CONTACT LENSES TODAY

February 13, 2005

Contact Lenses Today® is edited by Dr. Joseph T. Barr and the staff of Contact Lens Spectrum. This week CLToday® reaches more than 10,000 readers in 74 countries.


AOA Releases Results of Scope of Practice Survey
In September 2004, the American Optometric Association (AOA) surveyed 4,000 of its members on scope of practice issues. Following is a summary of some of the results from the 1,213 members who responded.
- During a six-month period, optometrists diagnosed, on average, about 19 patients with glaucoma and 96 with other anterior segment disorders.
- In 2004, optometrists diagnosed 36% more patients with glaucoma and 23.0% more with other anterior segment disorders than they diagnosed in 2002.
- About 97% of responding optometrists routinely performed annual dilated funduscopic exams on their diabetic patients in their offices.
- Most (85%) optometrists described themselves as self-employed, while about one in seven (15%) reported themselves in the employ of someone else. Also, approximately 61% of the responding O.D.s were in solo practice or in two-member partnerships or groups.
If you're interested in learning more about the AOA's survey results, consult the February 1, 2005 issue of AOA News.

PBA Promotes Proposed CL Legislation
Prevent Blindness America (PBA) is asking the public for its help in passing a bill (HR 371 in the House of Representatives and S172 in the Senate) proposed for the FDA to reinstate its previous policy of ensuring that it regulates all contact lenses including cosmetic contact lenses. To help, contact your local government representatives. You can go to PBA's Web site (http://www.preventblindness.org) and type in your zip code in the "Contact Congress" box. You'll then be automatically supplied with e-mail addresses and phone numbers for the reps in your area. Be sure to ask your patients to give their support too.

AMA Releases New CPT Code for Intacs
The American Medical Association (AMA) has released a new Category III CPT code to cover the Intacs procedure for keratoconus. (Category III codes are temporary codes for emerging technology, which has five years to become mainstream, at which time it may receive promotion to a permanent Category I code.) The designated code for Intacs is 0099T. To learn more about the new CPT code, visit http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/category/3885.html#0075T.

Lens of Choice for All Patient Types, Practitioners Report
In a recent survey, Eye Care Professionals who participated in a market test reported that ACUVUE ADVANCE Brand Contact Lenses with HYDRACLEAR is their first choice when fitting new, current and former lens wearers of all ages:
- 87% select the lens over other brands when fitting contact lens wearers with comfort concerns.
- 82% choose it as the best brand for lapsed contact lens wearers.
- 63% say it is their top choice for new teen contact lens wearers.
- 71% consider ACUVUE ADVANCE with HYDRACLEAR their preferred brand for new adult contact lens wearers.
Offer all your patients long lasting comfort with ACUVUE ADVANCE with HYDRACLEAR. http://www.ecp.acuvue.com
--ADVERTISING

Paragon Happy with '04, Focused on '05
Last month, Paragon Vision Sciences boasted that it closed 2004 with a record performance. Paragon's CRT business saw its prescription lens shipments climb more than 33%. The company also revealed that it completed a deal for its Light Filtering Contact Lens Technology. Paragon expects that a product employing the technology will launch sometime this year under a joint arrangement involving a major contact lens manufacturer and a major sports marketing company.

Cooper Makes Executive Changes
CooperVision recently announced a new management structure for its U.S. operations, resulting from the completed acquisition of Ocular Sciences.
- Jeff McLean, previously vice president of sales, has been named president of CooperVision's U.S. operations.
- Brad Jones, previously vice president of sales for Ocular Sciences, joins Cooper Vision's management team as vice president of U.S. sales.
- Tom Shone serves as vice president of U.S. marketing and as chairman of CooperVision's Global Marketing Committee.

Abstract: Use Caution When Prescribing Corneal Reshaping Lenses for Children
A researcher discussed two case reports of children who developed corneal ulcers when fit with overnight corneal reshaping contact lenses and wore them nightly. Each patient presented with a bacterial corneal ulcer after wearing the contact lenses for less than six months. The first patient's practitioner identified Pseudomonas aeruginosa as the causative organism and the second patient's practitioner cultured Haemophilus influenza from the ulcer. Both patients were treated with intensive, fortified antibiotics with rapid resolution of the corneal ulcers and preservation of vision. The researcher concluded that other practitioners should use severe caution before prescribing these lenses for children and that informed consent should include potential sight-threatening corneal ulcers.
Macsai M. Corneal Ulcers in Two Children. Eye & Contact Lens 2005 Jan;31(1):9-11.


Editor's Commentary: Clearing the Air on Loyalties
Last week, our well-intentioned and zealous Philadelphia Eagles fan and Webmaster put a note in green letters at the bottom of our publication that read "Go Eagles!"
I have great respect for these fans from Philadelphia. For those of you who aren't sports fans or who are from other countries (and we will get back to contact lenses soon), this is about last Sunday and the U.S. football National Football League Championship game, the Super Bowl. I, of course, am not an Eagles fan. I am a Bears, Browns, Bengals and Patriots fan -- especially since Ohio State graduate Mike Vrabel is such an outstanding linebacker and occasional tight end and scored touchdowns in the last two Super Bowls for New England and we kind of know each other. Oh yes, I'm sure many of the players in the Super Bowl wore contact lenses. Contact lenses are great for sports.


Fitting Tip: Nonrefundable Lens Costs
Regarding last week's fitting tip (Annual CL Supplies by Jerry M. Garber, O.D., F.I.O.S., F.A.A.O.), I disagree with the author's concern that "the patient now has to purchase additional lenses and 'eat the nonrefundable year's supply' that the practitioner confidently prescribed."
It's usually the prescribing doctor who ends up eating the cost of those nonreturnable (barcodes removed, marked or opened) boxes of contact lenses. After all, we always do whatever it takes to serve the patient. So Dr. Garber's idea is probably still a good one from that standpoint, but practically, I find that prescription changes rarely occur and patients resist unnecessary follow ups, potentially missing out on annual supply rebates.
--Joan Frank, O.D.
Indianapolis, Ind.


This month at http://www.siliconehydrogels.org, read about the worldwide market success of silicone hydrogels, scan the latest research presented at the American Academy of Optometry 2004 and explore novel laboratory procedures facilitating accurate measurement of lysozyme deposited on these lenses.

Report adverse contact lens reactions here: http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/medwatch/ or call (800) FDA-1088.

Access a reporting form for complications you've seen that were a result of contact lenses dispensed without a valid prescription at the Association of Regulatory Boards of Optometry's (ARBO's) Web site: http://www.arbo.org/arbo.asp?dt=R&doc=Complications. Complete and send the form online or print it out and fax it to (866) 886-6164.

Send your favorite tips to tips@cltoday.com -- if your tip is selected as 'Best of the Month,' you'll receive a free golf shirt (see http://www.CLToday.com for details). Please include your full name, degree or title and city/state/country.
Visit Contact Lens Spectrum ( http://www.clspectrum.com ) for interactive clinical posters, issue archives and discussion forums. Visit Contact Lenses Today for our Best Fitting Tips and Photo Clinic, sponsored by Ocular Sciences.
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