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The article reveals tips for optometrists in enhancing their skills in conducting adilated fundus examination. Optometrists must select fundus biomicroscopy lenses based on the examined eye conditions of the patients, where varieties include high-powered non-contact lens, biconvex fundus biomicroscopy lens, and low-dioptric lens. Optometrists can measure retinal lesions on eyes by the optic disc diameter and optic nerve transillumination.

The article presents five myths of orthokeratology (ortho-k) that may be deterring eye care practitioners from realizing its benefits. It debunks that ortho-k works by compression on the central cornea, that ortho-k lenses are difficult and time-consuming to fit and that all corneal topographers are created equal. The article also disputes that some lenses are inherently better than others and that all one need to get started is the certification from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). INSET: The Ideal Patient.

The article provides insights on how eye care specialists could help patients perfect their contact lens insertion and removal technique. It reminds the eye care specialists to match the proper lens to each individual patient amidst the emergence of many contact lens materials in the market. It advises them to notate the initial trial lens in the patient's record and to initiate dispensing visit. It also offers tips on lens handling and follow-up care.

The article discusses the growing trend of multifocal lenses as vision correction for presbyopes in the U.S. It notes that presbyopes who are new to contact lens wear saw the biggest increase in multifocal fits by 64%. The surge in multifocal fitting can be largely attributed to the development in lens designs and materials as well as improving success rate.

The article discusses the emergence of contact lens care systems in the practice of optometry in the U.S. It highlights the critical role of optometrists to comprehend solution efficacy and to prescribe the right solution for each contact lens patient. The application of hydrogen peroxide solution systems is discussed.

The article presents views of several optometrists in the U.S. regarding their recommended lenses for treating presbyopia. Joseph Shovlin prefers to use the multifocal lens from Bausch & Lomb or CIBA Vision, while John Rinehart prefers to use aspheric lens designs for patients that requires gas-permeable lenses. It also mentions that lens modality cannot fit all and can only serve certain patients.

The article presents a study on the treatment of contact lens-associated red eye (CLARE) in the U.S. It mentions that CLARE results due to the build up of protein deposits and bacterial byproducts which causes redness, discomfort, and light sensitivity. It states that signs and symptoms of CLARE are related with contact lens use. In conclusion, the treatment for CLARE involves a stopping on lens wear and the use of ZYLET as medical therapy in order to reduce bacterial load on the eye.

The article discusses the advancements in new technology and applications in contact lenses. It notes that the use of contact lenses in place of mobile devices can pave the way for augmented reality overlaying real-world images with computer-generated images and information. Meanwhile, contact lenses industries are advised to avoid the limitation on striving for greater oxygen levels as the improvement in oxygen permeability is the highlight of technological advancements.

The article provides tips on how eye care specialists could stress the use and benefits of progressive lenses to their patients. It notes that eye care specialists can have an opportunity to give several things to presbyopes with progressive addition lenses (PALs) through choosing appropriate options. It also claims that successful lens options can be assessed by the satisfaction of presbyopes with their PALs.

The article discusses the use of therapeutic and prosthetic contact lenses for patients who are suffering from ocular disfigurements. It states that colored contact lenses serve as cosmetic and therapeutic tools for patients. It notes that eye-care practitioners face the challenge of offering patients tinted and colored contact lenses as prosthetic devices. They are responsible of positioning themselves within the health care system to use their knowledge in creating special lenses for patients. INSETS: Tint and Color to Match;Ready-Made Does the Trick;Custom Hand-Painted Lens.

The article focuses on the patient factors involved in selecting a toric lens design. It examines the demographics of patients with astigmatism seeking for ideal toric lens design and evaluates the different types of the disease to understand the different lens options available. It also presents a self-assessment examination related to the stabilization factors of toric contact lenses.

The article offers tips for ophthalmologists on how to develop significant contact lens practice. Ophthalmologists should value the patient history, the actual examination, and medical decision-making when considering the contact lens options. In addition, ophthalmologists need to understand the materials used in soft contact lenses.

The article provides information for optometrists on how to customize their patients' needs of using presbyopic lenses. It suggests that doctors need to keep at least one of the special categories for use as a companion to primary designs. These categories include short-corridor progressive lenses, computer progressive lenses and wraparound progressive sun wear lenses.

The article discusses various considerations that optometrists need to keep in mind when recommending intraocular lens (IOL) to patients. It provides information about a wavefront-based explanation of the new IOLs, which is the standard procedure prior to laser vision correction. Meanwhile, the author suggests that optometrists should spend time talking with the patient and learn about his or her specific visual needs.

The article presents the trends in multifocal contact lenses in the U.S. It discusses the concept of the soft, disposable multifocal lens, gas-permeable lenses or hybrid multifocal lenses. Meanwhile, the author also focuses on the patient's correction and how he or she is satisfied with the trends in multifocal contact lenses.

The article specifies four categories of patients with vision disorder who need contact lenses. It is helpful among optometrists to identify the type of their patient to help them determine their needs and demands. They patients may belong to low to moderate myopes, first-time wearers or younger patients, patients with low residual astigmatism and non-compliant patients.

The article describes presbyopic contact lens and identifies its advantages. It is advisable for optometrists to fully understand the considerations and demands of their patients to provide them the satisfaction they need. It is remarkable that contact lenses are developed in an improved manner that cope with the demands of patients.

The article focuses on the use of contact lens and surgical options for keratoconus patients. Authors say that soft contact lens may be prescribed for mild keratoconus but most patients benefit from gas-permeable (GP) contact lens as the condition advance. They add that the surgical options should be taken if the patient is GP intolerance. Furthermore, referral to a fellow who provide contact lens care before assuming that the patient is lens intolerance.

The article reports that clinicians are using progressive addition lenses (PAL) as an important option for the correction of presbyopia. According to the author, treatment of vision problems in children using multifocal lenses is not a new concept, in fact, clinicians have traditionally used bifocals to manage accommodative and binocular vision problems in children.

The article discusses several conditions that indicate the use of large overall diameter (OAD) gas-permeable contact lenses and offers tips for the clinician who is just beginning to prescribe these lenses. The article points out that large OAD lenses are probably not the best option for most keratoconus patients. It suggests that eye-care practitioners should fully understand the prescription with large OAD before treating their patients.

The article focuses on the course on progressive lenses that improve visions. With this, two factors are coalescing that will drastically change the eye care industry in the future. They are wavefront aberrometry and presbyopia. In addition, the contact lens and surgical industry have attempted to deliver presbyopic cures with monovision, simultaneous vision, diffractive lenses and other technologies, with mixed degrees of success and patient satisfaction.

The article presents the third part of a series article about the pioneers in the contact lens field. In this part, the authors examine the groundbreaking practitioners who first eschewed spectacles to establish contact lens-only practices. To mention some, these include, Harold E. Davis, George N. Jessen and Robert L. Davis. Many of these individuals had an early interest in contact lenses and had been fitting rigid polymethyl-methacrylate lenses. INSET: THE PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE OF OPTOMETRY.

The article discusses the classification of silicone hydrogel contact lenses in the U.S. In classifying conventional hydrogel lens groups, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has developed a system which facilitates testing of care systems with the availability of lens materials. The FDA has generated four groups which were based primarily on pre-clinical characteristics and on clinically observed performance differences of the lens materials.

The article presents tips for properly fitting progressive lenses for patients. In selecting the best design of lenses, optometrists should choose a design that would fit to the needs of his or her patients. In addition, they should listen to what the sales representatives say about their products. An optometrist should not worry about the lenses because manufacturers offered various designs, materials, and colors in the market.

The article discusses the reasons on the differences of company regulations and guidelines when it comes to the use of contact lenses in the workplace in Canada. In the country, most laboratories have signs banning contact lenses because of government agencies' perceptions that it could damage the eyes of a person. These perceptions would become the basis for the formulation of the regulations and guidelines. INSET: New Guidelines for Eye Safety in the Workplace.

