There may be a link between pathologic myopia and dry eye syndrome, according to a study recently published in Cornea. In the study, researchers determined the ocular surface disease index (OSDI) scores of 45 subjects with pathologic myopia and 44 healthy control subjects. The researchers then compared the Schirmer 1 test results, corneal staining and tear break-up time (TBUT) of the healthy subjects to those with myopia. Compared to healthy individuals, the subjects with myopia exhibited higher OSDI scores and lower TBUT scores. More comprehensive studies are planned to further examine this potential link.

A new upgrade to the SpecialEyes website adds a set of free online tools to help practitioners fit custom lenses. One newly added function is the Arc Length Calculator, which uses a few simple measurements such as horizontal visible iris diameter, central K values and spectacle prescription, to accurately calculate the arc length of the cornea. Another tool, the Over-Refraction Calculator, can determine the resultant prescription following an in-office over-refraction. Visit www.specialeyesqc.com/practitioner.php.

A new map-based tool developed by Alden Optical will allow patients to quickly locate nearby practices fitting the company’s Astera Multifocal Toric lens. Alden’s Astera Multifocal Toric Practice Locator Tool can be found at www.aldenoptical.    com/patient-information/patient_information/#patientinfo. The company also announced that it will now distribute Fluoresoft-0.35%, a diagnostic solution used by specialty lens fitters to determine the cornea-to-lens fitting relationship.