Optician articles from April 2004

Optician archives from April 2004

Sub-conjunctival haemorrhage; Ecchymosis.
April 2, 2004... DESCRIPTION A sub-conjunctival haemorrhage (ecchymosis) arises due to bleeding from a conjunctival blood vessel into the space between the sclera and conjunctiva. Idiopathic ecchymosis is a benign condition usually arising spontaneously,...

Low vision in Sheffield.(Low Vision Services Implementation Group)(Brief Article)
April 2, 2004... The third annual education gathering devoted to low vision services will take place in Sheffield on May 27. The one-day conference is organised by the Low Vision Services Implementation Group which is based in Birmingham. A keynote address...

Dirty summers with Bolle.(Meshed briefs)
April 2, 2004... u The new Dirty 8 collection from Bolle has been released in time for summer. Fashion pieces sit alongside retro models in the collection, which is split into Lil'Kitty, Low-Low, Glamrock, El Borracho, Fivo-O and Videostar models for the UK...

Scrivens draws Spectacular response from kids.(eyewear industry appointments and achievements)
April 2, 2004... u Beating competition from 1,000 other entries sent in by aspiring artists, Amelia Pidduck of Skegby, Nottinghamshire took top honours in Scrivens' national art competition 'Spectacular'. Entrants were challenged to paint or draw their...

GOC prepares to grant the power to prescribe.(General Optical Council)
April 2, 2004... Members of the GOC have been handed an important 'confidential draft' document providing the framework details for optometrists who wish to become prescribers. The DoH has indicated that it wants to consult on the introduction of...

Vision for the future.(silicone hydrogel lens)(Excerpt)
April 2, 2004... Optometry graduate Tahera Dhalla argues that silicone hydrogel materials come close to meeting the demands required for the 'perfect' contact lens. This is an edited extract from her optician/City University prize-winning dissertation The...

Soft contact lenses past, present and future.
April 2, 2004... Silicone hydrogel contact lenses supply unprecented levels of oxygen to the cornea and have the capability to be worn continuously. But Cristina Schnider and John Meyler argue that deficiencies in the comfort and clinical performance of current...

Market to grow 40% over the next five years.(ophthalmic goods and services market)(Brief Article)
April 2, 2004... The ophthalmic goods and services market is forecast to grow overall by 39.6 per cent between 2004 and 2008 to an annual total of [pounds sterling]4.8bn. This is the prediction of market research company Key Note in its 2004 Market Report,...

Performance of a new multipurpose solution used with silicone hydrogels.(performance of Focus Aqua compared to ReNu MultiPlus)
April 2, 2004... In a second study examining corneal staining response with the latest formulations of soft lens care products, Chris Amos compares the clinical performance of Ciba Vision's new multipurpose solution, Focus Aqua, with ReNu MultiPlus, when used...

PCT lead sees GPs' dilemma.(primary care trust)(general practitioners)(Brief Article)
April 2, 2004... The executive lead for Eastern Wakefield PCT has written to the local optometric committee asking optometrists to be more specific in their referrals literature to general practitioners. Martin Shutkever, himself a GP, told members of the...

Specialist contact lens fitting.
April 2, 2004... Would you like to extend your fitting skills beyond disposables and make contact lens practice more fulfilling? Next month, optician begins a series of articles on specialist contact lens fitting by members of Ciba Vision's Specialist Club for...

Internet price threat.(contact lenses available over the Internet)
April 2, 2004... As contact lenses have become so cheaply available over the internet, it is important for practitioners on the high street to understand what they are up against. Rob Moss presents the first annual survey of contact lens pricing on the web ...

Sporting venues for Grafton's roadshow.(Grafton Optical will showcase optical equipment)(Brief Article)
April 2, 2004... Grafton Optical will host an optical equipment roadshow throughout the spring at major sporting and function venues including Lords Cricket Ground, and Premiership clubs Leeds United and Manchester City. Grafton will help 15 companies...

