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| Newsicals "Optical News You Can Use" |
A Newsical is a news item about the optical industry. On this page
you will find them, along with comments and recommendations. To
receive Newsicals on a regular basis, sign up for ADG&A's newsletter.
To do so, click here. You'll be directed to the Contact Us page, where
you'll find instructions.
Special Note
Once again one of the major television networks has exposed lapses in
quality in the optical industry. To view the latest story follow this link
to the ABC News website.
Recommendation: ADG&A recommends that all dispensing
ophthalmology practices have an aggressive quality assurance program
in place and that it include a written statement of quality that is given
to the patient.
Consumers Lack UV Awareness
A recent survey conducted by the New England Institute and
Transitions Optical Inc. found that 95 percent of consumers are
unaware of the dangers of UV exposure to their eyes. Survey findings
also revealed that 57 percent of respondents do not wear protective
eyewear when in the sun for extended periods of time, 44 percent do
not have daily eyewear with UV protection, and over 50 percent of
young adult respondents (ages 18-24) do not agree that UV protection is
important at all.
Significance: This finding is especially important for those dispensing
ophthalmology practices that still sell high percentages of CR-39 lenses,
since they do not have inherent UV protection.
Recommendation: ADG&A recommends that all practices consider
increasing the base price for CR-39 lenses and including a UV
treatment. Better yet, focus on increasing sales of those lenses that are
natural UV filters, such as polycarbonate and high index.
(Back to Top)
Survey Shows Difficulty with Driving in the Dark
According to Shedding Light on Driving in the Dark, a nationwide
survey conducted by Kelton Research on behalf of Road & Travel
Magazine and Acuvue® brand contact lenses, 32% of drivers on the
road say they have difficulty seeing all or most of the time while
driving in the dark, 26% report having trouble seeing signs or exits,
20% acknowledge difficulty seeing animals or pedestrian, and 22% have
problems in judging distance while driving in the dark. Respondents
complained of eyestrain (38%), dry or tired eyes (34%), fatigue (25%),
headaches (19%), inability to focus (18%) and double or blurred vision
(15%) while driving in the dark. Additionally, nearly half (48%) report
experiencing glare or light sensitivity while driving in the dark.
For more information: www.acuvue.com/press
Recommendation: Because of their ability to improve vision and
increase overall visual comfort, ADG&A recommends that AR
treatment is strongly considered for all patients who are prescribed
eyeglasses. The creation of a script for use during a demonstration, can
proveveryproductive.
(BacktoTop)
Guerrilla Marketing Ideas
ADG&A has long recommended that its dispensing ophthalmology
clients employ guerrilla marketing techniques because of their low cost
and high potential for return. The following is a list of guerrilla
marketing things that every dispensary can do to improve its business.
(Back to Top)
Develop a Checklist, Top-Ten List or Other
Information as a Response to a Marketing Hook
According to a new survey only 21% of workers worldwide are
"engaged" -that's human resource 'speak' for ready to expend some
extra effort at work while 38% are either disenchanted or disengaged.
Engagement is not satisfaction or happiness, but the degree to which
workers connect to the company emotionally, are aware of what they
need to do to add value and are willing to take that action.
The fact that almost 80% of workers are less-than-engaged is likely
costing companies money. The notion of engagement is really a dollars-
and-cents issue. Organizations that have employees that are highly
engaged deliver better financial results than those that don't.
So, what makes for an engaged employee? It's not necessarily pay.
While the level of pay is important, it's not among the top 10 drivers of
engagement.
Rather than using pay, companies should survey their work force,
much as they might study their customers, to assess what employees
are seeking.
According to the survey, the top 10 drivers of employee engagement are
a mixed bag that includes both the behavior and actions of senior
management and the individuals' own actions and abilities:
Many employees are looking for a greater demonstration of senior
management's interest in their day-to-day work. What employees are
looking for is open communication. Senior management's interest in
employees can be expressed in a number of ways including the
organizations' willingness to help employees balance work and
activities outside of work, to sponsor competitive benefit programs, to
focus on career development and training.
