SECO International has a nearly 100-year history of providing optometric meetings of the highest caliber. SECO 2014 was no different. Lectures by our most esteemed colleagues were plentiful, and the knowledge base which was available to attendees was impactful. The exhibit hall provided the opportunity to demo many of the new technologies mentioned in the lectures. One such piece of equipment was AdaptDx by MacuLogix.

The treatment choices presented to presbyopic patients will depend on many factors, including lifestyle, profession, general attitude toward vision, and levels of disposable income. The first step is ascertaining which two of the three visual acuities are most important to them: near, intermediate, or distance vision. For example, you probably wouldn't recommend a multifocal intraocular lens (IOL) to a professional airline pilot because those lenses may compromise nighttime distance vision.

Do you spend time wondering why employees no-show or resign? Do you think about how employee retention and turnover affects your bottom line? Today’s employees leave jobs for reasons other than just compensation and benefits, and tend to leave managers/co-workers than actual companies. Owners should provide vision, empowerment, empathy, motivation, teamwork, fun, and incentives so employees feel they have an ownership in the business.

He asked for a recommendation, and they suggested that he take me to the Illinois College of Optometry because they do very comprehensive eye examinations. I went, and it was determined that I needed vision therapy. Once a week I went to vision therapy. My father says I was about 8, he picked me up from vision therapy and I matter of factly said to him, “Dad, I’m going to be an eye doctor.” And he said, “Oh. Great. You’re 8.”

Gilenya (Fingolimod, Novartis), a sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor modulator, became the first FDA-approved oral agent for the treatment of relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS) in September 2010.1 Recently, it has been associated with macular edema, referred to as FAME, or Fingolimod-associated macular edema.

A basic goal of any eyecare practice is to keep patients coming back. One way to encourage patients to return is to keep them happy and comfortable while they’re in your office.

Keratometry (K) is the measurement of the corneal curvature; corneal curvature determines the power of the cornea. Differences in power across the cornea (opposite meridians) results in astigmatism; therefore, keratometry measures astigmatism. It can be acquired with a variety of instruments either manually or via automated methods.

When you leave a patient alone in a room, she is left to her own devices and is free to wreak havoc in your exam room if she so desires. Or look in places not meant for patients. You want your patient to be as comfortable as possible-but you want your exam room to remain intact.

A cataract is a clouding of the crystalline lens, resulting in vision loss. There are different types of cataracts, and they may be associated with underlying conditions. Understanding the differences between types of cataracts will improve clinical management of your patients.

Santinelli International introduces new deblocking pliers, part of the company’s Visionary line of tools. Designed specifically for Nidek pliable blocks, the pliers feature a cushioned, silicone grip with built-in finger channels on the handle for comfort and ease of use.

Anxiously anticipating building my patient base, I did a very interesting exercise before I started practicing optometry in 1978. I sat down and made a list of all the things I disliked about going to my current doctors’ office visits, including my internist, dentist, and orthopedic surgeons. I didn't critique my optometrist because my father is my optometrist, and this was not a therapy session.

A 56 year-old male patient came into the clinic recently for a second opinion concerning a previous injury to his right eye. A high-powered commercial laser in a physics laboratory was the source of the injury in 2005.

Formication, a sensation that resembles that of insects crawling on or under the skin, is a specific form of the general set of abnormal skin sensations known as paresthesias (prickling, tingling sensation of "pins and needles") and tactile hallucinations; it is a well-documented symptom that has numerous possible causes.

In a recent issue of Optometry Times (July 2013), it was reported that researchers at the University of Nottingham, UK, had discovered a new corneal layer, and the observation was published in Ophthalmology. In the same issue of this journal, a dissenting interpretation of this observation was presented.

An important aspect of any marketing program includes 2 primary aspects. First, and most obvious, is the need to attract new patients. This aspect of marketing includes everything that is done to make people aware of your practice and your services. It includes efforts put into brand recognition. Common aspects of focus in this area include search engine optimization, web page improvements, and traditional advertising.

I'm obsessed with Steven Pressfield's writings. I've mentioned Do The Work before, and now I want to mention the second book in the series: Turning Pro. It spoke to me. In a short 1-sentence summary, the difference between an amateur and a pro: a pro, through hours and years of practice and training, can block out all the clutter and concentrate on the task at hand.

According to research from the University of Waterloo in Canada, abnormal binocular vision dramatically increases with age, but is correlated with a patient’s general health and antidepressant use.

A recent study funded by the National Institute of Health found that the glaucoma drug acetazolamide (Diamox, Duramed Pharmaceuticals), when combined with a weight loss plan, can improve vision for patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH).