The Optical Vision Site

American Optometric Association Kicks Off AOA TV

Written by Cathy on March 3, 2010 – 7:49 pm -

The Optical Vision Site Is Listed As a Sponsor With AOA TV!

I just watched the first episode of AOA TV and loved it because it is a great way to keep up to date with the latest in eyecare health reform, laws,industry news, live interviews with industry leaders, member spotlights in a concise manner, meaning it doesn’t take up too much time, and like TV you can multi-task and update yourself at the same time

Philip Goldthwait OD , Neha Amin OD, Marcus Neitzke OD and  Dr. Michael Radoiu were some of the optometrist highlighted and interviewed for the initial launch. All content is written and edited by AOA just in case you think it is would be irrelevant.

To watch the video click at I Want My AOA TV.com, you can also become a Fan on Facebook. Links will also be on the AOA website, YouTube, Facebook and other Social Media Venues.

What I think is great: the AOA is reaching out to members and optical professionals in a multitude of ways in order to communicate and educate in a variety of ways that best suit an individual needs. We at the Optical Vision Site are proud to be part of AOA TV in their groundbreaking launch of AOA TV.

Tags: News
Posted in Eye News | 7 Comments »

Lorinda Fraboni of Walman Optical Company is a Star!

Written by Shirley on March 2, 2010 – 10:28 pm -

We are not waiting for the OWA’s event, at Vision Expo East 2010, to congratulate Lorinda Fraboni of Walman Optical Company – She is a Star! Lorinda is being awarded the OWA’s 1st ANNUAL PYXIS AWARD.

CONGRATULATIONS LORINDA!!

What is the Optical Women’s Association’s Pyxis Award? PYXIS is a constellation in the southern sky known as “The Compass”. The PYXIS Award is presented to a member of the OWA who actively participates in the organization and promotes the OWA throughout the optical industry, contributing to OWA’s continuing growth. The recipient of the PYXIS Award is exceptional in her commitment to support and develop the OWA. She helps set direction of the organization by her actions and inspires by her leadership

I met Lorinda during the early days of  the OWA and if it wasn’t for her, the organization would not be what it is today. She has a depth of tenacity and commitment that I can’t begin to describe. I know she puts just us much into her work at Walman Optical Company where she is I.S. Manager, Lab Operations and Data Warehouse. The Optical Vision Site will be there to cheer for her!

Event Details:

Friday, March 19, 2010 – 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. -Program begins at 6:45 p.m. – Diane Von Furstenberg Studio, 440 West 14th Street.

OVS sponsors that support the OWA events and programs include: ClearVision, Pixel Optics, Shamir, Transitions, Tura and The Vision Council.

Tags: News
Posted in Eye News | 2 Comments »

Milan is Calling Eyewear Fashion Watchers

Written by Shirley on March 2, 2010 – 10:27 pm -

The Fashion Shows are well underway in Milan, the center of the fashion world for many, and soon MIDO will be going on and we will get to see what is new and exciting in the eyewear fashion world.

In the meantime, here is a little Milan street fashion for you  from Style.com Tommy Ton’s Best Street Shots – Italy. Beautiful eyewear shot Tommy! Milan is calling you eyewear fashion watchers.

Tags: Eyewear, News, Optical
Posted in Eyewear | No Comments »

Fun Historical Eyewear Sites With Great Eyeglass Pix

Written by Cathy on February 24, 2010 – 7:51 pm -

I spend alot of time on the Internet looking for optical trends, eyecare opportunities, unique products to showcase on either one of our sites. Thought I would share with you a few sites that are historical in perspective and really fun to view.  Not too much text either, just great pics.

• Back in 2006 Robb Young wrote this great article on Eccentric Eyewear, showcasing some designers who have produced some really different eye-pieces for both runways and to wear. Interesting pieces from Cutler and Gross, MiuMiu, Alexander Yanyar, Dennis Roberts, Linda Farrow, Eley Kishomoto, Frost French, Bless, Ann-Sofie Back and Brian Adam
• Seeing Is Believing Article by Chicago Tribune- has a wonderful photo gallery of vintage, wacky and crazy eyewear going back thru the 40’s. I wish I knew who made all this wonderful pieces.
• Freaking News- A bunch of classic pictures of Abe Lincoln, Ben Franklin, George Washington and put some fun glasses on them. Cute and funny.
• Eley Kishimoto Blog, shows alot of funky eyewear- it’s old (2007) but interesting. I tried to find more updated eyewear from her, doesn’t appear to be much.

Tags: Education, News, Opti-Fun
Posted in History of Eyewear | No Comments »

Why Highly-prized Saffron Could Save Your Sight

Written by Shirley on February 23, 2010 – 9:08 pm -

An interesting headline that caught my eye in the Life Extension Daily News: Why Highly-prized Saffron Could Save Your Sight. Here is an excerpt from the article:

It is one of the world’s most valuable spices. Patiently collected flower by flower, the deep red stamens of the saffron crocus can fetch up to $750 per pound, writes Anastasia Stephens. But now there is more reason than ever to covet it. A study at Sydney University and the University of L’Aquila in Italy has found that when eaten, saffron may protect eyes from UV damage and slow the progress of diseases such as macular degeneration, a leading cause of blindness.

In macular degeneration, the cells in the retina at the back of the eye, which are responsible for clear vision, begin to die. But when patients with macular degeneration taking part in the study began eating a diet containing saffron, these cells began to recover. Professor Silvia Bisti, who led the research, says: ‘Saffron appears to affect genes that regulate the fatty-acid content of the cell membrane, and this makes the vision cells tougher and more resilient.’ The 25 participants in the study took saffron supplements or a placebo every day for three months. All those who took the saffron pill experienced improved vision, but the improvements disappeared when they stopped taking it.

Monique Simmonds, who investigates medicinal properties of plants at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew, explains: ‘The unique compounds found naturally in saffron that we believe may have medicinal value include crocin and safranal. They belong to a family called carotenoids, which includes betacarotene. Carotenoids give plants such as carrots or red peppers their color.

‘Studies show that these compounds play key roles in preserving eyesight, protecting against cancer and preventing Alzheimer’s.’ Added to pilau rice, risotto and dishes such as paella, saffron threads give a slightly bitter taste as well as a yellow color. To replicate the Italian study, 20mg of neat saffron – about 16 threads – would need to be eaten daily.

However, 1g of saffron is expensive – around $10. It is not yet available in supplement form and the quality of culinary saffron can vary hugely.

To read more you can link to the original article in the Daily News

For more information on specific nutritional products for healthy eyes you can go to Friday Pearls From the Desk of Ellen Troyer, MT MA – Biosyntrx Chief Research Officer. We have posted several of Ellen’s Friday Pearls. Vitamin C and Eye Health is a very informative post for example.

Tags: Health, News, Vision
Posted in Health and Beauty | 1 Comment »

Vintage Eyewear at London Fashion Week

Written by Shirley on February 23, 2010 – 8:14 pm -

This picture is from Tommy Tom’s blog on London’s best street style during London Fashion Week. Looks like Vintage Eyewear is still in! I like it. There were lots of pix of sky high heels too but I wish that trend would go away! FYI one of our sponsors, Best Image Optical are a great source for vintage eyewear.

Source: www.style.com

Tags: Eyewear, News, Trends
Posted in Eye News | No Comments »

Optometrist Of The Year- Joe Mallinger O.D. From Vision West

Written by Cathy on February 15, 2010 – 7:20 pm -

We love it when one of our optical sponsors gets recognized! Joe Mallinger OD, MBA., FAAO and CEO of   Vision West a premium optical buying group, was just named Optometrist of The Year by the California Optometric Association (COA). Congratulations Dr. Mallinger, we are very proud and honored that we know you! Plus we thank you again for all of your support! For those who just started reading this blog, Dr. Mallinger in full support of entrepreneurship was our very first sponsor!

Tags: News
Posted in Eye News | No Comments »

Glaucoma Controversy In California- Two Opinions

Written by Cathy on February 13, 2010 – 6:24 am -

As many eyecare professional know, the glaucoma controversy has been an emotional issue here in California and other areas. Here are two opinion pieces that were in the San Diego Union on Feb 12, 2010.

Proposed Glaucoma Treatment Loophole Would Put Patients At Risk by Dr. Scotti, ophthalmologist in Encinitas

The law is on a collision course with blindness. The Legislature, lobbied by the state Board of Optometry, is about to allow the creation of “glaucoma treatment loophole.” Practicing optometrists will be allowed to treat glaucoma based on two 16-hour courses and a multiple-choice test.

Glaucoma can result in loss of vision and possible blindness. Under proposed regulations, optometrists can be certified to treat this complex eye disease without ever having treated a single glaucoma patient.

Ten years ago, the Legislature authorized optometrists to treat glaucoma only if they completed stringent “hands-on” clinical requirements first. However, in 2008 the California Optometric Association pushed through legislation to repeal that safeguard. Unknown to the Legislature at the time, eight veterans had been blinded and more than 20 others lost vision while under the care of at least two optometrists at the Palo Alto VA hospital. Those incidents are now under investigation by the Medical Board of California and the Board of Optometry and underscore the need for meaningful training standards.

The 2008 legislation, SB 1406, created a carefully balanced process for determining the training required before optometrists could treat glaucoma patients. The Department of Consumer Affairs was given unique authority to modify the recommendations to protect those patients. Both houses of the Legislature passed this compromise bill with a near unanimous vote.

However, Consumer Affairs, under former Director Carrie Lopez, short-circuited the process and hired a former president of the California Optometric Association to, in essence, determine what the requirements would be. Lopez has since resigned as a result of unrelated improprieties.

