weekly media monitoring highlights

Transcription

March 28 – April 4, 2014
WEEKLY MEDIA
MONITORING HIGHLIGHTS
Please note that due to guidelines regarding copyrights, in most cases we are only able to post the first few sentences of
each article; contact AOA Communications & Marketing to receive the full text of an article.
NATIONAL MEDIA OUTLETS
NewGradOptometry.com Launches to Provide New Graduates with the Resources to
Succeed (references the AOA and Essilor of America; quotes AOA members Drs. Samuel D. Pierce and Matthew
Geller)
Vision Monday | Staff | 04/02/2014
ST. LOUIS—A new website for post-graduate optometrists, NewGradOptometry.com offers resources to help inspire
clinical and financial growth as an OD. Content includes articles on new graduate success, licensing, insurance, clinical
skills and practice management. Creating a user profile entitles users to the free e-book, "How to Get Your Optometry
License—A Guide to All 50 States," and to access content that will be updated monthly. Essilor of America and Vision
Source are the exclusive sponsors of the new website, and the American Optometric Association encourages new ODs
to use this tool for career development.
“The future of the profession lies in the hands of our most recent graduates,” said Samuel D. Pierce, OD, liaison trustee
for the AOA Student and New Graduate Committee. “NewGradOptometry.com offers these new doctors of optometry
online content and resources designed to help them launch their careers and prepare them for the journey ahead.”
The site was founded by Matthew Geller, OD, who also launched OptometryStudents.com.
“We're here to make life easier for new graduates,” he said. There can be a lot to consider immediately out of
academia, Geller explained, and still more to learn about the practical side of optometry that can leave new ODs
overwhelmed as they transition into their careers. “Instead of feeling overwhelmed and unsure where to begin,
hopefully, these resources will help them be more likely to take on a bigger responsibility, maybe a more difficult route,
and feel more confident in doing that,” Geller said.
Website Launched to Help New ODs Establish Successful Careers (references the AOA; quotes AOA
members Drs. Samuel D. Pierce and Matthew Geller)
The Financial | Staff | 04/04/2014
Post-graduate optometrists have access to a new website, NewGradOptometry.com, designed to offer information that
will help put them on the right track for a successful professional career . The American Optometric Association (AOA)
is encouraging new ODs to utilize this and other tools for career development, according to the American Optometric
Association.
NewGradOptometry.com is cost-free for users and offers resources to help inspire clinical and financial growth as an
OD, such as articles on new graduate success, licensing, insurance, clinical skills, and practice management. Site visitors
are asked to create a user profile that entitles users to download the free e-book, "How to Get Your Optometry
License-A Guide to All 50 States," and to access content that will be updated monthly. Essilor of America and Vision
Source are the exclusive sponsors of the new website, according to the American Optometric Association.
"The future of the profession lies in the hands of our most recent graduates," said Samuel D. Pierce, O.D., liaison
trustee for the AOA Student and New Graduate Committee. "NewGradOptometry.com offers these new doctors of
optometry online content and resources designed to help them launch their career s and prepare them for the journey
ahead," he added.
New Video from Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry Illustrates Unlimited
Career Opportunities for ODs (features the ASCO; references the Pacific University College of Optometry;
quotes AOA member Dr. Jennifer Smythe)
ROCKVILLE, Md.—Be a Doctor of Optometry: Put Your Future in Focus is the subject of a new video released by The
Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO) and posted to the organization's website and new YouTube
channel.
Promoting the Doctor of Optometry degree, the video shows students, professors and Doctors of Optometry talking
about what students learn and what they can expect from the profession once they graduate. It also demonstrates the
caring aspects of the profession and the more high tech aspects of optometry, according to an ASCO statement. The
video is partially funded through a contribution from Luxottica.
“ASCO greatly appreciates Luxottica stepping forward and recognizing the challenges the schools and colleges of
optometry face in attracting the most highly qualified and diverse applicants to rewarding careers as Doctors of
Optometry,” said Jennifer Smythe, OD, MS, ASCO president and dean of the Pacific University College of Optometry.
“The video reinforces what many optometrists already know, Doctors of Optometry have unlimited career
opportunities, great success at achieving work/life balance and are primary health care providers that make a real
difference.”
ODs Should be Able to Educate Patients on Genetic Testing (quotes AOA member Dr. Ken Eakland;
references Pacific University College of Optometry)
Primary Care Optometry News - Online | Staff | 03/28/2014
NEW YORK – “Optometry is on the front lines of primary health care. You need a foundational knowledge of what's
happening in genetics,” a speaker here at Vision Expo East told optometrists.
Ken Eakland, OD, of Pacific University College of Optometry said genetics will affect the optometric practice.
“Genetic testing is becoming more commonplace; consumers know it's out there,” he said. “You have to be able to
answer your patients' questions.”
Hollandia Produce Brands Earn Third Party Certification as Antioxidant Superfoods (references
the AOA)
FreshPlaza.com, press release | Staff | 04/01/2014
Hollandia Produce, LPs' Live Gourmet brand Living Upland Cress and Grower Pete's Organic brand Living Watercress
have been certified as Antioxidant-rich Superfoods based on a laboratory analysis of their antioxidants levels, especially
lutein. Bags of Living Upland Cress and Living Watercress will now feature the Antioxidant Superfood certification label
from SCS Global Services (SCS), a third-party certifier of food quality and safety.
“There are a lot of food products in the marketplace that claim to be rich in antioxidants but very few have any data to
back it up. This certification lets our customers know the levels of healthful antioxidants they are getting in every bag,”
Vincent Choate, Hollandia ‘s Director of Marketing said. “This certification promotes transparency while educating
consumers and will help our products stand out.”
The laboratory testing, conducted by SCS, confirmed that Live Gourmet Living Upland Cress and Grower Pete's Organic
Watercress contain high quantities of lutein, an antioxidant known to fight cancer-causing free radical compounds.
Lutein, which is also found in leafy greens such as spinach and kale, has also been found to support eye health and
vision, according to researchers at the American Optometric Association.
Medicare Fee Cut, ICD-10 Delayed for 1 Year (references the AOA; quotes AOA president Dr. Mitchell T.
Munson)
Optometry Times | Bob Pieper | 04/02/2014
Washington, DC—Congress has approved legislation delaying for 1 year a massive 24% Medicare fee cut, which had
been scheduled to take effect April 1, as well as implementation of the ICD-10-CM coding system.
The Senate approved the Protecting Access to Medicare Act (H.R. 4302) on a 64-35 vote Monday night (March 31),
following approval on a voice vote in the House of Representatives last Thursday (March 27).
Instead of a pay cut, as required under Medicare's Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) fee-setting formula, the legislation
grants Medicare physicians a 0.5% pay increase through March 31, 2015. Medicare carriers will hold off on processing
claims filed during the first 10 days of April to allow time for enactment of the legislation and necessary system
changes.
Is Chlorinated Water Safe for Your Eyes? (references the AOA and American Eye-Q)
EssilorUSA.com | Staff | 04/03/2014
A dip in the pool can provide refreshing relief from the sun's sweltering heat this summer. But diving in head first, or
even splashing around in a public or private pool, can leave eyes red and irritated.
Chlorine is a popular chemical added to pools to prevent the growth of algae, viruses and bacteria in the water. In fact,
the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention calls chlorine and pH “the first defense against germs that can make
swimmers sick.” A properly chlorinated pool can help reduce the risk of developing a host of health issues like
conjunctivitis, swelling or infection of the eyelid membranes, as well as gastrointestinal discomfort, swimmer's ear and
skin infections.
But…the very chemical that helps keep us safe may also cause harm if swimmers don't practice proper eye safety in or
around pools.
AOA AND AOA MEMBERS IN THE NEWS
Eyewear: Here's Looking at You, Kid (references the AOA; quotes AOA member Dr. Peter Mocklis)
SeacoastOnline.com (Portsmouth NH), | Suzanne Laurent | 03/30/2014
There was a time when wearing glasses was just not cool. And to have to start wearing them in middle school was
considered getting sentenced to the dorky side.
To make matters worse, in the old days of say, the 1970s, the choices were black or brown plastic frames, silver or gold
metal frames, and the lenses were pretty much one size — big.
"Not anymore," said Dr. Peter Mocklis, an optometrist with Lens Doctors, which has an office in Portsmouth. "Now
glasses are cool. It's a fashion-forward statement kids can make with all the choices available."
Eyesight In Children Appears To Be Declining; Electronics To Blame? (features AOA member Dr.
Robert Steinmetz)
WBBM-TV (CBS: Chicago, IL) | Mike Ramsey | 04/03/2014
It seems younger kids are needing glasses these days, and their prescriptions are getting stronger with each visit to the
eye doctor.
American kids are among those with the highest risk. So what's robbing them of their 20/20 vision? CBS 2′s Mary Kay
Kleist explains.
The world is becoming more out of focus some kids.
Dr. Ohlson Named Optometrist of the Year (features AOA member Dr. Michael Ohlson; references
the American Academy of Optometry, the Iowa Optometric Association, the University of Houston College
of Optometry and InfantSEE)
Fayette County Union (West Union, IA) | Staff | 04/03/2014
Dr. Michael Ohlson of West Union Eye Clinic was named Optometrist of the Year by the Iowa Optometric Association in
Des Moines on Saturday. Michael Ohlson, O.D., F.A.A.O., graduated from Buena Vista College and received his doctorate
from the University of Houston College of Optometry. He has been awarded Diplomate status in the American Academy
of Optometry Primary Care Section and the American Board of Certification in Medical Optometry.
In 2013, Dr. Ohlson was inducted as a Distinguished Practitioner and Fellow of the National Academies of Practice. He
currently serves as immediate past president of the Association of Regulatory Boards of Optometry and low-vision
consultant to Iowa Educational Services for the Blind & Visually Impaired.
His volunteer efforts include InfantSEE, Lions Clubs International-Special Olympics Opening Eyes, and Volunteer
Optometric Services to Humanity/International.
Q&A With Dr. Ryan Trimble of Union Eye Works (features AOA member Dr. Ryan Trimble)
Farmington Patch (Farmington, CT) | Jaimie Cura | 04/01/2014
Dr. Trimble always wanted to open a practice close to home. He’s thrilled to be a part of the Unionville
community.
Q: How did you come up with the name?
A: We are located in my hometown of Unionville and wanted a name that reflected both were we are, and what we do.
Q: Why choose that location? Why start a business in this town?
A: My family lives in Unionville and my son goes to Union School. I was looking to open a practice in our town
since this area of Farmington and Burlington did not have any optometry offices and I have always wanted to
practice close to home. I chose the office location since it is central to the area and already had good
recognition, being located next to George's Pizza.
Local Lion, Eye Doctor Gets International Attention in Magazine (features AOA member Dr. Greg
Hagedorn)
Evansville Courier & Press - Online (Evansville, IN) | Chuck Stinnett | 03/28/2014
Every good Lions Club member has a passion for helping improve the vision of the less fortunate, whether by raising
money for vision care or collecting used eyeglasses that can be reused.
But Dr. Greg Hagedorn is a cut above.
The Henderson optometrist and member of the Henderson Lions Club has participated with other volunteers in 40
mission trips to India, Africa, Central and South America, taking his clinical skills to jungle hamlets and mountain villages
to bring poor children and adults what might be the only professional eye care they will ever receive. Henderson
optometrist and Lions Club member Greg Hagedorn, seen here examining a patient in Honduras, is featured in a lengthy
feature story in the April edition of Lion magazine, an international publication with a circulation of approximately
350,000. A Tell City, Ind., native, Hagedorn graduated with a degree in optometry from Indiana University in 1981. Two
years later, after working for a company in California, he sought to open an office in Tell City, then Evansville, but found
no room for another optometrist in those cities.
Exams Can Spot Diabetes (bylined by AOA member Dr. Rebecca Wincek-Bateson; references the AOA
and American Eye-Q; quotes AOA member Dr. Tina MacDonald)
Indiana Gazette (Indiana, PA) | Dr. Rebecca Wincek-Bateson | 04/02/2014
Many eye problems show no symptoms until they are in an advanced stage.
More than 8 percent of the American population has diabetes. For this large group of at-risk patients, regular dilated
eye exams are critical to prevent vision loss. Because of the damage the disease can do to the retina and other parts of
the eye, optometrists stress the need for regular eye care with these patients.
Area Eye Doctor Honored by National Business Network (references the AOA, the Minnesota
Optometric Association and the Illinois College of Optometry; features AOA member Dr. James Hutchins)
The Sleepy Eye Herald-Dispatch (Sleepy Eye, MN) | Staff | 04/02/2014
Dr. James Hutchins of Lifetime Eye Care Center in Sleepy Eye recently received recognition for his continued
commitment to professional development at a meeting of Cleinman Performance Network.
Dr. Hutchins, celebrating his 10th year in the network, demonstrates a dedication to creating a healthy work
environment, as well as maintaining a high level of patient care and satisfaction.
As a member of Cleinman Performance Network, a wisdom sharing group of peer optometrists from across North
America, Dr. Hutchins provides valuable knowledge that highlights and contributes to the best practices in vision care
and eye health.
April 4 – 11, 2014
WEEKLY MEDIA
A Nutritional Approach to Contact Lens Success (references the AOA; bylined by AOA member Dr.
Jeffrey Anshel)
Contact Lens Spectrum - Online | Jeffrey R. Anshel, OD, FAAO | 04/04/2014
Contact lens fitters are all too aware of how dry eye can negatively affect successful lens wear. Contact lens wearers are
five times more likely to complain about dryness symptoms compared to spectacle wearers, and more than half will
report contact lens dryness, especially end-of-day dryness (Nichols et al, 2005). Discomfort is cited by more than half of
patients as the principal reason for discontinuation, followed by dissatisfaction with vision (13%) (Young et al, 2002).
Recent studies suggest that many contact lens wearers are not fully satisfied, and about 25% permanently discontinue
lens wear (Rumpakis, 2010; Richdale et al, 2007). Patients will drop out of contact lenses unless we guard against
discomfort from dryness.
This article will discuss dry eye, contact lens discomfort due to dryness, and how nutrition can play a role in mitigating
dryness symptoms.
Dry Eye Definitions and Demographics
First, let's consider the various definitions of dry eye. Dry eye syndrome (DES) is generally considered a disorder of the
tear film due to either diminished tear production or excessive tear evaporation. The American Optometric Association
(AOA) defines dry eye and its effects in this way: “Any condition that reduces the production, alters the composition, or
impedes the distribution of the pre-ocular tear film (POTF) may cause a noticeable degradation of vision and irritation to
the structures of the front surface of the eye.”
Medical Syndromes That Affect Children's Vision (bylined by AOA member Dr. Marie Bodack;
references the Pennsylvania College of Optometry)
Review of Optometry - Online | Dr. Marie Bodack | 04/04/2014
Children, like adults, may suffer from systemic conditions that affect their vision and ocular health. This course reviews
some of the most notable medical conditions with ocular findings that can affect children. Optometrists can not only
manage these patients for ocular problems, but may be the first to recognize a serious condition that leads to an
important, possibly lifesaving diagnosis.
This course is COPE approved for 2 hours of CE credit. COPE ID is 40940-FV. Please check your state licensing board to
see if this approval counts toward your CE requirement for relicensure. This continuing education course is jointsponsored by the Pennsylvania College of Optometry.
What is Computer Vision Syndrome? (references the AOA; bylined by AOA member Dr. Florian
Saffner)
Optical Vision Resources | Dr. Florian Saffner | 04/07/2014
Every day, 82 percent of Americans spend at least 12 hours looking at a digital screen, either on a computer, an
electronic display, or television. As our lives become increasing filled with technology, requiring us to view text and
images on a computer screen, we are submitting our eyes to additional strain. While these devices help to improve
efficiency and effectiveness, many are beginning to experience side effects from over use. The American Optometric
Association (AOA) continues to see an increased rise in vision impairment as a result of overuse of computers, a
preventable condition known as Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS).
So what is Computer Vision Syndrome? It is a group of eye and vision-related problems that result from prolonged
computer use. Many individuals experience eye discomfort and vision problems when viewing a computer screen for
extended periods, and the level of discomfort appears to increase with the amount of computer use. The most common
symptoms of “CVS” are headaches, fatigue, dry eyes and blurred vision. The symptoms are made worse with poor
lighting, glare, uncorrected vision problems, poor seating posture and work distance from your computer screen. The
visual symptoms are the main reason why “CVS” is one of the top health complaints in the workplace.
So what can be done to alleviate “CVS?” First, a yearly eye health examination is critical to correct any refractive
problems such as farsightedness, astigmatism and presbyopia. All of these contribute to problems with focusing at near
distances. During an annual visit, the eye doctor also assesses eye coordination abilities and aging of the eyes, which can
lead to increased visual problems when using a computer. Also, a physician can suggest the correct distance for
placement of a computer screen and prescribe eyewear, or “computer glasses,” specific for that viewing distance.
Ensuring that the lenses block ultraviolet light (UV) and have an anti-reflection treatment will also help considerably
reduce glare from the computer screen and overhead lighting.
American Board of Optometry Announces New Diplomates (features the ABO; references the
AOA, the American Academy of Optometry, the AOSA and the Association of Schools and Colleges of
Optometry; quotes AOA member Dr. James Vaught)
ST. LOUIS—The American Board of Optometry (ABO) released the results of its January 2014 Board Certification
Examination. A total of 1,112 doctors qualified to take the examination, and 1,035 doctors (93.2 percent) passed,
successfully becoming Diplomates of the American Board of Optometry. These doctors, representing 49 states, two
provinces in Canada, and Australia, will be added to the board-certified optometrist locator on the ABO website.
“The American Board of Optometry congratulates this group of optometrists who have successfully passed our
comprehensive examination, the gateway into the maintenance of certification process. These colleagues have
demonstrated their competence beyond entry level and their commitment to quality patient care,” said James M.
Vaught, OD, chairman of the board.
The new Diplomates began their 10-year Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program on Jan. 1, 2014. The ABO now has
2,750 Diplomates and an Active Candidates list of more than 2,500 and growing.
Welcome Relief from ICD-10 (references the AOA; bylined by AOA member Dr. Scott A. Edmonds)
Primary Care Optometry News - Online | Scott A. Edmonds, OD, FAAO | 04/07/2014
Last weekend, I attended Vision Expo East in New York. I am always amazed by the size of the exhibit hall and can
often get a “pulse” of the profession by wandering around and seeing which exhibits are “hot” and which are “cold.”
In years past, I have often seen a great deal of traffic at the frame vendors. This year, I noted less traffic in that area
but an uptick in visitors to the high-end diagnostic instruments. Optometrists seemed to be making comparisons and
taking advantage of show specials. In general, this seemed consistent with a shift to more medical care and away from
the traditional frame and lens aspect of optometric practice.
I also noted more exhibitors with electronic medical records and other displays of the management of electronic data.
I spent some time with some of my vendor friends in this space and had an interesting discussion about the thenpending deadline to move from ICD-9 to ICD-10.
John Frangie, M.D., Leading Eye Doctor in West Springfield, MA , Hires Dr. Amy Camerota
(features AOA member Dr. Amy Camerota; references the AOA, the Massachusetts Society of
Optometrists and the New England College of Optometry)
Digital Journal, press release | John Frangie, M.D. | 04/09/2014
West Springfield, MA. John Frangie, M.D., is proud to announce the hire of Dr. Amy Camerota. Dr. Camerota joins the
practice, already known as one of the leading eye doctors in Springfield and West Springfield, Massachusetts, and will
help provide a greater number of services to its growing client base.
Dr. Camerota is a Doctor of Optometry, graduating from the New England College of Optometry in Boston. She has a
variety of clinical experience, including The Family Eye Care Center in Westford, MA, and training at Lahey Clinic,
Dimock Community Health Center, and the VA Hospital in Leeds. She's a member of the Massachusetts Society of
Optometrists and the American Optometric Association.
She completed her undergraduate studies at Western New England University, and is s a native of nearby Westfield,
Massachusetts. Therefore, she's especially happy to serve the surrounding communities, and reside in the area with
her husband and two children.
Grizzlies Set to Host Read to Achieve Celebration for Local Participants (references the
Southern College of Optometry)
NBA.com (Unique Visitors Per Month: 4.7 million) | Joe Murphy | 04/09/2014
MEMPHIS, April 9, 2014 - The Memphis Grizzlies are set to host the 2014 Read to Achieve Celebration presented by
International Paper, Burger King and the Southern College of Optometry on Thursday, April 10 from 10-11 a.m. at
FedExForum. This event is not open to the public.
Grizzlies' players Nick Calathes, Ed Davis and Kosta Koufos along with representatives from International Paper and the
Southern College of Optometry will be on-hand to help reward 3,200 elementary students who have excelled in the
annual program. Students taking part in this year's celebration completed the 2014 Memphis Grizzlies Reading
Challenge by reading at least six books in six weeks. As part of the reading challenge, 56 schools in the Mid-South
participated and collectively read over 20,000 books over the six-week period.
Students from Memphis City Schools, Shelby, Desoto and Fayette Counties will be transported to FedExForum to
celebrate their achievements with the reading challenge. During the celebration, the players will congratulate the
students on a job well done and talk about the importance of education and their personal journeys through college.
The students will also be entertained by Grizz, the Grizz Girls presented by Gold Strike and the Kings of the Court
presented by Sky Zone.
Spring Allergy Advice for Sore Eyes (features the California Optometric Association)
Digital Journal | Tim Sandle | 04/10/2014
Spring is here! As many people are welcoming warmer weather, they are also being reminded of the unwelcome
discomfort of seasonal allergies. The California Optometric Association have contacted the Digital Journal with some
allergy tips.
In keeping with the theme of April being Women's Eye Health & Safety Month (as the Digital Journal has reported), the
California Optometric Association (COA) has provided readers some advice about spring allergeis.
Spring allergies not only cause runny noses and sneezing, they can also affect your eyes. Symptoms of seasonal eye
allergies include itchy, watery eyes, swollen eye lids, dry eye or bloodshot eyes.
Sleepy Eye Optometrist Honored by National Business Network (references the AOA, the
Minnesota Optometric Association, the American Academy of Optometry and the Illinois College of
Optometry; features AOA member Dr. James Hutchins)
The Journal (New Ulm, MN) | Staff | 04/07/2014
DALLAS, Texas - Dr. James Hutchins of Lifetime Eye Care Center in Sleepy Eye, Minn., received recognition for his
continued commitment to professional development at a recent meeting of Cleinman Performance Network.
Hutchins is celebrating his 10th year in the network.
Hutchins graduated from Luther College in 1976, and he received his Doctor of Optometry degree from the Illinois
College of Optometry in 1980. He has practiced optometry in Sleepy Eye since receiving his degree. He is a member of
the American Optometric Association and the Minnesota Optometric Association, as well as being a Fellow of the
American Academy of Optometry. He is board certified in ocular diagnostics and therapeutics, with special training in
assessment and co-management of LASIK surgery patients.
Dr. Stein Celebrates 20 years at Chenango Vision Center (features AOA member Dr. Glenn Stein)
Evening Sun - Online (Norwich, NY) | Ashley Biviano | 04/08/2014
This April marks 20 years since Dr. Glenn Stein began practicing optometry at the Chenango Vision Center in Norwich,
NY. Since 1994, Dr. Stein has been helping area families see clearly, and maintain healthy eyes.
“The great thing about practicing for so long in the same location is the relationship you develop with your patients over
the years,” said Dr. Stein. “It is very satisfying to watch your younger patients grow up to now start families of their own,
and to watch parents turn into grandparents. It's like being part of the family.”
John Birdsall, Optician/Owner of Chenango Vision Center, is extremely happy with their long term association and is
excited about the 20 year milestone. “I am thrilled that Dr. Stein chose to settle here in Norwich. We are a perfect match
because we share the same business philosophy: Treat patients with the personal attention they deserve, and success
will follow,” Birdsall said.
New Eye Doc Likes a Challenge (features AOA member Dr. Brad Marcy; references the Midwestern
University Arizona College of Optometry)
Rapid City Journal - Online (Rapid City, SD) | Staff | 04/08/2014
Chadron Vision Center's newest doctor has roots in the northern panhandle, and an eye for a challenge.
Brad Marcy, O.D., returned to the area in July after being away for school and establishing his practice for nearly a
decade.
Marcy did his undergraduate work at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and completed his doctorate in optometry at
Midwestern University in Glendale, Ariz.
Eye Doctor Aims to Inspire Local Students (features AOA member Dr. Brandon J. Wuzzardo)
Daily Journal - Online (Vineland, NJ) | Staff | 04/08/2014
Dr. Brandon J. Wuzzardo, an optometric physician from South Jersey Eye Associates, recently visited Hopewell Crest
School in Hopewell to talk with Julie Stanger's fifth-grade class about the important role that strong visual skills play in
their lives.
Wuzzardo is visiting classrooms throughout the area as part of South Jersey Eye Associates' new vision education
initiative, begun by founders Dr. Robert M. Cole III and Dr. Michael A. Feinstein.
“At SJEA, we're very passionate about the importance of vision education,” Wuzzardo said. “We're offering these
classroom visits to help supplement teachers' curriculums. We tailor the experience for grade levels from elementary
through high school. It's extremely rewarding to be able to share my enthusiasm for something I love with the kids.”
Lakewood Ranch Eye Doctor Seeks More Visibility with Move Near Publix (features AOA
member Dr. Troy Bedinghaus)
Bradenton Herald - Online (Bradenton, FL) | Kathryn Moschella | 04/09/2014
LAKEWOOD RANCH -- Lakewood Family Eye Care, a private practice owned and operated by Dr. Troy Bedinghaus, a
board-certified optometrist, has built a successful business in the Spring Forest Office Park, along State Road 70 just
before the well-traveled Lakewood Walk Shopping Center.
But poor visibility and the high cost of leasing have convinced Bedinghaus to become a property owner rather than a
tenant.
Bedinghaus is the owner of just over two acres of vacant, commercially-zoned property next to the Publix-anchored
shopping center and near 111th Street East and the Manatee County Tax Collector's office. He intends to use a one-acre
portion to build a brand new, 5,158-square-foot eye center and relocate his current practice. The property was
purchased from Schroeder-Manatee Ranch Inc., the developers of the Lakewood Ranch master-planned community.
Movers and Shakers: The Eye Associates' Drs. Han & Burkhardt Achieve Special Certification
(features the ABO and AOA members Drs. Scott Han and Jacqueline Burkhardt)
The Bradenton Times (Bradenton, FL) | Cindy Baxter | 04/10/2014
BRADENTON – The Eye Associates proudly congratulates Scott Han, OD, and Jacqueline Burkhardt, OD, for recently
having been certified as Diplomates in the American Board of Optometry (ABO). Fewer than 10% of ODs in the United
States have earned this prestigious ABO certification, determined by a rigorous certification process and examination.
“I'm very proud of Dr. Han and Dr. Burkhardt's achievement,” commented John Swencki, The Eye Associates' CEO. “I
think that it personifies The Eye Associates' ongoing commitment and dedication to quality patient care.”
Already board certified by the National Board of Examiners in Optometry and the Florida Board of Optometry since
licensure, Drs. Han and Burkhardt have demonstrated to the ABO that they exceed basic requirements and maintain the
appropriate knowledge, skills and experience needed to meet the highest standards of quality eyecare.
The American Board of Optometry's processes of board certification and Maintenance of Certification verifies that the
optometrist is dedicated to providing quality patient care. By studying for and passing a comprehensive examination, the
doctors show that they have reviewed what they learned academically, kept up with new developments and used these
bodies of knowledge to achieve their goals in caring for patients. The ABO's Maintenance of Certification program calls
upon optometrists to demonstrate their commitment to lifelong learning.
Digital Eye Strain (features the AOA)
WTXL-TV (Tallahassee, FL) | Staff | 04/10/2014
A growing problem among Americans is digital eye strain and it’s reported in 70 percent of computer users according to
the American Optometric Association (AOA.) They say headaches, eye pain, redness, watering and double vision are all
associated with the condition, but there are some things you can do to help avoid it. The AOA recommends taking
frequent breaks from the computer and focusing your eyes on a distant object across the room; blinking often; and
taking your vitamins and nutrients.
OPTOMETRY CARES—THE AOA FOUNDATION
Pediatric Optometrists Provide Free Eye Exams for Babies (features InfantSEE; quotes AOA
member/InfantSEE provider Dr. Yin Tea; references the AOA and Nova Southeastern University)
WPLG-TV (Miami, FL) | Andrea Torres | 04/10/2014
Lexi Katzman's parents wear glasses. They know that she may need them one day too, so they are taking advantage of a
free eye exam program available in South Florida.
Optometrists warn that many eye conditions don't have symptoms that a regular medical check-up can detect, so it's
important for babies to start getting eye exams when they are six-months-old.
"It's critical for me to see and get my hands on every baby I can to make sure they are going in the right direction," said
Dr. Yin Tea, a Nova Southeastern University pediatric optometrist.
April 11-17, 2014
WEEKLY MEDIA
Children's Eye Care is an Essential Health Benefit (features the Minnesota Optometric Association;
quotes AOA member Dr. Larry Morrison)
Detroit Lakes Newspapers - Online (Detroit, MN) Lakes | Staff | 04/13/2014
Children's eye and vision care is one of the ten essential health benefits covered in the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which
became effective in January 2014.
Starting in 2014, all new and state exchange-based health plans must cover an annual comprehensive eye exam and
treatment, including eyeglasses, from birth to at least age 18. Parents should check with their health plan for details.
For the first time, the federal government is recognizing eye health care for children as essential and is linking both
medical eye care and vision care together under the same plan.
Tennessee Governor Signs Bill Allowing ODs to Inject Anesthetics (references the Tennessee
Association of Optometric Physicians; quotes AOA member Dr. Jeff Foster)
Primary Care Optometry News- Online | Nancy Hemphill | 04/11/2014
Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam signed into law on Tuesday legislation permitting optometrists in the state to inject local
anesthesia for certain procedures.
According to amendment #4 of SB 220, Tennessee optometrists can use local anesthesia by injection with procedures
such as needle drainage of an abscess, excision of certain epidermal lesions, incision and curettage of a nonrecurrent
chalazion, repair of certain eyelid lacerations and removal of certain foreign bodies.
The Tennessee Association of Optometric Physicians (TAOP), in a statement provided to Primary Care Optometry News,
said, “Since 1993, injectable-certified optometric physicians have been able to inject medications only therapeutically.
Also since 1993, eyelid procedures were only able to be performed with topical anesthetic agents such as lidocaine gel.”
Kentucky College of Optometry Names Andrew Buzzelli, OD, MS, Founding Dean (features AOA
member Dr. Andrew Buzzelli and the University of Pikeville-Kentucky College of Optometry; references the
Kentucky Optometric Association, the Kentucky State Board of Optometry, the Rosenberg School of
Optometry, the Illinois College of Optometry, the State University of New York and Salus University)
PIKEVILLE, Ky.—The University of Pikeville board of trustees president James Hurley announced the appointment of
Andrew Buzzelli, OD, MS, as the founding dean of the Kentucky College of Optometry on April 3, 2014. Currently serving
as dean and professor of the Rosenberg School of Optometry, Buzzelli will begin in his new position in July. The creation
of the Kentucky College of Optometry, to be the 22nd school of optometry in the U.S., was announced by the University
of Pikeville on Wed., Feb. 26, 2014, as reported by VMail.
“After conducting a highly competitive national search we concluded that Dr. Andrew Buzzelli is the perfect fit and has
all the values that we expect in our founding dean,” said Hurley. “Dr. Buzzelli has the experience, knowledge and passion
to build the University of Pikeville-Kentucky College of Optometry into a national leader in optometric education. We
look forward to Andy joining our UPIKE family.”
Buzzelli received his doctorate in optometry from the Illinois College of Optometry in Chicago, Ill. He holds a Master of
Science degree in child development and visual perception from the State University of New York. He has practiced in
the private health care sector as a specialist in dysfunctions of binocular vision and visual information processing
disorders. Academic appointments include the State University of New York, Salus University, where he was also
appointed to the board of trustees, and Georgian Court University.
Systemic Disease-Induced DED (references the AOA; bylined by AOA member Dr. Mark Ventocilla)
Optometric Management | Staff | 04/15/2014
Treating dry eyes in patients with systemic disease offers many benefits to optometrists. First, when you are the doctor
who recognizes the correlation between a systemic disease and dry eye and provides relief from patient symptoms,
their appreciation for your clinical skills soars, thus increasing retention to your practice.
Second, educating the patient's primary care provider of your diagnosis and treatment options strengthens your
professional rapport: Managing these patients together creates networking opportunities, increases referrals and,
ultimately, boosts your practice revenue.
Lastly, examining case history along with DED may lead you to be the first to discern a patient's systemic etiology,
thereby elevating our profession as a whole.
Dry Eye Disease: Are You Actively Looking for It? (bylined by AOA member Dr. Scot Morris;
references AOA members Drs. William Townsend, Mark Ventocilla and William L. Miller)
Optometric Management | Scot Morris | 04/15/2014
Each of us will look at close to 200,000 ocular surfaces in our careers. That's a lot of eyes. The health of all those eyes is
our responsibility to enhance, monitor and protect. The question is, are we doing everything we can to accomplish this?
I would argue the answer is “no” as dry eye disease (DED), the most common form of ocular surface disease and the
topic of this month's issue, is often overlooked.
Many patients, little diagnosis
Through the years, I have spent a lot of hours on the podium teaching about DED. In this time, I have seen more
patients with the condition than I can count. I never fail to be amazed by how many people suffer from this disease in
one form or another.
When you really start asking the right questions, such as “do your eyes burn and water?” and perform DED testing on
these patients, you'll be astounded by the amount of diagnoses too. The problem: Not enough O.D.s are doing this.
12 of the Best Children's Sunglasses (references the AOA)
Madeformums.com | Susie Boone | 04/15/2014
Designer and high street brands, styles for girls, boys and unisex, we pick the finest shades for toddlers, pre-schoolers
and primary schoolers
If you're heading abroad or having a 'Staycation' this summer, be sure to invest in a decent pair of sunglasses for your
child.
Recent research has shown that it's vital to keep your little ones' eyes protected more than ever. According to the
American Optometric Association, children as young as 3 should be wearing sunglasses when playing outside - as up to
80% of exposure to the sun's rays takes place before the age of 18. We've picked out some great sunnies to shield your
child's eyes from the harmful rays.
Early Bird Registration Opens for AOA's Optometry's Meeting Which Will Feature Martin
Short (references the AOA; references Essilor)
PHILADELPHIA—Early bird registration has opened for Optometry's Meeting, which will take place at the Pennsylvania
Convention Center here, Wednesday, June 25, through Sunday, June 29. The American Optometric Association (AOA)
event is breaking with tradition and adding an extra day so attendees have more time to take advantage of all of the
event's offerings, as first reported by VMail March 24, 2014.
In addition to more than 220 hours of CE, more than 200 exhibitors, and an Essilor-sponsored keynote speech by
Olympic gold-medalist figure skater, Scott Hamilton, the event will also include the Hoya-sponsored Celebration of
Optometry, featuring a performance by actor and comedian Martin Short. Known for his work on Saturday Night Live,
particularly for his portrayal of characters Ed Grimley, lawyer Nathan Thurm and “legendary songwriter” Irving Cohen,
Short will entertain attendees during the Celebration of Optometry on Saturday, June 28, 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., in
the Grand Ballroom of the Pennsylvania Convention Center.
The Celebration of Optometry will also recognize the 2014-2015 AOA and American Optometric Student Association
boards of trustees.
Not Just Another Fish Story (bylined by AOA members Drs. Paul Karpecki and Diana Shechtman)
Review of Optometry - Online | Paul M. Karpecki and Diana Shechtman | 04/15/2014
Given the variability inherent within the dry eye population—it can affect just about anyone at any age, and its
potential causes are numerous—obtaining statistically significant findings has been a challenge. Until now? At least in
one aspect of care, perhaps. A nutritional supplement recently accomplished this feat in a randomized, double-masked,
placebo-controlled multicenter trial led by John D. Sheppard, MD, MMSc, and Stephen C. Pflugfelder, MD. In the
HydroEye Study, the researchers evaluated the effects of a dietary supplement on moderate-to-severe dry eye in
postmenopausal women.1 The supplement consisted of black currant seed—a source of gama-linolenic acid (GLA)—
and fish oils, a source of eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid (EPA/DHA), antioxidants and nutrient cofactors.
Efficacy outcomes, assessed at baseline and at four, 12 and 24 weeks, included an Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI)
questionnaire, Schirmer's test, tear break-up time, fluorescein and lissamine green staining, and corneal topographic
indexes. Conjunctival impression cytologies were obtained and immuno-stained for inflammatory biomarkers. The
results showed that the supplement treatment group had significantly improved dry eye symptoms. There was no
progression of ocular surface inflammation, while inflammation worsened in the placebo group. Corneal irregularity, as
measured by topographical indexes, was also maintained with supplement use, while surface irregularity progressed in
the placebo group.
