Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Four Reasons Why You Should NOT Operate First for Strabismus in Children

Four Reasons Why You Should NOT Operate First for Strabismus in Children

.....we believe parents should consider these four reasons why you should not operate first:

  1. Chances for vision improvement are far greater with vision therapy.  ....
  2. Risk factors are associated with surgery.  ....
  3. Vision therapy is non-invasive.  ....
  4. More operations may be necessary. ...
Comments: To read all about strabismus surgery outcomes....click on the title above. Also go to strabismus surgery outcomes on this blog and The Number of Placebo Controlled, Double Blind, Prospective, and Randomized Strabismus Surgery Outcome Clinical Trials: None! by Dominick M. Maino, OD, MEd, FAAO, FCOVD-A in Optometry & Vision Development.

 

 

GEARS a 3D Virtual Learning Environment and Virtual Social and Educational World Used in Online Secondary Schools

GEARS a 3D Virtual Learning Environment and Virtual Social and Educational World Used in Online Secondary Schools

Virtual Learning Environments (VLEs) are becoming increasingly popular in online education environments and have multiple pedagogical advantages over more traditional approaches to education. VLEs include 3D worlds where students can engage in simulated learning activities such as Second Life. .....However, to date, VLEs have been very limited in use for K-12 education. One option for secondary schools was developed by Game Environment Applying Real Skills (GEARS) and can be used in online or traditional schools. The 3D VLE is named ARC: The Impending Gale. ....... educational games focus on basic concepts in the three disciplines of math, social studies, and language arts. ..... National Network of Digital Schools: http://nndsonline.org/ Lincoln Interactive Curriculum: http://www.lincolninteractive.com/ Game Environment Applying Real Skills: http://gears.nndsonline.org/ 3D Virtual Social and Educational World: http://www.learnwithfriends.com

Sunday, January 29, 2012

Brain Injury, the Athlete and Your Child

The Sports Legacy Institute in combination with the Chicago Concussion Coalition presented a 2 hour program for coaches, physicians, parents, teachers and other interested parties this past Saturday at the Illinois Eye Institute in Chicago. Christopher Nowinski and Dr. Leonard Messner were the featured speakers. I had a small part to play in this program when I talked about how to treat the vision function and functional vision problems associated with brain injury.

Head injury and concussion information can be obtained from the CDC. DM

3D in the Classroom: See Well, Learn Well: Editorial

In the latest issue of Optometry & Vision Development, Dr. Dominick M. Maino, OVD editor, wrote in his editorial, 3D in the Classroom: See Well, Learn Well, that the American Optometric Association’s (AOA), The 3Ds of 3D Viewing is great advice for the consumer. If you experience the 3Ds of 3D viewing (Discomfort, Dizziness and lack of Depth, when viewing 3D movies, television, video-games and 3D educational content), you should incorporate 2 more Ds – See your Doctor of Optometry, especially one who is a Fellow of the College of Optometrists in Vision Development (COVD).  

Dr. Maino also emphasized the AOA’s recognition of the vision problems that cause the difficulties often associated with 3D viewing as a major public health issue. Although the research is just now beginning to be conducted in this area, it appears that problems with focusing, eye teaming, eye movement and vision induced motion sickness all play a role in the discomfort, dizziness and lack of depth experienced by those viewing simulated 3D. These binocular vision dysfunctions often affect not only how we enjoy our free time, but also how well we perform in school. The good news is that if you have these problems, those who belong to the College of Optometrists in Vision Development have vision rehabilitation/therapy programs available so that you can enjoy all that 3D has to offer.....

Comments: For additional information click on the following links
3D Vision and Eye Health
3D in the Classroom

 

AOA 3D Technology Videos and More:




American Optometric Association

The American Optometric Association and your state association deserve your support. Let them know how much you appreciate what they do. Let them know how you can help to make what they do even better.

Not a member? Join.

You are a member? Volunteer.

