Review of Optometry articles from September 2007

Review of Optometry archives from September 2007

FTC cracks down on O.D.s in Puerto Rico: when all the O.D.s in Puerto Rico threatened to drop a carrier, the FTC stepped in.(News Review)(Federal Trade Commission)
September 15, 2007... Optometrists in Puerto Rico worked together to negotiate with a vision plan carrier. But, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) called it a boycott. Now, O.D.s in Puerto Rico are specifically prohibited from jointly negotiating with health plans....

Glaucoma and Alzheimer's share key proteins.(News Review)
September 15, 2007... Key proteins involved in Alzheimer's disease are also implicated in glaucoma, say researchers from University College London's Institute of Ophthalmology. These findings, reported last month in the Proceedings of the National Academy of...

An eye doctor who makes horse calls.(News Review)(Matt Parker)
September 15, 2007... It was a slow day at Sears Optical in Portage. Mich., when optometrist Matt Parker got the most unusual request of his lifetime: ", Replace:=wdReplaceAllDo you have any contact lenses that would fit a horse?" [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] So...

A 'Cure' for adult Amblyopia?(News Review)
September 15, 2007... Amblyopis adults might be able to regain lost visual function in their affected eyes, according to a new study conducted at the University of Maryland. Previous studies of amblyopia have suggested that the condition is largely irreversible if...

'Sorry, that's not my job': as primary-care providers, optometrists are often called upon to wear many hats.(Editor's Page)(Editorial)
September 15, 2007... Declining reimbursements and increased specialization can create a toxic, even deadly, atmosphere for patients. The amazing precision of medical technology has surpassed our greatest expectations and yet, despite these advances, patients...

Optometrist, know thyself: we optometrists administer all kinds of tests. But, how often do we test ourselves? Take this little quiz to find out what kind of O.D. you are.(Chair Side)
September 15, 2007... I have met many, many optometrists in my life. As one of those kids who wore pop bottle glasses, I met many O.D.s even before I became one. So, I have learned that there are all kinds of optometrists. Our personalities run the gamut from...

No new O.D. Schools.(Doctors of Optometry)(Letter to the editor)
September 15, 2007... Yet another restrictive Sun Belt state using undersupply in rural areas as a reason for a new optometry school in their state ("A New O.D. School Coming to Arizona?" July 2007). Simply dropping draconian licensure restrictions in these states...

Is it angle attack or RCE?(recurrent corneal erosion)(Letter to the editor)
September 15, 2007... In July's Glaucoma Grand Rounds column, "From Dry Eye to Closed Angles," it seems to me that recurrent corneal erosion (RCE) is the more likely cause of the patient's recurrent pain in her left eye than a subacute angle-closure attack. The...

There's more to seeing than 20/20 vision: improving contrast in progressive lenses improves vision.
September 15, 2007... Vision is a complex activity. Two factors are coalescing that will drastically change the eye care industry for years to come. They are wavefront aberrometry and presbyopia. Presbyopia is a driving force in the eye-care industry and will remain...

Lens coatings: Start from Scratch! Scratch-resistant, anti-reflective and photochromic coatings and treatments are just some of the benefits you can offer your patients.(Ophthalmic Lenses)
September 15, 2007... An elderly patient presents for an eye exam. She just wants new frames, so after you check her vision and she selects the frames she likes, you set her up with the same type of lenses that she currently has. After all, she should know what she...

Should you invest in an in-office lab? Consider the number of anticipated jobs, your budget and your patient base when judging the potential return.(In-Office Lab Report)
September 15, 2007... Your patients want faster turnaround time on their glasses. You want to reduce costs on your lenses. The solution seems simple: Add an in-office lab. But, can your practice financially support the expansion? How do you judge the potential...

Create your practice web site in 5 steps: still don't have a Web site? It's not as hard as you might think, and it's increasingly necessary.(Practice Management)
September 15, 2007... The Internet has become one of the most popular and widely used resources for information gathering and entertainment. The ease, speed and specificity at which data can be retrieved from the Internet make it many times more convenient and...

A message from the President.(Marco Ophthalmic)(Brief article)
September 15, 2007... I'm David Marco, President of Marco Ophthalmic, a Jacksonville, Florida-based company. It is certainly true that we have grown to become the leader in Vision Diagnostics with a complete portfolio of innovative office products, but today, our...

