Optometric management of the posterior segment eye disease-vascular disorders of the retina
02/05/08
In the field of medical retina, diagnosis is becoming more accurate with the introduction of new imaging techniques and better image resolution. However, despite all the advancements in ophthalmology, there is no substitute for a sound foundation of knowledge coupled with a careful patient history, detailed examination of the eye and referral to the appropriate ophthalmic speciality when needed.
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Dispensing IV: Occupational dispensing
18/04/08
Eye care practitioners are frequently consulted by both employers and individuals to advise about protective eyewear in the workplace; in addition they can dispense appropriate protection. Since non-prescription devices are readily available from manufacturers of safety equipment to the general public, the optometrist or ophthalmic dispenser may limit their role to prescription safety spectacles alone.
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Retinal detachment: a new perspective
04/04/08
Retinal detachment is a relatively uncommon ophthalmological condition, which may lead to blindness despite the success of modern surgical techniques. Optometrists are in a unique position to identify and educate individuals most at risk and in some cases help prevent retinal detachment with prompt referral to retinal surgeons. This article will concentrate on (i) the most common type of detachment - rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, (ii) the importance of posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) and (iii) how to identify high-risk patients.
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Dispensing III: The low vision patient
20/03/08
One of the great misconceptions amongst patients attending optometrists is that new spectacles can solve all of their visual problems. Unfortunately, for those diagnosed as having untreatable ocular pathology, this is not the case. Confirmation of this comes from the definition of low vision which was adopted by the Low Vision Services Consensus Group in 1999 and states that 'A person with low vision is one who has an impairment of visual function for whom full remediation is not possible by conventional spectacles, contact lenses or medical intervention and which causes restriction in that person's everyday life.'
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Optometric management of posterior segment eye disease-Macular disorders
07/03/08
This third article of the Optometric Management of Posterior Segment Eye Disease series will concentrate on the differential diagnosis and clinical signs and symptoms of macular disorders. Emphasis is placed on decision-making skills and available treatments will be reviewed where appropriate
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Dispensing II: Complex lens dispensing
22/02/08
With reference to the terminology used by the General Ophthalmic Services (GOS), the expression complex appliance is defined as an optical appliance with at least one lens which has a power in any one meridian of plus or minus 10.00 or more dioptres, or is a prism-controlled bifocal lens.
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Variations in appearance of the normal eye due to differences in pigmentation and deposits
22/02/08
The vast majority of patients examined in primary eye care have normal, healthy eyes. To discriminate between ocular disease and the normal eye, it is essential to know the many presentations that a normal eye can make and a collection of photographs of normal variations due to differences in pigmentation and deposits is presented to supplement the information provided in atlases of ocular disease. The following is adapted from Clinical Procedures in Primary Eye Care (Elliott DB, 3rd edition) and its associated website (http://evolve.elsevier.com/Elliott/eyecare/).
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Optometric management of posterior segment eye disease-Optic nerve anomalies
08/02/08
As the saying goes, the eyes are a window to the soul. They are also a window to the brain, and one can discover a number of conditions, sometimes life-threatening, affecting the brain by their effect on optic nerve appearance and function.
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Variations in appearance of the normal optic nerve head
08/02/08
The vast majority of patients examined in primary eye care have normal, healthy eyes. To discriminate between ocular disease and the normal eye, it is essential to know the many presentations that a normal eye can make and a collection of photographs of these normal variations at the optic nerve head is presented to supplement the information provided in atlases of ocular disease. The following is adapted from Clinical Procedures in Primary Eye Care (2007, 3rd edition) and its associated website (http://evolve.elsevier.com/ Elliott/eyecare/).
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Dispensing I: Simple dispensing-easy, isn't it?
25/01/08
The term 'simple dispensing' can cover a multitude of sins, but here we will be discussing the elements of dispensing that could be considered as Best Practice. Although only possible to cover these aspects briefly, the text will look at some of the perhaps forgotten or neglected aspects of dispensing simple prescriptions. Areas outside this will be dealt with in a later article on Complex Dispensing which will cover such matters as high power lenses, dispensing for children, and anisometropic prescriptions.
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Optometric management of posterior segment eye disease-examining the posterior segment
11/01/08
In this first article of the Optometric Management of Posterior Segment Eye Disease series, the various instruments used to examine the posterior segment and the techniques of ocular examination are discussed. The interpretation of examination findings and use of auxilary equipment is also detailed.
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