Adding a good rub to your contacts `

In the Health Answers column in the Boston Globe (6/30), Judy Foreman answers a question from a reader who asked, "Do you have to rub contact lenses to clean them if your cleanser is 'no rub?'" Foreman explains that, "according to a new consumer 'reminder' from the" FDA, the agency "is now advising lens wearers to rub as well as rinse lenses, a policy supported by the...American Optometric Association." The FDA's "recommendations apply even if" a "product is advertised as 'no rub,' and also include throwing out cleansers by the discard date, washing...hands when handling lenses," and letting the "lens storage case to dry (upside down, so water can drain) when lenses are removed." Just "this month, the FDA wrote to the nine companies allowed to market 'no rub' lenses," asking them to "'come in' to discuss the new data on lens cleaning," according to "Dr. Dan Schultz, director of the FDA Center for Devices and Radiological Health." (courtesy AOA)

It is very interesting that contact lens companies aren't broadcasting the 'no rub' feature like they used to. It may still be on some packaging but the font is not as large and some places have removed the statement all together.

New anti-itch drop on its way

Following a previous AP story, the AP (6/27) reported that on Friday, June 26, the seven experts in the Food and Drug Administration's ophthalmic panel voted unanimously that Bepreve [bepotastine besilate], "an anti-itching drug from eye-care company Ista Pharmaceuticals, is safe and effective." The panel's vote "amounts to a recommendation for approval. Although the FDA is not required to follow the group's advice, it usually does."
Dow Jones Newswires (6/27, Favole) explained that "ISTA wants FDA approval to market Bepreve to people with conjunctivitis, or pink eye, caused by allergies." According to FDA officials, "the agency found no serious side effects with Bepreve. The most common side effect was a distorted sense of taste after getting the drops, which was reported in 20 percent of patients."
Reuters (6/27, Richwine) noted that if the FDA gives final approval to Bepreve, the drug would be available by prescription only.

Having another drop on the market can only help with allergies. As an allergy sufferer, I enjoy the relief that comes from these allergy drops. Lowering the inflammation from allergies even helps out with my dry eye. I'm excited to have one more tool to help with this trouble.

Another Testimonial

I noticed that when reading my arms seemed to be getting shorter and shorter and the words seemed blurry. I thought it might be the heat here in St.George causing shrinkage in my limbs but my wife assured me that I was OK but I should have my eyes checked. I went to Clear View Eye Care to see if there was indeed a problem. After meeting with the helpful staff and Dr. Wallace they were able to provide me with a pair of reading glasses to suit my needs. I was very happy with the quality eyewear and service that I received and would recommend them to anyone. -- Tom Hooker

How to look at your computer. `

Orthokeratology Fills the Gap

The procedure has been around for years but only recently has orthokeratology become more systematic and predictable. New techniques using computer aided design (CAD) allow precise corneal mold designs.

Orthokeratology provides a service that fills needs that cannot be met by other procedures. There are many people who would rather not do LASIK. LASIK is a great surgery and has helped many people. Not everyone wants to undergo surgery. Orthokeratology uses a retainer lens to reshape the eye and is therefore non-surgical.

Others would prefer something that is not permanent. LASIK is permanent and cannot be changed. Enhancements can be performed if necessary but there is a limit to the number of enhancements that can be performed. Orthokeratology can be easily adjusted if the prescription changes for any reason.

Some people would like to undergo surgery but cannot due to age restrictions. With orthokeratology, children can enjoy clear vision through the day without the need for surgery.

At Clear View we are proud to offer this service. If you have any questions about this exciting procedure give us a call for a free consultation.

Proper care reduces the risks of orthokeratology

Many of the risks that are associated with orthokeratology are identical to the risks of general contact lens wear. One such risk is infection. If the lenses are not properly cared for you can increase your risk of harboring and cultivating harmful bacteria. By following the manufacturer instructions for the cleaning solutions your risk is greatly reduced.

Good luck and good vision.

Keri gives praise to Clear View

I brought my 3 children to Clear View Eye Care. My 5 year old was nervous, this was her first time to get her eyes examined. Dr. Wallace immediately made her feel comfortable. He was personable and extremely informative about what he was doing, that made me as a mother also feel comfortable. My daughters were able to find adorable glasses, the service was great and the glasses came sooner than expected. I would highly recommend Clear View Eye Care to anyone.
Thanks,
Keri Reed

Looking for help

Clear View Eye Care is looking for self motivated, confident, personable public relations sales staff. There are no required hours and can be done on your own time with your own schedule. Compensation is on a commission basis based on appointments made for eye exams. If you are interested in applying contact us at 435-674-3502 to obtain an application.

About 4% of men over 50 develop dry eye

Following a MedPage Today story, HealthDay (6/12, Thomas) reported that, according to a study published in the June issue of the Archives of Ophthalmology, after age 50, approximately four "percent of males develop dry-eye disease." For the study, researchers from Brigham and Women's Hospital "analyzed data on 25,444 men," who "were asked if they had ever been diagnosed with dry-eye disease and also whether they had symptoms, including dry or irritated eyes." The team found that "about three percent reported a previous diagnosis of dry eye, while 6.8 percent said they had constantly or often experienced at least one symptom, such as dryness or irritation." Nearly "2.2 percent reported both symptoms constantly or often." The authors explained that "increasing age, high blood pressure, benign prostatic hyperplasia," and "the use of antidepressants increase the chances of developing dry-eye disease."

Diabetes can cause retinopathy

MedPage Today (6/11, Phend) reported that, according to a study presented at the American Diabetes Association meeting, "retinopathy now affects more than a third of all diabetes patients." Jinan Saaddine, MD, MPH, of the CDC, and colleagues found that the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy in "349 participants age 40 and older who had self-reported diabetes" was 34.3 percent and appeared "to increase across racial and ethnic groups between the 1988-1994 and 2005-2006 iterations of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey," with "non-Hispanic blacks" having "the highest prevalence of diabetic retinopathy, and the greatest increase." The investigators said that "duration of diabetes" was "one of the major risk factors," with "every five additional years of diabetes duration" increasing "the odds for diabetic retinopathy by 60 percent." Other risk factors included "male sex; higher severity of diabetes, indicated by use of insulin and oral diabetes treatments versus pills alone...or use of pills alone versus no treatment; higher average systolic blood pressure," and "higher hemoglobin A1c." (courtesy AOA)

Replace your contacts on time

The Daily Pennsylvanian (6/11, Ortelere) reports that, "according to the results of a new study, an alarming majority of people wear their contacts beyond the recommended usage time, making them susceptible to several health risks." A study commissioned by CIBA Vision "surveyed 1,654 contact wearers" and found that 59 percent of respondents who "wore two-week replacement silicone hydrogel contacts wore them for longer than the Manufacturer Recommended Replacement Frequency (MRRF)." In addition, "29 percent wearing one-month replacements and 15 percent wearing daily disposable contacts wore them longer than the MRRF." In a statement, Paul Klein, OD, of the American Optometric Association, said such practices are "positively not OK," adding that "they can lead to disastrous health complications." For example, "eye infections and diseases," such as conjunctivitis, "occur when organisms enter the eye via the fingers and become trapped under the contact lens." Therefore, "washing contacts daily and replacing them as suggested is essential to avoiding such risks." (courtesy AOA)

It is important to dispose of your contact lenses on a regular schedule. The actual risks do not outweigh the benefits. Further, the cost of replacing your lenses is far less than the cost of treating an eye infection.

Fish oils may reduce risk of AMD

BBC News (6/9) reports that, according to a study published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology, "people with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) should eat oily fish at least twice a week," because "omega-3 fatty acids found in abundance in" oily fish "appear to slow or even halt the progress of both early and late stage disease." For the study, researchers at Tufts University examined data on "almost 3,000 people taking part in a trial of vitamins and supplements." The team found that "progression to both dry and wet forms of advanced AMD disease was 25 percent less likely among those eating a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids." In addition, "people with advanced AMD who also consumed a" low glycemic-index diet and "who took supplemental antioxidant vitamins and minerals like vitamin C and zinc appeared to reduce their risk of disease progression by...up to 50 percent." The authors suggested that "eating two to three servings of fatty fish...every week would achieve the recommended daily intake (650mg) of omega-3."