Today's Spotlight
Not Covered? No Problem
Today’s healthcare system is a fickle beast, and the challenges of navigating the payor system can be overwhelming. But you can always get paid for what you do. If you ever write a charge off to a zero balance, you are not taking full advantage of the rules that exist to get paid. Consult with your billing department and spot check your EOBs to make sure they aren’t writing off patient balances. This is where understanding the rules that govern the financial waivers of liability is crucial.
Today's Spotlight
Caution: Congestion Ahead
Although patients with benign ONHD are often asymptomatic, the drusen can cause elevation, congestion and blurred margins of the optic nerve, simulating papilledema.
Today's Spotlight
How Much is Too Much?
A question that often arises is how to determine bifocal power for patients. We all learned about the tables and charts that depict the loss of accommodation with age in optometry school. Presbyopia is in full force by the time most patients reach 40, and by the age of 70, everyone needs a +2.50 add at near, right? Not so fast.
Today's Spotlight
Red All Over
I have a patient who was put on Rhopressa (netarsudil, Aerie Pharmaceuticals) after other medications did not work. Her pressure lowered significantly, but six weeks later her eyes turned very red, and she’s now mortified to go out in public. Lumify (brimonidine tartrate ophthalmic solution 0.025%, Bausch + Lomb) didn’t help quiet the eyes. Is this a common problem?
Today's Spotlight
More Lenses, More Problems
As the technologies in chemistry and plastics explode, contact lenses are becoming more comfortable, safer and more efficacious than ever before. Of course, it’s just our luck that our patients have simultaneously devolved.
The News Feed
PACK-CXL Beneficial for Bacterial Keratitis
August 21, 2019
SMILE Preserves Corneal Strength
August 21, 2019
No Racial Imbalance in GCA Cases
August 21, 2019
Retinopathy Can Worsen Genetic Disorder
August 20, 2019
Inflammation Risk High in Early CL Wear
August 20, 2019
Adenovirus Patients Fare Well With Povidone-iodine
August 20, 2019
New CL Aims For Good First Impression
August 19, 2019
Disc Hemorrhage Predicts Rim and RNFL Thinning
August 19, 2019
Contact Lens Wearers Miss Out on Care Advice
August 19, 2019
Positive Dry Eye Tests Could Be Due to Demodex
August 19, 2019
Early Post-op DME Patients Show OCT Anomaly
August 16, 2019
Ocular Pathogen Trends Shed Light on Future Treatments
August 16, 2019
Selenium Compound May Help Soothe Eyes
August 16, 2019
Choroid Varies With Sex, Perinatal Characteristics
August 15, 2019
Kids Tolerate 3D VR Games Well
August 15, 2019
Yellow Lenses No Help in Night Driving
August 15, 2019
Tear Profile After Glaucoma Treatment Same as in DED
August 14, 2019
Ciliary Procedure Could be First-line Glaucoma Therapy
August 14, 2019
Keep All Options on the Table for Dragged Fovea Diplopia
August 14, 2019
Corneal Biomechanics Differ in High Myopes
August 13, 2019
Lipids Vary Between Tear Film and Meibum
August 13, 2019
Beware False Positives in MMP-9 Testing
August 13, 2019
Hypoxia from Sleep Apnea Affects the Cornea
August 12, 2019
Pseudoexfoliation Can Alter Pupils
August 12, 2019
MIGS Procedure Prolongs Endothelial Cell Loss
August 12, 2019
Staining Shows Vascular Abnormality in DME
August 09, 2019
Custom CXL Scores High Marks for Keratoconus
August 09, 2019
New Biomarkers Discovered for Best Disease
August 09, 2019
Evidence Mounts for Low-dose Atropine
August 08, 2019
New Grading System Pinpoints Myopia Risk Factors
August 08, 2019
Corneal Features Predict Post-op Complications
August 08, 2019
Pseudodrusen Prevalence Predicts GA
August 07, 2019
Expect RNFL Loss in Diabetes
August 07, 2019
New Insights Into Anisometropic Amblyopia
August 07, 2019
OCT-A Tracks Ocular Effects of Preeclampsia
August 06, 2019
Don’t Wait to Treat Central Serous Chorioretinopathy
August 06, 2019
Arkansas Scope Expansion Challenge Rejected
August 06, 2019
New Tool May Aid AK Management
August 05, 2019
Don’t Count on Phaco Alone for POAG
August 05, 2019
Bill Calls for Direct Contact Lens Prescription Verification
August 05, 2019
Chronic Pain Drug May Cause Angle-closure
August 02, 2019
Colored Contacts Can Up the Odds of Infection
August 02, 2019
Contact Lenses Implicated in Visual Fatigue
August 02, 2019
Finger-shaped Tool Improves Lid Eversion
August 01, 2019
Strategies Protect Against Sun, Myopia
August 01, 2019
Near Work Thins the Ciliary Muscle
August 01, 2019
Gene Therapy: Pricey But Worth It
July 31, 2019
Vitamin D Keeps Uveitis Away
July 31, 2019
Milk Can Influence Tear Film Stability
July 31, 2019
Outcomes Differ For Siblings with Stargardt’s
July 30, 2019
Look Inside The Current Issue
Features
Don't Miss Out on Multifocals
These devices can be a practice builder, not a spirit breaker. Here’s how.
Optometry in the Age of Disruption: Doctors vs. Online Vendors
These companies prioritize cost and convenience over quality eye care and the doctor-patient relationship. Here’s how to defuse the threat they pose.
Perfecting Prism
Don’t back down from this life-changing treatment. Here’s where to start.
Provide Specialty Contact Lenses and Thrive
You can build doctor-patient loyalty and keep patients from shopping around by offering something your competitors don’t have.
The Dangers and the Diagnosis of CLMK
Despite many advances, the threat of contact lens-related microbial keratitis (CLMK) has not retreated.
The Optometrist and Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Learn to keep your snoring patients’ increased risk of disease from keeping you up at night.
Top Causes of Double Vision
Getting to the root of the problem is the key to treating and referring properly. Here’s a look at the common etiologies of diplopia and how to tell them apart.
When Corneal Wounds Won’t Heal
Timely intervention can keep a bad situation from spiraling out of control.
Departments
A Two-for-one Deal
Here’s when to consider referring your patient for phaco-ECP, which addresses cataracts and glaucoma in one operation.
Breaking Down Barriers
There’s nothing special about multifocal and toric contact lenses. And that’s a good thing.
Caution: Congestion Ahead
Use your diagnostic toolkit to navigate the crucial distinction between true and pseudopapilledema.
Disinfect the Natural Way
New hypochlorous acid options are making this a viable antimicrobial solution. Here’s how to choose—and use—it correctly.
High Risk, Limited Options
Treatment for limbal stem cell deficient eyes can take one of two routes, neither of which guarantees a successful outcome.
How Much is Too Much?
Many patients are over-plussed at near. With these simple strategies, you can learn how to avoid this.
More Lenses, More Problems
If only we could upgrade our patients the way we upgrade our contact lenses.
Not Covered? No Problem
Financial waivers of liability are the key to getting paid in today’s world.
Not For the Best
You uncover an abnormality during the dilated fundus exam of a 16-year-old with no family history available. Now what?
Red All Over
If certain glaucoma medications cause adverse effects, consider these options.
Stay in the Fast Lane
Optometrists are in the driver’s seat. Take some new opportunities for a spin.
That’s Egg on Your Face
When a patient presents with a combination of progressive vision blur and a particular retinal appearance, all signs point to one diagnosis.
When They Go Low, ODs Go High
Bad-mouthing other doctors doesn’t serve your patients.
Continuing Education
August 2019 • 2.00 Credits
The Dangers and the Diagnosis of CLMK
July 2019 • 2.00 Credits
Glaucoma Medications: When Good Drugs Do Bad Things
June 2019 • 2.00 Credits
The Real-World Cataract Evaluation
May 2019 • 2.00 Credits
Visual Fields in the era of OCT
Additional Publications
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Annual Contact Lenses and Lens Care Guide
Need to find the right contact lens in a hurry? This annual compendium lists the parameters, designs, manufacturers and other vital information for over 300 soft lenses alone, plus the GP lens materials and distributors available for specialty orders. Relevant care products are also included. Modern Management of MGD
Ophthalmic Product Guide - July 2019
VIDEO SERIES: Effective Surgical Comanagement of Patients Seeking the Latest IOL Technology
Women in Optometry-June 2019
Bausch + Lomb Special 13th Edition
Jobs
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Optometrist
Mosaddegh Eye Institute
8/21/2019 -
Ophthalmic Assistant
Maryland eye care center
8/21/2019 -
Ophthalmologist
Maryland eye care center
8/21/2019
Review of Cornea & Contact Lenses
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Pathologic Causes of Irregular Astigmatism
Thin is in—but not in the cornea. Here’s a rundown of non-inflammatory corneal thinning disorders that lead to irregular astigmatism. -
Highlights from ARVO 2019: Abstract Review
Get the scoop on new research that may change your approach to many aspects of anterior segment care. -
Does CXL for Keratoconus Improve Contact Lens Success?
A review of the literature shows scant evidence for this effect. -
Contact Lens Wear and Its Disruption of the Tear Film
A better understanding of the intricacies of this relationship can help put patients’ discomfort and other issues into better context. -
Fitting the Irregular Cornea: Nuts and Bolts
Here's a beginner's guide to help get you started. -
Getting Astigmatism in Focus with Advanced Imaging
Four cases provide insight into diagnosing and managing patients with the latest options.
Women in Optometry
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See You In St. Louis on June 19: Women In Optometry® Summit
Speakers have been announced for the inaugural Women In Optometry Summit, Flex Your Superpowers, on Wed., June 19.
