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November 30, 2007

From Dr. Kristin Heeney - Why is the letter “E” on top of all eye charts?

November 30th 2007 Posted to Optometry

Dear Yahoo!: Why is the letter ?E? on top of all eye charts?
Rebecca
Beaverton, Oregon

Dear Rebecca:
The standard eye chart is called the Snellen Chart, after the Dutch ophthalmologist Herman Snellen (1834-1908). Snellen developed the chart in 1862; it measures visual acuity, or the ability to see from a fixed distance.

Why the big ?E?? That?s how Snellen designed the original, and having a standard letter on top helps to determine the chart?s size and the distance it should be from the patient. However, we found several variations of the Snellen chart: the letter ?A? on top, ?K V D? on top, as well as the letter ?F.?

The size of the letters relative to each other is very important. Snellen letters, also known as optotypes, grow progressively smaller according to a constant ratio. The eighth row of letters is usually the 20/20 line. Someone with 20/20 vision has ?normal? vision (though 61% of Americans wear corrective lenses), while someone with 20/40 vision can only see at twenty feet what a normal person can see from forty feet.

Some charts use a series of ?Es? facing different directions; the objective is to identify the directions of the letters. This is a popular test for children or people who can?t read.

From Dr. Kristin Heeney - heeney.ca

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November 28, 2007

Optometry News - Optometrist Accused Of Sexual Assault In Court Today - WSOCtv.com

November 28th 2007 Posted to Optometry

WSOCtv.com

Optometrist Accused Of Sexual Assault In Court Today
WSOCtv.com, NC - 2 hours ago
CHARLOTTE, NC — A Huntersville optometrist accused of sexual assault will appear in court for the first time today. Dr. Christopher Reynolds worked at …

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November 27, 2007

From Eye On Vision - Hidden Bonus with Combination Drugs

November 27th 2007 Posted to Optometry

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From Dr. Kristin Heeney - Threat Number 4: Canadian Optometrists are Terrorists

November 27th 2007 Posted to Optometry

Ahhh the humour of it. On Monday, Kristin appeared on The Hour with George Strombouloupolous to answer questions about Ontario optometrists being terrorists. Last week Ontario Minister of Health and Long-Term Care George Smitherman called Ontario optometrists “a bunch of terrorists, and I don’t negotiate with terrorists.” He apologized on Monday, November 7, but national and international news (and pseudo-news) media have picked up on the story.

The Colbert Report Threat Down identified Optometrists as the fourth biggest threat to national security.

Bears
NASCAR Romance Novels
Professional Musicians specially those at Radio City Music Hall
Canadian Optometrists
Pirates

Watch The Colbert Report clip QuickTime 5.5Mb

From Dr. Kristin Heeney - heeney.ca

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November 25, 2007

Optometry News - On-the-ball optometrist saves woman's sight - Luton Today

November 25th 2007 Posted to Optometry

On-the-ball optometrist saves woman's sight
Luton Today, UK - Nov 22, 2007
Catriona Walpole of Stopsley thought her painful migraine could be related to the fact that she'd broken her glasses and couldn't afford to replace them. …

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November 24, 2007

From Eye On Vision - Licensure Responsibilities for Drivers and Doctors

November 24th 2007 Posted to Optometry

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November 23, 2007

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

November 23rd 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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November 21, 2007

Optometry News - Optometrist and wifewant your old glasses - The Huntsville Times - al.com

November 21st 2007 Posted to Optometry

Optometrist and wifewant your old glasses
The Huntsville Times - al.com, AL - 1 hour ago
By REBECCA SALLEE A Madison optometrist and his wife hope to give the gift of better sight to as many as 500 people through a holiday season drive for …

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From Eye On Vision - Patients Have Responsibilities, Too!

November 21st 2007 Posted to Optometry

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November 20, 2007

From Dr. Kristin Heeney - Do you have dry eyes?

November 20th 2007 Posted to Optometry

A recent study at Brigham and Women?s Hostipal in Boston found that the amount, type and ratio of essential fatty acids in the diet may play a key role in dry eye prevention in women. The study had 3 specific findings:

Women with the highest levels of omega-3 fatty acids in their diet had a 20 per cent lower risk of developing dry eye syndrome than women with lower omega-3 consumption
One of the most important factors in reducing the risk of dry eye was the ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids in the diet. Women with a dietary ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 greater than 15:1 had 2.5 times the risk of developing dry eye syndrome compared to women with a ratio of less than 4:1
Tuna consumption reduced the risk of dry eye syndrome. Specifically, women who reported eating at least five servings of tuna per week had a 68 percent reduced risk of dry eye syndrome compared to those who consumed just one serving.

If you think you might have dry eye syndrome or just have questions about your vision, make an appointment to talk to us about your eye health.

From Dr. Kristin Heeney - heeney.ca

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