The article presents the panel discussion of the contact lens specialists about the effects of contact lens solution. The discussion was made due to the recent published reports accounting corneal and conjunctival staining and the effects on the ocular surface as a consequence of wearing contact lenses. Among the specialists who took part in the discussion include Art Epstein, Glenda Secor, and Eric White.

The article presents a guide to bring forth astounding stability and achieving vision for astigmatic patients. According to the author, fitting choices should be taken into account to ensure astigmatic patients have the greatest opportunity for success in relation to the utilization of the latest technologies in treating the disorder. In addressing, the advanced optics of the PureVision Toric lens was recommended to correct the problem.

The article reports that contact lens industry data has revealed good news and bad news for the contact lens portion of the practice of optometry in the U.S. There is a large upswing in male and middle-aged wearers, and contact lens wear continues to increase overall. More than half of contact lens dropouts said they would definitely not return to contact lens wear, and patients are less likely to purchase their lenses from optometrists.

Focuses on the benefits of prescribing premium ophthalmic lens products. Ways to position premium lens; Importance of providing good care to patients; Impact of adopting high technology products. INSETS: Differentiate Your Practice by Offering Premium Products;Self-Assessment Examination: Differentiate Your Practice….

Presents the second part of a series article focusing on the roundtable discussion of manufacturer researchers on contact lens solutions in the U.S. Comment of Stan Huth, research investigator for Advanced Medical Optics Inc., on contact lens wettability; Statement of Joe Salomone, vice president of research for Baush & Lomb Inc., on the concept of bacterial attachment to the lens case; Reaction of M. K. Raheja, vice president of research and development for CIBA Vision Corp., to the views of Huth.

Cites various optical devices for retina examination. Use of direct ophthalmoscope to examine the crystalline lens and opacities; Ability of fundus contact lenses to provide images at the same orientation as the retina; Classification of binocular indirect ophthalmoscopy as very useful for evaluating the posterior segment and retinal periphery.

Explores the in vitro surface wettability of preconditioned silicone hydrogel (SiH) lenses using marketed multipurpose solutions in the presence of artificial tear solutions containing lysozyme, albumin and mucin. Increase in the popularity of the SiH lenses since its introduction to the marketplace; Role of lysozyme in improving the wettability of SiH lenses; Means of measuring the sessile contact angles of hydrophilic contact lenses.

Talks about the benefits of contact lens advances for patients with eye diseases. Interpretation of the concept of super vision through the wavefront technology and optical aberrations; Efforts of several companies and university research laboratories to work on customized wavefront-designed contact lenses; Possibility of the achievement of super vision. INSETS: Aspheric Contact Lenses That Correct Aberrations;Making the Move to Custom Lenses;The Tear Film and Vision.

Focuses on how doctors can keep contact lens patients. Common reasons why patients leave a practice; Importance for practitioners to welcome technological developments; Importance of compliance with contact lens wear.

Focuses on lubricant eye drops for contact lens wearers. Benefits from hyaluronate-based eye drops; Relief from dryness; Description of contact lenses.

The article reports that the advent of silicone hydrogel lenses has heightened practitioner awareness that the oxygen transmissibility of lens materials is one of the critical success factors in contact lens wear. The rapid recovery of corneal tissue that clinicians have observed when refitting low-Dk/t lens wearers with silicone hydrogel lenses has dramatized the insufficiency of the oxygen transmissibility of traditional hydrogels. The first oxygen transmissible hydrogel lens was introduced in 1971, providing a dramatic improvement in contact lens comfort.

The article discusses ophthalmoheliosis and eye care. Eyecare practitioners receive conflicting information about ultraviolet (UV) radiation protection for the eye and the need for incorporating UV absorbers into contact lens polymers. The term "ophthalmoheliosis" derives from the ancient Greece words meaning ''eye," "sun" and "condition." It may be used to describe any eye disorder that is caused by or related to sunlight exposure. The eye and the skin are the only organs of the body exposed to solar non-ionizing radiation. Only UV effects on the cornea, iris, lens and retina can potentially be modified by wearing UV-absorbing contact lenses.

Focuses on the importance of wearing glasses even with the predominance of contact lenses. Comparison of myopia development in children wearing eyeglasses and contact lenses; Option for correcting vision; Prescription of glasses for soft contact lens wearers.

Part II. Summarizes some of the papers and posters on the cornea and contact lenses that were presented at the 2004 Association for Vision in Research and Ophthalmology Meeting. Hypoxic stress levels and physiologically effective Dk/t values for combination contact lens systems; Comfort and vision with inverted soft contact lenses; Effects on the rabbit cornea of reversed geometry ortho-k lens wear.

Explains the importance of post-approval clinical studies in addressing contact lens safety or effectiveness issues that cannot completely be characterized during the pre-approval study. Overview of microbial keratitis or contact lens-related corneal ulcer; Examples of companies that have been give approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to market their contact lenses in the United States; Frequency of post-approval studies.

Describes a scientific approach to choosing contact lens care solutions. Disinfection capabilities; Toxicity; Material/solution incompatibilities; Surface wettability.

Offers a look at some of the applications for color contact lenses that will help eyecare practitioners provide more options to benefit their patients. Cosmetic colored lenses; Enhancer cosmetic tints; Custom tinting; Sports applications; Low-vision aids; Color blindness. INSET: Reasons to Fit Prosthetic Lenses.

Discusses the most common problems that occur with contact lens wear and how to treat them. Dry eye; Hypoxic edema; Neovascularization; Corneal distortion and warpage; Epitheliopathies; Contact lens peripheral ulcers; Infectious complications. INSET: Contact Lens Complications Beyond the Cornea.

Looks at the developments and different uses of cosmetic contact lenses. Several tints for patients with low-vision conditions; Use of cosmetic lenses for theatrical purposes; Therapeutic uses; Prosthetic uses. INSET: A Different Way to Tint.

Provides information on wavefront contact lenses. Detection and correction of higher-order aberrations; Factors affecting refractive surgery; Contact lenses and vision optimization.

Provides information on corneal reshaping lenses along with manufacturers' comments on their designs. Product name; Wearing schedule; Range of correction; Fitting method; Recommendation for fitting set/inventory.

Reports on issues related to modern optics for the contact lens practitioner in the U.S. Implications for the application of wavefront technology on contact lenses; Role of understanding optical aberrations in harnessing the technology for ophthalmic lenses; Capability of clinicians to apply the theoretical in a practical way.

Suggests ways in diagnosing and correcting contact lens problems. Outline of some question that needs to be ask in determining the cause of the contact lens problem; Importance of the slit examination in diagnosing the cause of patient's problem; List of proactive steps in keeping patient in contact lenses. INSET: Practice Management Pearls for Recapturing Dropouts.

Describes the most vexing complications of contact lens wear which involves the appearance of corneal infiltrates. Definition of corneal infiltrates; Discussion of the differential diagnosis for contact lens-induced peripheral ulcer (CLPU); Features of microbial keratitis that clinically differ from CLPU.

The article presents information on bacterial keratitis. The patient with bacterial keratitis will generally present with a unilateral, acutely painful, photophobic, intensely injected eye. Visual acuity is usually reduced, and profuse tearing is common. There will be a focal strormal infiltrate with an overlying area of epithelial excavation. Often, there will be a history of contact lens wear, which is the most common precipitating condition. Corneal trauma or pre-existing keratopathy are also common precipitating conditions. Mucopurulent discharge may emanate from the lesion. The cornea may be edematous. The conjunctival and episcleral vessels will be deeply engorged and inflamed, often greatly out of proportion to the size of the corneal defect. INSET: PANNUS.