ASCRS Update: CLAO Meeting Promises Enriching Program (references AOA member Karla
Zadnik; references the Ohio State University College of Optometry)
EyeWorld - Online | Cindy Sebrell | 04/17/2014
The Contact Lens Association of Ophthalmologists (CLAO) is sponsoring an International Symposium and
Congress to be held in Toronto, on June 12–14, 2014. The meeting, which will take place at the
InterContinental Toronto Centre Hotel, opens with a Welcome Reception on Thursday, June 12, for all
presenters and attendees. The program includes two days of sessions on June 13 and 14 featuring specialists
from around the globe who will be reporting on the latest in myopia control, advances in medical and surgical
treatment of ocular surface disease, and innovations in contact lens, biometry, and imaging.
Live Gourmet's Living Upland Cress and Grower Pete's Organic Watercress Earn Third-Party
Certification as Antioxidant Superfoods (references the AOA)
PRWeb | Staff | 04/17/2014
Hollandia Produce, LPs' Live Gourmet brand Living Upland Cress and Grower Pete's Organic brand Living Watercress
have been certified as Antioxidant-rich Superfoods based on a laboratory analysis of their antioxidants levels, especially
lutein. Bags of Living Upland Cress and Living Watercress will now feature the Antioxidant Superfood certification label
from SCS Global Services (SCS), a third-party certifier of food quality and safety.
“There are a lot of food products in the marketplace that claim to be rich in antioxidants but very few have any data to
back it up. This certification lets our customers know the levels of healthful antioxidants they are getting in every bag,”
Vincent Choate, Hollandia ‘s Director of Marketing said. “This certification promotes transparency while educating
consumers and will help our products stand out.”
The laboratory testing, conducted by SCS, confirmed that Live Gourmet Living Upland Cress and Grower Pete's Organic
Watercress contain high quantities of lutein, an antioxidant known to fight cancer-causing free radical compounds.
Lutein, which is also found in leafy greens such as spinach and kale, has also been found to support eye health and
vision, according to researchers at the American Optometric Association.
American Optometric Association Search Committee Seeks New Executive Director
(references the AOA; references AOA president, Dr. Mitchell T. Munson; references the AOA's
subsidiaries Optometry Cares, The AOA Foundation and AOA Excel)
Vision Monday - Online | Staff | 04/17/2014
The American Optometric Association (AOA) has begun its search for a new executive director following the
departure of Barry Barresi, OD, PhD, as reported by VMail Dec. 11, 2013. A search committee led by AOA president
Mitchell T. Munson, OD, will evaluate candidates and select finalists for recommendation to the board of trustees.
The executive search firm of Grant Cooper & Associates has been retained to conduct the search.
According to the position overview, the executive director serves the AOA as its CEO, administering the business and
overall management of the AOA and its subsidiaries, Optometry Cares—The AOA Foundation and AOA Excel. The
executive director recommends the formulation of new policies to the board of trustees, provides policy and program
leadership, and implements approved policy within existing guidelines approved by the board of trustees and/or the
House of Delegates. The executive director coordinates staff of approximately 100 employees in carrying out
programs and activities of the association to meet the objectives established by the board of trustees.
Optometry Giving Sight Honors Donors (features AOA member Dr. Mary Anne Murphy; references
AOA members Dr. Bobby Christensen, Dr. Donald Matsumoto, Dr. Randall Yumori, Dr. Gordon Price and
Dr. Moes Nasser)
Primary Care Optometry News - Online | Staff | 04/17/2014
Optometry Giving Sight has established a program called Circle of Sight to recognize contributions made to the
organization, it announced in a press release Monday.
Circle of Sight specifically honors monthly donors who help in providing consistent funding that allows Optometry
Giving Sight to engage in long-term projects, according to the organization.
“I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to visit Tanzania a few years ago," Mary Anne Murphy, OD, Optometry
Giving Sight chair, said in the release. "I can tell you from first-hand experience what an incredible impact Optometry
Giving Sight-funded projects have in underserved communities. Whether it's students who are studying to become
optometrists, local eye care practitioners who are gaining training and resources to run their businesses, or people
who are gaining access to the eye care they need – it is wonderful to know that our monthly donations make all this
happen.”
Expand Your Network (features AOA member Dr. Nhung Brandenburg; references the AOA;
references the Greater Atlanta Optometric Association; references the George Optometric Association)
Review of Optometry - Online | Staff | 04/17/2014
When Nhung Brandenburg, OD, FAAO, was president of the Greater Atlanta Optometric Association (GAOA), she
stood at the door welcoming attendees to local meetings. Each attendee had already received a meticulously detailed
meeting notice from her so that everyone, even new members, could be prepared. “It can be daunting to walk into a
room of 150 people and not know anyone,” she says. “There's less anxiety when you know what to expect.”
As she greeted each doctor, Dr. Brandenburg played the part of connector, introducing new attendees to long-time
members who could mentor them for the evening and grow the network of colleagues even further. Dr. Brandenburg
still has that goal as a George Optometric Association (GOA) Trustee forming the GOA's first networking group for
women ODs, nearly ready to launch. She hopes her colleagues will soon join her for conversation over dinners to
meet new people with similar interests and missions. “If we stay connected as friends, it's easier to band together
and pitch in to accomplish big projects,” Dr. Brandenburg says.
She says she knows firsthand how a small beginning can make a big difference. Fifteen years ago, Dr. Brandenburg
was a new OD in the Atlanta area. She had graduated from The Southern College of Optometry and spent a few years
working in an ophthalmology clinic in Tennessee and Georgia before returning to Atlanta. She had attended a state
GOA meeting as a student, assisting at the registration table and monitoring classes, and she had her first behind-thescenes look. She started by joining the local Atlanta group, where she was warmly received, she recalls. “Some of the
local doctors asked me to come to GAOA and GOA meetings so that they could introduce me to others,” Dr.
Brandenburg says. “It all starts with one person reaching out to another, and then they bring in other people,” which
showed her the power of every single connection.
OD Carves out Time and Place for Research (features AAO member Dr. Linda Morgan; references
AOA member Dr. Helen Boerman; references the Pennsylvania College of Optometry)
Linda Morgan, OD, FAAO, of Kugler Vision in Omaha, Neb., says she feels like she's one of the lucky ODs whose boss is
as interested in writing and research as she is. She and Lance Kugler, MD, along with Ming Wang, MD, PhD, of
Nashville, recently completed the Atlas and Clinical Reference Guide for Corneal Topography. Dr. Morgan, along with
Helen Boerman, OD, FAAO, served as associate editors for the project.
“I approached Dr. Kugler about a year and a half ago for a position in his practice. He wasn't looking for someone, but
I understood his practice and thought I could help him,” she recalls. He and Dr. Wang had already started thinking
about writing a corneal topography book, but they needed someone who would be able to pull information together.
Dr. Morgan, who had worked in refractive surgery practices for 10 years prior, understood pentacam and corneal
topography readings. “That wasn't something I learned through school. That was all on-the-job learning,” she says.
The Atlas has become a manual providing an overview of different topographies in all different aspect of eye care. It
can be used as a reference for contact lens fittings in diagnosing underlying keratoconus or ruling out dry eye, for
example, just as it can be used in pre- and post-operative laser surgeries. The volume became available in November.
“We would like to see it as a reference that sits by the topographer or pentacam. If a practitioner has a question, it
would be easy to double check a diagnosis or find an answer,” she says.
Optometrist Receives Special Recognition: Paul DeWitt Named AFOS Public Health Service
Optometrist of the Year (features AOA member Dr. Paul DeWitt; references the AOA, Ferris State
University and the Armed Forces Optometric Society)
Sault Ste. Marie Evening News (Sault Ste. Marie, MI) | Rachel Osborn | 04/13/2014
For the last 12 years, since June 2002, Paul DeWitt has worked and lived in the southwest. The Brimley native is
currently a staff optometrist at the Tohatichi Health Center in Tohatichi, New Mexico — where he supervises optometry
residents and fourth-year optometry externs.
In mid-March, at an Armed Forces Optometric Society (AFOS) Federal Service Optometry Meeting in Atlanta, DeWitt was
awarded the (AFOS) Public Health Service Optometrist of the Year award.
“I was pretty surprised,” DeWitt said by phone, “because there's lots of other deserving people who could have won the
award. It kinds of puts me in pretty good company, it seems.”
Optometrist Brad Altman opens Aprima (features AOA member Dr. Brad Altman; references the
Tennessee Optometric Association; references the Southern College of Optometry)
Lebanon Democrat - Online | Staff | 04/17/2014
Dr. Brad Altman announces the opening of his Mt. Juliet eye clinic, Aprima, and is now accepting patients.
His practice is at 1002 Pleasant Grove Place, Suite C, about a half mile behind Cheddar's restaurant.
“I chose the name ‘Aprima' because it comes from the Latin word which means ‘of first importance' or ‘above all else,'”
Altman said. “In my practice, eye health is of first importance, and when people have a problem with their eyes, I want
them to think of this company first.”
What's happening from April 15 (references AOA members Dr. Rebecca Chown and Dr. Fraser Horn)
The Dalles Chronicle (Dalles, OR) | Staff | 04/15/2014
EYE CARE: Indian Creek Family Eye Care in Hood River is having a Kids Free Vision Clinic for uninsured kids age 18 and
under Saturday, May 3, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dr. Rebecca Chown and Dr. Fraser Horn will be offering free
comprehensive eye exams and glasses. Time and space is limited so contact Indian Creek Family Eye Care to set up an
appointment today.
A Vision for Giving Back (features AOA member Dr. Keshav Bhat)
Matthews-Mint Hill Weekly (Charlotte, NC) | | 04/11/2014
MATTHEWS – Dr. Keshav Bhat knows what it's like to live in a country without all the benefits of living in the U.S., and
his own experience is a big part of what drives him to give back to others who are less fortunate.
The optometrist, who grew up in India and now heads up Austin Village Eyecare in Matthews, recently ventured back
overseas in a medical mission trip to Grenada to provide eye care to individuals living in poverty.
Bhat joined six other optometrists – including one from Asheville; two from Chicago, Ill.; and three from Canada – for a
nine-day trip with Volunteer Optometric Society for Humanity of North Carolina, or VOSH NC, a nonprofit dedicated to
“improving visual well-being,” according to the organization's website. VOSH NC unites eye doctors, opticians and
volunteers in an effort to provide eye exams, glasses and medications to people living in impoverished areas around
the world.
OPTOMETRY CARES—THE AOA FOUNDATION
You Need to Meet: Dr. Alicia M. Greene (features AOA member/InfantSEE provider Dr. Alicia Greene;
references InfantSEE)
Work It, Lynchburg (Lynchburg, VA) | Staff | 04/14/2014
Tell us the basics: Who are you, what's your company's name, and how long have you been at this company?
My name is Alicia Greene, and I am an optometrist at the Virginia Eye Clinic, PLLC. I joined the staff at Virginia Eye Clinic
in September of 2012 after completing a residency in primary eye care at the Veteran's Affairs Hospital in Salem, VA.
Describe your business — what do you do?
At our optometric practice, the doctors provide full-scope eye and vision care. Optometrists can be thought of as the
“primary care” doctor of the eyes. We provide a wide range of services at our practice to people of all ages. Our
optometrists perform comprehensive eye exams to determine glasses prescriptions, fit contact lenses, and diagnose any
eye health disorders you may have. We also diagnose, manage, and treat a variety of eye health issues that may lead to
risk of blindness if left untreated. Some of the eye diseases we detect and manage include, glaucoma, macular
degeneration, diabetic eye disease, dry eye syndrome, allergic eye disorders, and cataracts. Our office also provides
evaluation and treatment of eye emergencies, and one of our doctors is available on call after hours for our patients
requiring urgent care. Our practice also participates in InfantSEE®, a program that provides one free eye exam to
children under the age of one year to detect any potential vision or eye health problems early. We provide pediatric
exams and offer additional testing of the eye muscles and focusing system of the eye for children and adults with
frequent headaches, learning difficulty, and trouble with reading and the computer.
Video: InfantSEE Program Dr Mary Gregory (features AOA member Dr. Mary Gregory)
YouTube | Dr. Mary Gregory | 04/16/2014
Why would you bring your baby in for an eye exam? Dr Mary Gregory is passionate about vision, development
and the learning process of children. Hear why she feels this program is important for your child and what she
can determine through an eye exam this young.
Great Glasses Play Day, Supporting Families of Children With Eye Problems, Returns for
Third Year (references InfantSEE)
The Oregonian (Portland, OR) | Amy Wang | 04/17/2014
Great Glasses Play Day, an event celebrating kids who wear glasses and eye patches, is back for a third year.
Co-founder Jessica Butler of Banks said in an interview last year that when an infant or toddler has to wear corrective
lenses or a corrective eye patch, it can be an isolating experience for the whole family. The event is meant to offer
support to families and raise awareness about the importance of early vision checks for children.
This year's Great Glasses Play Day is scheduled for 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 3, at the Charles Jordan Community Center,
9009 N. Foss Ave. in Portland. At least 20 other Great Glasses Play Day events are being held the same weekend in other
U.S. cities, Butler said in an email.
April 18-25, 2014
WEEKLY MEDIA
5 Deadly Conditions Often Found in an Eye Exam (references AOA member Dr. Jeff Kenyon; references
AOA member Dr. Paul Williams; references AOA member Dr. April Jasper)
NewsMax - Online | Sue Breding | 04/20/2014
You've heard it said that our eyes are windows to the soul. The truth is they're a window to our body's health.
Eye exams not only make sure we have the correct eyeglass prescription, they can provide a potentially lifesaving early
warning for serious illnesses.
Diabetes: Diabetes can cause abrupt changes in vision, making it suddenly difficult to see either near or close up. This
symptom combined with frequent thirst and urination, may be a sign of diabetes. Michigan optometrist Jeff Kenyon
says general practitioners and endocrinologists rely heavily on eye care providers to find diabetes.
Lower Risk of Degenerative Eye Condition (bylined by AOA member Dr. Christopher Borgman; references
the Southern College of Optometry)
Memphis Daily News - Online (Memphis, TN) | Dr. Christopher Borgman | 04/22/2014
Age-Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD) is the leading cause of blindness among the U.S population older than 50.
A study in 2002 by researchers found that there were 1.6 million Americans with advanced ARMD and that by the year
2020 there will be 2.7 million Americans with advanced ARMD because of the increasing baby-boomer populations.
This study did not take into account the millions of cases of patients around the U.S. with only early and moderate
ARMD, which can also cause vision loss.
Studies have shown that people with the following risk factors are at the highest risk of developing ARMD: increasing
age (older than 75), family history, Caucasian ancestry, females, lighter eye color, history of cigarette/tobacco use and
cumulative light toxicity over one's lifetime.
Google Glass Prescriptions (references the AOA)
Daily News (Wahpeton, ND) | Dr. Jace Picken | 04/24/2014
Google Glass is a portable computer somewhat like a smart phone with a heads-up display that is worn like glasses. The
idea behind wearable gadgets appears to have some staying power – for example watches, wristbands and wearable
baby monitors. Google recently announced prescription lenses may soon be available for Google Glass wearers.
Because optometrists are experts on all things glasses, the American Optometric Association has addressed some
questions related to Google Glass.
Can I drive while wearing Google Glass?
Just as you wouldn't text and drive, you shouldn't use the device while driving.
10 ASCs With Community Outreach & Charity Care Programs (references AOA member Dr. Dean L.
Hartwig; references the AOA; references VISION USA; references InfantSEE)
Becker's ASC Review | Staff | 04/18/2014
Here are 10 surgery centers with charity care programs for underserved populations in their communities.
If you would like to recommend another surgery center for this list, contact Anuja Vaidya at
[email protected].
Boulders Ambulatory Surgery Center (Richmond, Va.). This surgery center has a charity discount policy for uninsured or
underinsured patients who do not qualify for other governmental medical assistance programs. It also includes an
uninsured discount program for patients who do not qualify for Medicaid, charity care or any other discount programs
offered at the center.
15 Healthy Snacks You Should Always Have At Home (references the AOA)
Lifehack | Sara Bonham | 04/21/2014
Healthy snacks can be hard to find, especially when you come home from work after a long day and just feel like eating
junk food for a quick fix. But have no fear! There are more and more healthy snack options today than ever before. This
article will shed light on some new products and ideas to help beat those horrible cravings. And instead of leaving you
with a sugar crash, you will feel clean and energized.
1. Coconut Chips
Yep, coconut is now in a “chip” form! Why try these? Coconut chips are made from a nutrient-dense superfood –
coconut – and are naturally full of flavor! Some brands take fresh slices of young coconut and roast them until they
have this perfect crunch. Watch out for brands that have too many ingredients, though. My favorite are the kinds that
include just three things: coconut, cane sugar, and salt! I would describe coconut chips as not too sweet, slightly savory,
creamy and refreshing; they are super tasty. Lastly, a quarter of a cup contains about 4% of the average recommended
daily iron intake.
Coconut has a high content of saturated fats. Saturated fats are very important for our health and even our brain
function. In fact, saturated fat composes 50% of our cellular membranes and plays a necessary role in strengthening
our cell walls and protecting the inside of each cell.
If the coconut chips you snack on were prepared with virgin coconut oil, they would be considered even more healthy
for you. Virgin coconut oil is a medium-chain saturated fat, and because of this can actually speed up weight loss, lower
cholesterol, and reduce your risk of a heart attack.
The Unique Point of View of One Practitioner Focused on Contact Lenses (features AOA member
Dr. Michael Newman; references the American Academy of Optometry)
Contact lenses continue to be one of the market's more dynamic vision correction categories, with arange of new
materials, designs and modalities that are propelling more premium product solutions for patients.
The Trenton, N.J.-based office of Michael Newman, OD, FAAO, is an eyecare practice limited to the fields of contact
lens and low vision care. The practice leverages Newman's extensive background, from his experience as an Air Force
captain, a researcher, academic professor and practitioner. This Diplomate of the American Academy of Optometry
Contact Lens Section provides an extensive array of choices for his patients.
Said Newman, “Since my practice is limited to contact lenses, my contact lens patients have remained at 100 percent of
our practice revenues. Since I care for those patients as primary care also—I do refer glaucoma cases to another OD,
and retina to a specialty group—those patients who become pseudophakic may not be continuing with contact lenses,
although they continue in my practice for continued primary care. Also post-LASIK patients continue with me. The total
number of patients and practice revenue continues to increase for us, probably due to population growth and refitting
of dropouts, who are still interested in wearing contact lenses and have heard, either by advertising or word of mouth,
about new contact lens modalities.”
Group Dynamics (references AOA members Drs. Glenn D. Ellisor, Bobby Christensen, Mark Uhler, Eric Botts,
Bradley Smith, Lance Anderson, David Wolf, Neil Gailmard, Mark S. Feder, Don C. Railsback, Ronald L. Fiegel, Aaron
Sako, David Golden and Howard Stein)
Vision Monday - Online | John Sailer | 04/21/2014
Navigating an uncharted sea of changes— health care reform, managed vision care, online retailing, corporate
competition—all impacting the existing challenges of running an independent optical business, ECPs are looking to
align themselves in groups that can provide them with a competitive edge.
According to The Vision Council 2013 Buying Group/Independent Practice Alliance Report, currently 41 percent of
respondents in a study conducted in August of last year belong to one buying group or ECP alliance and 29.2 percent of
respondents belong to more than one buying group or alliance. The study also indicated that reliance on buying
groups/alliances is on the increase. More than a third (35.5 percent) indicated that they were relying on buying
groups/alliances more than one year prior to the study, and 36.2 percent said that they would be relying on buying
groups/alliances more over the 12 months following the study.
At the same time, the confusion of health care reform and its alphabet soup of acronyms—the Affordable Care Act
(ACA), accountable care organizations (ACO), electronic health records (EHR), ICD-10, and more—are leading ECPs to
seek guidance from these alliances and buying groups as well. As a result, ECP alliances are expanding their educational
opportunities while some buying groups are becoming hybrid organizations as they also add services to their discounts
and rebates. By adding business management services such as meetings and education, some buying groups are
beginning to look more like alliances. Similarly, by adding “preferred” and “advantage” discount/rebate programs,
alliances are fine-tuning the purchasing portion of their services.
SUNY Optometry's Foundation Honors Two at Annual Gala (references AOA member Dr. David
Heath; references AOA member Dr. Mark Feder; references SUNY College of Optometry; references the SUNY
Optometry Foundation; references Essilor of America)
SUNY Optometry's Optometric Center of NY celebrated the contributions to vision care and to the city of New York at
its annual Gala here on March 29 as the Foundation recognized the contributions of Andrea Dorigo, past president of
Luxottica Wholesale NA and of Edie Lutnick, director of the Cantor Fitzgerald Relief Fund.
In addition, as part of its overall $10 million, multi-year fundraising initiative, the Foundation also announced that it
had received a $250,000 grant from Essilor of America, for its eyewear center (which serves more than 75,000 New
York area residents annually). And, David Heath, OD, SUNY president, also reported a special grant by SUNY NY alumni
Mark Feder, OD, practitioner and founder of the IDOC alliance, to fund a classroom and resources for students.
Dorigo, now president of Brooks Brothers, was honored by event co-chair, Holly Rush, now president of Luxottica
Wholesale, for his work in the vision care field with Luxottica and the OneSight Foundation. Lutnick was recognized by
SUNY Board trustee Barbara Saltzman for her extensive humanitarian relief work for the families of those who lost
loved ones on 9/11 as well as natural disasters like Superstorm Sandy.
Zeiss Northwest Lab Completes Major Upgrade, Celebrates With Grand Re-Opening
(references AOA member Dr. Dan Robison; references the Carl Zeiss Vision-Northwest lab)
Eyecare professionals from throughout the western U.S. visited the Carl Zeiss Vision-Northwest lab on March 20 to
celebrate the completion of Zeiss's two-year, $4 million upgrade of the facility.
The extensive renovation of one of Zeiss's flagship labs includes state-of-the-art freeform surfacing and coating
equipment, a rearrangement of the production floor to improve workflow, and a redesign of office space. All lens jobs
are now surfaced using freeform generators, and overall lab capacity has been more than doubled.
The lab is staffed by 160 employees working three shifts Monday through Friday, supported by 10 dedicated customer
service representatives, and is now capable of fabricating well over a million lenses per year.
Legislation in Tennessee to Allow ODs to Use Injectable Anesthetic (references the Tennessee
Association of Optometric Physicians; quotes AOA member Dr. Jeff Foster)
Bills pass despite vigorous opposition from ophthalmologists
New legislation in Tennessee allows certified optometrists to inject local anesthetic in the eyelid to treat certain
lesions.
The Tennessee Medical Association and Tennessee Academy of Ophthalmology vigorously opposed the bills (HB 555
and SB 220), which ultimately passed in both the House and Senate and were swiftly signed by Tennessee Gov. Bill
Haslam.
Annual Optometric Business Conference Focuses on Education for Business Growth
(references AOA members Drs. Mark Feder, Gary Morgan and Jennifer Stewart)
NORWALK, Conn.—The 2014 Optometric Business Conference hosted by IDOC drew independent eyecare professionals
and their staff from across the country to Atlanta for four days of education. The agenda for the conference covered a
wide span of topics including new technology, preventive eyecare, a review of the current state of health care and
more at the educational event, held April 3 to 6.
During his keynote presentation, titled “The Power of Many,” IDOC CEO Mark Feder, OD, spoke about how, together
united as one group, IDOC members can take great strides in the profession even during uncertain times in health care.
"The world is changing, and we have to do something about it together," Feder said. "We need to protect the future of
independent optometry and our revenue streams so the profession doesn't go the way of independent pharmacy,"
noting that small-business pharmacies are diminishing across the country.
A featured session was a three-part lecture on the consequences of overexposure to blue light and how to help
patients protect themselves from damage. John Nolan, PhD, international Fulbright scholar and author of more than 50
peer-reviewed reports on ocular health and nutrition, provided an overview of the science of blue light damage to the
macula. Adam Berger, MD discussed co-management opportunities for ODs and MDs to prevent the onset of macular
degeneration, while IDOC members Gary Morgan, OD Jennifer Stewart, OD, shared steps for implementation and
education to the practice and patients of new ophthalmic lens technology and nutritional supplements.
Teachers Federation and OneSight, With Help From SUNY Optometry, Launch 'Project
NYSee' for Students (references SUNY College of Optometry)
NEW YORK—New York City's United Federation of Teachers (UFT) and OneSight, a global vision care nonprofit, kicked
off Project NYSee this week, a new partnership providing New York City public school students with sustainable access
to the quality vision care and eyeglasses. Project NYSee will continue as part of The NYC Community Learning Schools
Initiative (NYCCLSI). UFT and OneSight are working with local health partners and The SUNY College of Optometry to
open two self-sustaining school-based vision centers at PS 188 in Brooklyn and PS 18 in the Bronx this fall.
This week, pre-screened students from PS335/MS584 and surrounding schools received comprehensive eye exams
onboard EyeLeen, OneSight's state-of-the-art mobile vision center and optical lab sponsored by EyeMed Vision Care.
“Local doctors, technicians and teams from EyeMed, LensCrafters, Sunglass Hut and other community partners are
volunteering their services to support area children,” said Donna Sullivan, volunteer clinic coordinator and regional
general manager with LensCrafters, who has supported OneSight with employee volunteers and funding since 1988.
In addition to NYC, this year OneSight's Vision Vans will travel to Rochester and Fishkill in New York and will serve
students across 15 other states including California, Colorado, Florida, Indiana, Illinois, Louisiana, Maine, Minnesota,
Missouri, Nevada, Ohio, Utah and Wisconsin.
Blindness Doesn't Keep This Birmingham Golfer Off the Links (references the University of Alabama
at Birmingham School of Optometry; quotes AOA member Dr. Rod W. Nowakowski)
Newswise.com, press release | University of Alabama at Birmingham | 04/23/2014
Newswise — BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Growing up down the street from Charley Boswell, a World War II hero and golf
champion who was blind, inspired Birmingham resident Kerry Stein, who was born without sight and participates
annually in the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry golf tournament.
“It's easier if you've had no sight since birth than if you lose it as an adult because you don't know what you're
missing,” Stein said. “But when you grow up in a public school with all sighted people, you want to be just like them.”
Stein has played golf his whole life.
Blog: The Practicality of Meaningful Use (bylined by AOA member Dr. Scott A. Edmonds; references the
AOA)
Primary Care Optometry News | Scott A. Edmonds, OD, FAAO | 04/23/2014
Along with many of my colleagues, our practice moved to electronic medical records in 2011. This allowed us to take
advantage of the stimulus package offered by the government to those of us willing to be early adaptors.
We did not realize how disruptive this technology would be, and although the stimulus covered the raw cost of the
conversion, it did not cover the reduced patient volume and the wear and tear on the staff and doctors alike. The extra
time required with each patient to complete the chart and the amount of time that doctors sits in front of the patient
with their nose on the screen while stumbling though the typing of volumes of free text is difficult to measure.
That said, things had been improving, and we all made the adjustment. It was our sense that although we had issues,
we were providing more comprehensive care and had better documentation. In addition, we felt that the technology
would improve, and that the long term result would be positive. The senior members of our group see most of the
Medicare patients and we, therefore, followed up with the attestation for stage one meaningful use.
Surprising Impacts Your Hormones Have on Your Vision (quotes AOA member Dr. Albert Pang)
EssilorUSA.com | Staff | 04/23/2014
Women are constantly coping with hormonal changes; and while it's expected that hormones can influence changes in
mood, skin, and weight, experts say female hormones have an impact on vision too.
“Women often experience some changes in their vision during puberty, pregnancy, and menopause as a result of
hormones,” said Albert Pang, O.D., an optometrist and owner, Trinity Eyecare in Plano, Texas.
Estrogen is thought to be the biggest culprit, and most of the hormonally-charged changes in vision occur during
milestone stages of a woman's life.
Stanford Chemicals Develops Lutein & Zeaxanthin Rich Marigold Extract That Could Reduce
The Risk of Chronic Eye Disease (references the AOA)
Digital Journal, press release | Eiman Elkhalifa | 04/23/2014
Stanford Chemicals launches Lutein & Zeaxanthin (L&Z) Rich Marigold Extract today to help reduce the risk of chronic
eye disease. This high purity Lutein & Zeaxanthin Rich Marigold Extract is now safe to be used in food, cosmetics and
health-care applications, and is available for customers in America and Europe.
According to the American Optometric Association, "Lutein and zeaxanthin are important nutrients found in green
leafy vegetables as well as other foods such as eggs. Many studies have shown that lutein and zeaxanthin reduce the
risk of chronic eye diseases, including age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and cataracts. AMD and cataract
incidence are growing. Worldwide, more than 25 million people are affected by age-related macular degeneration and
the formation of cataracts. AMD is the leading cause of blindness in people over age 55 in the Western world and the
incidence is expected to triple by 2025."
Michael Xu from Stanford Chemicals said, "There has been an increasing demand from our customers to introduce a
high purity lutein and zeaxanthin product, which will give significant health benefits to our eyes. However, because of
L&Z's poor solubility in water, it proved to be very difficult to purify. This meant it couldn't be added to drinks or other
products. Stanford Chemicals is thus thrilled to have developed an innovative safe system that has allowed us to
produce L&Z in an extremely pure form, thus widening its applications, and increasing its health benefits. It took an
educated and bright team three years to achieve this result, and we are currently also developing water-soluble Lutein
& Zeaxanthin for drinks companies. We hope that in the future people can enjoy the benefits of Lutein & Zeaxanthin
as a healthy drink option."
United Federation of Teachers and Onesight Announce "Project Nysee" Providing
Sustainable Access to Quality Vision Care for Underserved (references the AOA and SUNY School of
Optometry)
Gnomes National News Service, press release | OneSight | 04/23/2014
NEW YORK, April 22, 2014 /NEWS.GNOM.ES/ — New York City's United Federation of Teachers (UFT) and OneSight, a
global vision care nonprofit that has provided vision care and eyewear to 8.5 million people in underserved
communities since 1988, announce Project NYSee, a new partnership providing New York City public school students
with sustainable access to the quality vision care they need and deserve to see and learn their best.
Project NYSee launches April 23-24 when local students will receive free eye exams and new glasses onboard
OneSight's Vision Van when it parks at PS335/MS584 in Brooklyn. Pre-screened students from PS335/MS584 and
surrounding schools will receive comprehensive eye exams onboard EyeLeen, OneSight's state-of-the-art mobile vision
center and optical lab sponsored by EyeMed Vision Care.
“Local doctors, technicians and teams from EyeMed, LensCrafters, Sunglass Hut and other community partners are
volunteering their services to support area children,” said Donna Sullivan, Volunteer Clinic Coordinator and Regional
General Manager with LensCrafters, who has supported OneSight with employee volunteers and funding since 1988.
“The Clinic team will manufacture the majority of prescriptions onsite ensuring students who visit the Vision Van will
receive their new glasses about 30 minutes after their eye exam. We deeply believe in this cause and are passionate
about using our optical expertise and lab skills to help kids here in New York City and worldwide through OneSight.”
Protective Eyewear Manufacturing in the US Industry Market Research Report Now
Available from IBISWorld (references the AOA)
PRWeb, press release | IBISWorld Inc. | 04/22/2014
Workplace safety regulations largely drive demand for the Protective Eyewear Manufacturing industry's products.
Workplace eye safety standards were first introduced in 1968 by the American National Standards Association (ANSI)
and enforced after the formation of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in 1970. Since then,
more stringent regulations have been developed, the most recent of which were implemented in 2010. As a result of
employers having to comply with new rules, industry revenue has increased over the five years to 2014. However,
revenue growth also depends on industrial, construction and health care activity. When operators in downstream
markets cut employment during the recession, demand for industry products dropped. Accordingly, revenue fell in
2009 but returned to growth in 2010, in line with recovering industrial activity and strong healthcare demand. Over the
five years to 2014, Protective Eyewear Manufacturing industry revenue is expected to grow at an annualized rate of
2.8% to $555.5 million, including an increase of 3.4% in 2014.
According to IBISWorld Industry Analyst Omar Khedr, “Workplace eye safety regulations exist to protect employees
from injury and infection, reduce unnecessary employer costs and maintain productivity.” The National Institute for
Occupational Safety and Health reports that an estimated 2,000 employees per day sustain job-related eye injuries that
require medical treatment. Furthermore, the American Optometric Association estimates that 90.0% of these injuries
could be reduced or prevented with the use of proper eye protection. Industry companies manufacture safety glasses,
protective goggles and face shields to safeguard eyes from debris, chemicals, radiation and blood-borne pathogens.
“About 49 companies manufacture industry products domestically,” says Khedr.
Keep Your Sight Safe (features AOA member Dr. Daniel L. Mannen)
The Daily Guide (Waynesville, MO) | Staff | 04/19/2014
Occasional eye problems are a fact of life, especially for those of us who wear contacts or glasses. But while you don't
want to run to the doctor with every little issue, there are certain seemingly minor symptoms that could be red flags for
serious health problems.
In honor of Women's Eye Health and Safety Month in April, we checked in with Daniel L. Mannen, OD, FAAO, a VSP
Vision Care optometrist in St. Helens, Ore., to get his view on the symptoms that warrant a professional assessment. In
general, he says, “any extraordinary changes in clarity or your field of vision, as well as any pain, should be evaluated
ASAP.” And that means a visit to an eye care pro, specifically. “Eye doctors are uniquely trained and equipped to
properly evaluate, diagnose and treat eye conditions,” he says. “If you have an eye-specific problem, you need an eyespecific doctor.”
Even when people think they have perfect vision, Mannen says, it's important to establish an ongoing relationship with
an eye doctor via annual checkups. “When a doctor is familiar with a patient, he or she can give a more personalized
exam,” he says. “Our eyes are important, and our vision is precious. A long-term relationship with your eye doctor helps
you see well and live your life to the fullest.” Affordable individual vision care programs like VSP Direct help facilitate
that connection with low copays for annual eye exams and access to the largest doctor network in the nation. During
comprehensive eye exams, eye doctors can detect signs of serious conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure
years before symptoms appear.
'Vision Van' Provides Free Eye Exams and New Glasses to Bedford-Stuyvesant School Kids
(references the AOA)
New York Daily News (New York, NY) | Natalie Musumeci | 04/23/2014
Let there be sight!
Visually-impaired kids from a Bedford-Stuyvesant public school got free eye exams and new glasses from a mobile vision
clinic on Wednesday as part of a program geared to help students whose families can't afford eye care.
About 120 elementary and middle school students from Public School 335 and Middle School 584 were individually
screened by eye doctors aboard a 40-foot-long, fully equipped “Vision Van” parked outside the Rochester Ave. school.
Munster is a Center for Health Care Services (quotes AOA member Dr. Jorge Benavente)
Times of Northwest Indiana - Online (Munster, IN) | Staff | 04/22/2014
Community Hospital is undergoing a multimillion dollar expansion, yet they are only one of dozens of cutting-edge
health care providers located within the Town of Munster.
At Benavente Eyecare, Dr. Jorge Benavente has been providing quality eye exams for hundreds of patients.
“We have the experience and are up-to-date on the latest materials and services,” he says. “Patients here know their
eyes are well taken care of.”
Minority Children Most Likely to Suffer from Astigmatism (references the AOA)
Voxxi.com (Coral Gables, FL) | Hope Gillette | 04/25/2014
Hispanic, African-American and Asian preschoolers are more likely than their non-Hispanic white peers to be diagnosed
with astigmatism, a condition of the eyes resulting in blurry vision.
According to the data entitled the “Optometry and Vision Science” study, more than 4,000 test participants were
evaluated with comprehensive eye examinations. Children ages 3-5 were given monocular visual acuity testing, cover
testing and cycloplegic retinoscopy, according to the study.
The results revealed 17 percent of all participants presented with astigmatism, with minority children making up the
bulk of those found to have the eye issue. African-American children experienced astigmatism at 17.4 percent; Asian
children were diagnosed with astigmatism at a rate of 18.2 percent, and Hispanic children–who had the highest rate of
astigmatism–presented at 22.2 percent. Only American Indians had a lower rate compared to non-Hispanic whites (11.4
percent) at 7.9 percent.
Lutein and Zeaxanthin Cut Eye Disease Cost (references the AOA)
Natural Products INSIDER (Phoenix, AZ) | Christopher Shanahan | 04/24/2014
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and cataracts are serious ophthalmic conditions that threaten the vision of a
large percentage of the world's elderly population and pose a significant financial burden. In 2012, the total direct
medical costs associated with AMD and cataracts, plus the related expected costs of post-procedure nursing
care/assisted living services, was estimated at almost USD $17 billion in the United States.
In order to combat these dire trends and the associated financial implications, many products in the dietary supplement
market space have sought to address this growing need, and they have the growing science. Lutein and zeaxanthin have
promising scientific backing to support its claims for helping in the management of ARED (age-related eye disease). For
example, some studies have demonstrated that lutein and zeaxanthin use among AMD patients leads to an increase in
macular pigment and improved visual acuity (Am J Ophthalmol. 2012 Oct;154(4):625-634.e1). Other studies have shown
a link between high dietary intake of lutein and zeaxanthin with decreased risk of AMD (Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2012
Nov 27;53(12):7855-61).
However, the U.S. government does not recognize recommended daily intake levels for lutein and zeaxanthin, but the
American Optometric Association (AOA) suggests 10 mg/d of lutein and 2 mg/d of zeaxanthin benefits eye health based
on results of recent scientific studies.
