Optician articles from October 2008

Optician archives from October 2008

News.
October 3, 2008... Golf day for guy's: The seventh annual Bausch & Lomb Golf Day was recently held at Mill Ride Golf Club near Ascot. The event, which was attended by practitioners from around the country, raised several hundred pounds for the nominated charity,...

30pt cosmos head to go here.(News)
October 3, 2008... A GOC fitness to practise panel will hold a substantive hearing for registered optometrist Sydney Joseph Bush in London on November 13 2008. The Council alleges that his fitness to practise is impaired because of issues arising from his...

Corneal collagen cross-linking for keratoconus.(Features)
October 3, 2008... Clare Maguire and Arthur Cummings describe a new medical treatment for keratoconus which has implications for referral and contact lens management. Module C9793, two CL points for CLOs, two general points for optometrists and dispensing...

Carrera unveils new generation of technical cycling glasses.(P pages)
October 3, 2008... Carrera has introduced its latest-generation of technical cycling glasses, with research and innovative materials described by the company as key aspects of the collection. The modern designs use lightweight carbon fibre and the strong...

Building a better practice.(Features)
October 3, 2008... CIBA Vision's Management and Business Academy (MBA) has reached its first anniversary. Optician reports from the latest event and speaks to past attendees about how it has changed their practices The palatial grounds of the Oakley Court...

Let's work together.(Features)
October 3, 2008... Michael Wilkinson, UK and Ireland general manager for CooperVision, explains how it is possible to build more than brand awareness through charity commitment Cause-related marketing (CRM), is now accepted as a very effective marketing...

News.
October 3, 2008... Dollond & Aitchison has announced that it has raised [pounds sterling]128,000 for SeeAbility over the past 18 months by organising fundraising activities across its UK branch network. The amount raised exceeds the [pounds sterling]100,000...

News.
October 3, 2008... Essilor has announced the launch of the latest generation of its Transitions lenses, Transitions VI, available from October 1 2008. The advanced photochromic technology means that the lenses are darker outdoors, 10 per cent darker in hot...

Programme of reform drives up costs at GOC.(News)(Gulf Cooperation Council)(Brief article)
October 3, 2008... Operating expenditure at the GOC increased by nearly [pounds sterling]500,000 in 2008 compared to the previous year, according to figures in its annual report for 2007/08. The report, published last week, shows that operating expenditure...

Found guilty on the balance of probability.(Other)(Brief article)
October 3, 2008... * So, we are now subject to a balance of probability in GOC prosecutions. Does balance of probability mean we have a 50 per cent chance of being found 'guilty', when we are not? Does the use of the word 'probability' mean strict mathematical...

German eyewear firm builds UK presence.(News)
October 3, 2008... International Eyewear has been acquired by German eyewear manufacturer Eschenbach for an undisclosed sum, Optician has learnt. The purchase of International Eyewear, which claims to supply eyewear, sunglasses and other optical products to...

J&J Vision Care takes to the road.(P pages)
October 3, 2008... Johnson & Johnson Vision Care will run three sessions of its Centre of Excellence business building programme in Manchester and London through October. The company has joined together with Retail Performance Specialist to develop an...

On soft CLs and childhood myopia.(Other)
October 3, 2008... * Apropos the 'Soft CLs "do not add to childhood myopia"' news (Optician, September 12), this is to say that the J&J-sponsored study seems to have concentrated on finding out a clinically meaningful difference between the two forms of vision...

Luxottica Elite Clients told 'You will survive'.(News)
October 3, 2008... The UK optical sector is in a difficult situation but it is a resilient market and Luxottica Elite Client practices are well placed to thrive and survive. This was a key message at Luxottica's second Elite Client meeting, held last week in...

NEG adds card support service.(P pages)(National Eyecare Group)(Brief article)
October 3, 2008... The National Eyecare Group has introduced a merchant card service agreement so that members can save money on practice credit and debit card transactions. The group said it has combined the services of Accept Cards, Elavon Merchant and...

News.
October 3, 2008... in brief Monthly replacement contact lens wears notice a decline in lens performance in weeks three and four, according to findings of survey conducted by Vistakon, a division of Johnson & Johnson Vision Care. Data was analyzed from over...

News.
October 3, 2008... in brief Dollond & Aitchison is still working to resolve a copyright issue that has forced the removal of posters featuring pop star Kylie Minogue promoting its new designer eyewear brand Tous from its stores. A spokeswoman told Optician...