Practitioners will benefit from automated future, says Topcon.(Topcon's BV-1000)(Brief Article)
April 2, 2004... Claims that a new instrument is the most important optical development for 20 years have been backed by a survey of interested practitioners and fellow professionals. Topcon's BV-1000, said by the Berkshire company to be the world's first...

Internet contact lens prices fall below cost.
April 2, 2004... Consumers in the UK are buying contact lenses on the internet at cheaper rates than some optical practitioners are paying direct to manufacturers. Research carried out by optician, published today (page 14), has revealed that some...

Ciba boss on the move.(Marcus Swalwell resigned from Ciba Vision UK and Dan Hammond will take over as managing director)(Brief Article)
April 2, 2004... Marcus Swalwell is leaving Ciba Vision UK as managing director to take over the top job in the contact lens giant's Japanese subsidiary. Dan Hammond will take over as managing director from next week. Swalwell has been with Ciba Vision UK...

Multiple plans move into cataract surgery.(Optical Express offering cataract surgery)(Brief Article)
April 2, 2004... Optical Express is to be the first multiple to offer cataract surgery. The project, announced by the group's chief executive David Moulsdale at the company's Spanish conference this week, will enlarge its surgical presence after it entered...

Warning over eligibility of NHSpatients.(National Health Service)(Brief Article)
April 2, 2004... The Federation of Ophthalmic and Dispensing Opticians has reminded members of the importance of checking for eligibility for NHS sight tests after submitted forms wrongly indicated some 16-18 year-old claimants were in full-time education. ...

Superficial punctate keratopathy (SPK); Punctate epithelial erosions.
April 9, 2004... DESCRIPTION SPK results from a loss of superficial epithelial cells and associated defects in the overlying mucous layer. The level of epithelial involvement is usually very superficial, often not affecting the epithelial nerves; for this...

Earning your wings.
April 9, 2004... Optometrist Peter Hurcomb reports on his experience as a sighted guide on a Winged Fellowship Trust skiing trip to Sauze D'Oulx, Italy Speak to a visually impaired individual (VI) and they will tell you that they are fed up being told by...

The Diploma in OrthopticsPart 4 - Certificate A Clinical Portfolio.
April 9, 2004... Professor Bruce Evans presented a case study from his portfolio in the previous article in this series (March 12). Here he discusses two further cases in detail. A full discussion of Case 4 will be published next week Discussion of Case 5:...

Meet 'The Gaze' from Ray-Ban.(Jai Kudo )(Seiko lenses )
April 9, 2004... u Luxottica's Ray-Ban sunglasses and the new optical frames bearing the world-famous logo will feature on a nationwide television campaign for three weeks on Channel 4, Sky Sport and E4 from May 10. The high-profile campaign will be shown...

What more can we do for Mavis?(social services access procedures revised for those with irreversibly declining vision)
April 9, 2004... A life-line for people with failing sight and an exciting new opportunity for optometrists. Mary Bairstow, Carl Freeman and Anita Lightstone discuss the implications of the Letter of Vision Impairment optometrists are often greeted with the...

Do we know enough about AMD?
April 9, 2004... Anita Lightstone, Nita Odedra, Rebecca Griffith, Alannah Hogg and Steve Winyard present the results of an RNIB survey on optometrists' knowledge and experience of AMD in practice Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a growing issue in...

Minister recognises contribution of DOs.(education funding for dispensing opticians)
April 9, 2004... ABDO has accused the Government of duplicity in its treatment of education funding for dispensing opticians. Over the coming weeks ABDO plans to turn up the political heat to speed the issue to a resolution. Despite the announcement that...

Eye care for adults with learning disabilities.
April 9, 2004... Adrienne Willis, Maeve Dracup and Samantha Starling of the Manchester Learning Disability Partnership (MLDP) summarise their recent research on the provision of eye care among the learning disabled of Manchester and offer some recommendations...

It's the product that talks for Silverlink.
April 9, 2004... u Frame companies are established in the UK relatively infrequently, so it comes as some surprise to find one that, in its first six months, has already been nominated for a Silmo d'Or for technological innovation. Silverlink Enterprise...

