Optician articles from February 2002

Optician archives from February 2002

nemowrites.(waiting lists for cataract surgery)(Statistical Data Included)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Spinning a yarn The older one gets, the more cynical one becomes regarding the pronouncements of politicians. One's suspicions tend to be aggravated nowadays by 'spin-doctors', now practising their black art on an ever increasing scale....

Introducing silicone hydrogel contact lenses.
February 1, 2002... Part 1 - Material properties and patient selection In the first instalment of a three-part series on silicone hydrogel contact lenses, Kathy Dumbleton and Lyndon Jones discuss the material's characteristics and how to identify suitable...

Why I fit contact lenses.(Statistical Data Included)
February 1, 2002... optician asks contact lens professionals in different working environments and of varying experience to explain why they fit contact lenses, how it differs from other aspects of their work and why practitioners should get involved in contact...

Corneal opacities - peripheral; (Arcus senilis, Vogt's white limbal girdle, Kayser-Fleischer ring).
February 1, 2002... Description There are several conditions that lead to exclusively peripheral opacification of the cornea. The more important conditions affecting the peripheral cornea, such as marginal keratitis, Terrien's marginal degeneration,...

Contact lens care.(Statistical Data Included)
February 1, 2002... Part 11 - Patient compliance with advice on contact lens wear and care In this part of our series, Professor Nathan Efron considers the various ways in which patients can be non-compliant with contact lens wear and care procedures. He...

Buyer is found for Rx business at Bolle (UK).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Customers assured of continuity of prescription service by new owners ADCO Group Bolle (UK)'s industrial prescription safety eyewear and vision screening business has been sold to protective equipment manufacturer the ADCO Group. ...

Acanthamoeba returns to haunt CL care sector.(contact lenses)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... New research casts doubt over the effectiveness of some multipurpose solutions Contact lenses were back in the headlines this week after new research warned that multipurpose contact lens solutions are less effective at killing the eye bug...

High ocular injury rate among terror victims.(World Trade Center victim data)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... The extent of ocular injuries sustained in World Trade Center attack are published Almost five months on from the September 11 attack on the World Trade Center revealing injury statistics, including details of ocular damage to New Yorkers,...

Conference to debate initiatives on diabetes.(Health care conference information)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... The Department of Health's new National Service Framework for diabetes will be one of the key topics for debate at the Diabetes UK conference next month. The National Service Framework is expected to involve optical practitioners in...

Supermarket's optical plans are on track, despite missing target.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 1, 2002... Despite not meeting its target for 50 optical centre openings last year, supermarket giant Asda insists its three-year plan is still on track. The company is to create new jobs in up to 50 new optical centres this year, but is not...

NHS urged to provide extra eyewear for kids.(National Health Service)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Minister in Wales calls for children to be given extra pair of spectacles on the NHS Following the case of 'Robin Hood' optometrist Gwyn Evans, a member of the Welsh Assembly has called for children to be eligible for a second pair of...

Ciba's special fitters hold first meeting.(Chiba Vision Corp)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... The first meeting of Ciba Vision's 'Specialist Club' for contact lens fitters took place this week. The club aims to provide a forum for its members to discuss cases studies, exchange information and hear invited guest speakers. A...

College issues warning over expenses.(College of Optometrists )(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... The College of Optometrists has confirmed it will be scrutinising the expenses of council election candidates after concerns were raised about the publicity surrounding one entrant this week. The campaign to elect Wakefield optometrist...

Police beef up fight against fraud.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 1, 2002... Efforts to fight optical fraud in the NHS were stepped up this week after the Department of Health and the police force agreed to work together to root out fraudulent practitioners. Health minister Lord Philip Hunt launched an 'historic...

All party group on vision holds first meeting.(United Kingdom health care program)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Over 40 MPs and peers have joined a group of current Parliamentarians whose aim is to advance the needs of millions of Britons who require vision correction. As first reported last month in optician, the All Party Parliamentary Group on...

March date for BSRS conference.(British Society for Refractive Surgery)(Brief Article)
February 8, 2002... u The ninth annual conference of the British Society for Refractive Surgery will be held at the Lakeside Conference Centre, Aston University in Birmingham from March 21-22. This year's meeting promises to be highly informative, with a wide...

