Optician articles from February 2003

Optician archives from February 2003

Iris cysts and benign tumours; (Lisch nodule, leiomyoma, adenoma).
February 7, 2003... Description The iris may give rise to a number of benign tumours arising from the pigment epithelium or stroma. The main importance of these tumours is as a differential diagnosis of iris melanoma, although iris melanoma itself is usually...

In the blink of an eye; A multi-dose, preservative-free contact lens comfort drop.
February 7, 2003... Various formulations of contact lens comfort drops are now available in the UK, but what are the differences between them and how useful are they? Chris Amos reviews the currently available products and describes the properties and clinical...

Giving your patients the best.(How to communicate with patients to ensure they get the best contact lenses and related products)
February 7, 2003... Vacuum cleaners and contact lenses might not seem to have much in common but their technical attributes can be presented to the customer in a similar way. In the final part (Part 10) of this series, Sarah Morgan looks at how to communicate with...

CLIDEin Germany.(Survey looks at contact lens-induced dry eye)
February 7, 2003... Sudi Patel and Stefan Schwarz present the results of a practitioner survey in Germany which looked into contact lens-induced dry eye In various studies there are many reports suggesting that symptoms of dryness are some of the most common...

Award remembers Van Colle.(Optometrist)(Brief Article)
February 7, 2003... An award has been established to honour the memory of Giles Van Colle, the 25-year-old optometrist murdered by a colleague in 2000. Giles Van Colle Memorial Award will honour his memory through the encouragement and development of clinical...

nemowrites.(Column)
February 7, 2003... Watch it! So far as I am aware, there have been few, if any, disciplinary cases prior to the recent Pankhania hearing (News, January 31), featuring an ophthalmic optician charged with serious professional misconduct for having failed to...

Oakley opens [pounds sterling]2.5m European Rx facility.(near Dublin, County Westneath, Ireland)
February 7, 2003... Oakley has established a pound sterling2.5m European prescription laboratory near Dublin in Mullingar, County Westmeath. It is the first company-owned Rx facility outside the US. The 10,000sq ft plant has been supported by Investment and...

Laser surgeons to be graded by patients.(lasik-eyes.co.uk will have a scoring mechanism for surgeons, not clinics)
February 7, 2003... In the week that a laser eye surgeon appeared before the GMC for alleged serious professional misconduct, the organiser of a consumer website has promised to grade professionals in future. Currently lasik-eyes.co.uk rates clinics from...

Dr Bernard Grolman.(Brief Article)(Obituary)
February 7, 2003... The death has been announced of Dr Bernard Grolman, the inventor of the non-contact tonometer. He was 79. Dr Grolman was killed tragically in Buffalo, New York from injuries sustained after being struck by a car. He served with the US...

Bradford seeks applicants for doctorates.(University of Bradford's Department of Optometry to boost search for doctorial candidates)(Brief Article)
February 7, 2003... The search for PhD students will be stepped up this month by the University of Bradford's Department of Optometry. Following last month's news that the university plans to establish a fast-track optometry degree (News, January 31), this...

High hopes for International City.(Optrafair exhibitors optimistic about interest in international design and niche eyeglass frames)(Brief Article)
February 7, 2003... Exhibitors to Optrafair's International City have spoken of their optimism about the profession's growing interest in international design and 'niche' frames. And several booked to appear at the event's 'boutique arena' are looking forward to...

Hammond goes back to school.(Hammond Opticians tours local schools to educate children about vision problems)
February 7, 2003... u Middlesex-based Hammond Opticians has continued its tour of local schools to help youngsters understand the problems that sufferers of poor vision and blindness experience. The school talks were organised to help celebrate the 70th...

Lasik surgeon appears before GMC hearing.(General Medical Council)(Brief Article)
February 7, 2003... A lawyer who first voiced his claim that laser surgery had harmed his vision to optician two years ago faced his surgeon at a professional conduct hearing this week. The General Medical Council hearing, which started on Monday (February...

'Brave new world' awaits diplomates.(Frank Munro delivers College of Optometrists' commencement speech )(Brief Article)
February 7, 2003... Over 1,000 people attended last week's College of Optometrists Diploma ceremony at London's Guildhall. In his address, president of the College Frank Munro welcomed the 320 diplomates to the profession, and what he called the 'brave new...