Studies benefit from Fight for Sight grants.(Queen's University of Belfast)(Brief Article)
April 9, 2004... Optical research charity Fight for Sight is funding two [pounds sterling]60,000 PhD studentships for research into retinopathy in premature infants and people with diabetes, and the causes of retinitis pigmentosa. The funding will...

Minister signals review of eye care in Scotland.(Brief Article)
April 9, 2004... Scotland's deputy minister for health, Tom McCabe, formally launched the new body representing the optical professions north of the border, Optometry Scotland, on March 31. In his speech he signalled that there would be a review of NHS eye care...

moneowrites.
April 9, 2004... vice Framework for diabetes. I must admit that I attended with a fear that I would witness the same old hackneyed approach to re-design of services that I have so often seen in the past. To some extent I was not disappointed. It strikes me...

Douglas Melson Wingate.(Brief Article)
April 9, 2004... Douglas Melson Wingate died on April 4. He was 89. As the grandson of George Melson Wingate, he took over the management of the family firm centred in Bournemouth during the Second World War, writes Nigel Wingate. He had graphic memories...

Medical alert over lens error.(Brief Article)
April 9, 2004... Patients affected by problems with cataract implants in Cumbria plan to sue the hospitals where they were treated, The Times (April 7) has reported. The calcification problem, caused by a packaging error, came to light after the Medicines...

Swedes open clinic.(Brief Article)
April 9, 2004... Two weeks after Specsavers bought into Swedish optics(News March 26), Sweden replied by opening the first Capio Eye Clinic in London's Harley Street. England football manager Sven-Goran Eriksson (pictured) opened the 'Centre of...

Equipment roadshow.(Brief Article)
April 9, 2004... The 2004 optical equipment roadshow gets under way in 11 days' time and bookings are now being taken via a website (www.opticalroadshow.co.uk). We were wrong to report last week that one of the 15 companies exhibiting had organised the...

Vision Express finances show improvement.(Brief Article)
April 9, 2004... City centre multiple Vision Express released improved financial results this week. The French-owned optical group, which highlights its offer of prescription spectacles in one hour, posted E51m for the first quarter of this year, 3 per...

Vision Express passes TV advertisement test.(Brief Article)
April 9, 2004... A complaint by Specsavers Opticians regarding Vision Express's '100 different ways to assess how well your eyes are working' TVclaim has been rejected by broadcast watchdogs. The complaint, which was lodged last month, followed the launch...

Optical bodies advise firm stance on VAT.
April 9, 2004... Professional bodies FODO, ABDO and the AOP have publicly advised members after Customs continues to target optical practitioners and their apportionment VAT methods. It was in February that optician reported renewed efforts by Customs &...

Eye exam fee rises clarified.(Brief Article)
April 9, 2004... Further details have emerged of the sight test fee agreement between the profession's representatives and the Department of Health. Optometric advisers have been sent a letter from the Department of Health to help sort out confusion caused...

Superior limbic keratoconjunctivitis (SLK).
April 16, 2004... Description Superior limbic keratoconjunctivitis (SLK) is a rare inflammatory condition usually affecting middle-aged women. It is thought to occur from rubbing of the superior bulbar and paralimbal conjunctiva against the conjunctival...

SMC marks its 375th year of work in vision.(Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers )(Brief Article)
April 16, 2004... The Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers is celebrating its 375th anniversary with two special events and a year-long charitable appeal. A service in St Lawrence Jewry-next-Guildhall on May 17 will mark the Livery company's formation on...

Refractive surgery: A Guide to Assessment and Management.(Book Review)
April 16, 2004... Amy Schryver welcomes a new addition to the rather limited selection of textbooks on refractive surgery With patients increasingly asking their optometrists and GPs for advice on refractive surgery, many practitioners have, in the past,...

Moscow on the move.
April 16, 2004... Vadim Belousov reports from the successful eighth outing of the Moscow optical exhibition The 8th International Salon of Ophthalmologic Optics 'MSOO-2004' was held from March 9 to 13 in Moscow. The exhibition has been arranged each year...

Norville roadshow hits the Capital.
April 16, 2004... u Norville brought some of its newer brands to the Capital last month to stage a mini-exhibition for practitioners. The brands on display, Animal, Bebe, Kenneth Cole, Faberge and Vera Wang covered pretty much the whole patient spectrum and...

The reading implant.
April 16, 2004... Sanjay Mantry and Sunil Shah describe the latest surgical treatment for presbyopia Approximately half the population is affected by presbyopia and consequently there is a huge demand for its correction. Presbyopia is a process of...

Incorporating laser refractive surgery in optical practice.
April 16, 2004... Dr Sandip Doshi discusses the business potential that laser refractive surgery offers and describes how he has approached incorporating laser refractive surgery into his own private practice Laser refractive surgery represents arguably one...

Royal College of Ophthalmologists: Standards for laser refractive surgery.
April 16, 2004... In the light of recent Commons debate on laser refractive surgery, Michelle Hanratty summarises the seven key areas covered by the RCO's standards The spotlight has been over laser refractive surgery with a Commons debate1 on the subject...

The entente cordiale.
April 16, 2004... The man who wants to expand Vision Express by a third hopes to broaden its consumer appeal. Marcel Cezar speaks to David Challinor I meet Marcel Cezar, Vision Express chairman, in the gleaming new Bull Ring flagship practice of the...

Study shows extent of diabetes epidemic.
April 16, 2004... Renewed urgency to improve diabetic services will follow a study which claimed one in 12 sufferers over 40 had sight threatening diabetic retinopathy. The US study, which was pooled from eight population-based eye surveys, was published in...

who's on the ; move.(Clamp Optometrists appointment)(Norville Eyewear sales appointment)(Edmonds and Slatter anniversary)(Bateman Group anniversary)
April 16, 2004... European Accessories and repair part company Centro Style now has an established sales team in the UK. Headed by Freddy Lehmann, the team includes Ian McIntosh (north west), Wendy Morton (north east), Stewart Glover (midlands), Gavin Earle...

CLs win in vision vote.(contact lens benefits weighed)(Brief Article)
April 16, 2004... It's official. Contact lenses are a better way of correcting vision than spectacles or refractive surgery, according to British Contact Lens Association members and guests attending the Association's latest evening scientific meeting. At...

Now Mido educates.(Brief Article)
April 16, 2004... Milan's optical show Mido may be better known for its fashion profile but this year it is introducing an education element with 60 courses. The introduction of educational seminars, in conjunction with Italy's continuous education...

College runs timely session on diabetes.(Brief Article)
April 16, 2004... The role of optometry in diabetic retinopathy screening will be specially featured at next weekend's College of Optometrists conference. The presentation will be especially timely after a DoH report focused on the national screening...

Test case needed to end VATconcerns.
April 16, 2004... Independent practitioners must take responsibility for themselves and 'fight their own corner' to put an end to the recurring VAT argument with Customs. This was the message from specialist on apportionment and the optical profession Fred...

Retinopathy project is next step for Optos.
April 16, 2004... An [pounds sterling]800,000 project between an optical equipment supplier and the Government, which aims to enhance laser technology to give early warning of eye disease, was unveiled this week. Optos, the developer of the Panoramic 200...

The Diploma in Orthoptics Certificate A Clinical Portfolio.
April 16, 2004... Professor Bruce Evans discusses some of the common binocular vision presentations in Case 4 from his series portfolio. The clinical summary of this case appeared in Part 3 (March 12) Case 4: Description of the principal binocular vision...

Synechiae; Iris adhesions.
April 23, 2004... Description Adhesion of the iris to a nearby tissue or an intraocular implant is called a synechia. Synechiae may develop following iris inflammation of whatever cause, iritis, infection and surgical or accidental trauma. Synechiae often...

