Optician articles from June 2002

Optician archives from June 2002

BCLAtakes message to the consumer via the web. (British Contact Lens Association on contact lenses - types, maintenance).(Brief Article)
June 7, 2002... u Where can the public go for accurate, balanced information on contact lenses and contact lens care? Since its launch last month, www.bcla.org.uk - the new website from the British Contact Lens Association - offers consumers access to basic...

A healthcheck on the UK contact lens market.(Brief Article)
June 7, 2002... In 2001, the Association of Contact Lens Manufacturers began a market growth initiative to increase the numbers of contact lens wearers in the UK. Philip Morgan reflects on the current state of the market by reviewing recent ACLM statistical...

How to equip your CL practice. (contact lens).
June 7, 2002... In the second part of our new series aimed at encouraging practitioners who currently fit few or no contact lenses to develop their business, Lyndon Jones looks at equipment essential to contact lens practice and instruments to invest in if...

The role of UV-blocking soft CLs in ocular protection.(Statistical Data Included)
June 7, 2002... John Meyler and Cristina Schnider discuss the increasing evidence supporting the dangers of ultraviolet radiation and highlight the benefits of prescribing UV-blocking contact lenses to patients The past decade has seen a growing awareness...

Visual recognition in contact lens practice; Part 2: Fitting characteristics.
June 7, 2002... Bill Harvey and David Ruston discuss the importance of accurate interpretation of the clinical appearance in assessing the fit and predicting the possible outcome when dealing with contact lens patients (CET code C5175b) The first article...

First daily disposable toric eyes the market. (from VisionTec).(Brief Article)
June 7, 2002... The world's first daily disposable toric contact lens is expected to be launched commercially within the next 18 months. Developed by VisionTec, the company which emerged from Hydron last year (News, July 27, 2001), the lens - claimed to be...

Poor communication leads to complaints. (optical practitioner - patient).(Brief Article)
June 7, 2002... Poor communication between optical practitioners and their patients remains the most common cause for complaint, according to the profession's consumer complaints body. The 2001 annual report from the Optical Consumer Complaints Service...

Fraud cause of 'grave concern' says the GOC. (optics, UK).(Brief Article)
June 7, 2002... Speaking at last week's NHS Counter Fraud Specialists' Conference GOC registrar Peter Coe said the number of fraud-related cases in optics was the cause of 'grave concern'. He joined health minister Lord Philip Hunt and representatives from...

Boots Opticians plans [pounds sterling]170m branch revamp.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 7, 2002... Nearly 150 Boots Opticians practices sited in Boots the Chemists branches will stand to benefit from a [pound]170m investment programme. Its outlets will be re-fitted, starting with sites in and around London, with [pound]54m being spent...

Poll the other one. (BBC Radio 4's Today Professions Vote 2002).(Brief Article)
June 7, 2002... What do miners, cleaners and road sweepers have in common? Answer, they all came above opticians in the BBC Radio 4's Today Professions Vote 2002. Opticians were rated 40th, just ahead of bus drivers and waitresses and immediately below...

More women working in optics. (UK).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 7, 2002... Female practitioners now represent more than 40 per cent of optometrists and ophthalmic medical practitioners in England and Wales. Of those holding contracts with health authorities to carry out NHS sight tests at the end of 2001, 41.3 per...

nemowrites.(optician fees)(Brief Article)
June 7, 2002... Come off it! I am not sure which has surprised me more recently - Stephen Byers' protracted tenure of office or the revelation that some health authorities have inexplicably been telling practitioners that they cannot claim the full sight...

New minister for GOS likely after re-shuffles.(David Lammy expected to become General Ophthalmic Services Prime Minister)(Brief Article)
June 7, 2002... David Lammy, the Tottenham MP who has been tipped to become Britain's first black Prime Minister, is likely to take over responsibility for General Ophthalmic Services after the Government re-shuffle. Although ministerial responsibilities...

ABDO awards contract for new database.(Systems Team wins Association of British Dispensing Opticians contract)(Brief Article)
June 7, 2002... ABDO has awarded the contract to supply and install its new computer membership database to Systems Team Bristol, following a series of bids from several companies. The database is a joint project between ABDO and the College of...

Money scam warning from DO.(dispensing optician receives bank account scam letter)(Brief Article)
June 7, 2002... Practitioners should beware of bogus letters from West Africa that claim to offer a share of large amounts of money in exchange for access to UK bank account details. Dispensing optician Jitendra Ravrani of Tolley & Partners in East Sheen,...

New president takes charge.(Graeme Young appointed president of British Contact Lens Association)(Brief Article)
June 7, 2002... Research optometrist Graeme Young has become the new president of the British Contact Lens Association. The Visioncare Research managing director took over from outgoing president Tony Hough at the association's conference and exhibition...

The College welcomes discussion regarding the GOS sight test and the scope of optometric care available to the public. It is important for all practitioners to be aware of their professional and legal duties.(College of Optometrists)(Brief Article)
June 14, 2002... The College welcomes discussion regarding the GOS sight test and the scope of optometric care available to the public. It is important for all practitioners to be aware of their professional and legal duties. It agrees that the content of the...

moneowrites.(optometrist business)(Brief Article)
June 14, 2002... as an optometrist would like it to head. It is glaringly obvious that as things stand most optometrists' salaries or incomes are derived on the back of sales of spectacles and contact lenses and their associated support products. Just...

Paediatric optometry; Part 4 - Refractive examination of children.(UK)
June 14, 2002... In the fourth part of our series on paediatric optometry Catherine Viner considers refraction techniques suitable for use with infants and children (C5025d) Refracting a child can result in immense frustration, but it can also provide an...

Glaucoma update.
June 14, 2002... Optometrists Andrew Morgan and Dr Sarah Hosking report on this year's Association for Research in Vision and Opthalmology conference In May each year, the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) hosts its international...

Bushnell heightens contrast with new models.(new products in eyewear)(Brief Article)
June 14, 2002... u Bushnell Performance Optics has released a new model in its Bolle range and also one in its Serengeti Eyewear range. The Valorium (below), under the Bolle brand, is an ultra-light, Monel, rimless wraparound designed for sport and casual...

A step backwards.(opinion on children's vision testing proposal, UK)
June 14, 2002... In the opinion of Dr David Thomson recommendations for changes to the vision screening programme in schools are ill-conceived, inequitable and unworkable The dim, slow moving reflex confirmed my original suspicion - approximately 6...

Retinopathy linked to early mental decline.(and dementia)(Brief Article)
June 14, 2002... Middle-aged people with retinal microvascular abnormalities are more likely to show signs of mental decline, according to the results of a study published last week. Researchers from the University of Wisconsin and the National University...

VAT fighting fund cash refunded to practices.
June 14, 2002... The Federation of Ophthalmic and Dispensing Opticians has this week begun refunding members some of the money they donated to help finance its VAT test case last November, after successfully claiming for the repayment of costs from Customs &...

Blair's vision for schools.(Tony Blair)(Brief Article)
June 14, 2002... News that the Government is planning to abandon the care of children's eye care in schools is nothing short of a scandal. Dr David Thomson's Viewpoint, see page 10, neatly sums up how the 'safety net' of the visual screening programme was...

Macular oedema trial success.(special drug delivery implant for diabetics)(Brief Article)
June 14, 2002... Bausch & Lomb and the drug delivery specialists Control Delivery Systems last week announced promising results to a clinical trial of an ophthalmic implant for the treatment of diabetic macular oedema. Patients receiving the implant in the...

Siltint sees AR volume double.(Siltint Industries sales of anti-reflective coatings)(Brief Article)
June 14, 2002... Volumes of anti-reflective coatings on plastic photochromic lenses have doubled at Siltint Industries, compared to this time last year. Production manager at the Manchester-based firm, Paul Hesford said. 'Undoubtedly this reflects the...

CooperVision to close Farnborough factory.(Brief Article)
June 14, 2002... TEXT: CooperVision is closing down its Farnborough plant and moving most of the manufacturing processes to its facility in Southampton, following a review of the business. The company acquired the plant, which employs 240 staff, earlier...