Consortium bid leads to tussle over CET.(Brief Article)
February 7, 2003... A tussle has broken out between the optical professional bodies to win the GOC's tender for the management of a compulsory continuing education and training scheme starting in 2004. Three of the associations - the AOP, ABDO and FODO - have...

Safilo fashions global contract with Armani.(Brief Article)
February 7, 2003... The Safilo Group and the Armani Group have agreed a worldwide licence for the production and distribution of Giorgio Armani and Emporio Armani eyewear collections. Under the new licence agreement Safilo will distribute its first Armani...

Raiders cut line to Luxottica.(burglars cut fiber optic wiring)(Brief Article)
February 7, 2003... Luxottica's London headquarters were broken into last Saturday, with the loss of a considerable quantity of eyewear and damage to its communications systems. The company has been without its telephone and computer network since the weekend...

Average sale per test is [pounds sterling]89.(optical sales in December 2002 rose 10%)(Brief Article)
February 7, 2003... A new survey from almost 1,000 practices has found that optical sales in December rose by 10 per cent when calculated against each optometrist employed. However, average dispensing values fell by 10 per cent. The calculations, compared to...

Optometrists face hearings.(General Optical Council to hold hearings concerning Narendrakumar Lalhai Tailor, Stephen Philip Penrose)(Brief Article)
February 7, 2003... Two optometrists will separately face the disciplinary committee of the General Optical Council later this month. Both face the charge that they have been convicted of a criminal offence, contrary to the Opticians Act. Narendrakumar...

Sales up 14% at Specsavers.(Specsavers Opticians )(Brief Article)
February 7, 2003... The chairman of Specsavers Opticians has stated that further expansion in Britain and Europe is planned for 2003. Doug Perkins presented the multiple's 2002 results this week and revealed last year's group sales (excluding VAT) totalled...

Iritis; (Anterior uveitis).
February 14, 2003... Description Uveitis is classified anatomically, depending on the site of inflammation, as being anterior (including iritis and iridocyclitis), intermediate (pars planitis), posterior and panuveitis. Iritis is a specific disease entity and...

Glossary of prefixes, suffixes and related terms: Part 3 M-Q.(Brief Article)
February 14, 2003... Ceri Goodman feels that many students these days have increasing difficulty in grasping the meaning of medical terms. An understanding of the individual components of a word helps one to understand its meaning. It must be remembered...

IOP and glaucoma.(intraocular pressure)
February 14, 2003... Ian Cunliffe reviews a number of studies looking at the relationship between intraocular pressure and glaucoma. He concludes that IOP is now returning as key to effective treatment protocols The role of intraocular pressure (IOP) as a...

Email provider offers to cut reminder costs.(Pro Reach, electronic marketing service for practitioners )
February 14, 2003... A newly launched electronic marketing service company claims it can save practitioners hundreds of pounds a year with its email patient recall system. London-based Pro Reach has been set up by Robin Kennedy, who helped to start Direct...

Technology by Tag.(TAG Heuer International S.A., Grand Prix driver Jacques Villeneuve wears Sport Vision eyewear )
February 14, 2003... optician finds out that Tag Heuer's connection with Formula 1 racing extends far beyond its watches, with the eyewear fast gaining places on the grid The Swiss Tag Heuer watch brand has a rich pedigree in Grand Prix and motor racing, with...

Dos and don'ts in pathology; A guide for dispensing.(dispensing practitioner's legal responsibility )
February 14, 2003... In a one-off CET article, Andrew Keirl looks at the legal responsibility on the dispensing practitioner to refer patients presenting with disease or injury to the eye (CET module C4475) General Optical Council rules on referral of ocular...

The sums don't add up.(Service and Financial Framework discussions)
February 14, 2003... This is the time of year when traditionally health authorities have retreated into darkened rooms and have indulged in a process known as the SaFF round. To the uninitiated this means the Service and Financial Framework discussions, or to put...

Lasik surgeon cleared.(Anupam Chatterjee)
February 14, 2003... The ophthalmic surgeon accused of leaving a patient with starbursts and haloes after laser treatment was cleared last week of serious professional misconduct by the General Medical Council. However, solicitor Paul Burton plans to file a...

Eyecare 3000.(The annual Scottish Optometric Conference)
February 14, 2003... Optician attended the recently held annual Scottish Optometric Conference and found much to be impressed by The forward-thinking name Eyecare 3000 was given to this year's Scottish Continuing Optometric Training conference held recently at...

