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Archive for September, 2007

September 30, 2007

From Eye On Vision - The Power of Postoperative Eyedrops

September 30th 2007 Posted to Optometry

September 29, 2007

From Dr. Kristin Heeney - Visors for Everyone

September 29th 2007 Posted to Optometry

Last nights Maple Leafs game, is a reminder that all hockey players, not just minor leaguers, should be required to wear eye protection (visors, sheilds, masks or cages). Darcy Tucker underwent retinal surgery today to repair damage. This is another eye injury this season, hockey players at all levels (minor, junior, recreational and professional) need to wear eye protection.

Your vision, what could be more important?

Dr. Heeney strongly supports Canadian Association of Optometrists in their efforts to make eye protection manadatory for hockey players.

For more information about eye protection solutions for all sports including hockey, football, basketball, skiing, racquet sports, please contact Dr. Heeney to make an appointment to find out what is available for you to protect your eyes and your vision.

September 27, 2007

From Contact Lenses Online Guide - Mind Your Pee in Queues

September 27th 2007 Posted to Contact Lenses

Mind Your Pee in QueuesSlate - Military clinics are encouraging soldiers to get laser eye surgery. Troops most likely to go to Iraq get top priority. Rationales : 1) Soldiers “perform better if they don’t have to worry about breaking eyeglasses, losing contact lenses, or fogging of

Mind Your Pee in Queues
Slate - Military clinics are encouraging soldiers to get laser eye surgery. Troops most likely to go to Iraq get top priority. Rationales : 1) Soldiers “perform better if they don’t have to worry about breaking eyeglasses, losing contact lenses, or fogging of

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From Eye On Vision - LASIK Software Recalled After Unexpected Results

September 27th 2007 Posted to Optometry

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September 26, 2007

From Dr. Kristin Heeney - Health Canada warns consumers not to use GenTeal Artificial Tears due to potential health risk

September 26th 2007 Posted to Optometry

OTTAWA ? Health Canada is warning consumers not to use Lot 51436 of the product Genteal Artificial Tears 25 ml due to possible contamination with bacteria. A recall of the affected lot has been initiated by the distributor, Novartis.

Use of eye drops contaminated with bacteria may cause serious eye infection. People who are immune suppressed, such as those with HIV/AIDS, or who are undergoing chemotherapy or taking drugs which cause immune suppression may be at a higher risk for infection.

The product, with an expiry date of 2008-08, is fabricated by CIBA Vision Canada Inc., Sterile Manufacturing.

Lot numbers can usually be found on the top of the box or front panel of the bottle. The Drug Identification Number (DIN) for this product is 02231289. The DIN can be found on the front panel of the product label and outer packaging.

This product is used to relieve eye irritation or dryness and is sold without a prescription as an over-the-counter drug. It is widely available and is distributed across Canada. According to the company, the product was tested prior to release for sale and met all specifications, including sterility. However, the company advised Health Canada that it is recalling the product as a precautionary measure based on a recent review of the production facility controls.

Health Canada is advising consumers who use Genteal Artificial Tears to check the lot number on the bottle. If it is Lot 51436, with an expiry date of 2008-08, they should immediately stop using the product and return it where it was purchased. People using the affected lot who experience symptoms of eye infection such as redness, swelling, discharge, pain, itchiness, increased sensitivity to light and change in vision should seek medical attention.

Health Canada will update this advisory as soon as additional information is available. Health Canada advisories are posted at the following web address: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ahc-asc/media/advisories-avis/2005/index_e.html

From Dr. Kristin Heeney - heeney.ca

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September 25, 2007

Posted on Optoblog - General Commentary About Insurance-ODs-EyeMDs

September 25th 2007 Posted to Optometry

I had a great round of Golf with area O.D.s yesterday. Mount Ogden Eye Center sponsors a lunch, one hour of CE, and then a round of Golf for any northern Utah optometrist that is interested in taking the day off. It was really cool to get together with local O.D.s who share the same […]

It was really cool to get together with local O.D.s who share the same concerns that I do about business aspects of practicing optometry in Utah.

