Review of Optometry articles from January 2004

Review of Optometry archives from January 2004

Ski season has arrived, so remind your patients who ski to wear UV-protective goggles, says the British Columbia Association of Optometrists.(In the News)
January 15, 2004... Ski season has arrived, so remind your patients who ski to wear UV-protective goggles, says the British Columbia Association of Optometrists. Intense sunlight and highly reflective snow can combine to cause temporary snow blindness, and...

Refocus Group received FDA approval to begin Phase II trials of the company's Scleral Implants and Scleral Spacing Procedure for the surgical treatment of presbyopia.(In the News)
January 15, 2004... Refocus Group received FDA approval to begin Phase II trials of the company's Scleral Implants and Scleral Spacing Procedure for the surgical treatment of presbyopia. The FDA approval is on the condition that the company must submit some final...

Johnson & Johnson Vision Care will act as a distributor and supplier for three eye care drugs--Quixin (levofloxacin), Betimol (timolol), and Alamast (pemirolast potassium)--from Santen Pharmaceutical Group.(In the News)
January 15, 2004... Johnson & Johnson Vision Care will act as a distributor and supplier for three eye care drugs--Quixin (levofloxacin), Betimol (timolol), and Alamast (pemirolast potassium)--from Santen Pharmaceutical Group. Santen will still handle...

Pediatricians fail to refer for eye exams: among children diagnosed with vision problems, only 16% had been referred.(News Review)
January 15, 2004... Pediatricians and family physicians fail to refer more than four out of five children with vision problems to an eye doctor for evaluation and treatment, according to a new study in the January issue of the Journal of Behavioral Optometry. ...

ARBO supports need for Rx with Plano CLs.(News Review)
January 15, 2004... The Association of Regulatory Boards of Optometry (ARBO) reminds optometrists to be vigilant about illegal contact lens sales in 2004. The group's Contemporary Issues Committee is compiling data on complications that result from contact lenses...

Do mobile eye clinics offer 'access to better care' for underserved diabetics?(News Review)
January 15, 2004... The prevalence of type 2 diabetes, the leading cause of blindness in adults ages 24-70, is 14.5% in Mexican-Americans. It's among these underserved folks that David Krasnow, O.D., M.P.H., Ph.D., and his mobile eye clinics have been since March...

Early treatment preserves vision in infants with retinopathy of prematurity.(News Review)
January 15, 2004... Infants that receive early treatment for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) may avoid severe vision loss. Specifically, premature infants who received early treatment had a reduction in the likelihood of unfavorable visual acuity outcomes,...

Medicare fees increase 1.5%.(News Review)
January 15, 2004... In mid-December, President Bush signed the Medicare reform bill into law, reversing the 4.5% cut previously slated by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for 2004. Instead, the new Medicare Fee Schedule will include a 1.5%...

Ocular injuries from paintball increasing.(News Review)
January 15, 2004... A study published in this month's issue of Pediatrics describes the increasing incidence of ocular injuries in children caused by paintballs. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Pediatrician David Listman, M.D., of St. Barnabas Hospital in the...

Focus on freedom: ain't life sweet? In most cases, you'll find that the only thing holding you back is you.(Editor's Page)
January 15, 2004... Consider: CNN's Soledad O'Brien makes 40 New Year's resolutions every year. I no longer wonder how she became so successful. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Despite her grueling schedule and growing family, it is the perception of this media...

And the best place to practice is ... Perhaps it's in your own backyard ... by the flower bed or next to the toolshed.(Chairside)
January 15, 2004... Another article in this issue asks, "Where is the best place to practice optometry?" Where indeed? When I was set free--I mean, when I graduated--from PCO, I had no clue where the best place to practice might be. They didn't teach that in...

Diabetes: nutrition is overlooked.(Letters & E-Mail)
January 15, 2004... In your recent article, "The Diabetes Epidemic" (September 2003), you stated that those most at risk for diabetes are Latinos, Asian-Americans and blacks. I see many Latinos in my practice and yes, most of them are diabetic or have family...

Elderly drivers: it's not a question of vision.(Letters & E-Mail)
January 15, 2004... Don't mean to beat the point to death, but I have some comments about elderly people and driving. I received my December 2003 Review of Optometry today and as usual, enjoyed reading it. As I was reading the "Elderly Driver Strikes an O.D."...

