With the 2024 American Optometric Association (AOA) Optometry’s Meeting in full swing this weekend, Johnson & Johnson Vision is highlighting a variety of its latest product technologies, doctor-patient-focused partnerships, as well as advocacy, community, and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.
Plus: Overarching these updates is the company’s ongoing “Vision Made Possible” initiative targeting eye health and comprehensive eye care.
To offer readers (and conference attendees) a rundown on what to keep an eye out for, JJV’s President of Americas Lori Tierney spoke with Glance.
Let’s start with products … What’s JJV highlighting?
Two key contact lenses are being showcased, according to Tierney, each with innovative lens technologies:
- The lens: Acuvue Oasys Max 1-Day Multifocal (MF)
- Featuring: Pupil optimized design
- Developed specifically for presbyopic patients with an optical design system that considers natural pupil variation occurring across both the refractive error range and as patients age.
- Why this is unique: This is marketed as the only tech that optimizes the optical design to pupil size and patients’ ages—all while delivering parameter optimization at 100%
- Featuring: Pupil optimized design
- The lens: Acuvue Oasys 1-Day
- Featuring: HydraLux technology for astigmatism
- Tear-inspired design (wetting agent) that mimic tears’ natural properties to evenly spread all tear film layers, leading to a smooth, wet, and stable refractive lens surface
- The wetting material: Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), an FDA-approved water-soluble polymer that’s incorporated into the lens structure
- Blink-Stabilized Design technology
- Proprietary tech comprising four stabilization zones that works naturally with the eyelids to quickly realign with each blink and keep the lens in place
- Tear-inspired design (wetting agent) that mimic tears’ natural properties to evenly spread all tear film layers, leading to a smooth, wet, and stable refractive lens surface
- Featuring: HydraLux technology for astigmatism
Nice! Moving on to this physician-patient focus …
Strengthening the doctor-patient relationship—through legislative efforts and collaborations—is a key component of JJV’s strategic partnerships with AOA, according to Tierney.
How they’re doing this: Largely through advocacy, community, and DEI initiatives.
Case in point: In honor of Juneteenth (June 19), the company partnered with Black Eyecare Perspective (BEP), an OD-founded organization focused on redefining the color of the industry by creating a pipeline for African-American/Black students into the optometric field.
- Their collaboration: JJV and BEP hosted the “Allyship as a Leadership Skill Network” session exploring measures designed to address the current disparities in optometry and how to create a more representative and inclusive optometric profession.
“We want to ensure that this eyecare space truly reflects the diversity of the community,” Tierney said. “And that means doctors, extenders, and all patients in need of eye care support and health over their lifetime.”
And on the education front?
Tierney noted JJV’s support efforts for optometry students and new optometrists—a unique segment of the optometric population.
- At AOA: The American Optometric Student Association (AOSA) Journey Through Optometry event is intended to provide students with guidance on navigating their optometric careers.
Any specific programs JJV is involved in?
Yes! Included among these efforts is its role as a joint partner (with AOA) of the InfantSEE program, a national public health program managed by Optometry Cares — The AOA Foundation.
Launched in 2005, InfantSEE provides no-cost, comprehensive eye and vision health assessments for infants (aged 6-12 months), regardless of family income or insurance coverage.
- At AOA: On the show floor, JJV will be continuing its 19-year co-hosting role for the program.
Now, talk about the ongoing initiative mentioned earlier.
Originally launched in September 2023, JJV’s “Vision Made Possible” global effort is targeted toward spreading awareness of eye health—including presbyopia, cataracts, and pediatric myopia (a hot topic featured at this year’s Optometry’s Meeting).
The inspiration: The company’s vision of “healthy sight for life,” according to Tierney.
“We’re looking to reimagine and deliver the most all-encompassing eye care to meet the healthcare needs of a patient journey—from as early on as infant and childhood myopia management through to the mature and aging eye,” she said.
More specifically: “This theme is something our whole organization got around that’s not just based on technology and innovation, but more on human connection,” Tierney noted.
How has the company captured this?
JJV collaborated with a New York Times best-selling author/photographer/director to visually and narratively share stories from patients and eye care professionals (ECPs) across the globe who were diagnosed and treated with a wide range of ocular diseases—including myopia, a rapidly growing disease among pediatric patients.
Key to these stories: Highlighting how these patients’ and ECPs’ lives improved following their receiving proper vision care as well as educating readers on the critical need for comprehensive eye care.
- Read and watch their journeys here.
This sounds like a great initiative … how can I learn more and get involved?
If you’re attending Optometry’s Meeting, stop by the JJV booth (#903) in the Exhibit Hall to speak with a representative.
If not, contact the company directly or reach out to Charissa Lee, OD, MBA, FAAO, head of North America Professional Affairs to learn more.