Ultraviolet Awareness Month is sponsored by Prevent Blindness America to increase awareness of how UV rays can damage your eyes, increase your risk of cataracts and cancers of the eye especially in high-risk patients. UV protection with sunglasses is recommended in everyone, not only those that work outside, and can be preventative. As summer draws near north of the equator, many people long for the warmth of the sun after a long winter (at least in New England!) and plan for the outdoor activities we love. Unfortunately, the impacts of all that fun-in-the-sun on the eyes must be kept in mind.  Most people do not realize that 20% of all cataracts are the result of UV ray exposure, and that number has been dramatically increasing in recent years.

But what is this invisible threat exactly?  And how does it impact us? Ultraviolet radiation is measured in nanometers (nm). It is categorized in three basic terms and classified by the strength of the UV ray:

UVC: These rays are below 280 nm. The upper atmosphere absorbs these, so they do not reach us, therefore protection from these rays is not overly necessary.UVB: These are between 315 – 380 nm. These manage …

Our eye care partners generally include optomap, the only single-capture ultra-widefield retinal image, as part of their standard comprehensive eye exam in order to facilitate early detection from vision impairment, blindness, and other systemic diseases. Retinal imaging elevates the standard of care but often requires patient consent and an out-of-pocket fee. By way of effectively educating the clinical benefits to the added screening, most patients accept the fee. Eric White, OD, explains how his practice has achieved a 90 percent acceptance rate for optomap imaging.

In his practice, Dr. White includes optomap screening as part of the pre-testing process and continues patient education in the exam room while requesting patient approval to review the images. By including the image as a part of the pre-test process, it is a “no-brainer” when its significance is explained. Prior to this method, Dr. White would forego taking the image during pre-testing and would wait until the process was explained in the exam room, if agreed, the patient would then be sent back to the pre-test area for the images to be taken. This was not only inefficient but patients would often rather not go back for yet another pre-test. Once Dr. White implemented …

Ultra-widefield (UWF™) technology supports and enables practice efficiency for eyecare professionals across all settings. The integration of optomap technology as a routine diagnostic and screening tool has shown to improve workflow and increase service capacity within a very short time, according to many eyecare professionals. optomap can facilitate timely referrals for clinical opinions, supporting earlier treatment interventions and promoting collaboration between a variety of healthcare professionals and eyecare professionals alike. These all equate to improved patient workflow, clinical accuracy, and timely diagnosis and treatment for patients. Its ease of use makes for a smooth implementation process, optomap has been found to add clinical value as documented in over 900 peer-reviewed papers. These all equate to improved patient workflow, clinical accuracy, and timely diagnosis and treatment for patients.

Practice Efficiency in Eyecare SettingsMany eyecare professionals comment on the ease of use of optomap imaging. Operating the technology requires minimal training, and images can be captured quickly and efficiently and then immediately ready to be reviewed.When Dr. Wes Shealy and his business partner Dr. Joe Pitcavage (Lowcountry Eye Care, South Carolina) opened their first office, they both knew that offering optomap UWF retinal imaging technology was essential in order to provide the …

Women’s Eye Health and Safety Month is observed in April and designed to educate women about the steps they can take to help stop vision loss. This is in response to increasing evidence that women are affected by blindness and visual impairment to a much greater degree than their male counterparts. It is important that women stay educated about taking the proper steps today, to help preserve their vision in the future.

Data from the Prevent Blindness study, “The Future of Vision: Forecasting the Prevalence and Costs of Vision Problems,” found that women make up the majority of the 4.4 million Americans age 40 and older who are visually impaired or blind. More women than men have age-related macular degeneration, cataracts, and glaucoma. These numbers will only continue to increase in the years to come. Women are also at higher risk of developing sight-threatening autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis.  Although some of these diseases have no known cure, many of the effects may be lessened through early detection and treatment.  A Prevent Blindness survey found that:

Less than 10% of American women realize that women are at a greater risk of suffering permanent vision loss …

Today marks World Optometry Day which is also the official kickoff to World Optometry Week. The International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) marks this day as an opportunity to draw the spotlight on a key eye care profession and create awareness about optometry and its practices around the world. In these uncertain times, it’s more important than ever to recognize all of the ways the profession of optometry helps patients maintain good vision. Let’s celebrate this week and continue to raise awareness on the importance of family vision care and overall eye health.  

Optos is dedicated to enabling eye care professionals across the globe to provide the quality eye exams necessary for good vision. Starting today, and all week, Optos will be highlighting Optometrists worldwide who embrace utilizing optomap^® ultra-widefield retinal imaging for their patients.

With over 16,000 devices installed across the globe, there are countless stories to be told regarding how optomap has saved sight and saved lives in all eye care settings. Tell us your story. Optos wishes all optometric eye care professionals a happy, healthy, and safe World Optometry Week. #TellUsYourStory

As we continue to celebrate International Women’s Day at Optos, we’re shining a spotlight on women in business who are making a difference and paving the way for future female leaders within the health industry.

At Optos, we believe equality should be encouraged each and every day. Following on from March 8, we caught up with two of our successful female customers, Dr Shanel Sharma of Eye & Laser Surgeons in New South Wales, Australia and Sally Doyle at Fitzroy North Eye Care in Victoria Australia, who continue to empower others both within and outside their workplace.

Dr Shanel Sharma, Eye & Laser Surgeons BSc (Med), MBBS, FRANZCO

Dr Sharma undertook Medicine at The University of New South Wales Australia and completed her Ophthalmology speciality training at Prince of Wales Hospital and Sydney Children’s Hospital. She then held the prestigious Professorial Senior Registrar position at Sydney Eye Hospital in 2006. Shanel was awarded her Fellowship of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmology in 2007 FRANZCO. Dr Sharma undertook Postgraduate fellowships in Strabismus at the Western Eye Hospital in London as well as a Paediatric and Strabismus Fellowship at Moorfields Eye Hospital in London, the largest …

During Low Vision Awareness Month we all have the opportunity to raise awareness about visual impairment and rehabilitation for those who are living with low vision.

What is Low Vision?

Low vision is the term used to describe significant visual impairment that can’t be corrected fully with glasses, contact lenses, medication, or eye surgery, it includes:

Loss of best-corrected visual acuity to worse than 20/70 in the better eye.Significant visual field loss. Tunnel vision (lack of vision in the periphery) and blind spots are examples of visual field loss.Legal blindness. In the United States, legal blindness typically is defined as visual acuity of 20/200 or worse (in the better eye, with the best possible vision correction in place) or a field of view (visual field) that is constricted to 20 degrees or less.

Disability statistics from the 2014 American Community Survey show that 2.3 percent of individuals ages 16 and over have a visual disability or low vision.

The following are the definitions of visual acuity, according to the World Health Organization. These ratings are for vision in the better eye with the best possible prescription corrective lens:

20/30 to 20/60: Mild vision loss, but near-normal vision20/70 to 20/160: …

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the leading causes of blindness in adults over age 50 and it affects about 2.1 million people in the US. Early diagnosis and treatment are the keys to preventing vision loss. AMD is a degenerative disease that happens when part of the retina called the macula, is damaged. The macula is the part of the eye that delivers sharp, central vision needed to see objects straight ahead. Over time, the loss of central vision can interfere with everyday activities, such as the ability to drive, read, and see faces clearly.

During AMD Awareness Month in February, the American Academy of Ophthalmology is reminding people that even though there is not currently a cure for AMD, there are a number of things you can do to slow its effects and prevent blindness, early detection being a critical first step. Treatments for macular degeneration depend on whether the disease is in its early-stage, dry form or in the more advanced, wet form that can lead to serious vision loss.

What is AMD?– AMD is a common eye condition and a leading cause of blindness in those 50 and older.  Aging can cause the macula to slowly degenerate and reduce central …

Approximately 120,000 Americans have gone blind from glaucoma, accounting for 9-12% of all cases of blindness. January has been named National Glaucoma Awareness Month as an important time to spread knowledge of the sight-stealing disease. Typically starting in the periphery, glaucoma has no onset symptoms and once vision has been lost, it will not return.

What is Glaucoma?

Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that progress gradually, stealing sight, without showing symptoms. The word ‘glaucoma’ is actually an umbrella term for a group of eye diseases that damage the delicate fibers that run from your eye to your optic nerve, which is the nerve that carries information about the images your eye sees to your brain. Damage is often the result of high fluid pressure inside the eye. Glaucoma can affect people of all ages but is most prevalent in middle-aged adults and the elderly. While there is no cure, surgery or medication can slow its effects and help to prevent further vision loss.

Types of GlaucomaThere are two main types of glaucoma: primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), and angle-closure glaucoma. These are marked by an increase of intraocular pressure (IOP) or pressure inside the …

As 2019 has come to a close and 2020, also known as “the year of the eye” is upon us, it is important to focus on new habits that promote good health. At Optos, we stand by the idea that eye health, including regular comprehensive eye exams, including optomap, should always be at the top of your list.

Eye health is very commonly left off the list of resolutions made. Many resolutions encompass things such as eating habits, exercise and other surface health conditions, where eye health is often overlooked.

The first step to preserving eye health is scheduling a comprehensive eye exam that can assist in detecting any changes in vision and overall health. A commitment to a yearly eye exam can aid in the strides to prevent illness rather than treat it as it appears. Many adults with no eye-related symptoms will often forgo an annual eye exam, while many ocular diseases are asymptomatic in early stages.  Early detection of these diseases can have a significant impact on courses of treatment and the probability of positive outcomes. Your eyes are windows to the live action of blood vessels, nerves and connective tissues throughout your body. Abnormalities …