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The article discusses the potential benefits of offering a wider selection of premium intraocular lens (IOL) to patients with eye conditions as per Doctor Sharon Richens. Also cited are the factors affecting the choice of IOLs like the patient's individual needs, some potential surgical procedures like radial keratotomy and astigmatic keratotomy, as well as some products like the light adjustable lens from RxSight.

The article discusses the role of ophthalmic technicians in averting claim denials in the practice of ophthalmology in the U.S. Technicians are advised to prevent claim denials by raising the overall efficiency of the practice. The reasons why claims are denied are presented, including insufficient documentation, missing or wrong modifiers, and correct coding initiative edits. Technicians are warned about the disadvantages of having limited skills and tools.

The article addresses three questions regarding claim denials and the role of technicians in how to avoid them. It is said that claim denials create inefficiencies by causing unnecessary work or rework. Some of the top reasons why claims are denied include insufficient documentation and inappropriate International Classification of Diseases 10th revision codes. The role of technicians is to make sure prior authorizations are in place for tests performed in the clinic and minor rooms.

The article offers tips to being a highly efficient technician in an eye clinic. These include getting organized and having a video resource to remove the discomfort have to repeatedly ask others for help, creating a folder on the desktop that contains short, bulleted and step-by-step instructions on tasks one has to know but do infrequently and learning the computer and keyboard shortcuts.

The author presents three patient scenarios that can help an eye clinic staff when triaging patients for their presumed eye problem. The challenge of triaging a patient is also discussed. It is said that technicians should have a game plan to focus patients on the significant needed information. The author learned to stay focused and firm and how to avoid distraction with ancillary information.

The article discusses some basic issues that technicians in eye care should understand with regards to cataract surgery measurements. The natural lens of the eye is removed and replaced with an artificial intraocular lens during the surgery. An eye with a long axial length and/or a steep cornea has a myopic refractive error. It is said that corneal power can offset axial length.

A case study of a 48-year-old African-American maleu is presented. Topics discussed include history of the male with upper lid swelling wide recent-onset, tearing and crusting of die eyelashes, use of Diagnosis, Workup and Treatment for effectiveness treatment. He also looks at Sarcoidosis is a multi-system disease of non-caseating granulomatous.

The article offers the author's insights on the ophthalmic medical technology program for ophthalmic technicians. He mentions organizations that accredit ophthalmic technicians' training which include the Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology, the Association of Technical Personnel in Ophthalmology, and the Commission on Accreditation for Ophthalmic Medical Programs. Moreover, the advancements in technicians' training will provide a trained manpower in the future.

The article presents the part II of practice transition series which takes a close look at the dilemmas, decisions and life changes at each stage of an optometrist's career. An optometrist need to show his personal motivation of becoming a partner. One obstacle to negotiating a final deal in partnership arrangements is deciding on the valuation date.

Presents a preview of the SECO International 2005 conference in Atlanta, Georgia, for optometrists, opticians, opthalmic technicians, and paraoptometric professionals . Exhibits; Continuing education courses; Three separate simultaneous parties with different themes; CD-ROM of handouts; Interactive learning courses.

Reports on the salary and pay raise situation of ophthalmology staff in the U.S. Effect of companies' lack of pricing power on the magnitude of pay raises; Finding that the economic factor with the longest impact on ophthalmologists' ability to give raises to their staff is Medicare reimbursement.

The article discusses the important role played by technicians in assessing anesthesia use in eye care practices. Topics covered include the need for technicians to get a good medical history from patients and determine their allergy and medication lists. Also mentioned are the three questions that every technician should know before preparing anesthesia for eye care patients.

The article discusses five things that quality technicians should know before working in eye care facilities. Topics covered include the need for having comprehensive knowledge on pupils, people skills and patient histories. Also mentioned is the importance of being able to get a complete medical history of patient to avoid any medical complications in the future.

The article informs that the beginning of the minimally invasive glaucoma surgery has the potential to shift a good portion of glaucoma management toward the side of the comprehensive ophthalmologist. Information on several general MIGS options used by ophthalmologists such as iStent, trabectome and endocyclophotocoagulatiom is presented. It further informs about several complications related to performing minimally invasive glaucoma surgery.

The article discusses how a news broadcast can reshape a preconceived notion about the millennial generation in the U.S. The author shares her opinion on millennials as the entitled generation and compares them to the boomer generation. She also addresses the issue of cell phone usage among millennials as well as their influence on the practice of ophthalmology.

The article discusses the importance of shoppers' first interactions with the front-desk staff of eyecare and eyewear practices as they influence subsequent contact with the establishment and the move towards service or product sales. Topics covered include the path to purchase (PTP)) marketing concept, and the crucial first telephone call for the eye examination. Also noted are the frontline's focus on areas like programming of expectations and creating website traffic to improve sales.

