At only 4.7 ounces and with a high-resolution 3.5” LCD screen, the Optelec Compact Mini’s pocket size and ultra-thin design makes reading quick and easy. Low vision users can operate the device with one hand to seamlessly read the menu at a favorite restaurant, check a price label, sign a bill, and more. When not in use, the new Optelec Compact Mini fits securely into a pocket or purse.

Priced affordably at only $395, the Optelec Compact Mini provides a viable alternative to traditional handheld magnifiers for spot reading.

After testing the Optelec Compact Mini for the first time, one low vision user commented, “This is a better choice for me because it’s really small and has great color contrasts for reading. I can’t wait to go through my old cooking recipes!”

The device is small in size but does not forfeit functionality. The Optelec Compact Mini’s intuitive fingertip controls and collapsible reading stand make it easy to read and write anywhere. The multi-functional capability and convenience of the Optelec Compact Mini are vital to improving the quality of life for low vision users everywhere.

Highlights include:

• 0.60” H x 3.5” L x 2.7” W
• Weighs 4.7 oz. with a high resolution 3.5” LCD screen
• Centralized camera that magnifies text in three steps from 2X to 11X for crisp, clear images ideal for reading
• Multiple color viewing options include full color, black on white, white on black, yellow on blue and yellow on black
• Freeze frame functionality is accessed quickly and effortlessly
• Integrated lithium battery life of three to four hours with continuous use
• Automatic battery shut off for increased battery life and an “almost empty” warning
• Last viewing modes and magnification settings
• Protective bag and wrist strap for added convenience

Pricing & Availability

The Optelec Compact Mini is now available through Optelec’s dealer and distribution networks.  Call +1 (800) 335-7970 or visit www.optelec.com for more information. MSRP: $395 USD.

About Optelec US Inc.

Optelec US Inc. was founded in 1985 and is recognized as the worldwide market leader in providing innovative solutions for the blind, visually impaired and learning disabled. In January 2007, Tieman U.S., Holding Company to Optelec US Inc., spun off ShopLowVision.com as a subsidiary company to provide a one-stop-shop for optical, non-optical and daily living aids for eye care professionals and consumers. For more information visit www.optelec.com and follow us on Twitter through www.twitter.com/optelec.

###

Contact:

With the steady increase of wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and patients with retinitis pigmentosa (RP), retinal specialists have made significant advances of new medical procedures for retinal vascular treatments.

AMD patients can regain a portion of their eye sight, but also experience a residual low vision condition of blurred central vision needed for seeing objects clearly. Vision is improved, but the treatment is not a cure. The desire to live an active, healthy and engaging lifestyle still motivates these individuals. Consequently, the market trend of optical aids demands high contrast and low magnification solutions in electronic video magnifiers.

“More medical advances are helping people with vision loss as a result of exudative macular degeneration with anti-VEGF (Avastin and Lucentis) treatments resulting in increased opportunities for low vision rehabilitation intervention,” states Dr. R. Tracy Williams, executive director, Spectrios Institute for Low Vision at the Deicke House, U.S.A. “A timely and current focus on greater contrast with lower magnification will offer patients with partial vision loss better ways to address daily living activities, including reading and spotting nearby tasks.”

A revolutionary desktop video magnifier, Optelec ClearView+ HD, dramatically improves how visually impaired users read and write. The new HD camera provides the lowest magnification level on the market at 1X allowing users to view complete documents faster and more comfortably. Characters and images are clear and crisp – despite poor central vision. The Optelec ClearView+ HD aids with contrast sensitivity challenges, providing multiple viewing modes with text and backgrounds such as yellow on blue, yellow on black, or green on black.

“At Optelec, we closely monitor these industry trends and work with our research and development departments to evolve our technology in a way that addresses the needs of our customers,” said Michiel van Schaik, CEO of Optelec. “We want to ensure that Optelec delivers solutions that will empower our users and make an impact on their quality of life, regardless of age or eye condition.”

Optelec previously responded to this trend through the development of the portable video magnifier called the Optelec FarView, proven particularly beneficial to those with RP who experience severe tunnel-like field of vision. The built-in high-resolution camera allows users to capture images of a document, and reproduce it in high contrast at a lower magnification level to read within their preferred scope of focus.

Today, 314 million people worldwide report some form of visual impairment. That number is expected to double by 2030 as the aging population brings rising rates of eye diseases including AMD, glaucoma, cataracts and diabetic retinopathy.

