OD Notebook
Practice Tip: Recognize the Signs of Burnout
Burnout, or a syndrome resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed, manifests in both psychological and physiological ways, writes Danielle Richardson, OD, in the June issue article, “Beat Burnout.” For optometrists, burnout can look like decreased quality of care as your patient load increases; rushing eye examinations and skipping key diagnostic tests to save time; dissatisfaction with work and annoyance with patients and staff; and detachment from the profession. For action steps to overcome burnout, see the full article at https://www.optometricmanagement.com/issues/2023/june-2023/beat-burnout.
About 10 Million Young Patients Live With Diabetic Retinopathy, Study Finds
An estimated 9.6 million people in the United States have diabetic retinopathy (DR), and 1.84 million have vision-threatening DR, according to study in JAMA Ophthalmology. Specifically, the article, “Prevalence of diabetic retinopathy in the US in 2021” estimates the prevalence of DR and vision-threatening DR in people younger than age 40. It was authored by, among others, researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Vision Health Initiative.
American Optometric Association Creates Mobile Board Game
The American Optometric Association (AOA) launched Blink Land, a single-player mobile game that teaches players about eye health and its relation to screen time. Blink Land provides gamers with the opportunity to learn about eye health and adopt healthy eye habits alongside the hero character “Blink.” The game was developed by Elaine Gómez-Sanchez and Playcrafting, a member of the Screen Time Alliance, which is a partnership between the AOA and gaming industry partners that provides gamers eye health tips right where they are—within a game. Blink Land can be downloaded on Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
CooperVision Awards Scholarships to Rising Star Optometry Students
CooperVision awarded scholarships to 23 third-year optometry students, one from each U.S. school and college of optometry, designating each as “rising stars” in the contact lens arena. Faculty from each institution made the selections, with particular attention to honorees’ commitment during clinical instruction. “These scholarships will help up-and-coming eye care professionals build on clearly demonstrated commitments to improving lives with contact lenses,” commented Michele Andrews, OD, CooperVision vice president, Professional and Government Affairs – Americas. “We are excited to see how our future colleagues will continue to advance their interests in contact lenses.”
EnChroma Partners With Detroit River International Wildlife to Serve Color Blind Visitors
EnChroma and Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge (in Trenton, Mich.) announced a collaboration to improve the experience of color blind visitors to the refuge. Specifically, guests who are red-green color blind can now use newly installed special SeeCoast viewer scopes, adapted with EnChroma lenses for color blindness.
Hoot Health Launches Myopia Education Program
Hoot Health, Inc., launched an on-demand learning center to provide training to optometry practices and staff on myopia management. The training will include topics around effective language to use in the exam room, preparing for a myopia consult, handling difficult questions from parents, and more. In addition to providing education for optometrists, Hoot Academy will also host regular parent-facing webinars and livestreams, according to a press release. Find out more at www.GetHoot.com.
Ocular Photography Contest Closes July 1
The annual Comprehensive Eye Care Section Ocular Photography Contest is open through 11:45 p.m. CST on July 1. The winners will be notified by Aug. 1. Optometrists may submit up to two entries per category: anterior segment and posterior segment. The grand prize winner from each category will receive complimentary registration to Academy 2023 New Orleans, as well as publication in the Academy’s fall newsletter. To submit photos, visit https://aaopt.org/meetings/annual-meeting/comprehensive-eye-care-section-ocular-photo-contest/.
Ocular Science Names Vice President
Ocular Science appointed Frank Allen, PMP, a chemical engineer who spent two decades in the food and beverage and pharmaceutical industry, as vice president of operations. Mr. Allen is charged with focusing on the operational expansion of Ocular Science and OSRX, an affiliated ophthalmic compounding pharmacy.
Study Challenges Diabetes Diagnostic Threshold
Both abnormal retinal neurovascular structure (OCT-A) and function (handheld electroretinography) may precede retinopathy in prediabetes, according to a recent study in Diabetic Medicine. The finding challenges the existing diabetes diagnostic threshold, which is based on emergent retinopathy on fundus examination. For the full study, see https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/dme.14952.
ZEISS Launches Eye Masks for Dry Eye Relief
ZEISS Warm Eye Masks are individually wrapped and disposable masks for the soothing of tired, dry eyes. The masks provide heat to soothe, relax, and stimulate the meibomian glands to unblock and support natural tear fluid production. For more information, visit www.zeiss.com/dryeyerelief.
OD Notebook is published weekly on Wednesdays. Unless otherwise noted, the information presented is based on press releases and/or announcements by the respective organizations. Find earlier editions here. To submit a press release to be considered for publication, click here.