Dominick M. Maino, OD, MEd, FAAO, FCOVD-A
Professor, Illinois Eye Institute/Illinois College of Optometry

Saturday, January 28, 2012

Photosensitivity Following Traumatic Brain Injury

This is an article that appeared in the International Brain Injury Association's latest newsletter...authored by my friend and colleague:Neera Kapoor, OD, MS
 
 
Sensory disorders are common in those with traumatic brain injury (TBI), including anomalies of vision, audition, and olfaction [1-14]. In terms of vision anomalies, one symptom evident in those with TBI is photosensitivity, or photophobia, which presents as an elevated sensitivity to light in the absence of ocular inflammation or infection [7-14]. Photosensitivity in those with TBI has been reported in between 20-40% in non-selected (i.e., not necessarily visually-symptomatic persons with TBI) samples [7] and up to nearly 50% in selected (i.e., visually-symptomatic persons with TBI) [8]. The type of photosensitivity may be: 1) generalized to all types of lighting, or 2) selective to fluorescent lighting.  
This article serves to provide a brief overview of presenting symptoms and possible underlying neurology, as well as existing evaluative and treatment options.....

Comment: To read the whole article just click here. Enjoy! BTW if you are going to attend the International Brain Injury Association meeting in Edinburgh, Scotland this March, please let me know. I am presenting a poster at this meeting and would love to meet up with you to share a good single malt Scotch! DM

Friday, January 27, 2012

Optometry experts prove the effectiveness of orthokeratology in myopic control

Optometry experts prove the effectiveness of orthokeratology in myopic control

....Myopia ... is the most prevalent in Hong Kong population and especially for school children. Local Chinese students have a higher prevalence of regardless of whether they attend in local or international schools when compared with other ethnic groups. Myopia will bring inconvenience in everyday life and .. is associated with , peripheral retinal breaks and glaucoma which may lead to permanent vision loss and blindness.....

Orthokeratology is a non-surgical means of vision correction which must be administered by ... optometrists. Myopia is a refractive defect of the eye in which collimated light produces image focus in front of the retina. T...Patients who wish to receive ortholeratology must have a thorough eye examination to see if he or she is suitable for the treatment. Optometrist will dispense a pair of specially designed rigid contact lens made from high oxygen permeable material for wearing during . The lens will modify the corneal shape as well as to correct the focus of the eye in order to correct the wearer's vision. If successful, wearer can have clear vision without using any vision aids for the rest of the day.....

Development and distribution of refractive error in children with Down's syndrome.

Development and distribution of refractive error in children with Down's syndrome

.....Children were hypermetropic, .... and the presence of significant astigmatism... was assessed with age. ..... Prevalence of significant oblique astigmatism increased with age and was highly prevalent (45%) in teenage years.....The results provide further evidence of the failure in the emmetropisation process in children with DS. ... The children show a specific development of oblique astigmatism that may be suggestive of a mechanical induction through eyelids.....

All Things 3D: The VisionHelp Blog

All Things 3D: The VisionHelp Blog

Walk This Way: Approaching Bodies Can Influence the Processing of Faces

Walk This Way: Approaching Bodies Can Influence the Processing of Faces

A highly familiar type of movement occurs whenever a person walks towards you. In the present study, we investigated whether this type of motion has an effect on face processing. ...... Observers were significantly faster in responding to a target face that followed an approach sequence, compared to both receding and static primes. In a second series of experiments, we investigated long-term effects of motion using a delayed visual search paradigm. .... observers were faster at responding to faces that had been learned in the context of an approach sequence. .... these results suggest that the context of a moving body influences face processing, and support the hypothesis that our visual system has mechanisms that aid the encoding of behaviourally-relevant and familiar dynamic events....

 

Thursday, January 26, 2012

For Kids with Near-Vision Disorder, Treatment Reduces Problems at School

For Kids with Near-Vision Disorder, Treatment Reduces Problems at School 

....For children with convergence insufficiency (CI)—who have difficulty focusing on objects close up—effective treatments can help to reduce problems at school, reports a study in the January issue of Optometry and Vision Science, official journal of the American Academy of Optometry. The journal is published by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, a part of Wolters Kluwer Health.

"A successful or improved outcome after CI treatment was associated with a reduction in the frequency of adverse academic behaviors and parental concern associated with reading and school work," concludes the new research, led by Eric Borsting, OD, of Southern California College of Optometry, Fullerton......

 

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

How The Brain Routes Traffic For Maximum Alertness

How The Brain Routes Traffic For Maximum Alertness

 ......A new UC Davis study shows how the brain reconfigures its connections to minimize distractions and take best advantage of our knowledge of situations.....

