LAVAL, Quebec—Bausch + Lomb, a subsidiary of Valeant Pharmaceuticals International Inc. (NYSE: VRX and TSX: VRX), announced that the FDA has approved Lumify (brimonidine tartrate ophthalmic solution 0.025%) as the first and only over-the-counter (OTC) eye drop developed with low-dose brimonidine tartrate for the treatment of ocular redness.

Brimonidine, which was first approved by the FDA in 1996 for intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction in glaucoma patients, is available at higher doses in prescription eyecare products, the announcement noted.

“With today's approval of Lumify, consumers have a new and unique treatment option to relieve red, irritated eyes," Valeant chairman and chief executive officer Joseph C. Papa said in the pre-Christmas announcement. “Lumify is the first and only OTC eye drop with low-dose brimonidine, which has been clinically proven to be safe and effective since its initial approval as a prescription medication in 1996.”

Valeant noted that it expects Lumify will be available for purchase in major retailers in the second quarter of 2018.

Ocular redness is a common condition that can be caused by inflammation of almost any part of the eye. With frequent use, non-selective redness relieving eye drops that constrict blood vessels in the eye can result in users developing a tolerance or loss of effectiveness, as well as rebound redness, according to the announcement. In contrast, low-dose brimonidine, selectively constricts veins in the eye, increasing the availability of oxygen to surrounding tissue, thereby reducing the potential risk of these side effects.

Paul Karpecki, OD, FAAO, director of Corneal Services at Kentucky Eye Institute, said in the announcement that patients with eye redness and irritation can experience negative social connotations, which may impact daily life. “Having a drop that reduces redness without the side effects of rebound hyperemia or tachyphylaxis, which may lead to overuse and potential corneal toxicity, is a very exciting option that I look forward to recommending to my patients,” he added.

MONTREAL, Quebec—New Look Vision Group Inc. (TSX:BCI), a leading optical retailer in Canada with almost 400 locations, has appointed Tania M. Clarke, CPA, CA, and CPA-US, as a senior vice president and chief financial officer of the company. The new role for Clarke begins Feb. 12, 2018.

According to the announcement, Clarke is an experienced senior financial executive with more than 20 years of experience with both public and private companies in various industries, principally in Canada. For the past three years, she has served as chief financial offi cer of a TSX listed company with well-known banners and an extensive corporate and franchised network in the restaurant chain business across Canada.

Her previous experience includes having served as executive vice president, chief financial officer or controller of companies in the specialty coffee and coffee-maker industry as well as in the stationary, gift and toy businesses.

“We welcome Tania to the senior management team,” New Look Vision president Antoine Amiel said in the announcement. “Her track record and experience, more recently with multi-site retail, but also with financing, acquisitions and reporting for publicly listed companies, will fit in well with our current strategic and operating priorities at New Look Vision. She will continue to be based in Montreal and in addition to her duties and responsibilities as chief financial officer will assist me with investor relations.”

New Look Vision operates a network of 378 stores mainly under the New Look Eyewear, Vogue Optical, Greiche & Scaff and Iris banners, along with its own lab facilities.

NEW YORK—New Year’s Eve is the night we usually put the past year behind us and set our sights on all of the possibilities the New Year has to offer. But can a rogue champagne cork put a damper on those celebrations? In this edition of “Ask An Eye Doc” with Masoud Nafey, OD, he tackles the subject of flying champagne corks and eye injuries.

Take a look at the video posted on VisionMonday.com here to get all of details.

NEW YORK—Due to the New Year’s Day holiday, VMail Extra and VMail Headlines will not publish Monday, Jan. 1, 2018.

In addition, a new integrated VMAIL format will debut Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2018. The new VMAIL format includes the debut of VMAIL LaunchPad, which highlights the latest eyewear and technology product introductions and expanded coverage within VMAIL EXTRA and VMAIL Headlines editions.

The new VMAIL and VMAIL EXTRA formats will be issued each weekday, Monday through Friday.

To keep up with the latest financial news in the optical industry, go to VisionMonday.com and click on Financial under the Business category.

Founded in 1985 by Stefano Sonzogni and Raffaele Scudeletti, Mei has, throughout its history, focused on developing numerical control machinery. More.