McQueen splashes out.(Bolle Safety's new frames)(Kata Eyewear new collection)(Mid-Optic's new soft contact lenses)
April 23, 2004... u The new Alexander McQueen eyewear collection was launched at the designer's Old Bond Street store by Italian firm Safilo earlier this month. The range is made up of eight styles of sunglasses and six optical frames, making use of...

The use of LEDs in eye care.
April 23, 2004... Dr Alan Smith looks at the advantages of light emitting diodes (LEDs) which are increasingly being used in optometric applications Artificial lighting in one form or another has been available for hundreds of years. Light is a form of...

Optometric imaging systemsPart 2: Slit lamp systems.(Product/Service Evaluation)
April 23, 2004... Dr James Wolffsohn and Rachael Peterson examine anterior eye imaging systems, highlighting the wide variety of systems available in the UK and compare their relative strengths and weaknesses Anterior segment imaging can be considered more...

Branch retinal vein occlusion.
April 23, 2004... In the latest in his occasional series looking at the usefulness of digital imaging in optometric practice, Kirit Patel describes an all too familiar condition A 60-year-old white male (HM), on holiday in Italy about a week ago, noticed...

Electronic low vision aids A new image for the visually impaired.
April 23, 2004... Bill Harvey describes some of the many newer electronic devices that were on display at a recent course held at City University the advantages of electronic magnification devices have been known for many years - high levels of...

optician Awards: the shortlists.
April 23, 2004... Shortlists for the optician Awards have now been drawn up. Panels of judges have identified the 40 or so finalists who have made it through to the finals for the 10 awards. The winners will be announced on May 11 at a black tie dinner in...

Series of events mark launch of Eyecare Plan.(Brief Article)
April 23, 2004... A detailed programme for the forthcoming National Eyecare Plan launch event forums has been revealed. Important 'patient pathways' will be announced for glaucoma, cataracts, low vision services and age-related macular degeneration at...

Massive change to come.
April 23, 2004... Bob Hughes predicts a shakedown in the national multiples and the rise and rise of global brands. This hard-hitting presentation by the FODO executive director was given at the annual UK 200 Healthcare Group Training Day 'There is an...

Practices to be visited by anti-fraud officers.(Brief Article)
April 23, 2004... Anti-fraud officers are to visit every optical practice as part of the effort to crack down on NHS cheats. It is the latest attempt to reduce fraudulent claims by patients. The NHS's Counter Fraud and Security Management Service (CFSMS) is...

Competition will drive down retail prices.
April 23, 2004... A detailed snapshot of patients' attitudes towards eye care and opticians in 2004 will be revealed next month. The survey, of over 1,000 consumers, was carried out for Key Note by BMRB Access last month and asked a series of detailed...

Asda's George brand gets eyewear range.(ASDA Group PLC)(Brief Article)
April 23, 2004... Asda Opticians has teamed up with eyewear distributor Inspecs to launch a George range of frames that went on sale this week exclusively in Asda supermarkets. The Wal-Mart-owned company hopes that the powerful George brand will work as...

Luxottica airs major push for Ray-Ban on C4.(Brief Article)
April 23, 2004... Luxottica unveiled its [pounds sterling]0.5m television and press advertising campaign for Ray-Ban at Channel 4's London headquarters this week. Manager of Luxottica UK wholesale, Ermes Stefanutto said that 'Empower Your Vision' was the...

Courier carries off Queen's Award.(Brief Article)
April 23, 2004... Hays DX, the Buckinghamshire-based courier to the optical profession, has won a Queen's Award for Enterprise. The news coincides with the announcement that the company will soon launch a new high-tech service to customers. The award,...

New event on the CET circuit.(continuing education and training)(Brief Article)
April 23, 2004... In excess of 150 delegates attended the first of a new CET conference series held in Nottingham last Sunday. The lectures all considered the theme of correcting ametropia and were led by Aston University's Professor Bernard Gilmartin who...

Terrien's marginal degeneration.
April 30, 2004... Description Terrien's marginal degeneration is a rare peripheral corneal thinning condition of unknown aetiology. The thinning leads to corneal stromal relaxation, resulting in induced irregular astigmatism. It may occur at any age,...