Transforming an O.D.'s practice: from start to finish, how one O.D. handled the process of making over his private practice.(Office Design)
January 15, 2004... Optometrist Tom Barreto, of Portland, Ore., started his practice cold on a shoestring budget in 1991. An architect friend helped him design the original space and even helped with painting his Eyes on Broadway practice. In 2001, Dr. Barreto...

How we went paperless: you, too, can make the transition--one step at a time.(Practice Management)
January 15, 2004... If you're like me, you've intended to reduce the paper piles in your office and eventually go paperless. Only thing is... well, you haven't done it. I can relate. I can also say with confidence that you can make real progress--because we have....

10 best places to practice in optometry: O.D.s prefer small towns that have big city advantages.(Cover Story)
January 15, 2004... What makes for a good place to practice optometry? A family-friendly environment, a strong local economy, the potential for higher income, and a scope of practice that's as wide as possible. These are the preferences of 156 respondents (about...

Have fourth-generation fluoroquinolones abolished the firepower debate? Yes: improved mechanism of action sets these antibiotics far above their predecessors, and the result is a change in an age-old medical dynamic.(Point Counterpoint)
January 15, 2004... We all know how the antibiotic lifecycle works: A new and more effective antibiotic is introduced. To maintain maximum clinical effectiveness, clinicians limit its use to severe infections. The drug's clinical success makes it popular, leading...

Have fourth-generation fluoroquinolones abolished the firepower debate? No: the new antibiotics represent a huge step forward in fighting infection, but sometimes other drugs are still the better choice.(Point Counterpoint)
January 15, 2004... Bacteria are arguably the most successful life form on the planet. There are more of them alive now than any other creature. Your body is home to more than 100 billion. With bacterial fossil records dating back 3.5 billion years, they are the...

Controversies in glaucoma: to treat or not to treat; The answers aren't always simple when a patient presents with elevated IOP, suspicous nerves or visual-field changes.(Patient Care)
January 15, 2004... A 20-year-old Asian male presented to optometrist Robert Wooldridge's Salt Lake City practice for a general eye examination with no visual complaints. But this case was anything but simple. Consider: The patient's medical history is...

Eye detector: an introduction to drug detection skills; By knowing the ocular signs of drug abuse, you may discover that a patient has a substance abuse problem.(Optometric Study Center)
January 15, 2004... As optometrists, we evaluate refractive error and ocular health, and look for signs of ocular and systemic disease. One area often overlooked is detection of impairment by drugs, alcohol and/or substances. By knowing the ocular signs of drug...

The history of comanagement: how the birth of comanagement changed the way we practice optometry.(Comanagement Q & A)
January 15, 2004... Q Where did the concept of comanagement originate, and how did it progress? [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] A The concept of comanagement, as we know it today has only been around for about 20 years. It began when the first comanagement...

A unique lens for a unique patient: one company pioneers a system that allows you to tailor spectacle lenses.(Cornea & Contact Lens Q & A)
January 15, 2004... Q Will there ever be a customized spectacle lens for patients with keratoconus? [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] A There may be. Technology introduced at the American Academy of Optometry meeting last month combines standard refraction with...

Is the cause clear for patient's blur? Noncompliant diabetic experiences vision loss and changes in each retina.(Retina Quiz)
January 15, 2004... A 35-year-old white male presented complaining of blurred vision in both eyes for the past two weeks. His ocular history is unremarkable, but his medical history is significant for type 1 diabetes for the past 25 years. He takes insulin shots...

Glaucoma suspect at a crossroads; It's the age-old question in glaucoma: do we monitor or do we intervene?(Glaucoma Grand Rounds)
January 15, 2004... A 54-year-old black male presented with a history as a "glaucoma suspect." His previous eye-care provider had monitored him as a suspect every six to nine months for five years. His family history is positive for open-angle glaucoma in his...

New research on posterior seg: here are retinal research highlights of 2003.(Research Review)
January 15, 2004... It's impossible to summarize all the research papers presented at major meetings this year. But here are a few highlights on recent retinal research. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] * Endophthalmitis and intravitreal injection. A major...

AR improved.(Ophthalmic Lenses)
January 15, 2004... Essilor's new Crizal Alize combines the performance of its traditional Crizal coating with a hydrophobic property to allow for easier lens cleaning. The company says this new coating resists smudges and dirt and is easier to clean than standard...