Dangers of the dual interest professional.(Other)(Letter to the editor)
October 3, 2008... * I write to concur with the final paragraph of the letter in Optician (September 5, 2008) from Richard S Morris. In my experience, not only have optometrists who have active interests in their own practices embedded themselves as...

On top of the world.(Features)
October 3, 2008... Contact lens specialist Andrew Gasson carries out a contact lens fitting at the North Pole Arctic experts disagree as to the identity of the first person to have stood at the North Pole but even taking into account the many expeditions...

P pages.
October 3, 2008... French eyewear firm Parasite has teamed up with Renault to design a sunglass that will be integrated into the Megane Coupe Concept for the Paris Motor Show (October 4-19). Renault wanted to integrate accessories into the concept car and a...

18pt cosmos head.(News)
October 3, 2008... Organisers of the 2009 Queen's Awards for Enterprise are calling on enterprising opticians to nominate themselves to be in line to secure Royal endorsement should they successfully fulfil the required criteria. Entry is free and is open to...

Menicon Europe gives hands-on workshop in the fitting of RGPs.(P pages)(BBR Optometry )(Brief article)
October 3, 2008... Menicon Europe recently gave a hands-on training workshop on rigid gas-permeable lenses at BBR Optometry in Hereford. Joanne Olivier of Menicon France gave hands-on assistance to contact lens opticians, clinical assistants and optometrists,...

Tories promise health benefits.(News)
October 3, 2008... Conservative Party health policy, which calls for health services to be measured on criteria such as quality of life, could lead to increased commissioning of optical services. Speaking at a fringe event hosted by the Eye Health Alliance at...

Other.
October 3, 2008... Over the past month there have been more adverse economic stores in the headlines, adding to the already fragile state of consumer confidence. As already highlighted in this column, the fear is this economic climate could lead to practice...

Toxic/nutritional optic neuropathy.(Features)(Disease/Disorder overview)
October 3, 2008... DESCRIPTION The common mechanism underlying most cases of toxic and nutritional optic neuropathy appears to be mitochondrial injury. This impairs ATP formation within the optic nerve, resulting in axoplasmic stasis, optic disc oedema and...

ABDO boosts turnout with new-look event.(News)(Conference news)
October 3, 2008... An impressive number of delegates attended the Association of British Dispensing Opticians' annual conference and exhibition at the Midland Hotel in Manchester last weekend (September 27-29). The three-day event saw attendance figures...

BCLA at the Institute.(Features)(British Contact Lens Association)
October 3, 2008... As the BCLA starts a series of national roadshows, Optician takes a look at at the first event due to take place as part of a new programme of activities at the Institute of Optometry With an ever-changing profession, a mandatory...

Corneal collagen cross-linking for keratoconus.(Features)
October 3, 2008... Clare Maguire and Arthur Cummings describe a new medical treatment for keratoconus which has implications for referral and contact lens managent. Module C????, two contact lens CET points for CLOs, two general points for optometrists ...

Lessons for job satisfaction.(Features)
October 3, 2008... I had the pleasure of hosting a round table discussion with some of the leading recruiters in the country last week. Those sat at the table shared between them several decades of optical recruitment experience and they gave a great insight...

Lam takes to NY catwalk.(News)(Derek Lam)(Brief article)
October 3, 2008... Designer Derek Lam, whose sunglasses are available through Modo, recently presented his eyewear and fashion collections at New York Fashion Week. A native of San Francisco, Lam was a designer at Michael Kors before launching his own label...

Office workers suffer increase in dry eye.(News)(Brief article)
October 3, 2008... Increasing numbers of people who use computers for prolonged periods or work in air-conditioned offices are regularly attending eye clinics complaining of dry eye. According to Johnny Moore, visiting professor at the University of Ulster...

Features.
October 3, 2008... Ifirst had the idea for a convenient re-usable warm eye compress in 2003 after a busy eye clinic in Todmorden, West Yorkshire. I do an outreach clinic there every Monday morning. During that clinic I found myself regurgitating the same...

News.(Brief article)
October 3, 2008... Double top: Optometrist Imran Hakim was recognised twice at the Institute of Director's Northwest Director of the Year awards, hosted by BBC presenter Gabby Logan. Hakim, who runs a group of independent practices, won the Lancashire Young...

Features.
October 3, 2008... 1 What percentage dry weight of the cornea is collagen? A 10 B 50 C 70 D 95 2 What effect on the tensile strength of corneal lamellae does keratoconus have? A No effect B Halves it C Reduces to a quarter...