More than just a business entity--Marco makes a difference. Learn about the company's beginnings and what it stands for today.(Marco Ophthalmic)(Company overview)
September 15, 2007... In 1962, a rural optometrist, Seymour Marco, founded Frontier Contact Lenses to produce PMMA contact lenses. Frontier grew quickly to become the number-one independently owned lab in America. In 1967, in response to an unmet need, Dr. Marco...

Contact Lens Pioneers: leaders of Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow.
September 15, 2007... Following the introduction of contact lenses in the 1940s and 1950s and the rapid proliferation throughout the 1970s of new lens materials and designs, the first true contact lens specialty practices began to emerge. In Part III of our...

A new understanding of dry eye.(Treating Dry Eye In Clinical Practice)
September 15, 2007... In the past, the eye care practitioner community has tended to view dry eye as a "nuisance problem." Particularly for post-menopausal women, it has been seen as an inevitable aspect of aging that must simply be accepted. In recent years,...

Dry eye treatment in practice.(Treating Dry Eye In Clinical Practice)
September 15, 2007... In optometric practice, we see many people who are suffering from dry eye. But they don't always announce themselves as", Replace:=wdReplaceAlldry eye patients." More typically, they come in for their annual contact lens consult complaining...

The great optometric smokeout: cigarette smoking causes more than 400,000 deaths each year and has been linked to many ocular diseases. Here is how you can help patients kick the habit.(Patient Care)
September 15, 2007... Cigarette smoking is the leading preventable cause of death in the United States, claiming approximately 440,000 deaths each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (1) Even so, an estimated 23.4% of adults in...

Hypertension: more than meets the eye: systemic hypertension isn't always easy to diagnose. Here are some posterior segment ocular clues that may help in the diagnosis.(Systemic Health)
September 15, 2007... Hypertension (HTN), or chronic abnormally high blood pressure, is one of the most prevalent diseases worldwide. It affects nearly 50 million Americans and two-thirds of the population above age [65.sup.1,2). These numbers will likely increase...

How to manage your patients with type 1 diabetes; Type 1 diabetes can cause devastating vision damage if not properly managed. Here is how to provide both care and support to your patients with type 1 diabetes.(OPTOMETRIC STUDY CENTER)
September 15, 2007... A few years ago, one of my patients asked me to talk to her teenage daughter about the terrible time the girl was having managing her type 1 diabetes. She used an insulin pump and saw an endocrinologist. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The...

Why don't O.D.s see eye to eye? when it comes to getting their own eyes examined, most optometrists don't take their own advice or follow the guidelines.(Comanagement Q+A)(Doctor of Optometry)
September 15, 2007... Q Doctor, when did you last have an eye exam? A lf you're like most optometrists, it's been too long since you yourself had a comprehensive eye examination. "I've been in practice for 27 years, and I think I've examined four optometrists...

Accounting for Acanthamoeba: why has there been a rise in non-bacterial contact lens-related infections, and what can you tell your patients?(Cornea + Contact Lens Q+A)
September 15, 2007... Q What's going on with our lens-wearing patients and multipurpose solutions? More specifically, why are there increasing reports of Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) in contact lens wearers? A Rates of accurate diagnosis have increased thanks to...

Simplicity breeds compliance: a simple change in medication and dosing frequency can facilitate long-term compliance in your glaucoma patients--once you establish a rapport.(Glaucoma Grand Rounds)(Case study)
September 15, 2007... In 2004, a 55-year-old white male presented as a new patient after recently relocating to the area from New York. His ocular history was significant for mixed-mechanism glaucoma, which has persisted for approximately three years. He was being...

Can you spot the problem? this patient reported the appearance of spots before both eyes. Was his history of mild hypertension to blame?(Retina Quiz)(Case study)
September 15, 2007... A 58-year-old white male who presented for a contact lens examination complained of seeing subtle "spots" before both eyes for the previous two weeks. His ocular history is negative for any surgery, trauma or disease. [ILLUSTRATION...

