by John P. Gialousakis, OD, FAAO | Feb 25, 2020
Background Keratoconus is typically thought to be a bilateral disease that can present asymmetrically. It is associated with progressive corneal ectasia and scarring. With no definitive etiology, the corneal ectasia ultimately leads to irregular astigmatism, central...
by Jeffrey Ho, OD, FAAO, and Joseph Gallagher, OD, FAAO | Feb 24, 2020
Background The following case report explores the presentation, diagnosis and treatment of a bleb-related infection. The case may benefit third- and fourth-year optometry students as well as optometry residents in managing a complex eye condition in the setting of...
by Varuna Kumaran, MS, B.Optom, Krishna Kumar, B.Optom, MPhil, PhD, and Naveen Mahesh, B.E. | Feb 23, 2020
Background Online homework has been replacing traditional paper-based homework in many fields, including chemistry, statistics, physics, accounting and mathematics; however, its impact on exam performance is ambiguous. While improvements have been observed in many...
by Aurora Denial, OD, FAAO | Feb 23, 2020
Anxiety and depression are apparently on the rise among students at various education levels. The Pew Research Center reported in 2019 that 70% of teens say anxiety and depression are major concerns among their peers.1 According to the American College Health...
by Desiree Ifft | Nov 8, 2019
Jamie Althoff, OD, and Keshia S. Elder, OD, MS, FAAO, have been selected as Associate Editors for ASCO’s journal, Optometric Education. Dr. Althoff, a 2007 graduate of the Ferris State University Michigan College of Optometry, is currently an Assistant Professor at...
by Keshia Elder, OD, MS, FAAO | Nov 8, 2019
In the eight months since its March 2019 launch, ASCO’s public awareness campaign ― Optometry Gives Me Life ― has gained impressive momentum. The online, e-mail and social media ads associated with the campaign have been viewed nearly 35 million times.1 According to...
by Aurora Denial OD, FAAO | Nov 8, 2019
In June 2019, I had the opportunity to attend a conference, “Writing, Publishing, and Social Media for Healthcare Professionals,” sponsored by Harvard Medical School and the Massachusetts Psychological Association. The conference was interesting and educational. The...
by Ellen McCrary, OD, Andrea Yiasemis, OD, FAAO, and Pauline F. Ilsen, OD, FAAO | Nov 7, 2019
Background Ocular adnexal lymphoproliferative disorders (OALD) range from the benign reactive lymphoid hyperplasias (RLHs) to the malignant lymphomas. Both benign and malignant ocular lymphoproliferative disorders typically affect the conjunctiva, orbit and lacrimal...
by Charles Lee, OD, Andrea Yiasemis, OD, FAAO, and Pauline F. Ilsen, OD | Nov 7, 2019
Background Optic nerve head melanocytoma (ONM) typically appears as black or dark-brown tumors with feathery or “fuzzy” margins located on the optic disc that often extend into the adjacent retina, choroid and vitreous.1 ONM was first reported in 1907 by Coats, who...
by Chau-Minh Phan, PhD, MSc, FAAO, Hendrik Walther, PhD, MSc, FAAO, and Lyndon Jones, PhD, DSc, FCOptom, FAAO | Nov 6, 2019
Introduction Corneal foreign bodies, such as particulates of metal, glass, wood, plastic or sand, are among the most common causes of ocular injury.1-3 When left untreated, they can potentially lead to tissue death, infections and vision loss.1,2 Unfortunately,...
by Brian K. Foutch, OD, PhD, Lourdes Fortepiani, MD, PhD, and Richard Trevino, OD | Nov 6, 2019
Background Standardized assessments used for professional licensure and to measure pre-professional aptitude have been administered electronically for decades. Computer-based test (CBT) platforms have also been introduced in many undergraduate and professional...
by Yutaka Maki, OD, MS, FCOVD, and Brian K. Foutch, OD, PhD, FAAO | Nov 5, 2019
Background We have all heard the phrase “practice makes perfect.” The Latin proverb “usus est magister optimus” translates to “practice is the best master,” and Aristotle said, “For the things we have to learn before we can do them, we learn by doing them.”1 Emphasis...
