Today's Spotlight
Combining Optics and Comfort: Piggyback and Hybrid Lenses
With the recent boom of scleral lenses, practitioners are flooded with a range of lens designs to choose from. Although scleral lenses are the new hot trend, some patients might do better with alternative options such as piggybacking and hybrid contact lenses to improve vision and comfort and maintain long-term corneal health.The piggyback system consists of a gas permeable (GP) lens fit on top of a soft contact lens. It offers the optics of a GP lens with the comfort of a soft contact lens. Hybrid lenses have a GP lens center surrounded by a soft contact lens skirt. They are similar to the piggyback system in that they, too, provide the optical quality of a GP lens with the comfort of a soft contact lens; but, unlike the piggyback system, they do so in one contact lens. Both of these options can be used as an alternative to conventional lenses. Here, we review the piggyback system and hybrid contact lenses and how they have progressed over the years.
Today's Spotlight
News Review
A newly developed optical coherence tomography (OCT) technique, line-field OCT, may simplify how clinicians image ocular cellular processes, according to new research.The new technique uses linear illumination with rapid frame rates to allow digital correct of aberrations over the entire 3D volume of the retina, according to lead author Laurin Ginner, a PhD student studying under Rainer Leitgeb, PhD. The result is in vivo, aberration-free retinal images at the cellular level without expensive hardware adaptive optics (AO). While researchers already know combining AO with OCT can provide high isotropic resolution in 3D, “complexities of adaptive optics together with its costs make the commercialization of such technology difficult,” the study says. More below.
Today's Spotlight
Crank Up Your Clinic
Last month, I observed a significant peripheral malignant melanoma in a patient who presented without complaints and 20/20 vision. No online testing or online optical using dated prescriptions would have caught that—and the consequences could have been life-threatening. But what did help me catch that was the technology I have at my fingertips these days. While we are all leery of innovations such as online refraction and dispensing services, some advances do more good than harm when used properly. Here is a look at the technological advances transforming your office.
Today's Spotlight
Combining Images, Not Codes
OCT is quickly becoming an integral part of optometric practice. From a coding standpoint, OCT was first introduced in 1999 with code 92135, scanning computerized ophthalmic diagnostic imaging (e.g., scanning laser) with interpretation and report, unilateral—a broad, non-anatomically specific code representing all ocular OCT procedures. In January 2011, 92135 was replaced with three new codes with anatomically-specific application and rule sets. With these new codes came new edits within the National Correct Coding Initiative identifying areas of conflict when performing these tests on the same day as other commonly performed procedures or with each other.
Today's Spotlight
Downsize Your Technology to Enhance Your Practice
In optometric practice, the push toward electronic health records and better technological integration has spurred innovation in diagnostic and patient management devices, including for refraction, intraocular pressure measurement and imaging of pathologies and anatomic variants, just to name a few.But with these new technologies comes increased expenses. In addition, each instrument has a footprint that has to fit into our sometimes-cramped office spaces with an ideal position for efficient use of time and space—not to mention designed with patient convenience and comfort in mind. That’s where portable technologies come in.
Look Inside The Current Issue
Features
Downsize Your Technology to Enhance Your Practice
Here’s a look at the many handheld devices that can provide significant benefits for your practice.
Dry Eye and Systemic Disease: What’s the Association?
As principal gatekeepers, we need to be able to spot these cases right away.
How Early Diagnosis Can Improve AMD Outcomes
Functional tests are giving optometrists the ability to diagnose earlier and more precisely than ever.
Modernize Your Exam of Glaucoma Patients and Suspects
Additional testing can help you customize your glaucoma workup.
Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment: How to Detect, How to Manage
Timely management is critical to successfully treating the most common form of detachments.
Understanding Today's State-of-the-art OCT Technology and Anticipating Tomorrow's
This family of devices has changed the way ODs diagnose and monitor disease. This guide explains when to use which application.
Your Phoropter on Steroids?
High-tech refraction systems tout greater accuracy, comfort and time savings. Skeptics ask if such gains justify choosing this over other practice-enhancing investments.