EU proposes fields test for drivers.(News)(European Union)(Brief article)
October 3, 2008... All motorists face having to renew their driving licence every five years to ensure they have good vision under new European Union rules. According to the Daily Mail, a directive is expected to come into force by 2013 which will require...

On top of the world.(Features)
October 3, 2008... Contact lens specialist Andrew Gasson carries out a contact lens fitting at the North Pole Arctic experts disagree as to the identity of the first person to have stood at the North Pole, but even taking into account the many expeditions...

Les Rowland.(News)(Rands Optical Services)(Obituary)(Brief article)
October 3, 2008... Les Rowland, founder of Rands Optical Services, has died. Rowland founded the company in the East End of London in the late 1940s, and ran it until his retirement in 1997. He was married for 59 years to Vera, whom he met when they both...

Practices risk fines for failing to sort rubbish.(News)
October 3, 2008... Optical practices are risking hefty fines for a failure to comply with environmental laws specifically applicable to them, a spokesman for the Environment Agency (EA) told Optician this week. Speaking about the launch of a website,...

Calling optical entrepreneurs.(News)
October 3, 2008... Innovative optical practitioners are being urged to enter the 2009 Queen's Awards for Enterprise. Entry is free and is open to anyone from the optical sector. Benefits of winning include significant publicity and a valuable Royal...

Practitioner faces hearing.(News)(Brief article)
October 3, 2008... A GOC fitness to practise panel will hold a substantive hearing for optometrist Sydney Joseph Bush in London on November 13 2008. The Council alleges that his fitness to practise is impaired because of issues arising from his treatment of a...

An eye on the world's first silicone hydrogel daily disposable CL.(Features)
October 3, 2008... Professor Lyndon Jones and Dr Craig Woods describe what is so far known about the new daily silicone hydrogel lens currently being introduced in the UK As we rapidly approach the 10th anniversary of the introduction of silicone hydrogel...

News.(Column)
October 3, 2008... Over the past month there have been more adverse economic stores, adding to the already fragile state of consumer confidence. As already highlighted in this column, the fear is this economic climate could lead to practice owners taking...

Welsh optometry revisited.(Features)
October 3, 2008... As the recent round of re-accreditation comes to an end, Bill Harvey looks at the unique optometric structure in place over the border This week sees the last of the formal assessments that have run over the summer to accredit optometrists...

News.
October 3, 2008... WhiteVision has added 20 new styles to its Vanni collection for the autumn. The new models include Plano (1), which is described as featuring ingenious hidden hinges and detailing reminiscent of birds in flight. Also new is Twist, which braids...

Misleading orientation marks.(Features)
October 3, 2008... Dr Graeme Young and Roberta Mcllraith explain how all may not be quite as it seems when fitting soft toric lenses Assessing orientation is an essential aspect of toric soft lens fitting. Thankfully, this is a simple process - or is it? We...

Toxic retinopathiesChloroquine and hydroxychloroquine.(Features)(Disease/Disorder overview)
October 10, 2008... DESCRIPTION Chloroquine (Aralen) and hydroxychloroquine (Plaquinel) are used in the prophylaxis and treatment of malaria and a variety of rheumatological diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis. The drugs...

News.(ABDO to appoint Barry Duncan, Jennifer Brower, Nick Atkins and Keith Cavaye )(Brief article)
October 10, 2008... Duncan takes office: ABDO has appointed its youngest ever president. Thirty-four-year-old Barry Duncan (left) formally took over from out-going president Kevin Milsom (right) at a ceremony at the Association's recent conference and exhibition...

Hi-de-hi, students!(News)
October 10, 2008... There is still time to book your place at the AOP's inaugural Student Conference which takes place from November 1-2 2008 at Butlins in Skegness, Lincolnshire. During the two-day event, there will be lectures on career development, advice...

Mikli unveils its 'exoskeleton' line.(P pages)
October 10, 2008... Alain Mikli's studio brand, Vanessa and Mehdi has released a new four-frame 'exo' line which according to its designers takes inspiration from the 'world of exoskeletons'. Model Fly has a titanium brace bar, enabling adjustment of the...

GOC reviews cocaine case.(General Optical Council)(Brief article)
October 10, 2008... The case of a dispensing optician who admitted nearly two years ago to being a cocaine user is to be reviewed by the General Optical Council's fitness to practise committee on October 17. Nathan Ryan of Chester once admitted to using...

