NEW ARTIFICIAL TEAR FORMULAS, ADVANCES IN PUNCTAL OCCLUSION PROVIDE
HOPE FOR
DRY EYE
New artificial tears have disappearing preservatives and are specially
designed to work with contact lenses, while form-fitting punctal
occlusion
is on the horizon.
The treatment plan for dry eye has been relatively straightforward: use
rewetting drops to help keep the ocular surface moist. If that is not
sufficient, have punctum plugs inserted into the lower puncta and, if
necessary, the upper puncta. A more permanent solution would be punctal
cautery.
For more, see the article on the web:
slackinc.com
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AAO, ASCRS ISSUE POSITION ON COMANAGEMENT; AOA RESPONDS
According to the American Optometric Association, the paper does not
prohibit the practice, but urges judgment on a case-by-case basis.
SAN FRANCISCO - The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) and the
American
Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) have released a
joint
position paper, "Ophthalmic Postoperative Care," regarding the
comanagement
of ophthalmic surgical patients.
For more, see the article on the web:
slackinc.com
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OPTICAL LAB SERVICES: WHEN TO BRING THEM IN-HOUSE, HOW TO PURCHASE THEM
Managed care and 1-hour service have forced ODs to provide glasses more
quickly and cost effectively. Several approaches can help practices
adapt to
these changes.
With managed care cutting into profits and many retail optical chains
providing 1-hour service, practitioners have had to re-examine their
operating methods to remain competitive. Many practices have started
incorporating services that have traditionally been lab jobs - such as
casting, tinting, edging, surfacing and finishing - into their own
practices. Others are shopping on the Internet or banding together to
purchase lab services as a group.
For more, see the article on the web:
slackinc.com
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COMBAT POST-LASIK DRY EYE WITH AGGRESSIVE PREVENTIVE MEASURES
While significant complications resulting from laser in situ
keratomileusis
are fairly rare, postoperative dry eye can be significant and can occur
unexpectedly.
By all measures, laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) is quite
impressive.
Its ability to withstand scientific scrutiny, yield impressive outcomes
and
provide patient satisfaction speaks volumes. And with an anticipated 1
million LASIK procedures this year alone, it's become pretty routine.
Well,
almost.
For more, see the article on the web:
slackinc.com
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PATIENT EDUCATION, PROACTIVE APPROACH CRUCIAL WHEN TREATING
LASIK-INDUCED
DRY EYE
While typically a temporary condition, practitioners should conduct
preoperative testing and take measures to prevent the problem before it
starts.
Practitioners agree that dry eye syndrome may be one of the most
commonly
overlooked ocular conditions in patients who come in for an exam.
Thorough
testing using various disclosing dyes, determining tear break-up time
and
assessing tear volume with Schirmer's strips can help highlight the
problem,
at which time the appropriate course of treatment may be determined.
For more, see the article on the web:
slackinc.com |
