Review of Optometry articles from April 2003

Review of Optometry archives from April 2003

'Vision ready is mission ready': these O.D.-reservists have answered the call to duty. (News Review).
April 15, 2003... Optometrist James Colgain was in Los Angeles lecturing to colleagues when he got the call to report to his squadron at Andrews Air Force Base the next morning bright and early at 7 a.m. So, the Air Force Lt. Col. phoned his wife and...

Contacts better for children with cataracts. (News Review).(Brief Article)
April 15, 2003... Children with cataracts may tolerate contact lenses better than surgery or patching therapy, a group of Toronto researchers report. The researchers surveyed 123 caregivers of children under age 8 who had undergone cataract surgery in one or...

N.J. eye surgeons fight 'O.D. laser bill'. (News Review).
April 15, 2003... A bill that passed the State Assembly's Consumer Affairs Committee by a vote of 5-1 has sent ophthalmologists into a frenzy. "It is the classic example of the optometry profession seeking to circumvent medical education through the enactment of...

Bone loss drugs linked to scleritis, study finds. (News Review).(Brief Article)
April 15, 2003... Medications used to inhibit bone resorption in patients with osteoporosis and bone cancers may cause serious and possibly blinding ocular side effects, say researchers at Oregon Health and Science University in Portland. Among 314...

After slump, fitting fees are up. (News Review).
April 15, 2003... After declining last year, contact lens fitting fees have recovered in the past year, according to our latest National Panel, Doctors of Optometry survey. For example, the average fee for an initial spherical soft lens fit increased from...

Let's review: Economics 101; HMOs defied logic in fighting any willing provider laws. Their loss. (Editor's Page).
April 15, 2003... Dust off those Economics 101 textbooks from your college days. Then try following this logic: By restricting the number of providers of a service, you can make that service more affordable to the end purchaser. That's the argument that...

Losing patients for the last time: there is a fine line between life and death. Eventually, we all cross it. (Chairside).(Column)
April 15, 2003... Death is a part of optometry. Sounds weird, but it happens. And, it's an important thing to recognize. For example, in January after Y2K, I read the obituaries of nearly 20 patients in our local paper. To me, each of these fine people was...

Check under your PC's hood: just like your '57 Chevy, your computers need routine maintenance, too. (Technology Review).
April 15, 2003... Summer is coming, and before it does you'll probably get your air-conditioning system checked and tuned up for the long, hot days ahead. Did it ever occur to you to do the same kind of routine maintenance on a piece of equipment you rely on in...

The academic who lives by Lombardi: from volunteering to teaching, Linda Casser commits her life to excellence. (Profiles in Excellence).
April 15, 2003... Linda Casser, O.D., may have co-written the equivalent of optometry's official clinical atlas, but her latest book is a little more personal. She is co-author of the Atlas of Primary Eyecare Procedures, second edition, (Appleton & Lange,...

Allergy challenge series II alcon[R]: impact of mast cell heterogeneity; An allergist's perspective.
April 15, 2003... Mast cell subtype MCtc, observed in allergic conjunctivitis patients, should be targeted during ocular allergy drug discovery and development. Here's why. Mast cells, those arbiters of the allergic cascade, are not all created equal....

'I survived an audit' and you can' too: this doctor billed appropriately and still was audited. He bucked the system and prevailed. So can you. (Practice Management).
April 15, 2003... When his Medicare carrier demanded repayment of $50,000 after an unfavorable audit, optometrist Mark R. Wright fought back. And won. The process had started months before. An auditor suddenly showed up at his eight-doctor Westerville,...

Riding the wave (front) to super vision: this technology is poised to revolutionize the way you correct your patients' vision. (Patient Care).
April 15, 2003... Just two years ago, wavefront technology was hyped as the ticket for "perfect" or supervision. In theory, wavefront-guided laser ablation would precisely etch the ideal correction into the cornea, as if it were a piece of plastic. In...

The new direction in diabetes diagnosis: the latest research offers more information on the prevention and management of diabetes mellitus. (Review of Systems, Part IV).
April 15, 2003... As primary-care doctors, we have an ever growing role in managing our patients' overall health. This is especially apparent in our patients with diabetes mellitus. This disease affects not just the eyes but almost every system in the body. ...

How would you fit these special needs patients? Our roundtable panel presents their most challenging contact lens cases and tells how they solved them. (26th Annual Contact Lens Report).
April 15, 2003... The 35-year-old software engineer had a serious problem when he was referred to Mark Andre, F.A.A.O., who directs the contact lens service at the Oregon Health and Science University. The patient had bilateral keratoconus O.U. and was scheduled...