Not surprisingly, the former Optometric Association president produced a set of association-slanted recommendations. In his report, the consultant even admitted his own bias:

“I am not certain that I can completely divorce myself from this bias … nonetheless I have tried.”

Shortly after taking office, the new Department of Consumer Affars director, Brian Stiger, indicated in a letter to medical groups that he understood concerns with the “process by which the recommendations were made.” He then went on to suggest the optometric board “re-evaluate its decision to proceed with the regulations.”

The board completely ignored Stiger’s offer to correct the tainted process, and the “glaucoma treatment loophole” regulations continue to move forward.

Put simply, they would allow a candidate to choose between taking two 16-hour courses without any actual supervised patient treatment and an exam, or undergoing a “hands-on” experience with actual glaucoma patients for 12 months under the supervision of a certified optometrist or a board-certified ophthalmologist.

“Hands-on” training to treat an eye or any other medical disease shouldn’t be voluntary. The state would never consider allowing a pilot to fly his or her first airliner between Los Angeles and Sacramento based only on two 16-hour courses and a multiple-choice exam. Unfortunately, that’s exactly what California is about to authorize under these regulations.

Stiger was right to offer the optometric board the opportunity to correct the process tainted by hiring a former president of the Optometric Association. We have offered constructive suggestions that would help address our concerns with the regulations and are hopeful the optometric board will adopt them. Short of that, we ask the Consumer Affairs director to protect the public from an increased risk of blindness by vetoing the proposed regulations.

Scotti, an ophthalmologist who practices in Encinitas, is president-elect of the California Academy of Eye Physicians and Surgeons.

Ophthalmologist’s Economic Concerns Trump Public Health- by Lisa Weiss, optometrist in El Cajon, Ca.

My colleagues and I – California-licensed doctors of optometry – are about much more than helping you see clearly. We are your gateway to primary and advanced medical care.

Before fitting you for glasses and contact lenses, we’re trained to perform a comprehensive eye exam. Using as many as 26 distinct measurements of your eye and nerve pathways systems we’re qualified to diagnose and either treat, manage or consult for treatment all of the following conditions:

• Vision problems that affect neurological development, learning, balance, and on-the job performance.

• Eye disease.

• Cataracts.

• Corneal disease.

• Retinal detachment.

• Glaucoma.

• Diabetes.

• Hypertension.

• Precancerous and cancerous tumors.

• Vascular disease.

• Viral and other diseases revealed through the eye.

• Foreign bodies or lesions of the eye and related structures.

You may ask: What’s the difference between an optometrist (O.D.) and an ophthalmologist (M.D.)? While we both go to school for four years after college and each take a three-part, national exam before we can be licensed by a state, here are the key differences:

• We begin specialized eye treatment the first day of optometry school. In most cases, they start after graduating from medical school. Two-thirds of American medical schools don’t even have an ophthalmology rotation in the first four years.

• They perform invasive surgery and we don’t – in fact, most of their “extra” time in internships and residencies is spent learning specialized eye surgery.

• Right now, in California, optometrists have to earn two to four different certifications after graduation to practice fully. A medical doctor just has to pass the national exam.

How is it that we cannot do as much for you here in California as our peers in most other states can for their patients? Simple, it’s politics. In spite of our differences, ophthalmologists view us as an economic threat, so they work to prevent the Legislature from expanding our scope of practice – even when it’s in your interest as an eye patient to do so.

Eighteen months ago, their associations and ours compromised on a bill, SB 1406, that authorizes us to do more for you. We also agreed that we’d work together to come up with acceptable standards to certify pre-2008 graduates to treat glaucoma without referral, except in specified cases where advanced medical treatment or surgery is indicated. (Post-May 1, 2008 graduates are automatically glaucoma certified.)

A word about glaucoma. It is a progressive eye disease that always results in blindness; it’s the second-leading cause of blindness in the U.S. In most cases, blindness can be forestalled with medications. In a small percentage of cases, eyesight can be saved only through much riskier surgery. We estimate that more than 430,000 Californians have glaucoma and don’t know it, and ethnic populations are at significantly greater risk. There are more than three times as many of us in practice as there are ophthalmologists and we’re more accessible. We are in more than 110 cities and towns and in 54 of 58 California counties. The Legislature agreed that we’re underutilized in this fight and left it to us to work it out.

The state Board of Optometry has proposed glaucoma certification regulations that are already more strict than those in place in 44 other states. We older graduates can live with the extra time and expense and are ready to go. Their position? Dead opposed; no proof, just charges. We’re undereducated, undertrained and a risk to the public. Baseless charges of negligent glaucoma treatment by optometrists at the Palo Alto VA medical facility have been planted in newspapers twice and still persist.

It’s time for them to stop putting their wallets above your health care. If they have proof that optometrists in 48 other jurisdictions are harming glaucoma patients, they should either produce it or get out of the way.

Weiss, an optometrist who practices in El Cajon, is president of the San Diego County Optometric Society.

Tags: News
Posted in Eye News | No Comments »