The Amsler charts.
February 8, 2002... Andrew Franklin refreshes our memory regarding a useful method for screening patients with diabetic or age-related maculopathies, and those taking certain commonly prescribed systemic drugs Disturbance to the central area of the retina can...

Taming tactics.
February 8, 2002... Aggressive patients are rare but can cause a host of problems for practices. Samantha Dalton reports on the best ways to handle the hot-headed A patient is upset about his prescription because he says he has paid a large amount of money...

Making contact.(contact lens training day)(Brief Article)
February 8, 2002... CONGRATULATIONS TO THE ACLM on its latest business Training Day at Aston University (see News). This was a well attended event at which optometrists, dispensing opticians, academics, members of the independent and multiple sectors,...

Guidelines from Glasgow.(Brief Article)
February 8, 2002... Emma Price reports from the Glasgow Hilton on the highlights of a varied programme of lectures at the Eyecare 3000 conference Over 350 delegates attended this year's Eyecare 3000 conference at the Glasgow Hilton Hotel. The conference,...

moneowrites.(Brief Article)
February 8, 2002... A towering gaffe Those that represent optometry on our professional representative bodies have been accused of living in ivory towers and not understanding the 'real world' of optometry. On many occasions I have believed this to be an...

Luxottica celebrates record 2001 results.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 8, 2002... Luxottica, the Italian eyewear company which owns the Ray-Ban brand, revealed improved results for 2001 and its final quarter. The group sold 32 million frames last year, a 12 per cent increase on 2000. Net sales were up 27 per cent to...

Assembly to vote on extra specs for kids.(Brief Article)
February 8, 2002... Extension to optical provision for schoolkids in Wales looks likely to go ahead Thousands of children in Wales may be eligible for a second pair of NHS spectacles, after a Welsh Assembly Member (AM) successfully introduced subordinate...

Crocodile shagreen; (Corneal mosaic patterns, Francois cloudy dystrophy).(Brief Article)
February 8, 2002... Description The term crocodile shagreen refers to the resemblance of polygonal opacities within the cornea to crocodile hide (shagreen). The basis for this mosaic appearance is probably the normal arrangement of stromal collagen lamellae....

Corporate presence on LOCs nearer after Lords debate.(local optical committees)(Brief Article)
February 8, 2002... Efforts to secure statutory corporate representation on local optical committees (LOCs) will increase after the Government announced it would consult with the profession in the House of Lords last week. Optical employers' body FODO backs...

Specsavers wins people award.(Brief Article)
February 8, 2002... u Specsavers Opticians has been awarded an Investors in People award for its Specsavers optical superstores. The superstores comprise the UK-based support services for the multiple retailer's practices, and took less than a year to gain...

SDS aims to beat credit card fraud.(Specialist Data Solutions)(Brief Article)
February 8, 2002... u Specialist Data Solutions claims in-practice credit card fraud is set to be a thing of the past thanks to the integration of Electronic Funds Transfer at the Point of Sale (EFTPoS) into optical practices' computer systems. Responsibility...

Pentax promotes on monthly basis.(Brief Article)
February 8, 2002... u As part of a new improved retail support programme for 2002, Pentax Vision Europe has introduced monthly promotions. They are designed to directly support its customers by increasing their margins via discounts and special offers. David...

Global optical show to host 'Youth Summit'.(Brief Article)
February 8, 2002... New York exhibition to offer advice on children's eye care and eyewear marketing Children's eye care will be placed at the top of the agenda of one of the largest conference's on the global optical trade show calendar next month. ...

Optimum unveils coatings service.(Optimum Coatings )(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
February 8, 2002... u Optimum Coatings has launched a new anti-reflective coatings service for independent prescription laboratories and optical practices. Operating from new premises with ample scope for expansion, the company has invested more than...

Alcon and Ciba reply to study on Acanthamoeba.(Brief Article)
February 8, 2002... The adverse reactions to last week's news regarding a new study on Acanthamoeba and contact lens solutions have continued. Ciba Vision UK and Alcon have both moved swiftly to state their contact lens care products were not involved in the...