Diet, Cold Compresses, Fish Oil, Preservative-Free Drops Help Reduce Eye Allergy Symptoms
(features AOA member Dr. Karoline Munson; references the Kentucky Optometric Association)
KyForward.com | Staff | 04/19/2014
As spring hits full bloom, the unwelcome discomfort of seasonal eye allergies aren't far behind.
The colors of spring – with the green grass and yellow daffodils – all too often include the red of allergy sufferers'
bloodshot eyes. Other spring allergy symptoms include swollen eye lids, dry eye, or itchy, watery eyes.
According to the Kentucky Optometric Association, irritation occurs when the eye comes in contact with pollen, dander,
smog and mold. The body's immune response includes the release of the chemical histamine, which causes the redness,
burning and itching associated with eye allergies.
Local Business Briefs (features AOA member Dr. Douglas Safley; references the ABO)
Great Falls Tribune (Great Falls, MT) | Staff | 04/24/2014
Dr. Douglas Safley of Havre, an optometrist, is now board certified by the American Board of Optometry.
He passed the ABO's board certification examination administered in January.
Safley completed an accredited residency or a series of post-graduate activities.
A Few Facts About Glaucoma and Treatment (references the AOA and the UAB School of Optometry;
bylined by AOA member Dr. Zack Steele)
Trussville Tribune (Birmingham, AL) | Zack Steele | 04/23/2014
I often get questions about glaucoma from patients. It's one of the well known eye diseases that many people have
heard about, but may not be sure what the disease is and how it affects vision.
Glaucoma is often a tough disease to diagnose, but eye care professionals have improved their ability to diagnose the
disease with new state-of-the-art equipment.
Glaucoma is an eye disease that's usually caused by an increased amount of pressure in the eye, which causes damage
to the optic nerve. Incidents of glaucoma increase due to age, ethnicity, trauma and family history.
UMSL Student Elected to Optometry's Top US Student Leadership Position (features UMSL School
of Optometry and the AOSA; references the AOA and AOA members Drs. Alan Wegener and Jennifer Redfern)
UMSL Daily (St. Louis, MO) | Ryan Heinz | 04/22/2014
University of Missouri–St. Louis optometry students have a reputation. They're known as leaders.
Devin Sasser, a third-year optometry student at UMSL, is the latest. He has been elected to his field's top student
leadership position in the nation, president of the American Student Optometric Association. He will serve a one-year
term.
Sasser is the second UMSL student to hold the office in the last three years. In fact, over the last five years, 20 percent of
the AOSA's top four officers (president, vice president, secretary and treasurer) have been UMSL students. UMSL's 176
optometry students make up only 2.7 percent of the total national enrollment of optometry students.
Detecting Diabetes Eye Damage Early (quotes AOA member Dr. Ann Elsner; references the Indiana
University School of Optometry)
ThirdAge (San Francisco, CA) | Staff | 04/22/2014
Indiana University researchers have detected new early-warning signs of the potential loss of sight associated with
diabetes. This discovery could have far-reaching implications for the diagnosis and treatment of diabetic retinopathy,
potentially impacting the care of over 25 million Americans. The study was published in April 2014 in the journal
Biomedical Optics Express .
A release from the university quotes lead author Ann Elsner, professor and associate dean in the IU School of
Optometry, as saying, "We had not expected to see such striking changes to the retinas at such early stages.We set out
to study the early signs, in volunteer research subjects whose eyes were not thought to have very advanced disease.
There was damage spread widely across the retina, including changes to blood vessels that were not thought to occur
until the more advanced disease states.”
These important early warning signs were invisible to existing diagnostic techniques, requiring new technology based on
adaptive optics. Stephen Burns, professor and associate dean at the IU School of Optometry, designed and built an
instrument that used small mirrors with tiny moveable segments to reflect light into the eye to overcome the optical
imperfections of each person's eye.
April 25 - May 2, 2014
WEEKLY MEDIA
The 7 Top Things Doctors Want You to Know (features AOA member Dr. Jim Sheedy)
SheKnows.com (Unique Visitors Per Month: 3.4 million) | Kristin Appenbrink | 04/30/2014
It takes more than just an apple a day to keep the doctor away. There's a lot of advice that doctors want you to know
to help you stay healthy. Here are the top seven facts doctors want women to know about their bodies from head to
toe.
1) Family medical history is important
It's likely that your doctor has asked you questions about your family history in previous checkups, and if you haven't
had the answers, now is the time to get them. While knowing what your parents and even your extended family have
had won't predict your medical future, it can help you and your doctor be on the lookout for specific things. To cover
your bases, find out about the health issues of both your parents — pay attention to things like high blood pressure
and cholesterol, any cancer or chronic illnesses, and if applicable know the cause of death for your grandparents and
parents, along with the age they died, recommends Dr. Yael Varnado, the anesthesiologist and wellness advocate
behind askdoctorv.com. In this case knowledge truly is power.
Don't Use Lip Balm on Eyelids (features the AOA)
The Lakeland Ledger (blog) (Lakeland, FL) | Robin Adams | 05/01/2014
The American Optometric Association is warning that a new teen trend, using Burt's Bees lip balm on the eyelids
because it gives a tingling sensation, is endangering the eyes.
It poses an increased risk of conjunctivitis, better known as pink eye. Germs from the lip balm can transfer to the eyes.
In addition, the association said, the peppermint oil in the balm that creates the tingling sensation will irritate the eyes.
Irritation, redness or swelling can result.
Sterline saline rinses can alleviate the symptoms, the association said, also recommending a follow up visit with an eye
doctor. In rare cases, if the lip balm has been exposed to cold sores caused by the herpes virus, getting it in the eye will
cause vision problems.
New Teen Trend: "Beezin" (features the AOA)
The Columbian (Vancouver, WA) | Marissa Harshman | 05/01/2014
Teens have come up with a new trend to add to the list of crazy ideas like swallowing spoonfuls of cinnamon and
snorting crushes Smarties.
The latest: “Beezin.”
That's when kids take Burt's Bees lip balm and slather it on their eyelids to achieve a tingling sensation from the
peppermint oil ingredient.
Study Supports Safety of Antimicrobial Peptide-Coated Contact Lenses (references the American Academy
of Optometry)
ScienceDaily | Staff | 04/26/2014
Contact lenses coated with an antimicrobial peptide could help to lower the risk of contact lens-related infections,
reports a study in Optometry and Vision Science, official journal of the American Academy of Optometry.The journal is
published by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, a part of Wolters Kluwer Health.
Studies in animals and now humans support the biocompatibility and safety of lenses coated with the antimicrobial
peptide melimine, according to the new research by Debarun Dutta, B.Optom, of The University of New South Wales,
Sydney, and colleagues. They write, "This study has shown that melimine coated contact lenses can be safely worn by
humans without any major side effects."
Synthetic Coating Designed to Mimic Natural Infection-Fighting Peptides
The researchers performed a series of experiments to evaluate the safety of contact lenses coated with melimine,
designed to reduce the risk of inflammation and infections. Melimine is not an antibiotic -- rather, it is a "cationic
peptide" with broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity.
Sponsorship Deadline Approaching for Focus on Eye Health Summit in Washington D.C. (references the
AOA, the AAO and Transitions; features Prevent Blindness)
CHICAGO—While a wide-ranging roster of sponsors have signed on to support the goals of the upcoming Prevent
Blindness Focus on Eye Health Summit , to be held June 18 in Washington D.C., there are a few weeks left for others to
join in by the May 15 deadline, organizers said. The Summit is scheduled to take place at the National Press Club in
Washington, D.C. and will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
In conjunction with the Summit, Prevent Blindness will also hold the ninth annual Eyes on Capitol Hill event, aimed to
bring those impacted by vision loss and blindness together with their respective government representatives. This will
include a Congressional briefing on June 17 and reception for the Congressional Vision Caucus (CVC) the evening of June
18, according to the association.
Attendees of the Summit will include patient advocates, national vision and eye health organizations, government
representatives and community-based organizations, as reported earlier this year by VMail . At the Summit, Prevent
Blindness will release a new report projecting the potential burden and economic impact of vision problems into the
future.
Sharper image: UH Optometrist Establishes Sports Vision Clinic (features AOA member Dr. Kevin Gee and
the University of Houston College of Optometry; references the American Academy of Optometry)
Sciencecodex.com | Staff | 04/28/2014
The standard eye chart only covers letters and numbers, but athletes need above average vision to track balls hurtling
toward them at alarming speeds. To test those special skills, a University of Houston optometrist has founded the Sports
Vision Performance Center, a facility where athletes perform while a strobe light is flashing, play tag with a board of
lights and engage in other activities designed to improve their visual abilities.
“The biggest problem that athletes face is not knowing they can potentially see much better than 20/20 vision,” said
Kevin Gee, a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry and an assistant clinical professor with the UH College of
Optometry. Gee opened the Sports Vision Performance Center in January to individual athletes and teams from various
sports, and utilizes a range of tests to analyze what is called the “visual system.”
“The visual system is more than just ‘what’s the smallest line on the chart you can see,” Gee said. “The visual system
consists of many things, but specifically for sports, depth perception, color, speed and accuracy of movements and
contrast sensitivity – or the ability to detect an object off a background.”
David Heath, OD, SUNY College of Optometry President, Joins April 30 'Power Hour' (features AOA member
Dr. David Heath; references SUNY College of Optometry and Essilor)
FRANKLIN LAKES, N.J.—David Heath, OD, president of the SUNY College of Optometry, will be the guest on the
Wednesday April 30th edition of the “Power Hour,” the weekly radio broadcast hosted by Gary Gerber, OD, founder of
The Power Practice .
Said Gerber, “OD students graduating with MBA's? Join us as we talk to David Heath, OD, president of the SUNY College
of Optometry, as he discusses their new and very innovative program. Might ODs with MBAs be the answer to much of
what is ailing optometry? After all, with more business acumen, the current challenges we all face should be largely
reduced and better managed. Dr. Heath will provide an educator's perspective on this important topic as well as other
challenges facing optometrists.”
The Power Hour is sponsored by Essilor of America, VSP Global and Optovue. Details about the shows, including how to
listen in and links to previous episodes can now be found online at PowerHourInfo.
Three ODs Selected for the 2014 National Optometry Hall of Fame (features the AOA, Optometry Cares—
The AOA Foundation and AOA members Drs. Arol R. Augsburger, Ron Fair and Karla Zadnik; references the
Illinois College of Optometry, the Illinois Optometric Association, the Colorado Optometric Association, the
Ohio State University College of Optometry and the California Optometric Association)
St. LOUIS—The American Optometric Association (AOA) and Optometry Cares—The AOA Foundation have announced
three AOA member doctors of optometry who have been selected for induction into the National Optometry Hall of
Fame. The honorees will be recognized at a ceremony and reception on Thursday, June 26, at 7 p.m. as part of
Optometry's Meeting, being held June 25 to 29, at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia.
The 2014 inductees include: Arol R. Augsburger, OD, of Chicago, Ill. is president and professor of optometry at the Illinois
College of Optometry. Dr. Augsburger was named Optometrist of the Year by the AOA in 1986 and received a
Distinguished Service Award in 2008. He was also named Keyperson of the Year in 2005 by the Illinois Optometric
Association and Optometrist of the Year in Ohio (1985), Alabama (2000), and Illinois (2007).
Ron Fair, OD, of Brighton, Colo. has served as president of the American Optometric Association (1976), the Colorado
Optometric Association (1968), and the National Academies of Practice (1996-1999). He received a Distinguished Service
Award in 2000 and was named the Colorado Optometric Association's Optometrist of the Year in 1970. He has served
patients in the community of Brighton for more than 50 years.
AOA Warns Against Basketball-Related Ocular Injury (features the AOA; references the NEI; quotes AOA
member Dr. Fred Edmunds)
Optometry Times - Online | Staff | 04/29/2014
St. Louis, MO—The American Optometric Association (AOA) reminds eyecare professionals to educate patients about
basketball vision safety.
The National Eye Institute (NEI) classifies basketball as a high-risk sport for eye injuries.
“Optometrists should be doing everything they can, number 1, to ensure their athlete-patients are fully, visually
optimized for their sport, and number 2, fully protected, especially for those sports that are heavily eye-injury related,”
says Fred Edmunds, OD, vice chair of the AOA's Sports Vision Section. “Basketball is probably the top sport for ocular
injuries across all age groups, from young children to college and professional athletes.”
American Association of Doctors of Optometry Changes Name to Union of American Eye Care Providers
AGOURA HILLS, Calif.—The American Association of Doctors of Optometry (AADO) has been renamed the Union of
American Eye Care Providers. Started during the summer of 2013, as reported by VMail, the AADO was formed because
“independent optometrists can't unionize because we don't have a common employer,” according to founding executive
director Craig S. Steinberg, OD, JD.
According to a statement from the organization, “the new name better conveys what the organization is and what it is
doing, makes clear that the issues of third party control extend beyond just optometry, impacting all providers of
eyecare, and also helps providers understand that the organization is quite distinct from the AOA and does not conflict
or compete with the vital role the AOA plays in representing the profession of optometry.”
“We are also watching closely how the Northwestern University football player case proceeds. If the decision allowing
them to unionize is upheld, we want to be prepared to argue that, like the players being found to be employees of the
university, eyecare providers are de facto employees of vision care plans by virtue of the excessive control the plans
exercise over us,” said Steinberg.
Hollywood Looks Toward Healthier Eyes in Edgy Video Campaign (references the AOA; quotes AOA member
Dr. Michael Dueñas)
PRWeb - Online, press release | Staff | 04/29/2014
Entertainment industry-leading makeup artists and eye-care professionals release dramatic public service campaign with
Entertainment Industries Council targeting dangerous practices with decorative contact lens use in teens and young
adults. The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA), American Optometric Association (AOA) and the Entertainment
Industries Council (EIC) have teamed up with entertainment industry-leading artists from the TV series American Horror
Story on a first-of-its-kind Decorative Contact Lens Campaign to bring the dramatic realities of illegal and unsafe lens use
to the forefront.
Often called “decorative,” “fashion,” or “cosplay” lenses, these contacts change the appearance of the eyes to give them
a vampire, cat, white-out, or alternate color “look.” Used often in Hollywood characters from X-Men to American Horror
Story, and reality shows like FaceOff, eye-changing lenses create certain character traits or appearances that, in some
instances, become iconic and sought-after “looks” by fans.
“Artists and technicians work closely with each other, the actors, and doctors to ensure proper fit, vision and safety. We
wouldn't put our actors' health in danger, and the viewers who want to emulate these characters shouldn't either,” said
technician Christien Tinsley, Tinsley Studios and Makeup Effects Designer for American Horror Story.
Bright Eyes Kids Optometry Office Exclusively for Children Now Open in Tampa (references the AOA; quotes
AOA member Dr. Nathan Bonilla-Warford)
PR.com, press release | Dr. Nathan Bonilla-Warford | 04/30/2014
Tampa, FL, April 30, 2014 --(PR.com)-- Bright Eyes Family Vision Care is opening a vision care clinic in the New Tampa
area. This new location is the only optometry office in Tampa that caters exclusively to children. Bright Eyes Kids will
provide services just to infants, children, and teenagers because children who are still growing have different visual
needs than adults. There are 17 skills necessary for reading and writing in school, with being able to see 20/20 just one
of them.
“Bright Eyes Kids was created to fill a specific need in the community. Many parents tell me they take children to
pediatric dentists because they know that they will be comfortable and well cared for, and they would like the same for
their child's eyes and vision,” says owner Dr. Nathan Bonilla-Warford, who is residency-trained in children's vision.
Bright Eyes Kids offers eye eyes for glasses and contacts lenses for children under 18 years old. There are also specialty
services for kids. Vision therapy is provided for children who are struggling due to reduced visual skills. Orthokeratology
is an option to provide clear vision without contacts or glasses. If parents are worried about their children's vision
getting worse year after year they can take advantage of the latest myopia control options.
Optometry Scope Bills See Progress in Louisiana (quotes AOA member Dr. James Sandefur; references the
Optometry Association of Louisiana)
Primary Optometry Care News- Online | Staff | 04/30/2014
Two bills in Louisiana that would expand optometrists' scope of practice have passed through committee.
The Senate Committee on Health and Welfare passed SB 568 last week by a vote of 7-1, according to James Sandefur,
OD, executive director of the Optometry Association of Louisiana .
The House Committee on Health and Welfare passed HB 1065 on Tuesday by a vote of 10-9, as detailed on the Louisiana
state legislature's website.
Your Desk Job May Be Hurting Your Eyes (references the AOA; quotes AOA member Dr. Robert Meade)
EmpowHER | Staff | 05/02/2014
May is Healthy Vision Month, which makes it a perfect time to evaluate your eye health. If you sit at a desk all day
staring at a computer for your job, you could be in danger of specific eye problems like computer vision syndrome
(CVS) and dry eye syndrome (DES).
According to the American Optometric Association, CVS is a broad category for several vision and eye-related issues
caused by using a computer for long periods of time.
Common symptoms of this syndrome include blurry vision, shoulder and neck pain, headaches, eyestrain and dry eyes,
according to the website.
The Tipping Point (features AOA members Drs. Nina Nghi Doyle and Andrew Doyle; references the
Maryland Optometric Association and AOA members Drs. Tracie King and Jennifer Kungle)
Given the steady rise in recent years in the number of women entering the optometric profession, it was inevitable that
the gender balance in optometry would reach a tipping point, and it has apparently happened first in the state of
Maryland. According to the website healthgrades.com, Maryland now has a 50-50 split in the numbers of male and
female optometrists.
The changing demographics in Maryland do not surprise Nina Nghi Doyle, OD, FAAO, who practices with Crofton Family
Eyecare and serves as second vice president in the Maryland Optometric Association (MOA). She thinks the gender
balance may have shifted more quickly in Maryland because the state is relatively small but has major urban areas
around cities like Baltimore, Annapolis and Washington, D.C.
Those areas tend to have enough jobs to attract two-career couples, especially in the Maryland suburbs near
Washington. “Being near the government has a lot to do with it. My female friends who are optometrists tend to be
married to someone who is a government contractor or who works for the government,” she says.
Doctor Alliance Groups PERC and IVA Endorse Think About Your Eyes Campaign (quotes AOA member Dr.
David Golden)
LOS ANGELES—The Professional Eyecare Resource Co-Operative (PERC) and Infinity Vision Alliance (IVA) announced
their endorsement of the Think About Your Eyes (TAYE) advertising campaign, and are formally encouraging all their
members to join and support the initiative.
According to David Golden, OD, PERC co-founder, “All of us in the vision care community and the profession have
waited too long for a campaign that will educate the public on the need for better eye health and annual
comprehensive exams. Finally, Think About Your Eyes is the real deal. This campaign directly targets the American
consumer via mass media, and is changing public behavior.”
The multimillion dollar TAYE initiative is being conducted by a non-profit subsidiary of The Vision Council. In 2014,
Think About Your Eyes is projected to reach 93 percent of adults aged 25 to 54 through national television, radio, print
and online/digital advertising with strong educational and motivational messages focusing on eye disease, eye strain,
kids' vision and the positive impact of annual eye exams on overall health. National advertising and public relations will
drive consumers to schedule an eye exam and direct them to www.thinkaboutyoureyes.com where they can find a
local Think About Your Eyes member provider.
Keep Your Eyes Healthy Through The Seasons (features AOA member Dr. Dan Levin)
Valley News Live - Online (Fargo, ND) | Staff | 05/01/2014
Dr. Dan Levin from Eyesite on 43rd says there are many tips for each problem. As we are entering spring and the flowers
start to bloom, for many through the valley that means dry itchy eyes.
Having dry eyes is the number one reason people visit an eye care professional. But there is a difference between
allergies and consistent dry eyes. Dr. Levin says if symptoms are only happening during allergy season he recommends
using an antihistamine to ease comfort.
Optometrist say eating proper nutrition will also help with dry eyes. Foods like fish are packed with Omega 3 fatty acids
that help combat the issue.
Lawmakers Vote on Bill to Give Optometrists More Leeway for Eye Procedures (quotes AOA member Dr.
James Sandefur; references the Optometric Association of Louisiana)
WWL-TV - Online (New Orleans, LA) | Meg Farris | 04/29/2014
NEW ORLEANS -- For a second year, eye doctors packed the legislature.
Optometrists want approval to do laser and some surgical procedures. The ophthalmologists, who are medical doctors,
are concerned for patient safety.
After three hours of testimony in a legislative committee hearing, optometrists won the change to bring their bill to the
House floor by just one vote.
Arizona Optometrists Need Prescription-Writing Ability (bylined by AOA member Dr. Frank Akers;
references AOA member Dr. Annette Hanian and the Arizona Optometric Association)
AZCentral.com (Phoenix, AZ) | Dr. Frank Akers | 04/29/2014
Scottsdale optometrist Annette Hanian met with a patient in her office last June and knew from the outset that the
woman needed immediate medical care.
The woman had immense pressure in her eye, and Hanian realized she had acute angle-closure glaucoma. The condition
requires immediate attention, with the pressure often temporarily relieved by a prescription drug until surgery can
occur. Without relieving the pressure, eyesight can be lost or reduced.
But state law barred Hanian from prescribing Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors, the medicine that would ease the pressure
and reduce the chance for permanent damage. She called five ophthalmologists, but none could see the patient that
day. Finally, an ophthalmologist in Sun City was located, and Hanian's staff drove the woman across the Valley to get the
proper medication.
Online Eye Exams Latest Trend in Telemedicine (references the AOA; quotes AOA member Dr. Tim Sinek)
KPHO-TV - Online (Phoenix, AZ) | Lindsey Reiser | 04/30/2014
Would you trust your eyecare to the click of a mouse? Telemedicine is emerging as the next big thing. But is it the most
accurate?
Optometrist Tim Sinek at the Southwestern Eye Center said, like everything, the eyecare industry is exploring cheaper,
more convenient options. A new trend is online eye exams, which Sinek said are not foolproof.
"A lot of times when patients come in with no complaints, we're finding diabetic problems. We're discovering
hypertension problems," Sinek said.
PowerVision Announces Key Six Month Data from FluidVision™ Pilot Study (references the AOA)
KATV-TV - Online (Little Rock, AR), press release | PowerVision, Inc. | 04/28/2014
BOSTON-The FluidVision lens provides True Accommodation™ by mimicking the eye's natural accommodative process to
change shape and adjust focus the way that young, healthy eyes do. The lens is implanted using the same surgical
techniques as are used with traditional intraocular lenses.
"The ability of this intraocular lens to restore accommodation is truly ground-breaking. If outcomes of the ongoing CE
mark study confirm these extremely promising results, I believe that the FluidVision lens could become the new
standard in cataract and presbyopia surgery," said Professor Roux. "We believe the lens has the power to restore
youthful vision to patients affected by these conditions caused by normal aging and free them from the need to ever
wear glasses or contacts again. Current treatment methods only solve half the problem and many patients must still
wear reading glasses or other corrective lenses to see both near and far. The FluidVision lens would eliminate that need,
and could provide a much sought-after solution to millions of people."
The pilot study included 20 patients who were candidates for cataract surgery and underwent implantation of the
FluidVision lens in one eye. Initial results showed excellent distance vision, averaging better than 20/20 at six-month
follow-up. Visual acuities at intermediate and near were also impressive at six months, approximately 20/25 and 20/33
respectively, when tested in one eye, and allowed patients to read without glasses. The visual outcomes provided by the
lens should improve even more in patients when they have lenses implanted in both eyes. The study also confirmed the
safety of the lens, with no clinical complications or adverse events reported.
Op-Ed: Bills Would Help Eye Patients (bylined by Dr. Gerald Gerdes; references Optometry Association of
Louisiana)
The Daily Comet - Online (Thibodaux, LA) | Dr. Gerald Gerdes | 04/28/2014
Please allow me this opportunity to share some important facts about legislation now being considered by state
lawmakers that is needed to give patients in Louisiana greater access to quality eye care.
House Bill 1065 and Senate Bill 568 allow doctors of optometry to perform safe, common procedures on patients in
Louisiana, saving the patients time and money and creating a better health care climate for eye care. Under the current
laws, patients who need the simple medical procedures in this bill often have to travel outside their parish to see an
ophthalmologist for the procedures — even though optometrists are trained and skilled in these procedures. The added
office visits and travel time are obstacles for patients, increasing time delays and patient costs that sometimes are so
burdensome that patients opt not to seek proper treatment.
As we all know, technology is changing rapidly, and new, better procedures develop almost daily. It is important that
Louisiana's doctors of optometry be allowed to perform these procedures as they become available to give patients
access to the safest, most convenient treatments and procedures available. Also, by passing House Bill 1065 and Senate
Bill 568, Louisiana lawmakers will keep in step with other states that already allow doctors of optometry to perform
these common procedures.
Computer Screens, Smartphones and TVs -Blue Light from Electronic Devices Raising Concerns for Eye
Health (references the AOA)
Scoop San Diego (San Diego, CA), matte release | Brandpoint | 04/28/2014
(BPT) - Your morning probably starts off in a routine. You might watch the weather report on your flatscreen TV before
jumping into the shower, answer an email on your tablet shortly after getting dressed, or text a friend while eating
breakfast.
We use our eyes much differently than any generation before us, and dramatic shifts in digital tool usage and media
consumption are exposing eyes to blue light from electronic devices, which could adversely affect your vision in the
future.
Studies show denizens of the digital world are significantly increasing time spent in front of their computers,
smartphones, and other blue light-emitting devices. The average American spends about two hours and 19 minutes
online plus another two hours and 20 minutes conducting non-voice activities on tablets as well as mobile phones every
day, according to a survey by eMarketer, Additionally, recent Nielsen ratings reveal that the average American spends
about 34 hours per week watching live television, and another three to six hours watching recorded programs.
Strive to Make Better Food Choices (references the AOA)
Sioux City Journal-Online (Sioux City, IA) | Dave Dreeszen | 04/28/2014
Whether at work or at home it can be a struggle to make better food choices. There are so many choices out there, but
it can be difficult to determine which one is the better choice.
Eat breakfast: There is no better way to start your day than with a healthy breakfast. Be sure and include lean protein,
whole grains, fruits and vegetables. Try some steel cut oats with low-fat milk, sliced almonds and berries, or top a
toaster waffle with greek yogurt and fruit.
Fruits and vegetables: Make two cups of fruit and two and a half cups of vegetables your goal each day. Those who each
more vegetables and fruits as part of an overall healthy diet are likely to have a reduced risk of some chronic diseases.
Optometrist Obtains Board Certification (features the ABO and AOA member Dr. Joseph W. Fife)
The Spectrum (Saint George, UT) | Staff | 04/26/2014
ST. GEORGE – Dr. Joseph W. Fife, owner of Paradise Canyon Eye Care at 1449 N. 1400 West, Suite 24 off Snow Canyon
Parkway in St. George, has joined a growing community of optometrists in the nation by becoming board certified by the
American Board of Optometry (ABO). Fife passed the ABO's Board Certification Examination administered in January.
To attain this honor, Fife completed a series of rigorous post-graduate activities. He then passed a challenging
computer-based examination on issues spanning the scope of practice of optometry. This achievement earned Fife the
title of Diplomate, American Board of Optometry.
Fife shares why, in addition to his 13 years in practice, he spent nearly an entire year and thousands of dollars preparing
for this seven-hour exam: “I recognize that not every optometrist will make the effort to prepare for and pass this exam.
For me, it came down to what kind of doctor I want to be. I want my patients to have confidence in my abilities to care
for their needs. By preparing for and passing this exam, this demonstrates my dedication to providing the highest care
possible to my patients.”
OPTOMETRY CARES — THE AOA FOUNDATION
Free Vision Exams in May (features InfantSEE; references the AOA and the Michigan Optometric
Association)
Clare County Review (Clare, MI) | Staff | 04/25/2014
Experts from the American Optometric Association and the Michigan Optometric Association (MOA) agree that visual
development is most dramatic between 6 and 12 months of age and that early detection can prevent and help reduce
the threat of serious vision impairments. In fact, one in every 10 children is at risk from undiagnosed eye and vision
problems by the time they are 18 years of age. To raise awareness of this issue and promote visits to optometrists at a
young age, Michigan InfantSEE Week will take place May 5-9, 2014. More than 300 Michigan optometrists participate in
the InfantSEE program, which provides free eye vision assessments for babies, regardless of family income and
insurance.
During the assessment, infants typically sit on their parent's lap as the optometrist performs the exam. The optometrist
uses lights and other hand held objects to check that the infant's eyes are working together and there are no significant
issues that may impede vision development.
Following the assessment, the optometrist will discuss or send a summary of information to the infant's parents,
pediatrician, family physician or other health care provider to report any significant condition diagnosed during the
course of the assessment.
Michigan Optometrists to Offer Free Eye Assessments for Area Infants (features InfantSEE; references the
AOA and the Michigan Optometric Association; quotes AOA member/InfantSEE provider Dr. Jeffrey Kenyon)
Midland Daily News (Midland, MI) | Staff | 04/30/2014
Visual development is most dramatic between 6 and 12 months of age and early detection can prevent and help reduce
the threat of serious vision impairments, according to experts from the American Optometric Association and the
Michigan Optometric Association.
In fact, one in every 10 children is at risk from undiagnosed eye and vision problems by the time they are 18 years of
age. To raise awareness of this issue and promote visits to optometrists at a young age, Michigan InfantSEE Week will
take place from May 5 to May 9. More than 300 Michigan optometrists participate in the InfantSEE program, which
provides free eye vision assessments for babies, regardless of family income and insurance. For participating
optometrists in Midland, call (888) 396-EYES or visit www.infantsee.org and click on the doctor locator link at the top of
the page.
“Early detection can prevent and help reduce the threat of serious vision impairments,” said Dr. Jeffrey Kenyon, MOA
Children's Vision and InfantSEE Committee chair. “Children's vision problems can be completely hidden, a thorough eye
and vision evaluation by an optometrist will ensure problems are detected early and provide the first step to a lifetime
of healthy vision.”
May 2 – May 9, 2014
WEEKLY MEDIA
More Than Just a Prescription (features AOA member Dr. Denis Humphreys)
Time - Online (Unique Viewers Per Month: 6.8 million) | Staff | 05/06/2014
Dr. Denis Humphreys, an optometrist in Sparks, Nevada, remembers the day four years ago when his sister Barbara
dropped by his office after returning from a trip to Disneyland. She had just left the theme park, she said, when a
frightening thing happened; her vision began to get blurry. By the time she reached the airport, she was unable to read
street signs. The next day in her brother's office, her vision still had not returned to normal.
The abrupt worsening of his sister's nearsightedness set off warning bells in Dr. Humphreys' mind. Vision changes are
sometimes linked to systemic illness, which he feared might be the case with Barbara. When he used an optometric
microscope to look into her eyes, his fears were confirmed. Two tiny hemorrhages, the kind often present in people
with diabetes, were visible in the blood vessels of Barbara's retina. A subsequent finger-prick test that Dr. Humphreys
administered himself indicated that her glucose levels were about five times higher than normal.
He phoned Barbara's primary care provider, who immediately scheduled her for an appointment and diagnosed her
with diabetes. Diet and medication have since helped her to control her blood glucose levels, and her vision has
returned to normal. Also, thanks to her VSP vision plan, she receives annual exam reminders so she and Dr. Humphries
can monitor her condition. “If she hadn't come in for an eye test when she did, her diabetes might have gone
undetected for quite some time,” said Dr. Humphreys. “The good news is, we caught it early.”
May is UV Awareness Month: Eye Health Organizations Offer Resources to ECPs and Public (features the
AOA, the AAO and Prevent Blindness; references American Eye-Q, The Vision Council and the Opticians
Association of America)
NEW YORK—In observance of May as UV Awareness Month, several eye health organizations, including Prevent
Blindness, the American Optometric Association and the American Academy of Ophthalmology, are offering resources
on eye health and UV safety to ECPs so that they may to educate their patients on ultraviolet radiation and the
importance of protecting the eyes from the sun.
Prevent Blindness is promoting UV awareness and education on their dedicated webpage, preventblindness.org/UV,
which describes the dangers of UV exposure and offers tips for choosing the best UV protection. The page also offers
fact sheets such as a UV Light Awareness Quiz. Some facts Prevent Blindness emphasizes (citing information from the
Environmental Protection Agency and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) are that UV rays can cause problems
with the eyes such as cataract, corneal sunburn, macular degeneration, pterygium and skin cancer around the eyelids,
and among causes of skin cancer, the most common form of cancer in the United States, the most preventable cause is
exposure to UV light.
The American Optometric Association (AOA) is providing continuing education tools to optometrists to help them
better inform their patients about sun-related risks and help guide patients' sunglass purchasing decisions. Through its
SUN Initiative, a program created in partnership with the Opticians Association of America with support from Luxottica
and The Vision Council, the AOA is offering three CE courses—Protect, Prescribe and Present—each available to
members online free of charge in the AOA continuing educations portal, EyeLearn.
AOA, FDA and Hollywood Campaign Warns of Risk from Decorative Contact Lenses (features the AOA)
LOS ANGELES, Calif.—The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA), American Optometric Association (AOA) and the
Entertainment Industries Council (EIC) have teamed with entertainment industry-leading artists from the TV series
American Horror Story on a first-of-its-kind Decorative Contact Lens Campaign to bring the dramatic realities of illegal
and unsafe lens use to the forefront.
Often called “decorative,” “fashion,” or “cosplay” lenses, these contacts change the appearance of the eyes to give
them a vampire, cat, white-out, or alternate color “look.” Used often in Hollywood characters from X-Men to American
Horror Story, and reality shows like FaceOff, eye-changing lenses create certain character traits or appearances that, in
some instances, become iconic and sought-after “looks” by fans.
“The purpose of this important public health campaign is to raise awareness, especially among American youth and
their parents, of the severe consequences that can result from purchasing and using decorative contact lenses that are
not obtained through a valid prescription,” said Helene Clayton-Jeter, OD, health programs coordinator, U.S. Food &
Drug Administration.
Local Eye Care Specialist John Tsue O.D. Joins Leading Comprehensive Practice (features AOA member Dr.
John Tsue; references the AOA and AOA member Dr. Kellen Kashiwa)
PR Newswire, press release | Hawaii Cataract & Laser Institute | 05/05/2014
KAILUA-KONA, Hawaii, May 5, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The Hawaii Cataract and Laser Institute (HCLI) welcomes Dr. John
M. Tsue of Kona to its team of specialized eye doctors. As the owner of his own practice, Eyecare of Kona, the Doctor of
Optometry, born and raised in Hilo, has been providing services to the community for the past 35 years.
He expands the capabilities of his practice with advanced technology from the Hawaii Cataract and Laser Institute.
Joining HCLI brings the opportunity for Dr. Tsue to enhance his services; further developing and extending the
excellence of his practice. His in-depth range of expertise includes treatment for glaucoma, cataracts, and laser visions
correction. Dr. Tsue is a member of the American Optometric Association and was previously a panel doctor for the
Laser Eye Center of Hawaii.
Born and raised in Kona, Dr. Tsue complements the HCLI team with his friendly, local style of business as a longstanding, respected professional. He is focused on offering the local community quality medical care with the benefits
of the latest, most effective techniques and equipment available. Patients can expect the best in customer service with
attention from an experienced and caring staff.
American Optometric Association Extends Pre-Registration for Optometry's Meeting to Today, May 7
(features the AOA; references Essilor)
St. LOUIS—Early-bird registration rates for Optometry's Meeting have been extended through today, May 7, 2014,
according to a release from the American Optometric Association (AOA). The early-bird rates enable AOA member
optometrists and optometric staff to save up to 20 percent on their registration price, adult guests of AOA members
to receive savings of more than 25 percent and children of members (aged 17 and under) to be registered for free,
the Association said.
This year's Optometry's Meeting is being held in Philadelphia on June 25 to 29, 2014.
According to the AOA, the one-time registration price includes all networking events and meals; four days of
continuing education with more than 220 classes; three days' entry to the Exhibit Hall, holding more than 200
vendors; and admittance to popular events, such as Optometry's Meeting Opening General Session (sponsored by
Essilor), Varilux Optometry Student Bowl XXIII (sponsored by Essilor), and Celebration of Optometry (sponsored by
HOYA).
Hollywood Looks Toward Healthier Eyes in Edgy Video Campaign (references the AOA; quotes AOA
member Dr. Michael Dueñas)
The Optical Vision Site | Cathy X. | 05/06/2014
The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA), American Optometric Association (AOA) and the Entertainment
Industries Council (EIC) have teamed up with entertainment industry-leading artists from the TV series American
Horror Story on a first-of-its-kind Decorative Contact Lens Campaign to bring the dramatic realities of illegal and
unsafe lens use to the forefront.
Often called “decorative,” “fashion,” or “cosplay” lenses, these contacts change the appearance of the eyes to give
them a vampire, cat, white-out, or alternate color “look.” Used often in Hollywood characters from X-Men to
American Horror Story, and reality shows like FaceOff, eye-changing lenses create certain character traits or
appearances that, in some instances, become iconic and sought-after “looks” by fans.
“Artists and technicians work closely with each other, the actors, and doctors to ensure proper fit, vision and safety.