For more information, please contact Optelec at +1 (800) 335-7970 or visit www.optelec.com/en_US/home. The Optelec ClearView+ HD is available for $3,695 USD.

About Optelec

Optelec (www.Optelec.com) is a worldwide market leader in manufacturing and distributing innovative and life-changing assistive technologies for the visually impaired and blind. With its global corporate headquarters based in Barendrecht, the Netherlands, Optelec has regional headquarters established in the Belgium, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, United Kingdom, and United States. In addition, Optelec supports a strong distribution network throughout North America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East with a multi-tier distribution chain in more than 60 countries to ensure efficient worldwide delivery of its low vision solutions.

###

Media Contact

BERKMAN
Courtney Berg

+1619-231-9977
courtney@berkmanpr.com

Cataract surgery improved vision in patients with any stage–from mild to advanced– AMD in the first study to include an adequate number of advanced AMD patients. Data was obtained from the multicenter, prospective Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS), funded by the National Eye Institute (NEI), which was organized primarily to evaluate the effects of high-dose vitamin and mineral supplements on cataract and AMD. As the American population ages AMD prevalence is expected to rise, and many patients will concurrently develop cataract; both diseases can cause blindness if untreated.

“Earlier epidemiology had suggested cataract surgery might worsen AMD, so the data from the AREDS cohort study were evaluated to answer this important question,” said Emily Y. Chew, MD, who led the study for NEI.

The cohort, comprising 1,939 eyes (1,244 patients) with various stages of AMD, was evaluated for visual acuity (sharpness) after cataract surgery. On average, patients with AMD, ranging from mild to advanced, gained visual acuity after cataract surgery; the best gains were in patients with vision worse than20/40 before surgery. No difference in improvement was noted between patients with “wet” (neovascular) or “dry” (central geographic atrophy) AMD. About one year later vision gains remained statistically significant in the 865 eyes available for follow-up. Results for the primary focus of AREDS, regarding the effect of nutritional supplements, showed that high doses of vitamins C, E and beta-carotene did not affect the development or progression of cataract, but this vitamin combination plus zinc did reduce the risk of progression to advanced AMD by 25 percent in the five years of the study.

A five-year study based at the University of Sydney, Australia, found that intravitreal triamcinolone (IVTA) effectively improved vision in patients with DME, a form of diabetic retinopathy, whose eyes had continued to deteriorate despite receiving standard laser treatment.
“The majority of patients who improved with IVTA after initial treatment continued to enjoy better vision at the five year conclusion of our clinical trial, and no new safety concerns were found in these patients,” said lead researcher Mark Gillies, PhD. “We believe treatment with IVTA may be considered in carefully selected advanced DME patients when standard treatment has failed to improve vision,” he added.

In the first three months after treatment, the patients initially treated with both IVTA and laser showed significantly better gains in vision than control group patients, who were treated with laser only. After two years, patients in the original control group were also treated with IVTA. The beneficial effects persisted in most IVTA-treated patients throughout the five-year study; however, 80 percent of patients in the initial IVTA group developed elevated intraocular pressure and 56 percent of them required glaucoma therapy. Also, two-thirds of all patients required cataract surgery during the study period. Similar outcomes have been noted in other studies of steroid-based treatment and thus were not considered new safety concerns by Dr. Gillies’ group.

What Do People Ask About in Online Eye Health Forums?

To identify the topics of highest interest to people who access eye health information on line, John C. Hagan, MD, and colleagues analyzed 4,485 questions over six months (September 1, 2008 to March 1, 2009) posted on the “Ask a Doctor: Ophthalmology” and “Eye Care Community” forums sponsored by the Academy on MedHelp (www.medhelp.org ), one of the 10 largest health information websites. Dr. Hagan and three other ophthalmologists provide free, timely advice to a large and growing number of people with eye health and vision problems through these forums. Serious problems, such as life-threatening retinoblastomas in babies, have been caught and treated in time thanks to these forums, as have thousands of other eye and vision problems.

Concerns related to the retina topped the list at nearly 20 percent of all questions; many people asked about “flashes,” “floaters,” or retinal detachment. About 19 percent of questions were related to the cornea, the clear outer surface of the eye that helps focus light to make vision possible. Cataract and implanted lens questions were next in prevalence, followed by brain-eye problems (neuro-ophthalmology), children’s eye alignment (strabismus), eye cancers, and general discomfort or blurry vision. Two-to-three percent of questions related to each of three vision correction topics: refractive surgery (LASIK and others), eyeglasses, or contact lenses. A smaller number were related to eye care products or medical insurance. The analysis also found many people submit postings to express their gratitude for the medical advice provided.