New material.(Contact Lenses)(Vistakon's new Acuvue Advance contact lenses)(Brief Article)
January 15, 2004... Vistakon's new Acuvue Advance contact lenses are made of galyfilcon A, a soft material with low protein deposition rates and 47% water content. Hydraclear, an internal wetting agent in the material, wets the lens from the inside out, allowing...

CL fitting tool.(Contact Lenses)(Brief Article)
January 15, 2004... MultiTrack, a new lens fitting calculator from CooperVision, is intended to help in the fitting process for the company's Frequency 55 multifocal contact lenses. This calculator is a palm handheld computer to assist with technical presbyopic...

Lint-free tissues.(Contact Lenses)
January 15, 2004... An optometrist teamed up with one of his patients to create these new lint-free tissues, specifically for contact lens wearers. With LintFrees AquaBlotters, patients remove the lens from its storage solution or new packet and transfer onto the...

Slit lamp accessory.(Diagnostic Instruments)(Brief Article)
January 15, 2004... The new slit lamp breath shield from Gulden Ophthalmics is a protective barrier between you and the patient. Made of durable 1/4-inch clear acrylic, it is designed to fit most slit lamps. Simply install by placing the shield over the slit lamp...

Sterilizable BIO lenses.(Diagnostic Instruments)(Brief Article)
January 15, 2004... A new set of lenses from Volk Optical can be safely sterilized in an autoclave, resulting in decreased processing time for cleaning. These BIO lenses provide high magnification for fundus examinations. They are available in 20D and 28D....

Office design.(Product Review)(Brief Article)
January 15, 2004... Eye Designs presents the Classics collection, with a variety of contemporary and traditional designs to choose from. Freestanding displays feature elegant moldings and stylish details. Call 1-800-346-8890 or go to www.eyedesigns.com. ...

Office Software.(Practice Management)(OfficeMate Software Solutions)(Brief Article)
January 15, 2004... OfficeMate Version 4.5 is now available from OfficeMate Software Solutions. This new version includes many new features like a "to-do" list, simplified menus for easier navigation. Other features include One-Click documents, which allows the...

The cosmetic lens conundrum.(Product Review)
January 15, 2004... Results of a study conducted in September by Vistakon found that 74% of practitioners believe cosmetic contact lenses are a potential source of practice growth. But, only 6% of these same doctors actively recommend cosmetic lenses to patients....

Managed care directory.(Professional Resources)(Brief Article)
January 15, 2004... The 16th Edition of the HMO/PPO Directory from Sedgwick Press profiles managed health care organizations, preferred provider organizations and other types of organized groups such as dental, vision, behavioral, etc. The 2004 edition includes...

Honoring Visionaries.(On the Web)(Brief Article)
January 15, 2004... The new Visionaries Recognition Program from Bausch & Lomb recognizes outstanding optometrists and ophthalmologists who are leaders in the field and serve the community in some way. Five honorees will be selected in 2004 as Visionaries and will...

Versace.(Ophthalmic Frames)(Brief Article)
January 15, 2004... The latest ophthalmic collection from Versace features a variety of styles: * VE VO5, VE VODH. This women's zyl frame with sport slit stainless steel temples is offered with crystals on the outer edge of the front (VE VO5H) and without (VE...

Nautica.(Sunwear)(Brief Article)
January 15, 2004... The Spring 2004 line from Nautica Eyewear features 14 new frame styles. Among them are: [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] * San Juan. This plastic, modern square frame has wide lenses that are easily Rx-able. The metal-on-metal hinge design comes...

Costa Del Mar.(Sunwear)(Brief Article)
January 15, 2004... Finisterra, the latest sunglass design in Costa Del Mar's Island collection, is a monel, optical-quality metal frame with nylon injected temples. The bow tie shape features wraparound lenses and floating nose pads. Colors are copper with...

Meetings & conferences.(Calendar)
January 15, 2004... February * 13-15. Heart of America Contact Lens Society, Kansas City, Mo. CE hours: 80. Contact Greg Joyce, P.O. Box 216, El Dorado, KS 67042; call (316) 321-4020; fax (316) 321-0115; e-mail registration@hoacls.org; go to www.hoacls.org....

Is there a pattern to the problem?(Diagnostic Quiz)(for macular drusen )(Brief Article)
January 15, 2004... History A 68-year-old, black female presented for a routine eye exam. Her ocular history was significant for macular drusen in both eyes. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Her systemic history was remarkable for a myocardial infarction in...

