Review of Optometry articles from November 2005

Review of Optometry archives from November 2005

Trachoma.(IN THE NEWS)(Brief Article)
November 15, 2005... Trachoma, the world's leading cause of preventable blindness, could be eliminated with annual dosing of antibiotic treatment among entire communities, say Johns Hopkins researchers in a recent article in The Lancet. Annual mass treatment over a...

Nilvadipine.(IN THE NEWS)(Brief Article)
November 15, 2005... Nilvadipine, a calcium channel antagonist, has a significant effect on ocular blood flow, according to researchers in Japan, who presented their findings at the recent meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. In a study of 17 patients...

Congress approves decorative lens bill: this legislation would restore the regulation of nonprescription contact lenses.(News Review)
November 15, 2005... Just days before Halloween, Congress approved the plano contact lens bill (S. 172). This legislation restores the designation that a plano, or decorative, contact lens is a medical device, not a cosmetic. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] "The...

Glaucoma treated less in women and young.(News Review)
November 15, 2005... Women are 24% less likely to be treated for glaucoma than men, and younger individuals are far less likely to be treated than older ones, according to a study in the September issue of Ophthalmology. Factors associated with a greater likelihood...

Women with dry eye are singing a new tuna.(News Review)(Brief Article)
November 15, 2005... A new, large-scale study demonstrates what optometrists have advocated anecdotally for years: A higher dietary intake of omaga-3 fatty acids decreases the incidence of dry eye in women, according to an article in October's American Journal of...

Eye signs indicate Alzheimer's and stroke.(News Review)
November 15, 2005... Two emerging research projects peer into the eyes to look for early indicators of difficult-to-diagnose neurological diseases. Researchers at the Center for Ophthalmic Research at Brigham and Women's Hospital, in Boston, have developed...

Aspirin: new drug for contact lens bugs?(News Review)(Brief Article)
November 15, 2005... Salicylic acid, the active ingredient in aspirin, can prevent bacteria such as pseudomonas aeruginosa from sticking to contact lenses, according to an article in the October 1 issue of New Scientist magazine. The ingredient may eventually be...

Meet your patients' requirements for ... Preventative maintenance.
November 15, 2005... Ocular vitamins are a viable option for maintaining eye health. That's why there are a growing number of optometrists who have made ocular nutrition an integral part of their practices. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ...

Organ transplant rejection drug also found to reduce ocular inflammation.(News Review)
November 15, 2005... CellCept (mycophenolate mofetil, Roche), an immunosuppressive drug used to prevent organ transplant rejection, may also be used to treat patients who have inflammatory eye diseases, according to a study in the August issue of Ophthalmology. ...

Gender reveals differences in keratoconus.(News Review)(Brief Article)
November 15, 2005... Gender differences in patients with keratoconus have been found in patient history, vision and ocular symptoms, says a study in September's American Journal of Ophthalmology. Two interesting findings: Women with keratoconus were more likely...

Study: women's visual fields affected by menstrual cycle.(News Review)
November 15, 2005... A woman's visual fields may be affected by her menstrual cycle, according to a study in Ophthalmologica. (1) The study included 59 healthy women and 54 men with no systemic or ocular problems other than refractive error. Subjects underwent...

Bimatoprost as effective as travoprost in blacks.(News Review)(Brief Article)
November 15, 2005... Four years ago, research revealed that Travatan (travoprost, Alcon) was more effective in lowering intraocular pressure in blacks than in whites. (1) [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Since then, preliminary studies in small populations have...

Private-practice optometrists get their own group.(News Review)(Brief Article)
November 15, 2005... The team behind SeniorDoc.org has launched a new organization, along with a Web site, with the aim to give a boost to independent optometrists' business and professional standing. "Proactive Optometric Physicians (POP) is an organization...

Be your own shrink: use psychology to your greatest advantage--with your patients, your life and your business.(Editorial)
November 15, 2005... I've always been fascinated with personality traits and how they affect our interactions and our personal or professional successes. That's why I was completely knocked over when I read this month's "Retina Quiz," indicating that type-A...

When a chicken isn't little: some patients will spend any amount of money on important stuff, like pet chickens. But something frivolous like eye care? Forget it.(Chair Side)
November 15, 2005... I have a patient who recently bought 50 chickens. She and her husband are retired and they like to stay busy. So they bought 50 chickens and built a little chicken condominium. She told me that the chickens are very affectionate and that as...

