Review of Optometry articles from October 2006

Review of Optometry archives from October 2006

September's Archives of Ophthalmology.(weightlifting increases risk of glaucoma )(Brief article)
October 15, 2006... Weightlifting causes a temporary increase in intraocular pressure, and prolonged weightlifting may be a potential risk factor for the development and progression of glaucoma, according to a study in September's Archives of Ophthalmology....

New England College of Optometry.(appointment of Elizabeth Chen)(Brief article)
October 15, 2006... Elizabeth Chen, a former CEO of two Massachusetts-based biotech companies, is the first woman and the second non-O.D. to be elected president of New England College of Optometry.

Montana State University.(health benefits of chitosan)(Brief article)
October 15, 2006... A chemical compound found in shrimp and crabs, called chitosan, may discourage microbes from forming slimy, glue-like layers of infectious cells known as biofilms on mechanical heart valves, contact lenses, artificial hips, knees and breast...

Can new legislation rewrite the FCLCA? H.R. 6117 would add e-mail and telephone verification to the Fairness to Contact Lens Consumers Act.(Fairness to Contact Lens Consumers Act)
October 15, 2006... A new bill aims to amend the Fairness to Contact Lens Consumers Act (FCLCA) by augmenting the prescription verification process. Introduced by Rep. Ed Whitfield (R-Ky.), the Contact Lens Consumer Health Protection Act (H.R. 6117) is a...

FDA approves new BAK-free formulation of Travatan.(Food and Drug Administration)(benzalkonium chloride)(Brief article)
October 15, 2006... The FDA has approved Travatan Z (travoprost 0.004%, Alcon). The new formulation replaces the preservative benzalkonium chloride (BAK) in the existing Travatan solution with Sofzia, "a robust ionic buffered preservative system that is gentle to...

New optometry school to open in California?(Western University of Health Sciences plans to open school of optometry)
October 15, 2006... A new school of optometry in California could open by 2009 if all goes as planned. Officially, Western University of Health Sciences, in Pomona, Calif., will not confirm or deny plans to open a new optometry school. But, a 10-year strategic...

Study pinpoints glaucoma predictors.(Brief article)
October 15, 2006... A new index known as mean prognosis, along with IOP asymmetry between the eyes and binocular test point asymmetry, can assist in clinical evaluation of eyes at risk of developing primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), according to a study in the...

Device puts sight in reach for tunnel vision patients.(News Review)
October 15, 2006... A newly developed vision device for patients with tunnel vision may improve their ability to visualize their surroundings, according to a study in September's Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences. The device combines a tiny...

Can you relate? Although it's rare, refractive surgery can go wrong. When it does, your reaction to your patient's emotional responses can be just as important as your future treatment plan.(Editorial)
October 15, 2006... As any comanaging optometrist knows, patient education prior to LASIK or other elective refractive procedures is paramount. When the LASIK explosion began, there was a great deal of talk about how best to handle patients who were upset because...

A king must have a throne: you think a sophisticated doctor like me is above a little toilet humor? Think again.(Chair Side)(Column)
October 15, 2006... Let us speak of one of the most important elements of any successful optometric practice. No, not the computers. No, not the visual field analyzer. No, not the receptionist, nor the assistants, nor the optician, nor--dare I say it?--the doctor....

Practice transitions series, Part IV: growth mode; Mid-career optometrists identify different paths to success, but continued growth is the key to staying competitive and motivated.
October 15, 2006... In this series, Review of Optometry takes a close look at the dilemmas, decisions and life changes at each stage of an optometrist's career--from optometry school to active practice to retirement. In each installment, we talk with optometrists...

GPC: don't call it an allergic reaction; Giant papillary conjunctivitis, though categorized as allergic ocular disease, really is a reaction to irritation. Knowing this aids diagnosis and management.(Patient Care)(Disease/Disorder overview)
October 15, 2006... Among the varieties of ocular allergic disease, giant papillary conjunctivitis (GPC) has traditionally been included alongside seasonal allergies and vernal and atopic keratoconjunctivitis. We now know, however, that GPC does not deserve such...

