Researchers at the Medical College of Georgia are pursuing a link between iron overload and the wet form of macular degeneration, suspecting that haemochromatosis hastens the ageing of the eyes.
They believe that avoiding the most serious consequences of the disease may be as simple as donating blood several times a year to reduce iron levels and are trying to define the impact of haemochromatosis on the eye.
Chartres-based Luneau Technology Group has merged with Briot International, the parent company of Buchmann Deutschland, which incorporates Buchmann UK and the Weco and Rodenstock instrument brands. It will now offer equipment from the Luneau and Visionix ranges in the UK along with Weco and Briot edging systems, Rodenstock consulting room equipment and optical instruments, the Metrovision MONCV3 Multifunction vision analyser and 'I need you' ready-reader range. UK sales offices remain in Rochester. Details: 01634 662302.
The All Party Parliamentary Group on Eye Health and Visual Impairment will elect new officers at its meeting on July 13 at the House of Commons, with a number of MPs and Peers indicating they wish to stand. Presentations will be on delivering primary and secondary care services with speakers including Dr Susan Blakeney, optometric adviser to the College of Optometrists, and Graham Kirkby, vice president of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists. Details on: 020 87766 4384.
CIBA Vision has been named by GFK as the market leader in 'new contact lens fits to under-18s for daily disposables'. Its Teens campaign that led to 41 per cent of under-18s in independent practices being fitted with CIBA lenses has won an Institute of Sales Promotion (ISP) bronze award. Debbie Olive, director of marketing and professional affairs said: 'Young people have the highest interest in trying lenses and the lowest drop-out rates.'