Review of Optometry articles from September 2002

Review of Optometry archives from September 2002

Mark your calendars. (In the News).
September 15, 2002... The AOA has designated September 22-28 as the first Paraoptometric Recognition Week. Be creative in your festivities, the AOA says. Some suggestions: Treat staff to lunch or dinner, an afternoon off with pay, gift certificates, flowers or...

The Lancet. (In the News).
September 15, 2002... Another report underscores the importance of amblyopia screening in children. A study in London, published in the August 24 issue of The Lancet, found that the risk for amblyopics to lose sight in the dominant eye is higher than previously...

Illinois College of Optometry. (In the News).
September 15, 2002... The Illinois College of Optometry has appointed Arol Augsburger, O.D., as its new president. Dr. Augsburger recently served as dean of the University of Alabama School of Optometry, and as president of the Association of Schools and Colleges in...

Selenium. (In the News).
September 15, 2002... An inexpensive coating of the mineral selenium can repel bacteria from the surface of contact lenses, reports Ted Reid, Ph.D., of Texas Tech University. The coating is only one molecule thick and does not irritate eyes, he says.

Life for one O.D. after September 11: a year after the WTC attacks, Dr. Steven Zalaznick looks to rebuild. (News Review).
September 15, 2002... Steven Zalaznick, O.D., has had a tumultuous year since September 11, 2001. That day he was in his office, located across Liberty Street from the World Trade Center complex, for the start of another routine day that turned out to be anything...

When mail-order calls, how to verify an Rx--or not. (News Review).
September 15, 2002... In his Portland, Ore., practice, Robert E. Forbes, O.D., gets three calls a day from 1-800 Contacts for prescriptions. When he does, he completes the form you see here, faxes it back to 1-800 Contacts, and puts the onus on the mail-order house...

Survey: diabetics not worried about long-term complications. (News Review).
September 15, 2002... Millions of diabetic patients worldwide appear unconcerned about the long-term complications associated with their disease, according to a survey by the Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF) and the International Diabetes...

Glant weed causes blindness. (News Review).
September 15, 2002... Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the garden... look out for the giant hogweed! Its clear, watery sap has toxins that cause photodermatitis. Skin contact followed by exposure to sunlight produces painful, burning blisters that...

Spectacle overcorrection reduces glare and halos with Array IOL. (News Review).
September 15, 2002... Glare, haloes and starbursts are pretty effects--pretty annoying if you see them every night. Such is the problem for a substantial segment of patients who receive a multifocal intraocular lens. (One study found that as many as two out of...

Clinical relevance of early and late phase allergic reactions. (Alcon[R] Challenge Series).
September 15, 2002... Understanding the difference between the early and late phases will assist with the differential diagnosis between non-sight threatening conditions and severe chronic disease states that can threaten sight. It has been estimated that...

Its like 41 million no-shows. (Editor's Page).
September 15, 2002... Imagine that you just got this great new technique for screening glaucoma before symptoms manifest in patients, but that every seventh patient who made an appointment for it was a no-show. Actually, you already have the technique, as Senior...

Cell phones? Let's put them on hold: the new cell phones are great. They're so much easier to crush with your shoe. (Chairside).
September 15, 2002... 2002 is the year. It's the year I will be sent to prison for taking a patient's cell phone and sticking it in his or her... left ear. I have never had a problem with patients and their cell phones, until now. Maybe cell phones have...

Letters & e-mail.
September 15, 2002... Story on WMD Was on the Money The article, "On Guard: Your Role in Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction" June 2002) was timely and informative. We have all read about the black plague, nerve gas, the Ebola virus, etc., but this is the...

'Doc, I'm going to Afghanistan': here's what you must know as an employer when a reservist's duty calls. (Management Review).
September 15, 2002... Since the Gulf War, military use of the reserve corps has been on the rise. In the past year alone, ever more reservists and members of the National Guard have been activated to help support U.S. military missions around the globe and provide...

Rx for premium lenses: doctor, get involved; patients see better when doctors and staff follow these pearls our National Panel offers. (Dispensary Special).
September 15, 2002... Optometrists who actively advise patients about ophthalmic lenses and add-ons are the most successful at dispensing premium lenses and options. Those who present lens recommendations in the exam room and suggest premium products constantly and...