I recently talked about a local HMO/Insurance Plan, IHC-SelectHealth, that discriminates against optometry. A lawsuit was brought against them by a group of individual optometrists which they later lost and now there can be no more appeals. My question was why wouldn’t the Utah Optometric Association or even the American Optometric Association get involved and sponsor the suit. The answer was not enough money and that there would be serious repercussions. The thinking is that IHC won’t counter-suit a bunch of individual optometrists, but they would the UOA, which could go bankrupt in such a scenario. Apparently a lot of optometrists were upset that there was a lawsuit in the first place because they thought there should be more diplomatic means.

I say the only diplomacy we need is with our state legislatures to enact an Any Willing Provider law so that IHC/SelectHealth’s discrimination would be illegal.

Another thing, this Insurance sponsored discrimination fosters an Us vs. Them attitude with ophthalmologists. The areas where both ODs and OMDs are all paneled is usually because early on, the OMDs went to bat for the ODs and got them on. In areas where ODs are not allowed, the ODs can start resenting the OMDs for not going to bat for them. Pretty soon, all our referrals somehow end up going to Ogden instead of staying local in the valley. Then the local OMDs get perturbed by not enough referrals from the ODs, so they might vow to never go to bat for the ODs. A vicious cycle.

The patients are the ones who really lose from this situation currently happening in Northern Utah. IHC/Selecthealth claims in their T.V. commercials that they are “Simply There” and according to their website, “SelectHealth offers members respect, convenience, excellent service, and affordable health coverage.”

Did you see the convenience part? How is it convenient to wait for weeks to see an eye doctor for a routine eye exam? I suppose it’s convenient for SelectHealth that people don’t want to wait for weeks so they go see an optometrist instead, and SelectHealth won’t allow optometrists to bill them and they won’t reimburse the patients either. I think that must be their evil master plan: subtly encourage patients to see non-network doctors so that they don’t have to pay out any money.

By the way, SelectHealth’s copay for eye exams is $35. So what’s another $10 to the patient to see a big box doctor for a $45 eye exam. Yet another way they encourage the OMDs to dislike the ODs for having such a thing as commercial optometry.

Insurance in general hasn’t done anything to help private practice ODs. We were much better off years ago when 90% of optometry exams were private pay. Vision Insurance is as worthless as haircut insurance. It only adds a middleman who takes from both the patient and the eye doctor. If we all just stopped taking vision insurance and slightly decreased our fees, the whole populous would be better off.

September 24, 2007

Optometry News - Optometry clinic to open in Harrisburg - Sioux Falls Argus Leader

September 24th 2007 Posted to Optometry

Optometry clinic to open in Harrisburg
Sioux Falls Argus Leader, SD - Sep 21, 2007
By John Hult Dr. John Boer, a 26-year-old Sheldon, Iowa native, plans to open an optometry shop in Harrisburg. Harrisburg Eye Care, the city’s first …

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From Eye On Vision - LASIK Software Recalled After Unexpected Results

September 24th 2007 Posted to Optometry

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September 22, 2007

From Dr. Kristin Heeney - We’re Growing: Optometric Assistant Wanted

September 22nd 2007 Posted to Optometry

Receptionist/Optometric Assistant

We are looking for the right person to join our clinic. We focus on providing superior service to our patients. Attention to detail and communication is essential. Experience is preferred but we are willing to train the right individual who has an interest in health services and the optical industry.

Part time or full time opportunities exist. Benefits available.

Duties and Responsibilities

Reception and telephone handling
Scheduling patients on the computer
Responding to email inquiries
Preparing charts
Calling patients to confirm their appointments
Billing OHIP, third-parties and patients
Preliminary testing of patients
Advising patients on lens and frame selections
Ordering glasses and contact lenses
Repairing and adjusting eyeglasses
Training contact lens patients

Qualifications

Successful completion of at least a two-year post secondary certificate or diploma program or two years previous experience in an optometric/optical/medical/dental/chiropractic office.
Excellent verbal communication skills
Ability to demonstrate interpersonal skills and work in a team environment is required
Previous customer service or administration experience
Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite or similar software

Please note only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted.