Review of Optometry articles from September 2003

Review of Optometry archives from September 2003

Dry eye in women now quantified: nearly 8% of older women--or 3.2 million--have dry eye syndrome.(News Review)
September 15, 2003... More than 3 million women age 50 and older have clinically significant dry eye, according to a study published in the August issue of the American Journal of Ophthalmology. The study is the largest of its kind and a collaborative effort by...

University of Houston College of Optometry.(In The News)(Earl L. Smith, III. named dean)(Brief Article)
September 15, 2003... Earl L. Smith III. O.D., has been named dean of the University of Houston College of Optometry. Up to this point, Dr. Smith has been associated dean for graduate studies and research, and the Greenman-Petty professor in vision development. ...

Seiko Corporation and Pentax Corporation have forged an agreement to integrate all their ophthalmic lens business worldwide under the subsidiary of Seiko Optical Products.(In The News)(Brief Article)
September 15, 2003... Seiko Corporation and Pentax Corporation have forged an agreement to integrate all their ophthalmic lens business worldwide under the subsidiary of Seiko Optical Products. The merger is effective January 1, 2004.

Age-related macular degeneration.(In The News)(gene mutation identified)(Brief Article)
September 15, 2003... Researchers at the University of Michigan's Kellogg Eye Center have identified a gene mutation that almost mimics the effects of the age-related macular degeneration. The researchers studied a family whose members have an extremely high...

Generic brimonidine triggers controversy.(News Review)
September 15, 2003... In late May, Bausch & Lomb received FDA approval to sell a generic version of the glaucoma drug brimonidine, which stirred debate over the merits of using a generic versus the branded product, Alphagan P (brimonidine tartrate 0.15%, Allergan)....

Don't forget!(News Review)(cut off date for Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act compliance)
September 15, 2003... Unless you've been practicing under a rock, a final deadline for the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act is just a month away. Oct. 16, 2003 is the cut-off date when all optometrists and other doctors and healthcare...

New O.D. societies promote glaucoma, retina education.(News Review)(Optometric Retina Society; Optometric Glaucoma Society )(Brief Article)
September 15, 2003... The mission of two new optometric societies is to buoy confidence in the optometric community by furthering education in specialties such as retina and glaucoma. The Optometric Retina Society hopes to provide the leadership and support...

Cholesterol drugs may help eyes as well as heart.(News Review)(Brief Article)
September 15, 2003... Cholesterol-lowering statin drugs may also lower the likelihood of developing age-related maculopathy (ARM), according to a study from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. The study found that patients with ARM were significantly less...

More Medicare cuts in 2004.(News Review)
September 15, 2003... The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced a 4.2% cut in Medicare physician fee payments, which are scheduled to take effect starting January 2004. A glimmer of hope is in sight, however. "While CMS is required to...

Investigational wet AMD 'depot' drug shows promise.(News Review)(age-related macular degeneration)(Brief Article)
September 15, 2003... Alcon reports promising results from its investigational new drug to treat wet age-related macular degeneration. Patients treated with Retaane 15mg (anecortave acetate for depot suspension) had no increase in growth over a 24-month period of...

Pseudo-news that no longer affects: it's getting harder to seperate the real news from sensationalist nonsense.( )(Editorial)
September 15, 2003... "Don't believe everything you read." We've all heard this cliche a thousand times and, certainly, there's some truth to it. On occasion, the media will make a mistake--they'll forget a zero when reporting a percentage or erroneously translate...

A queer eye for the dumb guy: I learned the hard way that bifocal contact lenses and tropicamide don't mix.(Chairside)
September 15, 2003... I accidentally cyclopleged myself. Stop laughing. It's not funny. I am sitting here on a Tuesday with seven more exams in front of me, and I am nearly as one-eyed as the Jack of Spades. How could such a thing happen to me? I am a doctor. I...