Letters to the editor.(Letter to the Editor)
November 15, 2005... Dear Dr. Cole: Your article, "This O.D. Sees Glaucoma from a Different Angle," (July 2005), puts a new slant on glaucoma treatment. I had never before read an article by an O.D. about his personal experience with glaucoma and found this...

Another practice management system.(Letters to the Editor)(Letter to the Editor)
November 15, 2005... I read "Pick the Right Practice Management System for You" (August 2005) with interest. We, too, recently went through the process of finding the best practice management software for our office. However, Dr. Diecidue didn't mention the system...

Resource for women O.D.s.(Letters to the Editor)(Letter to the Editor)
November 15, 2005... In the August 2005 editorial, you asked, "What Will Women Do to Optometry?" We would like to introduce Women of Vision (WOV), an organization that defines what women will do for optometry. WOV is an educating, mentoring and networking...

Funny patient stories.(Letters to the Editor)(Letter to the Editor)
November 15, 2005... As an 18-year-old patient with a hordeolum was leaving my office, I told her that the stye should resolve with hot compresses alone. However, I added, she should return to my office immediately if it seemed to be getting worse. Her...

Practice profiles Part 2, this O.D. practices 'spa-tometry': by sharing space with two ophthalmologists and a spa, this optometrist was able to purchase new office space and reap the cross-promotional benefits.(Practice Profile)
November 15, 2005... The ability to prove to a bank that you deserve a loan for the purchase of new space for your ever-growing practice is a real pain in the neck--that is, unless you take on a tenant who specializes in pains in the neck. Just ask optometrist...

Cultivate your contact lens care: contact lens industry data reveal good news and bad news for the contact lens portion of your practice.(Jobson Research Special)
November 15, 2005... Contact lens industry data reveal good news and bad news for the contact lens portion of your practice. The good news? There is a large upswing in male and middle-aged wearers, and contact lens wear continues to increase overall. The bad news?...

Live poll.(Brief Article)
November 15, 2005... To what extent has your office "gone paperless"? Completely automated and paperless. 13% Many systems paperless. 18% Halfway to paperless. 22% One or two tasks are automated. 25% Still in the...

Use your samples wisely: learn the secrets to obtaining samples and how you can most effectively use them.(Ophthalmic Drugs)
November 15, 2005... What do you do with your drug samples? Do you give them away like candy so they're gone a few days after you receive them? Or, do you stock them away and forget about them until your shelves are overflowing with expired samples? If you answered...

Understanding medical lab tests and their results: knowledge of basic laboratory tests can help you diagnose systemic conditions that may be affecting your patients' ocular health.(OPTOMETRIC STUDY CENTER)
November 15, 2005... The scope of the primary care optometrist has grown exponentially since the inception and utilization of diagnostic drugs. Today, an optometrist may be the first doctor to diagnose a patient with a systemic illness. By becoming knowledgeable...

'Black spot' becomes stain on patient's health: this female patient had malignant hypertension that required immediate medical attention.(Case Report)
November 15, 2005... A 51-year-old black female presented complaining of a "black spot" that appeared in front of her left eye for more than two weeks. Although the spot decreased in size, she said that it still blocked her vision. She said the spot was constant...

Don't be so sensitive: what to do for a patient with hypersensitivity to staphylococcal infection? Treat it aggressively with an antibiotic and an anti-inflammatory.(Comanagement Q+A)
November 15, 2005... Q I have a patient who I believe has staph. hypersensitivity. The lids show significant blepharitis, the eye is diffusely red, and the cornea shows a small central infiltrate. How common is this, and what is the latest on treatment? ...

DLK more likely than infection: the risk of developing DLK after a tree branch-induced corneal abrasion outweighs the risk of fungal keratitis, say these practitioners.(Cornea+Contact Lens Q+A)(diffuse lamellar keratitis)
November 15, 2005... Q I have a patient who recently experienced a significant, full thickness/large abrasion after being hit by a tree branch. She underwent LASIK surgery six months ago. How do you balance the concerns for the use of steroids to minimize and...

Who's the boss of patient's care? A patient with advanced glaucoma balks about the frequency of follow-up. Better that you negotiate less frequent visits rather than none at all.(Glaucoma Grand Rounds)(Brief Article)
November 15, 2005... A 51-year-old white female presented to the office as a new patient in May 2005. She reported that she was diagnosed with glaucoma 14 years earlier, with the right eye having suffered more damage than the left, and that her "pressures are...

The new Oculus Easyfield.
November 15, 2005... More than a screener--it's a REAL perimeter! [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] At just 12 pounds, the Oculus[R] Easyfield is easy to move from office to office--it's like having several instruments for the price of...

