February News Round Up

𝐅𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐍𝐞𝐰𝐬 𝐑𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐔𝐩

🥳100% Optical Celebrates 10 Years:
Our team had the privilege of participating in the 10th anniversary celebrations of 100% Optical!! The launch of 100% Ophthalmology highlighted the event’s dedication to innovation and expansion, accompanied by a record-breaking turnout of 11,725 attendees, marking a notable 10% increase compared to previous years. Among the highlights were the 2024 eyewear award winners: Okkul, Woodys Eyewear, Danielle Rattray, Filipe Diniz Lunettes, KOMONO, STRUKTUR eyewear - Handmade in Normandy, J.F. REY, Götti Switzerland, Bird Eyewear, FEB31st, Gogosha Optique, and Finch Optical.

🚀Nanodropper, Inc. Ventures to Space:
Nanodropper’s revolutionary Bottle Adaptor is poised to make history abroad NASA’s SpaceX Crew-8 mission to the International Space Station (ISS). Designed to address ocular disease management challenges, this innovative product aims to enhance the longevity of eye drop bottles while minimizing ocular toxicity. Scheduled for launch for Kennedy Space Centre on March 1st, the Nanodropper adaptor will contribute over 200 experiments on the ISS, including studies on microgravity’s effects on plant biology and astronaut health.

💻AI Breakthrough in Ophthalmology:
A ground breaking study conducted at the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai highlights the potential of GPT-4, an AI system developed by OpenAI, in diagnosing glaucoma and retina diseases. Led by Dr. Huang, the study demonstrates GPT-4s ability to match or surpass human ophthalmologists in certain diagnostic tasks, heralding a new era in ophthalmic care. Dr Huang states “We recognized the enormous potential of this AI system from the moment we started testing it and were fascinated to observe that GPT-4 could not only assist but in some cases match or exceed the expertise of seasoned ophthalmic specialists."

🔥TAG Heuer and Thélios illuminated Milan:
TAG Heuer and Thélios captivated Milan with the launch event of collaborative eyewear collection, marking TAG Heuer’s return to the high-end eyewear market. This partnership promises a fusion of performance, style, and innovation, showcased through exquisite Italian craftmanship. The launch event, featuring an exclusive collection display and a mesmerizing performance by Italian singer Mahmood.

📃Hidden NHS Waiting Lights Unveiled:
BBC News have revealed details of hidden waiting lists within the NHS ophthalmology services, particularly impacting individuals with wet AMD. With approximately 2.5 million people in the UK suffering from sight loss, urgent action is imperative. Addressing these lists is crucial not only for patient well-being but also for the economy, with potential savings of £1.2 billion by 2050 through reduced macular degeneration prevalence. Despite the published waiting list standing at 7.6 million, the actual backlog is believed to be significantly higher, underscoring the urgent need for reform in NHS ophthalmic services.