Review of Optometry articles from December 2003

Review of Optometry archives from December 2003

The FDA has accepted for review Bausch & Lomb's new drug application for an anti-inflammatory/antibiotic combination product.(In the News)
December 15, 2003... The FDA has accepted for review Bausch & Lomb's new drug application for an anti-inflammatory/antibiotic combination product. The drug, an ophthalmic suspension of loteprednol etabonate and tobramycin, is intended to treat patients with...

Dry eye symptoms.(In the News)
December 15, 2003... Patients' dry eye symptoms influence diagnosis and grading of dry eye more than clinical test results. So concludes a study in the November issue of Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science. Symptoms were highly correlated to a patient's...

Glaucoma was diagnosed in as many as one-third of patients who have sleep apnea.(In the News)
December 15, 2003... Glaucoma was diagnosed in as many as one-third of patients who have sleep apnea. This finding comes from an ongoing prospective study of 83 patients with obstructive sleep apnea, reported by Rick E. Bendel, M.D., from the Mayo Clinic in...

Congress passes Rx Release Act; the contact lens prescription release act passes. More work must still be done.(News Review)
December 15, 2003... The AOA says that the passage of the contact lens prescription release act finally establishes a way to regulate the sale of contact lenses, and the government will now be able to penalize those who violate it. Online contact lens...

Study: corneal thickness varies by race.(News Review)
December 15, 2003... Blacks have significantly thinner central corneas than whites, Asians or Hispanics, causing the underreading of true IOP. The result is delayed diagnosis of glaucoma, inadequate treatment goals and higher morbidity, concludes a new study by...

Injection shows modest success against AMD.(News Review)
December 15, 2003... Researchers reported success with an injection that blocks neovascularization in the wet form of age-related macular degeneration. In AMD, the presence of an angiogenic compound--vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)--correlates with...

Diabetic retinal changes linked to amputation.(News Review)
December 15, 2003... A reteriolar narrowing in patients with diabetes coincides with the need for lower extremity amputation. This conclusion, from a study published in the November issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, finally offers proof for what...

Unmet demands are missed opportunities; many patients may judge you by how accommodating you are.(Editor's Page)
December 15, 2003... As many of you know, I recently moved. And, like all recent transplants, I've had to set out and begin the time-consuming and sometimes frustrating process of finding a good grocery store, an honest repairman and, of course, local healthcare...

The rise of the machines; technology will never replace human beings. Who would call for repairs?(Chairside)
December 15, 2003... Equipment failure. These are words that can change the world for any technology-based practice, whether it be optometry, cardiology or (dare I say it?) urology, where the words "equipment failure" take on a whole new meaning. I have been...

Elderly driver strikes an O.D.(Letters & E-Mail)(Letter to the Editor)
December 15, 2003... I couldn't help but write and comment on your brief News Review article found in the August 2003 issue titled: "Should Elderly Drivers Give Up Their Keys?" This is always a sore issue to discuss because there are so many different viewpoints to...

Managed care.(Letters & E-Mail)(Letter to the Editor)
December 15, 2003... A thick large envelope came to the office today. It contained yet another offer to become a panel member of a vision-care plan. This offer was from a large and growing national vision and frame company, so it was worth reading carefully....

Optometric income takes a hit; high unemployment, managed care and competition have O.D.s making less for the first time in three years.(National Panel)
December 15, 2003... After three years of prosperity, optometric income is down this year. Although O.D.s are working slightly shorter days (38 hours a week this year vs. 40 in 2002), many blame the state of the national economy for this downward trend. These...

Realizing the potential of progressive lenses; a look at what the market will bear versus actual prescriptions filled.(Presbyopia Issue)(Cover Story)
December 15, 2003... Now that her three children are grown, Irene, a 65-year-old home-maker, is exploring new hobbies. She enjoys needlepoint and wants to take up bird-watching. However, her distance vision is not as sharp as it used to be with the bifocals she's...

Monovision vs. multifocal: which would you choose? The debate continues on which contact lens option you should use to correct presbyopes.(Presbyopia Issue)(Cover Story)
December 15, 2003... The 52-year-old English professor who visited optometrist Rob Davis' suburban Chicago practice needed a lot from her contact lenses. She taught literature at the local community college and needed crisp near vision for the amount of reading she...