Essilor looks to cast a spell on children's specs.(opthalmic lenses)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
February 8, 2002... u To celebrate the release of the Harry Potter film, Essilor has introduced the Magic Lens to make lenses more appealing to children and teenagers to wear their spectacles. The lens contains a hidden Harry Potter symbol, which appears when...

College asks Blears to give OOs bonus.(College of Optometrists ask Hazel Blears for funding)(Brief Article)
February 8, 2002... Hazel Blears, the MP responsible for optical services in Alan Milburn's health team, was urged to give optometrists involved in co-managed schemes more cash last week. The College of Optometrists' president Richard Broughton, and secretary...

Practitioners hear what makes CL sector tick.(Association of Contact Lens Manufacturers Training Day)(Brief Article)
February 8, 2002... Practitioner education emerged as the main theme in the Association of Contact Lens Manufacturers' first Business Training Day held at Aston University earlier this week. The day was the culmination of the year-long market growth...

Boots given a second rebuke on Lasik claims.(Boots Opticians)(laser refractive surgery)(Brief Article)
February 8, 2002... For the second time in three weeks Boots Opticians has been ordered to rephrase claims used in promotional literature for laser refractive surgery. The Advertising Standards Authority has this week upheld two complaints from Thornton &...

Sales drop forces UK giant into rescue plan.(Brief Article)(Company Profile)
February 8, 2002... Cambridge Optical, owner of Harrods' frame brand, enters voluntary agreement The UK's largest frame manufacturer, Cambridge Optical Group, has entered into a financial rescue agreement. Cambridge Optical Group, which holds the rights...

Crystalline keratopathy; (Cystinosis, chrysiasis, paraproteinaemia).
February 15, 2002... Description Many different substances can deposit in the corneal stroma in crystalline form. These include lipid, gold (chrysiasis), the amino acid cysteine (in cystinosis), proteins (in paraproteinaemia) and urate (in gout). Corneal...

great opportunities.
February 15, 2002... Peter Leigh discusses the opportunities and threats facing optometry and outlines his vision for the future At a time when the present Government has staked its future on the delivery of improved healthcare, and when health and education...

Where the profession is today.(shared care in optometry)
February 15, 2002... Patricia O'Sullivan reviews the background to optometrists' involvement in shared care, describes the types of schemes that are currently operating and looks at opportunities taking shape behind the scenes To understand the current status...

Practical experience of a shared care acute referral scheme.
February 15, 2002... Ted Arbuthnot describes the setting up of the Primary Eyecare Acute Referral Service (PEARS) scheme in the Vale of Glamorgan and reports on its first-year results The administration of the NHS in Wales has some unique features that create...

A polarised profession.
February 15, 2002... Colin Black offers his view on a profession he believes is increasingly polarised as it broadens its role into new areas of responsibility Pre-1948, optometry was a small, emergent, fringe profession working from unattractive premises in...

White coat or retailer?(optometrists)(Brief Article)
February 15, 2002... Chris Stean introduces our special issue on shared care, and suggests that practitioners need to plan now whether they want to be a high-street retailer or healthcare professional With so many changes and choices ahead, it is more important...

Streetwise; and sporty.(sunglasses)(Brief Article)
February 15, 2002... In the beginning there was light and not too long after came C?b? sunglasses, or so legend has it. Chris Bennett reports on C?b?'s latest range of shades Whichever way you look at it C?b? has been around for a long time and has built its...

New study finds high myopia levels in young.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 15, 2002... The prevalence of myopia in young people has increased at an alarming rate, according to a new study. The findings have led to fears that close work on VDUs and playing computer games is seriously affecting children and creating a myopic...

The caring sharing future.(shared care in optometry)(Brief Article)
February 15, 2002... SHAREDCAREhas become so significant a part of our lives that a large proportion of this issue of Optician is dedicated to the subject. But why all the fuss? A diabetic shared care scheme set up by the Whittington Hospital in London has...

'Major retailer' could be sponsor for VAO project.(Brief Article)
February 15, 2002... An optical charity is negotiating with a 'major retailer' to sponsor one of its projects abroad. Vision Aid Overseas (VAO) announced its 2002 plans this week, which include 13 projects in Africa, Asia and Eastern Europe starting in April,...