HIV patient reports blur: can macular changes and RPE mottling explain this second, worsening episode of blurred vision and distortion?(Retina Quiz)
November 15, 2005... A 50-year-old Hispanic male reported that he has been experiencing blurred vision and distortion in his left eye for the past two months. He said a similar episode occurred in his right eye a few years earlier but resolved on its own after...

A tricky case of toxo: we have long known how to treat toxoplasmosis retinochoroiditis, but should we treat this disease?(Therapeutic Review)
November 15, 2005... A woman presents with a history of floaters and a slight decrease in vision in her left eye. She reports mild ocular discomfort, but no photophobia. She says that she has never previously experienced a decrease in vision and ocular discomfort....

Aspheric optics come to IOLs: these new lenses may offer enhanced vision, even in dim illumination, and may eliminate corneal aberrations.(Research Review)
November 15, 2005... An estimated 20.5 million Americans already have cataracts, and this number is expected to increase to 30.1 million by 2020. (1) Indeed, cataract surgery is the most frequently performed surgical procedure among Medicare beneficiaries. (2) ...

A-Scan.(EXAM EQUIPMENT)(Brief Article)
November 15, 2005... The A-Scan Plus, from Accutome, Inc., displays IOL calculations in 0.25D increments and meets the challenges of post-refractive software, such as the Double K, Shammas Clinical and Clinical History methods, the company says. [ILLUSTRATION...

Mid-range blocker.(LAB EQUIPMENT)(Santinelli International)(Brief Article)
November 15, 2005... The new ICE (Intelligent Centering Equipment) Mini Intelligent CAD (Computer-Aided Design) Blocker is Santinelli International's latest enhancement to its product line. The company says that, when combined with any of Santinelli International's...

Revamped Extreme [H.sub.2]O.(CONTACT LENSES)(Hydrogel Vision Corp.)(Brief Article)
November 15, 2005... The Extreme [H.sub.2]O 54% lens, from Hydrogel Vision Corp., is a revamped version of the original Extreme [H.sub.2]O, which is still available. The two-week disposable daily wear lens features a new hioxifilcon D material, which is made...

Sport-tinted contact lens.(CONTACT LENSES)(Bausch & Lomb Inc.)(Brief Article)
November 15, 2005... Nike Maxsight, from Bausch & Lomb and developed with Nike, is a sport-tinted, soft contact lens for athletes that selectively filters specific wavelengths of light within the visible spectrum to enhance key visual elements, such as a ball or...

Hybrid contact lens receives FDA approval.(CONTACT LENSES)(SynergEyes Inc.)(Brief Article)
November 15, 2005... The SynergEyes hybrid contact lens, from SynergEyes Inc., received FDA approval in September for the correction of myopic, hyperopic, presbyopic and astigmatic refractive errors. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The hybrid lens corrects...

New kerataconus lens.(CONTACT LENSES)(Metro Optics)(Brief Article)
November 15, 2005... The ComfortKone contact lens, from Metro Optics, is an aspheric lens designed to create an alignment fit over the cornea. An ideal alignment fit is achieved when the lens rests solely on the tear layer and does not make contact with the corneal...

Toric lens.(CONTACT LENSES)(Unilens Vision, Inc)(Brief Article)
November 15, 2005... The C-VUE 55 Custom Toric Lens, from Unilens Vision, Inc., is a soft custom toric contact lens that provides astigmatic patients with all day comfort, ease of fit and optimum visual acuity at every distance, the company says. The new lens,...

Expanded parameters for 02 Optix.(CONTACT LENSES)(CIBA Vision)(Brief Article)
November 15, 2005... 02 Optix, a silicone hydrogel contact lens from CIBA Vision, is now available in minus powers from -0.25D to -8.00D in 0.25D steps, from -8.50D to -10.00D in 0.50D steps, and in plus powers from +0.25D to +6.00D in 0.25D steps. The lens,...

Rewetting drops.(CONTACT LENS SOLUTION)(Optics Laboratory Inc.)(Brief Article)
November 15, 2005... Eye-Cept Rewetting Drops, from Optics Laboratory Inc., are preservative-free lubricating drops designed for soft contact lens-wearers. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The drops restore the eye's necessary moisture level to promote a...

Photochromic lens.(OPHTHALMIC LENSES)(Vision-Ease Lens)(Brief Article)
November 15, 2005... LifeRx, a new photochromic lens from Vision-Ease Lens, darkens and deactivates fast and provides indoor clarity. The lens uses Vision-Ease's patented, molded film technology for greater durability and processing ease, the company says. The...