Double the trouble: how do you manage glaucoma in patients with chronic iridocyclitis?(Therapeutic Review)(Case study)(Clinical report)
September 15, 2007... A 57-year-old woman is being treated for a protracted bilateral case of iridocyclitis. She has a history of chronic recurrent iridocyclitis in both eyes, though it occasionally recurs unilaterally. It seems to occur every other year. ...

Consider your surgical options: patients with diabetes are now being considered candidates for cataract and refractive surgery. But which procedures are the most appropriate?(Research Review)(Clinical report)
September 15, 2007... As diabetes becomes increasingly prevalent in the United States, optometrists must guide their patients with diabetes through the decision-making process when they are considering cataract or refractive surgery. Not only must we educate...

Perimeter.(Diagnostic Equipment)(Heidelberg Edge Perimeter)(Brief article)
September 15, 2007... The Heidelberg Edge Perimeter (HEP), by Heidelberg Engineering, uses a stimulus known as Flicker-Defined Form to target M-cells, which aids in detecting functional vision loss due to early-stage glaucoma. The stimulus uses flickering black and...

Imaging software upgrade.(Diagnostic Equipment)(Optomap Plus; V2 Vantage)(Brief article)
September 15, 2007... The Optomap Plus, by Optos plc, now comes with upgraded operating software: V2 Vantage. The software upgrade includes new features, such as 3-D Wrap Patient Orientation Tool, ResMax High Resolution Enhancement for Central Pole, Practice...

Portable B-Scan.(Diagnostic Equipment)(DHG Technologies' Model 8000 Scanmate B-Scan)(Brief article)
September 15, 2007... The Model 8000 Scanmate B-Scan, by DGH Technologies, connects to any laptop computer with Windows XP or Vista via a USB port. The Scanmate offers a full-screen zoom of 2x and a focused zoom of l0x. Reports can be created from captured...

Lens line expansion.(Ophthalmic Lenses)(Varilux Comfort and Varilux Ellipse lenses)(Brief article)
September 15, 2007... Varilux Comfort and Varilux Ellipse lenses, by Essilor of America, are now available in Essilor's Thin&Lite 1.60 high-index material. These two lens lines are now offered in the full gamut of Essilor thin lenses: Airwear and Thin&Lite 1.60,...

What's new on the web.(Contact Lens Council)(Brief article)
September 15, 2007... CLC Web Site The Contact Lens Council (CLC) has launched a new Web site that educates patients about innovations in contact lenses, proper lens care regimens and responsible lens wear. The site includes information on: * The...

Lens line expansion.(Contact Lenses)(CooperVision's Proclear Multifocal Toric presbyopic lenses)(Brief article)
September 15, 2007... Proclear Multifocal Toric presbyopic lenses, by CooperVision, are available in extended parameters. These lenses now fit sphere powers ranging from -20.00D to +20.00D in 0.50D steps, cylinder powers of -0.75D to-5.75D in 0.50D steps and add...

Consumer kit.(Low Vision)('Living Better at Home: A Guide for People with Vision Loss')(Brief article)(Book review)
September 15, 2007... "Living Better at Home: A Guide for People with Vision Loss," by Lighthouse International, is a kit for patients with declining quality of vision. This kit includes tips on how to care for your eyes and information on various ocular conditions,...

Hydrating System.(Dry Eye)(Eye Eco's Tranquileyes Eye Hydrating System)(Brief article)
September 15, 2007... The Tranquileyes Eye Hydrating System, by Eye Eco, is a system of goggles and gel pad inserts designed to stimulate tear production and reduce evaporation rates of natural tears. The Tranquileyes foam goggles may be worn alone or with...

Strip organizer.(Exam Equipment)(Gulden Ophthalmics' Strip Caddie)(Brief article)
September 15, 2007... The Strip Caddie, by Gulden Ophthalmics, is divided into sections so that you can store lis-samine green strips, rose bengal strips, fluorescein strips or even cotton swabs. Made of clear acrylic, the caddie has four sections of varying height...

Bilingual education course.(Practice Management)(Transition Optical, Inc.'s 'Dispensing to Your Hispanic Patients')(Brief article)
September 15, 2007... The free 20-minute course, "Dispensing to Your Hispanic Patients," is offered by Transitions Optical, Inc., in either print or DVD format. It offers advice on communication with patients of different lingual or cultural backgrounds. It teaches...

