Review of Optometry articles from June 2000

Review of Optometry archives from June 2000

Welcome to the premier issue of connected.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 15, 2000... Upgrade your practice with Review of Optometry's comprehensive guide to the Internet. Dear Doctor: As recently as 10 years ago, most of us were scrambling just to get fax machines. Who'd have thought that by the end of the century...

World wide wait?(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 15, 2000... Still using a dial-up modem to surf the Web? Digital phone connections, cable modems and satellite dishes connect you to the Internet at higher velocities. YOU PROBABLY CONNECT to the Internet with your modem, the familiar high-pitched...

Eyecare's e-commerce explosion.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 15, 2000... How Will the dot-com craze impact you and your patients? We asked a financial analyst to explain why online buying is sweeping the industry and to help you select the e-commerce platform that's right for you. Gentlemen, start your...

Internet eye exams.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 15, 2000... A took at two sites where your patients can get a free online exam and color vision test. WOULD YOU BELIEVE that your patients can get their eyes examined over the Internet as well as take a colorblind test? The good news is that these...

Online appointments.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 15, 2000... Online scheduling software lets your patients schedule their own eye exams, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. IT SHOULD COME as no surprise that an optometrist came up with the idea for www.jacknabbit.com, the world's first real-time,...

Screening for diabetic retinopathy from a distance.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 15, 2000... You'll soon be able to detect and track the leading cause of preventable blindness from the comfort and convenience of your computer. COMING SOON TO A computer near you: online diabetic retinopathy evaluations, a click and easy way for you...

A network of good web ideas.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 15, 2000... Surfing tips from your colleagues. Read E-mail and Surf at the Same Time I always surf the Net when I also have lots of e-mail messages to read. That way, I can flip back and forth between the two programs and read my mail while slow...

Eschenbach Optik of America.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 15, 2000... Eschenbach Optik of America will market and distribute low vision devices designed by Telesensory Corporation. The two companies have formed a strategic partnership.

AOA President Harvey Hanlen.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 15, 2000... AOA President Harvey Hanlen, O.D., received the first Jake Rosner Award for Excellence in Ophthalmic Education at EyeQuest 2000 in Chicago. The award recognizes Dr. Hanlen for the AOA's Practice Management University. Neil Gailmard, O.D.,...

Summit Technology.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 15, 2000... The FDA approved Summit Technology's LADARVision system for LASIK treating myopia up to -9.00D, with up to -3.00D of astigmatism. The FDA also OK'd the VISX Star laser for treating hyperopic astigmatism.

ClearVision Laser Center.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 15, 2000... The ClearVision Laser Center in Lakewood Center, Colo., is the first commercial center to house the Bausch & Lomb Technolas 217 excimer laser since the FDA approved it. The laser uses true scanning, flying spot technology. Intranasal...

What will FTC Make of Novartis-WJ Deal?(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 15, 2000... Now that CIBA Vision parent Novartis AG has swept Wesley Jessen off its feet in an 11th-hour takeover bid, the next shoe to drop may come from the Federal Trade Commission. Some analysts say that the agency could force CIBA Vision to sell off...

Photodynamic Therapy Hits Limelight.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 15, 2000... Since Visudyne (verteporfin) therapy received FDA approval, patients with macular degeneration have been clamoring for treatment. "Everybody wants it. The phone has been ringing off the hook," says Elizabeth Schnipper, O.D., of...

Optometric Obstacles, Meet Dr. Braverman.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 15, 2000... Former first lady Rosalynn Carter once said: "A leader takes people where they want to go. A great leader takes people where they don't necessarily want to go, but ought to be." Optometrist Howard Braverman faces such a challenge as he...

O.D.s No Longer Sweating Cost-Cutting Measures.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 15, 2000... A good economy can blunt the effects of managed care. Three out of four optometrists don't sense an urgent need to control costs, and almost that many--two out of three--say their expenses are minimal or average, our National Panel, Doctors of...

It's Not Do or Die.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 15, 2000... I owe you all an apology. You see, last year I quoted Dr. John A. McCall Jr. as saying that the American Board of Optometric Practice (known as ABOP, for better or worse) would enable an O.D. to "check that box" on an insurance plan...

Beware the Old Rope Swing.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 15, 2000... "If you keep swinging like that, you're gonna fall and break your arm!" My mother tried to warn me, but I didn't listen. The old rope swing broke. So did my arm. We try to warn people about doing the wrong thing. We encourage them to use...

Who Needs ABOP?(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)(Letter to the Editor)
June 15, 2000... Editor: I'm surprised that anyone would support the creation of something like the American Board of Optometric Practice (ABOP). I'm a 1995 graduate of New England College of Optometry and took all three parts of the National Board of Examiners...

Patient Satisfaction From the Front Line Back.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 15, 2000... A local pediatrician recently came to our office for a contact lens exam. I was pleased when he told me how professional and helpful our employees were, especially since he's both a patient and an important referral source for our practice. (I...

Measuring Visual Acuity Like a Pro?(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 15, 2000... There are now a couple computer-based visual acuity assessment tools you can use in your practice. Last year I reviewed the strengths of a system called AcuityMax (www.science2020.com) (Technology Review, September 1999). This month I'll look...

Never Underestimate the Power of Your Staff.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 15, 2000... You know the routine. You're struggling with the decision to make a change in your office. You think you might raise fees, change office hours, or add a new frame line. You can't quite make up your mind about when or how or what this details....

Do Your Homework Before You Bill for House Calls.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 15, 2000... Q. I heard that Medicare changed the codes for home visits, but I can't find any in formation about this. Do you know what the changes were?--Perry Lucente, O.D., Prince Frederick, Md. A. There are no changes in the codes you would bill...

Write the Story of Your Practice Finances.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 15, 2000... Putting together a plan for your business leads up to this: Where the money comes from and where it goes. Here's how to put that on paper. No matter what kind of effort you put into writing your business plan, at some point you must deal...

Does Optometry Need ABOP.?(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 15, 2000... YES. We must do unto ourselves or have others do unto us. Optometry needs the American Board of Optometric Practice at this time. The ABOP board has developed a model for board certification that compares favorably with other health...

Does Optometry Need ABOP?(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 15, 2000... No. Credibility of credentials is hard to earn, easy to destroy. Editor's note: This commentary is based on a portion of Dr. Wallis' address at the 157th Convocation last month of the Illinois College of Optometry. The legitimacy of...

How to Survive the Employment Crisis.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 15, 2000... You'll need more creative approaches for finding and keeping good staff over the next 10 years. It could come down to bagels and bucks. Today, a sign of the times is most often a sign in the window that reads: "Help Wanted." In 10 years,...

Four Artful Answers To Astigmatism.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 15, 2000... These doctors show how patience and creativity can help the most challenging astigmatic patients. Today's soft toric lens designs are more reproducible, and there are more materials and wear modalities available to fit even your highest...

How to Make Sense of Flashes and Floaters.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 15, 2000... Patient complaints of seeing spots and flashes of light are common, but you must take them seriously. Here are some scenarios you might encounter and their likely causes. A patient tells you he sees a large spot that looks like an insect....

Step Up to the Plate as a Nutritional Adviser.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 15, 2000... We should educate patients about how diet and lifestyle affect the health of the eye and the body. Physicians who take care of the eyes usually don't take care of the body. But the eye doesn't get sick without the body. The systems of the...

A CLICK AND EASY WAY FOR YOU TO DO BUSINESS ON THE INTERNET.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 15, 2000... E-Dr. will custom-build you an e-commerce Web site that lets your patients order their replacement contact lenses online. It took you all of 15 minutes to build your e-commerce site, to choose the colors and customize the content and get it...

NAION: Diagnosing in the Negative.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 15, 2000... Clinicians characterize non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy primarily by what it is not. Scrupulous evaluation of the differential diagnostic criteria will help you rule out the imposters. The paradigm for understanding optic...

Ocular Workup Helps Detect Rare Cancer.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 15, 2000... Patient's visual field loss and fundus appearance indicate hemangioma. A 37-year-old white male came to the office complaining of a "gray area" in the vision of his right eye for the past 3 weeks. Onset followed an episode of severe,...

When to Refer for PDT.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 15, 2000... Q When should an optometrist send a macular degeneration patient for photodynamic therapy (PDT)? A Use the same criteria you'd use to refer any wet age-related macular degeneration patient, says Steve Wilson, O.D. These include visual...

4 Things to Tell Keratocones About Corneal Transplants.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 15, 2000... Q I am a 41-year-old, long-time keratoconus patient and may require a corneal transplant. What can you tell me about the transplant and the risks? A First off, only about one in 10 keratocones need to seriously consider transplants....

Mourner Laments Blurred Vision.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 15, 2000... A 52-year-old professional mourner noted blurred vision in both eyes. Her job entails traveling by bus to various funeral homes, where she is paid to attend funerals. But she was having difficulty reading bus signs. She does not wear glasses....

Can Xalatan Reactivate the Herpes Simplex Virus?(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 15, 2000... What's the connection between a herpes simplex virus in the eye and the prostaglandin latanoprost (Xalatan)? It may be one you didn't expect. In fact, latanoprost may be linked to reactivation of the herpes virus. Recurrence of primary...

TO THE DOCTOR.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 15, 2000... You have more presbyopic patients than ever--more than 100 million of them. You have more computer users with complex visual demands. And, with the beginning of summer, more of your pediatric and adult patients will be heading for the sporting...

Four P's Spells 'Relief' in the Managed-Care Dispensary.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 15, 2000... Is your glass half full or half empty under managed care? These four P's--premium products, pricing and presentations--can help your cup runneth over. You may think that managed care is a give-and-take proposition. You give, the plans...

New Drug Fights Allergies.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 15, 2000... Alamast anti-allergy eye drops from Santen Pharmaceutical will become available in July. Alamast (pemirolast potassium ophthalmic solution 0.1%) is indicated for allergic conjunctivitis. This mast cell stabilizer inhibits the...

Making a Display of it.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 15, 2000... Fashion Optical Displays adds Counter Graphic Displays to its merchandising accessory family. Made of clear acrylic material, these displays come in three table-top sizes. You can use them to display photos, magazine pictures, promotional...

B&L's New Two Weekers.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 15, 2000... Bausch & Lomb Two Week, single-vision spherical lenses, are the newest disposable contact lenses from B&L. Made of hilafilcon B polymer, the lenses have 59% water content. They are available in powers of -0.50D to -6.00D in 0.25D steps, and...

Contact Lenses Get Extreme.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 15, 2000... The Extreme H2O contact lens is a non-ionic, Group 2 disposable lens from Benz Research & Development. It's approved for 1-, 2- and 4-week wear cycles. The lens has displayed 59% water content throughout a 16-hour wear cycle, and only licensed...

Dailies Adds Parameters.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 15, 2000... CIBA Vision introduces expanded powers for its Focus Dailies one-day contact lenses. They're now available in high-minus powers of -6.50D to -10.00D, in 0.50D steps. Focus Dailies feature a lens edge that CIBA says is about half the...

Transitions Splitz Splash Color.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 15, 2000... Splitz Lenses from Transitions Optical add a splash of color to the world of variable tint optics. Splitz Lenses change from one color indoors to a different color outdoors--from rose to purple, yellow to orange, and blue to green. ...

OLA's New 'Perspective'.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 15, 2000... The ninth edition of the brochure "Perspective on Lenses" is now available from the Optical Laboratories Association. This newest edition offers a three-step approach to dispensing, with emphasis on premium products. It's completely...

Airwear Makes Transitions.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 15, 2000... Transitions Quantum polycarbonate now comes in Essilor's Airwear. It's available in semi-finished, single-vision aspheric and Essilor Natural progressive addition lenses. Transitions Quantum-Airwear single vision is available in powers...

SlitLamp-Free Tonograph.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 15, 2000... The Langham Ocular Blood Flow tonograph from Orb Diagnostics and Therapeutics records the complete IOP waveform, even on corneas with epithelial edema and/or swollen stroma. The tonograph uses Windows-based programs, and measurements do not...

New Measure in Lensmeter.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 15, 2000... Nikon's TL-3000 lensmeter measures spherical values from +/-25.00D and cylindrical values from +/-10.00D. It reads in O.O1D, O.12D or 0.25D increments, lets the user mark lenses for edging, and can output data to a built-in printer or to a...

Creating a New Image.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 15, 2000... Codonics' NP-1660M dry medical imager is a compact unit that prints on clear and blue-base film, color paper, color transparency and photographic-quality grayscale paper. Features include a 35mm slide maker and built-in network capability.

Uncovering New Fossils.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 15, 2000... Fossil debuts its new Deluxe new collection of sunwear styles, with 10 designs for both men and women. The collection, available with prescription ophthlamic lenses, blends a 1950s Americana feel with today's technology. Available in...

Tonga Proves Tempting.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 15, 2000... New sunglass styles are available in the Tonga Collection from GUESS?, part of Viva International Group. Featuring snakeskin plastics, newly designed metal fronts and plastic temples, this collection aims to be fashion-forward while...

It's a New Mesh Wrap.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 15, 2000... Mesh is the new wrap, unisex sunwear from GUESS? Mesh GU 687 is an 8-base wrap in laminated plastic with the GUESS? logo temple inlay. This a large, elongated wrap frame features CR39 lenses that provide 100% UV protection, Viva International...

Geoffrey Beene's Professional Look.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 15, 2000... Today's urban professional can hip-hop to the new plastic grouping from Geoffrey Beene Eyewear. The three new, unisex styles are double plastic laminates, and are lightweight with spring hinges. The GB 1204, a rectangular frame, is...

Persol is Classic and Catty.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 15, 2000... An updated cat-eye design gives the Persol 2596V for women from Luxottica a versatile, classic look. This acetate frame has Persol's signature arrow at the temples. It's is available in tortoise, rose-beige, smoke-gray and black-honey. Sizes...

Young Woman Feels Itchy and Crusty.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 15, 2000... A 25-year-old female complained of itchy, crusty eyes for the last 3 weeks. Her ocular history was unremarkable for disease, injuries or surgeries. Her systemic history was uneventful. She's a cigarette smoker. No other historical data deserves...

INTRODUCTION.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 15, 2000... Dear Colleague: We at CIBA Vision are committed to making leadership through innovation our trademark in the global eyecare industry. Through a broad portfolio of contact lenses, lens care products, ophthalmic surgical products and...

What you need to know about Focus(R) Progressives.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 15, 2000... The new lens for presbyopia packs all of the benefits of a progressive in a soft contact lens. The presbyopic market is staggering, both in terms of its sheer size and the opportunity it holds for eyecare practitioners. It's estimated that...

Growing your Practice and your Profits with Multifocal Contact Lenses.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 15, 2000... Want to offer your presbyopic patients all of the benefits of a progressive in a soft contact lens? Find out how in this special report on CIBA Vision's Focus Progressives. We invited five optometrists to participate in a roundtable...

Pearls from our Panelists.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 15, 2000... Tips for succeeding with Focus Progressives. * Initial base curve. Because a stable fit and good centration are important, it is best to begin with an 8.6-mm base curve in all cases unless keratometry readings indicate that the central...