Obituary - Michael Seaman.(Obituary)
February 15, 2002... u Optometrist Michael Seaman recently passed away after a battle with bone marrow cancer. His family were at his bedside. Mr Seaman graduated with a degree in optometry from City University in 1969 and joined Norman Prince and Partners in...

nemowrites.(Brief Article)(Column)
February 15, 2002... Playing with words Why was Mr J Salmon (Letters, February 8) unclear as to the purpose of Bill Carlyle's frequent homilies? He simply believes that he has an important message to deliver and, what's more, is determined to do so. This...

RNIB wins bid to host global low vision event.
February 15, 2002... The world's leading conference on low vision is coming to Britain in three years' time. To be held in London over a five-day period during April 2005, it is expected that over 2,000 people involved in the low vision sector will attend and...

Harry Potter keeps the tills ringing for multiple.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 15, 2002... Harry Potter spectacles and Contact Lenses by Post multiple Dollond & Aitchison saw a 3.7 per cent increase in sales for 2001, despite a difficult last quarter. Chief executive Russell Hardy said although November and December were 'tough'...

Heathrow to run trials for iris recognition.(Brief Article)
February 15, 2002... Trials of iris recognition technology used in passport control at airports have started in Britain. The technology was reported in optician 18 months ago (News, June 30, 2000) when Frankfurt airport started to use the system to allow...

End to VAT nightmare in sight for profession.(Brief Article)
February 15, 2002... Customs & Excise said this week it will not appeal against the tribunal ruling which gave optics victory against the Government's inspectors' efforts to tax dispensing. Representatives of the optical bodies involved in the case said they...

Vision Express told not to repeat claims.(Brief Article)
February 15, 2002... Vision Express (VE) is the latest optical company to have to revise promotional material after the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) ordered it not to repeat claims made in a leaflet about its contact lenses. Dollond & Aitchison...

Suffering laser patient calls for regulatory body.(Brief Article)
February 15, 2002... A patient who had laser eye surgery which went wrong called for a new regulatory body to be established for the industry on national radio this week. Margaret Dolan, who claims she has had to give up work, driving and going to the cinema...

Cysts of the eyelids ; (Cyst of Moll, eccrine sweat gland hidrocystoma, cyst of Zeis, sebaceous cyst, milia).(Brief Article)
February 22, 2002... Description Cysts can arise in any of the different glands around the eyelid. Aside from the meibomian glands that run within the tarsal plate itself, the eyelid skin has its own eccrine and sebaceous glands. There are also modified...

J&J plans to go ahead with 1-Day Acuvue hike.(Johnson and Johnson to increase disposable contact lenses prices)(Brief Article)
February 22, 2002... Johnson & Johnson will go ahead with its 35 per cent price rise for 1-Day Acuvue lenses early next month, despite continued concern from some practitioners. The price rise, from March 4, has been criticised by many independents as...

CooperVision ups Frequency range.(colored contact lenses)
February 22, 2002... u CooperVision has extended its Frequency range of coloured contact lenses with the launch of dark blue, adding to existing colours of light blue, aqua, green, grey, hazel and brown. The disposable 'Frequency Colors' are designed for both...

Health Clinic to offer; free optical services.(Brief Article)
February 22, 2002... In a controversial move, multi-disciplinary primary care provider the Health Clinic is offering many of its optical services free of charge at its new branch. The company, also known as the Eye Clinic, opened its 18th practice on The...

DO is fined for fitting CLs when unqualified.(dispensing optician; contact lenses)(Brief Article)
February 22, 2002... A former Boots dispensing optician was fined for fitting contact lenses when not qualified, and for failing to register himself for over a year while working as a DO. In a case which emphasised the need for practitioners to check their...

Fraudulent OO struck off.(optometrist)(Brief Article)
February 22, 2002... An optometrist was struck off last week after being found guilty of false accounting in his domiciliary work for a health authority. Simon Morelli, of Deal in Kent, agreed he was 'naive and foolish' in his dealings at a hearing of the GOC's...