Too many women in optometry?( )(Letter to the Editor)
September 15, 2003... Madam (and the occasional sir): Now that I've been enlightened on the age old saw (glass ceiling) and how it relates to optometry, I "feel" so much more educated (see "Optometry's Glass Ceiling," June 2003). Can we now do an article on the...

Current management of ocular allergy: added benefits of current allergy therapies: recent research brings to light new understandings and novel uses for currently available anti-allergy medications, as well as glimpses into the future of ocular allergy management.(Allergy Challenge Series II)
September 15, 2003... Allergy represents a paradox. Unlike more purposeful immune response in otherwise healthy individuals, allergy stands out as an extraordinary response to very ordinary things. Elements common throughout nature and harmless to most individuals...

A climber's quest for a cure: Dr. Villella's new clinic in Guatemala will move into a permanent 9,000-square-foot facility this month.(Out Of The Office)
September 15, 2003... The expression of crippling disappointment on two Guatemalan boys' faces helped change the course of optometrist Doug Villella's volunteer missions forever. In 1993, Dr. Villella left his Erie, Pa., practice to provide eye care in Peten,...

Refractive co-management: connecting allergy to outcome: with atopic refractive surgery patients at higher risk for DLK, allergy should be considered prior to any surgery. A topical anti-allergy medication may contribute to superior surgical outcomes.(diffuse lamellar keratitis)
September 15, 2003... Studies show that atopic patients are at higher risk for diffuse lamellar keratitis (DLK) postoperatively, (1) as high as five times the risk. DLK can cause significant inflammation and stromal necrosis. Additionally, a number of PRK patients...

LADARWave ushers in a new era in vision correction: an integral step in the LADARVision platform, LADARWave lays the groundwork for registration, an essential prerequisite of customized vision correction.
September 15, 2003... New approvals in laser technology have once again changed the landscape of optometry, allowing you to offer patients better vision compared to current vision correction options. The LADARVision and LADARWave platform can achieve unprecedented...

Customized ablations: a new chapter in co-management: LADARVision combined with LADARWave allows you to offer substantially improved outcomes.(LADARVision System )
September 15, 2003... The LADARVision System is at the forefront of refractive surgery technology. It is hands down the most advanced laser vision correction platform available, consisting of the LADARVision 4000 laser and LADARWave Aberrometer. The system is...

A dry eye therapy to treat underlying pathology; Systane[TM] is changing the way dry eye is treated, in addition to being an excellent method of preparing the cornea for refractive surgery.
September 15, 2003... Introduced in the spring, Systane is an artificial tear that has already had an enormous impact on the way eyecare practitioners treat kerato-conjunctivitis sicca (KCS). The product is based on novel demulcent/polymer system that contains...

Meet the next generation of antibiotics: with its superior potency against pathogens, a molecular structure that defies bacterial resistance and lack of an additional preservative, Vigamox is poised to raise the bar in the treatment of ocular infections.(Vigamox moxifloxacin HCI ophthalmic solution)
September 15, 2003... The general consensus among researchers is that rates of ocular infection are rising, which soon could become an issue for optometrists. Research suggests that infections have become more difficult to effectively manage because of increased...

Big ticket instruments: can you afford them? A gamut of lease options and payment plans are out there, and here's how to find the one that's right for your practice.(Practice Management)
September 15, 2003... When you consider buying a brand new piece of equipment for your practice that costs as much as a couple shiny new Cadillacs or your children's entire college tuition, there's a lot to think about. First, you'll need to ask yourself why...

Premium lenses: trend and fee survey: this category continues to be important in a tough economy.(Ophthalmic Lenses)
September 15, 2003... Eyewear dispensing continues to be important to optometric practices, and perhaps that's why O.D.s are not shy about promoting premium lens products. Most practitioners recommend these products personally to patients, and have established a...

Case report: silicone hydrogel lens in piggyback combination.(keratoconus treatment)
September 15, 2003... History A 27-year-old white female has been a patient for 10 years. I diagnosed her with keratoconus in 1993 when she was 18. At that initial visit, her right eye was correctable to 20/20 with spectacles, but her left eye could be...