Source-Eurekalert

Laser eye surgery technology and procedures are being called many names today, yet one name that you should know about is VISX CustomVue. This is complete laser assisted suite of technologies that give eye surgeons impressive capabilities and accuracy.

VISX CustomVue incorporates laser eye surface scanning called WaveScan. WaveScan technology captures the unique imperfections in each person’s vision that could not have been measured before. The digital mapping information is used to create a customized set of CustomVue treatment instructions for the laser thus providing a new level of precision and accuracy in laser eye surgeries.

When patients are lying down to have their laser eye procedure, even though procedure only lasts for a few minutes, their eyes may move. In the past, that movement represented the possibility of serious errors in vision correction and other dangers. VISX CustomVue uses Iris Registration (IR) which makes an immediate adjustment of the laser beam to compensate for eye rotation. Iris Registration (IR) is the first FDA-approved, fully automated, non-contact method of alignment of the correct CustomVue treatment to the corneal site. The method uses sophisticated algorithms and multiple reference points on each iris, to ensure accuracy of the treatment to the correct area of the cornea.
The VISX CustomVue provides the broadest range of U.S. FDA approved wavefront-guided laser vision correction treatments for patients suffering from:

• Myopia with and without Astigmatism
• Hyperopia with and without Astigmatism
• Mixed astigmatism

An FDA clinical study revealed VISX’s remarkable success:

One year after the VISX CustomVue procedure;

100% of the clinical study participants could pass a driving test without glasses or contacts
98% of the clinical study participants could see 20/20 or better without glasses or contacts
70% of the clinical study participants could see 20/16 or better without glasses or contacts
4 times as many clinical study participants were very satisfied with their night vision after the VISX CustomVue procedure, compared to their night vision before with glasses or contacts.

For those suffering with infections from contact lenses or those who have unique visual problems, the VISX CustomVue laser eye surgery procedure is perfect. Never before, has such accuracy in laser surgery been customized to the unique characteristics of the eye of the patient.

###

Macular degeneration eye vitamins

can effectively reduce the progression of dry macular degeneration. A large, national study concluded that high doses of certain antioxidants can help slow the advancement and therefore may help preserve eyesight longer than in patients not using eye vitamins.

There are several options when choosing the right macular degeneration eye vitamin and there are several price points.

So, how much do they cost?

You may be able to find inexpensive eye vitamins on the shelves of your local drugstore, but they tend to have less in them when compared to the higher end supplements that can be found online.

For example, Preserve Mac Forte is a popular eye vitamin that is found online at www.cure-macular-degeneration.com and tends to be a little more expensive than the cheap stuff found at the store. However, Preserve Mac Forte also has more of the ingredients that may reduce the progression of A.M.D. and it is created by a U.S. physician who has age related macular degeneration himself.

If you are looking for a good supplement online, then expect to pay $39 to $59 per bottle. You may be able to save some money purchasing in bulk or registering for automatic home delivery plans that auto ship your vitamins every month.

If you’ve been diagnosed with age related macular degeneration, then you should begin an eye vitamin supplement immediately.
macular degeneration vitamins , macular degeneration treatment , macular degeneration age related

###

The eye’s crystalline lens naturally performs “accommodation”, or automatic focusing. It does that by changing its curvature, making it steeper for close objects and flatter for far objects. As the eyes age, the lens becomes less flexible, and some accommodation is lost. This condition is known as presbyopia, and often occurs in individuals after age 40. If you require reading glasses or bifocals, this is probably due to presbyopia.

Cataracts are another vision problem most often associated with aging eyes. A cataract is a clouding of the lens that may occur as the proteins within the lens change. A cataractous lens must eventually be removed and replaced with an IOL to restore clear vision.

Advantages of Crystalens

Conventional IOLs focus for distance vision only, so patients may require reading glasses or monovision for near vision. Crystalens, however, offers the ability to accommodate and can move forward and backward within the eye, controlled by the ciliary muscles that in a normal eye control the lens curvature. This mimics the natural lens changes of curvature. For many patients, Crystalens reduces the need for reading glasses or bifocals.

Disadvantages of Crystalens

Despite the many benefits of Crystalens, no IOL can restore your vision to the clarity you may have enjoyed as a 30 year old.

• Recovery time for Crystalens may be slightly longer than with a conventional IOL
• Crystalens may cost more than a traditional IOL
• It takes a little time to become accustomed to a Crystalens. Your brain and eye muscles must relearn how to focus, so although you may see noticeable improvement immediately, it can take as much as a year to see the full benefits.

The Crystalens procedure requires a greater level of skill, so be sure to seek a qualified ophthalmologist with sufficient training and experience in cataract surgery.

Risks of the Crystalens Procedure

Keep in mind that Crystalens is a surgery, and all surgery carries some risk. While it is rare to experience complications from Crystalens implantation, some risks do exist, including:

• Infection
• Additional surgery to correct lens placement (in cases where the lens is placed improperly or the lens shifts)
• Potential clouding of the cornea
• Permanent vision loss
• Possible retinal detachment

Finding Out if Crystalens is Right for You

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has reported that Crystalens offers excellent success in achieving normal vision. Based on data collected for 497 patients, the FDA reported:

• Reading the fine print of newspapers was easier for 98.4 percent of the patients
• Reading the mail and a computer screen improved for 100 percent of the patients
• 98.4 percent of patients achieved 20/40 or better distance vision and 20/20 or 20/30 vision overall

Intraocular lens implantation is still a relatively new procedure. The technology is still developing and long-term data is not yet available. If an IOL sounds right for you, a frank discussion with your doctor is your best opportunity to understand the risks of the procedure as well as the benefits.

Why not email Bellevue Lasik and Cornea in Seattle, Washington, which offers the latest diagnostics and vision correction procedures, for a free consultation?

Source: Bellevue Lasik and Cornea
Website: http://www.bellevue-lasik.com

Long Beach, NY, United States, 03/25/2009 – BiCOM Inc. and Optimetrics showcase Tras-scleral and Trans-palpebral tonometer Diaton (Glaucoma Eye Test) at International Vision Expo East 2009, on March 26th – 29th, in New York City Booth #MS1121.

Diaton Tonometry is a revolutionary approach to measuring intraocular pressure (IOP) Through The Eyelid – no contact with the cornea, no anesthesia or sterilization is required. BiCOM’s pen-like, hand-held, portable device is perfect for measuring eye pressure and helps ophthalmologists and optometrists in diagnosis and prevention of blindness caused by glaucoma. This ophthalmic device is irreplaceable for mass glaucoma screenings.

Diaton Tonometer is intended for use by Inpatient & Outpatient Clinics such as Hospitals, Emergency Rooms, Nursing & Elderly Homes, General & Specialty Practitioners as well as Ophthalmologists and Optometrists.

Tonometer Diaton is the solution in the following cases when the use of other devices is problematic or impossible:
• mass prophylactic screening of patients;
• IOP control during clinical observation of glaucoma patients;
• ortoclinostatical probe, as an additional test to diagnose glaucoma and during select the adequate hypotensive therapy;
• ophthalmotone monitoring (even at night time);
• IOP measuring during contact correction (lenses are not taken out);
• IOP measuring in immobilized patients;
• IOP measuring in children;
• on patients with the following conditions: chronic conjunctivitis, cornea pathology, including keratitis, keratotone, cornea dimness, after penetrating keratoplastics, keratoprosthesis, laser refractive correction of the eyesight, high degree of ametropy, astigmatism;
• on patients with medicinal allergies;
• Lasik / LASEK / PRK (recent clinical trials have proved that Diaton is the only device that can be used for IOP measurement right after these surgeries)

Diaton tonometer is a perfect device for mass screenings for glaucoma for any age group. Undiagnosed and untreated, glaucoma can cause blindness. Glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness in all age groups – from babies to senior citizens. Everyone needs to get diagnosed to preserve eyesight.

Diaton Tonometer will be showcased in Booth #MS1121 by BiCOM Inc. and Optimetrics Inc. Florida’s largest Hispanic Ophthalmic Leader. With well over 20 years of experience providing quality, new and used ophthalmic equipment and supplies to ophthalmologists, optometrists and optical retailers. Located in Miami; one of the largest exporting and importing ports of the United States Optimetric offers the latest technology in equipment available today. State of the art showroom displays a variety of products ranging from a simple bulb to a visual field analyzer, chairs and stands, autorefractors, corneal topographers and much, much more.

The founder, Amado Diaz, was the youngest ophthalmic dealer in the country when he started Optimetrics, Inc. His training and experience cover a wide globe of suppliers in the ophthalmic industry from companies like Haag-Streit, Topcon, Marco, Humphreys, Carl Zeiss, Sonomed, Tomey, Katena, RH Burton, Welch Allyn, HGM Laser, Canon, Nikon, AIT, Essilor, Vision-Ease and many others.

