• Newton K. Wesley, O.D. M.D., Sc.D., Ph.D., passed away on July 21, 2011 of congestive heart failure in Freeport, Ill. He was 93. Dr. Wesley was a contact lens pioneer, lecturer, writer, educator, clinician and inventor. He created solutions for keratoconus that led to his development and manufacturing of contact lenses. He is best known for inventing the first commercially successful rigid contact lens in the 1950s.

• Robert A. Koetting, O.D., of The Koetting Associates, passed away on Sunday, August 7, 2011 at a nursing home in Bedford, Texas. He was 85. Dr. Koetting, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease five years ago, was a famed contact lens pioneer, inventor, writer, speaker and expert on management techniques. He is best known for inventing and manufacturing an inexpensive slit lamp in 1960. Dr. Koetting, who controversially limited his practice exclusively to contact lenses, wrote more than 350 articles and scientific papers, as well as five books.

• John-Kenyon American Eye Institute now offers LASIK vision correction via the advanced iFS laser. This new, blade-free laser offers patients a faster, safe procedure with a shorter recovery time and fewer dry eye symptoms. According to the company, the iFS laser allows for three times the stability created by a blade. For more information, visit: www.johnkenyon.com.

• The AdvaMed 2012: The MedTech Conference will be held in Boston from October 1-3, 2012. The conference features educational panels, company presentations, an exhibit hall, a series of “CEO Unplugged” sessions and conference networking events. The 2011 AdvaMed conference expects nearly 1,900 attendees from more than 30 states and 20 countries. For more information, visit  www.AdvaMed2012.com.

TearScience Receives FDA Clearance
TearScience, Inc. announces that it has received FDA clearance for its LipiFlow Thermal Pulsation System for the treatment of meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). LipiFlow removes meibomian gland obstructions by applying directed energy to a patient’s eyelid during a 12-minute, in-office treatment. LipiFlow is available immediately, but on a limited basis in the United States through the end of 2011. For more information, visit www.tearscience.com.

Duette Multifocal Now Available
SynergEyes announces the nationwide availability of its second-generation multifocal hybrid, Duette Multifocal. This lens is the first silicone hyrogel hybrid contact lens specifically designed for patients with presbyopia. According to the manufacturer, the lens features simultaneous vision design to provide true binocular vision at all distances and incorporates MultiPro2 Technology, which utilizes a near center aspheric Add Zone in combination with a distance asphere to provide real progressive visual correction. For more information, visit www.synergeyes.com.

B+L Makes Daily Talks Easier
Bausch + Lomb is partnering with Mom Central Consulting to deliver tips on how best to handle the daily talks in parenting—topics include everything from acne care to transitioning from glasses to contact lenses. A recent survey of 801 mothers in the U.S. showed that they felt ill-prepared to talk to their children about make-up (33%) or to talk with a child who wants to forego glasses for contact lenses (21%).¹ However, 68% of tweens (ages 10 to 12) and 65% of teenagers reported improved levels of performance in all activities after wearing contact lenses.²
In addition, Bausch + Lomb is offering a free trial of SofLens daily disposable lenses to encourage parents to make an appointment with their child’s eye care provider. For more information, visit www.bausch.com.

1. “The Daily Talk.” Survey by Mom Central Consulting. Fielded May 23, 2011.
2. Walline JJ, Jones LA, Rah MJ, et al. Contact Lenses in Pediatrics (CLIP) study: chair time and ocular health. Optom Vis Sci. 2007 Sep;84(9):896-902.