EXAM EQUIPMENT
A-Scan


The A-Scan Plus, from Accutome, Inc., displays IOL calculations in 0.25D increments and meets the challenges of post-refractive software, such as the Double K, Shammas Clinical and Clinical History methods, the company says.

The device features an easy-to-use immersion or contact mode, adjustable eye type, independent velocities, an IOL material feature and storage for 100 patient records and 45 different IOLs, Accutome says. Finally, the device allows you to download data to your PC, including full waveform data.

Call 1-800-979-2020, or go to www.accutome.com.

LAB EQUIPMENT
Mid-Range Blocker


The new ICE (Intelligent Centering Equipment) Mini Intelligent CAD (Computer-Aided Design) Blocker is Santinelli Internationals latest enhancement to its product line. The company says that, when combined with any of Santinelli Internationals LE-9000 series edgers, the ICE Mini provides one of the best complete retail lens edging systems available in this category.

The device, which has an 8.4 LCD, color touch-screen, features an oscillating lens stage with lens retaining clamppreventing any chance of lens movement, even with the most difficult slab-off lenses, Santinelli says.

Call 1-800-644-3343, or go to www.santinelli.com.

CONTACT LENSES
Revamped Extreme H20


The Extreme H20 54% lens, from Hydrogel Vision Corp., is a revamped version of the original Extreme H20, which is still available.

The two-week disposable daily wear lens features a new hioxifilcon D material, which is made with a new GMA-HEMA copolymer formulation that contains 54% water. This material retains 97% of its original water content during wear and provides strength and durabilty to those seeking improved all-day comfort, the company says.

Extreme H20 54% is currently available in a base curve of 8.3mm and a diameter of 13.6mm. The current parameters are -0.25D to -6.00D in (0.25 steps), though they will be expanded to +6.00D to -8.00D by the end of this month (November). The lenses are available in a six-pack.

Call 1-877-336-2482, or go to www.extremeh2o.com.

Sport-Tinted Contact Lens


Nike Maxsight, from Bausch & Lomb and developed with Nike, is a sport-tinted, soft contact lens for athletes that selectively filters specific wavelengths of light within the visible spectrum to enhance key visual elements, such as a ball or background, while also reducing sun glare. The lens filters out more than 95% of UVA and UVB rays and more than 90% of blue light, the company says.

The lens is available in two tints: amberdesigned for fast-moving ball sports, such as football, baseball, softball, tennis and soccerand grey-greendesigned for activities occurring in bright light, such as running and golf. Both tints are indicated for daily wear for the correction of refractive hyperopia or myopia (available in powers of +20.00D to 20.00D) or in non-vision-corrected (plano) prescriptions.

Nike Maxsight is available in base curves of 8.4mm to 9.0mm and has a diameter of 14.3mm. The lens comes in a six-pack. Call 1-800-348-2743, or go to www.bausch.com.

Hybrid Contact Lens Receives FDA Approval


The SynergEyes hybrid contact lens, from SynergEyes Inc., received FDA approval in September for the correction of myopic, hyper- opic, presbyopic and astigmatic refractive errors.

The hybrid lens corrects ametropia from 20.00D to +20.00D with up to 6.00D of astigmatism and features a high Dk rigid gas permeable center with a hydrophilic, non-ionic soft skirt.

The lens has a base curve of 7.0mm to 8.2mm in 0.10mm steps and a diameter of 14.5mm. It is indicated for daily wear and is available in a two-pack.

Call (760) 476-9410, or go to www.synergeyes.com.

New Kerataconus Lens


The ComfortKone contact lens, from Metro Optics, is an aspheric lens designed to create an alignment fit over the cornea. An ideal alignment fit is achieved when the lens rests solely on the tear layer and does not make contact with the corneal surface, the company says.

The lens has a small spherical optical zone that fits the peak of the cone and enables visual acuity. Then, the lens flattens into an aspheric curve, which varies its rate of change, depending on the shape of the cone, and creates corneal alignment. Two junctionless peripheral aspheric curves maintain corneal alignment.

A more physically compatible and expanded fitting surface reduces the epithelial erosion that many contact lens-wearing keratoconus patients experience, Metro Optics says.

The ComfortKone keratoconus fitting system includes a set of 20 fitting lenses. Call (512) 251-2382, or go to www.metro-optics.com.

Toric Lens
The C-VUE 55 Custom Toric Lens, from Unilens Vision, Inc., is a soft custom toric contact lens that provides astigmatic patients with all day comfort, ease of fit and optimum visual acuity at every distance, the company says.

