October 15, 2012

Features

Case Report

Boy Suffers Collateral Damage

A ricocheted BB hit our young patient in the right eye. Will his vision be shot, too?

Routine Eye Check Reveals Deadly Cancer

In this rare case, esophageal adenocarcinoma presented initially on a routine ophthalmic exam—in the form of a surprising fundus finding.

Income Survey

Income Survey: Group Practices Bring Home the Bacon

Compared to other professions, optometrists in solo practice are doing OK. But O.D.s in group practice are living higher on the hog.

In-Office Lab Report

Setting Up Your New In-Office Lab

You’ve decided that an in-office finishing lab would be a good fit for your practice. Now, how do you actually make it fit in your office?

Practice Management

10 Myths of Social Media

Are you not a fan of Facebook? Does Twitter give you the jitters? Do you lack interest in Pinterest? Don’t worry. Social media is much easier than you think.

Ask the Legal Consultant: When Good Employees Go Bad

What do you do when a staff member crosses the line? You asked. Our lawyer answered.

When Is the Right Time to Add an Associate?

The right associate can bring a lot to a practice, including added flexibility and potential for greater growth. But when is the ideal time to add an associate—and is it worth the risk?

Vision Expo

Vision Expo West: Strong Attendance, Innovative CE in Sin City

With more than 12,000 attendees and 350 continuing education hours, this year’s meeting far exceeded expectations.

Departments

Chairside

The Toilet Whisperer

Let’s talk about the most valuable and important piece of equipment in your entire office. No, it’s not that snazzy new OCT. It’s your potty.

Clinical Quandaries

Get Your Head Examined!

Your optic nerve head, that is! Some of us don’t practice what we preach when it comes to getting regular dilated eye exams.

Coding Connection

OMG! It’s MGD!

Meibomian gland dysfunction is a hot topic—but coding it incorrectly can get you in hot water. Here’s how to do it right.

Cornea and Contact Lens Q & A

Dangerous Liasions

Glaucoma drops and continuous contact lens wear aren’t a good mix. Patients should remove their lenses before drop instillation.

Diagnostic Quiz

Slight Anomaly or Big Problem?

We detected an unusual finding in the patient's right eye during the dilated fundus exam.

Glaucoma Grand Rounds

Does She—Or Doesn’t She?

A 63-year-old glaucoma suspect, who has been watched carefully, presents with a disc hemorrhage. Does she now have glaucoma?

Letters to the Editor

Here's what our readers have to say.

News Review

‘Video’ Game Helps Blind Learn to Navigate Through Real World

A new "game" teaches blind players navigation skills using audio cues.

Bio-Chip to Measure Glucose Levels in Tears

Nano-sized biosensor could continuously and noninvasively measure glucose levels in sweat or tears.

CA to Reconsider Stand-Alone Vision Plans

Stand-alone vision plans have been barred from California’s Health Benefit Exchange.

In the News

A few of the latest headlines in optometry.

Most ODs Skip Annual Eye Exams

Two-thirds of optometrists don’t get annual exams. About 12% haven’t had one in a decade.

Safety First

LV researcher lands $1.9M grant to help seniors safely cross the street.

See Alzheimer’s at the Slit Lamp

Color markers would allow ODs to see Alzheimer's at the slit lamp.

Small Number of Glaucoma Patients Account for the Largest Costs

The costliest 5% of patients receiving glaucoma-related care were responsible for $10,202,871, study says.

The History of Contact Lenses in the Movies

Check out this year’s Optometric Historical Society event at AAO 2012.

Outlook

Strength in Numbers

Trends indicate that optometrists would be well advised to band together rather than go it alone.

Product Review

A look at some of the latest product offerings in eye care.

Retina Quiz

Which is Worse?

This patient presented with decreased vision in his left eye. He already had a retinal complication in his right eye. Which eye is of greater concern?

Surgical Minute

The Express Glaucoma Shunt

When medical and laser therapy fail, this aqueous filtration device may be an alternative to consider.

Therapeutic Review

The Scuttlebutt on the SCUT

Despite the results of a recent clinical study, the debate over the use of corticosteroids for bacterial keratitis continues to rage.