Guide Dogs to host glaucoma symposium.
February 22, 2002... Senior lecturers from Moorfields and Manchester's Royal Eye Hospital will take part in a special ophthalmic research symposium this spring. The symposium will be part of the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association's 2002 glaucoma theme for...

Lasik survey finds one in four will have night vision problems.(Brief Article)
February 22, 2002... New research claims one in four people who have had Lasik treatment experience night vision problems long after the surgery. The research, carried out in the US, interviewed 605 people who have had the procedure and found 25 per cent still...

omenwrites.(new optometry test guidelines)(Brief Article)(Editorial)
February 22, 2002... Definitions WEARETOLDIN Optometry Today (February 8), that South Derbyshire Health Authority and its LOC have 'agreed the contents of a normal GOS sight test as recommended in the Association of Optometrists' eye examination guidance...

Cannabis may be prescribed on the NHS.(National Health Service; for glaucoma)(Brief Article)
February 22, 2002... This week's news that the Government is willing to allow cannabis to be prescribed on the NHS could lead to its use for glaucoma sufferers. It has long been suggested that the pain-relieving advantages could help those with the eye...

If the CAPS fit.(Clinical Audit Patient Survey program)(Brief Article)
February 22, 2002... Quantifying and measuring performance is notoriously difficult in health-related professions. Despite this, the rise of league tables, hit lists and benchmarking continues unabated and the optical profession cannot remain immune from the same...

Norville enlightens with NuPolar pack.(Brief Article)
February 22, 2002... u The Norville Group is promoting its NuPolar sunlenses with a NuPolar demonstration unit to be used as a sales aid. The promotional pack comprises patient information, posters and a tailor-made lightbox to demonstrate the lens to the...

NHS needs closer ties to optometry, says study.(National Health Service)(Brief Article)
February 22, 2002... The Government will come under more pressure to improve the system of referrals in optics at a meeting in the House of Commons next week. MPs, health professionals and representatives of interested bodies will hear the results of a new...

DOCET offers courses free to optometrists.(Brief Article)
February 22, 2002... The College of Optometrists has announced details of 2002 to 2003 tendered courses for DOCET, entry to which is free. Provided by NetLectures, the topics are pre and post-management of cataract surgery, and learning disabilities, with the...

Laser surgery in need of public interest body.(Brief Article)
February 22, 2002... A proposed set of minimum standards for the UK corneal laser treatment sector will be discussed at a meeting to coincide with the British Society of Refractive Surgery conference in Birmingham next month. Lasik business Ultralase has...

Eye care fails to make BBC list on NHSpriority.(British Broadcasting Corporation, National Health Service)(Brief Article)
February 22, 2002... 'Free eye care' was not popular enough to get past the first cut of headline areas in Wednesday's BBC Your NHS Poll. A positive start saw it fourth in the list of 12 broad priorities for which the public was asked to vote mid-morning, just...

Munich gets German vote as Cologne stalls.(Brief Article)
February 22, 2002... Despite a change of both date and venue, last weekend's Optica in Cologne failed to attract the visitors needed to reinstate it as Germany's premier optical exhibition. The poor results follow a call from Optica's organiser, K?lnMesse, for...

Boll? to deal directly with UK customers.(safety eyewear distributed in United Kingdom)(Brief Article)
February 22, 2002... Boll?'s range of safety eyewear will now be distributed in the UK directly from the manufacturer. The move follows Boll? UK's going into receivership and the subsequent sell-off of its safety eyewear and vision screening business to the...

Vision Express parent sees improved results.(GrandVision)(Brief Article)
February 22, 2002... GrandVision, the French parent company of Vision Express, reported improved finances for 2001 this week. Its optical retail business in the UK and Republic of Ireland moved ahead from E219.5m (?134m) in 2000 to E229.3m (?140m) last year...

Oakley reports difficult fourth quarter of 2001.(Brief Article)
February 22, 2002... Disruptions over supply agreements and the impact of September 11 on consumer spending and travel adversely affected sales of Oakley, the US sunglass company. The company saw fourth quarter sales for 2001 dip to US$90.2m (2000: US$93.3m),...