The San Diego View

Inside this Issue:

• President’s Message
• Retina Corner
• Eye See
• CE Corner
• Classifieds
• Volunteer Corner
• SDCOS Announcements

President’s Message June 2022

By Simona Grosu

Welcome New Graduates!

It’s June, and every year two things really mark this month: beginning of summer season and graduation! Graduation is an exciting time – it marks both an ending and a beginning; it’s warm memories of the past and big dreams for the future. In the United States, twenty-three schools of optometry will graduate around two thousand or even more new optometrists this year. As they make the transition from being a student to being a full-fledged doctor, one cannot help but feel extreme joy and anxiety at the same time. For many graduates and residents finished with their training, the feeling of excitement may give way to some feelings of anxiety as the reality of finding a new job and impeding student loan payments set in.

This is where the organized community of optometry comes in to help. The California Optometric Association (COA) offers free membership for the new graduate until the end of the graduating year. COA has a wealth of information for new graduates through their CA OD Resource Guide. There is an entire section titled “step-by-step for new ODs” with a checklist on how to get the state license, DEA number, NPI, become a provider for difference insurance plans, and getting started in a practice. Additionally, COA offers classifieds and job matching services to connect those looking to hire an OD or sell a practice with those seeking employment or a new practice.

At a more local level, San Diego County Optometric Society (SDCOS) is also a resource for new graduates. Our Society’s Optometric Relations Liaison, Dr. David Sherman coordinates local doctors seeking full or part-time positions and fill-in work, as well as those interested in purchasing, partnering, or selling a practice. Please contact Dr. Sherman if you would like his assistance (odjobs@sdcos.org). Furthermore, Dr. Jennifer Chinn (chinn.jenn@gmail.com) and Dr. David Ardakani (dardakani@yahoo.com) serve as Society Membership Liaisons – they can also help with networking and connecting new members with current SDCOS members. The COA and SDCOS are here to help!

I will end with the quote from Nelson Mandela that stuck with me since my own graduation… “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world”.

So, let’s congratulate the 2022 Optometric Graduates! And so the adventure begins!

Cheers!

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Retina Corner What’s Wrong With This Picture?

By Michael J. Ammar, MD
Retina Consultants San Diego

Dear SDCOS friends,

For this month’s Retina Corner I will be sharing an interesting patient with a rare exam finding.

A 43-year-old man was referred in for an abnormal OCT finding. The patient was 20/40 OU and completely healthy and asymptomatic. He was mildly hyperopic OU (+1.00) and had presented for a routine eye checkup. Figure 1 shows the patient’s fundus photo and OCT OD, do you see anything unusual?

 

Exam was largely unremarkable except for a dulled foveal reflex OU (Figure 1). OCT appeared to show retinal thickening centrally however on closer examination the patient was noted to have an absent foveal pit/fovea centralis OU (Figure 1). At this point a diagnosis of foveal hypoplasia/fovea plana was made.

Foveal hypoplasia (or fovea plana) is a condition in which the foveal pit does not fully develop. It is a bilateral finding. Patients often have decreased vision and various diseases are known to be associated with foveal hypoplasia including albinism, aniridia, nanophthalmos, incontinentia pigmenti, prematurity, and retinopathy of prematurity. However, it can also occur as an isolated finding idiopathically.

Normal foveal development occurs in several stages. First, cells of the inner retina migrate toward the periphery, then cone photoreceptors migrate toward the preliminary foveal. Next, outward displacement of the inner retinal layers begins to form the foveal pit. Postnatally, cone elongation and packing are usually completed, and the pit shape changes from narrow and deep to wide and shallow. The foveal region remains avascular throughout the fetal development, and foveal hypoplasia is considered the result of failure of the FAZ to normally form.

The relationship between formation of foveal depression and VA is poorly understood. Four grades of foveal hypoplasia have been described, from grade 1, showing only a shallow foveal pit, to grade 4 with features that include complete absence of the foveal pit. They found a significant difference in VA associated with each grade. Others described cases in which there was no clear structure-function correlation. VA has been reported in the range of 20/20-20/400 however most patients can maintain relatively good vision from 20/20 to 20/50. It’s thought that foveal cone specialization could be preserved anatomically and functionally despite the absence of a foveal pit. This explains why some patients, such as the patient in our case, may have a relatively good VA despite the absence of a normal foveal depression.

When these patients present to the office, a thorough dilated exam with OCT imaging should be completed. They should be examined closely for any sign of aniridia or albinism. It’s also important to ask about any history of prematurity. There is no treatment and the condition is not progressive. Patients are often asymptomatic as they maintain relatively good vision and have never known any other vision. In our case, our patient had no history of prematurity or any findings or albinism or aniridia. No intervention was required.

I hope you enjoyed this month’s edition of Retina Corner! If you have any questions or if there is ever anything I can help with, please feel free to contact me at any time.

Best wishes, and until next time,

Mike

Michael Ammar, MD
Retina Consultants San Diego
480-323-9196 (cell)
ammar@rcsd.com

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Eye See written by Dr. Byron Y. Newman

Check out Dr. Newman’s website, www.thehumorfactory.com!!!

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CE Corner We are committed to helping you fulfill your CE requirements through our local virtual meetings with the support of our sponsors!

August 21st, 2022: 5 Hour IN-PERSON

Hilton San Diego Mission Valley
901 Camino Del Rio S.
San Diego CA 92108
Registration: 7:30 AM
Lecture: 800AM-1:30PM

THE LAST DAY TO REGISTER IS AUGUST 15TH

SPEAKER: Dr. Pinakin Davey

TOPICS:

• 1 Hour Accurate Detection of Glaucoma: Screening, OCT, and Visual Field Correlations
• 2 Hours Advances and Innovations in Management of Ocular Diseases
• 1 Hour A Course on Diabetic Eye Disease
• 1 Hour Digital Eye Strain: Causes, Consequences, and Clinical Care

Pricing:
SDCOS Members: $90
COA/AOA Members: $90
Non-Members: $325
Students: FREE
Sponsors: FREE
SDCOS Board Members: FREE

• See 2022 CE schedule

Featured Annual Sponsors

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Annual Sponsors

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Event Sponsors

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Classifieds

CLASSIFIED ADVERTISEMENTS

Optometrist needed for Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays, and at the Mission Valley Costco.  If interested please contact rslikker@san.rr.com (08/22).

Build Ownership in a Growing Optometry Practice, Even as a New Grad.  Growing Practice at the Heart of San Diego with a 25+ Year Veteran of the Optometry Profession, with a successful history of growing multiple practices, is seeking a motivated, self-starter, entrepreneurial optometrist to join a growing optometry practice in City Heights. Practice is in a custom modern office setting, with great visibility, with a proven track record of success for medical practices. Working knowledge of Spanish is preferred. Opportunity to get involved (even as a New Grad) in a growing eye care practice from the ground up, earning equity toward part or full ownership. Please email your resume to spousti@live.com (06/22).

Former Optometrist office space built out in Carmel Valley for lease- 1755 sq feet available immediately in Trader Joe’s anchored center. Prior tenant merged practices and space is in “Move-In” condition. For Information please contact Reg Kobzi at 858-546-4604 reg.kobzi@cbre.com (06/22).

Practice for sale: Long-time established practice for sale in La Mesa–seller wishes to retire–Seller has set a very low purchase price to facilitate an immediate sale—don’t miss out on this great opportunity to own your own practice.  Contact Dr. Levy at 619-743-1442 or email at drlevy@pacbell.net (06/22).

Looking for a full-time optometrist for an OD/OMD practice at Castillejos Eye Institute in Chula Vista. Hours are Monday-Friday 8-5. Residency and Spanish are preferred but NOT a requirement. The salary starts at $128,000. New grads welcome! If you have any questions you can contact Alex Scovill, OD at alexscovillod@gmail.com or our office manager, Olga Ramirez, at castillejoseyeinstitute@hotmail.com (06/22).

Part-time weekday optometrist needed: Looking for an optometrist to work two weekdays at my sublease location in National City. Any two days of your choosing, asking for a one-year commitment. Please contact Dena at 651-808-0247 or denashahani@gmail.com (06/22).

Private practice in National City is seeking FT or PT Optometrist. The office has modern, integrated equipment, and staff complete full pre-test workups. Competitive pay includes a production-based incentive. Benefits include 401K with matching, PTO, and medical insurance.  Please call A.K. at 619-279-4055 for more information. (08/22).

 

Please contact Dr. Dave Sherman, Society Optometrist Relations Liaison at odjobs@sdcos.org or 760-208-3456 to be put on an official list for the following:

• fill-in/part-time work
• full-time work
• purchase/partner in/sell a practice

This service is offered free of charge to SDCOS members.

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Volunteer Corner

Monarch School Screening

Contact Dr. Bob Meisel for more information at rmeisel47@gmail.com ; www.monarchschools.org

Next Screening: October 3rd 900-2:15: still need one OD
Exams: October 24-25th 900-200: still need one OD for the 24th

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Lion’s Optometric Vision Clinic

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.

The LOVC has Reopened!!

Please call or email the clinic if you are interested in volunteering:

• 619.298.5273
• lionsvisionclinic@gmail.com

Alterations to the schedule to accommodate social distancing are in place and PPE will be provided for all volunteers/staff/patients.

New flooring was installed with the donation from the SDCOS 2019 golf tournament and a special thanks to Dr. Phil Smith!

Please think of the LOVC for your end of year charitable giving, visit our website:  lionsvisionclinic.org

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DONATE GLASSES
Please contact the society office at 619-663-8439.

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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

For updated information and resources regarding COVID in San Diego, please register using this link. This will sign you up to receive weekly emails from the San Diego Health and Human Services Agency, including weekly tele-briefings on everything COVID.

• Click here for most recent SDCOS Board Meeting Minutes
• Click here for the 2022 CE schedule!
• Click here for COA membership benefits!

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Welcome, new members!!

Please update your information on www.eyehelp.org