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Oral Health Professionals Guide to Communicating and Interacting with Patients with Disabilities–Webinar



How The Brain Computes 3-Dimensional Structure

How The Brain Computes 3-Dimensional Structure

....The incredible ability of our brain to create a three-dimensional (3D) representation from an object's two-dimensional projection on the retina is something that we may take for granted, but the process is not well understood and is likely to be highly complex. Now, new research published by Cell Press in the January 12 issue of the journal Neuron provides the first direct evidence that specific brain areas underlie perception of different 3D structures and sheds light the way that the primate brain reconstructs real-world objects......

World Council of Optometry

Find out more about the conference at www.worldoptometry.org/chicago

Monday, January 23, 2012

Play Swish: A Game to Improve Vision Perception

 Swish looks pretty cool!



Comments: I have no financial interest in this game. DM

Visual Diagnosis and Care of the Patient with Special Needs

Discipline Researchers Who Withhold Research Results

Discipline Researchers Who Withhold Research Results

Drug research, even from clinical trials sponsored by the federal government, routinely is suppressed, harming patients and increasing healthcare costs, according to a series of reports published by BMJ.
"The current situation is a disservice to research participants, patients, health systems, and the whole endeavor of clinical medicine," according to an editorial published with the reports.....

Comments: This is inexcusable! Any and all researchers, institutions, companies or organizations who knowingly do this should be barred from access to research dollars for a very long time (not to mention face the potential for jail time if harm comes to patients). If we cannot trust the honesty of our researchers, we, as health care providers, may inadvertently harm our patients. I find this unacceptable, unethical and morally appalling. Why would researchers do this? (For possible reasons, check out Mistakes Were Made (but not by me). DM

 

Sunday, January 22, 2012

The Ten Habits of a Sharp Brain

The Ten Habits of a Sharp Brain..

  1. Learn what is the “It” in “Use It or Lose It”.
  2. Take care of your nutri­tion.
  3. .....Things that exer­cise your body can also help sharpen your brain: phys­i­cal exer­cise enhances neurogenesis.
  4. Prac­tice pos­i­tive, future-oriented thoughts until they become your default mind­set...                                                                                                                                                                                 Comments: Read more by clicking on the link above. DM

Watch for....


In
Visual Diagnosis and Care
of the Patient with Special Needs

Pre-order from Amazon today!!

Eye and Vision Assessment of Children with Special Needs in an Interdisciplinary School Setting

...The most recent issue of Optometry & Vision Development (OVD), the official journal of the College of Optometrists in Vision Development has research and other articles that may surprise you.....

....An article by Dr. Marie Bodack, Eye and Vision Assessment of Children with Special Needs in an Interdisciplinary School Setting, found that during a three year period of the 273 children with special needs who received eye examinations (about 1/3 of the children had been diagnosed with autism), 3.7% had amblyopia (lazy eye), 6% presented with an eye turn, and 11% had refractive errors (nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism) requiring correction. Approximately 2.5% were also referred for additional care because of ocular health problems. This paper supports the need for all with special needs to have comprehensive eye care by an optometrist.....

Comments: Dr. Bodack is a member of a team of eye care professionals at the Cincinnati Childrens' Hospital who has been serving the health care needs of children for some time. She is a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry, a Fellow of the College of Optometrists in Vision Development.....and a colleague of whom I am very proud!

Providing eye and vision care for those with special needs has been near and dear to my heart for decades. As the editor of the only book written by an optometrist for the optometrist on this topic dating back to 1995 (reprinted by OEPF in 2001) and now as the co-editor of a totally new text on this topic to be published by Lippincott in May 2012, I strongly encourage all research that demonstrates the incredible need for eye care for those with disability. We must teach all that eye care must be placed high on the list of areas to be assessed for those with special needs. DM

Saturday, January 21, 2012

MainosMemos: The Movie

Brain Imaging Technologies and Their Applications in Neuroscience

Brain Imaging Technologies and Their Applications in Neuroscience

 

Former Safford optometrist featured for sports vision training

 

 

Former Safford optometrist featured for sports vision training

 Dr. Tanya (Lewis) Polec has taken the concept of “keeping your eye on the ball” to a whole new level....As an optometrist board certified in the College of Visual Development, Polec recently caught the eyes of the Arizona Daily Star and Nike for her work with sports vision training.....