Online ordering.(Practice Management)(Vision Web)(Brief article)
September 15, 2007... The Vision Web network has now expanded to include the Carl Zeiss Vision Labs. Now, eye-care practitioners may order prescription lenses from Carl Zeiss through VisionWeb. Vision Web offer direct-to-supplier online ordering on its Web site...

Electromagnetic therapy.(Alternative Therapy)(BioElectronics Corporation's ActiPatch facial mask)
September 15, 2007... The ActiPatch facial mask, by BioElectronics Corporation and distributed by Barron Medical, delivers pulsed electromagnetic therapy to the periocular area to reduce pain and swelling after procedures, such as blepharoplasty. It is powered by an...

Educational animations.(Patient Education)(iPort Media Network and EyeMotion)(Brief article)
September 15, 2007... Animated educational content is now available for the iPort Media Network thanks to an alliance with EyeMotion, which provides multimedia technology for practitioner Web sites and reception area displays. The iPort network is a narrowcast...

Frames.(Coach; ophthalmic frames)(Brief article)
September 15, 2007... Coach by Marchon Marchon introduces the new Coach collection of ophthalmic frames and sunwear for women. The sunglasses include: * Molly, a modified oval frame that features the Coach "C" pattern layered into the translucent zyl. This...

Frames.(Product Review)(Viva International; Luxottica; Maui Jim)
September 15, 2007... V-LOCK by Viva International Viva Group introduces a new grouping of metal frames in its unisex V-LOCK collection. The V-LOCK collection has no screws. Instead, it relies on a series of snap locks to keep the lenses mounted in the frame....

Meetings + Conferences.(optometry)(Calendar)
September 15, 2007... September * 28-30. 2007 Kentucky Optometric Association Fall Conference, Covington, Ky. CE hours: 17. Contact Sarah Jones, P.O. Box 572, Frankfort, KY 40602; call (502) 875-3516; fax (502) 875-3782; e-mail sarah@kyeyes.org; or go to...

Academy 2007 takes place October 24 to 27 in Tampa, Fla.!(Florida in the Fall ...)(American Academy of Optometry)(Brief article)
September 15, 2007... This year, the American Academy of Optometry is holding its annual meeting in Tampa, Fla., from October 24 to 27. * Attendees can earn up to 40 CE credits by selecting from over 230 hours of lectures and workshops, 13 section symposia and...

You will have to speak up.(Diagnostic Quiz)(optometry)(Brief article)
September 15, 2007... History A 14-year-old black female presented complaining of blurred vision at distance. Her ocular history was noncontributory. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Her systemic history is remarkable for right-sided hearing loss. She said her...

Shout out: finding your pearls.(Editorial)
September 15, 2007... Women O.D.S like to dish up--and hear--the details. That's what several O.D.S told us recently. They want to hear how others handle childcare and other life/work balance questions. They want to hear what works in practice and where the good...

Emails to the editor.(optometry practice; family practice)(Letter to the editor)(Brief article)
September 15, 2007... Mothers & Daughters The June 2007 issue of WO included a story about mother and daughter practices, which caught my eye. My daughter and I, both graduates of The Ohio State University College of Optometry, have been practicing together for...

Introductions expand networks.(MAKING CONNECTIONS)(optometry practice)
September 15, 2007... Look up "connection" in the thesaurus and you'll find a variety of apt substitutes: link, relationship, inter-dependence, bond and colleague. Which applies here? All of the above. Whether we are aware of it or not, we are each making...

Still pending: good ideas may come easily, but patents take patience.(Patent...)
September 15, 2007... In the not-so-melodic language of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, it's known as "System, apparatus and method for accommodating ophthalmic examination assemblies to patients." Inventor Angela Nicolini, O.D., Abilene, TX, hopes that one...

Newly Designed WO MySpace.(women optometrists)(Brief article)
September 15, 2007... WO is making virtual friends on MySpace.com, the popular social networking Internet site. WO updates its site regularly, adding blog entries, upcoming story notices and new photos from the previous issue. If you're new to MySpace, registration...

Defying the odds: O.D. conducts innovative research in Alzheimer's disease.(doctor of optometry; Denise A. Valenti)
September 15, 2007... Denise A. Valenti, O.D., F.A.A.O., didn't think she'd live to see her 50th birthday. Or her 40th, for that matter. Fifteen years ago, Dr. Valenti was diagnosed with an exceedingly rare genetic heart condition--dilated cardiomyopathy lysine...

