Optician articles from August 2007

Optician archives from August 2007

Morning glory syndromeMorning glory anomaly, Morning glory disc.(News)
August 3, 2007... DESCRIPTION The appearance of this very rare congenital malformation of the optic nerve head has been likened to the morning glory flower. The optic disc is displaced posteriorly in a funnel-shaped excavation surrounded by an elevated...

ACEP gets Smart.(P pages)
August 3, 2007... ACEP's Smart Centration System is an integrated digital measuring system that aims to provide fast, reliable centring and fitting of corrective lenses. It takes both the patient's natural posture and head position into account, determining...

Law suits mount up against AMO.(News)(Advanced Medical Optics Inc)(Brief article)
August 3, 2007... A US law firm has filed four more lawsuits against Advanced Medical Optics (AMO) for damages caused by its contact lens solution Complete MoisturePlus. Lawyers also hit out at plans by AMO to begin distributing a new multipurpose solution...

Alcon reports sales surge.(News)(Optical industry)(Brief article)
August 3, 2007... Alcon recorded global sales for the second quarter of $1,471.5m, an increase of 12.3 per cent over second quarter figures for 2006. Cary Rayment, Alcon's chairman, president and CEO, said that all major product categories had achieved...

News.(Ophthalmic equipment)(Brief article)
August 3, 2007... A simple ten-minute eye test is being developed by US researchers for the early detection of Alzheimer's disease before symptoms become apparent. There is currently no definitive test for the disease but the scientists at Neuroptix in Boston...

Some research findings of my own.(Other)
August 3, 2007... * Howard Barnes of CIBA Vision writes (Letters, July 13): 'CIBA Vision prides itself in presenting well collected clinical data in a way which is most meaningful to the eye care practitioner.' And well they might. What comes of less...

Tax and the family firm.(News)
August 3, 2007... John Whiting reviews the recent House of Lords decision on Arctic Systems and what it may mean for small businesses run by husband and wife teams in the future Small businesses can thank the House of Lords for guidance on how they can...

PureVision lens improved.(P pages)
August 3, 2007... Bausch & Lomb has introduced its 'new and improved' PureVision spherical contact lens. It is designed to give exceptional visual performance as the technology reduces spherical aberration. It offers patients 'sharp and crisp vision even in...

Other.
August 3, 2007... * Can any reader help with the following? Some years ago I supplied a patient with a spectacle frame, which did not rest on the nose or behind the ears, relying on side grip only. I believe that the manufacturer was based in the Isle of Man....

News.
August 3, 2007... Don't get ME ONPCTs I sympathise with Messrs Krestin and Cohen being excluded from their local PCT list for diabetic screening (PCT move hits practices, News, July 20) but can perhaps offer some help. During the NICE enquiry of July...

Essential contact lens practice.(Features)
August 3, 2007... Despite a common belief that it is more complex to fit gas-permeable contact lenses than soft lenses, the number of decisions that practitioners make is similar for both lens types. Jane Veys, John Meyler and Ian Davies continue their series...

P pages.
August 3, 2007... Canadian athlete Serge Dessureeault and his team wore Carrera-branded helmets and ski masks on an expedition surpassing 8500 metres up Mount Everest. Carrera sports brand including sunglasses, helmets and ski masks, sponsors the athletes of the...

College review.(News)(The College of Optometrists )(Brief article)
August 3, 2007... The College of Optometrists has introduced a new committee structure after a review commissioned by the board of trustees. The College's standing committees of the board will now encompass research, education, and membership and standards....

Features.
August 3, 2007... [intro] Twelve months ago Scottish contact lens maker Daysoft took the decision to start selling direct to the public through a consumer facing website. Chris Bennett looks at the impact on the firm and the lessons learned one year on. ...

Taking a bet on the net.(News)
August 3, 2007... Twelve months ago, Scottish contact lens maker daysoft took the decision to start selling direct to the public through a consumer-facing website. Chris Bennett looks at the impact on the firm and the lessons learned one year on I t was a...

P pages.(Eye'DC introduces Oskar model of eyewears for children)(Brief article)
August 3, 2007... NXT takes over the playground! Eye'DC said its children's collection enables 'kids to play at grown-ups being kids'. The new Oskar model is a take on the suspended lenses concept taken from the Eye'DC adult collection and contains the...

News.(financial assistance for flood affected optical companies and opticians)(Brief article)
August 3, 2007... Industry bodies are offering assistance to optical practices affected by the recent floods in Gloucestershire and other parts of the country. As reported last week, many practices have been devastated by the recent flooding, with loss of...