A progressive approach to presbyopic patients: these practices can lead to more satisfied patients.(Opthalmic Lenses)
September 15, 2003... Optical services and products have changed dramatically over the last two decades. A large segment of the population, and presbyopes in particular, once perceived spectacles as dreaded "medical" devices. Now, however, new technology has changed...

30 toric tips: clinicians offer expert advice that can help smooth out your toric lens fittings.(Contact Lenses)
September 15, 2003... Astigmatism is the most common visual error, and many astigmats are successfully fitted with contact lenses. However, toric lenses still are not as widely fitted as many believe they should be. Practitioners who fit a high number of soft...

15 pearls from low vision practitioners: think there's more you could do for your patients with low vision? Here are the tips you should know.(Patient Care)
September 15, 2003... Low vision specialists see patients all the time who have the same sad story: the patients had once been told that their condition had stabilized and nothing further could be done. But many times, a lot can be done. And that's where your...

The diabetes epidemic: with soaring rates of diabetes and its complications, your role must go beyond your patients eyes.(Cover Focus)
September 15, 2003... When an optometrist told college senior Paul Chous, a diabetic since age 5, that he was in the early stages of diabetic retinopathy, he admits that it went in one ear and out the other." He did not follow up until his older brother, Robert, a...

An update on AREDS: this study suggests ways to prevent vision loss from AMD. Here's how we can apply them in practice.(Optometric Study Center)(Age-Related Eye Disease Study)
September 15, 2003... As the average lifespan continues to increase, we can expect to see more cases of ocular disease related to the geriatric population, namely age-related macular degeneration and cataracts. Both conditions already are significant causes of...

Nit-picking: phthiriasis palpebrarum: crab lice infestation can mimic other conditions, so it's important to be on the lookout, especially in patients with poor physical hygiene.(Case Report)
September 15, 2003... A 42-year-old male nursing assistant entered the office with a three-week history of intense itching and irritation in both eyes and blurred vision at both near and far. He had a history of infrequent migraine headaches. He was neither taking...

New tools to find diabetic problems: we may be able to detect retinopathy much earlier.(Research Review)
September 15, 2003... Diabetes mellitus demands our close involvement with our patients. How can we better advise them about this potentially devastating disease? New research offers us information about modifiable risk factors, telltale signs of diabetic...

New horizons in ocular allergy.
September 15, 2003... Allergies (allergic rhinitis), the counterpart to allergic conjunctivitis, represent a significant problem for approximately 25% of the U.S. population (1) (i.e., more than 50 million people) and are responsible for about 10% of all doctor...

New graft has many possibilities: amniotic membrane transplants may have numerous ocular applications.(Comanagement Q & A)(reconstruction of the eye's conjunctival surface by using an amniotic membrane graft)
September 15, 2003... Q What are amniotic membrane grafts, and how are they used? A Amniotic membrane (AM), or amnion, is the innermost layer of the placenta. It consists of a thick basement membrane and an avascular stromal matrix. In 1940 A. deRotth,...

Can donor give more than cornea? Here's what we know about transmission of disease via corneal transplant.(Cornea & Contact Lens Q & A)
September 15, 2003... Q I have a keratoconus patient who would benefit from a corneal transplant, but she worries about the possible transmission of disease. What infections can possibly be transmitted through transplantation? A The transmission of any known...

Pupil abnormality worries parents: should this child's retinal folds and white mass add to their concerns?(Retina Quiz)(Toxocara canis round worm eye infection)
September 15, 2003... The parents of an 8-year-old white male brought their son in for an eye exam. They were concerned because they noticed an abnormality in his left pupil when the light would hit it a certain way. They also felt that the left eye did not "track"...

