|
International Newsletter and Forum on Rigid Gas Permeable Contact Lenses, Corneal Shape, Health and Vision |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bookmaking

To predict what will happen going forward based on the 'vibes' at the recent Global Specialty Lens Symposium (GSLS), it seems pretty obvious to me that specialty lenses have a very bright future. After years of more and more mass production, specialty lens designs that respect the anterior eye better and wavefront-correcting options that improve optical performance and outcome (such as, but not limited to, myopia control) can dramatically change the contact lens market. This is true of (R)GP lenses for sure, but also of soft lenses (see www.softspecialedition.com for a newsletter on soft specialty lenses). On a somewhat different note, but then again related: my personal 'bookmaking' efforts related to the GSLS can be taken quite literally. I was asked to write and edit a book on scleral lenses: a review of everything out there on the topic. And as scleral lenses are a specialty in themselves, toric, quadrant specific, wavefront-corrected and bifocal scleral lenses all represent great opportunities that we have to even further specialize (scleral) lens fitting. 'Le' Scleral Lens Guide was launched in 'Paris' in Las Vegas at the GSLS meeting. See this month's I(n)-site-the-practice below for a more detailed description of the guide and how to obtain a copy.
Eef van der Worp
|
Not to be missed! This once-a-year edition of the journal 'Contact Lenses' by the Australian Optometrists Association contains a variety of very interesting (R)GP related topics. Just to name a few: the pros and cons of scleral lenses (by John Mountford) and another on scleral lenses by John Boyce, a case of unilateral GPC in orthokeratology (Kate Johnson), special orthokeratology design for the toric cornea (Lesley Vedelago), myopia control (Helen Swarbrick, Padjama Sankaridurg) and basic (R)GP lens fitting pieces by Vijay Mistry and also by Paul Gifford and Kate Johnson. But there is more: case reports and photo coverage. Click link below for full online (flash) access or PDF download.Contact Lenses
|
Mapping the Future
 |
Curve (left) and elevation map of the same patient. Photo: Randy Kojima
|
Corneal topography is an ongoing learning experience. Even highly experienced fitters learn from it every day. It seems obvious that any specialty contact lens practice needs a topographer, and topography-based, tailor made lens designs are becoming more and more common. 'Keratoconus and your corneal topographer' is the topic of a lecture by Christine Sindt, hosted by the GPLI. John Mark Jackson in the December Contact Lens Spectrum emphasizes the use of the elevation map in addition to the traditional tangential and (to a lesser degree) axial maps. This could be highly useful in understanding the true corneal shape, especially in challenging cases - for instance, after LASIK.
|
Family History, Co-Management & Speed
An excellent overview article on corneal dystrophies is featured in the December edition of Contact Lens Spectrum. Jason Jedlicka and Evan Veire present a practical summary of corneal dystrophies, their classification and inheritance. A good family history and clinical resources are mentioned as important in both diagnosis and management of corneal dystrophies. More on corneal disease in the eye care media: a continuing education course by William Potter in Review of Optometry focuses solely on herpetic disease and its treatment options. Careful diagnosis and judicious co-management play an essential role regarding this, according to the author. And in Review of Ophthalmology, an article by Marc Abelson discusses fungal infections; rapid diagnosis and treatment are key when dealing with this disease, according to the author.
|
A Guide to Scleral Lens Fitting

Scleral lens fitting is, as said, a specialty per-se. Scleral lenses can be life-changing for some patients, and awareness of the possibilities that this vision correction method has to offer is important. This doesn't mean that everybody necessarily should fit scleral lenses, but gaining knowledge about their possibilities and referring to a specialty lens clinic can be just as important and rewarding. This guide is based on an extended literature search on the subject and provides an overview of the latest knowledge and understanding of this vision correction method. The Scleral Lens Fitting Guide covers everything from terminology and indications (chapter I), to the anatomy and shape of the anterior ocular surface (chapter II), to basic scleral lens design (chapter III), to important steps in the fitting process (chapter IV), and finishes off with 'Managing Scleral Lens Wear'; both lens handling/lens care and scleral lens complications will be discussed. The literature overview is further completed by the input of 18 recognized scleral lens fitters from all over the world, and all fitting approaches are incorporated. A free copy of the book can be obtained by sending en e-mail to boston@bausch.com. A full PDF copy is also available and/or online version of the book can be found at the Pacific University Website (see link below).
A Guide to Scleral Lens Fitting
|
Lous-y cleaning
 Protein/lipid deposition on a (R)GP lens with most probably a plant lous. Photo: Carlo van Kleij, the Netherlands
(photocompetition contender Dutch Contact Lens Conference NCC 2010).
|
Upcoming Meetings
- Vision Expo East, March 16-20, New York USA
- Cornea & Contact Lens conf, March 31-April 3, Queenstown NZ
- Vision By Design, April 29th - May 1st, Orlando USA
- EFCLIN, May 12-14, Barcelona ES
- BCLA conference, May 26-29, Manchester UK
- AOA meeting, June 15-19, Salt Lake City USA
|
|
|
|
|
|
I-site is an educational newsletter that is distributed on a monthly basis and provides an update on rigid gas permeable related topics (scientific research, case reports and other publications worldwide). I-site is objective and non-political. Its editor Eef van der Worp, optometrist, PhD, FAAO, FBCLA, FIACLE is a lecturer for a variety of industry partners, but is not related to any specific company. Please contact us at: i-site@netherlens.com. |
|
|