The author talks about the importance of having an action plan in helping technicians prioritize patient care in eye care clinic. Topics covered include the experience of conniption fit or a sudden outburst triggered by an unexpected turn of events at the clinic, the email sent to the technicians regarding the implementation of a policy at the clinic and the need to remind the staff that their job is to see the patient and get the patient to the doctor.

The article discusses several misconceptions about optical shops. These misconceptions include that ophthalmologists who open their own dispensary will eliminate optical dispensary referrals, that ophthalmologists' shop cannot compete with budget chains successfully, and that selling exclusive, luxury frame lines will lead to higher profits. Comments from optical executives Mary Walker and Carolyn Salvato on the misconceptions are also presented.

The article offers some tips for administering intravitreal injections successfully. It notes that intravitreal injections are administered in the exam room of an office taking care that infection is prevented. Food is not allowed in exam rooms and nonsterile instruments and supplies are placed on a plastic-backed towel on the counter while sterile instruments are dropped in the Mayo tray. Speaking is avoided since the mouth is the main source of bacteria that can cause endophthalmitis.

The article discusses several ophthalmic certification options. It cites availability of continuing education and certification to ophthalmic allied health personnel from the Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology (JCAHPO). It outlines common tasks performed by Certified Ophthalmic Assistants (COA) including visual acuity measurement, taking of medical histories, and patient flow coordination. The difference between COA and Certified Ophthalmic Technician (COT) is noted.

The article focuses on the need of optometric and ophthalmic technician to have certifications to give a formal declaration of skill and education achievement in the profession of optometric assisting. It clarifies the differences betwenn state licenses and certifications. It cites the benefits of certification which include enhanced job mobility, public recognition, and increased earning power. Also, it notes the accrediting bodies which include the American Board of Opticianry (ABO).

The article focuses on the important tasks of ophthalmic technicians to teach patients the correct lens application and removal. It cites steps how patients can apply their lenses such as washing hands with non-moisturizing soap, checking the lenses to make sure it is clean, and balancing the lenses to determine if it is inside out. It adds tips for patients who wear cosmetics such as sticking to hypoallergenic make-up formulas and applying make up only after applying the contact lenses. INSET: Instructions for patients who wear cosmetics.

The author offers tips for medical practice managers on how to conduct performance reviews for medical personnel. She recommends managers to establish skills evaluations throughout the year so that areas of weakness can be corrected immediately. It shows technicians that managers care about their careers and want to help them grow their skills.

The article offers information on the causes and preventive measures of wound burn in eyes. According to Randall J. Olson, doctor of medicine, surgical volume, surgical approach and choice of ophthalmic viscosurgical device (OVD) mojorly affect the incidence of significant wound burn. It also mentions that using right techniques and approach help the surgeons in reducing the risks while performing surgery.

The article reports on the trend related to the hiring of Ophthalmic Medical Personnel (OMP) with certificates from the Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology (JCAHPO) because of the quality of care and productivity they provide in the U.S. The author states that ophthalmologists prefer to hire certified OMPs. Lynn D. Anderson, PhD, urges the importance of requiring OMPs to secure certification.

The article emphasizes the importance of training the staff of an optometry practice in the U.S. It traces the author's personal experiences in hiring and making his staff productive, along with how he ensures that his staff is helping his practice provide quality service and retain loyal patients. The basic aspects of employee training are explained, including setting definite training time, preparing ahead of time and training staff in sections. The author notes that proper training of staff makes them an asset to a practice.

Presents letters to the editor referencing articles and topics discussed in previous issues. Reasons of several dispensing opticians (DO) and optometrists for not accepting conceptual evaluation test; Need for the Association of British Dispensing Opticians to promote the differences between a qualified DO and an optical assistant; Use of the term ophthalmic optician in place of the term optometrist.

Discusses the advantages of employing scribes in an ophthalmic office. Improvement of practice documentation and compliance as it relates to chart audits; Increase of productivity and revenue; Identification of factors that need to be considered before hiring a scribe.

In the article, the author informs about Lasik, a refractive surgical procedure. The author focuses on the risk related to Lasik surgery. The author discusses the intraoperative microkiratome complications related to Lasik including anterior chamber perforation, interface foreign bodies and incomplete flaps and buttonhole flaps.

In the article, the author focuses on the importance of the role of technician in eyes surgery. He informs about presbyopia, a condition where with age, the eye exhibits a progressively diminished ability to focus on near objects. The author discusses the importance of technician in Kamra corneal inlay (AcuFocus), a technology for the treatment of presbyopia, procedure and other laser surgeries.

The article focuses on the role of nutrition in eye care and hygiene. It states that a nutrient known as lutein should be consumed by patients having eye problems and it informs that the nutrient is mainly present in kale, spinach and green leafy vegetables. It further states that there is a need to educate patients about well-balanced diet for proper eye care.

The article offers information on various ophthalmic examinations. It states that ophthalmic examination include several tests such as visual acuity, pupillary reaction and fundus examination. It furthers states that while performing visual inspection eye care professionals should properly examine ocular adnexae and transparent ocular tissues.

The article offers information on dry eye disease. It states that symptoms of this disease include tearing, burning and blurry vision and also informs that the condition gets worsen while reading at the computer and television. It further states that several treatments are offered for dry eye disease which include anti-inflammatory treatments, increase tear production and outflow occlusion. INSET: Numerous treatment options.

The article offers information on contact lenses (CL). It states that scientists are working on CL materials and designs so as to remove any misconceptions that most of the CL wearers hold. It further states that clinicians have developed silicone hydrogel toric and multifocal lenses which will provide more stability to lenses and better vision in CL wearers.

The article focuses on documentation process fro different procedures in ambulatory surgical centers (ASCs). It states that documents related to any surgery must include operative report of the surgical procedure, anesthesia record and final discharge diagnosis. According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) medical standards, ASCs can treat patients without any referral from physician. INSET: Complete and Thorough Reports.

The article discusses the required skills by ophthalmic technicians focusing on soft skills. It mentions that soft skills are vital as technical skills. It states the requirement of 3 critical characteristics by the technicians which includes dedication to the career and care of patients in the proper way. It suggests for the JCAHPO (Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology) certification. Patient care and aligning the global citizen with the career is regarded vital.

The article presents the author's views on the need of highly skilled and knowledgeable ophthalmic technicians, mentioning the educational courses offered by Advanstar Communications Inc. for enhancing the skills of the technicians.

The article offers information on "Technogen-EYEsis," a seminar developed by Irwin Shwon, adjunct associate professor of optometry at the New England College of Optometry in Boston, in an effort to provide advanced training for paraoptometrics. The seminar is offered across the U.S. with the goal of teaching paraoptometrics on using and interpreting data relevant to the diagnosis and treatment of significant ocular conditions.

The article reports on the announcement of the general ophthalmic services (GOS) sight test fees in Great Britain. The author stated that the improved rules enable practitioners to take into account any increases in fees for claims dating back to April 2008. The author emphasized that the delay of the announcement is due to the technical issue on making payments back to April 2008.

The article presents a calendar of events of interest to opticians to be held in Great Britain in March and April 2007. It includes an optical assistant course organized by Total Marketing Resource in Newcastle, England, the contact lens and therapeutics day in Yorkshire and a lecture on retinitis pigmentosa at the Moorfields Eye Hospital in North London.

The article comments on the important quality an ophthalmologists look for when hiring an associate in the U.S. Some ophthalmologists have been praised for their value in integrity above all other qualities in potential practice partners. It was suggested that the same priority should apply to the selection of medical students, ophthalmology residents, and department faculty.

The article reports that the American Society of Ophthalmic Administrators will hold a review course in San Francisco, California in March 2006 for ophthalmic administrators planning to earn the Certified Ophthalmic Executive credential. The sessions will focus on accounting, finance, operations, human resources and risk management and regulatory compliance.

The article focuses on the observations of the author about working with the American Academy of Ophthalmology. The author states that the quality of people one works with was the best part in doing work for the academy. The staff of the academy and the volunteer ophthalmologists provides invaluable help to those who are working with them.

Presents a letter to the editor criticizing ophthalmic comanagement which incorporates eye surgeons transferring care to paramedicals under a Medicare arrangement.

Reports on the prizes donated by companies to optical assistants Sam Larder and Kirstie Sutton for a raffle for the Fight for Sight's 40th anniversary parachute jump on May 22, 2005 in Great Britain. Effect of the tsunami disaster appeal on sponsorships for the jump; Amount needed to be raised by Larder and Sutton for the event.

Explains that optometrists, opticians, ophthalmic technicians, and paraoptometric professionals who will attend the SECO International 2005 conference in Atlanta, Georgia will receive a CD-ROM. Containing course handouts and outlines; Replacing the traditional handouts book.

Provides information on the work of ophthalmic assistants. Responsibilities of ophthalmic assistants; Requirements for applying for the job; Possible ways of learning to become ophthalmic assistants.

Presents an article expressing views on the crimes committed by staff in optical practices in Great Britain. Illustrative example; Recommendation to optical owners and practitioners.

Focuses on the importance of hiring a clinically competent practice administrator for ophthalmic offices. Comparison of capabilities between a clinically trained and a non-clinical administrator; Responsibility of the practice administrator to oversee accuracy of data and paperworks; Insights on patient care and clinical-trial efforts.