Disc hemorrhages: a one-two punch: be vigilant of the effects of optic disc hemorrhages in glaucomatous eyes.(Glaucoma Grand Rounds)
September 15, 2003... In the fall of 2001, a 73-year-old white male presented to the office as a new patient, having just moved to the area. He presented with a history of glaucoma O.U., for Which he was medicated with generic timolol 0.5% 1 drop O.U. bid for three...

A bright future for diabetics: future treatments for diabetic microvascular disease focus on inhibiting the process.(Therapeutic Review)
September 15, 2003... Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness in working-age adults, so it warrants increased attention both scientifically and clinically. In fact, the American Diabetes Association's 63rd Scientific Sessions selected the eye as a...

Single vision lenses.(Ophthalmic Lenses)(Continua semi-finished single vision 71mm lenses from Vision-Ease Inc. )(Brief Article)
September 15, 2003... Vision-Ease Inc. introduces new Continua semi-finished single vision 71mm lenses with thermal-cured hardcoating that provides 100% UV protection and two times the scratch resistance of standard plastic lenses. Continua lenses are available in...

New PALs.(Ophthalmic Lenses)(new presbyopic lenses from Essilor and Nikon)(Brief Article)
September 15, 2003... A new set of products for your presbyopic patients is available from Essilor and Nikon. Three new lenses, Nikon Presio i 13, Nikon Presio i 15 and Nikon Online, are offered in 1.50 or 1.67 index material. Nikon Online is also offered in a...

Polarized lenses.(Ophthalmic Lenses)(Genesis NuPolar lenses from Shamir are now available in brown)(Brief Article)
September 15, 2003... Shamir Genesis Polarized lenses are now available in brown. A gray version of the lens was introduced earlier this year. Genesis NuPolar lenses remove glare and offer increased visual acuity and great depth perception, says the manufacturer....

Hydrogel safe.(Contact Lens Care)(SOLO-care Plus and AOSEPT Clear Care lens solutions from CIBA Vision can now be used with silicone hydrogel lenses)(Brief Article)
September 15, 2003... The FDA has granted approval to CIBA Vision to add an indication for use with silicone hydrogel lenses to its SOLO-care Plus and AOSEPT Clear Care lens solutions. The company says AOSEPT is the first no-rub peroxide-based formula to be granted...

Multi-purpose.(Contact Lens Care)(Complete MoisturePlus multi-purpose solution from Advanced Medical Optics)(Brief Article)
September 15, 2003... Advanced Medical Optics (AMO) introduces its Complete MoisturePlus multi-purpose solution with a formulation that helps prevent the dryness and discomfort associated with lens wear. Specifcally formulated ingredients include lubricants...

Digital refraction.(Diagnostic Instruments)(CDR-3100 Digital Refraction system from Veatch Ophthalmic Instruments )(Brief Article)
September 15, 2003... The new CDR-3100 Digital Refraction system from Veatch Ophthalmic Instruments incorporates the full line of electronic equipment now available from the company. The ergonomically designed system includes the CDR-3100 Digital Refractor, the...

Edging.(New Tools For The In-Office Lab)(Accura Cx Axcell CL edging systems with Digiform software from Briot)(Brief Article)
September 15, 2003... Briot's Accura Cx Axcell CL edging systems now feature the company's Digiform software that allows you to customize rimless lens shapes during the tracing process. One or more dimensions can be adjusted separately, such as the A or B...

Lensmeter.(New Tools For The In-Office Lab)(Spectrum 2 lensmeter from Marco Ophthalmics)(Brief Article)
September 15, 2003... The Spectrum 2 is the latest lensmeter available from Marco Ophthalmics. It uses wavefront technology to analyze and measure all types of spectacles with a method that eliminates panascopic tint, says the manufacturer. Updates to the machine...

Optical tools.(New Tools For The In-Office Lab)(Ready-To-Go optical hand tool kit from OptiSource International)(Brief Article)
September 15, 2003... OptiSource International offers an 11-piece optical hand tool kit that the company says simplifies the tool selection process. All tools are made of surgical-grade alloy. The Ready-To-Go Tool kit features a square-round plier with a flat nylon...