We wouldn't put our actors' health in danger, and the viewers who want to emulate these characters shouldn't
either,” said technician Christien Tinsley, Tinsley Studios and Makeup Effects Designer for American Horror Story.
OneSight, SUNY to Open Vision Centers at NYC Public Schools Through Project NYSee (features SUNY
College of Optometry)
New York City—New York City's United Federation of Teachers (UFT) and OneSight, a global vision care nonprofit,
announce Project NYSee, a new partnership providing New York City public school students with access to vision care.
OneSight and The SUNY College of Optometry, in partnership with other local organizations, will open 2 school-based
vision centers at PS 188 in Brooklyn and PS 18 in the Bronx this fall. The OneSight Vision Center at PS188 will be
operated by Lutheran Family Health Centers with sponsorship and volunteer support from LensCrafters, while the
center at PS 18 will be operated by Montefiore Medical Center with sponsorship and volunteer support from Sunglass
Hut.
Each center will serve approximately 5,000 students annually providing comprehensive eye exams, glasses,
adjustments, and medical eye care with an onsite optometrist, ophthalmic technician, and optician. The SUNY College
of Optometry will support the recruitment and hiring of pediatric optometrists, as well as provide 4th year students
to expand capacity and study/report on the impact of healthy vision on academic results.
Diabetic Retinopathy may be Slowed with Low Dose Doxycycline (references the AOA)
DailyRx News | Don Rauf | 05/08/2014
For those with diabetes, eye diseases like diabetic retinopathy are a concern. One anti-inflammatory agent may offer
relief for sore eyes.
Other than controlling blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol, there is no established therapy used to fight
diabetic retinopathy, which is a leading cause of blindness among adults.
Recent research has found that the anti-inflammatory effects of doxycycline in low doses may improve retina
function.
State Optometric Association Installs New President (features the New York State Optometric Association
and AOA member Dr. Christopher J. Colburn; references the AOA and SUNY College of Optometry)
Jamestown Post-Journal - Online (Jamestown, NY) | Staff | 05/03/2014
LAKE PLACID - The New York State Optometric Association elected its new officers during the association's 119th
Annual Meeting held in Lake Placid. Dr. Christopher J. Colburn, O.D, F.A.A.O. was installed as president of NYSOA.
Colburn is with Spectrum Eyecare in Jamestown. He has also served as the association's president-elect, vice
president, treasurer and secretary between 2005-14. In 2009, Colburn received NYSOA's Young O.D. of the Year
Award. He is also the current member of the American Optometric Association's, State Government Relations
Committee and serves on the board of directors for the United Way of Southern Chautauqua County. Colburn holds a
Bachelor of Science degree in biology from Pennsylvania State University and a Doctor of Optometry from SUNY
College of Optometry. He did his family practice residency with the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He lives in
Lakewood with his children.
All officers' terms of office will begin on May 15 and they will serve for a period of one year. The members of the
association gather annually to share knowledge and experience and to build professional networks and relationships.
The NYSOA was founded in 1895 and represents over 1,000 doctors of optometry statewide. It is dedicated to
enhancing the vision care and health of the public and promoting the art and science of optometry. For over 11
decades, it has continued to benefit individual doctors of optometry, the profession and the quality of life of New
Yorkers. NYSOA plays a significant role in how optometry is perceived by other professions, government agencies and
the public at large.
More Than 1,800 Kids Signed Up For Foothill Unity Back-to-School Event (references the Western University
Arcadia Patch (Arcadia, CA) | Nathan McIntire | 05/05/2014
Foothill Unity Center expects to provide backpacks, school supplies, uniforms, and clothing for local kids next month at
its massive back-to-school event at Santa Anita Park and the local charity is still looking for donations.
The 15th Annual Back to School Distribution will be held at the track on Aug. 13 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Because a longtime sponsor has dropped out, Foothill Unity is intensifying its search for donations to cover the cost of the program.
"Our clients know just how important school clothes and supplies are, but simply can't afford to provide them," said
Betty McWilliams, the center's executive director, in a prepared statement. "With the generous support of our
community — via funding, volunteer time, donations and more — we can once more make sure these kids start the
school year on a level playing field, enthusiastic and ready to succeed."
Protect Your Family from Harmful UV Rays (quotes AOA member Dr. James Winnick)
Burlington County Times (Willingboro, NJ); Iosco County News-Herald (East Tawas, MI); El Nuevo Heraldo
(Brownsville, TX); KJAS-FM (Jasper, TX); Rome News-Tribune (Rome, GA); Penticton Herald (Penticton, BC,
CAN); Gasconade County Republican (Owensville, MO); Hutchinson News (Hutchinson, KS); Keene Sentinel
(Keene, NH); Stephenville Empire Tribune (Stephenville, TX); Daily Post-Athenian (Athens, TN); Light And
Champion (Center, TX); Daily Athenaeum (Morgantown, WV); Southern Digest (Baton Rouge, LA)| Staff |
05/05/2014
(StatePoint) Ultraviolet (UV) rays are a danger to skin and eyes year-round, playing a contributing factor to skin damage,
skin cancer and eye disorders like cataracts. With May being UV Awareness Month, it's a great time to take steps to
protect your family.
“The more time you spend outdoors without protecting your eyes, the greater your risk for ocular damage,” says Dr.
James Winnick, an optometrist with VSP Vision Care, the largest not-for-profit vision benefits company in the United
States.
Rather than avoid the problem entirely by seeking refuge inside, take steps to mitigate your risk in the sun.
Computer Screens, Smartphones and TVs - Blue Light from Electronic Devices Raising Concerns for Eye
Health (references the AOA)
The Evening Tribune - Online (Hornell, NY), matte release | Brandpoint | 05/07/2014
(BPT) - Your morning probably starts off in a routine. You might watch the weather report on your flatscreen TV before
jumping into the shower, answer an email on your tablet shortly after getting dressed, or text a friend while eating
breakfast.
future.
online plus another two hours and 20 minutes conducting non-voice activities on tablets as well as mobile phones
every day, according to a survey by eMarketer, Additionally, recent Nielsen ratings reveal that the average American
spends about 34 hours per week watching live television, and another three to six hours watching recorded programs.
Dr. Gary Salak Opens New Practice (features AOA member Dr. Gary Salak; references the AOA, the
Pennsylvania Optometric Association, the Northeastern Pennsylvania Optometric Association and the
Philadelphia College of Optometry)
Moscow Villager (Moscow, PA) | Barbara Grace | 05/06/2014
A new option for vision care is now available in the North Pocono region. Dr. Gary Salak, OD, has fulfilled a longtime
professional ambition of opening his own practice with the founding of Moscow Family Eye Care.
Located at 1256 Church Street in Moscow, Dr. Salak's practice offers a full range of eye care services to address the
needs of people of all ages in a manner that is both professional and individualized.
“I guess our motto would be ‘Personal and professional eye care' because that's what we try to achieve,” said Dr.
Salak.
Opternative Wants to Bring Eye Exams to Your Home (references the AOA)
Crain's Chicago Business | Brigid Sweeney | 05/08/2014
Warby Parker revolutionized how young, savvy consumers purchase eyeglasses. Now a Chicago startup hopes to
transform the way they get eye exams.
Aaron Dallek and Steven Lee, founders of Opternative Inc., say they are developing the first online exam to deliver
an accurate, valid prescription. The idea leaves a lot of onlookers scratching their heads, but investors are
enthusiastic: The company just landed $1 million in seed funding led by Chicago Ventures and New York-based
Tribeca Venture Partners.
“If they can pull this off, it's definitely one of the more innovative and disruptive ideas I've seen come out of
Chicago — and not just Chicago — in a long time,” says Stuart Larkins, Chicago Ventures co-founder and partner.
“This is one of those ideas you get excited about.”
Eye Exams Online, Can it Work? (quotes AOA member Dr. Pamela Lowe)
WGN-TV (Chicago, IL) | Lourdes Duarte | 05/07/2014
These days just about everything can be done online. A Chicago tech start-up is adding a new concept to the list
and it's linked to your health.
Eye exams online, can it work? Dr. Steven Lee came up with a concept that would allow you to have an online eye
exam to generate a prescription for eyeglasses. He partnered with Aaron Dallek to create Opternative. The project
is expected to launch in late summer.
The online eye exam would take about ten minutes and cost an estimated $35.
Is Your Screen Making Your Eyes Hurt? (references the AOA; quotes AOA member Dr. Jason Webb)
Scottsbluff Star-Herald (Scottsbluff, NE) | Irene North | 05/08/2014
Staring at a computer screen all day, your eyes become dry and start to burn. You lose focus as words on the
screen become blurry. Your eyes are begging for help.
Televisions, computers, smartphones, e-readers and gaming systems all put a strain on your eyes. Spending
several hours a day looking at a computer screen increases eye fatigue and reduces productivity.
“Your typical symptoms are eyestrain, headaches, blurred vision, dry eyes and neck, shoulder and back pain,” said
Jason Webb, optometrist at Webb Eye Care.
Amblyopia in Children (references the AOA)
WBNG -TV (Binghamton, NY) (3 airings) | Staff | 05/08/2014
What are the symptoms of amblyopia? Symptoms may include heavily favoring one eye or bumping into things on
one side, but often, the symptoms aren't obvious - when only one eye is affected, the child might not complain.
This is why routine, comprehensive eye exams for children are so important. The American Optometric
Association recommends an exam at age 3, again at 5 and then every year the child is in school. These early exams
help pick up on amblyopia that might otherwise go undetected. The earlier it is detected, the easier it is to treat.
How is amblyopia treated? The first step would be a comprehensive eye exam.
Local Optometrist Expands His Service to the Community (features AOA member Dr. Denis
Humphreys; references the AOA and the College of Optometry at Pacific University)
Daily Sparks Tribune (Sparks, NV) | Farah Vitale | 05/07/2014
While growing up, Denis Humphreys developed a passion for eye care, which led him to start his practice as an
optometrist as well as earn him a seat on the Washoe County District Board of Health.
Humphreys is originally from Montana but he has lived in Sparks since he was 12 years old. He said that as his
nearsightedness progressively got worse when he was younger, he started to realize the importance of vision and
eye health. During his years in college, Humphreys never had any doubts about choosing his career.
“The more I studied, the more I got into my education of optometry. It made me realize how much I actually
enjoyed it,” said Humphreys.
Cataracts Can be Slowed, Treated With Proper Care (bylined by AOA member Dr. Christopher
Borgman; references the Southern College of Optometry)
Cataracts are probably the most common reversible/treatable ocular disease and afflict millions of people in the
U.S. and throughout the world.
Cataracts are technically defined as a clouding of the natural crystalline lens inside the eye. There can be many
causes of cataracts; however, by far, the most common cause is age-related clouding of the lens typically after
many years of excessive sunlight exposure, mainly from UVA/UVB light.
Wearing a good pair of 100 percent UVA/UVB blocking sunglasses is important as this can delay cataract formation
in many people. Fortunately, 100 percent UVA/UVB blocking eyewear/sunglasses are sold almost everywhere
nowadays and can be very inexpensive. In reality, most individuals over the age of 50 probably have at least the
earliest stages of cataract formation, although the cataracts may not be quite advanced enough to be affecting
vision.
Dr. Branning Certified by American Board of Optometry (features the ABO and AOA member Dr.
Jennifer L. Branning)
Ludington Daily News - Online (Ludington, MI) | Staff | 05/07/2014
Dr. Jennifer L. Branning became a Diplomate of the American Board of Optometry after passing the ABO's Board
Certification Exam administered in January 2014. This distinction has been achieved by only 8 percent of
optometrists in the country.
To attain this honor, Branning completed a series of rigorous post-graduate activities, documented extensive
continuing education, participated in review classes and completed a seven-hour computer based examination.
The examination covered all aspects of optometric care including pharmacology, detection and treatment of eye
diseases, glaucoma, cataract and surgical care, pediatrics, contact lenses, use and knowledge of new technology,
and ocular effects of systemic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and thyroid disease.
All optometrists are required to complete pre-professional undergraduate education and four years of
professional education in a college of optometry. Before earning licensure, optometrists must pass the National
Board of Examiners in Optometry examinations as well as state exams. Passing these exams does not award board
certification. The American Board of Optometry certification is designed to assess the knowledge and skills beyond
entry level and to confirm ongoing competence through its Maintenance of Certification Program. To maintain
board certification, Branning will participate in an extensive process that involves completing approved education,
computer assessments, practice improvement exercises and periodic exams to demonstrate competence.
Optometrists Push for More Rights (quotes AOA member Dr. David Metsch)
WWLP-TV - Online (Boston, MA) | Tiffany Chan | 05/07/2014
BOSTON (WWLP) – Optometrists are allowed to diagnose glaucoma in patients, but they can't prescribe
medication, which could cost you more, out of pocket.
They can diagnose and co-manage the eye disease glaucoma, but they aren't allowed to treat their patients
because they're not physicians.
Their only option is to refer patients to an ophthalmologist, who can write prescriptions, and that could cost you
more time and money.
Michigan InfantSEE Week (features InfantSEE)
WLAJ-TV (2 airings: Lansing, MI); WLNS-TV (3 airings: Lansing, MI) | Staff | 05/05/2014
Today begins Michigan InfantSEE Week and some doctors across the state are offering free eye assessments for young
children. Experts say visual development is most dramatic between the ages of 6 to 12 months. They also say early
detection can reduce the risk of serious vision impairments.
May 9 – May 16, 2014
WEEKLY MEDIA
Eye Health: A Summer of Sports Can Be Fun, But Dangerous Without Protective Eyewear (bylined by AOA
member Dr. Dawn Stratton; references the AOA; the Kentucky Optometric Association, the Illinois College
of Optometry and Prevent Blindness America)
KYForward.com (Lexington, KY) | Dr. Dawn Stratton | 05/12/2014
With just a few weeks left in the school year, do you have visions of ballparks in your future? With two young sons, we
basically spend the summer months watching baseball. While I enjoy the games, as an eye doctor, I am always thinking
about eye protection for the players.
Prevent Blindness America reports that hospital emergency rooms treat more than 40,000 eye injuries every year that
are sports related. Even non-contact sports can present inherent dangers to the eyes.
Many eye injuries come from pokes and jabs by fingers and elbows, particularly in games where players are in close
contact with one another. Basketball has an extremely high rate of eye injury, but so does swimming where no flying
objects are involved.
Childhood Reading Struggles: The Answer May Be in the Eyes; COVD Supports International Children's
Vision and Learning Month (quotes AOA member Dr. Ida Chung)
Marketwired, press release | College of Optometrists in Vision Development | 05/09/2014
AURORA, OH --(Marketwired - May 09, 2014) - When a child struggles with reading, parents and teachers often think
that a vision problem might be at the root of the child's problems. A trip to the school nurse or the pediatrician will often
assure them that their child can see just fine or "20/20," and a vision issue is incorrectly ruled out. In some cases parents
will even take their child to an eye doctor and be told everything is fine, despite the fact that their child has an eye
coordination or eye movement disorder.
"The majority of vision screenings and even eye exams are not designed to test for vision problems that interfere with
academic success. It takes specialized testing to identify the majority of vision problems that interfere with reading and
learning," explains Dr. Ida Chung, President of the College of Optometrists in Vision Development (COVD), "It is
important to see the right eye care professional."
Michelle Lovely , 26-year-old hospice social worker, could not agree more as she reflects back on what her early
education was like after having undergone two eye surgeries for strabismus (an eye turn); one surgery was at 18 months
of age and the second at age 6. "I had always struggled with reading," Ms. Lovely shares; "I was in a resource class for
Language Arts in third thru fifth grade because they felt like I needed the extra attention since I was a slow reader. "The
pediatric ophthalmologist told my parents that my vision was pretty good, it was stable, and I didn't require glasses until
later in life; so my parents just thought I was a 'late bloomer' in reading."
American Optometric Association's Optometric Historical Society Welcomes New Members (features the
AOA's Optometric Historical Society; references Optometry Cares-The AOA Foundation and AOA members
Drs. Ronald Ferrucci, Bill Sharpton, John F. Amos, Norman Haffner, Chuck Haine, Irving Bennett, Jay M.
Enoch, Morton Greenspoon and Alfred Rosenbloom)
ST. LOUIS—The Optometric Historical Society (OHS) recently elected its two newest board trustees, Ronald R. Ferrucci,
OD, and Bill Sharpton, OD. In addition, the OHS encourages more practitioners, academics, and others in optometry to
join the organization and help preserve the history of optometry and to honor and study the valuable contributions of
ophthalmic experts.
The purposes of the OHS include encouraging the collection and preservation of materials relating to the history of
optometry, assisting in securing and documenting the recollections of those who have participated in the development
of optometry, and assisting in the care of archives of optometric interest. The OHS also identifies and marks sites,
landmarks, monuments, and structures of significance in optometric development.
In addition to the two new trustees, the OHS board of directors consists of president John F. Amos, OD, MS; vice
president Alden Norman Haffner, OD, PhD; secretary-treasurer Chuck Haine, OD, MS; and trustees Irving Bennett, OD;
Jay M. Enoch, OD, PhD; Morton Greenspoon, OD; and Alfred Rosenbloom, OD.
Charissa Lee, OD Named Director, Education, Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, North America (features
AOA member Dr. Charissa Lee; references the AOA, the California Optometric Association, the Asian
American Optometric Society, SUNY College of Optometry and AOA member Dr. Millicent Knight)
JACKSONVILLE, Fla.—Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc., announced the appointment of Charissa Lee, OD to the role
of director, education, Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc., North America (JJVCI). In this role, Dr. Lee will lead the
development of programs supporting the schools and colleges of optometry across the U.S. She will report directly to
Millicent Knight, OD, head of professional affairs, JJVCI.
“Johnson & Johnson Vision Care is committed to supporting the education of the next generation of optometrists,”
said Dr. Knight. “With the addition of Dr. Lee to our Professional Affairs team, we look forward to working even more
closely with optometry schools to provide students with additional tools and resources they need to become effective,
successful practitioners.”
A graduate of State University of New York, State College of Optometry, Dr. Lee brings over 12 years of hospital-based
and private practice optometry experience to her new position, including providing patient care in diverse settings
ranging from a Veteran Administration hospital to a tertiary eyecare clinic in the city of Hangzhou in eastern China. In
2007, she opened her own private practice in Irvine, Calif.
The Unique Point of View of One OD Focused on Contact Lenses (features AOA member Dr. Michael
Newman; references the American Academy of Optometry)
Vision Monday - Online | Marge Axelrad | 05/13/2014
Contact lenses continue to be one of the market's more dynamic vision correction categories, with a range of new
materials, designs and modalities that are propelling more premium product solutions for patients.
The Trenton, N.J.-based office of Michael Newman, OD, FAAO, is an eyecare practice limited to the fields of contact
lens and low vision care. The practice leverages Newman's extensive background, from his experience as an Air Force
captain, a researcher, academic professor and practitioner. This Diplomate of the American Academy of Optometry
Contact Lens Section provides an extensive array of choices for his patients.
Said Newman, “Since my practice is limited to contact lenses, my contact lens patients have remained at 100 percent
of our practice revenues. Since I care for those patients as primary care also—I do refer glaucoma cases to another OD,
and retina to a specialty group—those patients who become pseudophakic may not be continuing with contact lenses,
although they continue in my practice for continued primary care. Also post-LASIK patients continue with me. The total
number of patients and practice revenue continues to increase for us, probably due to population growth and refitting
of dropouts, who are still interested in wearing contact lenses and have heard, either by advertising or word of mouth,
about new contact lens modalities.”
Remote Screening May Help Detect DME (references the UC Berkeley School of Optometry)
Researchers at UC Berkeley School of Optometry have found that digital photos can help detect hard exudates—a key
early sign of diabetes-related macular edema. Their findings were published in the April issue of Optometry and
Vision Science.
Macular edema is one of the most threatening visual conditions faced by people with diabetes. Unfortunately, about
20% of patients already have early signs of the condition when they're diagnosed, and many aren't under the
continued care of an eye care professional.
The researchers took magnified retinal images of 103 adults with type 2 diabetes who were considered at risk for
macular edema. Researchers did not use drops to dilate the eye and took the images at a public health clinic using
the EyePACS teleophthalmology system. The photos were then sent to eye specialists online, who looked for hard
exudates close to the line of sight as an indicator of clinically significant macular edema.
Arizona ODs Gain Expanded Prescribing Rights (quotes AOA member Dr. Annette Hanian)
Review of Optometry-Online | Staff | 05/15/2014
Optometrists in Arizona can now write prescriptions for several additional medications, including carbonic anhydrase
inhibitors that help glaucoma patients in emergencies. With the new legislation, Arizona joins 40 other states that
allow ODs to prescribe oral glaucoma meds.
“This primarily helps patients in pain or at risk of loss of sight who need urgent care medications,” says Annette
Hanian, OD, legislative chair of the Arizona Optometric Association. “It adds another tool to our toolbox. We're not
treating things that we haven't already treated. This just gives us the ability to respond more quickly in emergency
situations.”
This legislation is particularly critical in Arizona, which has just 320 ophthalmologists but more than 900 ODs.
American Academy of Optometry Launches Online 'Live Learning Center' (features the American
Academy of Optometry)
ORLANDO, Fla.—The American Academy of Optometry (AAO) has announced the launch of a Live Learning Center,
the organization's online resource connecting optometrists and vision scientists with educational session
recordings from AAO annual meetings. The initiative aims to keep both members and non-members abreast of
industry trends while earning CE hours throughout the year.
According to AAO, the Live Learning Center content can be viewed at any time from any internet connected device
and serves as a professional development tool for use between conferences, especially for those who were unable
to attend or missed specific sessions due to scheduling issues.
The recorded sessions are free for Academy members and available for a fee for non-members, and users may
purchase tests for select courses for $25 to claim COPE-approved distance learning credits, AAO said.
Stavros Niarchos Foundation Provides Support for the SUNY College of Optometry's Growing
Community Outreach (features SUNY College of Optometry; quotes AOA members Drs. David Heath
and Richard Soden)
NEW YORK—The SUNY College of Optometry's University Eye Center (UEC) will use a two-year, $200,000 grant,
which was recently provided by the Stavros Niarchos Foundation, one of the world's leading international
philanthropic organizations, to the Optometric Center of New York, the philanthropic arm of the College, to create
and staff a full-time community outreach coordinator. The new coordinator will be responsible for managing and
expanding the UEC's network of ongoing relationships across the New York City community and beyond.
“Enhancing public health through education and service is part of our mission at the College,” said David A. Heath,
OD, SUNY Optometry's president. “We're certainly grateful to the Stavros Niarchos Foundation for partnering with
us in our effort to build on the success that we've had in caring for our community.”
The UEC has been steadily expanding its outreach programs in a variety of different ways recently. Last year, the
clinic's doctors and interns made more than 200 visits to individuals in Manhattan and Queens who are unable to
leave their homes as part of its decades-long “Homebound” program. The College also established a partnership
with the Bowery Mission last year to provide regular, free vision care to those served by the Mission in lower
Manhattan. That program will expand to the Bowery's East Harlem location this spring.
Would You Go on a Blind Date with Your Optometrist? (references the AOA; quotes AOA member Dr.
Ginger Cline)
KSHB-TV (Kansas City, MO) | Jadiann Thompson | 05/09/2014
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Why wait at the doctor's office and overpay for glasses or contacts?
With about $1 million in financial backing, a Chicago based start-up set to launch this fall has the solution.
Aaron Dallek and his partner Steven Lee have created the first online eye clinic, called Opternative. After answering a
few questions, a doctor will write a prescription for glasses or contacts.
Conway Optometrist Elected as President of Arkansas Optometric Association (features AOA member Dr.
Susan DeBlack and the Arkansas Optometric Association; references the AOA, the ABO and the University
of Houston College of Optometry)
Log Cabin Democrat (Conway, AR) | Staff | 05/12/2014
Dr. Susan DeBlack of Conway was elected as the President of the Arkansas Optometric Association during its Annual
Spring Convention at the Marriott in Little Rock, Arkansas, April 24-27. DeBlack practices optometry at DeBlack Eye
Care Center in Conway. DeBlack is a board-certified optometric physician, a diplomate of the American Board of
Optometry. DeBlack is an alumna of the University of Central Arkansas and Optometry School from the University of
Houston.
DeBlack has served on the board of directors since 2008 and has served on many committees of the organization and
serves as an Arkansas delegate for the American Optometric Association House of Delegates. She is married to Dr. Tom
DeBlack and they have a daughter, Susannah.
The Arkansas Optometric Association represents Arkansas optometrists, who provide primary eye care services.
Improving the quality of eye care and vision health and increasing its availability to all Arkansans are primary objectives
of the Association.
In Brief: Tsue Joins Cataract and Laser Institute (features AOA member Dr. John M. Tsue; references the
AOA)
West Hawaii Today-Online (Kailua Kona, HI) | Staff | 05/12/2014
The Hawaii Cataract and Laser Institute welcomed John M. Tsue of Kona to its team of specialized eye doctors. Born
and raised in Hilo, Tsue is the owner of his own practice, Eyecare of Kona, and has been providing services to the
community for 35 years.
He expands the capabilities of his practice with advanced technology from the Hawaii Cataract and Laser Institute. His
expertise includes treatment for glaucoma, cataracts and laser visions correction. Tsue is a member of the American
Optometric Association and was previously a panel doctor for the Laser Eye Center of Hawaii.
Hawaii Cataract and Laser Institute specializes in every type of eye condition, from cataracts to retinopathy, and from
macular edema to glaucoma. It offers comprehensive vision support, providing prescription glasses and contact lenses,
as well as vision corrective surgeries such as LASIK.
Gabriel Achieves Board Certification (features AOA member Dr. Gina Marangoni Gabriel; references the
ABO)
Times Leader-Online (Martins Ferry, OH) | Staff | 05/11/2014
Dr. Gina Marangoni Gabriel has recently met the requirements for Board Certification by The American Board of
Optometry. She is one of only 3,000 ODs to Achieve ABO Board Certification.
To attain this honor, Dr. Gabriel completed an accredited residency or a series of rigorous post-graduate activities. She
then passed a challenging examination on issues spanning the scope of practice of optometry.
This achievement earned Dr. Gabriel the title of Diplomat, American Board of Optometry.
Glaucoma: Early Screening and Treatment Are Key (references the AOA and the AAO)
Pharmacy Times (Plainsboro, NJ) | Yvette C. Terrie, BSPharm, RPh | 05/13/2014
A patient newly diagnosed with glaucoma may have many concerns and questions about this ophthalmic condition.
Although pharmacists are a vital resource for medication information, they can also provide patients with fundamental
resources to help them live with and effectively manage glaucoma.
According to the Glaucoma Research Foundation, an estimated 2.2 million individuals in the United States have
glaucoma; unfortunately, more than 50% of these individuals are unaware that they have glaucoma because there are
typically no warning signs in the initial stages. Results of a study published in the January 2014 issue of Ophthalmology
show that the risk of blindness related to glaucoma 20 years after diagnosis has decreased by 50% due to early
intervention and consistent treatment. Although the results of this study are encouraging, health care professionals
should continue to educate patients about the importance of undergoing glaucoma screenings and adhering to
treatment plans. With an increased awareness of the risk factors and the treatments for glaucoma, many patients may
benefit from early screenings and treatments, thus preventing or decreasing complications such as vision impairment,
loss of peripheral vision, and blindness.
Dr. Francis Pinard, OD, to Open Practice in Morrisville as Dr. David Garbutt Retires (features AOA member
Dr. Francis Pinard; references the AOA, the ABO, the Vermont Optometric Society and Southern College of
Optometry)
Vermont Business - Online (South Burlington, VT) | Staff | 05/15/2014
After 45 years of practice, optometrist Dr. David Garbutt is retiring and transferring his practice to Dr. Francis (Frank)
Pinard of Newport Optical. Dr. Pinard will begin seeing patients at 530 Washington Highway in Morrisville in early May.
The Morrisville office will be a full-time second location for Dr. Pinard and his associates. Ophthalmologist Dr. Mark
Iverson, who shared office space with Dr. Garbutt, will continue to see patients in the Morrisville office.
“We are pleased to welcome Dr. Pinard to our medical community; he brings more than 25 years of experience and, as
a native Vermonter, a tremendous sense of community,” said Mel Patashnick, President of Copley Hospital. “We thank
Dr. Garbutt for his many years of care and service to our community. We wish him and his wife Gail great joy pursuing
their plans of gardening, traveling, and generally enjoying retired life.”
Dr. Pinard is a 1984 graduate of Saint Michael's College and received his doctorate training at Southern College of
Optometry in Memphis, Tennessee. He has been in practice in Newport for over 25 years. He is a member of the
American Optometric Society, the Vermont Optometric Society, and a Diplomate of the American Board of Optometry.
Dr. Pinard is the current President of the Vermont Optometric Association and a delegate to the American Optometric
Association.
Early Vision Screening Vital to Classroom Success (references the Ohio Optometric Foundation; quotes AOA
member Dr. Tracy Needham)
WKBN-TV - Online (Youngstown, OH) | Staff | 05/13/2014
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) – Kids at Kirkmere Elementary in Youngstown had the chance to make sure they are
seeing the world clearly.
The Ohio I See program came to visit Tuesday. About 80 students were screened for vision problems.
The program is hosted by volunteers, with two optometrists who travel the state to check the eyes of kids in need.
Coping with Lazy Eye Hard Work (references the AOA)
York Daily Record - Online (York, PA) | Teresa McMinn | 05/14/2014
Tate Messinger doesn't understand why he has to wear a patch that covers his good eye.
Tate, 3, was born with a cataract, which required surgery.
As a result, for several hours per day he wears a patch over his healthy eye to force his weak eye to gain strength.
Tech Talk (references the AOA)
Taylorsville Times - Online, matte release (Taylorsville, NC) | Brandpoint | 05/14/2014
(BPT) - Your morning probably starts off in a routine. You might watch the weather report on your flatscreen TV
before jumping into the shower, answer an email on your tablet shortly after getting dressed, or text a friend while
eating breakfast.
future.
online plus another two hours and 20 minutes conducting non-voice activities on tablets as well as mobile phones
every day, according to a survey by eMarketer, Additionally, recent Nielsen ratings reveal that the average American
spends about 34 hours per week watching live television, and another three to six hours watching recorded programs.
Letter to the Editor: Happy to See the Promotion of Eye Care for Children (bylined by AOA member Dr.
Ilene Polhemus; references the California Optometric Association, the Santa Clara County Optometric
Association and InfantSEE.org)
San Jose Mercury News (San Jose, CA) | Dr. Ilene Polhemus | 05/16/2014
I read your article, "The Eyes Have It," in the May 2 edition and think it's amazing how passionate those involved with
the Healthier Kids Foundation and the FocusFirst/Impact Alabama program are about early detection of vision
problems.
I applaud all of those who spend countless hours working and volunteering to help children across the country. I was
aware of this program through a member of my Los Gatos Lions Club, but unfortunately, there are no eye doctors
involved with these screenings.
The Santa Clara County Optometric Association sponsors a free vision screening program through the schools that is
administered by volunteer optometrists from local clinics. This program has been in existence for decades and can
detect visual deficiencies, binocular deficiencies, ocular health issues and color vision problems.
Survey Reveals Lack of Knowledge When it Comes to Caring for Infants' Eyes (InfantSEE press release)
PR Newswire, press release (reposts include: Bloomberg Businessweek, CNBC, MarketWatch, Yahoo!
Finance and 294 additional online placements) | InfantSEE | 05/14/2014
ST. LOUIS, May 14, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Vision disorders are the fourth most common disability in the United States
and the most prevalent impairing conditions during childhood. However, according to the American Optometric
Association's (AOA) 2014 American Eye-Q® survey, only 19 percent of parents know that a child should have their first
comprehensive eye assessment by an eye doctor between six and 12 months of age. Visual development is most
dramatic at that stage making it a critical time to detect and treat eye and vision problems before conditions worsen or
cause developmental delays. Tweet: @InfantSEE A child should have their first comprehensive eye assessment by an
optometrist between 6 & 12 months of age. #InfantSEE
To address this need and better educate parents and caregivers, Optometry Cares – The AOA Foundation administers
the InfantSEE® program, a no-cost public health program to provide professional eye care for infants nationwide.
Through InfantSEE®, optometrists provide a one-time, comprehensive eye assessment to infants in their first year of life,
offering early detection of potential eye and vision problems at no cost, regardless of income.
"Even if a child isn't showing any signs or symptoms of problems, there could still be issues with their vision," said Dr.
Glen Steele, chair of the InfantSEE® Committee. "If it's not detected and treated early, a number of eye and vision
conditions can impair an infant's ability to reach important developmental milestones, create lifelong learning and social
problems and even threaten sight."
An Eye Opening Examination for Your Child (features InfantSEE; references the AOA, Optometry Cares® - the
AOA Foundation and NEI)
PerryDaily.com (Perry, OH) | Staff | 05/16/2014
When it comes to our health, we often visit our doctor or nurse regularly to make sure our bodies are healthy. But what
about our eyes? They're not always top of mind, but they're just as important. May is Healthy Vision Month and the
National Eye Institute encourages Americans to make their eye health a priority and educates them about steps they can
take to protect their vision.
Good eye health starts early. Even if no eye or vision problems are apparent, the American Optometric Association
recommends scheduling your baby's first eye assessment at 6 months. The Optometrist will test for excessive or unequal
amounts of nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism; eye movement ability, and eye health problems. These
problems are not common, but it is important to identify children who have them at this young age because the
problems are easier to correct if treatment begins early.
Children can get this first eye assessment for free as part of the InfantSEE® program. InfantSEE® is a public health
program, managed by Optometry Cares® - the AOA Foundation, and is designed to ensure that eye and vision care
becomes an essential part of infant wellness care to improve a child's quality of life. Under this program, participating
optometrists provide a comprehensive infant eye assessment between 6 and 12 months of age as a no-cost public
service. Visit www.infantsee.org to learn more and locate a doctor in your area who can provide the free infant
assessment.
May 16 – May 23, 2014
WEEKLY MEDIA
Sports Safety: Make Eye Protection a Priority for Your Child (bylined by Dr. Derek Cunningham; references
the AOA, American Eye-Q, Prevent Blindness and NEI)
ExpertBeacon.com | Dr. Derek Cunningham | 05/20/2014
Most parents understand the importance of keeping kids safe while playing sports by ensuring their children wear the
proper safety gear, including helmets, shin guards, knee and elbow pads, etc. However, one piece of safety equipment
many parents overlook is protective eyewear.
According to the American Optometric Association’s (AOA) 2014 American Eye-Q® survey, less than half of parents (46
percent) make sure their child wears eye protection when playing recreational or competitive sports. This is alarming
considering some sports-related eye injuries can even cause blindness in children. Fortunately, most eye injuries can be
prevented by wearing proper eye protection.
Rehab is Key for Persons with Low Vision, Macular Degeneration (bylined by AOA member Dr. Erica A.
Hacker)
Western Pennsylvania Healthcare News | Erica A. Hacker, O.D. | 05/16/2014
Incredible progress has been made in the treatment of macular degeneration in the past few years. A groundbreaking
new treatment program uses a tiny telescope that is implanted inside the eye. Injections for exudative, or wet, macular
degeneration are preventing the devastating vision loss that used to accompany this eye disease. But neither
treatment provides a cure and patients still struggle with reading and seeing details.
What can be done for people with reduced vision? Low vision rehabilitation is the answer. It uses special lenses,
magnifiers, tools and techniques to maximize a person's vision so they can do the things they used to do. Maintaining
independence is important to everyone and can be a challenge with vision loss. Low vision rehabilitation allows people
to read the newspaper, prescription bottles and write checks. Adaptations for cooking and working around the house
enable a person with macular degeneration to remain safe in their home.
Anne, an 87 year old with macular degeneration, decided to take part in a low vision rehabilitation program and
learned to use special glasses to write her checks and uses a magnifier to teach her Sunday school class. As Anne said,
“I am so hopeful now.”
How To Pick The Perfect Sunglasses (quotes AOA member Dr. Fraser Horn)
Men's Health South Africa- Online | Staff | 05/19/2014
They're called shades for a reason. Pick the perfect sunglasses, a pair that blocks 99 to 100% of UVA and UVB rays,
absorbs UV up to 400 nanometres, or meets American National Standards Institute UV requirements, says Dr. Lee
Duffner, an ophthalmologist. Then test lens quality: close one eye and move the shades from your forehead to your
face. Repeat with the other eye closed. Do objects shift? “The movement should be minimal and in the same vertical
direction in each lens,” says Fraser Horn, an associate dean of optometry. Here's what you need to commute, compete
or kick back.
Industrial Vision Launches Program to Combat Computer Vision Syndrome (references the AOA)
PR Inside, press release | Industrial Vision Corporation | 05/19/2014
ST. LOUIS, MO – May 19, 2014 – Industrial Vision Corporation announces a new Computer Vision program to combat
the health issues caused by spending long periods of time in front of a computer screen.
Commonly called Computer Vision Syndrome or CVS, too much computer time can result in eyestrain, headaches,
blurred vision, dry eyes, and neck and shoulder strain. Industrial Vision's on-site program helps businesses address
these problems. The program helps to reduce lost time due to CVS while increasing overall productivity.