(Adapted from MarketWatch By Andrea Coombes)
(Back to Top)
Applicant Background Checks and Consumer
Reporting Legal Requirements
Many employers use third-parties to conduct background checks to
evaluate and validate information provided by applicants for
employment. The information provided through these background
checks can prove to be quite valuable in making your final hiring
decision.
If you elect to obtain consumer reports on applicants for use in the
hiring process, you are required to do so in compliance with the federal
Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). The FCRA requires that employers
take specific steps when obtaining the consumer report of an applicant.
Employers must:
Some states also impose additional steps and requirements on
employers using consumer records to make hiring decisions. You must
carefully follow each step, because failure to comply can result in the
assessment of statutory fines, actual damages, attorney’s fees and costs,
and punitive damages.
Do consult with counsel should you have interest in conducting
background checks for specific guidance. —Hedley Lawson, Jr.
(Back to Top)
Daily Disposable Segment Hits 10%
In the first quarter of 2007, the daily disposable category increased its
share of the US soft contact lens market to 10%, the highest share it has
ever achieved. Growth in this segment continues to be very strong, up
28% in the first quarter over 2006. According to CIBA Vision, 87% of
Focus DAILIES wearers are compliant with recommended wear and
care regimens, compared to 35% of total soft contact lens wearers.
Daily disposables offer ECPs a real opportunity to build their practices.
94% of Focus DAILIES wearers report also owning eyeglasses.
Additionally, contact lens wearers visit their eyecare provider more
frequently for eye examinations, with 59% having their eyes examined
at least once a year versus 45% percent of eyeglasses wearers.
Recommendation: ADG&A currently recommends that its clients
maintain a ratio of contact lens-to-eyeglass patients of 20/80 percent.
Within these parameters, it would appear that there is room to grow
the daily disposal lens market.
(Back to Top)
Workers and Illegal Drugs
According to a study by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health
Administration, an agency within the Health and Human Services
Department, one in 12 full-time workers in the United States
acknowledges having used illegal drugs in the past month, including
marijuana.
The highest rates were among restaurant workers, 17.4 percent, and
construction workers, 15.1 percent. About 4 percent of teachers and
social service workers reported using illegal drugs in the past month,
which was among the lowest rates. The average usage rate is 8.2
percent.
The study also showed that the prevalence of illegal drug use was
highest among younger workers. Nineteen percent of workers age 18 to
25 said they used illegal drugs during the past month, compared with
10.3 percent among those age 26 to 34; 7 percent among those age 35 to
49; and 2.6 percent among those age 50 to 64.
The study also looked at alcohol use by workers. About 8.8 percent,
reported heavy alcohol use. Heavy alcohol use was defined as drinking
five or more drinks on one occasion at least five times in the past 30
days.
For more information: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services
Administration: http://www.samhsa.gov
Recommendation: ADG&A recommends that its clients have a vigorous
anti-drug policy, to include preemployment testing and random testing
of all employees during their tenure.
(Back to Top)
Employee Appreciation
There is almost universal agreement among managers that employees
want to feel they and their efforts are appreciated. This is a fact we
often forget during the course of our workday. One solution is to
regularly schedule some form of activity that both recognizes
everyone's contributions and adds an element of fun to the daily
routine.
The following are some activities you might consider. They were
gathered from a recent thread on the American Academy of
Ophthalmic Executives listserv.
Car Wash: At one practice, the administrator enlisted the help of her
daughter and a helper. She then offered to wash each employee's car at
a scheduled time, including a thorough cleaning of the interior.
Chocolate Fountain: At another practice, the administrator brought in a
chocolate fountain and a generous assortment of fruits and cookies.
BTW, the fountain was set up without the employees' knowledge; they
were left to their own devices to figure out who their benefactor was.
Unannounced Barbecue: One administrator set up a grill and began to
make hamburgers and hot dogs. An email message was then sent to
the staff members, who were invited outside for lunch.
Department Recognition Day: An administrator decided to recognize the
contributions of the various departments within the practice by
honoring each with a special day. On their day, each employee was
invited to lunch, received a potted plant for their desk and was given a
gift bag. The bag contained a monetary gift, as well as some goodies.
(Back to Top)
Survey finds few Americans aware of age-related eye
disease risk
Americans are largely either unaware or unconcerned with the threat
of age-related eye disease, according to a national health survey
conducted for the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Because of
the finding, the AAO issued a new eye disease screening
recommendation and is launching a new public education initiative,
the organization announced.
