CONTACT LENSES TODAY
October 2, 2005
Contact Lenses Today® is edited by Dr. Joseph T. Barr and the staff of Contact Lens Spectrum. This week CLToday® reaches more
than 12,000 readers in 74 countries.
B&L’s Web-based training
Bausch & Lomb offers eye care professionals a web site that provides online training and certification necessary to fit the company’s
Vision Shaping Treatment (VST) system for overnight orthokeratology. VST is a system with several ortho-k lens designs fit both empirically with keratometry and
diagnostically with topography and software. The lenses are made of Boston Equalens II GP material and come in four designs: BE retainer, Contex OK E-System, DreamLens
and Euclid Emerald. Go to www.bausch.com/vst.
In other news from the company, Polytechnic University presented its Sesquicentennial Medal to Dr. Joseph C. Salamone,
Vice President of B&L’s research, for his lifetime of scientific achievements. Dr. Salamone has contributed to more than 165 technical papers and holds more than 115
patents in biomaterials.
Menicon R&D Moves to Singapore
Menicon Co.’s new global R&D strategy office (GR&DSO) in Singapore will be the base for globalization of the company’s research and
development efforts. The office is expanding Menicon’s activities in this area through collaborations with numerous universities and institutions in Asia-Pacific,
the U.S. and E.U. Dr. Mouad Lamrrani, formerly general manager of the company’s European R&D branch office, has been appointed general manager of the GR&DSO.
Supporting the Independent O.D.
Proactive Optometric Physicians (POP) is a newly formed group that supports the interests of independent, private practitioners with
consulting services and expert advice. The group’s focus is on helping practitioners build their practices and provide quality care for patients in a private practice
setting. Members gain access to nationally recognized industry experts for advice on clinical, practice management, legal and financial issues. Consultants include
Charles Brownlow, O.D., John Classe, O.D., J.D., Richard Hom, O.D., Ian Lane, O.D., Tom Miller, O.D., Stuart Richer, M.S., O.D., Ph.D., Mitchell Scheiman, O.D., Floyd
Woods, O.D., Gil Weber, M.B.A. and Kenneth Rudzinksi, C.F.P.
In addition, POP’s preferred business partners offer members the benefits of a buying group with
discounts on a range of products and services. Also available are POP’s forums, where members can share ideas and information. Three levels of membership are available
for independent optometrists and for employed O.D.s or students who wish to pursue private
practice. Visit http://www.proactod.org.
ACUVUE® ADVANCE™ Brand Contact Lenses for ASTIGMATISM help unmask low cylinder astigmats.
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Ohio State Awards Professorship
The Ohio State University College of Optometry will award the E.F. Wildermuth Professorship to our own Joseph T. Barr, O.D., M.S. The
Professorship was established in 1989 to recognize and support distinguished scholars in optometry. Ohio
State Dean Emeritus John Schoessler was previously the only person to have
received this honor. Dr. Barr has an extensive list of academic achievements and
has contributed to clinical research and the contact lens literature. He has
also been involved in the training of interns, residents and optometric
practitioners.
VSP Turns 50
The nation’s largest eyecare provider, Vision Service Plan (VSP), marks its 50th anniversary this month. The company was originally
founded by nine optometrists in Calif. and has experienced continued growth and expansion. Today, VSP provides eyecare health coverage for 41 million members, or
one of every eight people in the U.S.
Abstract:
Review of Keratitis in Ortho-K
Researchers at the School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia reviewed the first 50 cases
of microbial keratitis (MK) in overnight ortho-k (all reported cases of presumed MK since 2001 were included in the study). The largest incidence of MK in OK was in
East Asia with people of Asian decent most affected. Researchers say the high frequency in Asian patients likely reflects the OK-lens wearing population.
The peak age range for infection was from nine to 15-years-old.
Though Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the predominant organism implicated in 30% of cases,
researchers also noted an alarmingly high frequency of Acanthamoeba infection of 30%. They suggest this is evidence that tap water rinsing should be eliminated from
the lens care regimen for Ortho-K. Results of the study did not reveal the absolute incidence or relative risk of MK in overnight ortho-K. It is therefore premature
to ascribe increased risk to this lens-wearing modality compared with other contact lens modalities.
Watt K, Swarbrick HA. Microbial keratitis in overnight orthokeratology: review of the first 50 days. Eye Contact Lens. 2005 Sep;31(5):201-8.
Editor's Commentary:
Rx Solutions?
Our tip this week is a response to last week's commentary regarding giving away samples. It's probably best, even though most of us don't
do it, to write the patient a prescription for their contract lens care solutions and their contact lens lubricant or over-the-counter dry eye product. Patients will
take it more seriously. You may even get better compliance if you take the time to reinforce that they put themselves at great risk if they change products on their own.
And, patients may heed your instructions when you explain how and when to use the appropriate products properly.
Fitting Tip:
More on OTC Samples
In regard to your commentary about sampling in last week’s CLToday, although these products are OTC — we stress that for best compliance
and effectiveness — the patient's regular doctor should "prescribe them." If another doctor is handing out samples, this is effectively negating this concept
of "prescription." From a legal standpoint, recommending lens care products to a non-patient establishes a "doctor/patient relationship," which may create a potential
liability issue that has no records to back it up. I think it’s a bad idea! Keep the doctoring in the doctors office!
Lisa Badowski, O.D., M.S.
Broomfield,
Colo.
Best of the Month
Dr. Marc Frederiksen of Plover, Wis., submitted the “Best Fitting Tip of the Month” for September. His “Tip from the Wild” can be seen in
the September 11, 2005 edition of CLToday.
This month at http://www.siliconehydrogels.org, review the significance of Śmodulus of elasticity‚ as well as the aetiology
of soft contact lens-induced superior epithelial arcuate lesions, look into the performance of lotrafilcon B lenses intended for daily, flexible or extended wear, and
read a recap of silicone hydrogel-related presentations at the 2005 BCLA conference.
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 and issue
archives. Visit Contact Lenses Today for our Best Fitting Tips.
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