Frame tools.(New Tools For The In-Office Lab)(eyeglass frame tools from Breitfield and Schliekert Optical Tools)(Brief Article)
September 15, 2003... A new line of lighter pliers is available from/n Breitfield & Schliekert Optical Tools. The new eLite pliers are similar to the company's design line pliers, but are 20% lighter. The line consists of 18 pliers that have asymmetrical tips, a...

Drill and edge.(New Tools For The In-Office Lab)(WECO 450 Drill and Edge )(Brief Article)
September 15, 2003... WECO's new drill/edger is designed to handle today's rimless frames. The WECO 450 Drill & Edge has a built in drill for three-piece rimless mounts and can drill up to 4 holes or slots per lens. It automatically drills plastic and hard resin...

All-in-one edging.(New Tools For The In-Office Lab)(LEXES--Lens Express Edging System from Santinelli International)(Brief Article)
September 15, 2003... The new LEXES--Lens Express Edging System--from Santinelli International incorporates a tracer, blocker, auto lensmeter, edger, groover, buffer and hand edger in one instrument. The system allows for continual Job processing, All operational...

Coach.(Vision Expo Preview)(Coach Eyewear to include Marchon eyeglass frames in product line)(Brief Article)
September 15, 2003... Coach is expanding its brand line to include eyewear under the Marchon brand. Coach Eyewear will feature both an optical and sunwear collection and include a signature Coach case. The Coach optical collection offers 16 styles in titanium,...

Versace.(Vision Expo Preview)(new Versace eyeglass frames from Luxottica)(Brief Article)
September 15, 2003... Versace has added several new styles to its line under the Luxottica brand, some in its popular Medusa motif. A mix of materials and styles are combined in this latest offering. Among the new metal entries is a narrow, full-frame (VE 1003 in...

Maui Jim.(Vision Expo Preview)(Maui Jim eyeglass frames )(Brief Article)
September 15, 2003... The new Maui Jim stainless steel line features four new styles with rimless design and a new spring hinge system in non-corrosive stainless steel for slim, lightweight styling. The line includes impact resistant, injection molded, decentered...

Light-weight.(Vision Expo Preview)(Tri-Lites eyeglass frames from Rodenstock)(Brief Article)
September 15, 2003... The new Tri-Lites frames from Rodenstock are made without drilling or screw connections. A combination of securing elements remain invisible in the grooved, rimless lens. A titanium wire secures the upper eye rim, while the lower rim is formed...

Accommodation.(Diagnostic Instruments)(Rock Flipper lens screening aid from Gulden Ophthalmics)(Brief Article)
September 15, 2003... Gulden Ophthalmic's new Rock Flipper lets you test accommodative facility and perform lens screening as well as complete accommodative rock therapy. The manufacturer says this test is especially good for pediatric patients. Configurations and...

Magnifier.(Low Vision)(JORDY magnification device for low vision from Enhanced Vision)(Brief Article)
September 15, 2003... Improvements to Enhanced Vision's JORDY magnification device for low vision patients will make it easier for your patients to have good vision, says the company. This headworn, portable, light weight magnification system is battery-operated....

Meetings and Conferences.(upcoming optometric events)(Calendar)
September 15, 2003... October * 1-4. Missouri Optometric Association's Annual Convention 2003, Kansas City, Mo. CE hours: 12. Contact Zoo Lyle, 100 E. High St., Suite 301, Jefferson City, Me 65101; call (573) 635-6151; fax (573) 635-7989; e-mail...

What caused blurred vision?.(Diagnostic Quiz)
September 15, 2003... History A 53-year-old black male presented complaining of blurred vision at near. His ocular history was remarkable for presbyopia and mild cataract in both eyes. His systemic history was remark able for hypertension. He was properly...