Six ways to make remote tracing work: lab personnel tell you exactly what kinds of things can go wrong in remote tracing. (Dispensary Management).
September 15, 2002... The point of using remote tracing is to speed up turnaround time and get the best quality lenses from your lab. But, oversights on your end could slow up the process or result in a lens with the wrong parameters. Here, lab personnel tell you...

Make cosmetic contacts fit into your practice: with the right approach, you can fit more patients in this modality without turning your office upside down. (Contact Lenses).
September 15, 2002... As a niche product, cosmetic contact lenses are not for everyone. Although a few patients seek out a cosmetic change, others aren't aware of these contact lens options until their optometrist points them out. In our practice, we fit only about...

Raising the roof and everything else: here's how to hold on to your dream when the reality of construction starts. (Practice Management).
September 15, 2002... Building The Practice: Part III The preliminary stages of planning a new office, plotting your move, securing the land and financing and working with consultants and contractors all bring you to the day when the idea takes shape, brick by...

It's the winning look: FreshLook ColorBlends[R] is a natural choice. (Today's Practice: Advertisement).
September 15, 2002... There's inspiration in a contact lens dispensing table mat. In our three-O.D. practice, about 45 percent of our soft contact lens patients opt for color cosmetic lenses, at least for part-time wean And the realization that they want to try...

Why you should offer genetic counseling: offering your patients genetic counseling is your professional--and legal--duty. Here's what's involved.
September 15, 2002... Genomics and the Eye: Part 4 Little Jack looked healthy Land happy the day he was born. But his mother and father, Julie and Dan, had some cause for concern. A genetic test for retinoblastoma could ease their minds or confirm their fears....

How the latest Pulsair compares to the gold standard. (Special Advertising Feature: Keeler).
September 15, 2002... It's no secret that the Keeler Pulsair EasyEye is helpful in situations where a portable and lightweight non-contact tonometer is needed. But, how does this instrument stack up to the gold standard? Here's what your colleagues have to say. ...

How to see more with the slit lamp: cells in the anterior chamber and "tobacco dust" in the anterior vitreous are easy to miss if you don't shed more light on the subject. (Patient Care).
September 15, 2002... Turn Up the Light: Part II When you examine the anterior chamber or the anterior vitreous in the posterior chamber with a slit lamp, the proper illumination is key to performing a thorough evaluation of these structures. In this second of...

Before you see red, take these six steps: some contact lens wearers need this early and aggressive intervention to subdue the symptoms of red eyes. (Contact Lens Care).
September 15, 2002... A report on vision care tells us there has been "steady and robust" growth in contact lens wear. (1) The same report reveals that in 2000 there were 3.2 million new contact lens wearers--and 1.5 million soft lens dropouts. These numbers...

Who really has diabetic retinopathy? How to differentiate retinal disorders in diabetic patients. (Optometric Study Center).
September 15, 2002... Whenever a diabetic patient presents with intraretinal hemorrhage, exudate and cotton-wool spots, our first thought is that this patient has diabetic retinopathy. But this isn't always the case. Several conditions produce intraretinal...

Studies provide new clues to AION: recent findings provide insight into how to manage this ocular emergency. (Research Review).
September 15, 2002... Anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (AION) is a difficult and challenging diagnosis. It is but one sequela of giant cell arteritis (GCA). More serious outcomes may include stroke and heart attack. An accurate and rapid diagnosis is critical....

A lesion a year after surgery: pyogenic granulomas are common after a variety of oculoplastic surgeries. (Comanagement Q&A).
September 15, 2002... Q I have a 38-year-old male patient with a history of chalazion removed from his lower left lid about a year ago. He didn't have any problems until a few weeks ago, when he felt a bump on the lid and noticed the lesion seen in the accompanying...

A case of infantile conjunctivitis: ophthalmia neonatorum can be caused by a variety of pathogens at birth. (Cornea & Contact Lens Q&A).
September 15, 2002... Q I have a seven-day-old patient with ophthalmia neonatorum accompanied by insignificant mucopurulent discharge. Erythromycin was given in place of silver nitrate for prophylaxis at birth, but no cervical cultures were performed. Gram and...