Departments
Combining Images, Not Codes
With new OCT technology comes new coding do’s and don’ts.
Crank Up Your Clinic
It may be time to upgrade your tools to help you stay ahead of online competition—and ocular disease progression.
Do APDs Matter? It’s All Relative
Here are the staple points to consider about this important clinical marker.
Headbanger’s Ball
A patient experiences vertical double vision following a recent fall, but the neuroimaging is normal. What’s causing his diplopia?
Make Your Brown Eyes Blue
A review of cosmetic procedures suggests that vanity often has a high cost.
Managing Migraine Headache
Migraine headache frequently has ocular symptoms and associations, and ODs need to be ready to care for these patients.
No Case Too Small
Can you diagnose a 68-year-old female who presented to the clinic for an ocular health check with a chief complaint of difficulty reading?
Rise of the Machines
Four decades on, optometry still hasn’t bested its fears of automation. And that’s a good thing.
Through the Eyes of a Child
Can these images of a child with suspected poor distance vision reveal a diagnosis?
Tonic Pupil? Loosen Up
Often, practitioners are alarmed by acute isolated dilated pupils. This need not be the case.
Upcoming Events
Continuing Education
September 2017 • 2.00 Credits
Understanding Today's State of the Art OCT Technology - And Anticipating Tomorrow's
August 2017 • 2.00 Credits
Time to Update Your Plaquenil Screening Protocol
July 2017 • 2.00 Credits
Caring for Patients With Brain Injury
June 2017 • 2.00 Credits
AMD Mimickers: When to Suspect Macular Dystrophy by Sara Weidmayer, OD
Additional Publications
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Taking Aim at Dry Eye - September 2017
Sponsored by TheraTears.
Here's how systematic management of this chronic disease is improving patient outcomes. Improving Diagnosis, Treatment, and Management of Dry Eye Disease in the 21st Century - September 2017
Diagnostic Instruments & Equipment Product Guide Annual 2018
Women in Optometry - September 2017
DEWS II: Redefining Dry Eye - August 2017
Ophthalmic Product Guide - July 2017
Jobs
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Ophthalmic Technician
Horizon Eye Care
9/16/2017 -
Certified Ophthalmic Technician
Carolina Cataract and Laser Center
9/16/2017 -
Ophthalmic Technician
Carolina Cataract and Laser Center
9/16/2017
Review of Cornea & Contact Lenses
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Overcoming GP Lens Obstacles
Research shows GP lenses can provide superior vision quality compared with soft lenses. Let’s address a few reservations practitioners may have. -
Starting Up with GPs: Use Your Resources
Here is a closer look at what’s out there to help practitioners add GP lenses to their repertoires.
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Combining Optics and Comfort: Piggyback and Hybrid Lenses
Although scleral lenses are the new trend, some patients might do better with piggybacking and hybrid contact lenses to improve vision and comfort and maintain long-term corneal health. -
Sclerals & GPs: How to Build a Better Lens Fitting Experience
Scleral and gas permeable contact lenses have opened up a new realm of possibilities to provide patients with improved vision correction and relief for dryness, so it’s no surprise practitioner interest is booming. -
A Closer Look at Corneal Inlays
This article focuses on corneal inlays in the marketplace and how they are making a difference in the lives of presbyopic patients. -
Expand Your Horizons: Think GPs for Presbyopes
This article reviews multifocal GP lens designs, including new hybrid and scleral multifocal options, and how to best incorporate them in everyday optometric practice.
Women in Optometry
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Fresh Look in the September Issue for Women In Optometry Print Magazine
Check out the redesign of Women In Optometry magazine in the September 2017 print issue. -
Wait, I’m Not Ready…OK, I’m Ready
Abby Jakob, OD, says that she wasn’t even looking for a space for her own practice when the perfect location in her hometown of Kingsville, Ontario, came up for sale in September 2016.
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Is What You're Doing Worth Your Time?
We’ve heard from an increasing number of women ODs who say that they’re on the verge of burning out.
