ABOUT THE AUTHORS Adèle Longo earned her optometrist certification after completing a programme at the Institut des Sciences de la Vision in Saint Etienne, France. In 2011, she joined Essilor’s Research and Development department, working in the low-vision research centre at the Institut de la Vision in Paris to improve functional evaluations of patients with low vision. She currently…

Introduction Scleromalacia perforans, sometimes referred to as anterior necrotising scleritis, is characterised by thinning of the sclera and cornea in patients with rheumatoid arthritis as well as certain systemic diseases. This is a progressive disease that has the potential to result in blindness. Epidemiology of scleromalacia perforans The disease is of autoimmune origin causing chronic…

Introduction Most people have a morbid fear of something (eyedrops and contact lenses included) going into the eye. Seeing the contact lenses or someone else’s hand loom towards the eye sets off panic and distress. So, when these patients have no other visual option but to be fitted with contact lenses, the optometrist faces a…

The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) says; “it has no opinion on the use of chloroquine or hydroxychloroquine in COVID-19 patients.” They stated that hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine don’t cause blindness, but 1% to 2% of patients who take the drugs to treat autoimmune conditions such as lupus experience retinal problems during a five-year course of…

Doctors and other healthcare practitioners need to be aware of regulations that apply to them during the outbreak of Covid-19 and national lockdown – particularly the risk of being held criminally liable for assault, attempted murder or murder if they intentionally expose others to Covid-19. Inclusion of healthcare practitioners and staff as essential services The…

Dr Carmen Abesamis-Dichoso is an optometrist practicing in the Philippines. She focuses her practice on specialty contact lens fitting – for Keratoconus, Irregular corneas, post or failed Lasik and severe dry eye. She is a lecturer and a strong advocate for myopia management and control both locally and internationally. She is a fellow of the…

-Ed So, the question remains: are optometrists supposed to go into total lock down? This is what I have so far: From the President’s speech, here is a piece of the transcript. Enabling Services (note: not essential services) To assist in the Covid19 response, the following services are required to continue operations: All healthcare related…

Introduction The Minister of Health has, in terms of section 22A(2) of the Medicines and Related Substances Act, 1965 (Act No. 101 of 1965), on the recommendation of the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA), made and updated the Schedules as per Government Notice R.220 (Medicines and Related Substances Act, 1965: Schedules) in, Government Gazette 43051, 28…

  This article is aimed at the novice scleral lens fitter.  It will address the steps to follow, as well as some basic concepts.  Before we start, we need to get a basic understanding of the scleral topography, as opposed to our traditional understanding of corneal topography.  One can imagine that when one designs dental…

By Chris Faul
As optometrists we are expected to be able to give patients discerning advice about lighting. Much has changed over the years, which begs the question: “Am I up-to-date? Am I able to give my patients the best advice on lighting, with respect to their visual status?”