An O.D.'s primer on oculoplastic surgery: a thorough understanding of the ocular and facial anatomy are paramount to excellent outcomes in functional and cosmetic surgery. (Surgical Update).
April 15, 2003... Part IV Thanks to advances in techniques and technologies, today's patients have a host of oculoplastic options available. Many of these procedures can truly enhance the quality of life for these patients. With surgery around the eyes,...

Fats and ocular surface disease: what we now know about fatty acids offers hope for our dry-eye patients. (Research Review).
April 15, 2003... There has been a lot of buzz about the use of flaxseed oil in dry-eye therapy. Many patients have successfully used this nutritional supplement, but there has been little in the literature to support us in proper indications, general...

Episcleritis: the quick differential; these signs and tests can help you determine whether to refer a patient. (Comanagement Q&A).
April 15, 2003... Q Is there a surefire way to an episcleritis diagnosis? A Most patients who present with symptoms have simple episcleritis. This form of the disease is most often unilateral, with marked tenderness to touch, pain upon movement and mild...

Will HIPAA hinder mail-order CLs? New guidelines tell whether verifying CL prescriptions violates Privacy Rule. (Cornea & Contact Lens Q&A).(Brief Article)
April 15, 2003... Q Now that the Privacy Rule of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) has gone into effect, how do we handle requests from mail-order companies to verify a patient's prescription?--Rick Hamilton, O.D., Tallahassee, Fla....

Unusual findings in other eye: vision was poor in the patient's right eye, so why were there anomalies in the left? (Retina Quiz).
April 15, 2003... A 46-year-old Hispanic male came in for a second opinion about the poor vision in his right eye. He had no visual complaints with his left eye. Two years earlier he underwent laser treatment in Colombia for a retinal detachment, but the...

Eye meds and CLs: a melodious mix: today's pharmaceuticals can enhance patients' contact-lens wearing experiences. (Therapeutic Review).
April 15, 2003... Gadzhundheit! Spring is in the air, and that can mean challenges for our contact lens patients. Thankfully, single-use lenses and improved pharmacological options offer a plethora of solutions to their allergy symptoms. When patients...

Wild as a jaguar. (Contact Lenses).(Brief Article)
April 15, 2003... CIBA Vision has added a new design to its WildEyes collection of novelty contact lenses. The jaguar, a variation on the cat eye design, features a narrow black slit surrounded by a shiny, metallic blue. Like other WildEyes lenses, the...

An arctic experience. (Ophthalmic Lenses).(new lenses from Shamir Insight)(Brief Article)
April 15, 2003... The newest progressive lens from Shamir Insight, the Genesis NuPolar, removes glare and offers increased visual acuity and greater depth perception, the company says. This lens is 100% UVA and UVB absorbent, AR compatible and has a 1.8mm center...

Book explains eye disorders. (Patient Education).
April 15, 2003... A new booklet explaining common eye disorders is available for your patients. In Prevention and Treatment of Some Common Eye Conditions, E. Michael Geiger, O.D., reviews common eye afflictions such as cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration,...

An Ionic turn of events. (Therapeutics).(Brief Article)
April 15, 2003... GenTeal PF, an artificial tear supplement, is the latest weapon against dry eye from Novartis Ophthalmics. GenTeal PF contains zinc, calcium, sodium, potassium and magnesium--the same ions found in natural tears. These may contribute to the...

Sustain with Systane. (Therapeutics).(new eye lubricant from Alcon Laboratories)(Brief Article)
April 15, 2003... Systane, the new lubricant drop from Alcon Laboratories, uses polymerizing protection to create an ocular shield that allows for epithelial repair in a healthy environment. In a clinical study, Systane demonstrated a 51% reduction in corneal...

Dry-eye duo. (Therapeutics).(new eye products from Advanced Vision Research)(Brief Article)
April 15, 2003... Two new products have joined the TheraTears family of dry eye treatments from Advanced Vision Research: TheraTears Liquid Gel and TheraTears Nutrition for Dry Eyes. The former is a hypotonic, electrolyte-balanced liquid gel for nighttime...

Vitamin power. (Therapeutics).(for patients with dry-eye problems)(Brief Article)
April 15, 2003... HydroEye soft-gels from Science Based Health blends several nutrients to offer relief to your dry-eye patients. Ingredients include: * Cod liver oil contributes omega-3 fatty acids. * Black currant seed oil provides omega-3 and...

Child-friendly testing. (Diagnostic Instruments).(Brief Article)
April 15, 2003... The Optec 500 Vision Tester from Stereo Optical is a remote-controlled vision tester designed for screening children ages 3 and older. Testing is at eight feet and is accomplished using multiple levels of visual acuity, including 20/63, 20/50,...

