Review of Optometry articles from February 2006

Review of Optometry archives from February 2006

Sales volume of sunglasses increased by 4.1% in 2005, and sales volume of readers increased by 8.1%.(IN THE NEWS)(Brief article)
February 15, 2006... Sales volume of sunglasses increased by 4.1% in 2005, and sales volume of readers increased by 8.1%, according to the Sunglass Association of America. However, retail sales (in dollars) of sunglasses was down 3.4%, but up 13.5% in readers. Data...

Seniordoc.org.(IN THE NEWS)(ODwire.org )(Brief article)
February 15, 2006... Seniordoc.org has changed its name to ODwire.org (www.odwire.org). The name change was needed because "Seniordoc" no longer accurately reflects the site's 3,500 members, says site administrator Paul Farkas, O.D. The Web site also underwent an...

U.S. News and World Report.(IN THE NEWS)
February 15, 2006... U.S. News and World Report rates optometry as an "excellent" career in its online list of best (and worst) careers for 2006. The article describes optometry as a "one-on-one helping career that will serve the massive numbers of boomers."

Xibrom.(IN THE NEWS)(Brief article)
February 15, 2006... Xibrom (bromfenac sodium, Ista Pharmaceuticals) can lead to corneal melting, according to case reports in February's Cornea. "These findings, together with similar previous reports concerning diclofenac sodium and ketorolac, suggest that...

O.D.s still struggle in Katrina's wake: with makeshift offices, many optometrists continue to provide much-needed care.(News Review)
February 15, 2006... After Hurricane Katrina demolished the Gulf Coast of Mississippi, the only thing left of optometrist James Benigno's office in Pass Christian was the concrete slab. Everything else--equipment, computers, walls and roof--had been ripped away....

U.S. military sets sights on 'SuperVision'.(News Review)
February 15, 2006... Imagine this: You're a prescription sunglass-wearing soldier patrolling the sun-bleached streets of a foreign city when you hear gunfire and screaming coming from a nearby building. Upon entering the building, you remove your sunglasses because...

Presbyopia may be first sign of cataract.(News Review)(Brief article)
February 15, 2006... Presbyopia may be the earliest observable symptom of age-related nuclear (ARN) cataract, according to a new study published in Ophthalmic Research. Researchers from the Save Sight Institute and the Institute for Biomolecular Science at the...

Aspirin may prevent diabetic retinopathy.(News Review)
February 15, 2006... A daily dosage of a low concentration of aspirin may inhibit diabetic retinopathy, according to new research in the December issue of Diabetes. (1) A research team, led by ophthalmologist Mara Lorenzi of the Schepens Eye Research Institute...

Sun doesn't cause macular degeneration, study says.(News Review)
February 15, 2006... Sun worshippers still have to worry about potential damage to their skin from catching too many rays, but excessive sun exposure and other related factors do not appear to contribute to the development of age-related macular degeneration. ...

Optometry needs Dr. Phil: I know optometrists have a lot of bottled-up stress--even if you refuse to admit it.(Editorial)
February 15, 2006... It was a typical Sunday night, which meant I didn't get much sleep. I dozed off easily enough, but then I'd dream about my long to-do list and imminent disaster awaiting me at the office. An hour later, I was awake again, worrying. ...

You better believe it! 'If you believe it, you can acheive it.' That's good advice for optometrists. Here's a short list of my beliefs. Now after writing it, I believe I'll take a nap.(Chair Side)
February 15, 2006... It is 2006. You have had a month or so to clear your head after that New Year's party you wish you had not attended. This is a great time to put your priorities in order, to state what you believe. I am not going to tell you what to believe....

Dry eye study concerns.
February 15, 2006... Regarding the news story "Women with Dry Eye are Singing a New Tuna" in the November issue, I would like to clarify some issues with the study that was the source of this article. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] While we are aware that omega-3...

Overcome private-practice burnout: by acknowledging burnout, seeking help for it and making changes to your situation, you can beat this debilitating condition.(Practioner Care)
February 15, 2006... Have you been feeling frustrated, angry and irritable as a result of interaction with your patients and staff? Have you been experiencing physical symptoms, such as digestive problems, headaches and backaches, while at your practice or when...

