The new lenses have been designed specifically to withstand the rigors of repeated autoclave steam-sterilization, the company says, with the proprietary PermaView glass preventing the formation of mineral deposits often associated with repeated sterilization. In-office sterilization of ACS PermaView lenses can save time in processing when compared to outsourced ETO gas sterilization, without affecting lens clarity or lifespan.
For more information, call 1 (800) 345-8655, or visit volk.com.
New LRI Gauge and Marker, Vibrating LASIK Spatula Available from Rhein
A new instrument on the market will allow for precise marking of the cornea for performing any length limbal relaxing incision. Rhein Medical's new Steinert/Ruminson Astigmatic Gauge and Marker was developed in coordination with Roger F. Steinert, MD, and Wallace E. Ruminson, MD.
The inner ring measures 7 mm in diameter and the outer ring (14 mm diameter) has degree marks to determine the location on the limbus. The marker's side notches permit precise placement of the marker over ink marks placed preoperatively with the patient upright, improving the precision of the incisions.
Rhein has also released a new instrument, the Stewart Vibrating LASIK Spatula, for IntraLase and retreatments. Developed in coordination with W. Colby Stewart, MD, the tool's oscillating distal flattened spatula makes penetrating and lifting adherent LASIK flaps easier, the company says. The tip is re-usable and comes with an instructional CD. Other LASIK spatula tip configurations are also available.
For information, call Rhein at 1 (813) 885-5050.
Essilor Lenses Minimize Distortions
Essilor's Varilux Physio and Varilux Physio 360° introduce Wavefront Advanced Vision enhancement (WAVE Technology) to progressive lenses, which the company says minimizes and eliminates the distortions found in other progressive lenses.
WAVE Technology uses proprietary software to scan the entire surface of the lens, calculating the targeted optical function for each gaze direction. Varilux Physio is designed for most patients, including those who are new presbyopes and those already wearing Varilux lenses. Essilor says most presbyopes will receive the full benefit from the Varilux Physio with front design only, where the single-surface lenses reduce higher-order aberrations and provide greater acuity for all fields of vision.
With the Varilux Physio 360°, WAVE Tech-nology is applied to both the front and back of the lens with 360° Digital Surfacing, which minimizes distortions and preserves and enhances the effectiveness of the front design. This lens is for wearers who want accurate progressive vision, and have some complex sphere, cylinder or axis prescription, the company says.
For information, visit varilux.com.
Program Explains Eye Conditions for Patients
Ocutouch 360 office education software is designed to be shown to patients while in the waiting room. The topics are available as silent or narrated animations with music, text and captions in a one-hour continuous loop. Content is selectable to match clientele in order to increase understanding of diagnoses, explain treatment options, and reassure patients facing optical procedures, the company says.
Contents include medical conditions such as glaucoma, retinal detachment, macular degeneration, cataracts and diabetic retinopathy. Animated se-quences also depict corneal transplant, IOL, and refractive surgery procedures. The program also allows for insertion of customized practice information for a professional presentation. The patient education software can be installed on most PC or laptop computers.
For information, contact Trevi Technology at 1 (888) 66-TREVI, or visit trevitechnology.com.
PureVision Multi-Focal Lenses Available from Bausch & Lomb
Bausch & Lomb has launched PureVision Multi-Focal (balafilcon A) Visibility Tinted Contact Lens, and says it's the first silicone hydrogel multi-focal contact lens available within the U.S. market.
PureVision Multi-Focal combines the SofLens Multi-Focal lens design with enhanced aspheric optics on the anterior surface of the lens, to provide exceptionally crisp vision at all focal lengths.
The lens was approved for marketing last spring and is the only commercially available multi-focal contact lens indicated for daily wear or for extended wear up to 30 days for the correction of myopia or hyperopia. The lens is designed for monthly replacement.
For more information, call 1 (800) 828-9030, or visit bausch.com.
Biomedics XC Lens Launched
Biomedics XC is the new addition to the CooperVision PC Hydrogel family of lenses and designed for extended comfort for daily-wear users in a two-week replacement cycle.
CooperVision says Biomedics XC lenses' material attracts water and remains hydrated longer, keeping the lenses moist and comfortable throughout the day, and offers a lower modulus versus existing silicone hydrogel lenses.
The lenses exceed the minimum level of oxygen required for safe daily wear, and the design helps maintain a deposit-resistant surface that remains clean and healthy all day long, the company says. In addition, the aspheric design of Biomedics XC delivers crisp, sharp vision.
For more information, visit cooper-vision.com.
Supplement Helps Dry Eyes
New, easy-to-swallow soft gels are now available on the U.S. market can help improve absorption issues associated with dry eye.
Texas-based Cynacon/OcuSoft's Tears Again Hydrate gel caps contain an omega-3 essential fatty acid, Flaxseed oil, an omega-6 essential fatty acid, Evening Primrose oil, and Bilberry extract, which can provide longer-lasting relief that may also lead to improved tolerability of these oils in the digestive tract, the company says; Recent reports suggest omega-3 and omega-6 supplementation provide anti-inflammatory properties-a component in dry-eye syndrome.
The gel caps are only available through doctors' offices. For more information, call 1 (800) 233-5469, or visit ocusoft.com. 
