Top 10 stories of 2017

Just like consumers vote with their wallets, digital readers vote via click.

You, our readers, told us what stories were most important to you this year as measured by the number of page views they received on our website.

Top stories of 2016

Some years the top stories are obvious; some years they’re not.

And some years have a theme.

Optometry’s 10 biggest stories in 2015

2017 may have been the Year of Dry Eye.

Take a look!

10. Why keratometry is important

This story from Katherine Mastrota, OD, MS, FAAO, takes us back to basics.

Dr. Mastrota reviews all you need to know about keratometry, plus her top five tips, including verifying that the measurements are accurate and taking K readings before instilling drops or performing other testing.

Make sure you’re up to speed by reviewing this great story.

Read more from Dr. Mastrota!

9. Top 5 ways to help your patients safely view the eclipse

The biggest event of the summer this year was the Great American Solar Eclipse.

Just about everyone in the eclipse’s wide path across the country stepped outside for at least a few minutes on August 21 to experience it.

Associate Editor Giovanni Castelli found five ways for safe viewing for ODs to recommend to their patients to avoid ocular damage.

Keep this list handy-the next eclipse with totality visible in the U.S. will take place in 2024. You’ll need to advise your patients about safe viewing then.

8. Five myths about scleral lenses debunked

Scleral contact lenses are experiencing a resurgence, and many ODs are discovering how larger diameter GP lenses can help a multitude of conditions.

However, some ODs are not savvy GP lens fitters and may shy away from going big.

This article from Jason Jedlicka, OD, FAAO, reassures readers that fitting sclerals is not difficult and that they aren’t only for a small population of patients-two myths he debunks.

This story hit Number Eight in last year’s Top Stories of 2016 list.

These lenses can and do make differences patient lives. Jump on board to help your patients by first reading this outstanding piece from Dr. Jedlicka.

7. Vision therapy: A top 10 must-have list

We had no idea back in 2014 that this list from Marc Taub, OD, MS, FAAO, FCOVD, would still be making our most-read articles list.

It was Number Four in 2014, Number Eight in 2015, and Number Seven in 2016.

He outlines the core equipment he can’t live without in vision therapy. What’s more, you see a picture of the item and information about how and why it works.

You know you need to read this one.

Dr. Taub’s list was so popular that we asked him to write a follow-up list of more vision therapy tools he uses in his practice. Check that story out HERE.

And this year, Dr. Taub put together a list of his top 10 vision therapy books. Check that out HERE.

Read more from Dr. Taub!

6. Will the SMILE procedure replace LASIK?

Femtosecond laser is what it’s all about in cataract surgery now…but femto has other applications as well.

William Tullo, OD, FAAO, and Jim Owen, OD, MBA, FAAO, discuss its use in a refractive surgery procedure called small-incision lenticule extraction for moderate to high myopia (SMILE).

According to Drs. Tullo and Owen, the refractive outcomes for SMILE are approaching that LASIK, and there may be the potential of fewer dry eyes and a more stable cornea.

Find out more about SMILE and why people are talking about it.

Read more from Dr. Tullo!

Read more from Dr. Owen!

5. 5 ways to go beyond baby shampoo for lid hygiene

Whitney Hauser, OD, offers a review of lid hygiene products and their benefits to cleaning up the lid.

If you’re looking to up your dry eye game, give this story a read so you can offer the best lid hygiene treatment for each patient’s needs.

4. Top multifocal contact lens tips

This article is based on a lecture by Milton Hom, OD, FAAO, at the American Optometric Association (AOA) meeting in Seattle in 2015.

Dr. Hom shares his best ideas to better fit presbyopic patients with multifocal contact lenses.

This story is clearly a winner-it made our list last year in 2016 at the Number Six spot.

Are you paying attention, Dr. Hom? Perhaps you should get back on the podium this year with this lecture!

3. A different approach to treating demodex

Scott Schachter, OD, has appeared in our top stories list ever since this article was published in 2014. It was Number Two in 2014, Number Three in 2015, and Number Three last year.

And it’s holding steady this year at Number Three.

Clearly, this story is a keeper.

If you haven’t read about Dr. Schachter’s demodex treatment, read it now!

See more from Dr. Schachter!

2.Using warm compresses to treat meibomian gland disease

This warm and cozy article about the Bundle method of warm compresses hails from 2015 and Dr. Don Korb’s research lab.

The Bundle method elevates the temperature of the eyelid surface above a therapeutic level.

Find out how the Bundle method works, and check out the cases included in the article.

1. 5 things you don’t know about punctal plugs

This great story by Whitney Hauser, OD, netted the most page views on our website in 2017.

This is Dr. Hauser’s second entry-and the top spot-on this year’s Top 10 list.

This story is not new-she wrote it in 2015-and clearly punctal plugs are still top of mind.

From choosing the right patients to measuring (twice), Dr. Hauser’s tips will have you plugging away in no time.