Search

In this article, author discusses on how to assess and manage the dry eye. It mentions that dry eye is a multifactorial disease of the tears that results in symptoms of discomfort, visual disturbance, and tear instability. It suggests that change in lifestyle and environments plays a significance role in dry eye management. Further it mentions that optimal management of dry eye requires careful listening to the history and symptoms of patients.

The article focuses on the hearing and vision problems due to age factors and on how the eye care practitioners usefully adapt their communication skills when dealing with these patients. It states that more than half of the entire people with ages over 60 are gradually losing their hearing ability associated with the aging process known as presbycusis. It notes that ensuring a quiet environment is one of the guidelines considered by the practitioners to effectively communicate these patients.

The article focuses on the professional, legal and ethical considerations for domiciliary eye care. Effective communication is important in an optometric consultation. A practitioner's style of communication need to be adapted to suit individual patient and this may be beneficial when examining a domiciliary patient.

The article discusses the equipments required and the routine to be followed when examining patients in the home. It is stated that the domiciliary optometrist do not require fully equipped consulting room or dispensing area. As mentioned, a domiciliary optometrist requires computerized charts that can be run laptops, hand-held slit lamps and the appropriate environment for examination. Moreover, it is also stated that the optometrist should ensure that the patient receives high quality service.

The article reports that independent opticians can obtain a toolkit, which will help them to improve the effectiveness of their patient recall letters. The toolkit is sponsored by ABDO, Optician and Independents Day. The toolkit covers important areas such as why many patients ignore recall letters; how to overcome their apathy about the benefits of eyecare and the 11 important techniques for writing better letters.

The author comments on the rising trend among optometrists in Great Britain to opt for locum work rather than be employed or open their own practice. It is stated that, the trend is the result of the belief that locum work entails higher fees with less responsibility. It is stated that, although fees is certainly higher in locum work, the optometrists need to understand that they have to take the responsibility for every patient they treat.

In this article the author discusses the positive aspects of providing eye care in the home. The author reflects that domiciliary eye care reminds him of the useful and compassionate role optometrists and dispensing opticians who conduct home visits make to their patients. He adds that most professionals who make home visits take great pride in that fact that they offer optical services to people who would otherwise go without.

The article focuses on the Shayler's Vision Centre in Dorset, England established in 1951. Its staff includes Geoff Shayler, an optometrist, Loraine Shayler, vision therapist and practice manager and Julia Major, dispenser. On the sort of patients visiting, it is stated that the patients of all ages visit the centre and many children, especially those with learning or visual processing deficit are the main visitors. Comments on the preferred patients visiting the clinic are also included.

The article focuses on the study 'Obstacles to improving visual health in older people,' conducted by Thomas Pocklington Trust on general practitioners (GP). According to the study, GPs and practice nurses could help to ease resistance to eye tests and encourage patients to make routine visits to optometrists by reinforcing the 'health' aspect of sight tests. The study found that there was poor understanding among older patients that sight tests were vital for eye health.

The article presents information on Corry & Christie Optometrists. It was founded in 1933 originally as a jewellers and optician. Presently, it has eight members of staff two optometrists, two dispensing opticians, one dispensing/clinical assistant and three receptionists/clinical assistants. Current active patient base of the organization is around 7,000. 10 per cent of the organization's patients wear contact lenses.

The article offers information on Eyetech Opticians in Midsomer Norton, England. The practice was established in 1986 and at present there are four optical assistants, two optometrists and one pre-reg optometric student shared with another practice. The practice looks after 5,000 patients in a year and has a mailing database of triple this number.

The article reports on the assessment process conducted by the Welsh Eye Care Initiative (WECI), which was participated by optometrists. Optometrists registered to take part in WECI in carrying out selected categories of patients an eye health examination (EHE). EHE involves dilated examination having slit-lamp biomicroscopy, assessment of anterior angle, contact tonometry, and a field assessment.