The Center for the Partially Sighted in Los Angeles, Califonria has optometrists and couselors who specialize in low vision (vision not correctable with normal eyeglasses and contact lenses and has special devices, counseling/support groups, technology and training and special store that features low vision products. 

 

AllAboutVision.com is large internet portal which is sponsored by many eyecare companies and organizations.  Although there is a lot of information(over 500 pages online), and a lot of links on this site, one has to temper the information with the knowledge that it may be somewhat biased towards its sponsors.

 

The Retina-Vitreous Associates Medical Group is an ophthalmological medical group located in the Good Samaritan Hospital medical building in LosAngeles that specializes in diseases of the retina and vitreous. They are always on the cutting edge of medical research in their specialties for diseases such as Age Related Macular Degeneration and repair of diabetic retinopathy and provide an annual educational seminar for eye doctors at Good Samaritan Hospital.

 

Although the main emphasis on Dr. Elman's website is information specific to the eye and vision, this link is an excellent one as an up-to-date resourse for general health topics. The homepage www.1uphealth.com features various health topics, current research studies, and definitions and information on over 1600 systemic diseases and descriptions of over 300 medical symptoms, such as abdominal pain, headaches, or heart palpitations, to allow users to search topics by what they are experiencing

 

 

 

The American Academy of Ophthalmology evolved as part of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology (AAOO), which was founded in 1896 primarily to provide continuing education to eye, ear, nose and throat doctors(EENTs).

The American Academy of Ophthalmology was incorporated as an independent organization in 1979 when the AAOO was divided into separate academies for each specialty and is the largest organization for ophthalmologists in America. 

Founded in 1898, the AOA is a federation of state, student and armed forces optometric associations. Through these affiliations, the AOA serves members consisting of optometrists, students of optometry, paraoptometric assistants and technicians.
 

 

 

The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) is one of the most prostigious organizations for cutting edge research in the field of vision and ophthalmology.  Their website has a list of research papers that have been presented at their annual meetings as well as a directory of their members.

 

This website is part of the Occupational Outlook Handbood provided by the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics,  It discusses the profession of optometry in the United States and defines the role of optometrists.

Dr. Brian Boxer Wachler was the second director of the refractive surgery center at Jules Stein Eye Institute.  After FDA approval in 1999, Dr. Boxer Wachler was the first in the United States to publish the use of Intacs for treating a corneal degenerative condition called keratoconus after this treatment had successfully been done in other countries. Since then, Intacsú has dramatically increased in use for this condition. More detailed information can be found at www.keratoconusinserts.com.  Dr Boxer Wachler started his own Boxer Wachler Institute in Beverly Hills in 2003. In 2004 he was the first ophthalmologist in the U. S. to embrace a new treatment developed in Germany by Gregor Wollensak, MD, called C3-R,  to slow or stop the progression of Keratoconus by strengthening cross-linked collegen fibers in the cornea using specially directed 30 minute exposure to the cornea of UVA radiation  with riboflavin drops placed on the cornea to protect deeper layers of the eye from the ill effects of such radiation. He was the first doctor in the world to combine this treatment with Intacs.

 

We think of the Braille Institute as providing services for the totally blind.  They are still the leading organization for services for the blind.  But they are much more than that. From Child Development programs to classes in independent living skills to Low Vision Rehabilitation Services, click here to find all of their programs and services for people who are visually impaired, often offered free of charge to the recipients..

 

If you don't have a health insurance plan with good drug benefits and you need prescription drugs, especially long-term, you know how expensive that can be. This is a site that is not especially for eyes, although they do have eye medications.  It is an online drug store in Canada that requires your doctor's faxed Rx, (usually for 100 tablets because they ship them in the manufacturer's unopened bottle), and after filling out an on-line questionnaire, you'll find prices are usually at least a half of what U.S. drugstores charge for the same medications.  If  you need an anti-biotic or corticosteroid or other acute relief medication, you'll want to get it as fast as possible at your local pharmacy--not here. But if you have chronic problems such as allergies, heart disease, anxiety, etc., for which you must take anti-allergy medications, anti-depressants, things that you need refills for and can wait a week or so check this out.

  

The DJO is a premiere peer-reviewed ophthalmic journal dedicated to the dissemination of ophthalmic information over the World Wide Web.

 

 

Besides the websites that have been prepared by various refractive surgeons the government, specifically the FDA,  has also prepared a siteabout LASIK surgery. If you want an impartial preview of the subject, this may be a place to begin.

 

There are several wonderful refractive surgeons in the Santa Monica area that we refer to and work with. Dr. Wallace is one of them. He not only is an excellent surgeon but he has a very informative and unique website. The website has a powerful search engine, an online device that translates the entire site into various languages including Japanese, includes graphics on how the eye works, multimedia video of refractive procedures being done, Q&A and commentary from Dr. Wallace. It also has informatioin on various options in refractive surgery, in addition to LASIK,  and news on hot topics in refractive surgery, such as the Wavefront Technology that have been incorporated into the Alcon Ladarvision eximer laser and Visex StarS3 excimer laser.   

 

 

Laramy-K is an optical lens laboratory that cuts lenses for dispensing opticians and eyecare practioners who dispense eyewear.  They have an informative website that can answer questions, in simple terms, about the differences of various types of lenses and lens materials. The website describes the basic categories of eyeglass lenses (single vision, bifocals, trifocals, blended and progressive multifocal lenses) and the options that are available to wearers in these type of lenses.  The site includes a discussion of the concept of lens power in diopters , what the three components of a lens Rx (Sphere, Cylinder and Axis) mean, as well as a less used lens component called prism;   the difference between polycarbonate and the new Trivex (Trilogy) material (the latter may be the best for drilled rimless frames), the advantages of A-R (Anti-Reflection coatings) the concept and advantage of aspheric lenses, and other options that people may want to consider when having a pair of glasses made.