The survey found that, of 1,200 respondents, only 11% perceive
themselves to be at high risk of eye disease. In addition, only 10% of
Americans aged 65 years and older believe they are personally at risk of
eye disease and more than one-third do not get annual eye exams,
according to a press release from the AAO.
The survey also found that respondents with a family history of eye
disease knew "strikingly" little about specific risk factors and were as
likely to receive vision screenings as people without a family history of
eye disease.
"Only 15% of all respondents were correctly able to identify half or
more factors from a list of risk factors for age-related macular
degeneration, cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma and dry eye
presented in the survey," the release said.
In response to the findings, the AAO now recommends that all adults
receive a baseline eye examination at age 40 years regardless of whether
they have signs, symptoms or risk factors of eye disease. The
organization also recommends that patients of any age who have
symptoms or risk factors see an ophthalmologist to determine how
frequently they should be examined.
The AAO is launching a public education program in cooperation with
EyeCare America to support the new vision screening
recommendations and increase awareness of eye disease risk factors.
The program, called EyeSmart, will target women aged 40 years and
older who serve as caregivers to parents and children, as well as people
who do not use refractive correction and thus may not consider
themselves at risk, according to the release.
The program also has a Web site, www.geteyesmart.org, which features
information on eye diseases and risks as well as a searchable database
of ophthalmologists.
(Back to Top)
Children and Sunglasses
Younger eyes are more susceptible to exposure to the sun's rays than
adult eyes. "The effects of UV radiation are cumulative over a person's
lifetime, so exposure may contribute to the development of various
ocular disorders." It is estimated that 80% of lifetime exposure to UV
occurs by age 18 and that a child's annual dose of UV radiation is
threefold that of an adult. (Source: Christine W. Sindt, OD, FAAO,
assistant professor of ophthalmology at the University of Iowa)
Recommendation: Because of this data, we are advising our clients to
inform parents of children under 18 of the necessity of owning and
wearing a suitable pair of sunglasses. They should either be made with
polycarbonate lenses or have a UV-blocking coating.
(Back to Top)
Consumer Survey Reveals Gaps
A new national research study sponsored by PPG Industries, Inc.
reveals that consumers are not familiar with their choices in eyeglass
lens materials. Survey results show that the vast majority of adult
eyeglass wearers think more about their frames than their lenses when
picking out eyewear. Almost 70% of respondents reported that they do
not know from what material the lenses they wear are made. The
research also pointed to a lack of awareness about lens material options
in general. When asked to name as many lens materials as possible,
most of those who were able to name some were familiar only with the
general categories of glass (34 percent) and plastic (38 percent). There
was little awareness of newer materials, and many respondents named
non-lens materials, like metal, aluminum, and sand. (The randomized
survey of more than 1,000 U.S. adults was conducted on behalf of PPG
Industries, Inc. from March 1-5, 2007 by Synovate. The margin of error
is plus or minus 3 percent.
(Back to Top)
Ophthalmologists Urge Eye Protection For Athletes
According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, Americans
suffer more than 40,000 eye injuries due to sports each year.
Approximately one-third of the victims are children. April is Sports Eye
Safety Month, and the Academy urges athletes to wear appropriate,
sport-specific protective eyewear properly fitted by an eyecare
professional. Many sports create risk for eye injuries; however,
protection is available for many activities, including basketball,
baseball, hockey, football, lacrosse, fencing, paintball, and water polo,
as well as racquetball, soccer, and downhill skiing. According to M.
Bowes Hamill, MD, “Eyewear properly fitted and worn does not
hinder performance in any way and can prevent most sports eye
injuries.”
(Back to Top)
Computer Tips From Prevent Blindness America
As part of its mission to improve workplace eye safety, Prevent
Blindness America has created guidelines for those who work with
computers for long periods of time. Although computer screens do not
emit harmful radiation, workers who use them every day may feel
their eyes are sore, irritated, or fatigued. Prevent Blindness America
offers these tips to help create a more comfortable workspace:
Prevent Blindness America offers several free fact sheets and brochures
to safety managers and consumers including “Eye Safety is No
Accident,” “Workplace Safety Quiz” and “Computers & Your Eyes.”
Information: www.preventblindness.org.
(Back to Top)
Children and Progressive Lenses
Some children who wear progressive lenses show signs of slower
progression of myopia than those who wear more conventional lenses,
according to a study published in Investigative Ophthalmology &
Visual Science. In children with two myopic parents, myopia
progression was slower in children wearing progressive addition lenses
when compared to those wearing single vision lenses. The study
comprised 232 children between 11 and 16 years old; 87 (37.5%) had
two myopic parents.
Recommendation: ADG&A has long been advocating the wider use of
progressive lenses for the vast majority of presbyopic patients. It
appears that recommendation should be expanded to include
appropriate children.
(Back to Top)
you will find them, along with comments and recommendations. To
receive Newsicals on a regular basis, sign up for ADG&A's newsletter.
To do so, click here. You'll be directed to the Contact Us page, where
you'll find instructions.
Special Note
Once again one of the major television networks has exposed lapses in
quality in the optical industry. To view the latest story follow this link
to the ABC News website.
Recommendation: ADG&A recommends that all dispensing
ophthalmology practices have an aggressive quality assurance program
in place and that it include a written statement of quality that is given
to the patient.
Consumers Lack UV Awareness
A recent survey conducted by the New England Institute and
Transitions Optical Inc. found that 95 percent of consumers are
unaware of the dangers of UV exposure to their eyes. Survey findings
also revealed that 57 percent of respondents do not wear protective
eyewear when in the sun for extended periods of time, 44 percent do
not have daily eyewear with UV protection, and over 50 percent of
young adult respondents (ages 18-24) do not agree that UV protection is
important at all.
Significance: This finding is especially important for those dispensing
ophthalmology practices that still sell high percentages of CR-39 lenses,
since they do not have inherent UV protection.
Recommendation: ADG&A recommends that all practices consider
increasing the base price for CR-39 lenses and including a UV
treatment. Better yet, focus on increasing sales of those lenses that are
natural UV filters, such as polycarbonate and high index.
(Back to Top)
Survey Shows Difficulty with Driving in the Dark
According to Shedding Light on Driving in the Dark, a nationwide
survey conducted by Kelton Research on behalf of Road & Travel
Magazine and Acuvue® brand contact lenses, 32% of drivers on the
road say they have difficulty seeing all or most of the time while
driving in the dark, 26% report having trouble seeing signs or exits,
20% acknowledge difficulty seeing animals or pedestrian, and 22% have
problems in judging distance while driving in the dark. Respondents
complained of eyestrain (38%), dry or tired eyes (34%), fatigue (25%),
headaches (19%), inability to focus (18%) and double or blurred vision
(15%) while driving in the dark. Additionally, nearly half (48%) report
experiencing glare or light sensitivity while driving in the dark.
For more information: www.acuvue.com/press
Recommendation: Because of their ability to improve vision and
increase overall visual comfort, ADG&A recommends that AR
treatment is strongly considered for all patients who are prescribed
eyeglasses. The creation of a script for use during a demonstration, can
proveveryproductive.
(BacktoTop)
Guerrilla Marketing Ideas
ADG&A has long recommended that its dispensing ophthalmology
clients employ guerrilla marketing techniques because of their low cost
and high potential for return. The following is a list of guerrilla
marketing things that every dispensary can do to improve its business.
- Hand write thank-you notes to customers
- Enter customer or prospect names, addresses and email addresses
into a database - Brainstorm tagline ideas
- Visit a competitor's website
- Make a list of press release ideas
- Write a press release
- Call a newspaper and ask who the feature health care and fashion
editor is - Compose an e-mail sales letter
- Begin to compile patient/customer e-mail contact information
- Develop a series of survey questions
- Brainstorm advertising concepts
- Write a pitch letter to a radio or TV station
- Work on new product development and introduction ideas
- Hold an informal focus group with 10-12 patients/customers
- Discuss a fusion marketing idea with a strategic business partner
- Visit a few marketing-related websites
- Post new information on your website
- Plan your networking calendar for the week
- Call to follow up with networking contacts
- Visit one of your referring doctors
- Get price estimates for the printing and mailing of your direct-mail
campaign - Brainstorm ideas for an "enter to win" contest
- Develop a coupon for your products or services
- Rewrite your phone's on-hold message script
- Write an article or other text for your newsletter
- Brainstorm new product or service ideas
- Plan a new customer service activity that will truly delight your
customers - Develop your benefit list and compare it to your competitions'
(Back to Top)
Develop a Checklist, Top-Ten List or Other
Information as a Response to a Marketing Hook
According to a new survey only 21% of workers worldwide are
"engaged" -that's human resource 'speak' for ready to expend some
extra effort at work while 38% are either disenchanted or disengaged.
Engagement is not satisfaction or happiness, but the degree to which
workers connect to the company emotionally, are aware of what they
need to do to add value and are willing to take that action.
The fact that almost 80% of workers are less-than-engaged is likely
costing companies money. The notion of engagement is really a dollars-
and-cents issue. Organizations that have employees that are highly
engaged deliver better financial results than those that don't.
So, what makes for an engaged employee? It's not necessarily pay.
While the level of pay is important, it's not among the top 10 drivers of
engagement.
Rather than using pay, companies should survey their work force,
much as they might study their customers, to assess what employees
are seeking.
According to the survey, the top 10 drivers of employee engagement are
a mixed bag that includes both the behavior and actions of senior
management and the individuals' own actions and abilities:
- Senior management is sincerely interested in employee well-being
- I improved my skills and capabilities over the last year
- The organization's reputation for social responsibility
- Input into decision-making in my department
- The organization quickly resolves customer concerns
- I set high personal standards
- There are excellent career advancement opportunities
- I enjoy challenging work assignments that broaden skills
- A good relationship with my supervisor
- The organization encourages innovative thinking
Many employees are looking for a greater demonstration of senior
management's interest in their day-to-day work. What employees are
looking for is open communication. Senior management's interest in
employees can be expressed in a number of ways including the
organizations' willingness to help employees balance work and
activities outside of work, to sponsor competitive benefit programs, to
focus on career development and training.
(Adapted from MarketWatch By Andrea Coombes)
(Back to Top)
Applicant Background Checks and Consumer
Reporting Legal Requirements
Many employers use third-parties to conduct background checks to
evaluate and validate information provided by applicants for
employment. The information provided through these background
checks can prove to be quite valuable in making your final hiring
decision.
If you elect to obtain consumer reports on applicants for use in the
hiring process, you are required to do so in compliance with the federal
Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). The FCRA requires that employers
take specific steps when obtaining the consumer report of an applicant.
Employers must:
- 1. Make clear and conspicuous written disclosure to the applicant
before obtaining the consumer report; - 2. Obtain prior written authorization from the applicant;
- 3. Certify to the credit reporting agency that you have made the
proper disclosures, obtained the applicant’s authorization, will not
use the report for any unlawful purpose, and will provide a copy of
the report and summary of FCRA rights to any applicant against
whom adverse action is taken because of the report; - 4. Provide a pre-adverse action disclosure to an applicant prior to
taking any adverse action; and - 5. Notify the applicant if adverse action is taken based at least in
part on the information provided in the report.
Some states also impose additional steps and requirements on
employers using consumer records to make hiring decisions. You must
carefully follow each step, because failure to comply can result in the
assessment of statutory fines, actual damages, attorney’s fees and costs,
and punitive damages.
Do consult with counsel should you have interest in conducting
background checks for specific guidance. —Hedley Lawson, Jr.
(Back to Top)
Daily Disposable Segment Hits 10%
In the first quarter of 2007, the daily disposable category increased its
share of the US soft contact lens market to 10%, the highest share it has
ever achieved. Growth in this segment continues to be very strong, up
28% in the first quarter over 2006. According to CIBA Vision, 87% of
Focus DAILIES wearers are compliant with recommended wear and
care regimens, compared to 35% of total soft contact lens wearers.
Daily disposables offer ECPs a real opportunity to build their practices.
94% of Focus DAILIES wearers report also owning eyeglasses.
Additionally, contact lens wearers visit their eyecare provider more
frequently for eye examinations, with 59% having their eyes examined
at least once a year versus 45% percent of eyeglasses wearers.
Recommendation: ADG&A currently recommends that its clients
maintain a ratio of contact lens-to-eyeglass patients of 20/80 percent.
Within these parameters, it would appear that there is room to grow
the daily disposal lens market.
(Back to Top)
Workers and Illegal Drugs
According to a study by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health
Administration, an agency within the Health and Human Services
Department, one in 12 full-time workers in the United States
acknowledges having used illegal drugs in the past month, including
marijuana.
The highest rates were among restaurant workers, 17.4 percent, and
construction workers, 15.1 percent. About 4 percent of teachers and
social service workers reported using illegal drugs in the past month,
which was among the lowest rates. The average usage rate is 8.2
percent.
The study also showed that the prevalence of illegal drug use was
highest among younger workers. Nineteen percent of workers age 18 to
25 said they used illegal drugs during the past month, compared with
10.3 percent among those age 26 to 34; 7 percent among those age 35 to
49; and 2.6 percent among those age 50 to 64.
The study also looked at alcohol use by workers. About 8.8 percent,
reported heavy alcohol use. Heavy alcohol use was defined as drinking
five or more drinks on one occasion at least five times in the past 30
days.
For more information: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services
Administration: http://www.samhsa.gov
Recommendation: ADG&A recommends that its clients have a vigorous
anti-drug policy, to include preemployment testing and random testing
of all employees during their tenure.
(Back to Top)
Employee Appreciation
There is almost universal agreement among managers that employees
want to feel they and their efforts are appreciated. This is a fact we
often forget during the course of our workday. One solution is to
regularly schedule some form of activity that both recognizes
everyone's contributions and adds an element of fun to the daily
routine.
The following are some activities you might consider. They were
gathered from a recent thread on the American Academy of
Ophthalmic Executives listserv.
Car Wash: At one practice, the administrator enlisted the help of her
daughter and a helper. She then offered to wash each employee's car at
a scheduled time, including a thorough cleaning of the interior.
Chocolate Fountain: At another practice, the administrator brought in a
chocolate fountain and a generous assortment of fruits and cookies.
BTW, the fountain was set up without the employees' knowledge; they
were left to their own devices to figure out who their benefactor was.
Unannounced Barbecue: One administrator set up a grill and began to
make hamburgers and hot dogs. An email message was then sent to
the staff members, who were invited outside for lunch.
Department Recognition Day: An administrator decided to recognize the
contributions of the various departments within the practice by
honoring each with a special day. On their day, each employee was
invited to lunch, received a potted plant for their desk and was given a
gift bag. The bag contained a monetary gift, as well as some goodies.
(Back to Top)
Survey finds few Americans aware of age-related eye
disease risk
Americans are largely either unaware or unconcerned with the threat
of age-related eye disease, according to a national health survey
conducted for the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Because of
the finding, the AAO issued a new eye disease screening
recommendation and is launching a new public education initiative,
the organization announced.
The survey found that, of 1,200 respondents, only 11% perceive
themselves to be at high risk of eye disease. In addition, only 10% of
Americans aged 65 years and older believe they are personally at risk of
eye disease and more than one-third do not get annual eye exams,
according to a press release from the AAO.
The survey also found that respondents with a family history of eye
disease knew "strikingly" little about specific risk factors and were as
likely to receive vision screenings as people without a family history of
eye disease.
"Only 15% of all respondents were correctly able to identify half or
more factors from a list of risk factors for age-related macular
degeneration, cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma and dry eye
presented in the survey," the release said.
In response to the findings, the AAO now recommends that all adults
receive a baseline eye examination at age 40 years regardless of whether
they have signs, symptoms or risk factors of eye disease. The
organization also recommends that patients of any age who have
symptoms or risk factors see an ophthalmologist to determine how
frequently they should be examined.
The AAO is launching a public education program in cooperation with
EyeCare America to support the new vision screening
recommendations and increase awareness of eye disease risk factors.
The program, called EyeSmart, will target women aged 40 years and
older who serve as caregivers to parents and children, as well as people
who do not use refractive correction and thus may not consider
themselves at risk, according to the release.
The program also has a Web site, www.geteyesmart.org, which features
information on eye diseases and risks as well as a searchable database
of ophthalmologists.
(Back to Top)
Children and Sunglasses
Younger eyes are more susceptible to exposure to the sun's rays than
adult eyes. "The effects of UV radiation are cumulative over a person's
lifetime, so exposure may contribute to the development of various
ocular disorders." It is estimated that 80% of lifetime exposure to UV
occurs by age 18 and that a child's annual dose of UV radiation is
threefold that of an adult. (Source: Christine W. Sindt, OD, FAAO,
assistant professor of ophthalmology at the University of Iowa)
Recommendation: Because of this data, we are advising our clients to
inform parents of children under 18 of the necessity of owning and
wearing a suitable pair of sunglasses. They should either be made with
polycarbonate lenses or have a UV-blocking coating.
(Back to Top)
Consumer Survey Reveals Gaps
A new national research study sponsored by PPG Industries, Inc.
reveals that consumers are not familiar with their choices in eyeglass
lens materials. Survey results show that the vast majority of adult
eyeglass wearers think more about their frames than their lenses when
picking out eyewear. Almost 70% of respondents reported that they do
not know from what material the lenses they wear are made. The
research also pointed to a lack of awareness about lens material options
in general. When asked to name as many lens materials as possible,
most of those who were able to name some were familiar only with the
general categories of glass (34 percent) and plastic (38 percent). There
was little awareness of newer materials, and many respondents named
non-lens materials, like metal, aluminum, and sand. (The randomized
survey of more than 1,000 U.S. adults was conducted on behalf of PPG
Industries, Inc. from March 1-5, 2007 by Synovate. The margin of error
is plus or minus 3 percent.
(Back to Top)
Ophthalmologists Urge Eye Protection For Athletes
According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, Americans
suffer more than 40,000 eye injuries due to sports each year.
Approximately one-third of the victims are children. April is Sports Eye
Safety Month, and the Academy urges athletes to wear appropriate,
sport-specific protective eyewear properly fitted by an eyecare
professional. Many sports create risk for eye injuries; however,
protection is available for many activities, including basketball,
baseball, hockey, football, lacrosse, fencing, paintball, and water polo,
as well as racquetball, soccer, and downhill skiing. According to M.
Bowes Hamill, MD, “Eyewear properly fitted and worn does not
hinder performance in any way and can prevent most sports eye
injuries.”
(Back to Top)
Computer Tips From Prevent Blindness America
As part of its mission to improve workplace eye safety, Prevent
Blindness America has created guidelines for those who work with
computers for long periods of time. Although computer screens do not
emit harmful radiation, workers who use them every day may feel
their eyes are sore, irritated, or fatigued. Prevent Blindness America
offers these tips to help create a more comfortable workspace:
- Place the computer screen 20-26” away from eyes and a little below
eye level to ease neck strain and to help keep eyes from drying out. - Change the lighting to lower glare and reflections.
- Take breaks to stretch, stand up, and rest eyes to reduce eye and
muscle fatigue. - Try to remember to blink often and keep eye drops at the desk to keep
eyes lubricated. - Individuals who notice changes in their vision, should see their eye
doctors right away.
Prevent Blindness America offers several free fact sheets and brochures
to safety managers and consumers including “Eye Safety is No
Accident,” “Workplace Safety Quiz” and “Computers & Your Eyes.”
Information: www.preventblindness.org.
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Children and Progressive Lenses
Some children who wear progressive lenses show signs of slower
progression of myopia than those who wear more conventional lenses,
according to a study published in Investigative Ophthalmology &
Visual Science. In children with two myopic parents, myopia
progression was slower in children wearing progressive addition lenses
when compared to those wearing single vision lenses. The study
comprised 232 children between 11 and 16 years old; 87 (37.5%) had
two myopic parents.
Recommendation: ADG&A has long been advocating the wider use of
progressive lenses for the vast majority of presbyopic patients. It
appears that recommendation should be expanded to include
appropriate children.
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| Arthur De Gennaro |
| 145 East Circle Drive Lexington, SC 29072-9736 Phone (803) 359-7887 Fax (803) 359-3996 |
| 145 East Circle Drive Lexington, SC 29072-9736 Phone (803) 359-7887 Fax (803) 359-3996 |
LLC
&
Associates,
a