Presently, she works closely with the Arizona Wildcats Softball team and Coach Mike Candrea. Their goal, she said, is to improve eye and brain reaction time on 
the field and ultimately improve the Wildcats’ overall 
record so the team can make the Woman’s College World Series......

Friday, January 20, 2012

Teaching the brain to “see” via the tongue

Teaching the brain to “see” via the tongue

.....In a classroom or hushed movie theater, a friend may once have passed you secret messages by tracing out letters on your arm. Well, the BrainPort vision device works much the same way, says Bob Beckman, president and chief executive of the biotech company Wicab, in a recent article in the Washington Post—except instead of a friend’s finger tracing a shape, the BrainPort uses electrical pulses to stimulate the tongue. And rather than transmitting a clandestine message, it helps the blind to “see.” ....

VISUAL DISABILITIES: AN ANALYSIS UNDER THE VARIOUS DISABILITY LAWS

by
David A. Damari, O.D., FCOVD, FAAO

Read this to find out what your patients should be able to expect in terms of support.

Thursday, January 19, 2012

College of Optometrists in Vision Development: Follow Us!


Follow COVD  


COVD on Sovoto

COVD Blog

20 Creative Geniuses Who Were Also Mentally Ill

20 Creative Geniuses Who Were Also Mentally Ill

....Both serious academics and pop psychologists appear preoccupied over finding definitive links between mental illness and influential, brilliant creative output, with floods of studies attempting to make sense of it all. Whether or not such a connection genuinely exists, of course, will probably remain in the theoretical realm for the foreseeable future. One can certainly alter the course of human achievement without any sign of mental illness or distress. And, despite unfortunate, prevailing stigmas often painting those with psychiatric concerns as incompetent or incapable of accomplishing much of anything to their fullest potential, it is entirely possible to exist as both a genius and a troubled individual. Without the following thinkers, mankind would end up denied some incredible insight into the elations and despairs inherent to existence. To condemn them for the pain so many were both with — or conditioned into by external circumstances — is, in some ways, to condemn the species itself....

 Comments: Of all the areas that are taboo within our culture, mental illness is still at the top of the list. We do not talk about it, write about or even research very much about it. We do know that those with psychiatric disorders have been with us for a very long time. Is there a link between genius and mental illness....we do not know...We do know that there may be some oculo-visual issues however....Click on the link above to read about those who were both mentally ill and genius. DM 

Optometry & Vision Development

Read the latest and archived issues of 

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Some Experts Worried Over Revised Autism Guidelines

Some Experts Worried Over Revised Autism Guidelines

....In May 2013, the American Psychiatric Association will release a new, revised set of guidelines for diagnosing someone with autism spectrum disorder.....

 

Get ready for Optometry’s Meeting® in our kind of town: Chicago!

Get ready for Optometry’s Meeting® in our kind of town: Chicago!

 ....The famous Chicago skyline will be the backdrop for Optometry’s Meeting® in June 2012. Always a prime destination for world travelers, Chicago is called America’s hippest and hottest city for its exciting mix of art, fashion, food and fun.

While at McCormick Place Convention Center, optometric professionals can expect to see the latest technologies… new pharmaceutical research, paperless practice innovations, trends in contact lenses and frames, office equipment solutions and more. The AOA will also provide updates on government initiatives that can affect the way you practice.....

Comments: Read more about it by clicking the title above. There will be a special 3D Optometry's Meeting Theater that will host a wide variety of events related to all things 3D. I'm going to be there....you should too! DM

Monday, January 16, 2012

Illinois College of Optometry Digital ICO Viewbook


New Journal on PubMed:Dementia and Geriatric Cognitive Disorders

Dementia and Geriatric Cognitive Disorders EXTRA
    ISSN: 1664-5464 (electronic)
    Archive includes v.1 (2011) to current
    Note: There is no embargo delay for this journal.