The new lens, which is indicated for daily wear, is available in made-to-order powers, and in any axes of 1 steps and in single, three and four-packs.

Call 1-800-446-2020, or go to www.unilens.com.

Expanded Parameters for 02 Optix
02 Optix, a silicone hydrogel contact lens from CIBA Vision, is now available in minus powers from 0.25D to 8.00D in 0.25D steps, from 8.50D to 10.00D in 0.50D steps, and in plus powers from +0.25D to +6.00D in 0.25D steps.

The lens, which can be worn one to two weeks for up to six nights of extended wear at a time, has a base curve of 8.6mm, a diameter of 14.2mm and a Dk value of 138. The lens is made of lotrafilcon B, which contains 33% water and is designed to reduce the signs of corneal hypoxia. The surface of 02 Optix is treated with a proprietary plasma surface to ensure surface wetability and deposit resistance. It is available in a six-pack.

Call 1-800-241-5999, or go to www.mycibavision.com.

CONTACT LENS SOLUTION
Rewetting Drops


Eye-Cept Rewetting Drops, from Optics Laboratory Inc., are preservative-free lubricating drops designed for soft contact lens-wearers.

The drops restore the eyes necessary moisture level to promote a comfortable and healthy lens fit throughout the day, and provide immediate long-lasting relief from contact lens-induced dry eye, the company says.

The drops come in single-use vials. This is to ensure a potent application and minimize bacterial exposure on the tip of the vial, the company says.

Call 1-800-968-6788, or go to www.eye-cept.com.

OPHTHALMIC LENSES
Photochromic Lens
LifeRx, a new photochromic lens from Vision-Ease Lens, darkens and deactivates fast and provides indoor clarity. The lens uses Vision-Eases patented, molded film technology for greater durability and processing ease, the company says.

The initial introduction of LifeRx includes a polycarbonate D-28 and an aspheric semi-finished single-vision lens. A spherical design and the companys proprietary Illumina progressive lens will be available January 1.

Call 1-800-328-3449, or go to www.visionease.com.

Super Short PAL
The 1.67 Proceed III Super Short (corridor) progressive addition lens (PAL) from Seiko Optical Products, has a 12mm corridormaking it ideal for smaller frame designs, the company says.

The 1.67 Proceed III Super Short (corridor) PAL is available in uncoated, clear double hard coat, gray and brown Transitions in adds from +0.75 to +3.25 (in 0.25 steps), and in powers from 13.00D up to +8.00D to a 4.00D cylinder (total power not to exceed 13.00D).

Call (201) 529-9099, or go to www.seikoeyewear.com.

 

PRACTICE MANAGEMENT
Salary and Benefits Analysis


The VWI 2004/05 California Salary and Benefits Survey CD-ROM from Vision West Inc., an ophthalmic purchasing network owned and endorsed by the California Optometric Association, lets you compare salaries, benefits and compensation packages in your practice with other practices in your region and nationwide.

The CD lists salaries of optometrists, optometric assistants, opticians, office managers, receptionists, bookkeepers and billing clerks, as well as salary increases for 2005. All of this information is taken from VWI member participants.

Call 1-800-640-9485, or go to www.vweye.com.

Spanish for Optometrists


Spanish for Optometrists, from Command Spanish, Inc., is a 74-page manual accompanied by two audio CDs that teaches Spanish commands, phrases and questions necessary for communicating with Spanish-speaking patients.

The book and audio CDs contain over 250 varying statements, commands and questions used everyday by optometrists and their staff. The language lines and situations are the result of careful research, with a final review by practicing U.S. O.D.s, the company says.

Spanish for Optometrists does not require prior Spanish language knowledge and is easy to use, Command Spanish, Inc. says.

Call 1-800-250-8637, or go to the following website: www.commandspanish.com.

TeleConsulting Firm
Neil Gailmard, O.D., M.B.A., of Munster, IN, announced the creation of Gailmard Consulting, a practice management teleconsulting firm for eye care practitioners. The newly formed firm is dedicated to helping clients, via e-mail and telephone, to increase practice revenue and operational efficiency.

The client is provided with the firms proprietary Practice Data Package (PDP), which is a questionnairre that inquires about a practices finances, goals and more. The data accumulated from the PDP is then thoroughly analyzed by the firms Management Action Plan. An action plan is a tailored business plan that includes the firms recommended changes and new strategies to help the client increase revenue and efficiency.

Call (219) 836-1738, or go to the following website: www.gailmardconsulting.com.

Vol. No: 142:11Issue: 11/15/2005