Pediatrics

New York-For 4 days in March, New York City's Jacob K. Javits Convention Center will be transformed into a gigantic dispensary featuring more than 600 international exhibitors and 100 new product launches.

Adding an optical dispensary to an existing ophthalmology practice can be a profitable and exciting venture, but one that must be organized carefully and executed deliberately. Ophthalmologists must plan-from the dispensary's inception to construction-exactly where everything will be and how it will appear to their patients.

Anaheim, CA-Surgeons and patients often consider refractive surgery to be a one-time intervention. A patient may have had RK or LASIK and possibly an enhancement, but then the doctor-patient relationship ended. This is no longer the case, nor should it be, explained George O. Waring III, MD, who delivered the keynote speech on refractive re-treatments during the International Society of Refractive Surgery/American Academy of Ophthalmology subspecialty day meeting.

Editor's Note: In 1896 Alexander Duane, MD, author of the Student's Medical Dictionary, defined hay fever, otherwise known as hay asthma, as "a violent acute inflammation or congestion of the conjunctiva, nasal and bronchial mucous membranes, recurring at about the same time every spring or summer in those predisposed to it. It is apparently caused by inhalation of the pollen of certain plants and relieved by migration to a locality where the pollen is not found." This definition is concise and still valid today. The history of ocular allergy, and hay fever in particular, is rich and interesting, with astute

San Francisco-The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) will induct its first woman president in 2005, when president-elect Susan H. Day, MD, moves up to that position.

Lens designers and manufacturers are constantly searching for the perfect progressive addition lens. They strive to design the most comfortable lens both optically and cosmetically. This combination of both equals a lens that is thin, light, and versatile for all lifestyle activities, while delivering the sharpest visual acuity possible without noticeable power shifts in every meridian. Ophthalmic professionals don't have to wait for tomorrow for this technologically advanced progressive lens. It's here today.

When a decision is made to prescribe a topical beta-blocker for monotherapy or as an add-on agent, timolol hemihydrate (Betimol, Santen) offers many advantages that may make it an excellent option.

Jacksonville, FL-VISTAKON, a division of Johnson & Johnson Vision Care Inc., is offering an array of educational materials to help eye-care professionals instruct patients about eye health and run their practices more efficiently.

Apathy is defined in Webster's unabridged dictionary as "a lack of interest, or indifference." Apathy, coupled with an unwillingness to get involved or to speak out on issues, is endemic among the medical profession.

Rochester, NY-For pediatric ophthalmologist Gary D. Markowitz, MD, having an ophthalmic dispensary has been a positive experience in terms of patient service as well as practice growth.

For clinicians, the Internet can become a valuable tool for disseminating information on their practices and, ultimately, in attracting new patients.

"Give a man a fish and he eats for a day. Teach a man to fish and he eats for a lifetime."

San Francisco-The American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus (AAPOS) is offering its annual "I Care for Eye Care" calendar and note cards, featuring children's artwork from all over the world.

Editor's Note: Although less common than uveitis in adults, uveitis in children can present unique diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. Emmett T. Cunningham Jr., MD, PhD, MPH, editor of the "Uveitis Update" column in Ophthalmology Times, asked a panel of uveitis specialists to comment on various aspects of the condition in this roundtable discussion. Their comments have been edited for length and clarity.

In the past, ophthalmologists have had the luxury of viewing themselves as specialized surgical and medical care providers and have not been driven to include a retail profit center, such as an optical dispensary, in their practice.

For ophthalmologists who have decided to add an optical dispensary to their offices, the process of designing and equipping the space can be a daunting experience. Far more than just attaching frame display racks to the walls, the optical dispensary should be coordinated and blended with the decor and design of the rest of the office. It should also be designed for maximum efficiency and represent the doctors' aesthetic tastes.

Mount Airy, NC-Hugh L. Hennis III, MD, makes housecalls throughout rural western North Carolina without leaving his chair.

Fort Lauderdale, FL-Cyclosporine A drops may be an effective treatment for Thygeson's superficial punctate keratitis (SPK) over the long term. It is especially useful in patients whose disease does not respond to treatment with steroids or those whose disease responds to steroids and who have elevated IOP levels, according to the results of a U.K. study reported at the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology.

Fort Lauderdale, FL-Ketotifen fumarate 0.025% ophthalmic solution (Zaditen/Zaditor, Novartis Ophthalmics) is safe for use in a pediatric population with allergic conjunctivitis, according to H. Jerome Crampton, MD.

Fort Lauderdale, FL-Topical loteprednol etabonate 0.5% (Lotemax, Bausch & Lomb) instilled four times daily may be beneficial to treat patients who have keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) with at least a moderate inflammatory component.

Fort Worth, TX-Alcon Inc. is teaming with the Vision Council of America (VCA) to stress the importance of eye exams for school-age children as part of the "Check Yearly. See Clearly" national vision health awareness initiative.

Parsippany, NJ-Safilo Group will add several Liz Claiborne Inc. licensed eyewear brands to its line up-becoming the sole manufacturer for all Liz Claiborne-branded eyewear and sunwear collections-with the acquisition of Outlook Eyewear.

San Francisco-Pediatric LASIK is an investigational procedure, but it can be a feasible and safe modality for young patients with anisometropic amblyopia who truly have no other option for improving best-corrected vision, said Jonathan M. Davidorf, MD, at the annual meeting of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery.

Washington, DC-In an effort to curb the eye damage caused by teens who unwittingly buy and wear cosmetic contact lenses from unauthorized vendors, the House of Representatives will consider a bill that would recognize and regulate non-corrective contact lenses as medical devices, regardless of their intended use.

San Francisco-IOL implantation in pediatric eyes with traumatic cataract offers the opportunity for a favorable visual outcome, but success in these cases depends on a properly timed procedure and diligent surgical care, said M. Edward Wilson, MD, at the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery annual meeting.