According to the American Optometric Association, CVS can be caused by poor lighting, glare on the computer screen,
improper viewing distances, poor seating posture, uncorrected vision problems, or a combination of all five. WebMD
sites research stating that computer eye problems are common with between 50% to 90% of people who work at a
computer screen have at least some symptoms of eye trouble.
When It Comes to Sunglasses, Looks Aren't Everything (AOA press release)
PR Newswire (reposts include: Bloomberg BusinessWeek, Market Watch, Yahoo! News and 192 additional
online outlets)| American Optometric Association | 05/20/2014
ST. LOUIS, May 20, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- After much of the United States experienced an extended
"polar vortex" this winter, summer can't come soon enough. As warm weather approaches, many Americans will
gladly shed their winter coats for shorts, flip flops and, most importantly, sunglasses. While many will look for
fashionable eyewear, the most critical factor to keep in mind is making sure sunglasses provide adequate protection
from the harmful effects of ultraviolet (UV) rays. UV radiation, which comes from the sun (and from tanning beds), is
what can cause harm to skin and eyes.
According to the American Optometric Association's (AOA) 2014 American Eye-Q® survey, 41 percent of consumers
do not check the UV protection level before purchasing sunglasses and only 30 percent of Americans said UV
protection is the most important factor when purchasing sunglasses, ahead of glare reduction/comfortable vision (27
percent), style (15 percent), price (14 percent) and fit (9 percent).
"The harmful effects of long-term exposure to UV are a real concern because it can cause damage to the eye, possibly
resulting in cataracts, age-related macular degeneration, or an abnormal growth called Pterygium," said Beth Kneib,
O.D., director of the AOA's Clinical Resources Group.
New York ODs Seek Expanded Scope of Practice (references the New York State Optometric Association;
quotes AOA member Dr. Christopher Colburn)
Optometry Times - Online | Colleen E. McCarthy | 05/20/2014
Albany, NY—New York is one of the two states that have yet to allow optometrists to prescribe certain oral
medications, but the state's ODs are looking to change that.
The New York State Optometric Association recently went to lobby in favor of the bill, which has not made it out of
committee.
“Optometrists in New York are seeking authority to administer and prescribe medication orally that we currently
prescribe topically. There is no difference in potential side effects, drug interactions, or mechanism of action from
what we already prescribe every day,” NYSOA President Christopher Colburn, OD, told Optometry Times. “This
legislation simply permits an additional route of administration for medication that patients in New York require to
most effectively manage their eye conditions. Requiring patients in New York to visit multiple providers, in many cases
utilizing emergency rooms, for conditions that are clearly within optometry's domain, is cumbersome for the patient
and wasteful of healthcare resources. It is inconceivable that residents of New York continue to be denied access to
necessary care that they can receive in 48 other states.”
ASCO Receives Grant from Allergan Foundation to Support Career Video (features the ASCO; quotes AOA
member Dr. Jennifer Smythe; references the Pacific University College of Optometry)
Rockville, MD—The Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO) has received the Focus Grant from the
Allergan Foundation to support ASCO's “Be a Doctor of Optometry: Put Your Future in Focus” video.
“The Allergan Foundation's generous support of our career video is greatly appreciated and demonstrates their
commitment to the future of optometric education and will allow us to continue appealing to the most qualified and
diverse applicants to our schools and colleges,” says Dr. Jennifer Smythe, ASCO president and dean of the Pacific
University College of Optometry. “Our hope is that viewers of the video will learn about the Doctor of Optometry
profession and all it has to offer making a difference in their patients daily lives and excellent work/life balance, to
just name a few. As it says in the video, optometry is limitless.”
The video features students, professors, and doctors of optometry talking about what aspiring optometrists “can
expect from the profession once they graduate as well as demonstrates the caring aspects of the profession and the
more high tech aspects of optometry.”
Dandelions for Overall Health and Improved Liver and Skin Functions (references the AOA)
Naturesupplies.co.uk | Staff | 05/21/2014
You may look at dandelions as just random weeds that children would play with and blow in the wind, but did you
know that dandelions happen to have beneficial effects to your health? The leaves, roots, and sap from this plant
have natural components which can help improve the liver function and manage a variety of skin conditions including
eczema. It was stated by the University of Maryland Medical Center that Native Americans boiled some dandelions in
water and when consumed, it helped with kidney problems, skin concerns, swelling, upset stomachs, and heartburn.
This plant is present in many different parts of the world and has been used as part of local herbal medicine as well.
Here are some of the most noted effects that dandelion has on the body:
• Improves skin health – Dandelions can help manage a variety of skin conditions, including acne and eczema in
particular. Drinking some dandelion juice can help counter acne since it acts as a detoxifier, antioxidant, diuretic, and
stimulant which helps balance hormones while fighting acne-causing toxins in the body. Toxins are brought out of the
skin through sweating, and this in turn helps regulate the activity of pores. Dandelion sap can also be used for topical
application. Since it helps purify the blood, acne breakouts and skin problems caused by blood impurities may also be
avoided.
Google Glass Goes After Prescription Eyewear Market (quotes AOA member Dr. Matthew Alpert)
Los Angeles Times - Online | Salvador Rodriguez | 05/22/2014
Google Glass has an image problem.
Since its debut two years ago, the perception of the wraparound eye-level device has devolved from interesting
futuristic gizmo to invasive spywear tool, despised by privacy advocates and banned in numerous bars and casinos.
Google Inc. even had to post online tips to help customers observe proper etiquette.
Now Google is scoping out a market segment that could boost sales while creating a more mainstream image:
prescription eyeglass wearers. Google recently teamed up with three eye-care providers — including two in
Southern California — to sell its Glass wearable device directly to the public.
Louisiana to Allow ODs to Perform Certain Surgeries (quotes AOA member Dr. James Sandefur;
references the Optometry Association of Louisiana and the Louisiana State Board of Optometry
Examiners)
Baton Rouge, LA—The Lousisiana Legislature recently passed a bill that makes the state the third in the nation to
allow optometrists to perform certain surgeries. The bill has gone on to Governor Bobby Jindal for his signature.
The bill does not provide a list of approved procedures, but rather lists procedures that are still off-limits to ODs,
including:
• LASIK
• PRK
• Administration of general anesthesia
• Penetrating keratoplasty, corneal transplant, or lamellar keratoplasty
• Laser or nonlaser injection into the vitreous chamber of the eye to treat any macular or retinal disease
Eye Imaging Device a Glimpse of the Future, Local Doctor Say (quotes AOA member Dr. David Morrill)
Tooele Transcript-Bulletin - Online (Tooele, UT) | Staff | 05/23/2014
Optometrists in the future may identify early signs of cancer with a digital retinal scan — a painless procedure that takes
just a matter of seconds.
It may sound like science fiction, but the necessary technology already exists, and a local optometrist has already
correctly identified early indicators of cancer — twice.
David Morrill, an optometrist with Oquirrh Mountain Eye Care in Tooele, has detected two cases of cancer in the six
weeks since he acquired an Optimap, a new device that uses lasers to capture wide-lense digital images of the back of
the eye.
Seeing is Believing (quotes AOA member Dr. David Edinger)
The News Herald - Online (Panama City, FL) | Jacqueline Bostick | 05/21/2014
PANAMA CITY — One student who recently received his sight following a revolutionary eye molding technique has
become a believer.
Once the lens properly covered his eye, 18-year-old Jarquez Pryor stood up from his chair to test out his new vision. His
right hand tugged at the bottom of his left eyelid, while his left arm swayed from right to left at every step he took
around the Eye Center of North Florida's office Monday evening.
Residents Get Free Eye, Hearing Tests in Mooresville (references AOA members Drs. Ed Mills and Chuck
Monson)
Lake Wylie Pilot - Online (Clover, SC) | Joe Marusak | 05/21/2014
MOORESVILLE — A cataract left Lori Watkins blind in her right eye, but on Tuesday the Mooresville woman learned she
may soon be able to see again.
Watkins, 53, can't afford health insurance. She and here husband run a small lawn care business, and money is tight
raising three granddaughters.
On Tuesday, she and dozens of other residents who can't afford insurance received free eye and hearing tests from
volunteer eye doctors and audiologists at the Lions International of North Carolina Screening Vision and Hearing Van.
Sunglass Giveaway for Pediatric Patients (features AOA member Dr. Sammy Pelletier)
Hampton Union - Online (Portsmouth, NH) | Staff | 05/20/2014
YORK — York's only optometric practice has launched a sunglass giveaway program for children this spring and summer.
All pediatric patients of York Family Eyecare under the age of 12 receive a free pair of high-quality sunglasses during
their office visit through Labor Day.
YFEC's optometrist/owner, Dr. Sammy Pelletier, has developed this new giveaway program to raise visibility about the
importance of protecting children's vision.
"Ultraviolet exposure from the sun can be particularly harmful to growing eyes, which have less pigment and therefore
less protection than adults' eyes do," Dr. Pelletier advises. "Unfortunately, the damaging effects of this exposure are
cumulative and not reversible, so it's important that our patients learn good habits around using protective eyewear
from an early age."
Diabetes and Importance of Eye Care (bylined by AOA member Dr. Christopher Borgman; references the
Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness within the working population (age 20-65 years old). It's estimated
that 20.8 million people in the U.S. have diabetes and of those, 6.2 million are unaware they even have it. It's estimated
that 12,000-24,000 people go blind from diabetes every year. Unfortunately, with obesity, lack of exercise, and poor diet
control running rampant in America, diabetes is increasing in prevalence among Americans of all ages.
There are two main types of diabetes. Type 1 is the rarest form and is typically defined as insulin dependent as patients
with Type 1 cannot make their own insulin. Insulin is the molecule responsible for naturally decreasing blood glucose
levels in our bodies.
Type 2 is by far the most common, at more than 95 percent, and typically is due to poor responses to insulin secondary
to obesity, lack of exercise, and poor diet.
New Museum Exhibit Feted (references the AOA, the Texas Optometric Association and the Northern Illinois
School of Optometry; features the late AOA member Dr. Mary Elizabeth Wright Armstrong)
Brownwood Bulletin (Brownwood, TX) | Kevin Holamon | 05/29/2014
The Brown County Museum of History annex has added a new exhibit, heralding the life of long-time Brownwood
optometrist Dr. Mary Elizabeth (Mollie) Wright Armstrong.
Armstrong opened her practice in Brownwood in 1899; the first woman optometrist in Texas and second in the country.
A Texas Historical Commission marker was dedicated to her in 2006 and is located at 2701 Austin Ave. in Brownwood.
To formally announce the exhibit to the public, the museum held an afternoon gathering Wednesday, which attracted
several guests. Speaking at the event was author of the book "Texas Dames: Sassy and Savvy Women Throughout Lone
Star History," Carmen Goldthwaite.
Goldthwaite, a journalist for the Brownwood Bulletin from 1966-67, is now an author, columnist, writing teacher and
speaker based from her home in Fort Worth. "Texas Dames" includes a segment documenting Armstrong's personal,
professional and political lives.
Sepich Named Optometrist of the Year (features AOA member Dr. Tracy Sepich and the Pennsylvania
Optometric Association; references the AOA, InfantSEE, the ABO and the Pennsylvania College of
Optometry)
Gant Daily (Clearfield, PA) | Staff | 05/17/2014
PLEASANT GAP – Dr. Tracy Carpenter Sepich, a consulting rehabilitation optometrist at HealthSouth Nittany Valley
Rehabilitation Hospital since 2005, was named the 2014 Optometrist of the Year by the Pennsylvania Optometric
Association (POA) on May 6.
The Pennsylvania Optometric Association “Optometrist of the Year” Award recognizes a member of POA who, through
years of dedicated service to optometry and the public, merits recognition from the optometrists of the state of
Pennsylvania. The winner will be formally announced at POA's award ceremony on Nov. 22.
Within the Pennsylvania Optometric Association, Sepich is currently a member of the Clinical Practice committee,
Legislative Affairs committee and the Pennsylvania House sub-committee, as the representative for the central region
of the state. She is also the current Mid-Counties Optometric Society president.
Kirk Smick, '66, OD '67 Named Fourth Recipient of Kamelia Massih Prize for a Distinguished Optometrist
(features AOA member Dr. Kirk Smick and Pacific University College of Optometry; references the AOA,
the American Academy of Optometry and the Georgia Optometric Association)
PacificU.Edu (Forest Grove, OR) | Joe Lang | 05/17/2014
Pacific University alumnus Kirk Smick, '66, OD '67 has been named the fourth recipient of the Kamelia Massih Prize for
a Distinguished Optometrist. He received the award May 17 at Pacific University's graduate commencement
ceremony.
The honor is named after the late Kamelia Massih, a 1985 Pacific University College of Optometry alumna who passed
away in March 2010 following a three-year battle with cancer.
Massih served her patients and members of her community with a level of compassion and care that exemplifies
Pacific University College of Optometry alumni.
Optometrist Practice Changes Hands (features AOA member Dr. Francis Pinard; references the AOA, the
ABO, the Vermont Optometric Association, the Vermont Optometric Society and Southern College of
Optometry)
Vermont Business - Online (South Burlington, VT) | Staff | 05/21/2014
After 45 years of practice, optometrist Dr. David Garbutt is retiring and transferring his practice to Dr. Francis (Frank)
Pinard of Newport Optical. Dr. Pinard will begin seeing patients at 530 Washington Highway in Morrisville in early May.
The Morrisville office will be a full-time second location for Dr. Pinard and his associates. Ophthalmologist Dr. Mark
Iverson, who shared office space with Dr. Garbutt, will continue to see patients in the Morrisville office.
“We are pleased to welcome Dr. Pinard to our medical community; he brings more than 25 years of experience and, as a
native Vermonter, a tremendous sense of community,” said Mel Patashnick, President of Copley Hospital. “We thank Dr.
Garbutt for his many years of care and service to our community. We wish him and his wife Gail great joy pursuing their
plans of gardening, traveling, and generally enjoying retired life.”
Dr. Pinard is a 1984 graduate of Saint Michael's College and received his doctorate training at Southern College of
Optometry in Memphis, Tennessee. He has been in practice in Newport for over 25 years. He is a member of the
American Optometric Society, the Vermont Optometric Society and a Diplomate of the American Board of Optometry.
Dr. Pinard is the current President of the Vermont Optometric Association and a delegate to the American Optometric
Association.
UPDATE: Groundbreaking Held for UPike College of Optometry (features the University of Pikeville College
of Optometry)
WSAZ-TV - Online (Huntington, WV) | Staff | 05/19/2014
PIKEVILLE, Ky. (WSAZ) Groundbreaking ceremonies on Friday marked the first official step towards the construction of a
new college at the University of Pikeville.
The building will house the College of Optometry and extend the nursing program.
They also plan to add physical therapy and occupational therapy degree programs.
Do Tablets, iPhones Cause Macular Degeneration? (bylined by AOA member Dr. Zack Steele; references the
UAB School of Optometry)
Trussville Tribune - Online (Birmingham, AL) | Dr. Zack Steele | 05/19/2014
Most people are aware that ultra-violet light is harmful to the eye and may lead to cataracts and other eye diseases such
as age-related macular degeneration. Without getting too much into technical stuff, UV light is that portion of the
spectrum of invisible light below 286nm to 400nm. While the primary source of UV light is the sun, other sources include
welder's flash, video display terminals, fluorescent lighting, high-intensity mercury vapor lamps (for night sports and
high-crime areas) and xenon arc lamps. UV light is divided into three segments, which are designated as A, B and C.
UVC (below 286nm) is effectively filtered by the earth's ozone layer. UVB (286-320nm) is that solar energy that is the
cause of sunburn and snow blindness, and is absorbed by the cornea. UVA (320-400nm) is that part of the invisible
spectrum of particular concern to eye care professionals. It's the most damaging of UV radiation and is the radiation
transmitted to the crystalline lens of the human eye, where cataracts form.
Researchers have identified melanin as the substance in the skin, hair and eyes that absorbs harmful UV and blue light.
It's the body's natural sunscreen protection. Higher amounts of melanin afford greater protection against damaging light
rays, which is why fair-skinned people like me, who have little melanin tend to burn. Melanin is also lost as we age. By
age 65, about half of the protection is gone so that we are more susceptible to eye disease such as macular
degeneration. The Schepens Eye Institute reports that “the blue rays of the spectrum seem to accelerate AMD more
than other rays of the spectrum.” Very bright lights such as sunlight or its reflection in the ocean or desert may worsen
macular degeneration. The institute recommends that sunglasses protect against blue/violet and UV light. But here's the
really scary part: Your iPhones, tablets, computers and other devices that are backlit with LED lights are concentrated
blue rays.
Vision Van Gives Students a Clear Outlook (references AOA member Dr. Kimberly Folwarski)
Belleville News-Democrat (Belleville, IL) | Mark Raeber | 05/19/2014
With the aid of her trusty phoropter, Kimberly Folwarski, O.D., gave comprehensive eye exams to 12 Shiloh District 85
students when the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile set up its fully-equipped mobile optometric office at the elementary
school on May 5.
The world is looking a little clearer for a group of Shiloh Dist. 85 students thanks to eye care they received on May 5
when the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile visited the elementary school.
Maureen Burch, RN, BSN, the school nurse, said a dozen children received comprehensive eye exams and if needed a
new pair of eyeglasses and eye health education information when the fully-equipped mobile optometric office visited
the school.
May 23 – May 30, 2014
WEEKLY MEDIA
13 Secrets Your Eye Doctor Won't Tell You (REPOST: quotes AOA members Drs. Stephen Cohen, Andrea
Thau, Janice Jurkus and Paul Harris; references the Arizona Optometric Association, SUNY College of
Optometry and Southern College of Optometry)
Reader's Digest-Online (Unique Visitors Per Month: 1.9 million) | Michelle Crouch | 05/29/2014
Most people know that UV radiation can damage skin, but they don't realize it's also bad for eyes. You wear your
sunglasses only when it's sunny? That's like saying 'I only smoke sometimes.' Wear sunglasses big enough to block the
light from above and below—they should have thick sides or wrap around. If you wear contacts, ask for UV coating. —
Stephen Cohen, OD, past president of the Arizona Optometric Association
Despite what generations of parents have told their kids, carrots aren't the best food for your eyes. That honor goes to
spinach, kale, and other dark, leafy veggies. —Andrea Thau, OD, associate clinical professor at the SUNY College of
Optometry
Polarized sunglasses are great at reducing glare, but they can make it difficult to see the LCD on your cell phone or
navigation system. It's harder to see an ATM screen when you've got polarized sunglasses on too. —Janice Jurkus, OD
Tips for Maintaining Good Eye Health and Healthy Eyesight at Any Age (references the AOA)
NY Wellness Guide (blog) | Staff | 05/29/2014
We all use and abuse our eyes on a daily basis. We constantly stare at our computer screens for hours at the time, we
forget to blink and give our eyes proper breaks so they can rest, we choose to work in spaces lit up by artificial lighting
and completely disregard most of the advice given to us by eye doctors and as the result many adults are experiencing
growing number of eye problems related to our unhealthy lifestyle that causes them.
Everyone wants to have perfect eyesight without doing a lot of work or making adjustments to their unhealthy habits.
One of the leading causes of blindness in people over age 60 is AMD, or age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and
even though this condition doesn't appear until later in life, most of the damage can be traced to previous decades of
unhealthy choices that played a role in contibuting to its development.
It's true that some people seem to develop this and other eye conditions no matter what they do, but in many cases
simple changes to our lifestyle can play a big role in helping us protect ourselves against many health problems that
result from hard living and not taking care of ourselves.
Protect Your Eyes This Summer (references the AOA; quotes AOA member Dr. Stephen Cohen)
Beauty In The Bag - What's In Your Bag (blog) | Dorene Kaplan | 05/23/2014
Wearing sunscreen is a no brainer—we've all seen the data on how UV exposure leads to pre-mature skin aging and,
even worse, skin cancer, including deadly melanoma. But the UVA and UVB rays of the sun also pose risks to your eyes.
Extended exposure can lead to short-term irritation, but also long-term damage.
“In the same way it's important to protect our skin from UV damage, it's also important to protect our eyes. Long-term
exposure to UV can cause damage to the structures in our eyes,” said optometrist Stephen Cohen, OD, of Scottsdale,
AZ. “It's especially important to protect our eyes during the highest UV exposure hours (10am-2pm) and when the sun
is lower in the sky, early in the morning and later in the afternoon.”
According to the American Optometric Association (AOA), exposure to UV radiation over a short period of time can
lead to “sunburn of the eye” called photokeratitis, which may be painful and include symptoms like red eyes, a gritty
feeling, sensitivity to light, and excessive tearing, but is usually temporary and rarely causes permanent damage to the
eyes.
Dr. Brian Davis of Davis Vision Center in South Jordan, UT Emphasizes the Importance of Eye Protection
This Summer (written by AOA member Dr. Brian Davis; references the AOA)
Digital Journal, press release | Dr. Brian Davis | 05/29/2014
Salt Lake City, Utah (PRWEB) May 29, 2014-As the summer months approach and families will be spending more time
outdoors in the coming weeks, Dr. Brian Davis of Davis Vision Center in South Jordan, UT is encouraging patients to be
mindful of protecting their eyes in the summer sun. Sunburned eyes are one of the most common summer injuries, and
the American Optometric Association estimates that about 35 percent of American's are unaware of UV radiation risks.
"During the summertime, especially in Utah, we see that people are very conscious about wearing sunscreen and
making sure their skin doesn't burn, but they aren't as often concerned about the safety of their eyes," said Dr. Brian
Davis. "Just like sun exposure to the skin can cause long-term harm, the eyes can also suffer permanent and long-term
damage because of excessive UV exposure."
While sunglasses are an important element for extended days at the beach or on the lake, Dr. Davis stresses that eye
protection should be worn whenever possible if outside in direct sunlight, even if it's just for a short period of time like
driving in the car or running errands. When purchasing sunglasses, it's important to make sure that they offer UVA and
UVB protection.
More Than 300 American Optometric Association Volunteers Converge on Capitol Hill (features the AOA;
quotes AOA president Mitchell T. Munson; references AOA president-elect David A. Cockrell)
WASHINGTON, D.C.—More than 300 American Optometric Association (AOA) doctor and student volunteers
recently converged on Capitol Hill for optometry's largest gathering of advocacy leaders, AOA's 2014 Congressional
Advocacy Conference. Participating in briefings and forums around the nation's capital and visiting the offices of
every U.S. Senator and House member, the AOA advocates focused a national spotlight on optometry. The event
was led by the AOA board of trustees, its president Mitchell T. Munson, OD, and president-elect David A. Cockrell,
OD.
Top priorities about which attendees pressed lawmakers included: full and fair implementation and enforcement of
the new Harkin Law that bans health plans, including Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) plans, from
discriminating against ODs; safeguarding continued full-physician status for doctors of optometry in Medicare and
ensuring full eligibility for new reform-based physician-level payment incentives; securing new Congressional cosponsors to AOA-backed bills seeking fair treatment for ODs in Federal health programs (H.R. 855, H.R. 920/S. 1445).
The conference began with a special summit on the new pediatric essential health benefit launched earlier this year
as a provision of the Affordable Care Act. ODs were joined for “Optometry's Healthy Vision: The First 100 Days of
Essential Pediatric Eye Health Coverage” by members of Congress, officials from the U.S. Department of Education,
children's health and education advocacy groups, and Jennifer Cross, MD, a leading pediatrician.
Diopsys® NOVA Vision Testing System Crosses 1,000 Office Milestone (references the AOA; quotes
former AOA president Dr. Peter Kehoe)
Digital Journal, press release | Diopsys | 05/30/2014
Pine Brook, NJ (PRWEB) May 29, 2014-Electrophysiology is being adopted by optometrists and ophthalmologists like
never before. Diopsys, Inc., the leader in providing VEP/ERG vision testing devices, has just trained its 1,000th
customer on the procedures and patient benefits of the Diopsys® NOVA Vision Testing System.
Electrophysiological tests, such as visual evoked potential (VEP) and electroretinography (ERG), have largely been
relegated to hospitals and research facilities due to their complex procedures and difficult to interpret results.
Diopsys has simplified the use of VEP and ERG technology by creating a device with an easy-to-use intuitive
interface, standardized testing procedures and easy-to-read reports. These advances allow the office-based eye care
specialist to gain objective, functional information about the vision system that was often too difficult to obtain in
the past.
"Diopsys has developed a VEP and ERG device that far surpasses those most eye doctors are familiar with from
school. The Diopsys® NOVA system gives us the same sophisticated level of results that old devices do, but with easy
to follow protocols and easier to interpret reports," says Dr. Peter Kehoe, former President of the American
Optometric Association.
Choose Sunglasses Carefully to Protect Eyes (references the AOA and the AAO)
Newsday (Melville, NY) (Unique Visitors Per Month: 1.1 million) | Peter King | 05/23/2014
After a brutal winter, thoughts of days at the beach, vacations and fun in the sun are appealing. But while sunscreen can
protect your skin, there is a crucial part of your body that also needs protection from sunlight: your eyes.
The American Optometric Association says sunglasses can help protect your eyes from diseases linked to ultraviolet
radiation, chiefly cataracts and age-related macular degeneration. But not all sunglasses offer the same protection.
Look for sunglasses that block at least 99 percent of all ultraviolet light. This includes UVA and UVB, the two types of
ultraviolet light that can be damaging. This information should be on the label. Some manufacturers have labels that say
"UV absorption up to 400nm." The American Academy of Ophthalmology says this is the same as blocking 100 percent
of UVA and UVB rays.
Dinardo Named Regional Vice Chair for American Academy of Optometry's Admittance Committee
(features AOA member Dr. Amy Dinardo and American Academy of Optometry; references the AOA and
the Michigan College of Optometry at Ferris State University)
Ferris.edu (Big Rapids, MI) | Staff | 05/30/2014
Dr. Amy Dinardo, an associate professor in the Michigan College of Optometry at Ferris State University, has been
named regional vice chair for the American Academy of Optometry's Admittance Committee.
As regional vice chair, Dinardo will provide assistance for candidates applying for a fellowship. A fellowship
demonstrates that a professional was evaluated against the highest standards of professional competence. This
process includes reviewing all application material, reviewing and offering feedback for written materials such as case
reports, research posters and articles. At the end of the fellowship process, Dinardo and two other colleagues are
responsible for an oral examination to decide if candidates will receive the fellowship.
“Every year, I personally assist at least 16 optometrists achieve their professional goal of earning a fellowship of the
AAO,” Dinardo said. “I'm also exposed to brilliant research and I get to meet a lot of highly intelligent people.”
Bill Would Give Optometrists More Flexibility in Treating Patients (quotes AOA member Dr. James
Sandefur)
WAFB-TV - Online (Baton Rouge, LA) | Staff | 05/29/2014
A bill sitting on Governor Jindal's desk would give optometrists more flexibility in treating patients, allowing them to
start performing certain less-complicated eye surgeries.
But it still would not allow them to perform things like Lasik.
As it stands now, eye surgeries can only be performed by ophthalmologists who have medical degrees specializing in
eye care.
3-D Movies can Detect Vision Problems (references the AOA)
Pensacola News Journal - Online (Pensacola, FL) | Mayrene Hernandez, D.O. | 05/29/2014
More blockbuster movies are featuring 3-D technology. This summer is no exception, with offerings including
“Transformers 4,” “The Amazing Spider-Man 2” and “How to Train Your Dragon 2.”
Did you know 3-D movies can serve as a valuable indicator of underlying vision issues among young people and adults?
The American Optometric Association's (AOA) report, “3D in the Classroom,” states that 3-D movies have the potential
to help identify vision problems that might otherwise go unnoticed. This is because 3-D technology requires eyes to
process information in a new way.
According to the report, about one in four children might have vision problems that can be detected with 3-D viewing.
After watching a 3-D movie, look for these “3-D” signs:
• Discomfort – eye strain created when the eyes have trouble working together as a team over long periods of time.
Grand Blanc Eye Doctor is "Optometrist of the Year" (features AOA member Dr. Peter M. Agnon Jr.;
references the AOA, the Michigan Optometric Association, the Michigan State Board of Optometry, the
Illinois College of Optometry and AOA past president Dr. Joe Ellis)
Grand Blanc View (Davison, MI) | Staff | 05/29/2014
GRAND BLANC — Grand Blanc optometrist Peter M. Agnon Jr. will receive the American Optometric Association's
Optometrist of the Year award for 2014 on June 25 at the organization's annual meeting in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The award recognizes doctors of optometry for performance of outstanding services on behalf of the profession and
the visual welfare of the public.
Agnone is a graduate of the Illinois College of Optometry. He serves on the AOA's Executive Third Party Committee,
appointed by AOA Past-President Joe Ellis in 2010.
Letter to the Editor: Optometrists are Well Prepared for Expanded Treatments Provided in Legislation
(written by the Optometry Association of Louisiana)
Times-Picayune - Online (New Orleans, LA) | Optometry Association of Louisiana | 05/23/2014
The commentary challenges the merits of House Bill 1065, which has received the overwhelming and bipartisan
approval of state legislators in both the House and Senate. It has the support of AARP, the Louisiana Primary Care
Association, the Louisiana Rural Hospital Coalition, the Louisiana Nursing Home Association and the Optometry
Association of Louisiana, as well as numerous medical physicians, including noted ophthalmologists.
The legislation simply gives patients in Louisiana greater access to quality eye care, by providing them with a choice.
Current laws limit Louisiana's doctors of optometry from performing some simple, safe procedures that they are
trained to do and skilled to perform, and which are routinely performed by doctors of optometry in other states. In
fact, every new procedure in this bill, without exception, has been performed safely and effectively for decades by
doctors of optometry in other states. More than 25,000 laser procedures alone have been performed by doctors of
optometry in Oklahoma since 1988, and eye care records from that state show those patients have received excellent
care, while travelling less to receive that care, thereby making these procedures more accessible and more affordable.
As we all know, technology is changing rapidly, and new, better procedures develop almost daily. There are common
laser procedures that are performed today that have revolutionized the way we manage some physical and medical
conditions. Our field is ever evolving, and our patients should be the biggest benefactors!
Eye Vitamins Could Better Vision In The Long Run (quotes AOA member Dr. Mark Dunbar; references the
Miami-Dade County Optometric Association)
WFOR-TV (Miami, FL) | Staff | 05/26/2014
MIAMI (CBSMiami) – More than half of all Americans take some type of a daily vitamin or nutritional supplement, even
though recent research says a multivitamin has little if any long term health benefit.
However, optometrists say some vitamins marketed as beneficial for eyes do play a role in reducing your risk for
macular degeneration.
Publix Supermarkets, for example, stocks more than 15 different brands of eye vitamins. Target also has more than a
dozen options.
State Optometric Association Honors Ginger (features AOA member Dr. Herman Ginger and the Arkansas
Optometric Association; references the Southern College of Optometry; quotes AOA member Dr.
Stephanie Willett)
Pine Bluff Commercial - Online (Pine Bluff, AR) | Staff | 05/23/2014
Dr. Herman Ginger of Pine Bluff received the 2014 Lifetime of Excellence Award from the Arkansas Optometric
Association at its spring convention in April.
The award is given to an optometrist “who has exemplified the highest ethical, professional and caring character during
his or her practice life, and shown a willingness to serve in numerous capacities,” according to a news release from the
association.
“His career has been an example to all Arkansas optometrists to follow and his life has been one that has had a positive
influence upon family, community and peers,” the release said.
May 30 – June 6, 2014
WEEKLY MEDIA
What to Expect During an Eye Exam (references Vision USA)
Yahoo! Voices (Unique Visitors Per Month: 8.3 million) | Betty Asphy | 06/05/2014
I remember my first eye exam. I really did not know what to expect. I observed small print was becoming a problem. So I
decided to get my eyes checked out.
Optometrist or Ophthalmologist
Unless you already have a known medical eye condition, you may choose to have your eye exam at an optometrist. The
optometrist generally provides vision care and eye care services such as eye exams, diagnosing eye conditions such as
glaucoma, cataracts, and possibly prescribe medications, according to WebMd.com. My first eye exam was with an
optometrist. In addition, it is further stated that an ophthalmologist is a physician that gives total eye care including eye
exams, medical and surgical eye care, and diagnosis and treatment of certain eye diseases related to diabetes or
arthritis.
Retinal Detachment from Excessive Texting (Repost: references the AOA; quotes AOA member Dr. Andrea
Thau)
MIVision.com - Online (Banksmeadow, NSW) | Staff | 06/04/2014
A young man has suffered a detached retina after spending hours on his smartphone, texting his girlfriend, in the dark.
The 26-year-old from Qingdao in Shandong Province had to have emergency surgery after he began to see sudden
flashes and discovered the retina in his left eye was detached.
Retinal detachment tends to appear in those who already suffer from advanced myopia is more normally more
prevalent among older people. However, it has become increasingly more common in young people due to excessive
mobile phone use.
In this case, the man is said to have suffered a plethora of sudden flashes in his eyes.
Man, 26, Suffers Detached Retina Texting Girlfriend for Hours in Dark (quotes AOA member Dr. Andrea
Thau; references the AOA)
Daily Telegraph (Sydney, NSW); News.com.au (Surry Hills, NSW); The Sunday Tim | Ian Hornswill |
06/03/2014
The 26-year-old from the city of Qingdao in Shandong Province, China, suffered a detached retina communicating with
his girlfriend on the app WeChat, reported Want China Times.
He had to have emergency surgery after he began to see sudden flashes and them discovered his left eye's retina had
become detached. Retinal detachment — which is normally more prevalent among older people — has become
increasingly more common in young people due to excessive cell phone use.
The retina is a light-sensitive layer of tissue inside the eye, which sends messages through the optic nerve to the brain. A
detached retina involves it being pulled from its normal position; if it's not treated, this condition can cause permanent
vision loss. A retinal detachment is considered a medical emergency.
After Texting Girlfriend Too Much In The Dark, Chinese Man Suffers Detached Retina (quotes Dr. Andrea
Thau; references the AOA)
Medical Daily | Lecia Bushak | 05/30/2014
A 26-year-old man from China suffered a detached retina after hours of texting his girlfriend in the dark, using his cell
phone messaging app, WeChat. He was required to undergo emergency surgery after his eyesight became plagued with
sudden flashes and he discovered his left eye's retina had become detached.
Retinal detachment — which is normally more prevalent among older people — has become increasingly more common
in young people due to excessive cell phone use. The retina is a light-sensitive layer of tissue inside the eye, which sends
messages through the optic nerve to the brain. A detached retina involves it being pulled from its normal position; if it's
not treated, this condition can cause permanent vision loss. A retinal detachment is considered a medical emergency.
The Chinese man had reportedly been texting his girlfriend nonstop throughout the day and several hours at night in
bed, which spurred his retinal detachment. Yu Bin, an eye expert, told WantChina Times that this was an extreme case,
but that it was indeed possible for people to mess up their vision from excessive cell phone use — whether it's retinal
detachment, conjunctivitis (pinkeye), or keratitis (inflammation of the cornea.)
American Optometric Foundation Names Johnson & Johnson Vision Care Award of Excellence in Contact
Lens Patient Care Winners (features the American Optometric Foundation; references Illinois College of
Optometry, Indiana University at Bloomington School of Optometry, Inter-American University of Puerto
Rico School of Optometry, Michigan College of Optometry at Ferris State University, Midwestern University
Arizona College of Optometry, New England College of Optometry, Northeastern State University Oklahoma
College of Optometry, Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry, the Ohio State University
College of Optometry, Pacific University College of Optometry, Pennsylvania College of Optometry at Salus
University, Rosenberg School of Optometry-University of the Incarnate Word, Southern California College of
Optometry, Southern College of Optometry, State University of New York College of Optometry, University
of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry, University of California - Berkeley School of Optometry,
University of Houston College of Optometry, University of Missouri - St. Louis College of Optometry,
University of Montreal School of Optometry, University of Waterloo School of Optometry and Vision
Science and Western University of Health Sciences, College of Optometry; references AOA members Drs.
Devon Veit, J. Alex Jones, Rakesh Lakhani, Hin Cheung, Kirk Kaupke, Cheryl Zabrowski, Mollie J. Golden,
Heather McCarthy, Stephanie Lynn Pisano, Kate Dalrymple, Ryan Jonathon Beers, Zeal Shah, Tiffany Gates,
Andrew Bradbury, John Gialousakis, Laura Lusk McDaniel, Jeffry Wu, Jayanna Byrd, Karla R. Hafford, Joannie
Collin-Ferland, Mark Rowsell and Keith Shimizu)
ORLANDO, Fla.—The American Optometric Foundation (AOF) has named the 2014 Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.,
Award of Excellence in Contact Lens Patient Care winners. The award recognizes outstanding fourth-year student
clinicians who have demonstrated excellent overall knowledge of the contact lens field plus skillful, considerate and
professional care of contact lens patients during their optometric education.
“The American Optometric Foundation is extremely grateful to Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc., for their continued
support of this program,” said AOF president Kathy Dumbleton, MSc, MCOptom, FAAO. Each winner receives a $1,000
education award and a personalized plaque commemorating their accomplishment.