Lasik surgeon faces GMC hearing.(News)(Lasik Vision Institute)(Brief article)
August 3, 2007... A leading children's author was left with blurred vision after Lasik surgery to correct her myopia, a General Medical Council fitness to practise hearing was told this week. Jan Fearnley, 41, had a series of tests at the Ultralase Clinic in...

Optical complaints fall.(News)(Brief article)
August 3, 2007... By Perry Thakrar perry.thakrar@rbi.co.uk Complaints against opticians have fallen to their lowest number for three years, according figures published this week by the GOC. Council figures show that 129 complaints were made against...

P pages.
August 3, 2007... Hodd Barnes & Dickins of Mason's Avenue, London, is celebrating the new Nodoka collection by the Charmant Group by displaying the Japanese kimono in its main window. Traditionally worn at Japanese wedding ceremonies, the Uchikake, or bridal...

News.
August 3, 2007... Johnson & Johnson has launched CET distance learning modules entitled 'Performance, vision and sport', following on from its 'Be the best you can be' roadshows. Attendees of the roadshows will automatically be sent the tri-module series...

Luxottica sales boost.(News)
August 3, 2007... Luxury eyewear firm Luxottica has reported a 28 per cent jump in sales for the three- and six-month periods ended June 30 2007. The company said the double-digit increase was mainly due to strong wholesale demand for glasses and sunglasses...

Lynx unleashes new lock.(P pages)(Brief article)
August 3, 2007... Lynx IDG has introduced the Roto Revolution Micro which, unlike conventional 'linear action' locking devices, has the ability to fully retract, therefore allowing 100 per cent access to the frame once the locking mechanism is disengaged. ...

ClearLab sale completed.(News)
August 3, 2007... 1-800 Contacts has completed the transactions for the sale of its ClearLab business. The company sold ClearLab's flat pack technology and certain other intellectual property to Menicon on June 15 and sold ClearLab's manufacturing,...

Museum's modern move.(News)
August 3, 2007... The Museum of Spectacles in Pieve di Cadore in the Veneto region of Italy is moving to the futuristic COS.MO centre in the Italian town in early August, next to the birthplace of Titian Vecellio. Vittorio Tabacchi, president of Safilo and...

Home visits increasein England and Wales.(News)(Statistical data)
August 3, 2007... Just under 10.5 million eye examinations were paid for by the NHS in England for the year ending March 31 2007. This is the highest ever number for England, a rise of 1.3 per cent on the previous year and just over a million higher than seven...

News.
August 3, 2007... Please note that further industrial action by postal workers is set to disrupt the delivery of Optician over the coming weeks. Keith Carnes has resigned as managing director of Rodenstock UK. Carnes took the helm less than a year ago after...

Orange unveils unisex range.(P pages)(Orange Eyewear)(Brief article)
August 3, 2007... Orange Eyewear's latest collection of frames consists of 30 design-conscious unisex styles for a combination of 'on-trend style with exceptional wearability.' Model OR196 features distinctive double track sides offering impact without...

Can England afford the competition?(News)(Brief article)
August 3, 2007... * I have read the recent articles concerning the business of James Murray Wells and his securing a $6m investment (News, July 27). If Murray Wells is serious about 'taking on the likes of Specsavers and Vision Express', one has to ask can the...

Independents offered online sales service.(News)
August 3, 2007... Contact lens home delivery provider EyeCare Services is offering practitioners the opportunity to sell products online without creating their own e-commerce websites. The service is through the company's Posh Eyes website, which managing...

Surrey seminars.(Features)
August 3, 2007... Peter Charlesworth previews what delegates can expect from the Replay Learning Optician clinical conference in Egham, Surrey this autumn Regular readers will already know that Replay Learning and Optician have joined forces for this year's...

Top names at Replay events.(News)(Conference news)
August 3, 2007... Leading suppliers will exhibiting at this autumn's Replay Learning Optician Clinical Conferences. The clinical conferences organised by the Replay team and for the first time backed by Optician are set to take place on four Sundays...

P pages.
August 3, 2007... Rodenstock has introduced the Elegance collection with 'sophisticated, yet casual eyewear' targeted at 35+ fashion conscious men and women. The collection comprises six lightweight, contemporary models in softened rectangular shapes bringing...

News.
August 3, 2007... Elegance by Rodenstock Rodenstock has introduced the Elegance collection with 'sophisticated, yet casual eyewear' targeted at fashion-conscious men and women aged over 35. The collection comprises six lightweight, contemporary models in...

Safilo surge.(Other)
August 3, 2007... The Safilo Group saw net profit rise 52.5 per cent to [euro]33.3m for the first half of 2007, with sales up 10.3 per cent at [euro]667.8m. All world markets recorded increases in sales and the Armani, Dior and Gucci brands were highlighted....

Redesign for Autograph.(Shamir Optical Industry introduces short-corridor 1.74 version of its flagship lens)(Brief article)
August 3, 2007... Progressive lens specialist Shamir has introduced a short-corridor 1.74 version of its flagship lens, Shamir Autograph. Complete with Glacier coating, the ultra high index progressive is available in -18.00D to +13.50D, with a maximum cyl...

Charging for PDs and VAT exemption.(News)
August 3, 2007... * James Murray Wells' request for PDs to be supplied as part of the prescription (News, July 6) is an interesting point, Centres are not part of a prescription and validate the dispensing process, which gives partial exemption with regard to...

Condescending PCT raises hackles.(Other)(Brief article)
August 3, 2007... * Even if we admit that we live in an age of a siege from arrogant attitudes from a variety of service providers, a recent experience from a north-east London FHS consortium (PCT) did surprise me. For the month of June we had 215 NHS...

News.(Serge Dessureeault and team endorses Carrera brand)(Brief article)
August 3, 2007... head to go here Canadian athlete Serge Dessureeault and his team wore Carrera-branded helmets and ski masks on an expedition surpassing 8500 metres up Mount Everest. Carrera sports brand including sunglasses, helmets and ski masks,...

Overwhelmed by online response.(Features)
August 3, 2007... There can be no doubt about the thirst for knowledge among the general public for information on eyes and vision correction. This was vividly demonstrated with the launch last week of the eye care advice blog. Within hours of being set up, this...

Other.
August 3, 2007... Johnson & Johnson is cutting up to 4,800 jobs worldwide, accounting for 3-4 per cent of its workforce, mainly in its pharmaceutical business and the stent-making Cordis unit. The world's largest health products company, with 120,500 employees,...

News.
August 3, 2007... The Ocuco Group, comprising of practice management software specialists Ocuco Ltd, OcucoRelcon and Lab Software business DRS Computing, has reported a marginal increase in total income of 4 per cent to [pounds sterling]2.8 million for the...

Scotland plans optical event.(Optometry Scotland plans to host Scottish Optical Conference)(Conference news)(Brief article)
August 3, 2007... Optometry Scotland (OS) is to host a Scottish Optical Conference in conjunction with the Scottish Committee of Optometrists (SCO). The programme for the event, to be held at the Hilton Hotel, Glasgow, on December 2 2007, is still to be...

P pages.(Buchmann UK appoints Dave Tate as Sales Manager )
August 3, 2007... Buchmann UK has appointed Dave Tate as Sales Manager for the Briot rage of edging technology, joining the Buchmann UK senior management team. Previously leading a team of 5 sales engineers, Dave has spent the past 22 years in Briot sales...

P pages.(designer Gail Spence introduces latest ProDesign collection)(Brief article)
August 3, 2007... American-born Danish jeweller and designer Gail Spence's unique hinge concept defines the latest ProDesign collection. The visible opening in the front where the temples fit creates a delicate union between solid titanium and the transparent...

Optical firms urged to enter Queen's Awards.(News)
August 3, 2007... Outstanding companies in the medical sectors, including optical firms and practices, are being invited to submit applications for the annual Queen's Awards for Enterprise. The awards, which recognise outstanding achievement in business,...

Carrera conquers Everest.(News)(Serge Dessureault )(Brief article)
August 3, 2007... Canadian athlete Serge Dessureault and his team wore Carrera-branded helmets and ski masks on an expedition surpassing 8,500 metres up Mount Everest. The athletes of the White Circus team were sponsored by the Safilo brand Carrera, and...

head to go here.(News)(Brief article)
August 3, 2007... A primary school in Sydney became the first in Australia to force children to wear sunglasses in the playground earlier this week. Most Australian primary schools already insist that pupils wear sunhats in the playground and some insist...

Locked cabinets fail 'Queen of Shops' test.(News)
August 3, 2007... A Sunglass Hut outlet came under the scrutiny of self-styled 'Queen of Shops' Mary Portas with her 'mystery shopper' visit to the chain's Milton Keynes branch on the aptly titled Sunset Walk. Portas, star of the recent BBC Two series Mary...

US wearers unaware of MoisturePlus recall.(News)(Report)
August 10, 2007... A survey of healthy contact lens wearers across the US from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revealed that 52.3 per cent were not aware of the AMO Complete MoisturePlus recall. The CDC warned last week that multiple cases of...

