Scleral Lens Education Society

Newsletter

September 2017

www.sclerallens.org

In This Issue

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Scleral Lens Education Society

Board Members:

President 
Mindy Toabe OD, FAAO, FSLS Mtoabe@metrohealth.org
Vice President
Stephanie Woo, OD, FAAO, FSLS DrWoo2020@gmail.com
Secretary
Pam Satjawatcharaphong OD, FAAO, FSLS PSatjawat@berkeley.edu
Treasurer
Karen Lee OD, FAAO, FSLS
Karen.lee2@ucsf.edu
Fellowship Chair
Justine Siergey, OD, FSLS 
Public Education Chair
Maria Walker OD, FAAO, FSLS
Mariawalkerod@gmail.com
International Relations Chair
Langis Michaud OD,MSc, FAAO (Dipl), FSLS Langis.Michaud@umontreal.ca
Immediate Past President
Melissa Barnett OD, FAAO, FSLS DrBarnett@ucdavis.edu


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www.sclerallens.org   
         

HAPPY  FALL

The season of football, pumpkin spice lattes, and scleral lenses of course!

Upcoming Webinar
 
October 25, 2017 at 8:30 PM EDT
Scleral Lens Publication Update (Mindy Toabe and Muriel Schornack)
Registration Link



You can also view previous webinars on the 
' Scleral Lens Education Society' YouTube channel

 
Upcoming Workshops

One of the best ways to become proficient at scleral lens fitting is to get hands-on experience at a workshop!

If you are attending the Academy meeting in Chicago, (October 11-14), be sure to check out:
 Click above for details, workshop will be offered at two different times

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The University of Houston College of Optometry is hosting the International Forum for Scleral Lens Research on December 4
Click to learn more

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The Global Specialty Lens Symposium will be held January 25-28 in Las Vegas, you can view the GSLS scleral lens track  here


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Don't forget to log onto  smile.amazon.com each time you purchase items from  Amazon. There are no additional charges to your order -  Amazon simply donates to the Scleral Lens Education Society! Thank you for your support!


Announcing the Newest Scleral Lens Society Fellows!

Please welcome our newest Fellows! These practitioners have demonstrated superior scleral lens expertise and knowledge.
 
Deepa Chandrasekaran MS, OD, FAAO, FIACLE, Dipl (ABO), FSLS
Gregg Russell OD, FAAO, FSLS
Jeanette Oo OD, FAAO, FIACLE, FPCO, FSLS
Daddi Fadel DOptom, FSLS
Florencia Yeh OD, FAAO, FSLS


Interested in becoming a fellow?  Click here to apply for fellowship.
  
Scleral Lens Fellow Spotlight

We are thrilled to spotlight SLS President Mindy Toabe, OD, FAAO, FSLS this quarter! 

Dr. Toabe is a hospital-based optometrist in a multidisciplinary setting in primary care, pediatrics and medical contact lenses practicing at MetroHealth Medical Center within the Department of Surgery, Division of Ophthalmology in Cleveland, Ohio. She is a Senior Clinical Instructor at Case Western Reserve University (CWRU)
School of Medicine; while also working with ophthalmology residents at the Cleveland Clinic, Cole Eye Institute. Additionally, she is Adjunct Faculty at The Ohio State University College of Optometry. She is currently the President of the Scleral Lens Education Society and a member of the International Society of Contact Lens
Specialists. Dr. Toabe is also on the advisory board for the Gas Permeable Lens Institute. 



Question: 
What was your most memorable patient encounter (related to scleral lenses)?

Answer:
My most memorable patient encounter occurred with a patient who had been in a motor cycle  crash. She had been through multiple orbital surgeries which resulted in
a permanent lateral tarsorrhaphy with keratoconjunctivitis sicca due to paralytic  lagophthalmos. This patient presented with a bandage soft contact lens and excessive ocular
lubricant use which did not relieve her suffering. Her lid aperture was reduced making scleral  lens application a challenge. After multiple attempts, success was achieved and the patient  experienced reduced ocular pain with a scleral lens for the first time after many years. Today  she wears her scleral lens all waking hours without complication other than the occasional "I lost my  lens in my eye" concern.

Question:
What is the toughest part of scleral lens fitting for you?

Answer:
As a scleral lens fitter, I have to maintain enthusiasm for scleral lenses while at the same time be empathetic to the patients. The toughest part of the profession is having a patient in my exam chair that is not motivated to proceed with scleral lens fitting. Reasons can be as simple as overcoming the fear of handling a scleral lens to the challenging concerns of repeated contact lens failure. Many of these patients have other issues in addition to their
decreased visual function that may impede their success with scleral lenses. Creating a nuturing environment while inspiring these patients to succeed in scleral lens wear can
make the difference between success and failure for the
scleral lens experience.

Have an Interesting Case Report?

If you are a current fellow and have a scleral lens case report that you would be willing to share, please send it to  SLSPublishedWorks@gmail.com. The case does not have to be a formal report, but is intended for sharing clinical pearls.  

These case reports may be featured on our website, social media, and in future newsletters. 


Resources for Scleral Lenses


Sclerallens.org has great information for practitioners and patients alike! Printable information, videos, and brochures are available. We have recently updated application and removal videos on our website: Click here to view the videos

Also visit the GPLI and I-site websites for valuable scleral lens information.
Membership & Fellowship

Membership allows contact lens fitters access to the practitioner's section of the website that contains scleral lens fitting resources.
 
One of the most frequent questions we get from members is: "How do I get my name listed in the Fitters section of the website?" To be listed as a Fitter on the website, you must become a Fellow of the SLS.
  
Optometrists, ophthalmologists, and Fellows of the Contact Lens Society of America (FCLSA) who have proven themselves in the field of scleral lens fitting can apply for status as a Fellow of the Scleral Lens Education Society.       
   
Click here to find out more about becoming a SLS fellow. 
 
About the SLS

The Scleral Lens Education Society (SLS) is a non-profit organization 501(c)3 commited to teaching contact lens practitioners the science and art of fitting all designs of scleral contact lenses for the purpose of managing corneal irregularity and ocular surface disease. SLS supports public education that highlights the benefits and availability of scleral contact lenses.