A rivalry between two AMD drugs: approved this summer, the anti-VEGF agent Lucentis will compete against its off-label cousin Avastin for the AMD market.(Patient Care)(wet age-related macular degeneration)(anti-vascular endothelial growth factor)
October 15, 2006... For years, plaintiffs' attorneys have hammered away at the doctrine of off-label application, claiming that doctors should face at least some level of increased liability if they administer a drug in ways unapproved by the FDA. Time and again...

Incorporating presbyopic correcting intraocular lenses into your practice.
October 15, 2006... A WHOLE NEW WORLD The excitement surrounding the new presbyopia correcting intraocular lenses is growing within the ophthalmological and optometric professions, yet there remains great confusion about many aspects of the procedure and...

12th annual refractive surgery report, do what's right when refractive surgery goes wrong: patients who have unexpected results from refractive surgery go through several stages of grieving. To help them cope, you must understand what they're feeling.(Cover story)
October 15, 2006... Imagine you referred a 45-year-old patient for refractive surgery, and your patient receives the wrong treatment. Instead of a -2.00 correction to nearly no refractive error, your patient ends up +4.00--a significant over-correction. ...

Did heart surgery cause NAION? Patient's severe vascular disease, reduced hemoglobin level and history of smoking may have contributed to his condition.(Case Report)(non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy)
October 15, 2006... A 50-year-old white male was referred by his cardiologist for evaluation six days after he underwent coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG). The patient's chief complaint: an acute onset of constant blurred vision in the superior visual...

Does patient with lupus have Plaquenil retinopathy? Early RPE mottling reveals corneal verticillata O.S. and suspected hydroxychloroquine maculopathy O.D.(Case Report)(Clinical report)
October 15, 2006... A 45-year-old Hispanic female was referred by her O.D. for a consultation for possible hydroxychloroquine retinopathy/maculopathy. Her chief complaint: metamorphopsia nasal to fixation in the left eye. Previous exam data revealed macular...

Understanding multifocal intraocular lenses and their importance to your practice.
October 15, 2006... Carol is 56-year old, successful school administrator who loves her work. When she came in for her annual exam last year, she immediately let me know that she was unhappy with her vision. "Things just aren't sharp. I am having problems with...

Take a new shot at shingles: a new vaccine can reduce both the incidence and severity of herpes zoster by more than half.(Comanagement Q+A)
October 15, 2006... Q I have a patient who has herpes zoster. Is there anything new to prevent or treat this painful condition? A In May, the FDA approved a new vaccine, Zostavax (live attenuated zoster vaccine, Merck) to prevent herpes zoster (shingles). The...

Choose artificial cornea first? Should I recommend a full-thickness graft or a keratoprosthesis?(Cornea+Contact Lens Q+A)(aphakia)
October 15, 2006... Q A 52-year-old aphakic patient has experienced repeated retinal detachments and repairs. The patient now has silicone oil in the posterior chamber and corneal decompensation with a very low IOP (5mm Hg). Several corneal specialists have...

Keep your eye on the target: set your target IOP early (and reassess periodically) to facilitate long-term treatment.(intraocular pressure)
October 15, 2006... A 38-year-old white female presented as a new patient seeking a second opinion about her recently diagnosed glaucoma. Her last doctor prescribed Travatan (travoprost, Alcon) one drop O.D. h.s. Her systemic meds included Alesse...

Diagnosis is on the line: pigmented and nonpigmented demarcation lines in both eyes hold the clues to this patient's condition.(Retina Quiz)(retinoschisis)(retinal detachment)
October 15, 2006... A 46-year-old Hispanic female presented for an eye exam complaining of decreased vision at near. She says she traditionally purchases over-the-counter reading glasses but worried that these spectacles may be harming her eyes. [ILLUSTRATION...

Something for 'nothing' (Part 1): a common, benign condition should not be brushed off. There's always something you can do for "nothing.".(Therapeutic Review)(Eyelid myokymia)(Column)
October 15, 2006... "That? That's nothing. Don't even worry about it." We've all said this to a patient at some time during our careers. When an individual presents with a common, benign condition, we're often tempted to simply brush it off as "nothing." We may...