More information on Diaton tonometer, including clinical trials data can be found at TonometerDiaton.com or by calling BiCOM Inc. at the toll free number 1-877-diatons. Diaton tonometer is delivered complete with training Video/DVD describing full procedure step-by-step in addition to the Test/Training Eye™ which is included with each unit.

About BiCOM Inc.
BiCOM, with its 15 years of tradition and global clientele, has proven to be the enterprise of the highest level of professionalism, integrity and financial solvency. A unique team of engineers, medical, legal and business experts makes BiCOM Inc. the right place for global talent to find support and guidance. BiCOM Inc. sees its mission in bringing to market innovative products developed and manufactured worldwide.

Diaton Tonometer is currently represented in over 50 countries and growing.

About Optimetrics Inc.
Optimetrics Inc. Florida’s largest Hispanic Ophthalmic Leader. With well over 20 years of experience providing quality, new and used ophthalmic equipment and supplies to ophthalmologists, optometrists and optical retailers. Located in Miami; one of the largest exporting and importing ports of the United States Optimetric offers the latest technology in equipment available today. State of the art showroom displays a variety of products ranging from a simple bulb to a visual field analyzer, chairs and stands, autorefractors, corneal topographers and much, much more. Optimetrics covers a wide globe of suppliers in the ophthalmic industry from companies like Haag-Streit, Topcon, Marco, Humphreys, Carl Zeiss, Sonomed, Tomey, Katena, RH Burton, Welch Allyn, HGM Laser, Canon, Nikon, AIT, Essilor, Vision-Ease and many others.

More about Optimetrics at Optimetrics.com phone: 305-863-4144. ]]> http://www.physicianvision.com/2009/10/06/glaucoma-eye-test-through-the-eyelid-at-vision-expo-2009-new-york-home-of-tonometer-diaton/feed/ 0 http://www.physicianvision.com/2009/10/06/optical-express-performs-laser-eye-surgery-on-olympic-champion/ http://www.physicianvision.com/2009/10/06/optical-express-performs-laser-eye-surgery-on-olympic-champion/#comments Tue, 06 Oct 2009 23:45:11 +0000 Mike Sipes http://www.physicianvision.com/?p=13 CUMBERNAULD, GLASGOW, September 25, 2009 — Optical Express, the number one provider of laser eye surgery in the world, has revealed it has performed LASIK surgery on Olympic champion rower Pete Reed, as he looks to improve his chances of competing at the 2012 London Olympic Games.

Surgeon Rodney Blumenfield performed the LASIK surgery using Wavefront and Intralase technologies. Mr Blumenfield is an experienced ophthalmologist who has performed more than 22,000 procedures.

Reed expressed enthusiasm about the results of his procedure. The Olympic champion said: “I am absolutely delighted with my new and perfect vision from Optical Express. It’s not just the brand new feeling of being able to see better than 20/20, but the convenience of not having to use contacts or glasses for my training and racing.”

Beyond mere results, however, Reed was impressed with the quality of care and customer service offered by Optical Express, as well as, “the swift procedure, the short recovery time and the aftercare. In fact, every step from booking to clarity of vision has been a breeze.”

As an athlete who relies on his sight for his performance, Reed is eager to encourage others not to hesitate in moving forward with laser eye surgery. He said: “I wish I’d had it done sooner. Don’t be worried – just go for it.”

Pete Reed, a two-time world champion in the men’s coxless fours and gold medallist at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, is also a Lieutenant in the Royal Navy and in 2005 was the navy’s Sportsman of the Year. In 2009, Reed was appointed Member of the British Empire. He returned to his naval duties following his time in Beijing, but continues to train for the 2012 Summer Olympics which will be held in London.

About Optical Express
The Optical Express Group was founded in 1991 and is now a global leader of selected healthcare services, specialising in opticians services. The group covers optical stores, refractive laser eye surgery, spectacles, contact lenses, dental clinics, state-of-the-art medical hospitals and cosmetic treatment centres.

Optical express provides trained specialists to help patients determine which laser eye surgery treatment is best suited to their unique needs and will explain the most advanced eye surgery treatments such as Advanced CustomVue Wavefront and Intralase as well as LASIK.

Optical Express optometrists are members of the General Optical Council; therefore patients can be assured that only quality lenses from Europe’s top suppliers are sold through the group, and experience the convenience of being able to shop online with local aftercare and advice available through the Optical Express network of UK stores.