AMO abandons bid for B&L.(News)
August 10, 2007... Advanced Medical Optics has withdrawn its $4bn ([pounds sterling]1.9bn) bid to buy rival Bausch & Lomb, paving the way for the private equity firm Warburg Pincus to push ahead with its own deal to buy the US eye care company. According to...

Features.(The Jones Vs Garnett case )(Case study)
August 10, 2007... House of Lords Warms the Arctic [intro] John Whiting reviews the recent House of Lords decision on Arctic Systems and what it may mean for small businesses run by husband and wife teams in the future. Small businesses can thank the...

Applied Spectacle Technology Practice of the Year.(Features)
August 10, 2007... The run-up to the Optician Awards 2008 is almost upon us. Here we look back at this year's winner in the Applied Spectacle Technology Practice category For the King's Cross Eye Clinic (KCEC), the first year in business has certainly been...

Back to basics in dispensing.(Features)
August 10, 2007... Paul McCarthy looks at ways of predicting problems due to anisometropia and how best to avoid them. C7205, one standard CET point, suitable for optometrists and dispensing opticians When presented with an anisometropic prescription there...

Profits soar at Black & Lizars.(News)(Financial report)(Brief article)
August 10, 2007... Independent Scottish chain Black & Lizars almost tripled its pre-tax profits thanks to increased sales, better margins and the introduction of NHS-paid for tests for all in Scotland, according to The Herald August 3. The 175-year-old...

P pages.(Brief article)
August 10, 2007... A Bristol-based optometrist is running the Bristol Half Marathon on Sunday September 9 to raise funds towards national eye research at the Bristol Eye Hospital. David Good previously entered the Three Peaks Challenge in 2004, which...

D&A provides special service.(News)
August 10, 2007... Sheffield branches of Dollond & Aitchison aim to improve sight tests for people with learning disabilities, having appointed optical advisers for all four branches following training given by SeeAbility. Specialist equipment has been...

Trust issues UV guide.(News)(Brief article)
August 10, 2007... The Eyecare Trust has published a guide to safe sun vision for practitioners to provide their customers with practical advice and information on protecting eyes from the harmful effects of ultraviolet light. The six-page long Guide to UV...

Fish eyes hold retinal repair clue.(News)
August 10, 2007... Researchers have found that a special type of cell found in the eye can play an important part in regenerating the retina in Zebra fish and restoring vision even after extensive damage. A team of scientists at Moorfields Eye Hospital and...

GOC to review locum's case.(General Optician Council)(Brief article)
August 10, 2007... The GOC fitness to practise committee is to hold a review hearing to determine whether conditions set for a locum optometrist at the Burton-on-Trent branch of Specsavers have been complied with and what, if any, action should continue to be...

P pages.
August 10, 2007... The latest sunglass collection by Giorgio Armani has been developed in collaboration with Carrera's research and development department so that consumers who want a sporting feel can also have cutting edge technology along with attention to...

Perkins appointed joint MD.(P pages)
August 10, 2007... John Perkins, son of Specsavers founders Doug and Mary Perkins, has been appointed joint managing director of Specsavers Optical Group at la Villiaze. He will lead the financial department and hold responsibility for providing a full range...

Funds secured for Oakley deal.(News)
August 10, 2007... Italian eyewear giant Luxottica has mandated a group of banks to arrange, underwrite and provide credit facilities to finance its acquisition of US firm Oakley for around $2bn. The agreement will consist of five-year loan of $1.5bn and a...

P pages.(Maui Jim Inc. introduces 'Maui Jim Sunglasses)(Brief article)
August 10, 2007... Maui Jim has launched four new styles in what it described as 'must-have larger frames' in 'super-premium eyewear'. The new trendy designs come with its PolarisedPlus2 technology, which Maui Jim said was a combination of unrivalled...

News.(setting charges for eye examination)(Viewpoint essay)
August 10, 2007... I note with interest the comments flying around about Mr Murray Wells and his continuing empire building. More particularly, the side debate that rages on as to whether optometrists should give patients who wish to shop elsewhere their PD...

NXT takes on playground.(Eye'DC introduces collection Eye'DJ eyewear made from NXT)(Brief article)
August 10, 2007... Eye'DC said its children's collection Eye'DJ enables 'kids to play at grown-ups being kids'. The new Oskar model is a take on the suspended lenses concept taken from the Eye'DC adult collection and utilises the light, unbreakable material...

head to go here.(Retailer Next starts selling designer sunglasses instead of prescription eyewear )(Brief article)
August 10, 2007... Retailer Next has stopped selling prescription eyewear in its directory but continues to sell ready readers and a range of designer sunglasses. Last year Optician reported that the Next Directory, which has around two million active users,...

head to go here.(fundraising by Charity Optometry Giving Sight )(Brief article)
August 10, 2007... Charity Optometry Giving Sight is challenging all UK practices to donate the fees from their eye examinations for World Sight Day on Thursday October 11. The organisation hopes that staff, patients and students will also support the campaign to...

