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Information on topics discussed at the second annual meeting of the European Academy of Optometry and Optics (EAOO) that was held in England on May 15, 2010 is presented. Topics include the progress and prevention of myopia, evaluation of vision training in rehabilitation centres through optometric intervention and assessment of retinal ganglion function. The meeting features several optometry professors including Bernard Gilmartin, Roger Anderson, and Holge Dietze.

The article focuses on the sodium fluorescein and its use in optometry. Sodium fluorescein is an orange-yellow substance that was first used in 1992 by Paul Ehrlich as an antibody labeling agent. Due to its lack of toxicity, fluorescein can be safely used within the body and is known as a vital dye. Regarding the anterior eye, fluorescein is available in two forms: Fluorets or sterile paper strips impregnated with 1-milligram of fluorescein and in solution as Minims. Fluorescein is used to highlight many defects in the anterior surfaces of the eye including breaches of corneal integrity and conjunctival folds and any conjunctival erosion.

The article presents views of Doug Perkins, director of professional advancement, on need of optics to do in face of competition from online refraction technologies and mentions value of the relationship optics with National Health Service (NHS). Topics discussed include role of patient education with patients failing to attend appointments, papers on running clinical audit published by College of Optometrists and knowledge on patient retention.

The article focuses on the use of lissamine green (LG) for conjunctival staining. It describes LG as a vital stain which stains dead cells, membrane degenerate cells and mucus. It notes that LG's availability form is in impregnated paper strips which contains 1.5 milligram of the dye. Furthermore, information on various studies related to the effectiveness of LG is also discussed.

Presents news articles related to optometry in Great Britain as of August 2004. Efforts of Broadhurst Opticians' business manager Sharron Wragg to raise money for an optical charity; Response of the General Optical Council to a consultation paper written by the Department of Health; Award given to call center company Hoya Lens.

The article focuses on the contribution of British researchers in the advancement in contact lenses. The paper by Fiona Stapleton, head of the University of New South Wales' School of Optometry and Vision Science, on the incidence of contact-lens related microbial keratitis in Australia is one of the most cited papers.

The article offers information related to orthokeratology. Orthokeratology refers to the reduction, modification or elimination of refractive error by the programmed application of contact lenses. The advent of computer numerical controlled (CNC) high precision lathes, reverse geometry contact lens designs, corneal topographers and super high Dk rigid gas-permeable lenses has totally revolutionised this field.

The article comments on the exclusion of optometrists from a British paper that lists medical practitioners who can diagnose and treat allergy. Optometrists have once again been overlooked by the British Department of Health in its 2006 paper. There is no reason optometrists should not promote the investigation and treatment skills they have.

Presents views on the British government white paper Our Health, Our Care, Our Say which outlines the future of the National Health Service (NHS) in Great Britain. Belief of the British secretary of state on members comprising the NHS; Lack of recognition given by the paper to other primary care providers; Hope provided by the white paper to optometry.

A conference paper about different eye problems associated with multiple aspects of optometry are presented. Association between smoking and glaucoma was discussed and it was seen that glaucoma causes some anatomical changes. Another study looked at the effectiveness of vision therapy in the management of convergence insufficiency (CI). While a study also looked into the effectiveness of TearLab, a hand-held osmolality test able to detect dry eye.

The article presents information on the 36th Association of Optometrists' (AOP) Hospital Optometrists Annual Conference, held in Heathrow, England, from November 5-7, 2010. Nilpah Shah presented the results of a study of visual acuity measured using vanishing optotypes and conventional letters while Michael Grossland and Roger Anderson presented on reading and writing papers and posters. Information on other sessions is presented.

The article offers news briefs related to optometry. 1.355m pounds of funding has been raised by online contact lens company GetOptics from investment company Octopus Ventures. Scientific papers and poster have been invited by the British Contact Lens Association (BCLA) for its 2010 Clinical Conference and Exhibition to be held from May 27-30, 2010. Driver William Seago has pleaded guilty to dangerous driving after running over and killing a colleague while performing a three-point turn.

Information about several papers discussed at the American Academy of Optometry Conference held in Anaheim, California is presented. Topics include the introduction of various contact lenses and presentations concerning the IOP-VIP implantable telescope system. The conference featured several optical industries including CooperVision Inc., CIBA Vision Corp, and Bausch & Lomb Inc.

The article focuses on the quality assurance mark launched by the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB), a charity in Great Britain, which will determine products that are easy to use for blind and partially sighted people. Meanwhile, senior independent prescribing (IP) optometrist Peter Frampton will present the "Mr Imbert, Mr Fick and Mr Goldmann: Has anyone actually seen the original papers what do they actually tell us?" lecture at the College of Optometrists on March 25, 2015.