Surgery for 'short arm syndrome': several surgical procedures for presbyopia--some more successful than others--may soon be FDA approved.(Presbyopia Issue)(Cover Story)
December 15, 2003... Death, taxes and presbyopia. They're all inevitable. You can try to cheat death or cheat the tax man, but only recently have surgeons been able to make progress in reversing presbyopia. Their progress has been promising, but is by no means...

Research review: anterior advances in 2003: this past year brought new findings in treating dry eye, refractive error and corneal disease.(Patient Care)
December 15, 2003... Research in 2003 offered new hope to patients with anterior segment problems ranging from dry eye to endothelial disease. We have new agents that can help us fight the inflammation associated with dry eye and ocular infections. Wavefront...

Get children's ducts in order: treatments for children with congenital nasolacrimal duct stenosis include a new, less invasive option.(Patient Care)
December 15, 2003... Nasolacrimal duct stenosis is a common etiology for epiphora and mattering in infants. Treatment options for congenital nasolacrimal duct stenosis, also known as dacryostenosis, include balloon catheter dacryocystoplasty, which is less invasive...

Comparing the prostaglandins: a study demonstrates comparable efficacy among all three prostaglandin analogs and better tolerability for one therapy.
December 15, 2003... In the first head-to-head comparison of all three drugs in the prostaglandin analog class, Xalatan, Lumigan, and Travatan were shown to have statistically the same pressure-lowering effect at 8:00 am and throughout the day. (1) However, Xalatan...

Answers to diagnostic quiz 2003.
December 15, 2003... December 2002 What is This Mass on Patient's Cheek? Diagnosis: A sebaceous cyst. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] January 2003 Blurred Vision Plagues Ex-I.V. Drug User Diagnosis: Talc retinopathy. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]...

An update on implantable CLs; implantable CLs may offer permanent vision correction for myopic patients.(Comanagement Q&A)
December 15, 2003... Q I recently saw a 46-year-old patient who underwent LASIK in his right eye and received an implantable contact lens in the left eye two years ago, as part of a study. Can you update me on this lens and whether it will be approved? ...

It's time to face the mucin; why are these round bodies more common in silicone hydrogel lenses?(Cornea & Contact Lens Q&A)
December 15, 2003... Q What is the origin of mucin balls, and why do we see more of them with silicone hydrogel fits than with other contact lenses? Are there any cornea or tear films that may be predisposed to this condition? [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] A...

Is foster mother's worry justified? How would you explain the unusual optic nerve lesions in this teen-aged patient?(Retina Quiz)
December 15, 2003... A 14-year-old white male, accompanied by his foster mother, presented for an eye examination. The foster mother was concerned about a potential crossed eye, although she was not sure which one, and wanted to make sure that there was nothing...

Optowest 2004: the western regional educational conference for optometrists, opticians and professional staff.
December 15, 2003... The largest optometry owned conference in the west. April 29 - May 2, 2004 Anaheim Convention Center Anaheim, CA Sponsored by the California Optometric Association in affiliation with the Hawaii, Nevada, and Utah Optometric...

A way to inhibit eye inflammation: COX-2 inhibitors may help when steroids and NSAIDs are contraindicated.(Therapeutic Review)
December 15, 2003... A 58-year-old white male presented complaining that both eyes were red, painful and photophobic. He had experienced several episodes similar to this over the last few months. Some episodes occurred in his right eye, others in the left and some...

High index.(Ophthalmic Lenses)
December 15, 2003... You can now order Varilux Comfort Thin & Lite 1.67 lenses with either Crizal or Essilor Hardcoat. The company says these lenses are 25% thinner and 15% flatter than 1.60 index lenses. Five base curves are available: 1.75D, 4.00D, 5.50D, 7.25D...

Keratoconus contact lens.(Contact Lenses)
December 15, 2003... The FDA recently approved Accu Lens' Eni-Eye Soft K, a soft contact lens for keratoconus patients. The lens incorporates the design of a toric lens with a soft keratoconus lens. The manufacturer says the Soft K offers increased visual acuity...

