Pupillary Pathways

Many patients who experience common ocular symptoms such as eye strain or dry eyes have been dealing with discomfort for so long, they think it is normal! Identifying these signs and offering tips for improvement that don’t require a lot of effort can seem very simple to you as an eye-care provider, but can be a game-changer to patients.

A healthy diet has frequently been discussed as being critical for eye health and general health. Green, leafy vegetables, wild-caught fish, and carrots have been at the forefront of any “healthy eye” conversation. Though focusing on a healthy, balanced diet as well as using quality supplements is critical, here we will discuss some lifestyle tips you can recommend to your patients for good eye health and beyond.

These tips are so simple, they require minimal effort, meaning they can be followed by anybody! 

Studying is stressful. Whether you are preparing yourself for an ocular disease midterm, practicing gonioscopy for a practical examination, or studying for the upcoming NBEO, devoting a significant amount of your time and energy to learning is a complex process.

Stress is an inevitable feeling that accompanies your body’s response to being under pressure. It is important to know that not all the stresses that come along with your studies are bad or harmful to your productivity. A certain amount of stress can actually be a useful part of studying; it can assist you to work harder, to be more focused, and can even enhance your efficiency.

On the flip side, too little, or too much stress can prevent you from studying effectively, and extremely high-stress levels can be very damaging to your mind and body. 

Without a doubt, vitamins used for macular degeneration are some of the most studied vitamin formulations in eye care. With Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) being one of the leading causes of vision loss in the caucasian elderly population, there is a very big chance this disease will be very prevalent in every eye care office in the United States.

The AREDS/AREDS2 clinical trials have set the groundwork for many supplements frequently recommended and studied for in regards to age-related macular degeneration. The AREDS studies have identified certain vitamins and minerals that can slow the progression of intermediate to advanced Age-related Macular Degeneration as well as developed guidelines for prescribing and recommending the vitamins at different stages in the disease process.

Omega- 3 supplements have definitely been getting a lot of attention within the past few years. Many primary care physicians and cardiovascular specialists have been recommending high dose omega-3’s to help improve risk factors for cardiovascular disease as well as help in patients’ general health.

Omega-3’s found in supplements as well as food have been proven to cause a reduction of triglyceride levels, blood pressure and blood clots. They have also been shown to combat inflammation, a critical component of dry eye. However, other research has found that they may not even be effective at all.

Here’s what we know so far about omega-3’s and their relevance in dry eye treatment and management.

The buzz about refractive surgery has been changing for the past few years. The lasers for LASIK and PRK are getting more and more advanced, and new procedures are being studied even more frequently. More options are being made available for the group of patients who were once told they could not have refractive surgery due to their high prescription or astigmatism. One of the most “buzz-worthy” procedures, the ICL, is being performed more often. Let’s take a look at the Visian® Implantable Collamer® Lens, otherwise known as the ICL.

You may have seen a patient a handful of times before, but at some point, they’ll probably hit you with the question: “Am I a good candidate for LASIK?”

Most patients call all different types of refractive surgery “LASIK”, only because they probably don't know about their options. Though LASIK is the most commonly performed procedure in terms of refractive surgery, just because a patient does not qualify for LASIK doesn't mean they don’t qualify for any other kind of refractive surgery. 

Answering the common LASIK question may sound complicated if you haven't had enough experience in a refractive surgery environment. Surgeons look for a variety of factors when determining if a patient is a candidate. As primary eye care providers, Optometrists should be able to answer questions for standard cases and leave the not-so-standard cases up to the surgeon's discretion.

Cataract surgery remains one of the most commonly performed procedures in the world. In the past few years, there have been many advancements in the field of ocular and refractive surgery. Pharmaceutical companies and manufacturers are constantly thinking about ways to make cataract surgery more effective and efficient. Though multifocal IOLs have been the shining stars of innovation in the past years, the light-adjustable is arguably the most talked-about newcomer. 

The light-adjustable IOL was created to address variable post-surgical outcomes, a very common problem following traditional cataract surgery. Since this variation differs from patient to patient, there has never been one solid way to approach the problem of not reaching the perfect target prescription following surgery.

It’s time for NBEO^® Part 1 ABS – are you ready? Studying for the exam is nerve-racking on its own, preparing for the logistics shouldn’t be. Here’s some information on what to expect on test day, including some COVID-19 related updates regarding testing at Pearson VUE test centers.

When you register for Part 1 ABS, you will get a confirmation email from Pearson VUE with information about the exam and scheduling. The exam consists of two sessions, four hours each. Each session consists of 185 items and the items are randomized and in no particular order. The first session also provides a 15 minute tutorial on how to navigate the program as well as an NDA agreement. There is an optional 45 minute break between session 1 and 2. Though this break is optional and you can begin the second session right after the first, It’s a good idea to take a meal break and rest before conquering the second half.

I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again: Optometry school was no walk in the park. Just like any graduate program, just when you think you couldn’t possibly take on one more task, you’re hit with even more things to do. Sometimes it’s hard to even catch a break.

Third year is also a bittersweet milestone. Most students are excited because they are halfway through their optometry school experience. However, this is also when things become much more serious. Third year is when the curriculum gets tougher, expectations in clinic become greater and, to top it all off, you’re studying for boards.

By now you should know the importance of seeking reliable information on the internet. Unfortunately, unreliable information is everywhere, even when it comes to study materials. Though it’s important to research content regularly, this is especially true when studying for boards.

You have many choices on study materials, methods and supplements. In the digital world, you now have access to an endless amount of resources online that can be found with the click of a button. In fact, you can get an answer to a question in seconds with a quick web search. Though it may be tempting to click on the first link when you search “NBEO® Part I study questions”, here are some examples of unreliable vs. reliable information you can use to filter your study materials and content.

You’ll be surprised that some of these resources may be websites you’re using on a daily basis.