Who's the Boss?(Round Table)(optometry practice; staff management)
September 15, 2007... Editor's Note: Our premiere round table discussion focuses on staff management. Three O.D.s presented ideas about what has and hasn't worked in their practice settings. Join the discussion at our MySpace group forum at...

Searching for a practice to buy: O.D. counsels patience and planning.(doctor of optometry)
September 15, 2007... In August 2002, when April Jasper, O.D., decided after six years to leave her corporate optometry practice in Tallahassee, FL, all she knew for sure was that she wanted to buy a practice in her hometown of West Palm Beach, FL. The problem was...

Have confidence in your purchase decision.(medical practice; optometry practice)(Brief article)
September 15, 2007... Are you thinking of buying an existing practice? Nova Southeastern University associate professor of optometry Chris Woodruff, O.D., M.B.A., F.A.A.O., has some tips. He has created a PowerPoint presentation, "Practice Valuation & Purchase,"...

Reflecting on 55-year career: patients stand out more than changes in profession.
September 15, 2007... Freda Sattel, O.D., Johnstown, PA, built a special bond with " generations of her patients over her 55 years in practice. Dr. Sattel, 86, retired in 1998. "The practice was like one big family," she says. Her son, Jonathan Gording, O.D., who...

Cousins by chance; Partners by choice: practices gain synergies when cousins combine strengths.(Cover Story)(optometry practice; family practice)
September 15, 2007... Explosive growth. That's what happened when two cousins combined their three practices under a single corporate structure. And the business benefits continue to grow. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Mamie C. Chan, O.D., and her cousin, Deborah...

A tip of the mortarboard.(optometry graduates; women optometrists)
September 15, 2007... Graduation from optometry school is, in itself, quite an accomplishment. But doing so with the highest academic standing is worthy of special note. The following women graduated as valedictorians or with the highest GPA in their optometry...

Leading the blind .. and visually impaired: O.D. combines physical therapy experience with low vision services.(doctor of optometry)
September 15, 2007... The patients who come to the Bucks County (PA) Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired for an eye exam often gain a little something extra. That's because Denise Thomas Wilcox, O.D., is also a certified physical therapist and holds a...

Network solutions: educator reports benefits of networking.(Etty Bitton, doctor of optometry)
September 15, 2007... When she became an educator, Etty Bitton, O.D., Montreal, Canada, found tremendous support in several organizations including the Association of Optometric Contact Lens Educators (AOCLE). "As a new educator, you are asked to teach courses and...

Women in the news.(doctors of optometry)
September 15, 2007... Dr. Nichols Kelly Nichols, O.D. M.P.H., Ph.D., The Ohio State University College of Optometry, is the lead investigator in a five-year study on dry eye disease in post-menopausal women. The U.S. National Institutes of Health awarded the...

Be careful what you wish for: O.D. finds herself chairperson of a new program she proposed.(doctor of optometry; Elizabeth McMunn; KidSight Connecticut)
September 15, 2007... Elizabeth McMunn, O.D., East Lyme, CT, thought it would be great if Connecticut had an established program to promote children's vision needs, similar to the Kids Welcome Here[R] program designed by the Pennsylvania Optometric Association....

Mystery maven: move over, Agatha. There's a new mystery writer in town.(Agatha Christie; Jennifer J. Malpass, doctor of optometry)
September 15, 2007... In between patient exams, Jennifer J. Malpass, O.D., Batavia, IL, can be found at her laptop, entering ideas for another chapter of one of her mystery novels. Dr. Malpass has completed the final draft of her third novel, Murder at the Bentley...

Creating the indispensable staff: hire for personality, train for skills.
September 15, 2007... When it comes to hiring new staff, Vicki Troese, O.D., Deptford, NJ, looks at the person, not the resume. Once she's found the candidate with the right mix of interest, charm and smarts, training the new employee to work in her Pearle Vision...

Opportunity awaits: this special edition of review is jam-packed with clinical and practice management advice that will help you in your everyday practice of optometry.(Editor's Page)
September 15, 2007... Dr. Neil Gailmard has long been an advocate of analyzing every step in the operation of a practice through a patient's eyes. In the cover story of this special edition of Review of Optometry, Dr. Gailmard takes us on a journey a practice from...