The winners are: Devon Veit, OD, Illinois College of Optometry; J. Alex Jones, OD, Indiana University at Bloomington
School of Optometry; Rakesh Lakhani, OD, Inter-American University of Puerto Rico School of Optometry; Hin Cheung,
OD, Michigan College of Optometry at Ferris State University; Kirk Kaupke, OD, Midwestern University Arizona College of
Optometry; Cheryl Zabrowski, OD, New England College of Optometry; Mollie J. Golden, OD, Northeastern State
University Oklahoma College of Optometry; Heather McCarthy, OD, Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry;
Stephanie Lynn Pisano, OD, The Ohio State University College of Optometry; Kate Dalrymple, OD, Pacific University
College of Optometry; Ryan Jonathon Beers, OD, Pennsylvania College of Optometry at Salus University; Zeal Shah, OD,
Rosenberg School of Optometry, University of the Incarnate Word; Tiffany Gates, OD, Southern California College of
Optometry; Andrew Bradbury, OD, Southern College of Optometry; John Gialousakis, OD, State University of New York
College of Optometry; Laura Lusk McDaniel, OD, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry; Jeffry Wu,
OD, University of California - Berkeley School of Optometry; Jayanna Byrd, OD, University of Houston College of
Optometry; Karla R. Hafford, OD, University of Missouri - St. Louis College of Optometry; Joannie Collin-Ferland, OD,
University of Montreal School of Optometry; Mark Rowsell, OD, University of Waterloo School of Optometry and Vision
Science; and Keith Shimizu, OD, Western University of Health Sciences, College of Optometry.
National Eye Institute Grants $665,500 to Marshall B. Ketchum University to Study Convergence
Insufficiency (features NEI; references AOA members Drs. Susan A. Cotter, Eric J. Borsting, Carmen N.
Barnhardt, Angela M. Chen, and Kristine Huang)
FULLERTON, Calif.—The National Eye Institute of the National Institutes of Health has issued a $665,500 grant to
researchers at Marshall B. Ketchum University (MBKU) to study the relationship between the childhood vision condition,
convergence insufficiency, and reading performance. The grant will fund the Convergence Insufficiency Treatment
Trial—Attention and Reading Trial (CITT-ART), a national multi-center clinical trial that involves optometry,
ophthalmology, psychiatry and education in evaluating how this eye-teaming problem impacts a child's attention and
reading performance.
MBKU is one of eight locations in the U.S. participating in the clinical trial. The MBKU team consists of: professors Susan
A. Cotter, OD, MS, and Eric J. Borsting, OD, MSEd; associate professors Carmen N. Barnhardt, OD, MSEd, and Raymond
H. Chu, OD, MS; assistant professors Angela M. Chen, OD, MS, and Kristine Huang, OD, MPH; and research study
coordinator Sue Parker. Cotter and Borsting also serve on the CITT-ART executive committee.
“Convergence insufficiency is a common vision disorder in which the eyes have a tendency to drift outward when
reading or doing close work,” said Cotter, principal investigator of the study at MBKU. “Unfortunately, it is often
associated with poor reading performance and attention problems. This is the first large-scale randomized clinical trial to
address this issue. Positive findings could lead to new therapies for some children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity
Disorder and reading problems. We are very excited that the National Eye Institute has funded our project and look
forward to enrolling children into the study in the fall.”
World's Leading Ophthalmologist to Trek Spanish 500-Mile Spanish Pilgrimage to Raise Awareness for
Macular Degeneration (references the AOA)
GroundReport.com | Staff | 06/03/2014
On June 12, 2014, Dr. Edward Kondrot and his wife, Ly, are starting a 500-mile pilgrimage through Spain along the
Camino de Santiago de Compostela. The famous walk, known as the Way of St. James in English, begins in France and
covers two mountain ranges, plains, countryside, orchards and vineyards, trailing across the top of Spain. The
husband-wife team are walking to raise awareness and hope for macular degeneration, planning to complete the trip
in 33 days. Pledges of any amount are welcomed and all funds will go to the Restore Vision Foundation, an Arizona
non-profit corporation dedicated to furthering awareness.
According to the American Optometric Association, macular degeneration can present in such symptoms as the
gradual loss of ability to see objects clearly, loss of clear color vision or dark, empty areas in the center of vision. In its
early stages, macular degeneration can go unnoticed.
“Many people are unaware that they have macular degeneration in their eyes until it is too late,” affirms Dr. Edward
Kondrot, the world's leading ophthalmologist and founder of Healing the Eye & Wellness Center.. “Your risk of
developing AMD (age-related macular degeneration) increases with age and it's vital to get regular eye exams to
heighten your chances of catching it early.”
Innovative, Natural Solution for Dry Eyes Now Available in Drugstores Nationwide (references the AOA)
PRWeb - Online, press release | Thermalon | 06/02/2014
ALPHARETTA, GA (PRWEB) June 03, 2014-The new Thermalon Dry Eye Compress is a natural, proven way to bring
relief to dry, itchy and irritated eyes. Patented Thermalon technology continuously absorbs and stores water
molecules from the air. When microwaved for seconds, the absorbed water is released as clean, moist heat. Doctors
recommend moist heat to help unblock the meibomian glands. A 3-5 minute treatment will immediately help improve
the flow of natural oils into the eyes.
Dry eye syndrome, a common disorder of the tear film, affects over 25-30 million people in the U.S. The number of
people experiencing dry eye symptoms is increasing. Dry eyes are commonly associated with the aging process,
hormonal changes and certain diseases or health conditions.
Digital eye strain is a new term being used to describe uncomfortable and/or dry eyes that result from long hours in
front of a computer screen. Dry and uncomfortable eyes are also a known side effect for some prescription
medications. The American Optometric Association reports that 70%-75% of people who use computers and mobile
devices experience problems, including eye strain and headaches.
Louisiana Governor Jindal Signs Law Permitting Optometrists to Perform Certain Surgeries (references
the Optometry Association of Louisiana)
BATON ROUGE, La.— Governor Bobby Jindal signed House Bill No. 1065 enrolled into law on Sunday, June 1, 2014,
allowing Louisiana optometrists to perform certain surgeries effective upon his signature.
The legislation permits optometrists in the state of Louisiana to perform “ophthalmic surgery . . . in which in vivo
human tissue is injected, cut, burned, frozen, sutured, vaporized, coagulated, or photodisrupted by the use of
surgical instrumentation, such as, but not limited to, a scalpel, cryoprobe, laser, electric cautery, or ionizing
radiation.”
Among the surgeries permitted are “YAG laser capsulotomy, laser peripheral iridotomy, and laser trabeculoplasty.”
Ophthalmic surgeries excluded from optometrists (except for preoperative and postoperative care), as specifically
stated in the law, include “retina laser procedures . . . and any form of refractive surgery. . . . penetrating
keratoplasty, corneal transplant, or lamellar keratoplaty. . . . The administration of general anesthesia. Surgery done
with general anesthesia. Laser or nonlaser injection into the vitreous chamber of the eye to treat any macular or
retinal disease.”
Louisiana Grants Optometrists Surgery Privileges (references the Optometry Association of Louisiana;
quotes AOA member Dr. James Sandefur)
Primary Care Optometry News | Staff | 06/03/2014
Gov. Bobby Jindal signed a bill into law on Sunday that has expanded the scope of practice for optometrists in
Louisiana , according to the Optometry Association of Louisiana .
HB 1065 allows optometrists to perform several laser procedures , including YAG capsulotomy, peripheral iridotomy
and selective laser trabeculoplasty, according to the new law.
It also states that the scope of optometry now includes the “use or prescription of vision therapy, ocular exercise,
rehabilitation therapy, subnormal vision therapy and ordering of appropriate diagnostic lab or imaging tests.”
American Optometric Association Names Optometrist of the Year and Other 2014 Annual Award
Winners (features the AOA and AOA members Drs. Peter Agnone, Rob Pate, Gilbert E. Pierce and Paul
Ajamian)
ST. LOUIS—The American Optometric Association has announced its annual award winners for 2014 who will be
recognized at the June 25 opening general session of Optometry's Meeting, to be held here June 25 to 29.
Peter M. Agnone, OD, of Michigan, will receive the Optometrist of the Year Award for his outstanding services on
behalf of the profession and the visual welfare of the public. This year's Young Optometrist of the Year Award
winner, M. Rob Pate, OD, of Alabama, has been in practice less than 10 years and will be recognized for
demonstrating remarkable leadership when serving the profession, patients and his community.
The Optometric Educator Award will be presented to Gilbert E. Pierce, OD, PhD, FAAO, of Ohio, for outstanding
services on behalf of the profession, optometric education and the visual welfare of the public. The Paraoptometric
of the Year Award will honor Roberta Beers, of Pennsylvania, for her significant contributions to the field of
paraoptometry. The Distinguished Service Award will go to Paul C. Ajamian, OD, FAAO, of Georgia, for his unusually
significant contributions to the profession of optometry.
Ohio State University College of Optometry Names Zadnik Dean (features AOA member Dr. Karla Zadnik
and the Ohio State University College of Optometry; references the AOA, the American Academy of
Optometry, the Ohio Optometric Association, the Illinois College of Optometry, the University of
California, Berkeley School of Optometry, AOA member Dr. Mel Shipp and NEI)
COLUMBUS, Ohio—The Ohio State University College of Optometry has named Karla Zadnik, OD, PhD its fifth dean
effective June 1, 2014. Zadnik is the first female to be appointed dean of Ohio State University.
Zadnik, who is the Glenn A. Fry Professor in Optometry and Physiological Optics at Ohio State University College of
Optometry, is the immediate past president of the American Academy of Optometry (AAO), having served a decade
as its Research Committee chair in the 1990s. She is a diplomate and past chairman of the Academy's Section on
Cornea, Contact Lenses and Refractive Technology (CCLRT); has chaired the American Optometric Association's
(AOA) Council on Research since 2000; and has overseen the AOA/AAO-sponsored Summer Invitational Research
Institute for several years.
She also served The National Institutes of Health/National Eye Institute as a principal investigator and study
chairman on two large multicenter cohort studies and served as the National Eye Institute's National Advisory Eye
Council from 2000 to 2004.
Dine with a Doc to Feature Nicholas Woodall (features AOA member Dr. Nicholas Woodall; references the
AOA, the Indiana Optometric Association and the Indiana School of Optometry)
Greencastle Banner-Graphic (Greencastle, IN) | Staff | 06/06/2014
Senior Education Ministries Inc. presents Dine with a Doc on the fourth Monday of every month from 10 a.m.-noon at
Putnam County Hospital.
Dine with a doc is a free program that welcomes the local senior public to hear the doctor of the month present an
educational topic while enjoying a complimentary lunch.
This month's event on June 23 will feature Dr. Nicholas Woodall, who earned a Bachelor of Arts degree at Purdue
University and graduated with honors from the Indiana School of Optometry.
Optometry Dean Receives High Honor from the Lions of Alabama (features AOA member Dr. Rod W.
Nowakowski; references the School of Optometry at the University of Alabama at Birmingham)
Kaleidoscope - Online (Birmingham, AL) | Nicole Wyatt | 06/04/2014
Rod W. Nowakowski, O.D., Ph.D., former dean of the School of Optometry at the University of Alabama at Birmingham,
was awarded the Aubrey D. Green Humanitarian Award by the Lions of Alabama during its annual Multiple District
Convention.
This award is presented to a non-member citizen or native of Alabama who has made a significant contribution to
society beyond the obligations of occupation or profession. Such contributions may include, but are not limited to, the
promotion of human welfare, the alleviation of human suffering and the advancement of social reforms. The recipient is
selected by the committee from nominees submitted within the past five years.
“Aubrey D. Green, the namesake for the award, was a decorated WWII combat veteran, an Alabama State Senator and a
business entrepreneur who also served as International Lions Club president,” Nowakowski said. “He set a very high
standard for service and the prior recipients of this award are icons of service and achievement. I am truly honored and
humbled to be counted among them.”
Another Voice: New York's Optometrists Should be Able to Prescribe Necessary Medications (bylined by
AOA member Dr. Jeffrey Calhoun; references the New York State Optometric Association)
Buffalo News - Online (Buffalo, NY) | Dr. Jeffrey Calhoun | 05/31/2014
Imagine sitting in pain in your eye doctor's office and being diagnosed with an ailment that can be quickly treated with
oral medication.
Now imagine being told that you need another appointment with another doctor just to get those meds. Or, worse, that
you must head to the emergency room for those prescriptions.
That is an issue patients in 48 other states never face, yet it confronts New Yorkers all the time. It's time to change this
law and show that New York is ready to embrace the unavoidable realities of our changing health care landscape.
Eye Health and Accountable Care (references the AOA’s Third Party Center)
WFMD-AM - Online (Frederick, MD) | Edward Robinson | 06/04/2014
Who should read this whitepaper?
The American Optometric Association's Third Party Center (TPC) promotes and encourages the inclusion and integration
of comprehensive eye health and vision care services as a core benefit in all health plans, and the inclusion and
integration of doctors of optometry as participating providers in all provider networks. TPC's rethink eyecare campaign is
the cornerstone of the optometric profession's response to health care reform and the nation's call for more
accountable care from all industry stakeholders.
Rethink eyecare demonstrates how optometrists providing integral, comprehensive eye care produce cost savings to the
health care system while simultaneously improving patient outcomes.
Health Briefs from Great Falls and the Region: Havre Doctor Selected as Outstanding Optometrist (features
AOA member Dr. Larry Obie; references the AOA, the Montana Optometric Association, the Montana State
Board of Optometry and Pacific University School of Optometry)
Great Falls Tribune (Great Falls, MT) | Staff | 06/03/2014
Dr. Larry Obie, a Havre optometrist, recently was named the 2014 Outstanding Optometrist of the Year by the Montana
Optometric Association.
The award recognizes public service contributions and leadership qualities.
Obie, a graduate of Pacific University School of Optometry, is a member of the American Optometric Association and
served as a legislative key person for more than 20 years. He is a member and past president of the Montana
Optometric Association and past president and member of the Montana State Board of Optometry.
Glaucoma's Effects Have Broad Reach (bylined by AOA member Dr. Christopher Borgman; references
In today's realm of eye care, ocular health care providers cannot discuss ocular diseases without the mention of
glaucoma.
Glaucoma is a broad topic and encompasses many primary and secondary causes. In simple terms, glaucoma is a
condition in which the pressure inside the eye is too high and hence damages the optic nerve (which carries visual
signals from the eye to the brain).
This leads to slow, painless vision loss over time, which typically affects a person's nasal and peripheral vision first. The
often-scary part is that patients typically will not notice any vision loss until the disease process has already caused
significant damage to the eye.
Houston Optometrist Offers Ways to Save Your Eyes in Technology Age (quotes AOA member Dr. Janice
Wensveen; references the University of Houston's College of Optometry)
KTRK-TV (Houston, TX) | Steve Campion | 06/03/2014
HOUSTON (KTRK) -- The small print we read in books and on our hand-held devices means our eyes are working
overtime. Just ask aspiring eye doctor Lisa Kakade. The long hours of studying took their toll and before long she knew
she need help.
"I would see pictures one on each side. After 10 minutes, I would experience headaches," remembered Kakade. "You
can't be a blind optometrist exactly so that's probably what motived me to go in and see."
Kakade decided to undergo vision therapy at the University of Houston's College of Optometry.
May 30 – June 6, 2014
WEEKLY MEDIA
12 Ways Your Obsession With Spicy Food Can Help Make You Invincible (references the AOA)
The Huffington Post (Unique Visitors Per Month: 45.6 million) | Renee Jacques | 06/13/2014
Some people just can't resist the urge to spice up their lives. And by spice, we're referring to the peppers, sauces and
seasonings that numb your mouth and leave you wiping the sweat off your forehead.
And to these people we say: You are warriors. While you may wince in what looks like pain while scarfing down that
insanely hot curry, the truth is you're ingesting a slew of super healthy ingredients that could make you closer to
invincible... or at least help protect you from some serious health issues. So, if you feel like you are utterly and
shamelessly obsessed with food that packs heat, don't sweat it (ha). Here are 12 ways you can do your body good by
turning up the heat.
Want to protect your eyes? Eat plenty of chipotle peppers.
The great chipotle pepper (a smoked jalapeño) contains phytonutrients called lutein and zeaxanthin. Both of these are
deposited in your retinas, and according to the American Optometric Association, getting a healthy dose of these
nutrients could help reduce the risk of developing age-related macular degeneration and cataracts.
Animals Wearing Sunglasses Is the Best Thing You'll See All Day (references the AOA)
The Weather Channel - Online (Unique Visitors Per Month: 32.5 million) | Edecio Martinez | 06/06/2014
With summer approaching, we can look forward to warmer weather and more time outside in the sun. That means it's
time to take the sunglasses out — and it's not just people who love them.
Sunglasses are by far not the worst things people make their pets wear. They're not dangerous, they don't hinder
movement and they might actually protect their eyes. According to the American Optometric Association, exposure to
the sun's UV radiation can cause photokeratitis — a “sunburn of the eye” that results in temporary red eyes and
sensitivity to light. Over time, too much exposure can lead to increased chances of cataracts and retina damage.
To protect your eyes, use glasses with gray lenses that block out 99 to 100 percent of both UV-A and UV-B radiation.
Or, just stay inside and enjoy these pictures of animals with their favorite sun specs.
Sunglasses Smarts: Important Times to Wear Your Shades (references AOA member Dr. Justin Bazan and
The Vision Council)
Woman's Day (circ. 3.4 million) | Staff | 06/10/2014
1) On your morning walk
Thanks to the sun's low angle, you're exposed to more cataract-causing UV radiation between the hours of 8 a.m. and
10 a.m.-and again from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. when the sun begins to set. Pick up a pair of sunglasses with a rubber nose
grip, which stay put while you sweat.
2) When pollen is bad
Research found that people who wore sunglasses daily for a month had reduced allergy symptoms (like itchy eyes) and
were able to cut back on their use of antihistamines. Large wraparound sunglasses work best to guard against allergy
triggers.
3) With UV-blocking contacts
While some contact lenses do protect against UV radiation, they usually offer less coverage than sunglasses. Plus, it's
important to also shield the delicate skin around the eye as well as the white portion of the eyeball that contacts don't
cover.
Back-to-School and Summer Health Questions (Slideshow) (quotes AOA member Dr. James Sheedy;
references the College of Optometry at Pacific University)
Family Circle - Online (Unique Visitors Per Month: 301,528) | Michela Tindera | 06/11/2014
6 of 10
Q. My son is constantly staring at screens. Is he going to ruin his vision?
A. No—at least, not in the long term. "One main consequence of spending too much time on a computer, tablet or cell
phone is temporary dry eyes, because kids don't blink as frequently," says James Sheedy, O.D., a professor of
optometry at Pacific University. Remember the 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes, have him look 20 feet away for 20
seconds.
10 Things You Never Knew About Contacts (Slideshow) (quotes AOA member Dr. Joe Benjamin;
references the School of Optometry at the University of Alabama at Birmingham)
Everyday Health (Unique Visitors Per Month: 9 million) | Susan E. Matthews | 06/12/2014
Contact Wearers, Unite
Sure, contacts are supposed to be the invisible way to improve your vision. But if you're a contacts lens wearer, you
know all the trepidation that comes along with the lenses. Losing or ripping one on a trip could result in a one-eyed
vacation, and being without solution can become disastrous. Every contact wearer has inadvertently grossed
someone out by sticking a finger directly onto an eyeball to poke a contact back into place. It's not like we wanted
this, anyway — 20/20 vision would have been nice. Here, some things you may not know about contact lenses.
Your contacts feel dry at the end of the night because they're salty
Many contacts wearers complain of dryness at the end of the day, but it's not because their contacts are really dry. It's
because they're hypertonic, according to Joe Benjamin, OD, PhD, FAAO, president of the International Society for
Contact Lens Specialties and professor in the school of optometry at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Your
eyes' natural tears bathe your contacts in salt all day, and as water gradually evaporates from your eye , some of that
salt is left behind on the lens. “[Salt] is good for the health of the eye, but too much saltiness is overdoing it,” Dr.
Benjamin said.
Ophthalmologist to Trek 500 Miles For Macular Degeneration Awareness (references the AOA)
Ophthalmology Times | Rose Schneider | 06/07/2014
Dade City, FL—By the end of the week, Edward Kondrot, MD, and his wife will begin a 500-mile pilgrimage through
Spain along the Camino de Santiago de Compostela to raise awareness for macular degeneration.
“Many people are unaware that they have macular degeneration in their eyes until it is too late,” Dr. Kondrot said.
“Your risk of developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD) increases with age and it's vital to get regular eye
exams to heighten your chances of catching it early.”
The famous walk, known as the Way of St. James in English, starts in France and covers two mountain ranges, plains,
countryside, orchards, and vineyards, trailing across the top of Spain.
Does Vision Improve at the Eye Doctor's Office? (quotes AOA member Dr. Nathan Bonilla-Warford)
News.EssilorUSA.com | Staff | 06/09/2014
According to recent research, it appears eye doctors have found another way – outside of regular exams and
prescription eyewear – to help us see better; and it's all about proper lighting.
Lighting was found to be the main reason we see differently at the doctor's office than at home, in the car, or our own
office.
"The results from our study suggest that older adults are not seeing as well in their homes compared to their vision
when tested in the clinic," said study author Dr. Anjali Bhorade, an associate professor of ophthalmology at the
Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.
Registration Opens for American Academy of Optometry's 93rd Annual Meeting (features the American
Academy of Optometry; references AOA member Dr. Brad Dougherty)
DENVER—Registration is now open for the American Academy of Optometry's 93rd annual meeting, which will take
place at the Colorado Convention Center, Nov. 12 to 15, 2014. Discounted early bird registration for Academy 2014
Denver ends Sept. 9, 2014. The event combines a host of educational presentations, including CE courses, lectures,
workshops, and Section and Special Interest Group symposia, with hundreds of scientific papers and posters, social
events and an exhibit hall with more than 200 exhibitors.
This year's plenary session on “Today's Research, Tomorrow's Practice: The Science of Cannabinoids: Medical Perils and
Benefits” will take a research-based look at the evolving recognition of the medicinal value and risks of cannabinoids.
Presenters include Allan Flach, MD, professor of ophthalmology at the University of California in San Francisco; Staci
Gruber, PhD, director of cognitive and clinical neuroimaging core at McLean Hospital's Brain Imaging Center and
associate professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School; and Prakash Nagarkatti, PhD, vice president for research
at the University of South Carolina.
The Monroe J. Hirsch Symposium, “Mechanisms of Presbyopia Correction—Beyond Benjamin Franklin,” will highlight
the advances in understanding the underlying mechanism and cutting-edge treatments for presbyopia. Speakers will
include Stephen McLeod, MD; Paul Kaufman, MD; and Susana Marcos, PhD. The Ezell Fellows Present Symposium, “A
Sampler of Current Low Vision Research,” will showcase three investigators working on research in various aspects of
low vision rehabilitation research. Speakers include Robert Massof, PhD, FAAO; Tom Raasch, OD, PhD, FAAO; Susana
Chung, OD, PhD, FAAO; and Brad Dougherty, OD, PhD, FAAO.
Keep Your Eyes Healthy During the Summer Blockbuster Season (Repost: features the AOA)
LatinoLA | Tom Diaz, M.D., market medical director, UnitedHealthcare | 06/09/2014
More blockbuster movies are featuring 3-D technology. This summer is no exception, with offerings including
Transformers 4, The Amazing Spider-Man 2 and How to Train Your Dragon 2.
Did you know 3-D movies can serve as a valuable indicator of underlying vision issues among young people and
adults? The American Optometry Association's (AOA) report, "3D in the Classroom," states that 3-D movies have the
potential to help identify vision problems that might otherwise go unnoticed. This is because 3-D technology requires
eyes to process information in a new way.
Eye Care Workforce Study Predicts Growing Demand for Optometric Services, Adequate Number of
Eye Doctors (features the AOA and the ASCO; quotes AOA members Drs. Jennifer Smythe and Steve
Loomis; references Essilor and Transitions Optical)
ST. LOUIS and ROCKVILLE, Md.—The National Eye Care Workforce Study, conducted jointly by the American
Optometric Association (AOA) and the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO), set out to help
answer questions about how America's eye health needs will be met over the next decade and beyond.
Conducted in 2012 and just released this week, the study sent surveys to about 3,900 optometrists, of which
approximately 18 percent, or about 700 respondents, replied, vice president of the AOA board of trustees, Steve
Loomis, OD, told VMail.
The study's findings predict the following trends related to both eyecare professionals and their patients: There
appear to be an adequate supply of eye doctors, optometrists and ophthalmologists, including projections of new
doctors, to meet current and projected demand for eyecare services through 2025. According to the study, the
following will contribute to an increasing demand for optometric services through 2025—demographic trends as
well as public health and policy factors, including growth and aging of the U.S. population, an increased
prevalence of Type 2 diabetes, expansions in health insurance coverage and the designation in federal law that
coverage for eye health and vision care is essential for children.
The study also determined that the trend of optometrists to provide an increasing number of medically necessary
eyecare services correlates closely with projections for an increasing demand for these services, especially among
senior citizens and those at risk for Type 2 diabetes. “The most dramatic conclusion makes clear that the growth
in demand is medical eyecare, which is the real opportunity here because optometry is well positioned to address
this,” Loomis told VMail about the study.
VSP Eye on Wellness Partners With ZeaVision to Provide Free CE for Optometrists, Eye Exams to Those
in Need (references AOA members Drs. Jeffry Gerson and A. Paul Chous)
RANCHO CORDOVA, Calif.—To raise awareness about diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration
(AMD), which are two of the leading causes of blindness in adults, affecting nearly 10 million people in the U.S.,
VSP Vision Care and its new campaign partner, ZeaVision, will launch this year's VSP Eye on Wellness next month.
Now in its fourth year, the campaign will provide free Eye on Diabetes and Eye on AMD continuing education
seminars for optometrists. Featured speakers will be A. Paul Chous, MA, OD, FAAO, and Jeffry Gerson, OD, FAAO.
VSP Mobile Eyes will also continue to partner with local VSP doctors to provide free eye exams and eyeglasses to
residents in need during the campaign. Comprehensive eye exams and health risks assessments for AMD will be
conducted using ZeaVision's QuantifEye MPOD (macular pigment optical density) measurement instrument.
"ZeaVision is very pleased to partner with VSP in this important initiative,” said Chris Barber, president of
ZeaVision. “ZeaVision's mission is to preserve and enhance vision through ocular nutrition and technology, and
we're excited to expand our reach and impact in these communities through this endeavor.”
Study Shows Possible Excess Supply of Eye Care Providers Through 2025 (features the AOA and the
ASCO; quotes AOA president Mitchell T. Munson and AOA member Dr. Jennifer Smythe; references
Essilor and Transitions Optical)
The American Optometric Association and the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry have released
the results of a workforce study that predicts an oversupply of about 9,000 optometrists and ophthalmologists
through the near future.
As detailed by the Lewin Group, who was commissioned to conduct the Eye Care Workforce Study: Supply and
Demand Projections and develop a computer model to continuously study supply and demand, there may be
an excess supply of eye care providers through 2025.
The Lewin Group utilized several formulas designed to measure supply of the eye care workforce and demand
in terms of visits and full-time equivalent (FTE) eye care providers, according to the study. The group also
included data from the 2012 National Eye Care Workforce Study of Optometrists as well as data from surveys
and databases.
Non-Stop Texting Causes a Case of Retinal Detachment, Says Chinese Media (quotes AOA member
Dr. Leo Semes)
Qingdao, China—A 26-year-old man from Qingdao, China suffered a retinal detachment after using his
smartphone non-stop, according to Qingdao Daily.
He had been using his cellphone constantly, both all day while at work and even in bed, when he began
experiencing flashes. However, by the time he saw a doctor, the retina in his left eye had become detached.
While the Chinese media has blamed the retinal detachment on the incessant smartphone use, Optometry
Times Editorial Advisory Board member Leo Semes, OD, FAAO, says that is probably not the case.
Primary Eye Care Expands Services, Welcomes New Doctor (features AOA members Drs. Dale Barr
and Janessa Simon; references the Ohio State University College of Optometry and AOA members
Drs.Jeffrey Ahrns, John E. Beigel, Karen Fortman and Scott Schwartz )
Sidney Daily News - Online (Sidney, OH) | Rachel Lloyd | 06/11/2014
Primary EyeCare Associates, with offices in Sidney, Fort Loramie, Troy, St. Paris and Jackson Center, are
announcing a few changes that will allow them to better manage the vision and eye health care needs of the
patients they serve. These changes include expanded office hours in several locations, new technologies in eye
care and eye wear, and new members of their professional eye care team.
Beginning in late June, the offices will be offering their patients expanded hours for vision and eye health
examinations. Appointments will be offered from early morning through the evening during the week and on
Saturday mornings. The new schedule will also allow the eye care team to continue to handle ocular
emergencies and urgent spectacle and contact lens care needs in a timely manner.
Primary EyeCare has always offered treatment and management of the refractive needs of their patients with
the latest eyeglasses and contact lenses and over the past 30 years has developed a team of optometrists and
assistants that treat and manage eye health problems, as well. The practice offers comprehensive primary eye
health care with the assistance of technological advancements in disease detection through the use of visual
field analyzers, computerized topography, digital photography and computerized tomography. With access to
current technology, the doctors and staff are able to treat and manage many eye health disorders.
The Optometric Society Elects Board (features the Optometric Society and AOA members Drs.
Gary Litman, James Sanderson and Michael Santarlas; references the AOA, the American
Academy of Optometry, the New Mexico Optometric Association, the Pennsylvania Optometric
Association, Illinois Optometric Association, the Pennsylvania College of Optometry, the Illinois
College of Optometry and the University of Missouri - St. Louis College of Optometry)
CHICAGO—Members of the Optometric Society (TOS) recently held their first election and elected board
members to a three-year term. The group was formed earlier this year, as reported by VMail.
Lisa Shin, OD, president, is a 1996 graduate of the Pennsylvania College of Optometry who has been in solo
private practice in Los Alamos, N.M. since 1997. She has been a member of the American Optometric
Association and the New Mexico Optometric Association. Dr. Shin stated, “We must carefully monitor
attempts to over-regulate and dictate to our profession. I am particularly concerned about the increased
reporting requirements: Meaningful Use, ICD-10, PQRS and whether any of it really demonstrate better
quality patient care. Now is the time to speak up for ourselves and our patients. TOS aims to give individual
optometrists a stronger voice in the profession.”
Gary Litman, OD, FAAO, vice president, is a 1975 graduate of Pennsylvania College of Optometry and
practices full scope medical optometry in Philadelphia. He is a member of the American Optometric
Association, Pennsylvania Optometric Association, Bucks-Montgomery Optometric Society and a Fellow of
the American Academy of Optometry.
Guest Viewpoint: Allow Eye Doctors to Prescribe Oral Medications in New York (bylined by AOA member
Dr. Daniel Kirchheimer)
Press & Sun-Bulletin - Online (Binghamton, NY), Star-Gazette (Elmira, NY), Ithaca Journal (Ithaca, NY),
Topix.com | Dr. Daniel Kirchheimer | 06/07/2014
As an eye doctor practicing in Vestal, I know that New York can improve eye care and health care in general by allowing
optometrists to write prescriptions for oral medications. This simple change will improve patient care, reduce health
care costs and help all patients receive the timely care they need and deserve in America in this day and age.
In 48 other states, optometrists are allowed to write prescriptions for oral medications to treat patients. In fact, we are
allowed to prescribe these same medications in eye-drop form, but we cannot write a prescription for the oral version
of the exact same medication. It is frustrating that I can drive ten minutes to Pennsylvania and prescribe in this fashion.
I have been practicing optometry in Vestal for four years, and there have been numerous situations where my patients
would have been better taken care of if I had the ability to prescribe to the fullest scope of my training. This antiquated
legislation prohibiting optometrists from prescribing this way also tends to discourage prospective eye doctors from
coming to our communities to practice.
Color Vision Tends to Fade with Age (Repost: references the AOA)
KWWL-TV - Online (Waterloo, IA) | Randy Dotinga | 06/11/2014
(HealthDay News) -- Here's one more ability that seems to decline with age: color sense. A new study finds that many
people lose their ability to clearly distinguish certain colors as they age, with losses typically starting around age 70 and
getting worse over time.
But there's good news too: In general, the loss of color vision in seniors doesn't seem to affect day-to-day life.
Still, the findings raise issues about whether assumptions about the lack of problems are true. "[The decline] is
probably not detrimental in their lives in any way, but that's the next question: What are the practical implications of
these findings?" said study lead author Marilyn Schneck, a scientist with the Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute, in
San Francisco. "There's another question: What in the visual system is causing these changes?"
From Classroom to Career: Latest Wave of Optometry Graduates Enter Work Force (features the College
of Optometry at the University of Missouri–St. Louis; references the AOA and the Missouri Optometric
Association)
UMSL Daily (blog) (St. Louis, MO) | Ryan Heinz | 06/11/2014
Emily Pike worked in the public health field for 12 years but felt something was missing. She found a fit after
shadowing an optometrist and enrolled in the College of Optometry at the University of Missouri–St. Louis.
After four years, Pike finds herself among 39 students who graduated from the program in May, all of them with jobs
already lined up in the optometry field. She will help open a private practice and retail optical shop in downtown
Webster Groves, Mo.
“It's a new venture that I'm happy and excited to take on,” Pike said. “The practice will emphasize customer service
and the impact that great quality of care has on someone's life.”
Parents Urged to Get Kids' Vision Checked Before Problems Affect School, Play (features InfantSEE;
references the AOA; quotes InfantSEE provider/AOA member Dr. Monte Harrel)
Tulsa World (Tulsa, OK) | Rita Sherrow | 06/09/2014
A child's ability to learn from the world around him is impaired when he can't see well enough.
The blackboard becomes too far away, the lettering too small. It might become too frustrating to try to read and
participate in class.
It's why vision screenings need to start early, said Monte Harrel, chief operating officer and founder of Tulsa's Harrel
Eyecare.
June 13 – 20, 2014
WEEKLY MEDIA
How I Got Prescription Eyeglasses for $11: 4 Things to Know When Buying Super-Cheap Glasses Online
MarketWatch.com (Unique Visitors Per Month: 4.7 million) | Staff | 06/20/2014
For some people, losing a pair of prescription glasses is a costly mistake. For me, it's equivalent to lunch at Chipotle.
OK, I'm exaggerating, but only slightly — and not in the way you might be expecting. A burrito and soda runs me
about $11 at the yuppified fast-casual Mexican chain. My last pair of prescription frames, purchased just a few weeks
ago, cost $10.89. So, yes, lunch is actually a few pennies more.
How'd I get my glasses so cheaply? That's easy: I ditched the brick-and-mortar eyewear stores and bought a rather
nice-looking, sturdy pair online.
Why I Don't Let My Kids Go Out in the Sun Without Kids Sunglasses (references AOA member Dr. Michael
Chernich)
Mom in the City (blog) | Kimberly Coleman | 06/18/2014
“Don't forget to take your sunglasses!”
This is the phrase that my kids have been hearing me say practically every sunny day since I attended a LensCrafters
Back to School Breakfast event. (Let's just put aside the fact that NYC students don't even get out of school until next
week.) I learned so much about eye health at the event. I'm sharing the “Physical Education” part about eyewear for
athletic and outdoor activities as well as protecting a child's eyes from UV rays with kids sunglasses now. I'll share the
rest of the things that I learned (about screen time, nutrition and more) in-depth in late August/nearer the start of
the 2014/2015 school year.
Anyway, I had no idea that UV rays had so much potential to damage a child's eyes! If you want to, you can download
and listen to this recording that I took of my conversation with Dr. Michael Chernich, O.D. at the event: “Physical
Education” conversation with Dr. Chernich.”
Promoting the Pediatric Benefit (quotes AOA member Dr. Stephen Montaquila; features the AOA)
Optometric Management - Online | Staff | 06/13/2014
The Pediatric Eye Health Essential Benefit, or the requirement for plans to provide coverage for an annual
comprehensive eye exam with treatment and follow-up care from birth through age 18 in 48 states and in
Washington, D.C., provides a significant opportunity for both young patients and optometrists, if, that is, optometrists
can successfully promote the Benefit.
Unfortunately, there is no public service campaign for the benefit, explains Stephen Montaquila, O.D., the AOA's
Chair of the Third Party Center Executive Committee, who also practices in Warwick, RI. “For many, the success of the
Benefit will hinge on word of mouth.”
Here, OM talks with Dr. Montaquila about the Benefit and what optometrists can do to promote it and successfully
examine these young patients.
Optometry Students (references Northeastern State University-Oklahoma College of Optometry, SUNY
College of Optometry, Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry, Midwestern University
Arizona College of Optometry, University of Missouri -St. Louis College of Optometry, New England
College of Optometry, The Ohio State University College of Optometry, the University of Alabama at
Birmingham-School of Optometry, the AOA, the AOSA, American Academy of Optometry, the Missouri
Optometric Foundation and AOA members Drs. Amanda Bahr, Donald Jarnagin, Paul Ajamian and Bill
Whitesell)
Courtney Bloodgood, OD
Northeastern State University,
Oklahoma College of Optometry
Tahlequah, Oklahoma
Courtney Bloodgood learned early about what it meant to be an optometrist by working for her father, Bill Whitesell,
OD, at his practice, Whitesell Optometry.
Bloodgood was president of her class and was also the recipient of many awards. Those included the Beta Sigma
Kappa Silver Medal, NSU Academic Achievement Award (top optometry graduate, 4.0 GPA and highest National
Boards score), Golden Retinoscope (most outstanding clinical skills, selected by the clinic faculty) and Outstanding
Practice Management/Optometric Education Student Project.
Louisiana ODs Broaden Sx, Rx Privileges (quotes AOA member Dr. James; references the Optometry
Association of Louisiana)
A bill that allows Louisiana optometrists to perform various ophthalmic surgery, including YAG laser capsulotomy and
laser peripheral iridotomy, was recently signed by Gov. Bobby Jindal.
Similar legislation was introduced last year, but never made it to the House floor. The current bill was tightly tailored
and bans ODs from performing any procedures requiring stitches or general anesthesia. It also specifies that
optometrists cannot perform refractive surgery.
In addition to broadening scope of care, the legislation expands ODs' ability to prescribe schedule III drugs.
Swimming with the Sharks (quotes AOA member Drs. Aaron Bronner and Blair Lonsberry; references the
Pacific University College of Optometry)
Review of Optometry - Online | Joseph P. Shovlin | 06/15/2014
I recently had a patient develop a red eye (keratoconjunctivitis) following swimming. What are the usual—and
unusual—pathogen concerns?
“Red eyes are some of the most commonly encountered clinical entities, and have one of the broadest differential
diagnosis sets in the field,” says Aaron Bronner, OD, a staff optometrist at the Pacific Cataract and Laser Institute of
Kennewick, Wash.
In such cases, a well-taken history is instrumental in creating a manageable differential diagnosis, which should then
guide the clinical exam.
BenQ's Vision for the Future is Healthy (references the AOA)
AME Info, press release | Lisa George and Fatima Blata | 06/17/2014
BenQ, the first in the industry to take a stance on healthy technology, announced the launch of Eye-care – an
initiative which will benefit the long-term vision of end users by incorporating Flicker-free technology and Low
Blue Light (LBL) modes into a range of VA LED monitors. BenQ Eye-care aims to produce technology offering
consumers a better choice for the health of their eyes. Health needn't come at a compromise – thanks to VA
panel technology providing uncompromised picture quality and colour reproduction, BenQ Eye-care monitors are
easy on the eye, quite literally and aesthetically.
Adopted in response to independent research showing that ‘screen-time' over extended periods can have a
detrimental effect on vision, BenQ say Eye-care will be a key addition to their LED monitor line-up going forward.
Currently, 17 Eye-care Series monitors have been certified by TÜV Rheinland, one of the world's leading provider
of technical, safety and certification services, as truly friendly to the human eye.
Said Manish Bakshi, Managing Director, BenQ Middle East & Africa, “Health is an issue we take very seriously and
we are the first to incorporate ‘Eye-care' into monitors making BenQ a better choice in terms of health, while also
producing superior image quality and functionality, putting our brand well ahead of competitive models.
Tips, Trends & News You Can Use. Workforce Study: Demand Will Increase for Medical Eye Care
(features the AOA and the ASCO; quotes AOA member Dr. Steve Loomis; references Essilor and
Transitions Optical)
Optometric Management | Staff | 06/18/2014
While the demand for eyecare services will grow through 2025, don't expect a shortage of eye doctors.
According to a new workforce study, launched jointly by the American Optometric Association and the
Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry, the supply of optometrists and ophthalmologists should be
adequate.
The National Eye Care Workforce Study reports that with increases in productivity, optometrists say they can
meet demand, which is projected to rise due to increases in the prevalence of Type 2 diabetes, the aging
population and insurance coverage, including the pediatric benefit (see page 38). O.D.s reported they could
see an average of 19.8 additional patients per week without adding to their schedules, says the study.
The roadmap is clear
To best meet the growing demand for eye care, Steve Loomis, O.D., vice president of the AOA Board of
Trustees, recommends that optometrists “focus on maximizing the scope of their license.”
“The roadmap for the profession is clear — the growth in demand will be in medical eye care,” he says. While
O.D.s don’t perform invasive surgery, they are “well positioned to manage such conditions as diabetes,
macular degeneration, glaucoma and cataracts.”
The Energeyes Association for Corporate-Affiliated Optometrists Adds Four New Board Members
(references AOA members Drs. Jonathan Noble, Jon Scott Walker, John William "Bill" Baldwin and
Eric Botts; quotes AOA member Dr. Mark Uhler)
NASHVILLE, Tenn.—The Energeyes Association has added four new members to its board of directors,
bringing its total now to 13 members. The four new board members are Jonathan Noble, OD, of Virginia; Jon
Scott Walker, OD, MS, FAAO, of Florida; Maurice Wilson, OD, of Texas; and John William “Bill” Baldwin, OD, of
Georgia. “I think I speak for all of the new board members when I say I look forward to contributing to the
growth of Energeyes and to expanding our collective professional knowledge and camaraderie,” Noble said.
The Energeyes Association for Corporate-Affiliated Optometrists was launched last year, as reported by VMail.
Its 350 members represent optometrists practicing in retail locations, such as LensCrafters, Sears Optical,
Walmart Vision Center, Sam's Club Optical, and Costco Optical in 42 States. The association just conducted its
first national meeting in April 2014 in Colorado Springs, Colo.
The Energeyes board of directors continues to seek new members and market leaders, especially from
retailers now being represented in the membership but not yet represented on the board, including Sears
Optical, Target Optical, and Pearle Vision, according to a statement from the organization. “It is important for
the composition of our board to reflect the possibilities of our membership,” said Jennifer Geertz, OD,
secretary of the Energeyes board. “We want to ensure that those optometrists working within a corporate
setting see the association as inviting as our intentions.”
NEI awards grant to NSU College of Optometry (features Nova Southeastern University College of
Optometry and NEI; quotes AOA member Dr. Rachel A. Coulter)
Nova Southeastern University announced last week that its College of Optometry will receive up to $556,532
from the National Eye Institute .
As detailed in the release, the award will fund the Convergence Insufficiency Treatment Trial —Attention and
Reading Trial (CITT-ART), which will "study the relationship between the vision condition, convergence
insufficiency and reading performance and attention."
“Children who have convergence insufficiency sometimes suffer from poor reading performance and
attention problems,” Rachel A. Coulter, OD, MSEd, principal investigator for NSU College of Optometry's
research team, said in the release. “As the first large-scale randomized clinical trial to study this problem,
outcomes could lead to new therapies for some children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and
reading problems. We are very excited that the National Eye Institute has funded our grant application, and
we look forward to enrolling children into the study this fall.”
Omni Eye Care Center Lab and Boutique Offers Tests and Frames for Patients (features AOA
member Dr. Mark Taroyan)
AZCentral.com, press release | Dr. Mark Taroyan | 06/18/2014
Plano, TX -- (SBWIRE) -- 06/17/2014 -- Omni Eye Care Center of Plano, Texas provides a one stop-solution to
patients who need eye exams and new frames in the same visit. Dr. Mark Taroyan's optometry practice uses
the most advanced technology in the field to swiftly, accurately and comfortably diagnose patients with vision
problems or diseases. For patients whose eye exams have resulted in the need for eye glasses or contacts
lenses, Omni Eye Care Center boasts an eyewear boutique stocked with popular brands of fashion frames and
a wide variety of lenses to suit their tastes and requirements.
Omni's state-of-the-art capabilities benefit the patient through the use of computerized visual field studies,
an on-site laboratory, retinal photography, and advanced diagnostic equipment. These applications are used
for family comprehensive exams, diabetic eye exams, diagnosis and treatment of eye diseases, and fittings for
contact lenses, color contact lenses, soft contact lenses, and rigid gas permeable, bifocal and progressive
contact lenses. Omni also provides emergency treatment and trauma care for eye injuries. In addition to the
sophisticated level of care that Omni Eye Care provides, their selection of frames and lenses allows each
patient to leave the office looking and seeing their best.
Eyewear options include designer, classic, sun, and sport glasses with a variety of lens types, all made possible
by the in-house lab equipped with the finest in computerized, pattern free ophthalmic manufacturing
instrumentation. Each fabrication is overseen by Dr. Taroyan himself, who ensures that each pair of eye
glasses is made to perfection. Brands include Transitions Aspheric Lenses, Single Vision, Progressives multifocal lenses, Anti-Reflection, Poly-carbonate and Hi Index Poly Carb products from Rodenstock, Varilux, Zeiss,
Altair, Anne Klein, BCBG, Bliss, Boss, Brooks Brothers, DKNY, Ernest Hemmingway, Gucci and many more.
Getting each patient into the right frames and the right lenses is a big part of the customer service legacy
Omni is proud to continue. To learn more about the technology and eyewear available at Omni Eye Care
Center, visit them online at www.omnieyecarecenter.com.
Allergan Employees, Irvine Officials Worried Over Valeant Offer (quotes AOA member Dr.
Michael Spitzer)
Los Angeles Times - Online | Stuart Pfeifer | 06/20/2014
Wall Street sharks are not the only ones keeping a close watch on the contentious battle for control of
Allergan Inc., the Irvine company that makes Botox. So are thousands of the company's scientists and
researchers, many of whose jobs may be at risk.
The protracted takeover attempt is also a worry to Irvine merchants, who fear that an exodus of highly paid
workers could hurt business. Even the city's mayor is getting involved, saying it's his duty to try to protect
jobs in the suburban city of about 230,000 residents.
Canadian company Valeant Pharmaceuticals International Inc. is trying to buy Allergan — one of Orange
County's biggest employers — in a $53-billion deal that has become the talk of Wall Street.
Southern College of Optometry to Open Dry Eye Clinic (features the Southern College of Optometry)
Memphis Business Journal - Online (Memphis, TN) | Rob Robertson | 06/18/2014
The Southern College of Optometry plans to open a clinic dedicated to the treatment of dry eye, a condition that mainly
affects people older than 50 in the United States.
The TearWell Advanced Dry Eye Treatment Center, as the clinic will be known, will be located on the SCO campus in
Midtown Memphis, and is set to open July 1.
“Dry eye is a prevalent issue, especially among older adults,” Whitney Hauser, TearWell's clinical director, said. “The
condition is often exacerbated by allergic reactions, making Memphis a tough climate for people suffering from dry eye.
That's one reason we are so proud to open this clinic.”
The Hidden Danger of Eye Sunburn (features AOA member Dr. David Seibel)
KSDK-TV (St. Louis, MO) | Staff | 06/19/2014
KSDK – This summer, many of you will be putting on sunscreen to protect your skin.
The same invisible ultraviolet rays that damage your skin are harmful to your eyes. It's a reminder that what you can't
see can hurt you.
Musician Lee Maxwell spends a lot of time outdoors performing in the U-City Loop. On this sunny day, he's not wearing
a hat or sunglasses to protect his eyes.
"Eye Care" For You Children And Computer Vision Syndrome (bylined by AOA member Dr. J. Annette
Parker-Herriott)
Savannah Tribune - Online (Savannah, GA) | Dr. J. Annette Parker-Herriott | 06/18/2014
By now, your children are likely out of school and are doing their summer time “thing.” For some kids, it is vacationing
and spending time with family, and for others, it is relaxing— watching tv, playing video games, or on the computer
several hours of the day.
Computers and computerized games have become a routine part of kids' lives. Surveys show the average American
child spends one to three hours daily on a computer while surfing the Internet, doing homework, talking online with
friends and playing video games. Kids are also using computers at a younger age-- as early as 6 years old.
As parents, you may wonder if computer use at this young age is affecting your kids' eyes. Many eye doctors who
specialize in children's vision say sustained computer use puts kids at higher risk for childhood myopia
(nearsightedness) and focusing (accommodative) problems. Computer use, especially among youngsters whose eyes
are still changing, may be the culprit for younger kids becoming nearsighted. Computer use puts more visual stress on
the eyes than reading general books. This easily happens because kids tend to play the games at too close range and
for hours without taking a break. This causes the eyes to get locked into focusing in that position. Kids also never want
to admit when their eyes are tired.
6 Ways To Protect Your Eyes This Summer (features AOA member Dr. Dora Adamopoulos)
Clarendon-Courthouse-Rosslyn Patch (Clarendon VA) | Staff | 06/17/2014
Summer is the season for fun in the sun – we all know to wear sunscreen and hats to protect our skin, but what about
our eyes? Protecting eyes from UV radiation is essential to lifelong healthy vision. Because ultraviolet radiation from
the sun can cause age-related eye problems like cataracts and macular degeneration, protecting your children's eyes is
vital to their long-term eye health (and yours too!). The more exposure to the sun's harmful UV rays during your
lifetime, the more at risk you are to develop sight-threatening conditions. Children tend to spend lots of time outdoors
in the summer sun. Because of that, some experts say nearly half of a person's lifetime exposure to UV radiation can
take place by age 18. Fortunately kid's exposure to UV can be limited with comfortable and durable sunglasses – and
Mom's exposure can be limited with a pair of stylish summer shades. At eye2eye Optometry Corner in Del Ray
Alexandria – we offer a wide selection of the best brands for kids and adults. Here are Dr. Adamopoulos's six tips for
summer sun protection:
• For kids, be sure the lenses are impact resistant & the frames made of a durable material.
• Pick a large, close-fitting frame. These are best to help protect children's eyes during play.
• The most important time of day to make sure you’re wearing sunglasses is between 10am-2pm, when the suns rays
are the strongest.
• Beware of cheap sunglasses. They can pose safety hazards when made of cheap materials and low quality paints.
Always purchase high
quality acetate frames.
• Know the percentage of UVA & UVB rays being block by the sun – be wary of the phrase “blocks UV rays”. You want
a lens that blocks out
100% of UVA & UVB rays.
• Wear sunscreen around the eye area to protect your eyelids from burning.
Schedule a an eye exam for you or your little one at eye2eye this summer, they'll establish your existing vision health as
well as get you and your little one fitted for new sunglasses.
Do Eye Problems Run in the Family? (bylined by AOA member Dr. Zack Steele; references the University of
Alabama School of Optometry)
The Trussville Tribune - Online (Birmingham, AL) | Dr. Zack Steele | 06/16/2014
I'm asked almost daily if eye problems can be inherited. Scientific evidence and genetic evidence are often
controversial on this subject because for every study that suggests a genetic component, there's another that states
the opposite. Some severe diseases we can definitely attribute to heredity. My clinical experience supports that there
is a genetic component in many cases.
I'm most commonly asked about nearsightedness or farsightedness and if a child is destined to follow the same road of
diminished eyesight as his or her parents.
A recent study strongly indicates that the primary cause of nearsightedness is, in fact, heredity. Interestingly, the study
also suggests the amount of time a child spends studying or reading plays a minor role in the development of myopia,
or nearsightedness.
New App May Help Reduce Need For Reading Glasses (references the University of Berkely's School of
Optometry)
WFOR-TV- Online (Miami, FL) | Staff | 06/15/2014
MIAMI (CBSMiami) – What if you learned that you could get rid of your reading glasses by spending a few minutes
each week doing some exercises on your iPhone or iPad for a few months?
There's now app for that.
Glasses Off promises to help people get rid of their reading glasses, but can it really do what it claims?
Take a Close Look at Keeping Eyes Healthy (references the AOA)
Houston Chronicle (Houston, TX) | Jennifer Kimrey | 06/16/2014
Our eyes change as we get older, and unfortunately, it is often for the worse. However, older adults do not have to
allow their changing vision to affect their lifestyles. Knowing what to expect from your eyes as you age, how to manage
any issues that arise and when to seek help from a professional are all important steps in preserving your vision and
maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle.
As you begin to reach your early 60s, being vigilant when it comes to spotting the early warning signs of age-related
eye health issues could help prevent loss of sight.
"Changes in vision, especially if straight lines start to look crooked, should be reported urgently, as this can indicate
macular degeneration, as the macula is in the central portion of the retina," said Dr. Nancy Webb, chief of
ophthalmology at Kelsey-Seybold's main campus. "A loss of an area of peripheral vision or the sudden onset of a lot of
floaters should also be reported urgently, as these could be symptoms of possible retinal detachment."
OPTOMETRY CARES – THE AOA FOUNDATION
Digging Deep to Help: Tuscumbia Officials Find Funds for Camp Courage (references the AOA Foundation)
Times Daily (Florence, AL) | Lisa Singleton-Rickman and Bernie Delinski | 06/19/2014
With a cash-strapped budget like Tuscumbia's, department heads are familiar with searching deeply for available funds.
So, when they learned funds were needed to help more children who have sight or hearing impairments attend a camp
designed to teach and inspire them, they started searching.
They found a combined $2,400 in their budgets and agreed to contribute it to Camp Courage to enable several more
children to attend this year's camp. The camp promotes itself as a means for children to experience Helen Keller's early
life.
June 20 - July 3, 2014
WEEKLY MEDIA
FDA Teams Up for Novel Campaign on Risks of Decorative Contact Lenses (features the AOA, quotes AOA
member Dr. Helene Clayton-Jeter)
FDA.GOV (UNIQUE VISITORS PER MONTH: 1.3 million); War on Bacteria (blog); Health News Med (blog) |
U.S. Food and Drug Administration | 06/27/2014
With the end of the school year come parties, summer camp, vacations—all reasons why teens and young adults may
want a new look. Requests for decorative contact lenses could be coming your way—or worse, your kids may just go
out and buy them on their own.
Beware, says Dr. Helene Clayton-Jeter, an optometrist and health programs coordinator at the Food and Drug
Administration (FDA). Decorative contact lenses can cause serious eye damage if not fitted by an optometrist or
ophthalmologist.
That's one of the messages of a joint campaign by the FDA, the American Optometric Association (AOA), and the
Entertainment Industries Council (EIC). They want to inform consumers—and especially teens and young adults—how
to use them safely, and of the dangers of decorative contact lenses when not used correctly. One of the greatest risks
from these lenses is the possibility of an infection that could lead to blindness.
FDA Teams Up for Novel Campaign on Risks of Decorative Contact Lenses (features the AOA)
Healthnewsdigest.com | Staff | 06/26/2014
(HealthNewsDigest.com) - The FDA, American Optometric Association and the Entertainment Industries Council are
joining forces to launch a campaign for teens and young adults on wearing decorative contact lenses safely.
Read the Consumer Update and watch a video that uses clips from the popular television show American Horror Story
to get the message across.
FDA Consumer Updates may be posted and published elsewhere without permission. Please credit "FDA Consumer
Health Information" as the source. FDA values feedback on its consumer health information. Send questions,
comments or story ideas to: [email protected].
Decorative Contact Lenses Get 'Horror Story' Warning from FDA (features the AOA; quotes AOA member
Dr. Helene Clayton-Jetter)
FOXNews.com (UNIQUE VISITORS PER MONTH: 21,271,406); LiveScience.com (UNIQUE VISITORS PER
MONTH: 2,706,974) | Bahar Gholipour | 06/27/2014
The gruesome eye injuries depicted on the TV show "American Horror Story" are being used to warn consumers about
the dangers of wearing decorative contact lenses, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced June 26.
Decorative contact lenses can cause eye injuries, including tears on the eye's surface, which may lead to infection,
serious eye damage and even blindness.
In a joint campaign, the FDA, the American Optometric Association and the Entertainment Industries Council are
releasing two videos to inform consumers, especially teenagers, about the safety of these contact lenses.
FDA Warns About Risk Of Using Decorative Contact Lenses (features the AOA; quotes AOA member Dr.
Helen Clayton-Jeter)
Inquisitr.com (UNIQUE VISITORS PER MONTH: 5.7 million) | Staff | 06/27/2014
Blindness caused by contact lenses are typically just subjects of urban myth. However, the Food and Drug
Administration has recently warned consumers that lenses, especially non-corrective, decorative ones, may actually
pose risks to your vision.
The FDA is planning to conduct a nation-wide campaign warning Americans about decorative contact lenses, a fashion
fad popular among teens and young adults. According to Live Science, decorative contact lenses can bring about
terrifying health consequences, from simple eye scratches (corneal abrasion) to serious eye damage and even
blindness.
The FDA campaign is being supported by the American Optometric Association and the Entertainment Industries
Council, a leading consumer of decorative lenses. Aside from sidewalk fashion, decorative contacts are also commonly
used for film and television effects.
Visit with Dr. Ernie Bowling at Booth 1433 (Video) (features AOA member Dr. Ernie Bowling and the AOA)
Optometry Times - Online | Dr. Ernie Bowling | 06/20/2014
Heading to the American Optometric Association meeting in Philadelphia on June 25-29? Optometry Times Chief
Optometric Editor Dr. Ernie Bowling will be at the Optometry Time booth #1433 from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday; 3 p.m.
to 4 p.m. Friday; and 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday. Stop by and say hi!
Optometry Times Editor Gretchyn Bailey invites you to attend the Optometry Times reception at AOA
(features the AOA)
Optometry Times - Online | Gretchyn M. Bailey | 06/20/2014
Optometry Times Editor Gretchyn Bailey would like to invite you to attend Optometry Times' reception during the
American Optometric Association meeting. The reception will be held from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. Thursday, June 26 at the
Hotel Monaco at the rooftop lounge. Please join us for dessert and drinks!
New York ODs Push for Expanded Practice Scope (quotes AOA member Dr. Dawn Chivers; refererences the
New York State Optometric Association)
Review of Optometry - Online | Jane Cole | 06/20/2014
New York optometrists may be granted the ability to prescribe oral medications for the treatment and prevention of
ocular disease pending legislation that would expand their scope of practice. Currently, nearly all states and the District
of Columbia make such allowances.
The bill, AO2192/S975A, is currently in the higher education committee in both the state assembly and senate.
“New York needs to put patients first, catch up with the rest of the nation, and allow doctors of optometry to write
prescriptions for medications that are sometimes essential to treating ocular conditions most effectively,” says
optometrist Dawn Chivers, New York State Optometric Association vice president and legislative chair. “We have the
education and training to treat our patients effectively and efficiently.”
OD Excellence-Sponsored International Vision Conference Invites Optometry Students to Submit Entries for
'What is the Future of Optometry?' Essay Contest (references AOA member Dr. Jerry Lieblein)
SAN DIEGO—The International Vision Conference, sponsored by OD Excellence, is requesting submissions for an essay
contest on “What is the Future of Optometry?” Three winners will be presented with the “2014 Student of the Year
Award” at the International Vision Conference to be held at the San Diego Bay Manchester Grand Hyatt, July 31 to Aug.
2, 2014.
Essays should be 500 words in length, and only fourth-year optometry students are eligible. A letter of recommendation
must accompany each entry. The deadline is July 1, 2014. “Each year, we encounter young optometry students who
have outstanding clinical skills, but they also must have business knowledge to succeed in these fluid and challenging
times,” said Jerry Lieblein, OD, co-founder and CEO of OD Excellence. “With this essay contest, we're looking for
students with a unique vision for where our profession is headed—and a plan to get there.”
American Optometric Association Names Optometrist of the Year and Other 2014 Annual Award Winners
(features the AOA and AOA members Drs. Peter Agnone, Rob Pate, Gilbert E. Pierce and Paul Ajamian;
references Essilor)
ST. LOUIS—The American Optometric Association has announced its annual award winners for 2014 who will be
recognized at the June 25 opening general session of Optometry's Meeting, to be held here June 25 to 29.
Peter M. Agnone, OD, of Michigan, will receive the Optometrist of the Year Award for his outstanding services on
behalf of the profession and the visual welfare of the public. This year's Young Optometrist of the Year Award winner,
M. Rob Pate, OD, of Alabama, has been in practice less than 10 years and will be recognized for demonstrating
remarkable leadership when serving the profession, patients and his community.
The Optometric Educator Award will be presented to Gilbert E. Pierce, OD, PhD, FAAO, of Ohio, for outstanding services
on behalf of the profession, optometric education and the visual welfare of the public. The Paraoptometric of the Year
Award will honor Roberta Beers, of Pennsylvania, for her significant contributions to the field of paraoptometry. The
Distinguished Service Award will go to Paul C. Ajamian, OD, FAAO, of Georgia, for his unusually significant contributions
to the profession of optometry.
Managing Clinical Conditions: Chalazion and Preseptal Cellulitis (features the AOA; quotes AOA members
Drs. Paul Karpecki and Jill Autry)
Optometry Times | Staff | 06/26/2014
Philadelphia—Paul Karpecki, OD, FAAO, and Jill Autry, OD, RPh, shared clinical management pearls with attendees at
the American Optometric Association's Optometry's Meeting.
Consider steroid or injection in treatment of chalazion.
“The pressing down on the cornea sometimes becomes the main reason we remove chalazia,” says Dr. Karpecki.
Panel OKs Optometry Scope of Practice Bill (references the California Optometric Association; quotes AOA
members Dr. John Rosten and Sen. Ed Hernandez)
California Healthline | Staff | 06/25/2014
An Assembly committee yesterday voted to grant greater authority to optometrists in California. Allowing optometrists
to expand their scope of practice could help with the heightened pressure on primary care providers, said John Rosten,
president of the California Optometric Association.
"Basically it's part of the whole scheme of providing better health care in California," Rosten said. "It's more of a public
health issue and it's a matter of being more a part of the health care scene."
Debate over SB 492 by Sen. Ed Hernandez (D-West Covina) took up the bulk of yesterday's hearing of the Committee
on Business, Professions and Consumer Protection. At issue in the bill is the type of procedures and the training
requirements for those procedures -- in particular, laser treatments for glaucoma.
Dr. Christine W. Sindt Will Describe Benefits of NovaBay's i-Lid Cleanser at American Optometric
Association Meeting (features AOA member Dr. Christine W. Sindt; references the AOA)
MarketWatch.com, press release | NovaBay Pharmaceuticals, Inc. | 06/26/2014
EMERYVILLE, Calif., Jun 26, 2014 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- NovaBay® Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (nyse mkt:NBY), a clinical-stage
biopharmaceutical company, announced today that Christine Sindt OD, Clinical Associate Professor of Ophthalmology
and Visual Sciences at University of Iowa's Carver College of Medicine, will describe the benefits of treating common
eye and eyelid conditions using NovaBay's new i-LidTM Cleanser on June 27, 2014 during the annual Optometry's
Meeting ® of the American Optometric Association in Philadelphia, PA. NovaBay representatives will be available at the
AOA Meeting in Booth #1615 to meet with eye care professionals interested in learning more about i-Lid Cleanser and
placing orders for product to be shipped to their practice.
“Based on my own experience using i-Lid Cleanser, I believe that it offers significant improvements in the treatment of
common eyelid conditions,” said Dr. Sindt.
Dr. Sindt founded the Scleral Lens Education Society is a nationally recognized expert on specialty contact lenses for
children, her practice specializes in the treatment of anterior segment disease and has had extensive clinical experience
with i-Lid Cleanser. In her presentation, she will describe various conditions of eyelids and lashes that patients suffer
from and how those conditions can be treated.
For the First Time in Philadelphia, Optometry's Meeting Features a Packed Schedule of Events This Week
(features the AOA; references AOA president Dr. Mitchell T. Munson, future AOA president Dr. David A.
Cockrell, the AOSA, Optometry Cares—The AOA Foundation, the Michigan Optometric Association,
Essilor, The Vision Council and AOA members Drs. and Paul C. Ajamian, Rob Pate, Gilbert E. Pierce, Rod
Tahran, Arol R. Augsburger, Ron Fair, Karla Zadnik and Peter M. Agnone, Jr.)
PHILADELPHIA—The American Optometric Association's Optometry's Meeting got underway on Wednesday June 25,
2014 with the Essilor-sponsored opening general session, where awards were presented to leading optometrists and
to the inventor of the progressive addition lens.
Bernard Maitenaz, the inventor of Varilux progressive lenses for Essilor, received the highest award presented to the
general public by the AOA, the Apollo Award. Accepting via video presentation, he pointed out that the AOA meeting
was being held in the historic home of Benjamin Franklin, inventor of the bifocal, which Maitenaz said the progressive
addition lenses that he invented improved upon. He also acknowledged the independent optometrists who helped
with the success of Varilux lenses, the first version of which were introduced in 1959, followed by Varilux 2 in 1972
when “the profession really adapted and progressive lens acceptance took off.”
Today, after the launch of the current version of Varilux S with two aspheric sides, “the bifocal is declining and has
disappeared in certain countries,” said Maitenaz. “Your mission is splendid, to help people see better,” said the Apollo
Award winner, acknowledging optometry's role in the fact that there have been “more than one billion presbyopes
wearing progressive lenses since the beginning.”
AOA Presents Awards at Optometry's Meeting (features the AOA; references AOA president Dr. Mitchell
T. Munson, the Michigan Optometric Association, the Ohio Optometric Association, the Pennsylvania
Paraoptometric Association, the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Essilor and AOA members Drs.
Paul C. Ajamian, Rob Pate, Gilbert E. Pierce and Peter M. Agnone, Jr.)
Primary Care Optometry News | Chelsea Frajerman | 06/26/2014
PHILADELPHIA – At the opening general session of Optometry's Meeting, American Optometric Association President
Mitchell T. Munson, OD, recognized various award winners on behalf of the organization.
Paul C. Ajamian, OD, was named 2014 distinguished service award recipient. Ajamian is credited with developing the
first optometry clinic with the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute and founding the first optometric comanagement and
referral center, known as the Omni Eye Services at Atlanta.
“This award is a story about the inspiration, selfless service and bold ideas of others. It's much more a story of
optometry's achievements than my own,” Ajamian said as he received his award. “I am sharing this award with my
fellow Omni center directors and all those who have supported true comanagement practices.”
Contact Lens Update (references the AOA; quotes AOA member Dr. Tom Quinn)
Optometry Times | Gretchyn M. Bailey, NCLC, FAAO | 06/26/2014
Philadelphia—Tom Quinn, OD, FAAO, and Shalu Pal, OD, FAAO, discussed the contact lens market at the American
Optometric Association's Optometry's Meeting.
“The driver for soft contact lenses is comfort,” says Dr. Quinn. “Manufacturers are doing a lot with edge design and
posterior profile for improved comfort.”
Rates of microbial keratitis (MK) did not drop as hoped with the advent of silicone hydrogel (sihy) contact lens
materials. Dr. Quinn speculates that perhaps there is higher binding of bacteria with these materials.
J&J Announces Plans to Discontinue Acuvue Advance, Introduces Acuvue Oasys Six-Month Supply Pack
Optometry Times | Staff | 06/26/2014
Philadelphia—Johnson & Johnson Vision Care announced its plans to discontinue the Acuvue Advance brand contact
lenses next year, and also announced the availability of a six-month supply pack of Acuvue Oasys at the American
Optometric Association Meeting 2014.
Effective March 31, 2015, Acuvue Advance for Astigmatism, Acuvue Advance Plus, and all other remaining parameters
will be discontinued. Diagnostic lenses from Acuvue Advance and Acuvue Advance for Astigmatism have already been
discontinued, while diagnostic lenses for Acuvue Advance Plus will be discontinued as of August 1, 2014. Acuvue
Brand Contact Lenses, which launched in 1987, also will be discontinued on March 31, 2015.
“For more than 25 years, the Acuvue brand has been at the forefront of innovation, contributing to today's high
standards for contact lenses,” says Laura Angelini, president, Johnson & Johnson Vision Care Companies, North
America. “Contact lens wearers continue to embrace innovative new materials, technologies, and designs that meet
their vision, comfort, health, and lifestyle needs. As we continue to invest heavily in research and development of new
and improved products that offer benefits beyond vision correction, we have made the decision to discontinue
production of some of our older technology.”
Vision Source Names Seven ODs to New Advisory Board (features AOA member Drs. Dori Carlson, Mario
Gutierrez, Brett Hagen, April Jasper, Pete Kehoe, Amir Khoshnevis and William Strickland)
KINGWOOD, Texas—Optometric alliance Vision Source has named seven leading optometrists to sit on a newly
formed Vision Source Administrator Advisory Board, according to a statement from the organization. The Vision
Source Administrator organization is comprised of 170 local leaders and represents a unique component of the
company's value proposition, Vision Source said.
The board members include Dr. Dori Carlson, Grafton, N.D.; Dr. Mario Gutierrez, San Antonio, Texas; Dr. Brett Hagen,
Spokane, Wash.; Dr. April Jasper, West Palm Beach, Fla; Dr. Pete Kehoe, Galesburg, Ill.; Dr. Amir Khoshnevis,
Charlotte, N.C.; and Dr. William Strickland, Oxford, Miss.
Vision Source president and CEO, Jim Greenwood said, “At Vision Source, it is our mission to enrich lives by enabling
independent optometrists to reach their full potential. One of the key factors in the success of Vision Source members
is the leadership provided by the Administrators who serve at the local level. The health care delivery systems of the
future are currently being designed and built in local markets, and as such Vision Source members are beginning to
realize new opportunities for growth due to the abilities and actions of our Administrators.”
Smoking Habits Linked to Eye Disease (references the AOA; bylined by AOA member Dr. Bruce Hyatt)
Roland Park Vision (blog) | Staff | 06/27/2014
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an estimated 443,000 people in the United States
die from smoking or secondhand smoke. In addition to that, 8.6 million people have a serious illness caused by
smoking. “Despite these risks, approximately 46.6 million U.S. adults smoke cigarettes,” states the CDC. Do these
statistics shock you? They should.
Not only does smoking affect your lungs and body, but it is also linked to eye diseases such as cataracts and agerelated macular degeneration (AMD). The chemicals that affect your lungs and body essentially build up and clog your
blood vessels, making blood flow more difficult in the body. Over time, the cigarette smoke can damage cells in your
eyes, and excessive smoking doesn't give the cells a chance to heal.
The American Optometric Association states that studies “have estimated smokers at least double their risk of
developing AMD, while also exacerbating the risk of cataract development.” Also noted, “The 50th anniversary
Surgeon General's report [on] state's findings…[involving] smoking have strengthened evidence of a relationship
between smoking and AMD. While smoking cessation appears to decrease AMD risk, it still remains higher than those
who have never smoked, even decades after quitting.”
Outgoing AOA President: Membership Holding Steady, Legislative Gains Continue (features the AOA
and past president Dr. Mitchell Munson; references the ASCO)
Primary Care Optometry News | Nancy Hemphill | 06/28/2014
PHILADELPHIA – Mitchell Munson, OD, concluded his term as American Optometric Association president by
reviewing the successes of the past year in an address to the AOA House of Delegates here at Optometry's
Meeting.
The AOA continues working within the Inter-Organizational Communications and Cooperation Committee along
with the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry, the Association of Regulatory Boards of Optometry
and the National Board of Examiners in Optometry to better serve the optometric community.
“No single organization in optometry should be making decisions in a vacuum that affect the profession at
large,” Munson said.
AOA Close to Naming Director, Swears in Cockrell as President, Among Host of Optometry's Meeting
Activities (features the AOA, AOA president Dr. David Cockrell and past president Dr. Mitchell
Munson; references the ASCO, Optometry Cares—The AOA Foundation, Southern California College
of Optometry, Michigan College of Optometry at Ferris University, the University of California
Berkeley School of Optometry and AOA member Dr. George Veliky)
PHILADELPHIA—At the conclusion of this year's Optometry's Meeting, during the last day of delegates meetings
for the 117th Annual American Optometric Association Congress, outgoing president Mitchell T. Munson, OD,
said that the organization would announce a new executive director “soon.”
The acting executive director, Jon Hymes, took over after Barry Barresi, OD, PhD, announced that he was
resigning from the position at the end of 2013. The AOA's new president, David Cockrell, OD, was also sworn in
at the conclusion of the meeting. The AOA posted video highlights of the congress on YouTube.
In his outgoing speech to AOA delegates, Munson noted a number of accomplishments over the course of his
presidency, among them the support of The Vision Council's Think About Your Eyes (TAYE) initiative. The TAYE
campaign will include the AOA logo in its advertising, and AOA members will receive special pricing if they
choose to be listed on TAYE's doctor locator.
The Optometric Manpower Study (features the AOA; bylined by AOA member Dr. Ernie Bowling)
Optometry Times (July issue) | Ernie Bowling, OD, FAAO | 06/30/2014
The profession has long awaited the release of the Eye Care Workforce Study. The project was jointly
commissioned by the American Optometric Association (AOA) and the Association of Schools and Colleges of
Optometry (ASCO) and was conducted by the Lewin Group. The date of the study is listed on the Executive
Summary as April 25, 2014, and the results were made public June 10. Congratulations to the AOA and ASCO for
commissioning the study. The last one by Abt was in 1999, so this was quite timely and in fact long overdue.
I learned a lot from the executive summary. First, the estimate of optometrists providing direct patient care in
the U.S. was 39,580 in 2012. The makeup of the optometric workforce at present is 60 percent male, 40 percent
female. That number will skew toward more women in the optometric workforce over the next decade as more
female optometry students enter practice. Of course, there was the age breakdown as well—the average age of
male ODs was 51 years, women 40 years. Another number I found interesting: for the purpose of the study, one
ophthalmologist full-time equivalent (FTE) is equal to 1.36 optometrist FTE. Ophthalmologists generally see
more patients in a day than we do, so that estimate may be a little low.
