Copyright 1995-2006 Larry Bickford, O.D. All Rights Reserved.

Last update October 2006

The EyeCare Connection

Abstracts and Answers to Commonly Asked Questions

and

The EyeCare Reports

Please note: The LASIK REPORT is not currently available on-line. We suggest that you visit (listed in no particular order): Surgical Eyes. A site created by people injured by refractive surgery and who are seeking medical or legal relief. It is predictably biased towards "anti-LASIK" and contains useful information on many related issues. There's a discussion board and  photographic representations of what "side effects" may occur. CRSQA - Council for Refractive Surgery Quality Assurance is the industry's attempt to provide a more balanced, ethical disclosure of risks and benefits, something sorely needed. Anti-LASIK people argue that it is too promotive. I find it informative, well balanced and valuable.  LasikDisaster is created by a woman seriously injured by LASIK and is about her journey. It is filled with articles and references, is clearly anti-LASIK and is well written and heartfelt.

The surgical correction of vision system optics, refractive surgery offers a number of procedures of which LASIK is one. The LASIK procedure itself has much evolved over the years. Other options may include: clear lens extraction, implantable contact lenses, Intacs and non-surgical remedies such as orthokeratology and the new silicone continuous wear contact lenses.

There are a number of other web sites that get into legal recourse and others that are blatantly promotive. If you are considering refractive surgery, do your research and carefully weigh the risks and benefits *as it relates to you*.


New or revised articles! Oct 2006

Contact Lenses:EyeCare Report & What's New In Contact Lenses

An in-depth report of contact lenses issues including details on soft and RGP lenses, materials, current bifocal designs, monovision and lens care. Multifocal/bifocal section revised.

The Dry Eye: Diagnosis and Treatment


Many issues relating to eye health and vision care are misunderstood and confusing. These articles can help answer commonly asked questions and clarify some important issues.

Written for The EyeCare Connection by Dr. Larry Bickford, this material is periodically reviewed, updated and revised. Terminology is generally defined within the articles and there's a glossary of terms which you might want to keep nearby for reference. I've tried to make the text multi-national in content. Metric equivalents are included as necessary. The information contained herein is fact-based and taken from various ophthalmologic texts and journals. That which is theory or based on practical observation in clinical practice is so indicated.

The Abstracts and Answers to Commonly Asked Questions are generally one or two hard-copy pages in length. The EyeCare Reports are often four to seven pages in length.

All material posted on this web site is copyrighted. Please see specific copyright notices.


If you have ideas, requests, comments or suggestions for existing or for other topics:  If you are typing the address, replace AT with @

generalinfo AT eyecarecontacts.com In the subject field, please type: "report request "or "report comments and suggestions" as appropriate.


The necessary disclaimer:

This information contained herein is not intended as a substitute for medical advice and care from qualified, licensed health care providers. The reader should regularly consult a physician in matters relating to his or her health and particularly with respect to any symptoms that may require diagnosis or medical attention.


List of currently available articles and EyeCare reports

Sunglasses: Truths and Myths

A discussion about the health aspects of sunglasses (and UV protection in general) and practical considerations about lens optics, tints and frames.

Instruments Commonly Used For Examination of the Eye

Here's an article featuring some of the instruments a patient might encounter during an eye examination. Pictures included.

A Guide to Thinner and Lighter Weight Ophthalmic Lenses

This report includes a listing of brand name high index lenses and a discussion of what you need to know about this type of spectacle lenses.

Blepharitis: the itchy, flaky red eyelid problem

All About Eye Color

Cataracts: The Clouding of Crystalline Lens

A report of this condition, modern treatments and possible "alternative" remedies

Giant Papillary Conjunctivitis (GPC)

This is a two page report on the symptoms, causes and treatments of GPC, with attention to the condition as it relates to contacts lens wear.

Pinguecula and Pterigium

This is a one page report of the symptoms, causes, and treatments for these common conditions.

The Home EyeCare First Aid Kit (and when to seek medical attention)

A guide to understanding and handling minor emergencies and when and why to seek professional medical care.

Styes and Chalazions

review of the causes and treatments of these common eyelid conditions

The Three Os: Optometry, Ophthalmology, Opticians

A discussion of the differences in the education, scope of practice and services available from these eye care providers.

Glossary of commonly used terms

Although we try to define terms throughout the Abstracts and Reports, it will be helpful to keep this list nearby as a reference.

Visual Acuity

Discussion of terminology and descriptions used to define the quality of human vision. It's more than just 20/20 (6/6) !

Myopia:(nearsighted, short-sighted)

Description and discussion. Includes graphical representation.

Hyperopia: (farsighted, long-sighted)

Description and discussion. Includes graphical representation.

Astigmatism

Description and discussion. Includes graphical representation.

Presbyopia

The need for near vision correction which occurs for most middle age adults is discussed.

Optical Lens Prescriptions

Detailed discussion of how corrective lenses work and how to read and convert prescriptions. Includes graphics.

Contact Lenses

Report on the different types of lenses, their use, care and handling and other issues. The EyeCare Report is similar but considerably more detailed, technical and complete.

Contact Lenses:EyeCare Report

An in-depth report of contact lenses issues including details on soft and RGP lenses, materials, current bifocal designs, monovision and lens care. Likely more current than the abstract, above.


Contact Lenses: Monovision

The use of contact lenses in one eye for distance vision and in the other for near vision is discussed. Practical considerations, effects on depth pereception and current professional thinking on use and efficacy is discussed.

Contact Lens Wearers' Frequently Asked Questions:

Write to us and ask more questions! We have the answers.

Flashes and Floaters

Answers to questions and concerns about these issues, including causes and treatments.

Nutrition and the Eye

New (and some old) information on how micro-nutrients such as vitamins, minerals and amino acids effect the eye and visual function.

The Glaucomas: Current Medical Diagnosis and Management

This report will be of value to both practitioners and patients. It necessarily contains a great deal of medical terminology. I've tried to provide in-context explanations and definitions where possible. A report-specific glossary is also available. A shorter, less technical version will be available sometime soon. (16K, approx 6 pages printed 12pt)

Vision Systen Therapy and Exercises

A detailed discussion of modern therapies for certain vision conditions. No, there's no Bates here!

How the Eye Works, and When it Doesn't

A very long (30k, 9 pages (MS Word)) disucssion of the structure and function of the human eye and vision system. Includes discussion of traditional, alternative and behavioral therapies.

Children's Vision and the Pediatric Eye Examination

An in-depth discussion of childhood vision system development, examination techniques and treatments. 20K document, prints 6 pages at 12pt.

Children's Vision Development, Eye Health and First Aid

A "how-to" discussion of children's eye care, a guide to early detection and prevention of eye health and vision disorders and a section on basic first aid.

The Eye Examination

An in-depth look at a comprehensive eye examination. A detailed discussion of the various tests, intrumentation and a guide to understanding what it all means. Also: When to have an examinnation--and why. Note: This document is 25k and prints approx. 7 pages at 12pt.

The Contact Lens Examination

Contact lenses wearers require regular check-ups to assure that their lenses fit correctly, provide good vision and maintains normal eye health. This report reviews the testing protocol comprising the contact lens examination.

Computers and Eyestrain

A discussion of the causes, symptoms and treatments of computer-related eyestrain, including information relating to workstation managment.

The Dry Eye

Dry Eye Syndrome and the symptoms associated with it is one of most common problems reported to eye doctors. This article will provide information regarding the symptoms, causes, diagnosis and treatment for the clinically dry eye. This is written to be of value to both professionals and lay people. You may wish to have a copy of the glossary nearby for reference.

The Aging Eye:

A detailed discussion of a number of issues including: presbyopia, cataracts, ARMD (age related macula degeneration) UV (ultraviolet radiation), nutrition, PVD (posterior vitreous detachment) and RD (retina detachment)

Binocular Vision:

A detailed discussion of binocular and stereoscopic vision issues including depth perception, amblyopia (lazy eye) and strabismus (crossed eyes). Review of symptoms and treatments.


Coming Soon!

This is a placeholder for the list of new articles soon to be posted



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Copyright 1998-2006 by Larry Bickford. All Rights Reserved.

Except as follows, no part of this electronic publication may be reproduced or retransmitted without the prior written permission of the publisher. Any use or sale for profit is strictly prohibited. The exception(s): Abstracts and Answers to Commonly Asked Questions, EyeCare Reports may be copied one time for your personal use. The publication must be copied in its entirety and include the copyright notice.