Adventures in astigmatism: from personal experience to optometry school education, I know all there is to know--or not know--about astigmatism.(Chair Side)
September 15, 2007... The first time I heard about astigmatism was when I was about nine years old. My teacher called my mother and told her, "Monty's blind." You can imagine how my mother reacted. "No, he's not. All he does is sit around reading those Spider-man...

Material and fitting considerations; Clinical aspects of toric silicone hydrogel lenses.
September 15, 2007... With the incorporation of silicone into toric contact lenses, hypoxic corneas around the world can finally enjoy a breath of fresh air. Oxygen is a fundamental part of ensuring eye health and contributing to the successful wear of contact...

Top ten toric tips: how to avoid common errors when fitting toric soft contact lenses.
September 15, 2007... Success in fitting toric soft contact lenses can be enhanced by avoiding some common pitfalls. This article will review 10 frequent mistakes and how to remedy them. 10: Not Letting a Lens Settle Financial pressures from managed care...

A Patient journey through a healthy contact lens practice: gain some insight into what changes you could make to your practice to improve patient satisfaction, retention and referrals.
September 15, 2007... How do some practices generate 30% or more of their gross revenue from contact lenses? I know many practices that have that kind of volume, but the owners still consider themselves providers of general, primary eye care. These practices also...

See the benefits of Custom-made silicone hydrogel contact Lenses;Custom-made silicone hydrogel contact lenses provide patients with a higher standard of care than conventional contact lenses by allowing better oxygen flow to the cornea.(OPTOMETRIC STUDY CENTER)
September 15, 2007... Since the launch of silicone hydrogel (SiHy) lenses, contact lens fitters have have realized the benefits of these materials. Until recently, custom manufacturing of these lenses has been both costly and fraught with difficulty. Arguably,...

Taking care of lenses: with today's advanced materials, proper contact lens care is now more important than ever. Here is the pertinent information to tell your patients.(Report)
September 15, 2007... Last year's Fusarium keratitis outbreak brought a heightened awareness to contact lens care. Thanks to widespread publicity by the lay media, patients and practitioners alike have learned that solution composition and compliance do matter. It...

Closing the compliance gap: what role do daily disposables play in a healthy contact lens practice?
September 15, 2007... Have you recently evaluated how quickly you are willing to accept a new technology? Was your contact lens practice left behind when disposable lenses became available? Have you really looked at the advantages of the newest products for your...

Improving contact lens compliance: consider these 10 tips for whipping your patients into shape.
September 15, 2007... A great deal of attention has been focused on contact lens compliance in the past few months. This has largely been brought about by recent events with contact lenses and eye care products, mostly related to formulation and manufacturing. From...

Contact lens-related dry eye: treatment tips for a common condition.(Therapeutic Review)(Clinical report)
September 15, 2007... Contact lens wearers who suffer from dry eye have an especially difficult experience. A contact lens is a highly designed and biocompatible medical device, yet it disrupts the normal pre-corneal tear film and promotes tear loss and evaporation....

Effectively selling premium contact lenses: why do doctors have such a -difficult time talking to patients about the benefits of premium contact lenses?(Management Review)
September 15, 2007... We needed a new car and my wife wanted a Range Rover. A ten-year-old beat-up Jeep would have been fine with me. Besides, I really wanted a new big screen TV and home theater system. Care to guess what's sitting in our driveway right now? A...

Myths and misconceptions: the truth about silicone hydrogel lenses.(Cornea+Contact Lens Q+A)
September 15, 2007... Q How common are infections in overnight wearers of silicone hydrogel contact lenses? Are infection rates low enough with these lenses for practitioners to recommend them for overnight wear up to 30 days? A Several studies convincingly...

Can you see where the dollars are? Our latest income survey finds that most optometrists are satisfied with their salaries. Still, they have lots of ideas for making more money without working more hours.(Income Survey)(Survey)
September 15, 2007... For most optometrists, net income and profit margins appear to be holding steady, while gross income may have increased slightly. Optometrists remain satisfied with their income and are not working extra hours just to make more. These are...