Last week, the U.S. House of Representatives approved Medicare payment reform legislation that would eliminate the Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) from the Medicare physician fee-setting formula and move the government health program toward a merit-based payment system.

ABB Optical Group has backed out of a deal with Superior Vision, citing concerns over Superior’s new contact lens program-and independent optometrists’ response to it.

To protect consumers’ eye and vision health, the American Optometric Association is warning the public about the false claims that they provide an online “eye exam,” stating that these claims are confusing and misleading.

Veteran OD rockers, Bad Habits “The EyeDocs of Rock,” are planning a night of music and entertainment for fellow International Vision Expo attendees from 9 pm to 1 am Friday, March 28, 2014.

The British Contact Lens Association (BCLA) recently released an app, available for download on both Android and iOS devices.

An examination of new health plans from 46 states revealed that copayments and co-insurance fees for drugs increased an average of 34% as compared to the pre-Affordable Care Act (ACA) individual insurance market.

These days, many of your patients likely found your practice online through a Google search. Alan Glazier, OD, shared tips at SECO for improving your practice’s standing on a Google search to bring in more patients.

Harry Quigley, MD, of the Wilmer Eye Institute at John Hopkins shared some of his pearls for diagnosing and treating glaucoma during a special session at SECO.

Joseph Sowka, OD, FAAO, Diplomate, shared at SECO some of his recommendations for when certain glaucoma therapy drops should be administered.

During a presentation at SECO, Jeffry Gerson, OD, FAAO, said a simple genetic test gives optometrists the necessary information for developing a personalized care plan for patients with-or at risk for-age-related macular degeneration.

A study presented by Freedom Meditech President and COO Keith Ignotz at SECO found that measurements of lens autoflurescence can distinguish patients with diabetes from those without.

ing a presentation at SECO on Friday, Tony Cavallerano, OD, FAAO, said tele-imaging will help break down access to care barriers, especially for those in rural and underserved communities.

Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc. announced that effective April 15, 2014, Acuvue Oasys for Astigmatism will be available in more parameters.

Today at SECO, Alcon Laboratories expanded its Dailies AquaComfort Plus portfolio with the launch of toric and multifocal designs.

Bausch + Lomb announced the launch of PeroxiClear, a 3% hydrogen peroxide cleaning and disinfecting solution, at SECO on Thursday.

RevolutionEHR announced the launch of revMarket, a cloud-based resource designed for optometrists, during a press conference at SECO on Thursday.

Kelly Nichols, OD, FAAO, PhD, MPH, Dipl PH, says she would like to see optometrists screen for meibomian gland dysfunction during eye exams and consider the condition when treating patients who are experiencing discomfort with their contact lenses.

ICD-10 is expected to rollout on time for its October 1 deadline, so now is the time to prepare or face the consequences, says Walt West, OD, FAAO, and vice president of practice development for Vision Source.

Richard Awdeh, MD, of Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, debuted a new app at SECO that he hopes will improve doctor-patient communication and, in turn, improve treatment and surgical outcomes.

To make the most of your optical sales, every member of the practice should be involved from the very first time a prospective patient calls your office, says Valerie Manso, ABOC, FNAO, Diane Drake, LDO, ABOM, FCLSA, and Tom Griffith, OD.