 San Diego County Optometric Society |
The San Diego ViewOctober 2018 |
Inside this Issue:
- President’s Message
- Retina Corner
- Eye See
- Supporting Future Leaders of Optometry
- CE Corner
- Classifieds
- Volunteer Corner
- SDCOS Announcements
- Upcoming Events
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President’s Message
October 2018 |
The focus of the President’s Message this month is on a big change coming to the type of Optometry many of us practice. We all chose the field of Optometry for our own reasons and we are lucky enough to have a profession that will allow us to practice in a variety of different modalities and settings. A new law, that replaces the current Branch Office Law, was signed by Governor Jerry Brown and will take effect January 1st, 2019. Here is a summary of the Senate Bill (SB) 1386 and the changes to take effect at the start of next year.
The Old (2018 and previous) Law: States that an Optometrist must be in personal attendance at each of their offices, 50% of the time during which the office is open for the practice of Optometry. This effectively limits the amount of offices a doctor could have to just two offices/locations.
The New (Starting Jan 1st, 2019) Law: Prohibits an Optometrist or two or more Optometrists jointly, from owning more than 11 offices/locations. This cap does not apply to IPAs. It removes any time requirements, which will allow for the individual doctor or group of doctors to accommodate the 11 offices.
There is no question that SB1386 will have significant effects on the landscape of Optometry in California. On the surface this might seem to affect private practice Optometrists only, but with the elimination of the time requirements and the growing embrace of Tele-medicine and other technological advances in the field, I believe we will see dramatic changes in private practice, commercial settings, and beyond.
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Retina Corner
The Trees that Make Up Our Forest |
By Nikolas J.S. London, MD FACS
Director of Clinical Research, Retina Consultants San Diego
Chief of Ophthalmology, Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla
As many of you guys know, I really enjoy giving lectures and teaching others what I can. Well, this morning I found myself in new territory – tasked with teaching a group of 9 to 11-year-olds as a part of my kids’ school’s Science Discovery Day. For months I have been worrying about this. How do I make ophthalmology, let alone vitreoretinal surgery, interesting to these kids?? More importantly, how do I one-up my wife, a dermatologist, who was planning to have the kids freeze “lesions” off perfectly healthy oranges and suture up wounds in their perfectly normal peels! Eventually, I figured it out and spent three wonderful hours listening to the “ohhs” and “ahhs” of the kids dissect cow eyeballs, marveling at the lens, the retina, and the gloriously reflective tapetum. It was a very cool experience and a wonderful morning. I just hope the kids had as much fun as I did….
So, what else is cool going on in retina right now? There is a lot, including a new clinical trial evaluating a q6 month anti-VEGF injection for macular degeneration. However, I may talk about that next month. This month I thought I would take a step back and look at the trees that make up our forests, the patients we see in our clinics and get to know over the course of months and years. Like all of you, I absolutely adore my patients and it puts a huge smile on my face when I walk in some rooms. This month I wanted to focus on them, and share a few of their stories as I understand them. Some of my patients are celebrities, but getting to know them goes well beyond any superficial excitement of treating someone famous.
JB is former NFL running back, first-team All Pro, the leading rusher alongside OJ Simpson in 1973. He left the NFL when he developed kidney failure shortly thereafter, and now works just as hard as a financial advisor. I love hearing stories of his days in the NFL and with the national championship teams back in college. I hate to hear stories of how as a young child his best friend’s dad wouldn’t allow him in the house since he was black. He is an amazing guy and now a good friend.
Other patients are celebrities in their own fields. ES is the “father of gestalt therapy” in San Diego, and author of a thousand publications. It is fun, every now and then, when I have other psychologist patients who recognize him and get excited that they get to meet him. He has AMD with geographic atrophy and exudative disease in his only decent eye. He is terrified of losing the ability to read, and I hate to see the GA slowly enlarging, knowing that he will even get there. I will do my best to make that as long from now as possible.
AB is a warrior, a former navy admiral whom I tell every time I see him he should run for president. He exudes respect, honesty, integrity, and intelligence. I see his wife as well and he refuses to be seen at the same visit as her so that he and I can focus entirely on her, and he can drive her safely to and from the appointment. Similarly, RG is the last surviving fighter of the Battle of the Bulge living in San Diego. He visits with his wife and both are deservedly very proud of his service.
RS is an elderly white woman and a leading expert on black history with multiple books about the slave experience. One of these books was recently turned into a theater production at the Old Globe Theater. She also grew up good friends with Bill Cosby, and is sickened by what he became.
And then there is the incredible EN. A 98 year-old woman born in 1920 on a farm in eastern Germany. She witnessed the rise of Adolph Hitler and tells me about the energy of the country during that time, particularly among the poor. When she was married she had to be “tested” to be certain she was worthy and soon after she gave birth to a son, Russia invaded her part of the country and she was put into a Russian concentration camp where she lost her baby. After all this, she is terrified of getting shots in the eye, and it is adorable to see her and her daughter bicker the whole time they are in the clinic. The clearly love each other very much.
There are so many others – patients who have lost their jobs or even their spouses, patients planning their 90th birthday celebration, patients learning about a new diagnosis of cancer as well as those excited to finish their last round of chemotherapy, patients writing books, making art, teaching sign-language classes, planning African safaris, or nervously starting new businesses. The human experience is fascinating, and we are very lucky as eye doctors to share in so many that are not our own. If even only in a small way, it is wonderful to ride along the ups and downs with our patients, and to hopefully contribute a bit to the good parts.
Thanks again for reading. Please don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions.
Best wishes, and until next time,
Nik
Nikolas London, MD
Retina Consultants San Diego, Poway, La Jolla, and Coronado
www.retinaconsultantssd.com
858-451-1911 (office)
415-341-5456 (cell)
nik.london@gmail.com (personal email)
retinaconsultantssd@gmail.com (RCSD email)
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Eye See written by Dr. Byron Y. Newman Stay tuned for next month! |
Check out Dr. Newman’s website, www.thehumorfactory.com!!!
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Gordon Schanzlin The New Vision Institute, a TLC presents |
Presbyopia correction: The New Frontier
How many times a day do you hear your presbyopic patients ask, ‘Can I do anything to get rid of theses darn cheaters?’
At Gordon Schanzlin, our surgeons are always looking for ways ‘To boldly go where no man has gone before’ with presbyopic management.
Through the years, theories on what causes presbyopia have been largely accepted:
- The lens grows, reducing the space and relaxing then tension on the zonules.
- As we age, the crystalline lens hardens and does not change shape to focus light.
- The capsule thickens and has decrease laxity.
Whatever the cause (perhaps a combination of all three), presbyopia continues affect our ever aging patient population. Patients struggle with focusing on near tasks, such as computer use and reading their cell phones. They may develop headaches as they try to focus for work and leisure. They struggle with a delay in focusing when transitioning from looking down the road to looking at their speedometer. Most of all, they have become annoyed with needing multiple pairs of readers in every room and vehicle.
Here are some of the most recent presbyopia treatment options.
Refractive lens exchange
Refractive lens exchange is an option for some patients who want a permanent correction that avoids the need for cataract surgery later in life. In this procedure, the natural lens is removed in the same manner as in cataract surgery and replaced with an IOL just as with cataract surgery.
With this procedure, we educate patients on the different types of lenses available to them. With a monofocal lens, our surgeons choose a different power for each eye to create monovision. Multifocal and Extended-Depth of Focus lenses, can expand a patient’s range of focus without inducing monovision. It is important that we counsel patients on the potential for lens dysphotopsia prior to consideration of Multifocal or Extended-Depth of Focus IOL use. Additionally, our surgeons may choose to customize the refractive target of an eye to help increase the range of focus with these IOLs.
Refocus
The VisAbility™ Micro Insert System is the first and only presbyopic procedure performed outside the eye’s line-of-sight, developed to restore near vision without any compromise to distance vision or depth perception, a potential drawback of other presbyopic treatments. The VisAbility™ procedure is performed in the sclera, so it does not alter the cornea or natural lens, preserving the eye for future refractive or cataract procedures.
Nearly 90 million Americans, and 1.7 billion people worldwide, are affected by presbyopia. Now more than ever, aging patients need optometrists. The number of Americans with age-related eye disease and the vision impairment that results is expected to double within the next three decades. By managing and making surgical recommendations, we can expand the scope of optometric care beyond the 88 million refractive eye exams already performed annually by ODs. These presbyopic technological advancements present an incredible opportunity for our profession and for our patients.
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CE CornerWe are committed to helping you fulfill your CE requirements through our local meeting with the support of our sponsors! |
Featured Annual Sponsors
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October 18th, 2 Hr – Dry Eye/Cornea – Handout
Speaker: Dr. Scott Hauswirt
See 2018 CE schedule.
Continuing Education Seminars are at the Handlery Hotel 950 Hotel Circle North, San Diego, 92108.
Two-hour seminar, Thursday, 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm. Buffet meal included and served ½ hour prior to lecture.
- SDCOS Members free, COA/AOA Members $35.00, Non-Members $130.00.
Five-hour seminar, Sunday, 8:00 am – 1:30 pm. Buffet meal included and served ½ hour prior to lecture.
- SDCOS Members $90.00. COA/AOA Members, $90.00 Non-Members $325.00.
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Classifieds |
Optometrist needed Private practice seeking Part-time or Full-time OD. Friendly staff, patients and a positive work environment. Staff available to perform pre-test, and assist doctor if needed. Please e-mail Resume/CV at moffettoptometry@gmail.com (11/18)
Optometrist needed Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays in the Mission Valley Costco. Please send resume to rslikker@san.rr.com (10/18)
Want to start your practice with no initial expense? Have an interest in Vision Therapy? Long established practice will cover overhead expenses while you build your practice within our office. We will be relocating the office in March 2020, so you will have input into the design and new location. We have a full scope practice that includes Vision Therapy and would prefer an optometrist that would like to provide and promote Vision Therapy services. Ideally, this should lead to a partnership or buyout. Please send your C.V and Resume to djaniuk@pacbell.net(10/18)
Practice for sale–long-established practice in La Mesa–time to retire–will work part-time if the buyer wants–owner interested in an immediate sale–price is right–don’t miss this opportunity to own your own practice for very small investment. 619 743-1442 or email drlevy@pacbell.net (10/18)
Dr. John Fitzpatrick, the Society Optometrist Relations Liaison, offers a unique service to the San Diego Optometric community. Several lists are kept on file for doctors seeking the following, or any combination: • full-time work • part-time work • fill-in work • purchase a practice • sell a practice • partner in a practice. There is no charge for this service. To put your name on the list, please contact Dr. John Fitzpatrick at jpfod@aol.com
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Volunteer Corner |
Monarch School Screening
Monarch exams October 15-16 (Need 1 OD/day)
Contact Dr. Bob Meisel for more information at rmeisel@netscape.net ; www.monarchschools.org
Flying Samaritan Optometry Clinic – Tecate, Mexico
The SDSU Flying Samaritans are asking for any optometrists that would be willing to volunteer on Saturdays and accompany other volunteers to their optometry clinic in Tecate, Mexico. It is not necessary to be fluent in Spanish, a translator can be provided. The clinic is located about 40 miles southeast of SDSU. Their goal is to provide free eye exams, glasses, and access to other free medical benefits to the underserved communities of Baja California. Please contact Dr. Bob Meisel if you are interested or have any further questions!
Lion’s Optometric Vision Clinic
ATTENTION LOVC VOLUNTEER DOCTORS
FREE 5-hour CE for SDCOS Members (maximum of 2 CE’s per year)
$70 off for Non-Members choice of 2 or 5 HR CE
VOLUNTEER DOCTORS needed for flexible shifts throughout the year. 9-1:00 pm. Monday -Friday 1805 Upas St San Diego, CA 92103. Can’t volunteer at the clinic? See patients in your office. Call 619-298-5273.
DONATE GLASSES
Please bring to a CE meeting or contact the society office at 619-663-8439 for arrangements to pick up.
SDCOS keeps a list of all doctors willing to speak in front of groups about various topics, do home visits for patients, and assist in student mentoring. ODs interested in the Speakers Bureau, Home Visits, Student mentoring, and Low Vision OD’s, please contact the society office at 619-663-8439 or email sdcos@sdcos.org
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SDCOS Announcements |
Please update your information on www.eyehelp.org
SDCOS Golf Tournament
The SDCOS golf tournament returned to North County for the 11th Annual event held on Sunday 9 September.
St Mark golf club in Lake San Marcos welcomed 31 society ODs and friends as they teed it up to support the two charities who benefit from the outing:
The Lions Optometric Vision Clinic in Balboa Park, now in its 55th year of operation and the California Vision Project.
Both organizations provide eye exams and eye wear for the underserved of San Diego and the entire state of California.
The tournament was resurrected by Dr John Riggs in 2008 as chairman, followed by Dr Dick Skay.
Since 2013, Dr Bob Meisel has coordinated the tournament.
The winning team of Mitch Moulton and Sergio Rodriguez (L) and Dr John Riggs and son Bryan (R) are shown with club designer Bob Vokey in the middle.
Vokey wedges are world famous and used by many PGA professionals, as well as many recreational golfers.
The highlight auction item was an autographed 56 degree Vokey wedge, fetching $300 for the charities.
Other winners were Ryan Luby from NVision, who was perfect in the difficult pre-round putting contest.
and Dr Joe Mannen, who hit his iron 18″ from the hole on a 155 yard par 3 .
Many rounds of golf at area courses and several other prizes were part of the raffle contest, held at the conclusion of the event.
It was a beautiful day with light winds and plenty of sunshine but the best part was raising money for the continuation of both charities, helping others improve their vision.
Plan to join us next year for the 12th edition!
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Upcoming Events |
Contact Us
Phone: 619 663 8439
Fax: 800 643 8301
Email: sdcos@sdcos.org
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