Book early for Birmingham.(Features)
August 10, 2007... The Birmingham Replay Learning conference is full of lectures and seminars relevant to all optical practitioners Booking is well under way for this autumn's clinical conferences, jointly run by Replay Learning and Optician. The conferences...

Conway looks to Europe.(Seiko Optical Europe appoints John Conway )(Brief article)
August 10, 2007... John Conway has been made a company director of Seiko Optical Europe. Conway said the appointment was in recognition of the efforts of customers and employees who had brought about tremendous growth in Seiko Optical UK over the past three...

P pages.(Seiko Optical Europe appoints John Conway )(Brief article)
August 10, 2007... John Conway has been made a company director of Seiko Optical Europe. Conway said the appointment was in recognition of the efforts of customers and employees who had brought about tremendous growth in Seiko Optical UK over the past three...

Screening scheme to beat target.(News)
August 10, 2007... The Staffordshire Diabetic Retinopathy Screening Service, a community-based digital eye screening programme is on track to exceed its target of screening over 35,000 diabetes patients this year. The county-wide scheme screened over 28,000...

Big day out for Swarovski.(P pages)(Daniel Swarovski Crystal Eyewear)(Brief article)
August 10, 2007... Love & Light eyewear collection has been specifically designed for brides on their big day by Daniel Swarovski Crystal Eyewear. Sparkling metallic-coated lenses and 23-carat gold-plated decorative elements with hand-mounted chaton cut crystals...

P pages.
August 10, 2007... Leslie Jaffray (right) has been appointed sales executive at UltraVision. Jaffray has 32 years' experience in sales and marketing in the contact lens industry. He aims to raise awareness of UltraVision's product range, and other support within...

VAO honours Norville.(News)(Norville Group Ltd honoured farewell to Frank Norville)(Brief article)
August 10, 2007... At a recent Vision Aid Overseas weekend, the charity honoured one of its most loyal members and said farewell to its founder who has stepped down from the board. Frank Norville, chairman of The Norville Group, has supported VAO since it...

Build your own retinoscope.(Features)(Dr Colin Fowler )(Personal account)
August 10, 2007... Dr Colin Fowler suggests a novel summertime hobby using low cost and easily available components As a young optometrist I was always bemused when watching my older colleagues use ancient retinoscopes which were often in a rather decrepit...

Profession tobe proud of.(Other)(Eyewear industry)(Brief article)
August 10, 2007... Last week two sets of statistics were revealed that give cause to celebrate the sterling work of eye care practitioners. The first was news from the GOC that complaints against opticians have fallen to their lowest number in three years,...

head to go hereDirect debit can boost revenue.(News)(OptiSoft Inc)(Brief article)
August 10, 2007... Practices that fail to promote direct debit facilities are missing out on an opportunity to maximise revenue, according to practice management system company Optisoft. Fewer than 5 per cent of practices make use of direct debits, it said,...

Samson and Delilah boost Rx capacity.(News)(Dunelm)(Brief article)
August 10, 2007... Independent frame and lens supplier Dunelm has increased its production capacity by a third with a [pounds sterling]150,000 investment in state-of-the-art machinery. The company is the first to market with two new automated edging systems...

News.
August 10, 2007... The latest sunglass collection by Giorgio Armani has been developed in collaboration with Carrera's research and development department so that consumers who want a sporting feel can also have cutting edge technology along with attention to...

Alzheimer's research reveals glaucoma link.(News)
August 10, 2007... By Perry Thakrar perry.thakrar@rbi.co.uk Drugs developed to slow down the progress of Alzheimer's disease may protect patients at risk of eye damage from glaucoma, according to research published earlier this week. UK scientists...

Larger frames by Maui Jim.(News)(Brief article)
August 10, 2007... Maui Jim has launched four new styles in what it described as 'must-have larger frames' in 'super-premium eyewear'. The new trendy designs come with its PolarisedPlus2 technology, giving what Maui Jim described as a combination of...

Next drops Rx offering.(News)
August 10, 2007... Retailer Next has stopped selling prescription eyewear in its directory but continues to sell ready-readers and a range of designer sunglasses. In 2005 Optician reported that the Next Directory, which has around two million active users,...

News.
August 10, 2007... The University of Bradford is inviting applications from GOC-registered dispensing opticians for its career progression course leading to a BSc (Hons) Optometry. The course involves one calendar year of full-time university attendance preceded...