 

For information on Progressive addition lenses (PALs) see the website http://www.laramyk.com/learn/progressives_1.html.

This article, written by Darryl Meister, ABOM, technical maketing director of SOLA International,  tells the history, advantages, and limits posed by various PAL designs and helps explain why, although many people prefer and do better with PALs than traditional bifocals and trifocals, there other people who prefer the optics and/or price of the traditional lined bifocals and trifocals, while others do better with separate single vision lenses for distance, near and intermediate tasks.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dr. Robert Maloney started the refractive surgery center at Jules Stein Eye Institute and started his Maloney Vision Institute in Westwood after several years. He has always been on the cutting edge of new refractive surgery procedures and is one of the best refractive surgeons in the country.

 

 Although expensive health insurance plans cover vision services and materials, most major medical plans, such as those that self-employed and small companies tend to have,  do not cover glasses, contact lenses, or even routine exams.  Medical Savings Accounts(MSAs) and Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) can be created along with a high deductible medical insurance (to cover the major catestrophic health expenses) which allows these people to create a plan that allows them to put money in a special Medical Savings Account or Health Savings Account.  The money put in and taken out of the MSA or HSA is not taxed, and can be used for those medical expenses you chose, such as eyeglasses, contact lenses, LASIK surgery, or cosmetic surgery that traditional medical plans would not allow, as well as other doctor visits.  There may be minimum amounts that must be put into the accounts, there are monthly fees, and penalties if the money is not used for a qualified medical expense, but contributions into the account earn interest tax free and the unused balance rolls over every year throughout your life.The title link goes to PDF file of IRS Publication 969, defining MSAs.  I find that more useful and readable information may be available on the websites of certain brokers who specialize in HSAs and MSAs such as this one from C.Dean Richard : http://www.msainfo.net/

 

The National Eye Institute (NEI) was established by Congress in 1968 to protect and prolong the vision of the American people. As one of theFederal government's National Institutes of Health (NIH), the NEI conducts and supports research that helps prevent and treat eye diseases and other disorders of vision. This research leads to sight-saving treatments, reduces visual impairment and blindness, and improves the quality of life for people of all ages. NEI-supported research has advanced our knowledge of how the visual system functions in health and disease.

Vision research is supported by the NEI through approximately 1600 research grants and training awards made to scientists at more than 250 medical centers, hospitals, universities, and other institutions across the country and around the world. The NEI also conducts laboratory and patient-oriented research at its own facilities located on the NIH campus in Bethesda, Maryland. Their website is a wonderful resource for information about eye diseases and the many things the NEI does: www.nei.nih.gov.

 

	conducting research in its own laboratories;
	supporting the research of non-Federal scientists in universities, medical schools, hospitals, and research institutions throughout the country and abroad;
	helping in the training of research investigators; and
	fostering communication of medical information. The National Eye Institute is part of the NIH.

The United States National Insitute of Health (NIH) supports the National Library of Medicine (NLM)--the largest medical library in the world.  PubMed, a service of the National Library of Medicine, provides access to over 12 million MEDLINE citations back to the mid-1960's and additional life science journals. PubMed includes links to many sites providing full text articles and other related resources.

 

Over twenty years ago, a dozen senior citizens had a dream that people over 65 would enjoy easy access to the health care coverage and personal care services they needed to remain independent.  That's why they formed Senior Care Action Network, now known as SCAN Health Plan  (www.scanhealthplan.com). It is available in four southern California counties: Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernadino.  Many of the other HMO plans for seniors have cut their benefits and have not told their members about it.  If you, or your parents or grandparents are eligible for Medicare and are unhappy with the deal you've got, check out this non-profit organization.  As part of the full line of health benefits they offer is vision benefits though VSP, prescription benefits, physical therapy, skilled nursing, chiropractic, hospital, diagnostic lab tests, and mental health inpatient services.  For Los Angeles County there is no premium for Medicare eligible patients to sign up for this program. One problem for eligible members in the west Los Angeles--Santa Monica--Palisades--Malibu area is that there is no participating hospital in this area. Becasue the local hospitals are not particiapting, the local doctors are also not participating.  The closest participating hospitals to the west Los Angeles area are in Torrance, downtown Los Angeles or the San Fernando Valley.  Hopefully westside provider participation will occur in the future and the many seniors in the Santa Monica area can enjoy the benefits of this organization. Dr. Elman is trying to reach parties on both sides (SCAN and hospital providers) to facilitate this.  If you can help call SCAN or Dr. Elman.  SCAN Health Plan headquarters is in Long Beach, CA and their phone number is (800)915-7556.

 

Sjögren's ("SHOW-grins") syndrome is a chronic disease in which white blood cells attack the moisture-producing glands. The  hallmark symptoms are dry eyes and dry mouth, but it is a systemic disease, affecting many organs and may cause fatigue. It is one of the most prevalent autoimmune disorders, striking as many as four million Americans.The Sjögren's Syndrome Foundation promises to make a difference in the lives of people with Sjögren's and their families by offering:
Information and support, Public awareness, Education for medical professionals,
Advocacy for increased research. I also recommend checking out http://www.theocularsurface.com .

 

This site at www.theocularsurface.com is geared for ocular professionals and is the most complete source for information about dry eye problems, their treatment and shows the latest research about ocular surface disease.

 

 

 

 http://www.visionscience.com

                           

 

VSP is the largest vision provider group in the United States. It started in 1955 with a dream to provide high-quality, cost-effective eyecare benefits, a group of optometrists in Oakland, California form the first prepaid, not-for-profit vision benefit. It is now available in every state in America, and continues to be cutting edge in trying to benefit member patients and member providers with education and innovative programs.