Measurement of Vision
PO Box 1097 Newcastle 2940, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa E-mail: pauleyes@mweb.co.za INTRODUCTION Visual impairment (VI) and the delivery of accessible eye care remain major challenges in South Africa and many other countries. The traditional Snellen chart is used to measure visual acuity (VA) which is used as a useful yardstick to evaluate the level of impairment….
Which is better, spectacle lenses or contact lenses?
PO Box 1097 Newcastle 2940, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa E-mail: pauleyes@mweb.co.za INTRODUCTION Spectacle lenses (Class A) and contact lenses (Class B) are registered as medical devices with the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA)1. Both spectacle lenses and contact lenses are important vision-correcting devices. In the majority of cases, the patient has a choice of…
A New Approach to Subjective Refraction
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…
Scleromalacia Perforans Management
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…
A Novel Method of Inserting Contact Lenses
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…
Hydroxychloroquine – what’s the deal?
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…
Covid-19: Is there a new normal for healthcare practitioners?
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…
New list of approved scheduled drugs for optometrists
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…
Scleral Lenses 101
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…
Are you up-to-date with the latest advances in lighting?
By Chris FaulAs 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?”