Beta-blocker.
October 15, 2006... ISTA Pharmaceuticals, Inc., recently introduced a 2.5-mL bottle size for Istalol. Istalol is a once-a-day ophthalmic beta-blocker indicated for the treatment of elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with ocular hypertension or...

Ophthalmic video camera.
October 15, 2006... MediLive Trio Eye, from Carl Zeiss, is a three-chip video camera for ophthalmic surgeries. During procedures that involve minimal light on the posterior segment of the eye, you and the surgeons with whom you comanage can still see bright,...

Eye Model.
October 15, 2006... The Timberlake Eye Model, from Gulden Ophthalmics, teaches fundoscopy, indirect ophthalmoscopy, direct ophthalmoscopy and how to use fundus lenses with a slit lamp. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The plastic model, named for George T....

Rotating Kiosk Bulletin Tower.
October 15, 2006... The RotoCube Rotating Kiosk Bulletin Tower, from Magnatag Visible Systems, is a freestanding, four-sided organizational system that enables you to display large amounts of information anywhere in your office, the company says. The 78-inch...

Toric Progressive upgrade.(Contact Lenses)
October 15, 2006... The HDX Toric Progressive, from PolyVue Distribution Inc., is now available in a -1.50 cylinder power, allowing the lens to be fit on patients who require up to -2.25 cylinder requirement. (The -1.50 can be fit on patients with up to -2.25...

Daily disposable.
October 15, 2006... 1 Day Acuvue Moist, from Vistakon, is a new daily disposable lens featuring Lacreon technology. This technology permanently embeds a water-holding ingredient similar to that found in natural tears into the etafilcon A material of the lens for...

Polarized sunglass colors.
October 15, 2006... Sunglass polarizers, from International Polarizer, are now available in two new colors: dark- and medium green. The polarizers absorb more than 99.8% of UVB (280nm to 315nm) and 99% of UVA radiation (315nm to 380nm) and minimize glare, the...

Fashion Optical Displays.
October 15, 2006... The Oasis line of displays and furnishings, from Fashion Optical Displays, offers an array of optional configurations that enable you to customize your dispensary, the company says. The Oasis is available in various hardwoods and decorative...

Educational tools on drug ocular side effects.(What's New On the Web)
October 15, 2006... Transitions Optical offers four tools to educate you and your patients about the types of medications that may cause adverse ocular effects: * Ocular Effects Associated with Medications. This reference guide, developed by ocular...

Vogue by Luxottica.
October 15, 2006... The Luxottica Group introduces two women's sunglass frames from the Vogue Spring/Summer 2006 Collection: * V02411S, made of plastic in an elongated oval shape. It comes in colors black with gray/green mirror lenses and black and peach with...

Sferoflex by Luxottica.
October 15, 2006... The Luxottica Group introduces five new frames from Sferoflex: [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] * SF 1106, a unisex zyl plastic frame in a hard rectangular shape. It comes in the color combinations brown/black and gray/black and in sizes...

Bongo by Viva International.
October 15, 2006... Viva International Group introduces the "Skinny Mini" metal collection for girls from Bongo Eyewear. Styles include: [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] * B Fun, a modified oval-shaped frame. It comes in colors black, brown and pink and in size...

Ecko Unltd. by Viva International.
October 15, 2006... Viva International Group introduces the "Kids Rule" unisex metal collection from Ecko Unltd. The collection includes: [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] * 4010, a soft-rec-tangular-shaped frame that comes in colors blue, brown and red and in size...

Power Rangers by marchon.
October 15, 2006... Marchon Eyewear introduces four boys' frames from the Power Rangers Mystic Force collection: [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] * Power Rangers 1 is a modified oval shaped frame made of monel that comes in colors black hole, galaxy gunmetal, blue...

500 series by marchon.
October 15, 2006... Marchon Eyewear Inc. introduces three aluminum frames from its 500 series: * M550AL, a unisex, semi-rimless, soft-rectangular-shaped-frame. It comes in colors cafe, amber, gunmetal and black and in sizes 50/18-135 and 52/18-135. ...