The article discusses the white paper "The General Ophthalmic Services (GOS)," which examines the aspects of GOS in England and Wales. Topics include the call for urgent review of the GOS claiming that optometrists only perform basic tests as compliance with the National Health Service (NHS) England, the warning of NHS to withdraw the fees that were inappropriately paid and actions to be taken by the NHS ahead of the May 2015 general election.

The article presents opinion of the author of the future of optometry. It is noted that "Pharmacy Voice" the latest body to advocate primary care to in the community released a paper, We Are Primary Care, has been backed by the National Health Service (NHS). It also discusses research revealing how retinal imaging help in early detection of Alzheimer's, cataract surgery can help with dementia and depression in age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

The article reports on the collaboration of the Institute of Optometry and the London South Bank University to launch the Doctor of Optometry programme in London, England. Sir Patrick Cable-Alexander said that the scheme involves a taught element in the first two years. It notes that the entry level for the new doctorate will be evidence of work at a masters level, but optometrists who had a paper published or completed a higher diploma or produced high quality written material will be eligible.

The article elaborates on the research commissioned by the College of Optometrists regarding the implication of most behavioural optometry techniques in Great Britain. Researchers found that the findings correspond with the previously published paper done by Dr. Adrian Jennings in 2000, stressing that there was a lack of controlled clinical trials to support behavioural management strategies.

The article highlights the meeting of the GOC which was held in London, England on June 28, 2007. Members received updates on the white paper working groups and progress within the British Department of Health where they asked to endorse the proposal for fitness to practise hearings to be moved to an independent adjudication body. A new unified competency framework for optics was also proposed to take on board best practice from the Optometrists Association Australia.

The author reflects on several issues concerning the optical trade in Great Britain. He states that many in the optometry profession are still kicking themselves for not keeping a closer eye on how the dental profession managed the government over funding and reform. He notes that the recent White Paper on the regulation of health professionals will see a wholesale change to the way in which the pharmacy sector is governed.

The article looks at studies that examined the interaction of contact lenses, solutions and the eye. A paper in the January issue of "Eye & Contact Lens," by researchers at the University of Waterloo in Canada looked at the interaction of benzalkonium chloride with silicone hydrogel and conventional hydrogel lenses. A new study by Richdale and colleagues at the Ohio State University, published in the February 2007 issue of "Cornea" looked at factors associated with contact lens dissatisfaction and discontinuation.

The article presents updates on research of relevance to the optician and optometry practices. A study by U.S. researchers published in the July issue of Contact Lens & Anterior Eye (CLAE) suggests that selecting an appropriate lens care product can also enhance patients' wearing experience, maintain optimal lens performance and may help to prevent drop-out. A second paper in an issue of CLAE examines the clinical performance of CIBA Vision's daily disposable, Focus Dailies with AquaRelease, a nelfilcon A lens incorporating additional polyvinyl alcohol.

The article deals with the conflict between optical media Optician and Optometry Today. Optician has never had an easy relationship with Optometry Today nor, at times, with the Association of Optometrists. On paper there is no reason why being in a competitive business situation with a magazine edited by the wife of the CEO of the lead professional body should be a problem. However, Optician did find itself in an uneasy position with the two from time to time and has the legal letters to prove it.

This section presents news briefs on ophthalmology in Great Britain as of April 2006. The project manager for the General Ophthalmic Services review in England will speak to the Optometric Advisers Group next month. Meanwhile, a spokeswoman for the General Optical Council said optometrists and dispensing opticians can only prescribe lenses for the use or wear period they have been licensed for. Furthermore, a new paper claims that fish oil may help protect against retinal degenerative diseases.

The article focuses on the issues concerning the General Optical Council fees in Great Britain as of November 2005. Renewal fees will not rise provided there is no last minute rush of those who still use paper to attain continuing education and training accreditation before the 2007 deadline. The Council heard that efforts to agree a 2006-2007 registration fee at the same level as the current year could be halt by a minority of practitioners who continue to use written answer sheets, rather than go online.

Expresses an opinion about the exclusion of optometry profession in the circulation of the discussion paper "Standards for Better Health, Health Care Standards for Services Under the NHS" by the Department of Health in England. Consequence of the exclusion; Information on the core and developmental standards of Great Britain National Health Service (NHS); Cause of the public misconception on NHS.

Reports on the availability of nomination forms for elections to the College of Optometrists' Council in Britain as of December 13, 2002. Submission of the voting papers; Information on the college's biennial George Giles Lecture.

Reports on the development of an electronic centralized system for administering National Health Service ophthalmic claims in Great Britain as of September 2002. Statement issued by FODO executive director Bob Hughes regarding the date of implementation; Revisions to paper documents brought by the move to electronic claims forms.