Matching lens material and prescription with a look that suits patient preferences is up to the dispenser. A thorough knowledge of the latest materials, trends, and styles is a must for helping patients navigate their way to the best possible vision.

Easy steps that can help reduce theft from your optical shop include strategic placement of displays and posters, not leaving locked cases open, and limiting the number of frames that are out at one time.

A study conducted at Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH) has found that dry eye disease is common among American men aged more than 50 years, and it increases with age, high blood pressure, occurrence of benign prostate disease, and the use of antidepressants.

CooperVision has reached out to patients with astigmatism by expanding the parameters of its silicone hydrogel contact lens ([CL] Biofinity Toric).

Vision-Ease Lens announces the extension of its SunRx polarized product line with new coated and uncoated plastic lenses.

Marketing is highly effective when done right, but many optometrists think they either must spend a fortune or spend very little. Developing an accurate profile of a practice's existing patient base is an important first step in creating a marketing campaign that delivers a strong return on investment.

Acanthamoeba keratitis can be challenging to diagnose, but early detection is critical to prevent severe vision loss. High index of suspicion and use of confocal microscopy are important tools for evaluating patients with keratitis of unexplained origin.

The American Optometric Association (AOA) recommends a visit to the optometrist before heading back to the classroom.

Dry eye can compromise comfort of contact lens wear. Maintaining patients in their lenses requires management of the dry eye disease and proper lens fitting. Good selection of lens materials and care solutions are important, as is patient compliance with recommendations on lens wear and care.

Viva International has released eight new prescription-ready sunglass styles for men and women in its Harley-Davidson Eyewear collection.

Although the patient's ideal eye-care practice might not actually exist, something very close to the ideal practice does exist in many optometry practices throughout the world, much of the time in areas being best-served by optometry, rural America. And it is much more achievable than one might think.

Modern fluoroquinolones have evolved over more than 4 decades, from the parent quinolone compound, nalidixic acid (NegGram, Sanofi-Aventis US), patented in 1962. Since then, more than 10,000 derivatives have been patented, all with structural modifications that added features to improve systemic absorption, extend spectrum of action to include Gram-positive microorganisms, and reduce systemic toxicity.

The latest special edition frame from Marc Jacobs is designed to have an edgy appeal, borrowing from the glam-rock era sprinkled with a touch of punk.

With sun safety a growing concern and the sun season in full swing, Vision-Ease Lens (VEL) and the Skin Cancer Foundation (SCF) are working together to educate consumers about the importance of sun protection for the eyes.

Demands for increased efficiency from doctors will intensify as vision plans and medical insurance plans drive reimbursement downward. To meet these demands, doctors need to train staff members to handle more responsibilities and keep the doctor focused on taking care of patients.

The use of preferential hyperacuity perimetry (PHP) is expanding beyond general optometry to retinal specialists, who recognize its value in managing age-related macular degeneration. PHP testing allows for crucial detection of extrafoveal lesions in their earliest stage, when they can be treated most effectively.

A one-page, five-question questionnaire, called the DEQ-5, accurately identifies patients with Sjögren's syndrome and other patient populations with dry eye.

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Healthy vision is vital for success in life, and it all begins with regular vision screenings during childhood-or it should. The level of inadequate vision care for children in the United States is significant.

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) can be an effective diagnostic tool that enables optometrists to examine the retina layer by layer. It also can offer quantitative data about the retinal nerve fiber layer. Some doctors believe that the biggest advantage of OCT is what it reveals about the vitreomacular interface.