Visual disturbances in female with HIV: blurred vision and floaters are accompanied by keratic precipitates and mild vitritis. (Retina Quiz).
September 15, 2002... A 37-year-old white female presented complaining of blurred vision and of seeing floaters in her right eye for the past month. She reported seeing well with her left eye. The patient has been HIV-positive since 1994. She was taking...

Is mitomycin-C helping or hurting? Studies indicate the drug, used during filtration surgery, may lead to complications. (Glaucoma Grand Rounds).
September 15, 2002... A 76-year-old white female, whose longstanding glaucoma was not controlled with topical medications, underwent surgical trabeculectomy with mitomycin-C in July. Although her initial one-month postoperative period has been uneventful, recent...

Grave's disease and the eye; part I: knowledge is a key tool in the treatment of thyroid eye disease. (Therapeutic Forum).
September 15, 2002... Grave's disease is the name given to a hyperthyroid condition that researchers believe is related to autoimmune dysfunction. A wide variety of ocular abnormalities are associated with thyroid dysfunction, but they can be collectively referred...

FDA approves broader no-rub indications for ReNu MultiPlus. (Product Review).
September 15, 2002... The FDA has cleared the use of Bausch & Lomb's ReNu MultiPlus multipurpose solution for all soft contact lenses. In one step, the hydranate no-rub formula cleans, rinses and removes protein build-up. Soaking lenses for four hours will disinfect...

An essential HYDRATE. (Product Review).
September 15, 2002... HYDRATE Essential from Cyancon/OcuSoft contains n-3 fatty acids such as flaxseed oil and evening primrose oil combined with bilberry extract to relieve dry eyes. Some scientific studies suggest that n-3 fatty acids increase the comfort of dry...

An 'X-treme' choice for boys. (Ophthalmic Eyewear).
September 15, 2002... Licensed by ESPN, Marchon's new X Games line is designed for boys ages 10 to 15. The Freestyle frame is equipped with spring hinges and metal bow temples with injected tips. It is available in sizes 42/18-120, 44/18-125 and 46/18-130. Colors...

Soft and rectangular, for kids. (Ophthalmic Eyewear).
September 15, 2002... Sferoflex Kids 2831 is Luxottica's new unisex stainless steel frame. It has a non-allergenic silicone bridge with Sferoflex hinges. The soft rectangular frame is available in sizes 44/17-115 and 46/17-115. Colors are blue, navy, berry,...

Wild and Crazy Contact Lenses. (Product Review).
September 15, 2002... Just in time for the kickoff of tile National Football League season, CooperVision's Crazy Lenses now come in logos of all 32 NFL teams. Made from methafilcon A (55% water), the lenses mask a patient's iris with an NFL team colors and logo. The...

Going thin, going 'lite'. (Ophthalmic Lenses).
September 15, 2002... Single Vision Thin & Lite 1.67 aspheric lenses with a semi-finished hard coat are the newest offering from Essilor Lenses. With a power range of +8.00D to -13.00D, and up to 4.00 cylinder, the lenses are 50% thinner than standard plastic and...

Brown: the next generation. (Ophthalmic Lenses).
September 15, 2002... Next Generation Transitions Brown comes to the Varilux Comfort line. The line also includes Varilux Comfort Gray, finished single vision Gray and trifocal Gray lenses. All Transitions photochromic lenses are available with Essilor's Crizal...

SOLA's Transitions. (Ophthalmic Lenses).
September 15, 2002... SOLAMAX progressive addition lenses in CR-39 are now available in Next Generation Transitions and in polycarbonate Transitions, SOLA Optical USA has announced. The SOLAMAX features a large near vision area for presbyopes, and now photochromic...

SuperLite for a Piccolo. (Ophthalmic Lenses).
September 15, 2002... The Piccolo SuperLite 1.6 short-corridor progressive addition lens by Shamir Insight Inc. is available in a prescription range of -11.25D to +7.00D. It has an ABBE value of 42. The lens has a minimum recommended fitting height of 16mm. Call...