Excellence in vision research rewarded.
June 14, 2002... The Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers made two awards this week in recognition of outstanding contributions to the advancement and application of knowledge in the visual sciences. Consultant ophthalmologist Dr Ian Flitcroft received...

College criticises AOP eye exam guidance.(College of Optometrists criticises Association of Optometrists)(Brief Article)
June 14, 2002... The College of Optometrists has criticised the latest publication of the AOP's eye examination guidance stating that, as with previous versions, it is unclear and ambiguous (see panel). The third version of the guidance, published on the...

OEL launches pre-reg initiative.(Optometric Educators classes at Aston University)(Brief Article)
June 14, 2002... Optometric Educators has launched a new initiative to help pre-registration students pass resits, with a series of courses at Aston University. The CET provider will hold courses on ocular disease, binocular vision, dispensing and contact...

Epiphora.(eye disorder)(Brief Article)
June 21, 2002... Description Epiphora refers to the overflow of tears from the ocular surface. They usually run down the cheek from the medial canthus. However, especially in the elderly with lateral canthal tendon laxity, the tears may overflow from the...

Findings of VDU study.(video display units (health aspects))(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 21, 2002... Researchers commissioned by Guide Dogs interviewed 500 people earlier this year: 43 per cent of VDU users had not had an eye test in the past year, and this was especially likely among men and those who do not wear vision correction. Of...

Bone idol.(eyeglass frames)(Brief Article)
June 21, 2002... Dutch artist Kees Wennekendonk is a big fan of horn, from buffalo to mammoth, as he makes personalised frames from his 14th century cellar workshop If you have a customer who wants an exclusive frame and is concerned about the exclusivity...

The Mackey makeover.(Mackey Eyecare store)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 21, 2002... A recent refit by Northern Ireland-based optical group Mackey Eyecare has turned a former fuel company premises in County Down into a 1,200 sq ft practice and a showcase for designer products. optician reports The latest practice in the...

Avoiding the non-tolerance.(vision testing)(Statistical Data Included)
June 21, 2002... Recognising and controlling patients' expectations can avoid disappointment with new spectacles later. Neil Constantine-Smith gives advice on how best to minimise the number of rechecks Performing rechecks for patients who are in some way...

nemowrites.(vision care industry)(Brief Article)
June 21, 2002... Ethics - what ethics? The comments of GOC Registrar Peter Coe that the number of fraud related cases in optics is the cause for great concern made deeply depressing reading (News, June 7). The existence of a wider problem was highlighted...

Selling your service, not your product.(eye care industry conference)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 21, 2002... The first of 10 roadshows organised by the AOP took place in London on June 10, discussing the implication of increasing involvement in co-management schemes and, more controversially, the idea of a charging structure that reflected...

Current theories of primary open-angle glaucoma.(Statistical Data Included)
June 21, 2002... Bina Patel describes the relative importance of both the vascular and mechanical theories of how primary open-angle glaucoma progresses. This is the first in a two-part series edited from her dissertation which won the 2001 City...

Improper comments lead to [pounds sterling]500 fine.(optometrist)(Brief Article)
June 21, 2002... An optometrist with more than 30 years' experience has been found guilty of serious professional misconduct as a result of an 'inappropriate conversation' during a female patient's eye examination. James Richards, who has been practising...

Myopia, drugs and vascular matters.(ocular science research)(Statistical Data Included)
June 21, 2002... In the latest of our occasional looks at current research in ocular matters, Bill Harvey describes a number of recent publications The next few years will almost certainly see a plethora of pivotal research publications regarding the...

MPs support eye care campaign in workplace.(Guide Dogs for the Blind initiative)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 21, 2002... The importance of eye care and the statutory rights of employees were highlighted this week at a House of Commons event. Yesterday, (June 20) MPs heard the results of a new survey which has found that 38 per cent of the public who regularly...

Specsavers packs a Punch.(Specsavers Opticians; Punch Opticians)(Brief Article)
June 21, 2002... Specsavers Opticians aims to open 70 new outlets this year following the news this week that the multiple has acquired a Midlands group of practices. The purchase of Punch Opticians, for an undisclosed sum, takes the total number of...

Medical agencies are to merge.(Brief Article)
June 21, 2002... A year on from the row over the Medical Devices Agency (MDA) and its policy on glazing lenses, the Government has decided to merge the body with the Medicines Control Agency (MCA). The MDA attracted considerable controversy last year after...

Gail transcends the rest to win a Skoda from Sola.(Gail Steele; Sola Optical)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 21, 2002... u Sola Optical has announced the winner of a new Skoda Fabia as part of its Transitions promotion. London-based dispensing optician Gail Steele was chosen from more than 100 independent practitioners who entered the exclusive prize draw...

Retinopathy study wins extra funding.(Brief Article)
June 21, 2002... Efforts to advance the treatment of diabetic retinopathy have been helped by a grant to Queen's University, Belfast by optical charity Fight for Sight. Researchers at the university's Department of Ophthalmology are hopeful that a group of...

NHS plans for electronic age.(National Health Service, U.K.)(Brief Article)
June 21, 2002... The Department of Health has announced that the national programme for information and communication technology in the NHS will begin in April next year. The Government wants all patient records to be held electronically to allow for...

Nice rejects pleas to rethink policy on PDT.(National Institute of Clinical Excellence; photodynamic therapy)(Brief Article)
June 21, 2002... The row over the use of photodynamic therapy (PDT) in the NHS will rumble on after it emerged the Government's appraisal body has refused to begin anew its review of the treatment. As reported in our last issue, the National Institute of...

Awareness of diabetes is poor, survey reveals.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 21, 2002... A new survey of the public's attitudes to diabetes has found that many people are unaware that the condition can cause blindness. National charity UK Diabetes commissioned the research which interviewed 2,748 adults earlier this year. The...

Retina studies show promise.(eye disease)(Brief Article)
June 21, 2002... A new research paper claims that short-term reductions in oxygen supply to the retina can help protect the eye against light exposure. The findings come in research published this week by the journal Nature Medicine which reported that Dr...

Mobile phones give drivers tunnel vision.(Brief Article)
June 21, 2002... Researchers have called for mobile phone-free zones after discovering motorists' vision is severely reduced when using cell phones while driving. The study of motorists' eye movement as they use a mobile phone has discovered drivers have a...

NHS test under threat, MPs told.(National Health Service (U.K.))(Brief Article)
June 21, 2002... Key threats to the NHS eye examination, including inadequate funding, were discussed at this week's meeting of the All Party Parliamentary Group. A number of MPs, joined also by Lord Jenkin of Roding and Baroness Knight of Collingtree,...

Profession split over use of laser surgery.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 21, 2002... A survey of optical practitioners' attitudes to refractive surgery has found that the profession appears to sharply divided on the procedure's worth. The research, which surveyed the views of optician's readers, discovered that while a...

Episcleritis.(Brief Article)
June 28, 2002... Description Episcleritis refers to inflammation in the space between the conjunctiva and the sclera involving both the episclera and Tenon's capsule. The key point with respect to episcleritis is its totally non-destructive nature. It does...

Essilor unveils Next Generation.(Brief Article)
June 28, 2002... u Essilor has launched the Essilor Next Generation Transitions lenses. The range, available in grey and brown, includes Varilux Panamic, Varilux Comfort, single vision and bifocals. The company claims the lenses represent an 'enormous' leap in...

Evaluation of the anterior segment from a glaucoma perspective.(Brief Article)
June 28, 2002... In the first of a two-part series, Dan Rosser describes a systematic approach to the evaluation of the anterior segment and at each stage of the examination explains the clinical signs relevant to the diagnosis and management of glaucoma ...

Refractive surgery and night vision: is pupil size relevant?
June 28, 2002... Mark Korolkiewicz discusses whether there is a link between night vision following laser corrective surgery and the size of a patient's pupils The role that pupil size plays in influencing post refractive surgery quality of vision has been...

Your opinions on; laser treatment.(Brief Article)
June 28, 2002... Dr Sandip Doshi presents results of the first Maxivision-sponsored survey to assess attitudes to laser surgery among optical practitioners It is widely accepted that modern refractive surgery, in particular Lasik and PRK, has become a part...

