When we first launched mivision, our aim was to present articles ‘written by the industry for the industry’. We wanted mivision to voice the opinions of eye care professionals. Now into our eighth year, that goal still guides us. In this issue, however, we’ve taken a detour and are speaking, instead, on behalf of the patient in two very different articles – both of which have attracted a measure of controversy.
The first is the heartbreaking story of Laura Lawson. A promising artist from the United States, who has a huge social media following, her journey to diagnosis of retinitis pigmentosa is a reminder to eye health professionals that they’re dealing with real life people: something that was ‘forgotten’ in Laura’s case.
We’d like to think this was just an issue with practitioners stateside. Unfortunately, it didn’t take us long to find Rolf Geerlings, a Sydney man with a similar story. It took a chance encounter (and an embarrassing public meltdown) before someone started treating the man, not just his debilitating eye disease.
In this issue, we’re also speaking up for disadvantaged patients with our article on corporate philanthropy. At mivision, we are very aware of instances where, despite the best of intentions, simple eye health procedures have gone horribly and irreversibly wrong. While there’s definitely a place for corporate philanthropy, could these funds be put to better use? It seems obvious to us that greater collaboration with existing health services is the key, particularly when delivering eye care to culturally sensitive areas of remote Australia.
The Australian conference circuit is moving into full swing, so it is a great time to take a look at the equipment on offer at the trade exhibitions. Acquiring equipment can be expensive, but it is crucial to keep up-to-date and realise the potential income (and patient outcomes) that the right equipment can generate.
To ensure you’re making the best investment decisions, we’ve committed to a special three-month initiative, to help you with your equipment purchasing decision. This month, we focus on the offerings at the Australian Vision Convention (AVC). Over the coming months, we’ll do the same for SRC and ODMA. With so much on show, there’s never been a better time to buy.
We continue our commitment to providing independent clinical education with an article on photochromic lenses. To date, discussion on photochromic lenses has focused on convenience and comfort. To our knowledge, this is the first CPD article published in Australia exploring the benefits to patient health – have a read and log onto the mivision distance learning centre to earn two CPD points.
Can you believe it is autumn already? As usual, we’ll help you ease into the cooler months with our roundup of hot fashion frames. We’ve also got reports from your professional associations, a great article on fitting presbyopes, product information, sales advice from Frank Romano… and all the optical news that’s fit to print.
Enjoy this issue!
Mark Cushway
Contents:
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minews: All the latest news from April 2013. Click here… |
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mistory: The story of Laura Lawson – a promising artist from the United States who was diagnosed with the incurable genetic disorder retinitis pigmentosa. Read more… |
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mistory: The Business of Corporate Philanthropy: Who is it helping? Corporate philanthropy today extends well beyond making simple donations to charity. Read more… |
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mioptometry: All the latest optometry reports from April 2013. Click here… |
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miview: Performance Enhancing Drugs: As the PM announced the election, Australian sports codes were tainted by allegations of drug taking and criminal connections. Read more… |
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miequipment: All the latest must-have equipment. Click here… |
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miequipment: Jim Kokkinakis: An Obsession with Gadgets: For Jim Kokkinakis, owner of the Eye Practice in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, eye care equipment is not just a necessity – it’s a passion. Read more… |
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miproducts: All the latest products from April 2013. Click here… |
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mievent: A Land of Opportunity: A Review of the 13th Shanghai International Optical Fair This ‘no-frills’ show packs. Read more… |
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mieducation: The Role Photochromic Lenses Have on Eye Health: This article will look at the role photochromic lenses have in the eye care of our patients. Read more… |
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mieyecare (CPD) Lens Power Profiles: The Challenges of Fitting Presbyopic Patients: Correcting near and intermediate vision continues to be the greatest fitting challenge for ECPs. Read more… |
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mifashion: Frederic Beausoleil: Lucky in Love and Life: Trained by an elderly Parisian artisan, Frederic Beausoleil has, for the past 20 years, earned his living designing and manufacturing richly. Read more… |
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mifashionnews: All the latest fashion news from April 2013. Click here… |
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mibusiness: Reframing the Role of the Salesperson: In his second article, Frank Romano writes about reframing the role of the sales person. Read more… |
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mibusiness: A One-Stop (Eye Health) Shop: many health insurance companies are reducing their retail presence. Read more… |
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midiary: Keep up with all the upcoming events on this year’s calendar. |
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miclassifieds: Positions Vacant, Practices for sale? Equipment for sale? |
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