Ophthalmology Times Staff Reports

March is Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) Awareness Month, and the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), the American Society of Retina Specialists, the Macula Society, and the Retina Society have teamed up to encourage Americans to become more aware of their risks for AMD.

In a response to the current economic woes plaguing the United States, CareCredit has reduced the interest rate on its 24-month, no-interest plan by 50% through the end of this month, said the company in a prepared statement.

When compared with glasses, contact lenses significantly improved self-image in children, according to results from the 3-year Adolescent and Child Health Initiative to Encourage Vision Empowerment (ACHIEVE) Study.

During the winter meeting of the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons, held in early February here, Visiogen Inc. announced the formation of its European subsidiary, Visiogen Europe.

Sirion Therapeutics Inc. has entered into an agreement with Advanced Vision Research Inc. (AVR) of Woburn, MA, to co-promote AVR's new oral retinal nutritional supplement (MacuTrition) and its product for meibomian gland therapy (NutriDox Convenience Kit).

Abbott has completed the tender offer by Rainforest Acquisition Inc., its wholly owned subsidiary, to purchase all outstanding shares of common stock of Advanced Medical Optics (AMO).

Aton Pharma Inc. has acquired the U.S. marketing rights to the timolol (Timoptic) product line from Merck & Co. Inc.

CooperVision Inc. has redesigned its corporate Web site, www.coopervision.com, to include new technology and content in an effort to better serve the needs of practitioners and their patients.

Safilo Group announced the renewal of its exclusive licensing agreement with Jones Apparel Group to design, manufacture, and market prescription eyeglass frames for women and children, as well as women's prescription sunglass frames under the Nine West brand.

Ophthalmic Women Leaders (OWL) will hold a networking reception and meeting Monday, April 12, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Westin Boston Waterfront Hotel. The event will take place during the annual meeting of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery.