Nearly 50,000 people will be given free eye checks, consultancy and surgery in the largest charity vision program on Oct. 14, World Sight Day, in Ha Noi, Viet Nam. For two weeks, teams of eye doctors will travel to outlying districts and schools to provide eye examinations and cataract operations.

The program was organized by the Ha Noi Eye Hospital and the Australian charity, ,the Fred Hollow Foundation. Last year doctors working through the foundation performed 195,406 eye operations and treatments, and since its founding, its doctors have examined more than 1.7 million people living in some of the world's poorest regions.

Posted by ct3/opticalceu at 7:23 AM EDT
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There has been an eyewear-related crime spree of late:

• "Prosecutors say DNA from a pair of telltale eyeglasses has led them to a suspect in a vicious attack on a New York City teenager six years ago...Authorities found the attacker's glasses and took a DNA sample. But prosecutors say it went unidentified until the attacker's DNA was entered into a state database in September, after his burglary conviction," according to a post on WCAX's website.
• NPR radio reported that during a party at London's famed Serpentine Club, a man snatched the glasses off the face of famed American writer Jonathan Franzen. The culprit left a ransome note demanding $100,000...."Partygoers chased after the thief, who jumped into the Serpentine, a small lake that divides Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens...[The police] called in a helicopter, concerned the culprit could drown....The prankster was 'eventually coaxed out of some bushes,' and some 30 minutes later, 'a very nice police officer' returned the glasses, which the author describes as 'heavy, brown, horn-rimmish sort of things.'"

Posted by ct3/opticalceu at 8:41 PM EDT
Updated: Wednesday, 6 October 2010 6:41 AM EDT
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ContactLenses.co.uk has posted the following:

An industry prize has been won by a hydrating contact lens for showing innovation in the eyecare field. The $10,000 (£6,200) grand prize in the BMEStart competition was awarded to North Carolina State University for their HydrEYE CorneOasis Contact Lens...."The product description states that the device is meant for patients with traumatic brain injury, presumably to make it easier for nurses to care [for] the eyes of comatose patients. We could also see it being useful for patients with facial nerve disorders," Med Gadget reported.

Posted by ct3/opticalceu at 8:30 PM EDT
Updated: Wednesday, 6 October 2010 6:04 AM EDT
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"According to recent research by VSP Vision Care, 33 percent of eye doctors reported that nearly one-third or more of their patients suffer from symptoms of computer vision syndrome or digital device-related vision problems. The most common symptoms, according to the study, include eye strain (82 percent), dry or irritated eyes (74 percent), fatigue (70 percent), and headaches (61 percent)," according to RiskandInsurance. 

"Computer vision syndrome...is a serious condition that can have a major impact on employees' well-being, work productivity and learning capacity. According to a study by VSP Vision Care, eye-related strain can set in with as little as four hours spent in front of a digital device. American workers, however, spend an average of six hours each day in front of a digital device, which adds up to more than 200 billion hours a year."

Posted by ct3/opticalceu at 7:05 AM EDT
Updated: Tuesday, 5 October 2010 7:22 AM EDT
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In another deal, HMX Group signed "a worldwide licensing agreement with Signature Eyewear for its Hickey Freeman, Bobby Jones and Monarchy brands. Signature currently holds the license for Hart Shaffner Marx eyewear," according to WWD.

Posted by ct3/opticalceu at 7:00 AM EDT
Updated: Tuesday, 5 October 2010 7:16 AM EDT
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During the next seven  years, government subsidies to Medicare Advantage will disappear. Experts say that as subsidies decline and insurers pick up preventive care, the latter mandated by the new health care law, insurers may cut other benefits, such as dental and vision. That's the word from the NYTimes.

You might find some of your patients confused as well. The article notes that when patients sign up for Medicare during the next few months, they will have to deal with a variety of changes. 

Finally does it seem like you filling more Medicaid orders? You probably are. On average, Medicaid covers one in six Americans because of the economic downturn. "Enrollment in the program, which provides comprehensive coverage to the low-income uninsured, grew by 8.2 percent from December 2008 to December 2009, the second-largest rate of increase in the 10 years that Kaiser has conducted the survey. There were 48.5 million people on Medicaid at the end of 2009, or about one of every six Americans," according to another NYTimes article.

Posted by ct3/opticalceu at 8:29 AM EDT
Updated: Monday, 4 October 2010 8:38 AM EDT
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"Ciba Vision has released the first results of its 'Here and Now Evaluation' which aims to identify the most practical way to dispense toric and multifocal soft contact lenses," says MiVision. There was also a second posting about the results.

Posted by ct3/opticalceu at 5:23 AM EDT
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Should you have a patient who is having trouble affording vision care, you might refer him/her to one of these organizations, as recommended by the National Eye Institute.

• EyeCare America, a public service foundation of the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO). Provides eye exams and care for up to one year, often at no out-of-pocket expense to eligible callers through its seniors and Diabetes EyeCare Programs. Its Glaucoma EyeCare Program provides a glaucoma eye exam. The EyeCare America Children's EyeCare Program educates parents and primary care providers about the importance of early childhood (newborn through 36 months of age) eye care. Telephone: 1-800-222-EYES (3937). Website: http://eyecareamerica.org.
• VISION USA, coordinated by the American Optometric Association (AOA), provides free eye care to uninsured, low-income workers and their families. Telephone: 1-800-766-4466. Website: http://www.aoa.org/x5607.xml.
• Lions Clubs International provides financial assistance to individuals for eye care through local clubs. A local club can be found by using the "club locator" button found on their website at http://www.LionsClubs.org.
• Mission Cataract USA, coordinated by the Volunteer Eye Surgeons' Association, is a program providing free cataract surgery to people of all ages who have no other means to pay. Surgeries are scheduled annually on one day, usually in May. Telephone: 1-800-343-7265. Website: http://www.missioncataractUSA.org.
• Knights Templar Eye Foundation provides assistance for eye surgery for people who are unable to pay or receive adequate assistance from current government agencies or similar sources. Mailing address: 1000 East State Parkway, Suite I, Schaumburg, IL 60173. Telephone: (847) 490-3838. Website: http://www.knightstemplar.org/ktef/ktef-faq.htm#contact.
• InfantSEE® is a public health program designed to ensure early detection of eye conditions in babies. Member optometrists provide a free comprehensive infant eye assessment to children younger than one year. Telephone: 1-888-396-3937. Website: http://www.infantsee.org.

Eyeglasses

• Sight for Students, a Vision Service Plan (VSP) program provides eye exams and glasses to children 18 years and younger whose families cannot afford vision care. Telephone: 1-888-290-4964. Website: http://www.sightforstudents.org/.
• New Eyes for the Needy provides vouchers for the purchase of new prescription eyeglasses. Mailing address: 549 Millburn Avenue, P.O. Box 332, Short Hills, NJ 07078-0332. Telephone: (973) 376-4903. E-mail: neweyesfortheneedy@verizon.net. Website: http://www.neweyesfortheneedy.org.

Prescription Drugs

• The Medicine Program assists people to enroll in one or more of the many patient assistance programs that provide prescription medicine free-of-charge to those in need. Patients must meet the sponsor's criteria. The program is conducted in cooperation with the patient's doctor. Mailing Address: P.O. Box 4182, Poplar Bluff, MO 63902-4182. Telephone: 1-866-694-3893. E-mail: help@themedicineprogram.com. Website: http://www.themedicineprogram.com.
• Partnership for Prescription Assistance offers a single point of access to more than 475 public and private patient assistance programs, including more than 150 programs offered by pharmaceutical companies. Telephone: 1-888-477-2669. Website: https://www.pparx.org.

Government Programs

• Medicare Benefit for Eye Exams
  For People with Diabetes -- People with Medicare who have diabetes can get a dilated eye exam to check for diabetic eye disease. Your doctor will decide how often you need this exam.
  For People at Risk for Glaucoma -- Glaucoma is a leading cause of vision loss. People at high risk for glaucoma include those with diabetes or a family history of glaucoma, or African Americans age 50 or older. Medicare will pay for an eye exam to check for glaucoma once every 12 months.
  Patients must pay 20 percent of the Medicare-approved amount after the yearly Part B deductible. Telephone: 1-800-633-4227. Website: http://www.medicare.gov.
• State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP)
  For little or no cost, this insurance pays for doctor visits, prescription medicines, hospitalizations, and much more for children 18 years and younger. Most states also cover the cost of dental care, eye care, and medical equipment. Telephone: 1-877-543-7669. Insure Kids Now! Website: http://www.insurekidsnow.gov/states.asp.

Posted by ct3/opticalceu at 9:03 AM EDT
Updated: Sunday, 3 October 2010 5:42 AM EDT
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Most drivers older than 55 risk their safety and the safety of others, according to a study of UK drivers. Forty-five percent of theses drivers never discussed their ability to drive with an eye care professional.

Posted by ct3/opticalceu at 8:50 AM EDT
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