Patients kept in dark over risks of Lasik.
February 14, 2003... Experts in ophthalmic surgery claim that laser eye patients undergo the procedure in ignorance of the risks, and clinics are not forthcoming in communicating 'dramatic' complication rates to the public. This is the finding of a Health...

If it ain't broke, why fix it?(The College of Optometrists' CET scheme )
February 14, 2003... The College of Optometrists' CET scheme has been a resounding success since its inception seven years ago. So why should the profession risk changing its CET governing group when continuing education goes compulsory in 2005? College secretary...

Boots defends record on laser procedures.
February 14, 2003... Boots Opticians Lasik eye treatment was under fire last Tuesday from the BBC's consumer flagship Watchdog. The television programme, broadcast on Tuesday (February 11) followed the experience of three patients whose surgery went wrong at...

OOs to play part in giving more choice.(Optometrists )(Brief Article)
February 14, 2003... Optometrists will have a role to play in the expansion of an NHS programme which aims to give patients more choice in where they receive treatment. The move follows the success of two pilot schemes covering heart and cataract surgery which...

Plan for NVQin optical retailing reaches final consultation stage.( National Vocational Qualification)(Brief Article)
February 14, 2003... The consultation process of the Level 2 Optical Retailing National and Scottish Vocational Qualification has reached a vital stage. Gordon Jones, chairman of the Optical Sector Steering Group, the grouping of professional bodies...

Wheelchair user wins compensation.(Brief Article)
February 14, 2003... A disabled man has won pound sterling2,000 compensation because he was refused an eye examination despite warning the practice of his disability. Mark Womersley booked an eye and contact lens test at Boots Opticians in Norwich in December...

Iron lines; (Fleischer ring, Stocker line, Hudson-Stahli line).
February 21, 2003... Description Iron can be deposited in the corneal epithelium in several conditions. It is probably derived from the tear film and occurs at the junction of abnormalities in the tear film distribution. Histopathologically, the iron is...

OOs valued in PCT scheme.(Optometrists requested to become involved in reviews of primary care trusts)(Brief Article)
February 21, 2003... Optometrists are being asked to become involved in reviews of primary care trusts by the Commission for Health Improvement (CHI). A variety of health professionals will be recruited for the review teams, and PCTs will be star rated this year....

Gripping stuff from Lacoste.(Brief Article)
February 21, 2003... The latest sunglass models from Lacoste, 1536 (pictured) and 1537, are made for athletes and will also appeal to urbanites thanks to designs that combine fashion and sport. The sunglasses feature low temples, for an aerodynamic line,...

Test for colour vision; - and save sight.
February 21, 2003... Colour tests have been with us for a long time, but new techniques promise a revolution in the early detection of serious disease. Professor Geoffrey Arden reports About one in 12 males has an inherited defect of colour vision. While this...

B&L keeps its promise, says boss.(Bausch & Lomb reports fourth quarter profits)(Brief Article)
February 21, 2003... Bausch & Lomb has claimed its fourth quarter $32m (pound sterling19.5m) profit signals the end of its financial difficulties. The company saw double-digit rises in contact lens (13 per cent) and eye drug sales (12 per cent) for the period....

Eyecare Trust secures funding from multiple.(Specsavers Opticians to donate money to Eyecare Trust)
February 21, 2003... Specsavers Opticians has become the second patron of cash-strapped optical charity the Eyecare Trust. The agreement means that the multiple retailer will donate an undisclosed sum to the Trust, providing it with funding throughout this...

Hallucinatory highlight at College day.(College of Optometrists agm and CET day )(Brief Article)
February 21, 2003... This year's College of Optometrists agm and CET day will be held in Waltham Abbey, Essex on March 24. The event, to be staged at the town's Marriott Hotel, will include the biennial George Giles Lecture, which will be given by Professor...

Aberrometry explained; The design and use of the Zywave Aberrometer.
February 21, 2003... Emma Deighan discusses the application of aberrometry in general ophthalmology Laboratory-based aberrometry was developed into a clinical instrument in order to permit wavefront-guided laser vision corrections. However, these instruments...

Glaucoma and the GDx; - the future of monitoring?
February 21, 2003... Nigel Oldbury describes how the GDx VCC instrument can be used to measure the retinal nerve fibre layer for glaucoma detection and monitoring The American Academy of Ophthalmology preferred practice guideline defines primary open-angle...