Two tests in one. (Diagnostic Instruments).(Brief Article)
April 15, 2003... The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved Nidek's MP-1 Micro Perimeter, which combines perimetry and fundus imaging in one instrument. Features include computerized micro-perimetry, 45-degree non-mydriatic digital fundus photography,...

Through-way. (Diagnostic Instruments).(Brief Article)
April 15, 2003... Gulden Ophthalmics' new Spielman Occluder is designed to help you examine patients with dissociated vertical or horizontal strabismus. It allows you to observe the eye during cover testing. The handle is made of black, molded lightweight...

Fendi aplenty. (Sunwear).(Brief Article)
April 15, 2003... Marchon's Fendi Occhiali has added 18 new styles to its feminine sunwear collection. Here are a few: * FS269, a metal frame with an oversized Fendi logo on the side temples. Color choices include silver pearl, ruthenium, golden glimmer,...

Reach for the Sky. (Sunwear).(Brief Article)
April 15, 2003... Nike's Skylon Pro from Marchon is sunwear designed for the sports enthusiast. Occipital-fit temples feature a Flexon core encased in a rubber sleeve to ensure a secure fit with maximum flexibility. A lockinghinge system holds temples in place,...

Olympic vision. (Low Vision).(low vision aid from Telesensory)(Brief Article)
April 15, 2003... The new Olympia handheld system from Telesensory magnifies reading material and pictures up to 26X. It also connects to a television and can magnify the image on the screen up to 76X with a wide-screen viewing option. Features include a...

Task master. (Low Vision).(Mobilight from Eschenbach)
April 15, 2003... Eschenbach's new Mobilight, a portable task light for low-vision patients, uses LED bulbs that the company says never need to be changed. A specialized diffuser provides a wide field of view and uniform illumination. Two AA batteries are...

Back to the Classics. (Office Design).
April 15, 2003... The Classics Collection of furniture from Eye Designs features freestanding displays with elegant molding and stylish details. A variety of contemporary and traditional styles are available. Call 1-800-346-8890 or go to www.eyedesigns.com.

Meetings and Conferences.(Calendar)
April 15, 2003... May * 1-4. Arkansas Optometric Association's Annual Meeting 2003, Little Rock Ark. CE hours: 12. Contact Barbara Martin, AOA, 411 S. Victory, Suite 202, Little Rock, AR 72201; call (501) 661-7675; fax (501) 661-1039; e-mail...

Did diabetes cause O.S. blur? (Diagnostic Quiz).(Brief Article)
April 15, 2003... History A 47-year-old black female presented with mild blur that she said was greater in her left eye than her right. Her primary-care physician referred her for an exam after she was diagnosed with diabetes. Her systemic history also...

A clinical assessment of presbyopic soft contact lens designs: comparing the impact of SofLens[R] Multi-focal contact lenses and acuvue bifocal contact lenses on successfully adapted monovision patients.
April 15, 2003... Introduction TODAY, MANY EYE CARE PROFESSIONALS ARE LOOKING FOR better ways to enhance the quality and profitability of their practices. One of the biggest opportunities lies with the patients who are already under their care, and with the...

New look on the web.(Review of Optometry Online)(Brief Article)
April 15, 2003... Review of Optometry Online, the Internet presence of Review of Optometry, has been redesigned so you have an easier time utilizing its key features. Menu bars across the top provide direct links to the Internet versions of the 2002...

U.S. Supreme Court. (In the News).(Kentucky any willing provider laws upheld)(Brief Article)
April 15, 2003... At press time the U.S. Supreme Court ruled unanimously to uphold Kentucky's any willing provider laws, which a group of HMOs had challenged. This ruling allows states to force managed-care groups to open their doctor networks, giving patients...

Zymar. (In the News).(topical fluoroquinolone approved)(Brief Article)
April 15, 2003... The first so-called "fourth-generation" topical fluoroquinolone has been approved. Zymar (gatifloxacin, Allergan) is indicated for the treatment of bacterial conjunctivitis caused by susceptible strains of bacteria. Allergan plans to have it on...

Federal Trade Commission. (In the News).(Laser Vision Institute and LCA Vision Inc. settle false advertising claims)(Brief Article)
April 15, 2003... Two large laser eye surgery firms have settled charges brought by the Federal Trade Commission. The FTC said that Laser Vision Institute and LCA Vision Inc. made misleading claims that their LASIK procedures eliminate the need for glasses and...

International Vision Expo. (In the News).
April 15, 2003... War concerns affected attendance for New York's International Vision Expo, which was down about 17% from 2002.