P pages.
October 10, 2008... A lens cloth which rolls up into a branded case on a key ring has been launched by Brightbutton, a promotional product designer and supplier. Cocoon, a lens cleaner, was launched at the National Incentive Show in September and won a spot...

Make an impact.(Features)(Viewpoint essay)(Brief article)
October 10, 2008... There can be few industries that have the plethora of new products on offer that optics enjoys and that presents a fantastic opportunity for retail opticians. One such example, highlighted in this week's issue, is the family of lens...

News.
October 10, 2008... pink power: According to CooperVision more than 500 members of staff 'transformed the company's European headquarters in Hampshire into a pink wonderland in aid of Breast Cancer Care' on October 3. CooperVision has raised [pounds...

Proclear range expanded.(P pages)
October 10, 2008... To provide practitioners with increased options for patients with higher prescriptions, CooperVision has expanded its Proclear monthly disposable contact lens range. The Proclear sphere parameter range has been extended from +/-10.00DS to...

P pages.
October 10, 2008... To provide practitioners with increased options for patients with higher prescriptions, CooperVision has expanded its Proclear monthly disposable contact lens range. The Proclear sphere parameter range has been extended from +/-10.00DS to...

CooperVision's Proclear grows.(P pages)
October 10, 2008... To provide practitioners with increased options for patients with higher prescriptions, CooperVision has expanded its Proclear monthly disposable range. The Proclear sphere parameter range has been extended from +/-10.00DS to +/-20.00DS so that...

Patience pays off.(Other)
October 10, 2008... Lizzie Bartlam, winner of the Dispensing Optician Backing up Lizzie Bartlam's successful entry to Opticiane_SSRqs Dispensing Optician of the Year Award was a folder brimming with testimonials and supporting comments from patients, students...

P pages.
October 10, 2008... To celebrate the opening of its new flagship practice in Cabbot's Circus Bristol, Ellis and Killpartrick hosted a launch party for patients and industry figures. Among those in attendance were Frank Norville, chairman of Norville and...

P pages.
October 10, 2008... During October, to coincide with a Transitions' television campaign, Essilor will be running a promotion alongside the launch of its own Essilor Transitions VI lens. During the course of the month, the company will give patients purchasing a...

P pages.
October 10, 2008... Essilor has announced the launch of the latest generation of its Transitions lenses, Transitions VI, available from October 1 2008. The advanced photochromic technology means that the lenses are darker outdoors, 10 per cent darker in hot...

Meeting of minds.(Features)(Conference news)
October 10, 2008... Essilor's annual symposium took place at the Royal York Hotel, just outside the historic city walls. Mike Hale reports on day one and Shaunagh Aitken on day two After a brief message of introduction from Essilor, Professor John Marshall...

News.
October 10, 2008... A new piece of computer software aimed at allowing optometrists more accurate and cheaper monitoring of visual deterioration in glaucoma sufferers and enabling patients to monitor changes in their eyesight from their homes has been unveiled....

J&J reaches out to sporting organisations.(News)
October 10, 2008... Johnson & Johnson has written a new Vision to Win newsletter to encourage members of the UK's sporting federations to have regular eye examinations. The newsletter, which has been distributed to members of all the 270 Central Council of...

News.
October 10, 2008... Johnson & Johnson has written a new Vision to Win newsletter, in order to encourage members of the UK's sporting federations to have regular eye exams. The newsletter, which has been distributed members of all the 270 Central Council of...

News.(Awards list)
October 10, 2008... D&A's jewel duo: Business partners Nilesh Soneji and Jamal Salloum, owners of two Dollond & Aitchison practices, scooped the top honours at this year's Lloyds TSB Southern Jewel Awards, which celebrated the success of Asian businesses. As...

Macular disease group offers patient support.(alliance of Vision 2020 and Macular Disease Society )(Brief article)
October 10, 2008... A new alliance of eye care professionals and patient groups has been created to champion the cause of people with macular degeneration. Hosted by Vision 2020, the group was the initiative of the Macular Disease Society (MDS), the biggest...

P pages.
October 10, 2008... Alain Mikli international's studio brand, Vanessa and Medhi has released a new four-frame 'exo' collection which according to its designers takes inspiration from the 'world of exoskeletons'. Model Fly has a brace bar made of pure titanium...