Practice joins fight to cut business rate.
February 21, 2003... A Vision Express outlet has joined dozens of other retailers in Cardiff in an appeal to have business rates lowered due to loss of trade on days when the Millennium Stadium hosts sporting fixtures. The St David's Centre practice and over 70...

Paediatric optometry; Part 12: Communication with children in optometric practice.
February 21, 2003... In Part 12 of our Paediatric optometry series, Bill Harvey describes the various influences on the development of a child that may affect the way in which questions and answers are used during an eye examination. Special mention is made of...

De Rigo confident of turnaround at D&A.(Dolland & Aitchison had 'disappointing' results in 2002)(Brief Article)
February 21, 2003... Despite 'disappointing' results for Dollond & Aitchison last year, parent company De Rigo has stated that 2003 will be a positive one. Sales at the 233 D&A practices fell 4.6 per cent to E236m (pound sterling158m). Same-store sales per...

Laser exhibitor offers 1,000 free treatments.
February 21, 2003... Optrafair will play host to the burgeoning UK laser eye treatment sector this April in what organisers have called 'the biggest showcase yet seen by UK opticians'. The Birmingham show will see the official launch of the Eye Laser...

Dishonest optometrist erased.
February 21, 2003... An optometrist convicted of seven counts of false accounting has been struck off by the disciplinary committee of the General Optical Council. Narendrakumar Lalbhai Tailor appeared before the committee on Tuesday (February 18) after his...

DoH releases first voucher survey in years.(Department of Health )(Brief Article)
February 21, 2003... The Department of Health has released its first optical voucher survey since 1998. It has found that almost four out of 10 vouchers for spectacles are now being redeemed within voucher value. A DoH spokesman said: 'Due to changes on the...

Laser surgeons to pay higher price.(for medical insurance)(Brief Article)
February 21, 2003... Ophthalmic surgeons who carry out laser surgery will have to pay as much as three times more for their medical insurance as those who don't, reports Doctor magazine. The Medical Protection Society said it would be putting up its...

Optometrist struck off for defrauding NHS.(Stephen Penrose convicted of four counts of conspiracy to falsify a document required for accounting purposes)
February 21, 2003... An optometrist who defrauded the NHS and, it was claimed, encouraged his staff to do the same, was struck off this week. Stephen Penrose attended a General Optical Council disciplinary hearing this week (February 18). It followed his 2002...

Vitamin averts retinal damage.(derivative of vitamin B1 has been found to avert the progression of diabetic retinopathy)(Brief Article)
February 21, 2003... A widely available derivative of vitamin B1 has been found to avert the progression of diabetic retinopathy, according to researchers in the US. Michael Brownlee, and colleagues at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, found...

Court prohibits sale of PureVision in US.(Brief Article)
February 21, 2003... An appeal court in the US has upheld a ruling that Bausch & Lomb's PureVision contact lenses infringe a Ciba Vision patent. The ruling, which was delivered last week, will prevent the sale of the brand in the massive US contact lens market...

Keratoconus (Conical cornea).
February 28, 2003... Description There are three ectatic corneal dystrophies - keratoconus, keratoglobus and pellucid marginal corneal degeneration. Of these, keratoconus is by far the most common. Keratoconus leads to stromal thinning and bowing forward of...

Medicines Update; for optical practitioners - Part 14.
February 28, 2003... Professor Michael Doughty provides an overview of eye medicines and other eye care products introduced in the past three months Medicines Update for optical practitioners is designed to keep the UK optometrist up to date with all aspects of...

The making of a modern practice.(Andrea Clamp, Jackson Cox practice)
February 28, 2003... The builders are now hard at work and the practice has temporarily shifted to the first floor. The Jackson Cox facelift is now just a few weeks from completion. Rob Moss visits Cambridge for the latest update It was last April that optician...

An audit of diabetic retinopathy screening in South Wales.
February 28, 2003... Dr David Woolf compares statistics from a screening programme currently operating in South Wales using trained technicians with those compiled from diabetic attendance in optometric practice. He argues there could be improved compliance and use...

Jumping into January.(progressive lenses, anti-reflection coatings top performers )
February 28, 2003... Following the traditional Christmas downturn, January sales saw two top performers in progressive lenses and anti-reflection coatings January sales showed a marked improvement over the lead up to Christmas. Generally, figures improved, with...

Optometrist restored to Register.(Hazel Rosenburgh re-admitted to Opticians Register)(Brief Article)
February 28, 2003... TEXT: An optometrist struck off 18 months ago after she failed to spot that her patient had glaucoma has been re-admitted to the Opticians Register. At a General Optical Council disciplinary hearing on February 19, Hazel Rosenburgh was...

Practitioners hunger for facts on nutrition.(nutritions effect on the eye)
February 28, 2003... Knowledge among practitioners of nutrition and the eye is at best patchy and nearly all those taking part in an optician survey said they were interested in learning more about the topic. An overwhelming 98 per cent of respondents to the...

Digital photography in practice.
February 28, 2003... optician asked practitioners who regularly use digital imaging in their routine examination of patients to submit images representative of the sorts of appearances that present regularly. In the first few articles, images taken by Brian...

Channel 4 star to host Awards night.(Rory Bremner to host optician awards, 2003)(Brief Article)
February 28, 2003... Rory Bremner will be the host and presenter at this year's optician Awards. Mr Bremner is recognised as Britain's sharpest impressionist mixing a skill for impersonation with biting satire and topical wit. The Channel 4 star has worked...

Team work pays off for JV.(Jay Ghadiali receives an award for his success with the Vision Express joint venture)
February 28, 2003... Only a year after taking over the Vision Express joint venture (JV) in Loughborough, Jay Ghadiali was presented with the Focus on People Store of the Year JV award at the multiple retailer's annual conference last month. While Vision...

Specsavers looks to Scotland for growth.(Specsavers Opticians plans to expand into Scotland)(Brief Article)
February 28, 2003... Scotland has been targeted by Specsavers Opticians as its latest expansion area. The group plans to open 10 new outlets north of the border in the next 12 months, and spend pound sterling3.5m to 'develop new stores in key areas'. ...

Hogan elected as member of College council.(Dr. Rob Hogan)(Brief Article)
February 28, 2003... The director of professional services at Dollond & Aitchison, Dr Rob Hogan, has been elected to the College of Optometrists Council. His election is one of several from the College council voting results announced this week. Re-elected...

omenwrites.(Column)
February 28, 2003... Fixing the wheel! 'If it ain't broke, why fix it' and 'Re-inventing the wheel' were two very apt headlines that caught my eye in the February 14th edition of optician. Why? Because they encapsulate the frustration of many at the attitude...

Staff get ready for IIP award.(meshed briefs)
February 28, 2003... u Independent group Ferrier & MacKinnon Optometrists has taken a step closer to being credited as an Investors in People company, after 24 employees recently completed some 'rigorous' customer services training. The course, sponsored by...

Not so total recall.(Editorial)
February 28, 2003... Our article in this week's optician on an audit of diabetic retinopathy screening in South Wales (page 24) provides food for thought on the perils of ignoring optometry in the screening process. Under the Bro Taf diabetic retinopathy...

Summer stunners from DKNY.
February 28, 2003... u Marchon has released the DKNYEYES 'suns' collection for 2003 and the Donna Karan Spring 2003 collection. The 'sexy and fun' sun collection features 23 sleek designs, with contemporary wraps, modern shields, sculpted three-piece mounts...

DoH to deliver draft agenda for change.(Department of Health)
February 28, 2003... Debate in the Optical Services Steering Group - made up of participants from the DoH and the profession - is about to reach a critical phase. At last week's meeting at the CBI's Centre Point venue in London it was announced that Department...

Edwards airs views on CET.(Keith Edwards )(Brief Article)
February 28, 2003... The first education adviser to DOCET is to speak out about any continuance of the College of Optometrists in organising CET in a compulsory scheme. Keith Edwards is to respond to optician's widely read interview with the College's Peter...

Optics in retreat at UniChem.(UniVision merged into parent group's wholesaling business)(Brief Article)
February 28, 2003... UniVision, the optical subsidiary of global healthcare provider UniChem, is to see its portfolio rationalised and merged into the parent group's wholesaling business. Elements of the optical business are to be dropped. The subsidiary,...

DoH eye tests slightly down.(Department of Health )(Brief Article)
February 28, 2003... New Department of Health figures out this week show a fall in the number of eye examinations paid for by health authorities in 2002. The findings, for the period April to September last year reveal that 5.17 million sight tests were paid...