Sales of the Visian ICL (Implantable Collamer Lens; STAAR Surgical Company) grew 38% in the US over the previous year, while the rate of LASIK procedures declined by approximately 40% in the second quarter of last year.

Novartis has completed the first stage of its purchase of 74 million shares of common stock of Alcon. This step maintains Nestle as the majority shareholder of Alcon, with 52% of the company's issued capital, and establishes Novartis as a minority shareholder, holding 24.85% of Alcon's shares.

The Glaucoma Foundation in the US has created an award scheme for innovation and excellence in glaucoma, recognizing the contribution of individuals who have "played a unique and significant role in promoting the medicine and science of glaucoma".

Pfizer is to fund research into the application of stem cells in degenerative retinal disease through a $3 million investment in EyeCyte, a company based in California, US.

Alcon and Advanced Medical Optics (AMO) are to share proprietary information on their designs for intraocular lenses (IOL).

Scientists who produced a visual prosthesis giving rudimentary sight to the blind are to receive the Joseph von Fraunhofer Prize 2008 in recognition of their achievement.

Ophthalmology organizations voice concerns to FDA on contact lens safety.

Santen Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. (Japan) and MacuSight Inc. (US) are to collaborate on developing MacuSight's sirolimus to treat ocular conditions including diabetic macular oedema (DME) and wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Bausch & Lomb (B&L) bought by Warburg Pincus last October has a long-term growth plan and will not return to the public market any time soon, said Gerry Ostrov, chief executive officer, B&L.