New childrens vision law in North Carolina: Optometrist Jim Black, the speaker of the house in North Carolinas legislature, ensured that the states newly approved budget bill included language that requires every kindergartner to get an eye exam. If a family cant afford an eye exam, the budget includes a $2 million fund to cover the cost. The law goes into effect for the 2006-2007 school year.

The FDA has approved Nevanac (nepafenac 0.1% suspension, Alcon) for the treatment of pain and inflammation of cataract surgery. Nevanac is the first ophthalmic non-steroidal anti-inflammatory pro-drug. A 1% formulation of Alphagan P (brimonidine, Allergan) also received FDA approval. A clinical trial found that the 1% concentration lowers intraocular pressure as effectively as the original 2% formulation.

Vistakon is now free to market its Acuvue Oasys with Hydraclear Plus contact lenses, after a court battle in which CIBA Vision was denied a temporary restraining order against the launch of the Vistakon lenses. CIBA Vision filed the lawsuit in July, claiming that its patents protected its proprietary Night & Day and O2Optix contact lens technologies, and that the Vistakon lenses infringed on those patents.