Silicone hydrogels represent inflection point.(long-wear contact lenses)
January 15, 2004... Dear Colleague, It's not often in a lifetime when a significant new technology arrives that transforms an industry and raises the bar. Silicone hydrogel lenses are proving to be just such a technology. Like any ground-breaking new product,...

Silicone hydrogels: the breakthrough material.(Technology Revolution)
January 15, 2004... A number of soft lenses have claimed to be breakthroughs, but only four can be said to have profoundly changed the way practitioners fit contact lenses. These include: The first hydrogel 1971 The first extended...

Research on silicone hydrogels continues.(Technology Revolution)
January 15, 2004... With today's fast-paced technological developments, a two-year-old product can quickly approach obsolescence. So it is a testament to the revolutionary technology that NIGHT & DAY silicone hydrogel lenses are, indeed, still considered new. ...

Clinical evidence mounts: silicone hydrogels have transformed thousands of practices.(Technology Revolution)
January 15, 2004... Two years ago, many practitioners were skeptical about the claims of safety and efficacy of overnight wear with silicone hydrogels. There were some leading-edge practitioners who decided to see immediately what their own clinical experience...

Patient satisfaction high with NIGHT & DAY lenses.(Technology Revolution)
January 15, 2004... Recent clinical research indicates a very high level of patient satisfaction with NIGHT & DAY. A study reported at the American Academy of Optometry Meeting in Dallas during December 2003 tracked 317 NIGHT & DAY patients from 19 practices...

The 4-1-1 on NIGHT & DAY: the highest oxygen transmissibility of any soft contact lens.(Clinical)
January 15, 2004... Silicone hydrogels represent the most important advance in soft lens materials technology in 30 years, offering a quantum leap in oxygen transmission compared to first-generation hydrogels. Contact lens researchers have established that...

A higher standard for daily, flexible or continuous wear schedules.(Clinical)
January 15, 2004... Since the study on the risk of microbial keratitis was published in 1989 (1), quantifying the higher risks of overnight wear of soft lenses, many practitioners have justifiably shied away from recommending extended wear, even though the risks...

How to get started with NIGHT & DAY: fit 10 patients with silicone hydrogels within the next two weeks.(Practice Management)
January 15, 2004... Now that you've educated yourself with the science about silicone hydrogels, it's time to perform your own clinical trials. Here's a plan for you to implement immediately in your practice to fit 10 patients in silicone hydrogels within the next...

Tailor questions to the different kinds of patients in your practice.(Practice Management)
January 15, 2004... Here are ways to initiate discussion about continuous wear lenses with different categories of patients: Probes to current lens wearers: * "How do your current lenses feel around dinnertime? * "Do your eyes ever look red or feel...

Selecting the best patient candidates: continuous wear and beyond.(Practice Management)
January 15, 2004... For patients who want to sleep in their contact lenses, NIGHT & DAY offers the highest oxygen transmissibility of any soft contact lens. But there are patients beyond those who are currently sleeping in their lenses who could benefit from the...

Putting the professional back in eye care: NIGHT & DAY puts practitioners back in the doctor's seat.(Practice Management)
January 15, 2004... Do you ever feel as if disposable contact lenses have become just another commodity--and you have to fight to put yourself back in the loop? NIGHT & DAY changes that, practitioners say. Because the technology is so new--and because the message...

NIGHT & DAY fitting guidelines.(Practice Management)
January 15, 2004... Nearly all spherical contact lens patients are suitable candidates for NIGHT & DAY lenses, although all may not be appropriate for continuous wear. Follow these steps to maximize your success fitting NIGHT & DAY. 1. Pre-screen Patient ...

How to charge for NIGHT & DAY fits.(Practice Management)
January 15, 2004... Is NIGHT & DAY a specialty lens for which you can charge more? The answer depends on whom you ask--and when you ask it. Several practitioners have said they started out charging more but found the lens was so simple to fit, they backed off from...

Marketing materials you can use in your practice.(Practice Management)
January 15, 2004... Here's a script about silicone hydrogels lenses you can use for your office's telephone hold message: "Ask us about the new breakthrough contact lens that is so breathable it can be worn continuously day and night for up to 30 days. You...

FAQs.
January 15, 2004... Q: Why does CIBA recommend a 30-day replacement schedule for NIGHT & DAY? A: There are two reasons. First, replacement intervals longer than 30 days have not been tested. Second, recommending that patients replace lenses on the first day...