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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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Are you up-to-date with the latest advances in lighting?

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?”

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Myopia: A public health crisis in waiting

Article courtesy: Points de Vue – Essilor
The prevalence of myopia and high myopia is on the rise across the world. Recent work from the Brien Holden Vision Institute esti­mates that by 2050, five billion (50%) people will be myopic, one billion (10%) highly myopic. This may have important implications for planning comprehensive eye care services, including refractive ser­vices such as spectacles and contact lenses for correcting and slowing myopia progression. Optical and environmental interventions can help in preventing and managing high myopia related ocular complications and reduce the burden of myopia.

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