Eye care in the tsunami's aftermath: this optometrist aided victims on the southwest coast of Sri Lanka, one of the areas most devastated by the tsunami.(Humanitarian O.D.)
February 15, 2006... The day after Christmas 2004 was a good morning to be a little early to church. While Mr. Rasanayagan puttered away in his home in Kalmunai, Sri Lanka, his wife had already left for the nearby Assembly of God church for 9 a.m. services. ...

Bill your patients' medical insurance (the right way): learn the two most common mistakes that O.D.s make and why you should bill your patients' medical carrier.(Practice Management)
February 15, 2006... Your practice is likely to recoup more from billing your patients' medical insurance than from billing their vision insurance. This is because more people have medical insurance than vision insurance. Plus, medical reimbursements are almost...

Does the 'little blue pill' cause big problems? O.D.s must be aware of potential adverse ocular side effects of Viagra and other medications used to treat erectile dysfunction.(Patient Care)
February 15, 2006... Erectile dysfunction (ED) affects up to 30 million men in the United States, including half of all men ages 40 to 70. (1) Some 7% of men ages 18 to 29 have some form of ED, as do 18% of men ages 50 to 59. (2) So, it's no wonder that Viagra...

How to grade dry eyes: objective tests and a thorough history provide the primary clues to the severity and etiology of this common but confounding condition.(OPTOMETRIC STUDY CENTER)
February 15, 2006... Dry eye, and associated ocular surface disease (OSD), is the most common and probably the most underdiagnosed eye condition in the United States. Dry eye occurs in about one in seven Americans overall. (1) And it's more prevalent among certain...

Assume there are no daily wear contact lens patients: to be safe, assume all patients occasionally sleep in their contact lenses.
February 15, 2006... A menu with many options might work in a restaurant, but it's not the best approach to ensure patients receive what they really need in contact lenses. Yet some eye care professionals seem to think that patients want a list of contact lens...

'White spot' draws attention for 30 years: patient's "white spot" is identified as astrocytic hamartoma after being undiagnosed for 30 years.(Case Report)
February 15, 2006... A 42-year-old white female presented to our military medical center's optometry clinic for a routine exam. She had no visual complaints. She reported good visual acuity with her current spectacles but wanted an updated prescription because her...

How serious is central serous? After confirmation of the diagnosis, the optometrist can follow the majority of these patients.(Comanagement Q+A)
February 15, 2006... Q I have a patient with a typical presentation of idiopathic central serous retinopathy. He is a 45-year-old male with sudden vision loss to 20/30 and a serous macular detachment. Do these patients always need to be referred? [ILLUSTRATION...

Is PDT the key to ending CNV? New research shows that novel PDT applications may stop CNV for good. But this treatment isn't standard ... yet.(Corneal neovascularization)(Photodynamic therapy)
February 15, 2006... Q I recently inherited a keratoconus patient who has severe corneal neovascularization (CNV) from wearing a thick, first-generation hybrid lens. Topical steroids have yielded some success in regressing the vessels, but not enough. Can...

The end of the road: an elderly glaucoma patient has progressive vision loss despite aggressive therapy. How would you handle the situation?(Glaucoma Grand Rounds)
February 15, 2006... A long-standing glaucoma patient presented to the office for her regularly scheduled follow-up visit. She is 80 years old and has been a patient of the practice for 18 years. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Diagnostic Data At this...

Fundus changes follow trauma: patient experiences visual field defects, temporal pallor and other changes to both optic nerves in the aftermath of a beating.(Retina Quiz)
February 15, 2006... A 42-year-old black male presented to the eye clinic at the Miami Veterans Affairs Medical Center for his annual eye exam. At his last exam, one year earlier, his ocular history was significant for myopia. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The...

Cyclosporine "off-label" uses: when a patient fails to respond to conventional therapy, cyclosporine A may be the answer.(Therapeutic Review)
February 15, 2006... Restasis (cyclosporine ophthalmic emulsion, 0.05%, Allergan) is classified as an immunomodulatory drug indicated for the treatment of keratoconjunctivitis sicca. Cyclosporine A (CsA), the active ingredient in Restasis, works by inhibiting the...

Dry eye: what's in the pipeline? Restasis was only the first of many therapies that will seek to treat the underlying causes of this ocular surface disease.(Research Review)
February 15, 2006... Research suggests that more than 13% of the population past age 40 suffers from dry eye. (1) Not surprisingly, this has inspired many pharmaceutical companies to attempt to treat patients. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Artificial tears play...

