There are several risks associated with too much exposure to sunlight, the most common being sunburn and premature aging of the skin. However, there are also some positive benefits that come with a “sensible” amount of sun exposure, including an improvement in sleep, a happier outlook, and protection from certain autoimmune diseases (U.S. News Health). And now, the results of two recent studies have revealed that spending time in the sun can be helpful in minimizing or preventing nearsightedness in children.

As Medical News Today shared in a recent article, one of the studies observed children in two elementary schools in Taiwan over the 2009-2010 school year. The children had previously spent their recess time indoors. But for the study, one school had its children spend a total of 80 minutes playing outdoors each day. The results of the eye exams that were conducted at the beginning and end of the study showed that significantly fewer children encountered nearsightedness in the school that required outdoor recess.

The leader of the study, Pei-Chang Wu, M.D., PhD., shared that since children spend so much time in school, “a school-based intervention is a direct and practical way to tackle the increasing …

Optos is a leading provider of innovative devices that aid practitioners in diagnosing and treating conditions and diseases in the retina. While much of our attention in previous blog posts has been focused on our ultra-widefield imaging devices and technology, we would now like to share more about our other retinal imaging products.

Optos’ OCT imaging products have shown to be an effective tool for both disease diagnosis and management. The OptosOCT SLO is an “all-in-one” system that combines a Spectral Domain OCT, a confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscope along with Retinal Tracking Microperimetry, in one highly advanced device – the only device of its kind to evaluate both Structure and Function together.  This instrument is especially useful for clinicians who treat patients with more complex retinal diseases, as the device provides a reliable method for quality patient care.

The OptosOCT SLO offers practitioners the following benefits:

Instantaneous localization of the OCT on the SLO/retinal image, that simplifies scanning Ultra-high resolution images Enhanced details via multi-frame averaging for better clarification Comprehensive diagnostic capabilities, including an SLO image captured in real time for every OCT scan; a topographical map that can be placed directly over the SLO retinal image with …

In the past we’ve discussed some of the psychological effects color can have on a person, but when it comes to choosing the colors to use within the office of your medical practice, color psychology is not the only thing you want to take into consideration. You must also think about how the color will make a certain room look and feel when making your selections.

As a great article on color psychology and interior design that we recently came across notes, the wrong color can make an exam room unappealing to a patient. For instance, while white presents a crisp, clean look, some patients see it as sterile and uninviting. Reds and oranges are also sometimes seen as unappealing simply because they are so bold and assertive. And if an exam room doesn’t appeal to a patient aesthetically, they might not feel as comfortable and are less likely to have a pleasant visit.

These design experts also discuss the importance of selecting the right color combinations for exam rooms, calling it a “quintessential part” of the design process. For example, a room filled with lighter colors can make the room appear larger because the colors usually “fade …

Recent years have brought about increasing healthcare costs, especially in America. Obesity and chronic illnesses are just a few of the contributing factors, but what do the roles of vision loss and eye disorders play in healthcare costs?

A new study recently published in Ophthalmology offers insight into just how costly vision loss and eye disorders are, particularly for the American population under the age of 40. According to the study, “the economic burden” of vision loss and eye disorders was $27.5 billion last year, with $5.9 billion in costs for children and $21.6 billion accounting for adults ages 18 to 39.

The study, which defines the numbers as “a substantial burden” for a group previously left out of similar studies, also broke the costs down by direct and indirect costs. Direct costs included $7.3 billion for medical costs associated with diagnosed disorders, $4.9 billion attributed to refraction correction, and $0.5 billion accounted for undiagnosed vision loss. Additionally, $1.8 billion were spent on other direct costs. Indirect costs accounted for $13 billion spent. Prevent Blindness America plans to present a more in-depth discussion on the economic burden of vision loss and eye disorders for …

Itchy, watery, red and swollen eyes accompanied with sneezing, coughing, and running noses can only mean one thing… spring allergy season is here. This year’s spring allergy season got off to an early start, and as WebMD shared earlier in the season, some doctors are seeing signs that allergy season “may be more miserable than usual this year.”

What’s the reason for this prediction? A false spring is partially to blame because it caused pollen levels to climb, dip, and then rise again. Stanley M. Fineman, MD, former president of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology who now practices in Atlanta, shares that the pollen pattern causes people who suffer with allergies to feel a “priming effect.” This is when patients are initially exposed to the allergens and then re-exposed after the dip and subsequential increase in pollen levels, causing patients to feel the effects even more because their bodies prepare to respond.

Allergies can make your patients feel horrible, especially when they feel the need to constantly rub their eyes or wipe tears away. However, there are a few ways you can help them combat the symptoms so they can enjoy the …

In addition to developing instruments and devices that equip optometrists and ophthalmologists with better diagnostic capabilities, we also strive to help educate practitioners by offering clinical trainings designed to provide information on the various conditions an optomap exam can detect.

Jerome Sherman, OD, FAAO and Distinguished Teaching Professor at The State University of New York, recently discussed widefield autofluorescence imaging (af) in a webinar for Optos.  He describes af as a novel, noninvasive imaging procedure that has opened “a new world of diagnosis.” Throughout the webinar, Dr. Sherman discusses some of the basics of af, as well as what types of conditions can be revealed through af that can’t be detected with standard fundus photography and standard ophthalmoscopy. The webinar also includes photographic examples and some scenarios, such as the following:

Hyperautofluorescence and Hypoautofluorescence

Disc Drusen revealed with af

Retinal Toxicity invisible to ophthalmoscopy

Early Retinitis Pigmentosa with Bull’s Eye Maculopathy  (invisible to Ophthalmoscopy & Fundus Photography)

Please visit our website to view the entire webinar with Dr. Sherman. There, you …

As we shared a few months ago, investing in advanced technology is a must for every medical practice. Adding equipment with up-to-date technology allows your practice to operate at maximum efficiency and create a more positive patient experience.

Optometric Management recently published a list of five “must-have” technologies which the magazine suggests that every eyecare practitioner consider for their practice. These technologies are described as technologies that will make your life easier while minimizing “administrative burden” and instilling “patient loyalty and referrals.” Below is a quick look at each.

Digital Appointment Scheduling – The author of the article, Ben L. Larson, O.D., shared that his practice uses digital scheduling software that is linked directly to the practice’s website. Patients are able to schedule an appointment without calling and can do so at any hour, which has led to an increase in word-of-mouth referrals. Additionally, the practice’s staff is able to focus more on patient care and less on administrative duties.

Patient Intake Forms on Your Website – Adding patient intake forms to your website offers extra convenience to your patients and the staff of your practice, by eliminating the need to provide the patients with several handouts …

At Optos, we are always trying to find ways to help professionals and patients communicate better and get the best results from tests. With these goals in mind, Optos has developed a helpful new iPad app to accompany the already versatile OptosChart digital visual acuity system.

Our app, Chart Remote, is designed to control the OptosChart visual acuity testing systems, as well as perform near vision testing via an iPad. The OptosChart is compatible with several of the commonly used USB Wi-Fi adaptors, including Linksys, Belkin, Netgear, and DLink. The app’s software will automatically detect the Wi-Fi signal from the USB Wi-Fi adaptor allowing you to connect your iPad via an ad hoc network, or through the wireless LAN network in your clinic.

In addition to serving as a remote, the Chart Remote app offers a synchronized on-tablet chart display. This means you will no longer need to memorize another optotype or read the chart along with your patients to confirm the responses of your patients. The Chart Remote app also streamlines patient registration and data input, as well as allows you to archive, email, or print visual acuity reports.

The OptosChart digital visual acuity testing system  …

While representatives from Optos are constantly in the field talking to eyecare professionals about our products and technology, we really enjoy the chance to talk to groups of professionals at conferences and trade shows. Optos regularly attends these events, creating an educational opportunity for practitioners to learn more about our retinal imaging devices, as well as how more and more studies are proving the benefits of ultra-widefield imaging.

Optos recently had a presence at Optrafair, one of the largest shows in the industry in the UK, and we stayed busy sharing information with attendees about our Daytona device and autofluorescence imaging.

Optrafair attendees listen to a talk about Daytona and autofluorescence imaging.

Our representatives also attended a meeting of the Pacific Retina Club, at which Optos’ technology was featured in 11 presentations, including the keynote address from Dean Elliot from Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary on Retinoplexy. We also had representatives present at the Ophthalmic Photographers’ Society Midyear Meeting, where we were able to share about Daytona and our 200Tx with many attendees. Additionally, Optos’ technology had some exposure when it was also featured recently in two papers published in Retina: The Journal …

Has a patient ever given you a funny look when you’ve asked questions about his or her medical history? It’s probably because the patient was expecting you to stick to eye and vision questions, rather than overall health questions. Many times, patients don’t realize that systemic issues can be detected through an eye exam, or that such issues could be the reason behind changes in vision.

With World Hypertension Day coming up on May 17, it’s a good time to talk to your patients about how hypertension can affect their vision and health, especially if they have been diagnosed with hypertension in the past or if they have a family history of the condition. A few points to share with your patients include the following:

Vessels in the eye can change or become damaged as a result of elevated blood pressure. The perfusion of the retina can also be damaged and eye tissue may not receive enough oxygen. Nerve cells can die, which creates an increased risk for thromboses, leading to blurred vision or blindness. Many people aren’t even aware that they have hypertension or don’t experience symptoms, which is why it’s often referred to as the “silent …