-foot global pharmaceutical headquarters building in Madison, NJ. The company maintains its worldwide headquarters in Rochester, NY, and has research and development functions in locations around the world.

Alcon Inc. has announced that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) have approved the inclusion of its latest toric IOL (AcrySof IQ) in the reduced spherical aberration class of New Technology Intraocular Lenses (NTIOL).

MinuteClinic now offers a rapid conjunctivitis test at its 23 locations inside select pharmacy stores in the Atlanta area, according to a prepared statement.

Schering-Plough Corp. has launched an antihistamine eye drop (Claritin Eye) designed to control the itch of allergy eyes for up to 12 hours.

NicOx has signed an agreement with Pfizer to reacquire the full development and commercialization rights to PF-03187207, which has completed two phase II studies in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension, according to a prepared statement.

Santen Inc. has announced the establishment of a satellite office in Irvine, CA, which will be the base of operations for its business development staff.

A new report from the National Commission on Vision and Health concludes that even though universal comprehensive eye exams for children conducted prior to starting school would result in more vision problems and eye diseases being diagnosed and treated successfully in children, requirements vary widely from state to state, and only three states require eye examinations for school-aged children.

The FDA announced that four botulinum toxin drug products now have boxed warnings on their labels and include medication guides that explain the risk of adverse events to patients, as directed by the agency in April.

Ambulatory centers performing cataract extraction with lens insertion can reduce their procedure times and improve efficiencies, safety, and patient satisfaction, according to a survey conducted by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care Institute for Quality Improvement.

Jeffrey Gilbard, MD, founder and chief executive officer of Advanced Vision Research, died Aug. 12 at Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, following complications related to a bicycle accident. He was 55.

Pat Cummings, OD, Vistakon America's region vice president, professional development group, was killed in a plane crash July 11 in Florida.

Japanese authorities have granted WaveLight AG regulatory approval to market its 200-Hz excimer laser system (Allegretto Wave) for use in wavefront-optimized LASIK treatments of myopia and myopic astigmatism there, according to the company.

SOLX has received clearance from Health Canada for the use of its 24-karat gold implant (SOLX Gold Shunt) during glaucoma surgery.

The FDA will resume scientific review of the STAAR Surgical Co. premarket approval (PMA) application for its toric implantable contact lens ([TICL]; Visian Toric Implantable Collamer Lens) for patients with myopia and astigmatism after removing the "integrity hold" restrictions it put in place in 2007, according to the company.

Alcon Inc. has entered into a 5-year collaborative research agreement with AstraZeneca for the exclusive ophthalmic discovery and potential development rights to AstraZeneca's compound library.

Bausch & Lomb has opened a new 30,000-square-foot global pharmaceutical headquarters building in Madison, NJ.

Researchers in Cleveland have discovered the first gene associated with the formation of age-related cataracts.

The Federal Trade Commission has announced another delay-Nov. 1-in the enforcement of the "Red Flags Rule" to give creditors and financial institutions more time to develop and implement written identity theft prevention programs.

The Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary in Boston has received $126 million from the recent resolution of a nearly decade-long lawsuit concerning the hospital's role in the development of verteporfin for injection (Visudyne).

Allergan Inc. expects its ketorolac tromethamine ophthalmic solution 0.45% (Acuvail) to be available in the United States in September.

A new weeklong program, Healthy Lifestyles in Sight, will highlight the Transitions Championship PGA tour, March 16 to 22, at Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club.