Focus Dailies upgrade.(Contact Lenses)(Brief article)
February 15, 2006... Focus Dailies with AquaRelease offer patients improved end-of-day comfort over the original Focus Dailies, manufacturer CIBA Vision claims. AquaRelease, a built-in moisturizing agent, is delivered from the lens into the tear film to maintain...

Coopervision gets FDA nod.(Contact Lenses)(Brief article)
February 15, 2006... Biofinity silicone hydrogel contact lenses for daily wear, from CooperVision, received FDA clearance for U.S. distribution in December. The lenses are made of comfilcon A, a wettable material that precludes the lenses from requiring surface...

Acuvue Oasys extended wear.(Contact Lenses)(Brief article)
February 15, 2006... Acuvue Oasys with Hydraclear Plus, from Vistakon, received FDA approval for the additional indication of consecutive extended wear for up to six nights/seven days. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The lens is designed for contact lens wearers...

Eye Designs.(OFFICE DESIGN)
February 15, 2006... The Profiles Collection, from Eye Designs, combines European simplicity with urban design via its curved and modular accents and low voltage lighting, the company says. Call 1-800-346-8890, or go to www.eyedesigns.com. [ILLUSTRATION...

Second-tier AR coat.(Ophthalmic Lenses)(Brief article)
February 15, 2006... Sharpview, from Essilor of America, is a second-tier anti-reflective coating that complements the company's Crizal Alize AR coating. The new coating has a super-hydrophobic topcoat with a contact angle of 110 degrees and up to 99% light...

Free educational posters.(Patient Education)(Brief article)
February 15, 2006... Transitions Optical, Inc. offers a series of five free educational posters that encourage your patients to consider factors that could affect their vision. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Two of the 15 x 27-inch posters feature 10-point...

Eyecare program for kids.(Patient Education)(Brief article)
February 15, 2006... "Be Wise About Your Eyes" from the AOA is a new educational eyecare program that includes a 12-minute animated video (in VHS or DVD) and a 16-page Optos, Inc.-sponsored coloring and activity book geared toward children in kindergarten through...

Tommy Hilfiger from Viva International.(Brief article)
February 15, 2006... Viva International Group introduces six new styles from the Tommy Hilfiger Collection: * TH 3126 and TH 3127, handmade plastic unisex frames under the "Sporty Casual" moniker. The rectangular-shaped TH 3126 comes in size 50/15/135 and...

Nautica from Marchon.(FRAMES)
February 15, 2006... Marchon Eyewear Inc. introduces eight new styles from its Nautica frame collection: * N7103, a stainless steel frame for women that has a modified rectangle shape. It comes in size 49/18/140 and 51/18/140 and in colors black, gunmetal,...

Donald Trump from Eyewear Designs Ltd.(FRAMES)
February 15, 2006... Eyewear Designs Ltd. introduces nine styles from the Donald J. Trump signature collection. The collection features these five designs for men: * DT 01 and DT 05, combination metal and plastic frames that have a modified rectangle shape....

D & G Sun Collection from Luxottica.(FRAMES)
February 15, 2006... Luxottica Group introduces five new styles from the Dolce & Gabbana/Silmo Sun Collection for women: [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] * DG 2007 is made of monel and has an oversized aviator-style shape. The DG 2007 comes in size 69/07/125 and in...

SynergEyes interactive Web site.(Website overview)
February 15, 2006... www.synergeyes.com, an interactive Web site, from SynergEyes Inc., lets you and your patients obtain product information on the company's three hybrid contact lenses. This information includes lens specifications, parameters, fitting...

Macula lens in smaller package.
February 15, 2006... The Super Macula 2.2 lens, from Volk Optical, is now available in a height of 45.7mm, a lens size of 28.5mm with a ring diameter of 32.6mm and a weight of 24.9g. This has been done to make handling more convenient, the company says. The...

Meetings + conferences.(Calendar)
February 15, 2006... March * 1-3. Las Vegas 2006 Conference, Las Vegas. CE hours: 16. Contact Lis Ellerbusch, 8001 Natural Bridge Road, St. Louis, MO 63121; call (314) 516-5615; fax (314) 516-6708; e-mail ellerbusch@umsl.edu; or go to...

The tattletale lens.(Vision Disorders Treatment)(Brief article)
February 15, 2006... History A 51-year-old white female had sudden vision loss in her left eye. She came into our clinic for an examination the next day. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Her best-corrected visual acuity was 20/200 with a grade 4+ vitreous...