Ocular therapeutics - Part 5; The production and drainageof aqueous humour.
April 30, 2004... In the latest in this series, Dr John Lawrenson describes the anatomical and physiological influences on aqueous dynamics which plays an important role in the health and metabolism of anterior ocular structures. (CET Module C4823e) ...

Best practice in contact lens business; Part 1- An introduction to category management.
April 30, 2004... In the first of three articles on managing and marketing your CL business, Mark Draper examines the background to the low uptake of contact lenses in the UK and introduces some concepts commonly used in other retail markets that can be applied...

Back to reality.
April 30, 2004... The exceptional results reported in February could not be sustained into March. All benchmarks fell, but the year-on-year growth in new contact lens fits is encouraging. Dispensing shows negligible movement, although AR penetration is...

OEL promotes value of extra skills training.(optometric education group )(Brief Article)
April 30, 2004... Practitioners who want to differentiate themselves from increasing numbers of new optometry graduates are being targeted by a series of educational courses later this year. Highlighting specialist skills or gaining greater experience in a...

Optometrist claims HES at breaking point.(Brief Article)
April 30, 2004... An Enniskillen optometrist has become so frustrated with the the referral system in Northern Ireland that he has spoken out to the local press. Brendan McCreesh told optician of the reasoning behind his move: 'There are more and more...

Continental aims X-eyes at extroverts.(Face a Face's new line)
April 30, 2004... u Continental Eyewear is launching the X-eyes frame collection at the Mido exhibition in Milan next month (May 7-9). The company said that the range - developed and distributed by Continental Eyewear - had innovative designs for the...

Can you account for your VAT?(value-added tax issues for optical businesses)
April 30, 2004... VAT for optical businesses is very definitely a specialist area, writes Yogesh Patel. Here he offers some advice for practitioners on disciplined accounting The VAT issue is back in the news and remains a concern for the optical...

Versace campaign launch.(Mondottica's new line)
April 30, 2004... u In preparation for Mido 2004 (May 5-7) in Milan, Luxottica has released its latest advertising campaigns from the Versace and Versus brands, shot by photographer Steven Meisel. The campaign features a number of new models, from Versace...

What they really, really want.
April 30, 2004... Today's consumers are price conscious and picky but what are their wider attitudes to eye care? Fresh research provides some answers When shopping for eye care, qualified staff and a good price continue to be considered most important by...

Economical display choice.(ASE (Eyecare Plans)'s new safety spectacle service)(Marchon UK children's frames)(Advanced Optical Interiors's new frame display)
April 30, 2004... u Advanced Optical Interiors has added a new frame display to its range of practice furniture. The company said that the display was economical and simplistic in design and was a 'real gem where space was at a premium' or outdated displays need...

Sauflon grows.(Sauflon Pharmaceuticals has been listed in the prestigious Deloitte 100 Awards)(Brief Article)
April 30, 2004... Sauflon Pharmaceuticals has been listed in the prestigious Deloitte 100 Awards for the fastest growing companies. The top 100 were announced at The Park Lane Hotel on April 21. The qualifying criteria rules out companies who have less than...

Common agendas; A trip to Ireland for the Annual Convention of the Association of Optometrists Ireland, followed immediately by the College of Optometrists Annual General Meeting in Nottingham, served to emphasise the parallel between the two countries. Given our history this is perhaps not surprising, although.
April 30, 2004... the rather more relaxed and friendly atmosphere in Ireland might lead you to expect something different. Ireland and the UK have a mutual recognition agreement going back many years and today all the new dispensing opticians in Ireland are...

FMO unveils plans to widen show's appeal.(Federation of Manufacturing Opticians planning Optrafair)(Brief Article)
April 30, 2004... Organisers of the Optrafair 2005 exhibition have spelled out their plans for next year's event which include broadening the scope of the show to attract more exhibitors and visitors. At a launch event on the London Eye this week the...