A new WECO.(On the Web)
December 15, 2003... WECO USA has launched a new web site with information on all the company's products. New features of the site include: * The Finishing Equipment section, which reviews the features and benefits of WECO's edgers, tracing equipment and...

Dry eye management.(Therapeutics)
December 15, 2003... A new portable, dry eye management kit is available from Odyssey Medical. The kit includes two pairs of Odyssey Parasol punctal occluders (one small pair and one medium pair), one box of lissamine green diagnostic strips, one box of Zone Quick...

3D imagery.(Diagnostic Technology)
December 15, 2003... Talia's latest Retinal Thickness Analyzer (RTA) module, the 3D Anatomy imager, helps you screen, diagnose and follow patients with glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, diabetic macular edema and other retinal pathology. The module...

Computer vision.(Product Review)
December 15, 2003... Prio Corporation's expanded Shazam 4.0 lens calculating software for near variable focus lenses is now platform independent. The previous versions of Shazam ran only on a Windows platform. Users can also access Shazam through the company's web...

Automated refraction.(Product Review)
December 15, 2003... The EPIC-2100 and TRS-2100 refraction systems from Marco Ophthalmic are part of the company's Vision Diagnostic Systems. You can control every step of the exam from a detachable console, or the system can memorize the process. Both systems...

All-in-one Acuity.(Product Review)
December 15, 2003... The new Acuity Pro is a computerized system meant to replace your bulb projector. The system randomizes letters for refraction so that patients can't memorize the chart. Other features include Snellen chart, numbers, pictures, tumble C, tumble...

Handheld pachymeter.(Product Review)
December 15, 2003... DHG Technology's Pachmate model DGH-55 was designed specifically to assist in glaucoma screening. This new handheld pachymeter weighs 3.6 ounces and measures 6.9 inches long, so you can carry it in your pocket. The company says measurements...

Sunwear.
December 15, 2003... Gucci The new Gucci sunwear collection from Safilo Group will feature new vintage logo designs. Three styles are available: * GG2515S, which bears the first new logo featuring a stylized metal G accented with small studs in gold or...

Industry Handbook.(Professional Resources)
December 15, 2003... The 2003 U.S. Optical Industry Handbook from Jobson Publishing (publisher of Review of Optometry) is now available on CD-ROM. The guide contains industry data and future projections from Jobson Optical Research, including retail channels,...

Donna Karan.(Ophthalmic Frames)
December 15, 2003... The Fall 2003 collection from Marchon's Donna Karan brand features frame styles for both men and women. The 8244 for men is a combination metal/plastic frame with a large rectangular lens. Titanium nose pads are non-corrosive and...

Prada.(Product Review)
December 15, 2003... Luxottica debuts the new Prada ophthalmic collection, which consists of: * PR 01E and PR 02E. These narrow rectangular frames feature sleek plastic fronts with metal temples. PR 01E is available in size 47/17-135, and PR 02E comes in size...

Tommy.(Product Review)
December 15, 2003... Viva Group's Tommy Hilfiger brand introduces two new handmade laminated, plastic frames for men and women. TH 3011, a rectangular frame, comes in size 51/16-145 and colors tortoise, matte antique brown with tortoise temples, matte black with...

Prescription protection.(Product Review)
December 15, 2003... Titmus Optical's new EXTS3 safety frame features a stainless steel hidden frame that looks like a semi-rimless oval frame. The company recommends polycarbonate lenses for this frame. It's available in sizes 48/19-140 and 51/19-145, and in...

UV poster.(Patient Education)
December 15, 2003... Transitions Optical is re-launching its popular "fried eggs" poster in response to consumer demand. The new poster has been updated to emphasize the necessity of protecting your eyes and skin from UV damage. It is available to all eyecare...

Lens treatment.(Product Review)
December 15, 2003... Teflon EasyCare lens coating is a multi-layer lens treatment offering protective scratch resistance, anti-static properties, low reflectance and easy cleaning. The new coating is the result of a partnership between SOLA International and...

Meetings & conferences.(Calendar)
December 15, 2003... January 2004 * 11. Eye-Sight 20/20 Winter Symposium, Framington, Mass. CE hours: 8. Contact Dr. Antoinette Parvis, 216 Main St., Oxford, MA 01540; call (508) 987-9679; fax (508) 987-0494; e-mail drparvis2020@hotmail.com. * 15. Fitting...

Did auto injury contribute to blur?(Diagnostic Quiz)
December 15, 2003... History A 42-year-old black male presented for an eye examination with a chief complaint of blur for two weeks. His ocular and systemic history was noncontributory for disease but positive for trauma. He was hit by a car two weeks earlier...

CIBA Vision[R]: a novartis company.
December 15, 2003... November 6, 2003 Dear Eye Care Professional, Soft contact lens materials have evolved from the HEMA lenses of the 1970s to the advanced silicone hydrogels and daily disposable materials of the new millennium. The overwhelming response...

Pediatric problem-solving with a silicone hydrogel; this 7-year-old female with refractive amblyopia was successfully fit monocularly with the CIBA Vision Focus[R] NIGHT & DAY[R] lens.(Case Report:)
December 15, 2003... History A 7-year-old Caucasian female, presented to my office for a comprehensive vision exam. She had a physical exam with her primary care physician the week before and failed the vision screening administered at his office. Her mother...

Focus[R] NIGHT & DAY[R] lenses, not LASIK: how to fulfill a patient's unique vision needs without LASIK.(Case Report)
December 15, 2003... The patient is a 35-year-old firefighter working in New York City. A bright, pleasant gentleman, he expressed an interest in LASIK surgery during his visit to my office. He had been actively involved in the recovery work at "Ground Zero" in New...

Revive piggyback fit with Focus[R] NIGHT & DAY[R] lenses; a difficult case of cyclonystagmus becomes an opportunity for greater patient comfort and visual acuity.(Case Report)
December 15, 2003... The day this patient walked into my Seattle office in 1991, she was 21 years old, with blonde hair, big blue eyes, and a sweet smile. She was referred from a good friend in Hawaii, who has since left clinical practice. If you looked closely,...

Problem solving with daily disposable soft contact lenses; a 5-year-old with rapid progression of myopia is fit with rigid gas permeable lenses.(Case Report)
December 15, 2003... History A 5-year-old Caucasian male presented to our clinic for a contact lens fit. He had a complete exam with dilation under anesthesia one week previous by an ophthalmologist. The ophthalmologist found a cycloplegic refraction of -11.00...

Focus[R] NIGHT & DAY[R] lenses, post radial keratotomy: Focus[R] NIGHT & DAY[R] lenses for 30-night continuous wear offer a new modality.(Case Report)
December 15, 2003... The patient is a 53-year-old white female whom I fit in contact lenses years ago prior to her undergoing radial keratotomy; one eye in 1985 and the second eye in 1988. She complained of blurred vision at far and near with her left eye being...

Higher Dk continuous wear lenses lessened corneal steepening induced by low Dk lens overwear; finding the best contact lens for this patient's lifestyle improved his lens wearing experience.(Case Report)
December 15, 2003... We have been seeing more and more patients wearing their lenses for overnight use and the reason for this is we are asking our patients about it. We are able to now ask about it and offer a better option to our patients that are sleeping in...

Silicone hydrogel lens in piggyback combination; a keratoconus patient is successfully fit with Focus[R] NIGHT & DAY[R] and rigid gas permeable lenses.(Case Report)
December 15, 2003... History A 27-year-old white female has been a patient for 10 years. I diagnosed her with keratoconus in 1993 when she was 18. At that initial visit, her right eye was correctable to 20/20 with spectacles, but her left eye could be...

Keeping a contact lens patient with 30-day lenses; a discouraged contact lens patient is successfully fitted with NIGHT & DAY[R] worn on a daily-wear basis.(Case Report)
December 15, 2003... History A 37-year-old female flight attendant presented for a contact lens examination, complaining of dry eyes, especially during long cross-country flights. She was unhappy with her contact lenses, having been recently switched to Bausch...

Correcting bilateral aphakia and keratoconus; secondary symptoms from Marfan's syndrome are corrected with NIGHT & DAY[R] contact lenses.(Case Report)
December 15, 2003... History A 39-year-old woman was referred for contact lens treatment of keratoconus. Medical history was significant for Marfan's syndrome and bilateral aphakia. The patient was 10 years post-surgical removal of both crystalline lenses. At...