What happened in optometry this week: May 13 - May 17
Catch up on what happened in optometry during the week of May 13-May 17.
Catch up with what Optometry Times shared this week:
Smart contact lenses show promise for wireless glaucoma detection
By David Hutton, Managing Editor, Ophthalmology Times
Often, patients with early-stage glaucoma don’t know they have it, even though early treatment is key to reducing vision loss. While detecting a subtle increase in eye pressure helps ophthalmologists diagnose glaucoma, it can be challenging to monitor continuously, especially with the variety of temperatures eyes experience.
Bipartisan proposal to US House aims to establish grants for pediatric eye care
By David Hutton, Managing Editor, Ophthalmology Times
Prevent Blindness this week lauded the introduction of the Early Detection of Vision Impairment in Children (EDVI) Act in the U.S. House of Representatives and is urging Congress to act quickly to pass the legislation.
According to a news release from Prevent Blindness, the legislation would establish grants for states and communities to improve children's vision and eye health through coordinated systems of care, is a bipartisan proposal, co-sponsored by Congressional Vision Caucus (CVC) co-chairs. U.S. Rep. Bilirakis, R-Florida, and Rep. Marc Veasey, D-Texas.
When choosing refractive procedures, long-term planning is key
By Kenneth Sawyer, OD
When patients ask me about refractive procedures, they tend to be impatient. They are tired of wearing glasses and contact lenses and want a procedure that will finally correct their vision.
But as optometrists, it is our job to ensure that patients do not make rash decisions about their sight. We must offer not only details about the procedures for which patients are eligible, but some perspective about how their choices will affect them—in the short term and over a lifetime.
Patient self-operated OCT device receives FDA De Novo authorization
By Jordana Joy, Associate Editor
Digital healthcare provider Notal Vision announced that its patient self-operated SCANLY Home optical coherence tomography (OCT) device has been grant De Novo authorization through the US FDA. It has been designated by the FDA as a Breakthrough Device for patients with wet, or neovascular, age-related macular degeneration (nAMD).
Beyond devices: Vision discomfort may stem from lifestyle factors
By Carrie Roitstein, OD, cPNP, INHC
There is no escaping daily contact with an electronic device in the digital age in which we live. These devices play an integral role in the way we communicate and learn. As demand increases, a recent “eye-opening” review highlighted the fact that as we spend more time in front of electronics, the risk of mental health conditions, obesity, cardiovascular disease, and sleep disorders increases.1 As eye care practitioners, are we tackling patient concerns with a broad point of view concerning a topic that requires so much visual effort?