Mikli unveils 'exo' collection.(Vanessa & Medhi has released a new four-frame 'exo' collection eyeglasses)(Brief article)
October 10, 2008... Alain Mikli International's studio brand, Vanessa & Medhi has released a new four-frame 'exo' collection, which according to its designers takes inspiration from the 'world of exoskeletons'. Model Fly has a brace bar made of pure titanium...

News.(Viewpoint essay)
October 10, 2008... Recently, while wearing another hat, I was asked to carry out an inspection of the eye care facilities at our local prison. To say that I was shocked at the level of care given to the prisoners is an understatement. The sight tests were carried...

News.
October 10, 2008... Monthly replacement contact lens wears notice a decline in lens performance in weeks three and four, according to findings of survey conducted by Vistakon, a division of Johnson & Johnson Vision Care. Data was analysed from over 400 CL wearers....

Norville comes to aid of locals.(Find My Optician' database )(www.mylocaloptician.co.uk)(Brief article)
October 10, 2008... Norville has rewarded 60 of its best customers and loyal practices with their own web page presence and entry enhancement in the 'Find My Optician' database on www.mylocaloptician.co.uk. The enhancements have already been enacted and...

Optical staff face tax on car parking spaces.(News)(Brief article)
October 10, 2008... Optical staff in Nottingham where the three leading optical chains have offices, face being charged up to [pounds sterling]350 to park their cars at work if the Department of Transport agrees to the city council's workplace parking levy scheme....

College opens historic doors.(News)
October 10, 2008... The College of Optometrists opened its doors to the public on September 21 as part of London's Open House weekend. The annual celebration of the city's new and historic buildings drew a record 219 visitors through the College doors. ...

P pages.
October 10, 2008... Medical retinal imaging company Optos expects revenue growth of 16-17 per cent during the year according to a pre-close trading statement for the financial year ending September 30. Released ahead of the group's results announcement in...

Optos expects rise in revenue.(News)(Financial report)(Brief article)
October 10, 2008... Retinal imaging company Optos expects revenue growth of 16-17 per cent for the financial year ending September 30 2008, according to a pre-close trading statement for the period. Released ahead of the group's preliminary results...

P pages.
October 10, 2008... ProDesign has added four new half-rimmed models to its Iris range for women. The new models are slightly larger and rounder in shape than other frames in the collection, while ProDesign claim to have paid a lot of attention to the transition...

Do it yourself.(Features)
October 10, 2008... Owning your own practice is a difficult goal to reach but can be achieved with careful planning, says Mike Hale There are many varied ways of earning a living from optometry, but for many in the profession the ultimate goal is to one day...

News.(Rosie Varley has been appointed chairman of the General Social Care Counci)(Brief article)
October 10, 2008... Varley moves on: Outgoing GOC chairman Rosie Varley has been appointed chairman of the General Social Care Council. Varley steps down from the GOC at the end of December, but will continue as a lay council member until March 31, 2009. 'Joining...

P pages.
October 10, 2008... Attended by 150 people, Signet Armorlite Europe's annual Golf Day at the Forest of Arden Hotel and Country Club raised over [pounds sterling]1,400 for Vision Aid Overseas. The event was held as part of a two-day Kodak Lens Vision Centre...

News.
October 10, 2008... all Fair on fairway: Despite concerns about the weather, practitioners attending See20/20 and Luxottica's golf day at St Pierre Golf and Country Club enjoyed brilliant sunshine. The 36 golfers were treated afterwards to an evening gala dinner...

Sparring over sports vision.(News)
October 10, 2008... Geraint Griffiths and Bill Harvey give their personal views on the merits or otherwise of sports vision Sport is an occupation and differs only from all other occupations in the level of visual demand. Like driving, computer use and...

Sunglass Hut offers prescription sunwear.(News)
October 10, 2008... Sunglass Hut has started selling prescription sunwear in a number of stores for a trial period. Optician understands the trial is being conducted in outlets including Cheltenham, Oxford Street, Covent Garden and Watford, whose patients can...

Parents fear eye care costs.(News)
October 10, 2008... New research commissioned by Transitions Optical has revealed that as many as 62 per cent of adults don't take their children for yearly eye tests. The survey, conducted by IPOS Health on behalf of Transitions from a survey base of 1,001...

Time for Trivex.(Features)
October 10, 2008... Independent practices will be hearing a lot more about Trivex-based lenses if Anglo Italian's Bob Forgan has anything to do with it. Chris Bennett reports Those into lens technology will know that Trivex is the PPG monomer developed nearly...