Super Short PAL.(OPHTHALMIC LENSES)(Brief Article)
November 15, 2005... The 1.67 Proceed III Super Short (corridor) progressive addition lens (PAL) from Seiko Optical Products, has a 12mm corridor--making it ideal for smaller frame designs, the company says. The 1.67 Proceed III Super Short (corridor) PAL is...

Salary and benefits analysis.(PRACTICE MANAGEMENT)
November 15, 2005... The VWI 2004/05 California Salary and Benefits Survey CD-ROM from Vision West Inc., an ophthalmic purchasing network owned and endorsed by the California Optometric Association, lets you compare salaries, benefits and compensation packages in...

Spanish for Optometrists.(PRACTICE MANAGEMENT)(Command Spanish, Inc.)(Brief Article)
November 15, 2005... Spanish for Optometrists, from Command Spanish, Inc., is a 74-page manual accompanied by two audio CDs that teaches Spanish commands, phrases and questions necessary for communicating with Spanish-speaking patients. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]...

Meetings + conferences.(Calendar)
November 15, 2005... December * 7. Low Vision Management of AMD: A Practical Approach, San Diego. Sponsored by Lighthouse International, CE hours: 7. Contact Cathy Czeto, 111 East 59th St., New York, NY 10022: call (212) 821-9487; fax (212) 821-9705; e-mail...

Problem topples top student.(Diagnostic Quiz)
November 15, 2005... History A 13-year-old girl presented for an eye exam with a chief complaint of blurry vision at distance. She also stated that at least twice a week she saw double when reading with her glasses on, which made it more and more difficult to...

Dear doctor.
November 15, 2005... I'm afraid I must start by making a confession. I'm a terrible pack rat, possibly one of the worst. Think I'm kidding? Consider this: As my wife and I were packing to move into our home, she was shocked to find that I had boxes of greeting...

AMD case files: what was I thinking? These cases offer a look into the decision-making process when choosing the most appropriate treatment for each patient.(age-related macular degeneration )
November 15, 2005... Two different patients--a 100-year-old male with a long history of exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD) O.D. and an 88 year old female AMD patient--present complaining of worsening distortion and visual acuity of 20/100 O.S. Retinal...

Can patients eat their way to improved vision? These studies can answer patients' questions about the connection between nutrition and AMD.
November 15, 2005... While development of more effective treatments for exudative age-related macular degeneration may be reassuring, our patients who have mild or moderate nonexudative AMD may be more concerned about how they can modify their risk of developing...

Help diabetic patients gain control: diabetes is the leading cause of new cases of blindness. By encouraging better glycemic control, we can help prevent this and other complications.(Diabetes)
November 15, 2005... Diabetic patients are 25 times more likely to become legally blind than nondiabetic patients, yet only four out of 10 diabetic patients receive timely and appropriate eye evaluations. (1) But, early detection of diabetic retinopathy (DR) and...

Intervene against the interruption of blood flow: patients who present with retinal vein or artery occlusions or ocular ischemic syndrome require prompt intervention.(Vascular Disease)
November 15, 2005... Retinal occlusive vascular diseases are events that affect the retinal hemodynamics. These diseases share similar pathophysiology, resulting in obstruction at the retinal vascular level. Retinal occlusive vascular diseases include vein...

Vascular changes? Consider this a warning sign: arteriolar narrowing, hemorrhages and other findings may signal impending systemic disease, such as diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular disease.(Systemic Disease)
November 15, 2005... Some 70.1 million Americans--that's almost one in four--had one or more type of cardiovascular disease in 2002. (1) This includes high blood pressure (BP), coronary heart disease, congestive heart failure (CHF), stroke and congenital heart...

These three patients make the case for imaging: how imaging technology can aid your diagnosis and improve outcomes.(Instruments)
November 15, 2005... A 38-year-old female patient presents with vision loss in her right eye following an automobile accident, yet exam findings are unremarkable. Meanwhile, a 62-year-old male with type 2 diabetes, also has normal exam findings, but eventually you...

Crack the code to reimbursement: billing Medicare for treatment of retinal disease is fairly straightforward, as you'll see by these guidelines.(Practice Management)
November 15, 2005... While optometry, as a profession, has warmly embraced our ability to diagnose and treat retinal disorders, we sometimes have difficulty understanding the economics surrounding the appropriate coding and billing for our involvement. ...