Extreme H2O Widens Net. (Contact Lenses).
September 15, 2002... Hydrogel Vision Corp. has added six authorized distributors to represent Extreme H20 disposable soft contact lenses. ABB Optical, Con-Cise Contact Lens Lab, Co-Optical Ltd., Diversified Ophthalmics Inc., Lensco and X-Cel Contact Lens are new...

Three for DKNY Eyes. (Sunwear).
September 15, 2002... Marchon has introduced these three new frames from KNY Eyes: * 7406S is rimless with a plastic temple and molded nose available in size 59/20-120. Colors are satin brushed palladium with a gradient crystal flash clear lens, satin black with...

This Loop is Killer. (Sunwear).
September 15, 2002... The Killer Loop 4114 by Luxottica is a unisex wrap plastic frame available in size 74/13-125. Color combinations are: metal gray-green faded frame with silver-green faded lenses; metal gray-yellow faded frame with silver-yellow faded lenses;...

A Legacy in Mahogany. (Office Design).
September 15, 2002... The Legacy display units from Fashion Optical Displays have handcrafted hardwood doors and panels made from natural mahogany. With bright halogen lighting, the units use Fashion Optical's Hallmark and Display Plus frame support systems. Mirror...

NuVision for Vision impaired. (Low Vision Aids).
September 15, 2002... Worn like a pair of glasses, Keeler Instrument's NuVision, distributed by Eschenbach Optik, projects an enlarged image onto two LCD screens in front of the wearer's eyes. The 6-ounce, head-mounted video magnifier provides up to 10X near...

Santinelli's CD. (Dispensary Tools).
September 15, 2002... Santinelli International's line of finishing equipment is highlighted in a new CD. The LE-9000 patternless edger is prominently featured on the CD, along with descriptions of other products. The CD shows how to process lenses from blank to...

Pentax FrameCam. (Dispensary Tools).
September 15, 2002... Paperless Practice has introduced virtual shopping with the Pentax FrameCam. Patients can now view themselves in a variety of frames and Pentax Vision lenses by following on-screen prompts. Call 1-800-227-3039, or go to...

Eye on Nutrition. (What's New on the Web).
September 15, 2002... "Eye on Nutrition" is a new dietary risk assessment tool on the AOA Web site. An individual can evaluate his or her nutrient status and identify behaviors that may help preserve eye health. After an optometrist examines an individual's eye...

Corning SunSensors. (What's New on the Web).
September 15, 2002... Optometrists and patients alike can now access information about Corning Optical's plastic and glass lens materials on the Web. A discovery center provides information about Corning SunSensors. Go to www.corning.com.

Johnson & Johnson. (What's New on the Web).
September 15, 2002... Johnson & Johnson's Vistakon has updated its Acuvue Web site to offer online ordering, inventory tracking and a range of free online continuing education courses. The "Just for Teens" and "Acuvue en Espanol" channels on the site provide contact...

AIT. (What's New on the Web).
September 15, 2002... AIT has designed a new Web site to act as an informative guide for customers interested in edging equipment and supplies from its product line. Go to www.altindustries.com.

EyeWebMasters. (What's New on the Web).
September 15, 2002... EyeWebMasters will help you build, design and maintain your optical office Web site. Accept appointments, fill contact lens orders, educate patients and promote your practice online. Go to www.EyeWebMasters.com.

Meetings & Conferences.
September 15, 2002... November * 1-3. Arkansas Optometric Association's fall education meeting, Springdale, Ark. CE hours: 12+. Contact Barbara Martin, Arkansas Optometric Association, 411 S. Victory, Suite 202, Little Rock, AR 72201; call (501) 661-7675; fax...

Will teen cry foul over vision loss? (Diagnostic Quiz).
September 15, 2002... History An 18-year-old male presented to the emergency clinic with a chief complaint of a painless vision loss in his left eye upon awakening that morning. His vision had improved subjectively throughout the day, but he still felt that he...

Understanding multi-purpose and explaining it to patients: lens care solutions have come a long way, making it easier than ever to care for lenses. But it's imperative that you educate patients properly. (Multi-Purpose Solutions).
September 15, 2002... There is nothing more frustrating than evaluating a "perfect" fitting contact lens on the eye of a patient only to find that the patient has red eyes, is uncomfortable and is unable to build wearing time. The real frustration comes from finding...