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Head trauma can cause loss of smell and taste sensations

The ability to taste and smell can be lost or impaired after a head injury, according to a new study by scientists from the Universit- de Montr-al, the Lucie Bruneau Rehabilitation Centre, as well as the Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Rehabilitation of Greater Montreal. Published in the journal Brain Injury, the investigation established that mild to severe traumatic brain injury could cause olfactory loss.

25 Mar 2010

OVD issue highlights prevalence of eye problems in general population

In the latest issue of Optometry & Vision Development (OVD), Dr. Dominick Maino, editor of OVD, notes that: "In 2010 there are 9 million people with lazy eye and 18 million individuals with eye-turns

17 Mar 2010

Proposed rule to exchange EHR's without patients' consent will affect Americans' health privacy

The proposed federal rule to create and exchange electronic health records without patients' consent threatens Americans' health privacy, warns the Institute for Health Freedom.

11 Mar 2010

Senator Bond recognized for providing leadership on health care policy issues

Sen. Christopher "Kit" Bond (R-MO) has been recognized for providing important leadership on health care policy issues and working to increase access to vision and eye health care by doctors of optometry from his state and their national organization, the American Optometric Association.

10 Mar 2010

World through the eyes of a person with eye disease

Lighthouse International, the non-profit leader in vision healthcare, research, education and advocacy, launches a new website that features the first customizable, low-vision simulator that shows how a person with an eye disease sees the world. Visitors can choose a video from YouTube and select a filter that simulates retinitis pigmentosa, macular degeneration, glaucoma or diabetic retinopathy.

6 Mar 2010

LAAHU announces annual Health Insurance Awareness Week

Los Angeles Association of Health Underwriters announces its annual Health Insurance Awareness Week. This week is set aside to perform outreach to the community in the form of health awareness and to the importance of the role of the health insurance agent.

18 Feb 2010

Top health groups increased political spending in 2009

USA Today: "Pharmacists, optometrists and groups representing an array of medical specialists boosted their political giving in 2009, as Congress worked on health care legislation that would dramatically reshape their industry. ... Donations by the top 15 health care political action committees rose to $11.7 million in 2009, a nearly 14% increase from 2007, the most recent non-election year, according to a USA TODAY analysis of data compiled by CQ MoneyLine."

17 Feb 2010

First Edition: February 17, 2010

Today's headlines reflect more chatter about President Obama's upcoming health summit, as well as talk about budget deficits, the COBRA extension and party gridlock.

17 Feb 2010

Visionworks launches optical retail center in Cranberry Commons Mall

Today Cranberry residents will see the grand opening of the first Visionworks® location in western PA. Visionworks is a full-service optical retail center that features several thousand private label and designer frames along with contact lenses at value prices.

6 Feb 2010

Regular physical activity prevents chronic illness: Surgeon General urged to make outdoor time a health priority

National Wildlife Federation (NWF), more than 200 health, conservation, youth, and other organizations, and 16,300 Americans are urging the new surgeon general to make time outdoors a health priority for children.

4 Feb 2010

Low Vision of Michigan introduces new device for RP patients

To commemorate Low Vision Awareness Month this February, Dr. Sheldon Smith, optometrist at Low Vision of Michigan, P.C., is offering free evaluations to patients diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa (RP), a leading cause of low vision, in hopes that they might be candidates for a brand-new device designed to enhance or restore sight.

4 Feb 2010

Congressional leader stresses the importance of annual dilated eye exam for diabetes patients

In recognition of Black History Month, House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn is urging African Americans with diabetes to get an annual diabetic eye exam during February.

1 Feb 2010

Clinton rebuffs criticism of U.S. aid to Haiti, pledges redoubling of efforts to help quake survivors

"Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said Tuesday she resents criticism of the U.S. effort to help stricken Haiti and pledged to redouble efforts to help survivors of the Jan. 12 earthquake," the Associated Press/CBSNews.com reports. "I deeply resent those who attack our country, the generosity of our people and the leadership of our president in trying to respond to historically disastrous conditions after the earthquake," she said.

27 Jan 2010

Davis Vision's "Order Online to Win" promotion awarded to Dr. Candice Macri

Dr. Candice Macri, a Pittsburgh-area optometrist, has won Davis Vision's "Order Online to Win" promotion. On Wednesday, Jan. 20, Davis Vision representatives will visit Dr. Macri's office in New Castle, Pa. to present her prize, a trip to Miami for the Big Game on Sunday, Feb. 7.

20 Jan 2010

NIH awards IU School of Optometry $2.35M for glaucoma research

An Indiana University School of Optometry researcher's ongoing work to improve testing for and treatment of one of the world's leading causes of blindness will advance with support from a $2.35 million grant from the National Institutes of Health.

18 Jan 2010

Families should include eye exam as a healthy resolution for New Year

With the start of the New Year, many people are focused on living healthier, more active lifestyles through exercise, proper diet and nutrition, and regular visits to healthcare professionals. One aspect of overall health and wellness that's often overlooked is eye health. It's important for families to include an eye exam as a healthy resolution for the New Year.

12 Jan 2010

Erectile dysfunction linked to RLS in older men

A study in the Jan. 1 issue of the journal Sleep shows that erectile dysfunction was more common in older men with restless leg syndrome (RLS) than in those without RLS, and the magnitude of this association increased with a higher frequency of RLS symptoms.

3 Jan 2010

Costs of health overhaul may be felt before benefits accrue

The Associated Press reports: "The costs of health care reform being pushed through Congress by Democrats will be felt long before the benefits. Proposed taxes and fees on upper-income earners, insurers, even tanning parlors, take effect quickly.

23 Dec 2009

Contact lens can produce near-normal vision in infants and children

Infants as young as one-month-old are prescribed contact lenses at pediatric eye surgery centers so their visual system will develop correctly. Infants may be fitted for contacts if they have had cataract surgery, need extremely high-strength prescription glasses, or have very different prescriptions for the two eyes.

22 Dec 2009

Subitizing vision therapy for improving math skills

"The incidence of individuals with a mathematics learning disability is between 6-7% of the population." Since there are more than 300 million individuals in the United States, up to 21 million men, women, and children may be affected by this disorder. Sidney Groffman OD, MA, FCOVD, Professor Emeritus at SUNY College of Optometry, author of the article published in the December 2009 issue of Optometry & Vision Development, also says, "This is unfortunate because math skills are of prime importance in everyday life enabling us to understand number concepts and do calculations. Math ability is essential for many occupations and professions."

19 Dec 2009