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GP Lens Institute Newsletter | November 12, 2021 | |
Building Your Practice with GP and Custom Soft Contact Lenses | |
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In this issue we will highlight the most recent webinar from specialty contact lens icon and innovator, Dr. Jason Jedlicka. The 2021 GPLI Practitioner of the Year, Dr. Jedlicka is Past President of the Scleral Lens Education Society, Diplomate in the Cornea, Contact Lenses & Refractive Technologies Section of the American Academy of Optometry, developer of one of the most popular scleral lens designs, and currently Chief of the Contact Lens Service at the Indiana University School of Optometry. He is also widely known for the publications, clinical research, and lectures on the topic of software applications for scleral and other specialty designs, notably as it pertains to corneal and scleral topography. His October lecture on this topic will be summarized below.
Also featured in this issue is information pertaining to both our “Find a GP Specialist” and “Scleral Lens Troubleshooting FAQs resources. Likewise, information pertaining to educational initiatives associated with Woo University and the Scleral Lens Education Initiative will be discussed.
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SPOTLIGHT ON EDUCATIONAL WEBINARS:
Software Applications for Specialty Lens Designs
Jason Jedlicka OD, FAAO, FSLS
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Contact Lens Fitting in the COVID Era. Dr. Jedlicka emphasized the challenges associated with using lenses from diagnostic sets – including sterility – and how important empirical fitting is to addressing this important issue. One of the important resources he mentioned is the “In-Office Disinfection of Multi-Patient Use Diagnostic Contact Lenses” that the GPLI assisted with developing and is available on our website.
The Evolution of Contact Lens Fitting: Technology-Based Fitting. Software can improve the contact lens fitting process via:
- Analyzing corneal and scleral shape data and creating a lens that matches their shapes precisely
- Allowing for modification using tools in the software and showing simulations of those modifications
- Ordering lenses directly from the app at the time of design. This often results in less initial chair time and better initial outcomes in many cases as compared to diagnostic fitting.
Instrumentation.To be able to empirically fit requires acquiring the data which can be accomplished via corneal topography, corneal tomography, and scleral topography/profilometry. The limitations of corneal topography include not getting the full corneal topography and the fact it is tear layer dependent (i.e., bad data can be obtained if tear film is disrupted). Corneal tomography represents an upgrade as it is not tear layer dependent and can be more beneficial in larger corneal designs (i.e., ortho-k). Scleral topography/profilometry allows for an extended view of the ocular surface beyond the cornea and is necessary for empirical design of scleral lenses.
Make Sure to Obtain Good Data. Many tips are presented to help take optimal images the first time (and you may not get a second time!).
Orthokeratology.
- Case histories are presented of patients who could benefit from ortho-k which can be somewhat challenging without the use of today’s available software.
- The use of various software programs which can use topography to help in the design of the lenses
Problem-Solving
- A representative case in which a symptomatic scleral lens-wearing patient benefitted from being evaluated from today’s software which can determine a scleral lens with quadrant-specific haptics while also assisting in selecting a freeform (i.e., unique) design to better contour the sclera.
- A case with high corneal and scleral toricity which would be very challenging for a diagnostic scleral lens due to toricity and elevation difference was presented. A software-based empirical design is more beneficial in such a case.
The Bottom Line
- The software used in this presentation can also be used to design corneal GPs for irregular corneas and normal corneas, as well as multifocals.
- User groups can help as well as consultation as you gain experience and master the functionality of the software
- The data you use is crucially important for success, so master image capture
- Contact companies about what instruments work with the apps/software if you are interested.
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November 16: Greg DeNaeyer OD, FAAO, FSLS: Beyond the Basics: Advanced Scleral Lens Design
December 21: Maria K. Walker OD, MS, FAAO, FSLS: GP Material Update
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SPOTLIGHT ON RESOURCES:
Scleral Lens Troubleshooting FAQs
| This comprehensive mini-book on scleral lenses represents a collaborative effort between the GPLI and the Scleral Lens Education Society. It is available in a downloadable pdf format on the website and includes sections on applications, lens design and fitting, troubleshooting, lens care and patient education, and resources. The information is supplemented by 127 illustrations as well as a comprehensive reference list. The contributors represent a “Who’s Who” in scleral lenses including Drs. Tom Arnold, Bruce Baldwin, Melissa Barnett, Karen Carrasquillo, Greg DeNaeyer, Daddi Fadel, Matt Kauffman, Langis Michaud, Pam Satjawatcharaphong, Muriel Schornack, Jeff Sonsino, Mindy Toabe, Maria Walker, and Stephanie Woo. | Orders shipped to the US only - 200 of each complimentary including shipping | |
We have almost 3000 GP specialists with their area(s) of specialty listed to assist you when you need to refer a patient or for patients looking for a GP specialist as this resource is also available on our consumer site: www.contactlenses.org. If you are interested in signing up to be a referral GP lens practitioner, you can do so here.
Specialties Include:
General GP Contact Lenses
Bifocal/Multifocal Contact Lenses
Contact Lenses for Irregular Corneas
Corneal Reshaping / Orthokeratology
Scleral Lens Designs
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SOCIAL UPDATE
GPLI is now on Twitter, too! Give us a follow or a share!
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SPOTLIGHT ON EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS | |
Collaborative GPLI – Woo University Programs
The GPLI will be a Silver sponsor for the WOO University five hour continuing education event entitled: “Real Life Orthokeratology” to be held Sunday, December 5th. Register now! The GPLI is also working with Woo University on a potential collaborative series of specialty contact lens programs to be held in the Summer of 2022.
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Scleral Lens Education Initiative
The GPLI is also a supportive of an exciting new program developed by Dr. John Gelles and several other exceptional scleral lens clinician-educators. The Scleral Lens Education Initiative is collaborating with Jobson Optical Research (publisher of Review of Optometric Business, Women in Optometry, Review of Myopia Management, and other notable publications) on an effort to understand how certain lenses are being prescribed and what tools are being used to help diagnose patients. They would greatly appreciate your input on their survey!
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Upcoming Podcasts
The GPLI will be featured on the following upcoming podcasts, both taped at the Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Optometry in Boston:
May Eye Interrupt: Dr. Jason Jedlicka and Craig Norman
Try Not 2 Blink: Drs. Roya Habibi and James Deom
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Join us at the Global Specialty Lens Symposium | |
The CLMA and the GP Lens Institute are GOLD Level Sponsors to the GSLS 2022. One Contact Lens Educator - faculty member - from each optometric school and college of Optometry in North America will receive a complimentary registration to attend. | |
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Edward S. Bennett, OD, MSEd, FAAO, FSLS
Professor Emeritus, University of Missouri St Louis College of Optometry
President and Executive Director, GP Lens Institute (GPLI)
The Gas Permeable Lens Institute is dedicated to providing eyecare professionals with unbiased educational and practice-building resources highlighting GP and custom manufactured soft contact lenses.
Please support the educational opportunities provided by the GP Lens Institute. We will continue to support all ECPs, staff and your patients. Be kind, respectful and find happiness within yourself!! Have a happy Thanksgiving!
ESB/ELA
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