According to the study, there appears to be an “adequate” supply of eye doctors, optometrists and
ophthalmologists (the latter new to this study), including projections of new doctors, to meet current and
projected demand for eyecare services through 2025. Yet the report makes some assumptions that bolster the
projections, and if some of those assumptions don't come to pass, then the projections can fall apart rather
quickly.
Colored Contacts Nightmare: 'American Horror Story' Crew Partners With FDA To Warn Of Eye Injuries
(references the AOA; quotes AOA member Dr. Helene Clayton-Jeter)
MedicalDaily.com | Dana Dovey | 06/28/2014
Colored contacts are a fun way to temporarily change your look. However, when used incorrectly, the infection and
irritation caused by these decorative lenses can lead you to resemble something out of your childhood nightmares.
This is why the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) thought it would be appropriate to team up with the crew from
the popular TV show American Horror Story to remind the public why it's important to leave some things to the
professionals.
For those of you not familiar with the show, one of the main characters sustains gruesome eye injuries caused by a
combination of an acid attack and being pierced by garden sheers. Brutal, I know. In reality, however, the look is
pulled off by the careful coordination of an optometrist and the show's expert makeup team. All too often, when
people try to pull off similar looks without professional help, serious eye damage and even blindness can occur, Live
Science reported.
In a joint effort to curb the number of eye injuries caused by improper use of colored contacts, the FDA, the
American Optometric Association, and the Entertainment Industries Council released an informative video on
contact lens safety. In the video, professional makeup artists and optometrists explain to viewers the complex
process that leads to the look they see on the show. Its goal is to get the public to “take the message to heart,”
regarding lens safety, by showing “the lengths professional makeup artists go to,” Dr. Helene Clayton-Jeter, an
optometrist and health programs coordinator at the FDA, told Live Science.
Addressing AREDS2 Controversies (features the AOA; quotes AOA members Drs. Diana Shechtman and
Jeffry Gerson)
Optometry Times | Colleen E. McCarthy | 06/29/2014
Philadelphia—During the American Optometric Association's Optometry's Meeting, Diana Shechtman, OD, FAAO,
and Jeffry Gerson, OD, FAAO, addressed some of the controversies surrounding the results of the Age-Related Eye
Diseases Study 2 (AREDS2), including fish oil, lutein/zeaxanthin, and genetic testing.
“If you just read the abstract, it essentially says ‘AREDS2: A bust,'” says Dr. Gerson.
While the study found that lutein/zeaxanthin doesn't appear to have a positive effect on AMD patients, patients in
the lowest quintile who have the least lutein/zeaxanthin in their diets did benefit, Dr. Gerson says. AREDS2 featured
a “highly nourished cohort,” but the majority of Americans fall within the range of the lowest quintile.
AMD Genetic Testing Could Lead to Early Diagnosis, Better Treatment (features the AOA; quotes AOA
members Drs. Steven Ferrucci and Diana Shechtman)
Philadelphia—Optometry Times Editorial Advisory Board members Steven Ferrucci, OD, FAAO, and Diana
Shechtman, OD, FAAO, discussed the benefits of genetic tests for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) at the
American Optometric Association's Optometry's Meeting.
The tests detect single nucleotide polymorphisms, also known as SNPs, in a patient's DNA that have been identified
as relating to a high risk of for AMD. If a patient is identified has having a high-risk gene, it could change the path
for their treatment, the ODs explained. Instead of jumping from treatment option to treatment option, a test could
identify which route will benefit your patient the most, which will save money in the long run, says Dr. Ferrucci.
“The problem with AMD is that you have the genes, but you also have a lot of other complexity to it—diet, smoking,
physical activity,” says Dr. Shechtman, and all factors must be considered.
B+L Receives FDA Clearance for Biotrue Oneday for Presbyopia, Launches Soothe XP Eye Drops
Philadelphia—Bausch + Lomb announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued marketing
clearance for Biotrue ONEday for Presbyopia (nesofilcon A) soft (hydrophilic) daily disposable multifocal contact
lenses at the American Optometric Association's Optometry's Meeting.
The lenses feature Baush + Lomb's 3-Zone Progressive design and HyperGel material, which will provide
comfortable vision at near, intermediate, and distance throughout the day, according to the company. According to
Bausch + Lomb, the HyperGel material meets the oxygen level the eye needs, matches the cornea's water content,
and mimics the lipid layer by using a surfactant-enriched lens surface to retain moisture and shape.
“For people with presbyopia, finding a comfortable daily disposable contact lens that provides clear vision at all
distances can be a challenge. The new Biotrue ONEday for Presbyopia combines the bio-inspired design and
benefits that contact lens wearers have come to expect from Biotrue ONEday, with the outstanding optical 3-Zone
Progressive design of PureVision2 Multi-Focal for Presbyopia,” said Mark McKenna, vice president and general
manager, Vision Care, Bausch + Lomb. “We're confident that the comfort and clarity that this new lens offers will
also be a welcome solution for eye care professionals.”
Exploring New Options in Ophthalmic Lenses (references the AOA)
Philadelphia—With new products coming onto the market all the time, Joy Gibb, ABOC, highlighted some of the
latest options in ophthalmic lenses at the American Optometric Association's Optometry's Meeting.
When you're looking to add new lenses, Gibb first recommended that you do your homework and be open minded
about the options. There are some great lenses coming from smaller companies, but you have to educate yourself.
She also recommended “test driving” the lenses on some of your patients and staff to get honest feedback and
personal testimonies.
With patients spending more and more time on electronic devices, Gibb offered information about new computer
lenses that will make patients more comfortable while using their devices, but also keep them safe from harmful
blue light.
Summer Haze (references the AOA and the AAO)
Optometry Times (July issue) | Gretchyn M. Bailey, NCLC, FAAO | 06/30/2014
As I sit here to write this editorial, it's 97 degrees outside. That's an unusually high temperature for mid June in the
Philadelphia area. I'm hoping that it's not quite so hot and humid when the industry will soon convene in the City of
Brotherly Love for the annual American Optometric Association (AOA) Optometry's Meeting. Of course, by the time
you read this, that meeting will be one for the history books, and we'll be looking ahead to Vision Expo West in Las
Vegas (also hot; don't let the month of September fool you) and the American Academy of Optometry (AAO) annual
meeting in Denver.
My daughter is a rising high school senior now, having closed out her junior year last week. We're getting into the
swing of the summer routine, which means adjusting my schedule to drive her to her camp counselor and volunteer
junior docent zoo gigs. It means that I will have a lot more time in the car, and frequently I get into the zone and
allow my mind to wander.
This afternoon I was wondering what summer looks like for you. Patient volume is likely down slightly due to
families escaping for vacation and kids going to summer camp. How do you take advantage of the downtime?
Speaker: Managing Hypertension an Opportunity for Interprofessional Communication (quotes AOA
member Dr. Maynard L. Pohl; references Optometry's Meeting)
PHILADELPHIA – Maynard L. Pohl, OD, FAAO, urged optometrists to join the team managing the hypertensive
patient, in a presentation here at Optometry's Meeting .
“Spend some extra time communicating interprofessionally,” Pohl said. “It's a wonderful opportunity to actually
talk to the physician.”
He recommended reaching out via written correspondence or even an email to inform the primary care physician
that the patient will be returning to you for evaluation of their eyes.
Early Detection, Comanagement Necessary for ODs Treating Cancer Patients (quotes AOA member Dr.
Essence N. Robinson; references Optometry's Meeting)
PHILADELPHIA – The author of a poster presented at Optometry's Meeting recommended that optometrists work
as part of a team when dealing with cancers that metastasize to the eyes.
Essence N. Robinson, OD, FAAO, of Texas State Optical in Beaumont, Texas, evaluated the case of a 53-year-old
woman who came to her office with central dimness and blurriness in her right eye, according to the poster.
The author noted that the patient had been diagnosed with breast cancer in 1998 and had been treated with a
lumpectomy of the left breast with left axillary dissection, a total hysterectomy in 2005, chemotherapy and oral
treatment with tamoxifen, Arimidex (anastrozole, AstraZeneca) and later Femara (letrozole, Novartis) until 2011.
Optometry Schools Report Increasing Interprofessional Education, Persisting Barriers (quotes AOA
member Melissa A. Vitek; references Optometry's Meeting and the Pennsylvania College of Optometry
at Salus University)
PHILADELPHIA – While U.S. optometry schools are progressively implementing interprofessional education, a
poster presented at Optometry's Meeting also reported that an equivalent number acknowledged obstacles.
As defined in the poster, "interprofessional education occurs when students from two or more professions learn
about, from and with each other to enable effective collaboration and improve health outcomes."
Melissa A. Vitek, OD, of the Pennsylvania College of Optometry at Salus University and colleagues surveyed the
presidents and chief academic officers from the 21 colleges and schools of optometry. The questionnaire involved
16 questions regarding the current existence of interprofessional educational programs (IPE) in addition to
attitudes, challenges and future plans, as detailed by the poster.
Does Coffee Improve Vision? (references the AOA; quotes AOA member Dr. Robert Bittel)
You might be aware of the connection between good nutrition and healthy vision, as it's been shown that eating
foods such as leafy greens, dark berries, eggs, and salmon may help with dry eyes and reduce the risk of both
cataracts and age-related macular degeneration. But did you know drinking coffee could be beneficial to your eye
health?
A recent study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, claims that your morning cup of coffee
helps prevent deteriorating eyesight. The research showed that raw coffee contains 7-9 percent chlorogenic acid,
an antioxidant that, according to the study, prevented retinal degeneration in mice.
To conduct this study, researchers treated the eyes of mice with nitric oxide, which can lead to retinal degeneration
by developing free radicals and oxidative stress. The group of mice that were pre-treated with chlorogenic acid did
not end up developing retinal damage.
The Truth About Eye Health (quotes AOA member Dr. Kimberly Reed; references Nova Southeastern
University College of Optometry)
Today's Chicago Woman - Online | Christine Bachman | 06/27/2014
My husband often teases me because you'll never see me outside when the sun is shining without sunglasses. My
eyes are sensitive, and I have about 10 pairs of shades. If for some reason I cannot find a pair, you'll hear about it
the whole time. I try to encourage my kids to wear sunglasses; we have a dozen pairs for them as well, including
little ones for my seven month old. While he often pulls them off, it's still important to protect your eyes…just as
important as protecting your skin.
I was able to ask Dr. Kimberly Reed , an associate professor of optometry at the Nova Southeastern University
College of Optometry, some questions to help sort myth from fact. She gives helpful information about eye health
especially during the height of summer.
At what age should we start wearing sunglasses?
Newborns on up! A lifetime accumulation of UV damage leads to many eye problems including cataracts, macular
degeneration and cancers in and around the eyes. Sun protection should be worn at all times when outdoors to
prevent these problems. And, we know that it is the exposure prior to age 18 that is most damaging, according to
many studies.
More Innovation by Vision Source (features AOA member Drs. Dori Carlson, Mario Gutierrez, Brett
Hagen, April Jasper, Pete Kehoe, Amir Khoshnevis and William Strickland; references the AOA,
InfantSEE, the American Academy of Optometry, Pacific University College of Optometry, the North
Dakota Optometric Association, the University of Houston College of Optometry, the Texas Optometric
Association, the Optometric Physicians of Washington, Nova Southeastern University's College of
Optometry, the Northwest Florida Optometric Association, the Illinois College of Optometry, the Illinois
Optometric Association, the West Central Illinois Optometric Society, Pennsylvania College of
Optometry and the Mississippi Optometric Association)
Digital Journal, press release | Vision Source | 06/30/2014
KINGWOOD, TX--(Marketwired - Jun 27, 2014) - Texas-based optometric alliance Vision Source has named seven
leading optometrists to sit on a newly formed 'Vision Source Administrator Advisory Board.' The Vision Source
Administrator organization is comprised of 170 local leaders and represents a unique component of the Company's
value proposition.
Vision Source President and CEO, Jim Greenwood commented, "At Vision Source, it is our mission to enrich lives by
enabling independent optometrists to reach their full potential. One of the key factors in the success of Vision
Source members is the leadership provided by the Administrators who serve at the local level. The healthcare
delivery systems of the future are currently being designed and built in local markets, and as such Vision Source
members are beginning to realize new opportunities for growth due to the abilities and actions of our
Administrators."
Greenwood added, "The Administrator group is comprised of independent optometrists who possess a broad range
of experiences and a deep industry knowledge to share with the membership. From this illustrious group, we have
carefully selected seven respected clinicians who will become an important part of the Company's leadership
infrastructure. They will impact decisions on policy and will be a continual source of guidance to our executive
team. I want to congratulate the following individuals who have accepted the invitation to serve independent
optometry in this manner: Dr. Dori Carlson of Grafton, North Dakota, Dr. Mario Gutierrez of San Antonio, Dr. Brett
Hagen from Spokane, Washington, Texas, Dr. April Jasper of West Palm Beach, Florida, Dr. Pete Kehoe of Galesburg,
Illinois, Dr. Amir Khoshnevis of Charlotte, North Carolina and Dr. William Strickland of Oxford, Mississippi."
New AOA President Encourages Personal Advocacy (features the AOA and AOA President David
Cockrell)
PHILADELPHIA – “The American Optometric Association gets a lot of credit for moving things forward, as do the
state affiliates. But they only move forward because of the personal advocacy efforts of each of you,” incoming
AOA President David Cockrell, OD, told the AOA's House of Delegates here at Optometry's Meeting.
“Every voice counts,” he continued. “This is a period of change for our country; we are undergoing upheaval
politically and due to the Affordable Care Act, and we're going to move through that because of your efforts.”
Cockrell said he began volunteering for the AOA because he was asked by a colleague to serve.
AOA House of Delegates Endorses OD Involvement in Concussion Management (features the AOA)
PHILADELPHIA – The American Optometric Association passed a resolution in its House of Delegates urging an
optometric evaluation for all patients with a brain injury.
The group encourages “all health care professionals to consider the possibility that a patient's ocular or visual
signs or symptoms may have been a result of a brain injury,” according to the resolution passed here at
Optometry's Meeting.
The AOA also recommends an optometric evaluation to detect ocular changes or vision disorders in such patients
and provision of medical or functional optometric rehabilitation services.
How Withdrawal of Windows XP Support Affects You (references the AOA)
Optometry Times - Online | Steve Silberberg | 06/30/2014
Whether you practice in a small private practice, a commercial setting, or a large hospital-based institution,
Windows withdrawal of support for Windows XP as of April 8, 2014 needs to be seriously addressed by you or
your organization.
What does withdrawal of support mean?
There will be no more security updates or technical support for the Windows XP operating system. Security
updates patch vulnerabilities that may be exploited by malware and help keep users and their data safer. Critical
flaws could allow an attacker to take over or cripple a PC running XP. EPHI (personal healthcare information) and
other confidential patient data will be far more vulnerable to hackers, viruses, and malware. While you can buy a
customer support package through Microsoft, it is expensive and not even a short-term solution for the average
practice.
Thank Mom and Dad for More Than Just Your Eye Color (quotes AOA member Dr. Joseph Sowka;
references Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry)
When it comes to your eyes, you get more than eye color from your mom and dad. Eye health experts say a host
of vision issues, including many that threaten your vision, can be inherited from your parents or grandparents.
Genetic ophthalmologic researchers have linked some of the most common vision problems to genetics. Some of
those include crossed eyes, a “lazy” eye and refractive errors such as nearsightedness, farsightedness and
astigmatism.
“Poor eyesight definitely runs in families,” says Millie Fell, M.D., a Brooklyn, NY ophthalmologist. “But science has
yet to understand the full role of genetics.”
Avoiding Eye Injuries From Home Fireworks on Fourth of July (references the AOA and the Michigan
Optometric Association; quotes AOA member Dr. Barbara Horn)
Metro Parent - Online (Ferndale, MI) | Megan Krueger | 07/01/2014
There's been an increase in wounds caused by sparklers, firecrackers and other yard-use fireworks. How can
you protect your family this Independence Day?
Backyard fireworks are a fun way to celebrate the Fourth of July. But while those pretty displays are exciting to
watch with your family, lighting them off can pose serious dangers – especially to your eyeballs.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that in 2013, the number of injuries caused by fireworks
spiked, with injuries growing to 11,400 from 8,700 the year previous. Most of those injuries happened in the
month surrounding the holiday, CPSC reports. After conducting its fireworks study, the group's findings showed
kids 0-14 made up 40 percent of those hurt last year.
Cockrell Assumes AOA Presidency (features AOA president Dr. David Cockrell; references AOA past
president Dr. Mitchell Munson and AOA members Drs. Steven A. Loomis, Andrea P. Thau,
Christopher J. Quinn, James P. DeVleming, Barb Horn, Sam Pierce, Greg A. Caldwell, Robert Layman
and William T. Reynolds)
PHILADELPHIA – David A. Cockrell, OD, of Stillwater, Okla., was sworn in as the 2014-2015 American Optometric
Association president in the AOA's House of Delegates June 28, here at Optometry's Meeting.
Outgoing president Mitchell T. Munson, OD, of Highlands Ranch, Colo., now moves into the position of
president-elect.
Steven A. Loomis, OD, of Roxborough Park, Colo., was voted into the position of president-elect; Andrea P.
Thau, OD, of New York, was elected vice president; and Christopher J. Quinn, OD, of Iselin, N.J., was elected
secretary-treasurer.
Students from All North American Schools Attend Optometry's Meeting (features the AOA and the
AOSA; references AOA member Dr. Ashley Kamann)
The American Optometric Student Association announced in a press release that 1,000 students representing
the 23 optometry schools and colleges in the U.S., Puerto Rico, and Canada attended Optometry's Meeting.
The organization also noted that the students were able to participate in more than 200 OD continuing
education hours for the first time.
Additionally, AOSA distributed several awards. The Founders Award was presented to the 2012-2013 AOSA
executive council, comprising Jennifer Sidun, Kelly Keane, Marc Kallal and Amber Gatti Dunn. Chris Cordero, OD,
received the Merit Award; Morgan Strub, OD, and Tom Hubbard, OD, received a Thank You Award as the 20132014 Student Program Committee; Ashley Kamann, OD, received the Outstanding Service Award; and Jessica
Haynes received the Norman E. Wallis Award.
AOA: Proactive Legislation Needed to Ensure Access to Care, Clinical Registry in Development
(features the AOA; quotes AOA members Drs. Deanna Alexander, Beth Kneib, Jeff Michaels, Steve
Montaquila and Roger Jordan)
PHILADELPHIA – While a number of states have passed legislation granting laser and injection privileges and
protection against managed care plan dictates, “there's a huge complacency issue,” the American Optometric
Association State Government Relations Committee chair told the House of Delegates.
“Big issues continue,” Deanna Alexander, OD, told the delegates here at Optometry's Meeting .
“Ophthalmology has been trained to attack our profession, and we've been able to avert these attacks because
of our strong relationships with legislators.
“We have the same agenda that you have,” she continued. “It's about access. It doesn't feel good to not be able
to provide your patients with the services they need.”
5 Numbers You Need to Know for Your Vision Health (references the AOA)
You know what they say…the numbers don't lie. So when it comes to your vision, here are some numbers that
add up to healthy eyes.
1: In order to ensure the continued health of your eyes, ophthalmologists recommend that adults have a
comprehensive eye exam every year. For kids, don't settle for the vision screenings at school. While these
screenings are helpful, the only way to check total vision health is with a comprehensive eye exam from your
eye doctor.
3: If you wear contact lenses, chances are you're well aware of the safety precautions you need to take when
removing or inserting them. But did you know that the storage case you keep them in is also a potential health
hazard? The longer you use the same storage case, the greater the chance for bacteria and infection. It's
recommended you replace your contact lens storage case once every three months.
Learning Problems Can Be in the Eyes: A Back-to-School Message From the College of Optometrists
in Vision Development (quotes AOA member Dr. Ida Chung)
Yahoo! Finance, press release | Staff | 07/01/2014
AURORA, OH--(Marketwired - July 01, 2014) - In preparation for the new school year, families around the world
focus on making sure their children are ready to go back to school. "However, in addition to filling their
children's back-to-school checklists, parents also need to include a very important school supply-an eye
examination," says Dr. Ida Chung, COVD President. "Most parents assume incorrectly that their child can see
well enough to learn."
When a child struggles with reading, attentive parents can often see that something isn't right. They can see
there is something wrong with how their child's eyes move when he/she is trying to read. Teachers will often
tell parents that they think their child has a problem with "tracking." But when the child is taken to the
pediatrician, the parents are told that their child's vision is fine.
This is what happened for Suzanne Torres, mother of five. When her middle daughter, Mary, was in first grade
she starting having difficulties with reading. She knew her "wall words" (individual words put up on the wall for
Spelling) and was even ahead of grade level on her words, but she couldn't recognize these words when they
were in a paragraph. The pediatrician said that Mary's vision was fine. However, Suzanne could see that her
daughter's eyes didn't seem to move correctly when she was reading.
Keep your child's eye health and safety a top priority in summer (written by AOA member Dr. Fraser
Horn; references the 2014 American Eye-Q Survey)
ExpertBeacon | Fraser C. Horn | 07/02/2014
During summer families start celebrating the season with outdoor activities like barbeques and picnics, spending
long days at the park, frequenting pools and water parks, watching firework displays and much more. While the
summer can be a carefree time for many families, it's important to keep your child's eye health and safety a
priority by following this helpful advice.
Do
require your child to wear sunglasses
be aware of all UV sources threatening your child
supervise your child around fireworks
insist on swim goggles for children
promote healthy eating
Don't
forget to purchase sunglasses for infants
forget to check sunglasses for both UV-A and UV-B protection
rely on cheap sunglasses
allow your child to play with sparklers
ignore eye irritation from chlorinated pools
AOA to revise clinical practice guidelines (features the AOA; quotes AOA members Drs. Trennda
Rittenbach and Bennet McAllister)
The American Optometric Association has assembled a guideline-development group to formulate evidencebased optometry guidelines to align with new standards from the Institute of Medicine, according to a poster
here at Optometry's Meeting.
“Recently, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) has been mandated by the U.S. Congress through the Medicare
Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 to find the best methods for developing quality,
trustworthy, evidence-based clinical practice guidelines,” the authors said.
Rittenbach and McAllister detailed in their poster the specific attributes of evidence-based guidelines according
to the IOM and the Agency for HealthCare Research and Quality: The guidelines must be based on systematic
reviews of current and existing evidence; developed by a knowledgeable multidisciplinary panel of experts;
based on an explicit and transparent development process; graded for quality of evidence and strength of clinical
recommendation; reviewed externally; and revisited every 2 to 5 years.
Speakers share contact lens fitting tips, industry trends (references the AOA and the American
Academy of Optometry; quotes AOA members Drs. Thomas Quinn and Shalu Pal)
The leading cause of contact lens dropout is discomfort, cited by – according to some studies – up to half of
wearers, according to Thomas Quinn, OD, MS, in a presentation at Optometry's Meeting.
Quinn said studies show little difference in comfort between those using multipurpose solutions vs. those using
hydrogen peroxide, “but the daily disposable modality appears to be the most comfortable,” he said. “That's our
winner when it comes to a comfortable lens.”
He noted an underutilization of this wearing modality, although its usage has nearly doubled in 4 years from 11%
in 2009 to 20% in 2013.
Gov. Rick Snyder Signs Pharmacy, Consumer Protection, Local Government Bills (State of Michigan
press release; references eye health legislation)
Mighigan.gov, press release | | 07/02/2014
Gov. Rick Snyder today signed legislation that updates pharmacy safety standards and strengthens oversight.
The bills are a result of a 2012 fungal meningitis outbreak from contaminated steroid injections distributed by
the New England Compounding Center in Massachusetts. More than 260 Michigan patients were affected by the
outbreak including 22 deaths. The compounding center was only licensed as a compounding facility but acted as
a drug manufacturer which contributed to the contamination of the injections.
“These bills will help establish additional safeguards between patients and pharmacists helping ensure
Michiganders remain safe and healthy,” Snyder said. “Consumers need and deserve to have confidence in any
product they receive, especially medical ones. These changes put patient safety first and are designed to help
prevent future tragedies.”
Repost: How I Got Prescription Eyeglasses for $11 (references the AOA)
Morningstar.com (Chicago, IL) | Charles Passy | 06/23/2014
For some people, losing a pair of prescription glasses is a costly mistake. For me, it's equivalent to lunch at Chipotle.
OK, I'm exaggerating, but only slightly -- and not in the way you might be expecting. A burrito and soda runs me about
$11 at the yuppified fast-casual Mexican chain. My last pair of prescription frames, purchased just a few weeks ago,
cost $10.89. So, yes, lunch is actually a few pennies more.
How'd I get my glasses so cheaply? That's easy: I ditched the brick-and-mortar eyewear stores and bought a rather
nice-looking, sturdy pair online.
Dr. Finley Celebrates 25th Anniversary in Herndon (features AOA member Dr. Thomas Finley; references
the AOA, Pennsylvania College of Optometry, University of Alabama School of Optometry, Inter American
Puerto Rico School of Optometry, American Academy of Optometry, Virginia Academy of Optometry,
Virginia Optometric Association, Northern Virginia Optometric Society, and Armed Forces Optometric
Society)
Connection Newspapers, The (Alexandria, VA) | Staff | 07/02/2014
Dr. Thomas P. Finley has announced the 25th anniversary in historic downtown Herndon, Dr. Finley's Family Eyecare,
Optometrists. Finley purchased his office from Dr. Charles Meyer in July 1989. Over the past 25 years, Finley has grown
the practice from its original 100 year old Sears' catalogue office building (still standing at 711 Pine Street) to his new
office at 709 Pine Street (2.5 times larger, and blending into historic Herndon architecture).
In addition to providing quality eye care services and products, Finley has been active in the community. He is a
member of the Herndon Rotary Club (past president), Chamber of Commerce (past board member), Optimist Club (past
youth sports' coach for over 20 years), and Knights of Columbus (past board member). He is a past board member of
the Jeanie Schmidt Free clinic and has provided free eye examinations for the clinic since its inception in 2001.
As a tribute to his work and community service he has been the recipient of many awards.
3-D Movies can Reveal Vision Problems (references the AOA)
San Angelo Standard-Times - Online (San Angelo, TX) | Marshall Dawer, M.D | 06/20/2014
SAN ANGELO, Texas — More blockbuster movies are featuring 3-D technology. This summer is no exception; at least 10
3-D movies are scheduled for release by fall.
Did you know 3-D movies can serve as a valuable indicator of underlying vision issues among young people and adults?
The American Optometry Association's (AOA) report, "3D in the Classroom," states that 3-D movies have the potential
to help identify vision problems that might otherwise go unnoticed. This is because 3-D technology requires eyes to
process information in a new way.
Holly Vision Source: Dr. Mike Wallace Opens Optometry Practice in Holly (features AOA member Dr. Mike
Wallace and the ABO)
Tri-County Times (Fenton, MI) | Sally Rummel | 06/20/2014
Holly area residents now have a full-service optometry practice available locally with the recent opening of Holly Vision
Source.
Providing comprehensive eye exams, contact lens services and medical eye care, Dr. Mike Wallace is pleased to offer
these services at his new office at 1121 North Saginaw St., Suite 1, in the Villager Plaza.
Holly Vision Source is an independently owned office, and the 20th location for Vision Source in the Oakland and
Genesee county area, joining 2,800 locations nationwide.
Shopping for Sunglasses: The Benefits of Sun Protection for the Eyes (references the AOA)
The Reflector (Battle Ground, WA) | Andrew Bruce | 06/25/2014
With the sun beginning to finally show its too-often hidden face, now is a great time to discuss the need for good
quality eye protection from the sun.
Society is very much aware of the harm Ultraviolet, or UV, exposure can cause the skin, and the need to use sunscreen
to reduce the risks of skin cancer. However, what about the following health questions:
• What about UV damage to the eyes?
Marcia Shaull Receives Public Service Award from Salus University (references the AOA)
Times Herald - Online (Norristown, PA) | Staff | 06/25/2014
ELKINS PARK — Marcia M. Shaull will receive the 2014 Public Service Award from Salus University. This award is
presented to a person or organization that has made a recent significant contribution to Salus University or to their
profession.
Salus University is an internationally recognized academic institution offering a wide range of graduate and postgraduate degree programs for healthcare professionals. Mrs. Shaull will be presented with her award at Salus' alumni
reception taking place in Philadelphia on June 27 during the American Optometric Association's annual meeting.
Slated to retire this year, Mrs. Shaull has served as the chief administrative officer of the MD-14 (Pennsylvania) Council
of Lions Clubs since 2000. As chief administrative officer Mrs. Shaull is the most central Lions figure for the state,
providing leadership and support to 730 Lions clubs and 22,000 Lions Club members, as well as to Pennsylvania Lions
state committees and projects. A current charter member of the York White Rose Lions Club of York, Mrs. Shaull has 25
years of distinguished Lions service. Her many offices within the association include director, secretary and president of
her club and she is a Life Member of the Northeast Pennsylvania Lions Eye Bank.
Southern College of Optometry Opens TearWell Dry Eye Center (features Southern College of Optometry;
quotes AOA member Dr. Whitney Hauser; references NEI)
Memphis Daily News - Online (Memphis, TN) | Don Wade | 06/25/2014
If you don't have it, it doesn't sound like that big of a deal. Dry eye? So what?
“Dry eye sounds really benign,” said Dr. Whitney Hauser, clinical director at the Southern College of Optometry's new
TearWell: Advanced Dry Eye Treatment Center.
Although the center has been taking patients since April, the grand opening is set for July 1 at the college's campus in
Midtown.
'Dry Eyes, Ocular Allergies' is topic of RiverView's June 26 Health Luncheon (features AOA members Drs.
Matt Forgit and Angie Smith; references Pacific University College of Optometry)
Crookston Times - Online (Crookston, MN) | Staff | 06/25/2014
Summer is finally here. It's the time of year most Minnesotans dream of during the long, cold winter months. But
along with the beautiful weather and blooming plants, dry eyes and ocular allergies often follow.
Eye allergies are anything but rare. In the United States, an estimated 20 percent of the population suffers from them,
and the incidence appears to be on the rise. If you suffer from eye allergies, you are invited to attend RiverView
Health's Thursday, June 26 Health Luncheon, “Dry Eyes and Ocular Allergies'' presented by Drs. Matt Forgit and Angie
Smith with the Crookston Eye Clinic.
Beyond being annoying, ocular allergies may be disabling. Allergic symptoms typically occur when allergy sufferers are
in situations that put them in close contact with allergens to which they are sensitive, such as mowing the lawn,
spending time outdoors or playing with pets. Thus, it can affect your ability to engage in these activities, as well as
your efficacy at work and school. Beyond activities, however, appearances may become a major quality of life factor.
For allergy sufferers, red eyes and puffy eyelids can be bothersome because they give the appearance of fatigue or
perhaps even illness or substance abuse.
Rocky Mount Reaches Out to Belarus (features AOA members Drs. Dr. David Braswell and Carol Aune)
The Rocky Mount Telegram - Online (Rocky Mount, NC) | Staff | 06/26/2014
In often overlooked ways, in places like Rocky Mount, North Carolina, America still reaches out to the world with
compassion and care.
As Telegram staff writer Corey Davis reported this week, 20 children from Belarus found welcoming homes and health
care in the Twin Counties a few days ago. Belarus is a small country, once part of the Soviet Union. It weathered a
massive dose of radiation following the 1986 nuclear power plant disaster in Chernobyl.
Thanks to the generosity of local doctors, eye care specialists, churches and other people who care, the kids received
free eye exams and, in many cases, free prescription glasses. This marks the 16th year the Rocky Mount community
has helped children from a distant corner of the world go home with better health and better vision.
How to Pick the Perfect Pair Of Shades (references the AOA, the Michigan Optometric Association and
Illinois College of Optometry)
A Healthier Michigan (blog) | Susan Mithoff Quade | 06/27/2014
With their unique style and cool look, a pair of sunglasses has the potential to transform you into a James Dean, or
Audrey Hepburn. But there's so much more to those stylish pair of sunglasses than what color the frames are.
Sunglasses are an essential tool to keep your eyes safe from UV rays and choosing the right pair goes beyond how
they look. The same UV radiation that damages your skin has similar powers against your eyes, increasing your odds
of getting cataracts, which clouds your lens and minimizes your eyesight, and macular degeneration (a disease that
can make it difficult to recognize faces or read). Both conditions can drastically impact your vision for the rest of your
life.
People on the Move 6/30/14: Dr. Jeremey Dohogne (features AOA member Dr. Jeremey Dohogne;
references the AOA, the Missouri Optometric Association and the University of Missouri – St. Louis
Southeast Missourian (Cape Girardeau, MO) | Amity Shedd | 06/30/2014
Dr. Jeremey Dohogne of Benton, Missouri, joined Leet EyeCare at its 3230 Blattner Drive and 856 N. Kingshighway
locations in Cape Girardeau.
Dohogne provides eye care for all ages, and he specializes in contact lenses and geriatrics. He also joined the Midwest
Mobile EyeCare team of Leet EyeCare optometrists that serves Southeast Missouri nursing home residents.
Dohogne is an honors graduate of the University of Missouri – St. Louis College of Optometry where he received the
Contact Lens Clinical Excellence Award. He is a member of the American Optometric Association, Missouri Optometric
Association and Vision Source. He also served eight years in the Missouri Army National Guard and is a veteran of
Operation Iraqi Freedom.
When It Comes to Sunglasses, Looks Aren't Everything (NJSOP press release: quotes AOA member
Dr.Maria Richman; references the AOA and the American Eye-Q)
NorthJersey.com, press release (Woodland Park, NJ) | The New Jersey Society of Optometric Physicians |
06/27/2014
After much of the United States experienced an extended "polar vortex" this winter, summer can't come soon
enough. As warm weather approaches, many Americans will gladly shed their winter coats for shorts, flip flops and,
most importantly, sunglasses. While many will look for fashionable eyewear, the most critical factor to keep in mind is
making sure sunglasses provide adequate protection from the harmful effects of ultraviolet (UV) rays. UV radiation,
which comes from the sun (and from tanning beds), is what can cause harm to skin and eyes.
According to the American Optometric Association's (AOA) 2014 American Eye-Q survey, 41 percent of consumers do
not check the UV protection level before purchasing sunglasses and only 30 percent of Americans said UV protection
is the most important factor when purchasing sunglasses, ahead of glare reduction/comfortable vision (27 percent),
style (15 percent), price (14 percent) and fit (9 percent).
"The harmful effects of long-term exposure to UV are a real concern because it can cause damage to the eye, possibly
resulting in cataracts, age-related macular degeneration, or an abnormal growth called pterygium." said Dr. Maria
Richman, optometric physician and president of the New Jersey Society of Optometric Physicians (NJSOP).
Fourth of July Home Fireworks Can Be Fun, Also Dangerous; Take Precautions Beforehand (quotes AOA
member Dr. Michael K. Smith)
KyForward.com | Staff | 06/30/2014
Cookouts, parades and patriotic fireworks displays – all are traditions for the Fourth of July holiday.
Although most families take precautions to protect themselves and their children against the potential dangers of
fireworks, thousands visit the emergency room every year – often with eye injuries.
“Fireworks are a tradition when celebrating the Fourth of July, but safety should be the top priority,” said Dr. Michael
K. Smith, an optometrist in Danville. “Children are especially vulnerable to injury from fireworks, particularly sparklers
since they are handled at such close range.”
Announcing the Winner of 'How Many Glasses?' (references the AOA; quotes AOA members Drs. Linda
Bennett, Melanie Macbeth and Rebecca Maida)
Wicked Local: Belmont (Belmont, MA) | Staff | 07/01/2014
The winner was announced for the "How Many Glasses?" contest held by Bennett Family Eye Care at the YMCA
Healthy Kids Day on April 26 in Waltham. The winner, Tyler Crane of Waltham, accepted on behalf of his sister who
had the closest guess to the actual number of glasses in the jug. There were 60 contestants, and the prize was a $50
gift card to Toys ‘R' Us.
This was Bennett Family Eye Care's third time participating at Waltham's YMCA Healthy Kids Day event, with the goal
of highlighting the importance of good vision in children. "With the recent changes in the nation's Affordable Care Act
(ACA) which mandates that all health plans are required to provide an annual comprehensive eye exam for children
up to age 18 years, there is no reason that a child should be left behind without an annual eye examination," says Dr.
Tara Grimm, who recently joined Bennett Family Eye Care.
"We know that children who see well do better academically, socially, and athletically. Over 80 percent of learning is
visual," remarked Dr. Linda Bennett of Bennett Family Eye Care in Belmont.
Graebe: On a Quest for Better Therapies (features AOA member Dr. Rick Graebe)
Lexington Family - Online (Lexington, KY) | Staff | 07/01/2014
The more Dr. Rick Graebe learns about his patient's vision problems, the more he wants to learn about fixing them.
A self-described “restless intellect,” Dr. Graebe is a behavioral optometrist and the owner of Family Vision Center and
Children's Vision and Learning Center of Versailles.
Dr. Graebe's coast-to-coast pursuit of continuing education and outside-the-box therapies has resulted in better
outcomes for his patients.

weekly media monitoring highlights

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