Various billing options can help maximize practice income and turn vision loss into a profit center.

Landmark initiative emphasizes shared responsibilities for patients' health care

This constellation of conditions-cardiometabolic disorders and weight-has become one of the most pressing public health issues today, affecting approximately a quarter of the U.S. population, accounting for a substantial proportion of health-care and prescription drug spending, and threatening the vitality of an aging population.

Advanstar Communications' "Cardiometabolic Disorders and Weight: Action for Outcomes" initiative brings together comprehensive tools and information from our Web portal ModernMedicine.com, our 15 healthcare brands, and two of our pharmaceutical science publications.

This constellation of conditions-cardiometabolic disorders and weight-has become one of the most pressing public health issues today, affecting approximately a quarter of the U.S. population, accounting for a substantial proportion of health-care and prescription drug spending, and threatening the vitality of an aging population.

For the first time, 17 of Advanstar Communications' Life Sciences publications and their Web portal, ModernMedicine.com, are collaborating in a coordinated, interdisciplinary initiative to address a major public health issue: cardiometabolic disorders and weight.

SoloHealth, maker of the EyeSite self-service vision-testing kiosks, has partnered with Eyemaginations Inc. to enhance the educational experience found in the existing kiosks.

J. Patrick "Pat" Cummings, OD, FAAO, Vistakon America's Region vice president, Professional Development Group, was killed in a plane crash July 11 in St. Johns County, FL.

Ophthonix introduces the iZon SL lens in Transitions VI. The new lens provides patients with an ultraviolet light-activated changeable tint to offer better vision in low light and intermediate contrast conditions.

The U.S. Senate has passed S. Res. 209, which recognizes the 40th anniversary of the National Eye Institute (NEI) within the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and supports designation of 2011-2020 as the Decade of Vision (DOV).

Prevent Blindness America (PBA) has joined with VisionServe Alliance (VSA) and OneSight, a Luxottica Group Foundation, to promote vision health issues.

SynergEyes Inc. recently introduced a new contact lens (CL) design (ClearKone) for patients with keratoconus.

Optometry schools equip optometrists-to-be with the knowledge, experience, and resources to care for the refractive, functional, and ocular health needs of patients. After the patient encounter, however, is when the confusion sets in and the services performed need to be documented and translated into terms that payors understand.

In a throwback to another time, Tura Eyewear introduces the Close Cover frame by Ted Baker.

Prevent Blindness America (PBA) is mourning the loss of its former leader and a pioneer in sight-saving initiatives.

SoloHealth, maker of the EyeSite self-service vision testing kiosks, has partnered with Eyemaginations Inc. to enhance the educational experience found in the existing kiosks.

"Through proper patient education and careful monitoring, the optometrist can play an integral role in the systemic control of diabetes and the reduction of its complications.

Fashion Optical Displays has launched a new Web site to provide eye-care professionals with dispensing ideas and introduce the company's latest interior and furnishing design concepts.

Davis Vision Inc.'s 2009 community outreach program has provided more than $200,000 to date in free vision-care services to more than 150,000 people across America, including vision screenings, eye exams, and eyeglasses.

When patients cannot pay their optometrist, they will often avoid care to avoid embarrassment. Optometrists can help these patients get the care they need and keep their business by offering a variety of payment methods.