Aftersales service.(Brief Article)
June 28, 2002... In the fifth of our series of articles on the College of Optometrists' Clinical Audit Patient Survey (CAPS), Dale Harris and Bob Hutchinson explain how good aftersales service can help secure patient loyalty and repeat business Since...

Buds in May hit by blight.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 28, 2002... May is less encouraging than usual with dispensing being the only benchmark to show any growth, but June looks set for fairer times The month of May usually shows good results. Last year it recorded increases in all benchmarks, but this...

Ten-year lens implant claim.(Brief Article)
June 28, 2002... Australian scientists claim they have developed an intraocular lens which could last up to a decade before needing to be replaced. The project has involved long-term work by Australia's largest scientific research agency, the CSIRO, and the...

A night to remember.(Buyers Guide)
June 28, 2002... Ciba Vision's search for the 'Eye Care Practice of the Year' is drawing to a close. The 14 finalists will meet in London early next month to attend a glittering awards night. The lucky group will be ferried in chauffeur-driven limousines to a...

Practice makes perfect.
June 28, 2002... The BCLA conference, held last month in Birmingham, not only offered delegates a broad range of clinical presentations, but also includes various business and management-related strands. optician reports While the British Contact Lens...

GOC prepares to take CET before Parliament.(Brief Article)
June 28, 2002... Efforts to implement compulsory CET for retaining registration in the profession were stepped up this week at the GOC. It is expected that practical measures, such as tendering and publicising a future mandatory scheme within optics will start...

Practitioners join charity mission.
June 28, 2002... u Another team of UK optical practitioners joined humanitarian aid project assessors on a trip to Romania for a week last month in order to work with Christian organisation Heart For You. The team consisted of one ophthalmologist, two...

City waits as Health Clinic shares plummet.(Brief Article)
June 28, 2002... Shares in Health Clinic, the rapidly expanding chain of optical and health outlets, almost halved last week. The fall came after the company said it would delay announcing its full year results - which were due out on Monday this week (June...

omenwrites.(College of Optometrists and the Association of Optometrists on National health service eye exams)(Brief Article)
June 28, 2002... Common ground It is worrying that the College of Optometrists and the Association of Optometrists appear to be at loggerheads over the issue of the NHS eye examination once again. What makes this even more regrettable is that the two...

In good health?(Health Clinic share prices)(Brief Article)
June 28, 2002... Shareholders in the Health Clinic are probably feeling a sense of injustice akin to Spanish football fans, with last Friday's 68p share price drop on the announcement of a profit warning. The health provider was due to report its...

Babies have strong eye contact.(Brief Article)
June 28, 2002... Babies, from as young as two days old have strong eye contact senses and prefer to look at faces that engage them in mutual gaze. This is the conclusion of new research which conducted two experiments to look at special sensitivity to...

Grocers give [pounds sterling]25K to Iris Fund.(Worshipful Company of Grocers)(Brief Article)
June 28, 2002... Research into retinitis pigmentosa (RP) has benefited to the tune of [pound]25,000 from an unusual source - the Worshipful Company of Grocers. The cheque was received today (June 28) by Tony Doggart on behalf of the Iris Fund for the...

AMO launched out of Allergan.(Advanced Medical Optics Inc.)(Brief Article)(Company Profile)
June 28, 2002... Today (June 28) sees the formation of Advanced Medical Optics a new company spun out of Allergan to market all of its current contact lens care products and its eye care surgical products. In the UK, these include the Complete, Oxysept and...

Eye tests can prevent falls, elderly told.(Department of Trade and Industry and Help the Aged campaign)(Brief Article)
June 28, 2002... Older people are being encouraged to book appointments with opticians to prevent falls and serious accidents in a poster campaign launched by the Department of Trade and Industry. The DTI has teamed up with charity Help the Aged to tell...

Diabetics may benefit from night-time lighting.(prevention of diabetic retinopathy)(Brief Article)
June 28, 2002... New research published today (June 28) has claimed that sleeping with the light on could prevent the onset of diabetic retinopathy. Professor Neville Drasdo and colleagues at Cardiff University's Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences...