WHAT'S NEW - Buyer's Guide
By Kim Aubrey-Larcinese

Accessories

LA LOOP

RETAINERS WITH STYLE

Today's busy world makes the pairing of fashion and function a necessity, and La Loop's eyewear retainers aim to fill that need. The retainers—available in a wide variety of colors and made of silver, semi-precious stone, shells, and silk cord—are a style-conscious way to keep eyewear close at hand. To order La Loop or for more information, visit www.laloop.com or call 877-505-1500.

Low Vision

ASSISTANCE IS HERE

A new player in the U.S. low vision market, Assist Vision, has released Neo, a CCTV full-color magnifier. Neo was developed using input from those with low vision, as well as the ECPs who work with them, to create a user-friendly device, according to company representatives. The X-Y movable table features ergonomic rests and adjustable tension and brakes, while variable lighting reduces shadows and glare. Magnification ranges from 2X to 50X, and the display can be viewed in color, traditional black and white, or black and white reverse. Available through dealers and doctors, the Neo starts at $1,945 for the Neo alone, $1,995 with the 14" monitor, and $2,145 with the 20" monitor. For more information, call 866-999-9188 or visit www.assistvision.com.

PULSE DATA HUMANWARE

whosereader?

A new low vision auto-reading device has been launched by Pulse Data Humanware. The myReader, a compact and portable device being sold by Eschenbach, can capture a full standard-sized page of text and convert it to display on the LCD screen as though it were a large print book. The device offers three reading modes to fit different reading needs and styles, as well as a live video mode that magnifies detail-oriented tasks such as threading a needle or reading a medicine bottle. ECPs interested in learning more about the myReader can contact Eschenbach at 800-487-5389.

Spectacle Lenses

HOYA VISION CARE

HOYA VIEWPROTECT

HOYA Vision Care has launched ViewProtect, a premium AR topcoat available on HOYA Hi-Vision AR and HOYA Premium AR brands. ViewProtect offers superior cleanability and improved durability, giving ECPs the flexibility to prescribe a premium level of AR performance on a broader range of lenses and price points. ViewProtect repels dirt, smudges, and fingerprints, so lenses stay clean longer, Hoya representatives report. Less cleaning means fewer scratches, which results in higher patient satisfaction. ViewProtect is available at all HOYA lab locations. For more information, call 877-528-1939 or visit www.hoyavision.com.

SHAMIR INSIGHT

SHAMIR HAS ATTITUDE

Shamir has introduced the Attitude, a new lens specifically developed to meet the requirements of wrap-around frames. The Attitude Rx product line is an eight-base design in powers ranging from -4.00D to +2.00D, currently available in Shamir's Piccolo and Genesis lens designs, and made of polycarbonate NuPolar material. Shamir Piccolo with Attitude is currently available in polycarbonate polarized grey, 1.59 index, blank size 76, with a recommended fitting height of 16mm. Shamir Genesis with Attitude is currently available in Hi-Index Superlite 1.6, blank size 75mm, with a recommended fitting height of 19mm. The company plans to introduce Piccolo with Attitude polycarbonate clear 1.59 and Genesis with Attitude 1.6 Transitions V this summer, followed by Piccolo with Attitude polycarbonate Transitions V in winter 2005. For more information, call 877-SHAMIR1 or visit www.shamirlens.com.

ESSILOR LABS OF AMERICA

ULTRA ESSILOR

Essilor Labs of America has introduced Ultra LiteStyle Solaire, a high-performance outdoor lens. Available from Essilor as a proprietary brand, the 100 percent UV-protective LiteStyle/Ultra LiteStyle poly Rx suntint lenses are available with TD2 scratch resistance, backside AR coating, and flashy front surfaces. The Solaire process creates a chromatic filter that is guaranteed for two years not to scratch, fade, or peel. The patented ColorTect Infusion process uses a vacuum chamber, where microscopic layers of color are fused to the lens, to create diamond-hard two-sided scratch protection, backside anti-glare treatment, as well as a backside hydrophobic topcoat. Ultra LiteStyle Solaire lenses are available in powers of +6.00D to -5.00D, up to -4.00D cylinder in Titanium Gray and Chromium Brown. For more information, visit www.essilorusa.com.

Contact Lenses

VISTAKON

BEATING ASTIGMATISM

Vistakon, a division of Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc., offers the Acuvue Advance for Astigmatism. The breakthrough toric lens features a new proprietary technology, Accelerated Stabilization Design (ASD). ASD reduces chair time by allowing the lens to settle into place in one minute, company reps report. The CLs are available in 8.6mm base curve and 14.5mm diameter and are recommended for a two-week wearing schedule. More information is available at www.ecp.acuvue.com.