To complement its line of direct and indirect surgical lenses, Volk Optical has introduced the Suture Ring. Securing surgical lenses to the eye with sutures provides stability for contact lenses during vitreoretinal procedures. Volk says the design facilitates optimum suture placement with minimum turnaround between procedures.
The design features two tabs, precisely positioned to provide a convenient and stable location for suture placement according to standard suturing techniques. The ring's large radius increases functionality and safety during use. 
The premium surgical implant-grade titanium (6AL/4V) construction withstands the wear of repeated steam sterilization; it can be safely sterilized with an in-office autoclave for quick turnaround. This durable material also offers optimal biocompatibility, minimizing potential adverse patient reactions. For information visit volk.com, or call 1(800) 345-8655.
B&L Expands PureVision Toric Parameters
Bausch & Lomb has expanded the parameters of its PureVision Toric to include plus powers as well as a higher cylinder across the entire correction range, providing virtually all astigmatic patients a proven toric design in a healthy silicone hydrogel contact lens material.
The new parameters include:
• plus powers: +0.25 D to +6 D in 0.25-D steps, -0.75 D, -1.25 D and -1.75 D cylinder, and axis from 10° to 180°;
• higher cylinder: -2.25 D cylinder across the entire range from +6 D to -9 D.
This parameter expansion brings the correction range coverage for PureVision Toric to roughly 97 percent of that offered by B&L's SofLens66 Toric. The expanded parameters became commercially available December 1, 2006. B&L offers all powers of the PureVision Toric lens at a single price, contrary to the industry practice of charging more for higher cylinder lenses. For more information, visit bausch.com or call 1 (800) 828-9030.
Gulden Introduces Slit Lamp Yellow Filter
Gulden Ophthalmics says its Slit Lamp Yellow Filter is ideal in detecting subtle staining caused by solution interaction with hydrogel contact lenses. Many new slit lamps come with a built-in yellow filter to enhance fluorescein corneal staining. Gulden's filter is a Wratten #12 Yellow filter that will give your existing slit-lamp the same capabilities.
The filter can be used for early detection of micropunctate corneal staining caused by contact lens/ solution interaction, early detection of the correlation between patient symptoms and signs of dry eye syndrome, and better visualization of RGP fluorescein patterns. The filter is encased in a sturdy plastic frame and is recessed to reduce filter damage and scratches. For information, visit guldenindustries.com, call (215) 884-8105 or e-mail info@guldenindustries.com.
New Anesthesia Needle Guide
Rhein Medical announces the new Gillum Retrobulbar Guide (Product #8-13225), developed in coordination with William N. Gillum, MD. The device assists in the controlled placement of either retrobulbar or peribulbar needles for squirming patients who require a block. The device is placed with one hand, and the needle is inserted through its tube for the secure placement of the needle. The device is reusable, autoclaveable, made in the United States, available with a complementary videotape upon request, and available for a 30-day surgical evaluation without obligation.
Contact Rhein Medical at 1 (800) 637-4346 for more information.
Scheduler Program Updated
An updated version of the Pro Schedule software program, a Windows-based application for group appointment scheduling, is now available from CyberMatrix Corp. Among other new features, appointments can now be cut and pasted from person to person or day to day and a new e-mail scripting feature enables users to specify which information is sent in e-mails, the company says. Version six of the software also allows appointments to be synchronized with Microsoft Outlook.
There are four different editions of the Pro Schedule software: Standard, Client/Server, Enterprise and Web. Pro Schedule runs on Windows 95, 98, ME, NT 4.0, 2000, XP and 2003 server; other system requirements exist. Multi-license packages are also available. For more information visit cybermatrix.com.
Addition Technology Acquires CooperVision Products
Addition Technology, maker of Intacs corneal implants for keratoconus and myopia, has acquired AlphaCor and AlphaSphere from CooperVision Surgical.