C-Mates by Costa Del Mar.
October 15, 2006... Costa Del Mar introduces the C-Mates bifocal reading prescription polarized sunglass line so that patients do not have to switch back and forth between their sunglasses and reading glasses. The lenses, which offer 100% UV protection, are...

Try Change by Allison USA.
October 15, 2006... Try Change, from Allison USA, is an interchangeable eyewear system made of plastic and available in 36 styles. These include colors, such as olive green, red and purple, and patterns, such as tortoise. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Try Change...

Meetings + conferences.(Calendar)
October 15, 2006... November * 2-3. Lighthouse International's Pediatric Low Vision Care Course, New York. CE hours: 12. Contact Cathy Czeto, 111 E. 59th St., New York, NY 10022; call (212) 821-9487; fax (212) 821-9781; e-mail cczeto@lighthouse.org; or go to...

Corneal whorls cause wonder.(Diagnostic Quiz)
October 15, 2006... History A 69-year-old black female presented complaining of haloes and glare in both eyes, at distance and near, occurring for the past two weeks. Her systemic history was significant for hyperthyroidism, hypercholesterolemia, atrial...

Introduction.(development of second edition of the Glaucoma Handbook)
October 15, 2006... The second edition of the Glaucoma Handbook has been developed through the efforts of the Optometric Glaucoma Society (OGS). On behalf of the OGS, I would like to thank our team of authors who have contributed to this effort. Our goals in...

1 Risk assessment as an emerging tool for glaucoma care.
October 15, 2006... Introduction The clinician treating patients with glaucoma or glaucoma suspects is faced with the clinical challenges of whom to treat, when to treat and to what extent to treat. Not all patients with glaucoma will lose vision to the...

2 How to diagnose glaucoma: it requires the integration of several tests.
October 15, 2006... Most glaucomas are asymptomatic until the late stages of the disease, and therefore a careful, comprehensive eye examination, including history, is essential to the early diagnosis. The majority of information important in the patient's history...

3 The integration of new technologies: new instrumentation improves visualization of the optic nerve head and accuracy of visual fields.
October 15, 2006... The last decade has seen an explosion of new technologies that have begun to challenge our understanding of the structural and functional relationships in early glaucoma, while at the same time introducing potentially new standards of care. In...

4 Understanding glaucoma medications.
October 15, 2006... Medical therapy is the most common method used for the reduction of the intraocular pressure (IOP) associated with ocular hypertension (OHT) and open-angle glaucoma (OAG). Several classes of drugs (prostaglandin derivatives, beta-adrenergic...

5 The management of glaucoma: tips on the subtle art of controlling glaucoma and ocular hypertension.
October 15, 2006... There are many different situations that confront the optometrist as he/she decides whether to initiate therapy for ocular hypertension (OHT) or glaucoma. For ocular hypertension, the decision process is discussed in Chapter 1. In regard to...

6 When medical therapy fails: surgical options for glaucoma management.
October 15, 2006... Surgical intervention becomes an option in the management of open-angle glaucoma when the intraocular pressure (IOP) cannot be sufficiently reduced with medical therapy (IOP above target level), or progressive optic nerve damage and/or visual...

7 Compliance, adherence and persistency.
October 15, 2006... Compliance, adherence and persistency have been identified as key factors in glaucoma management. Compliance or adherence is defined as the difference between the patient's recommended medical regimen and the actual doses taken. Persistency...

8 Communication in the management of glaucoma.
October 15, 2006... A patient's daily decision to use glaucoma medication is the result of a balance between their understanding of the potential risks of glaucoma, their belief in the benefit of medication and the burden of taking their drops. For most patients,...

9 Secondary glaucomas: how to diagnose and treat this disparate group of conditions.(Disease/Disorder overview)
October 15, 2006... Secondary glaucomas are a diverse group of conditions associated with an elevation in intraocular pressure (IOP). Unlike primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), the underlying causative factor is generally identifiable after a careful history,...

10 Angle-closure glaucoma.
October 15, 2006... Angle-closure glaucoma (ACG) is a relatively uncommon condition in the United States though it occurs far more often in the Far East. The majority of ACG patients are female and many are of Asian heritage. Risk factors include age, hyperopia,...