Visualization Skills and Their Incorporation in Biology Curriculum

Visualization Skills and Their Incorporation in Biology Curriculum

Comments: This paper looks at those who have difficulties in various visualization skills and how it may affect performance. As 3D is used in the classroom, optometric vision therapy should be a viable treatment option for those with deficits in these areas. It is interesting that these authors suggest the teaching of visualization skills be a part of the curriculum. See abstract below. DM

Many graduates of various levels and disciplines appear unable to practically apply their knowledge in problem solving situations. However, few education systems are adopting modern education practices such as visualization skills that intrinsically motivate and engage learners and are at the same time flexible enough to consider students' aspirations and interests. Such systems make learning more relevant, meaningful and enjoyable to the learners and improve exit performances....... Quantitative data analysis ..... showed that the most deficient skills in the learners included pattern folding (projecting 2D material into 3D objects), orientation of form (identifying 3D objects that are oriented differently) and rotation (identifying 3D objects from top and front views). .... An educational computer game is proposed with the aim of ameliorating these problems. It is recommended that visualization skills should be incorporated into the Biology curriculum for all undergraduate students within the first year of the course.

Sunday, January 15, 2012

Autism: A Year In Review

Autism: A Year In Review 

......In the United States, we've seen a fifteen-fold increase in autism diagnoses over the past two decades. In fact, it's currently estimated that almost 1% of US children have an autism-spectrum disorder (ASD), while the rates in US adults are largely unknown. Autism is described in the DSM-IV, listed as a disorder usually first diagnosed in infancy, childhood, or adolescence. Autism is further categorized as a pervasive developmental disorder, falling within the autistism spectrum, along with Asperger's and PDD-NOS......

Comments: Read more about it by clicking the title above. DM 

The primary visual cortex, and feedback to it, are not necessary for conscious vision

The primary visual cortex, and feedback to it, are not necessary for conscious vision

A compelling single case report of visual awareness (visual qualia) without primary visual cortex would be sufficient to refute the hypothesis that the primary visual cortex and the back-projections to it are necessary for conscious visual experience. I..... Three patients with hemianopicfield defects (Patient G.N. and Patient F.B. with MRI confirmed primary visual cortex lesions, Patient C.G. with an inferred lesion) underwent detailed psychophysical testing in their blind fields. Visual stimuli were presented at different velocities and contrasts in two- and four-direction discrimination experiments and the direction of motion and awareness reported using a forced-choice paradigm. ......Although the blind field experience of all three subjects was degraded, it was clearly visual in nature. We conclude that the primary visual cortex or back-projections to it are not necessary for visual awareness.....

Comments: Get full free pdf by clicking on the title above. DM

Chicago Concussion Coalition Super Weekend










Saturday, January 14, 2012

3D Technology: Increasing the Need for Optometric Vision Therapy3D Technology: Increasing the Need for Optometric Vision Therapy


3D Technology: Increasing the Need for Optometric Vision Therapy

by Toni Bristol

The use of 3D technology is growing exponentially. People who may have been able to ‘get by’ and adapt to life without depth perception or intermittent depth perception, are discovering they have a problem. When they go to their eye doctor what treatment options will be presented? Who will their eye doctor refer them to for optometric vision therapy? ....

Private Practice Residency

 Residency in Vision Therapy and Vision Rehabilitation in a Private Practice

Appelbaum Eye Care Associates, PC
6509 Democracy Blvd. 133 Defense Highway Suite 113
Bethesda, Maryland 20817 Annapolis, Maryland 21401
301-897-8484 301-897-8484




Program Supervisor: Dr. Stan Appelbaum
Email: eyepower2@gmail.com

 Please contact Dr. Appelbaum to schedule an interview
 Residency begins each year on the first day of July
 Interviews are scheduled throughout the year

The goal of this Southern College of Optometry Residency Program is to give graduate Optometrists
additional opportunities to expand their clinical knowledge and skills.

Description of Program: The program emphasizes the diagnosis and treatment of binocular vision and visual perceptual disorders. The resident will gain extensive experience in Vision Therapy for Adults and Children, Vision Improvement Programs, Pediatrics, Primary Care, Special Testing, Infants Vision, Head Trauma/Rehabilitation, Children with Special Needs, Therapeutic Lenses, Contact Lenses and Low Vision.

Location of the Residency: Bethesda and Annapolis, Maryland
Number of Positions: 1 Application Deadline: February 1
Accreditation: Accredited by The Accreditation Council of Optometric Education (ACOE)
Use ORMS Matching Service: Yes contact: www.optometryresident.org

For additional information contact:
Dr. Cheryl Ervin
Director of Residency Programs
Southern College of Optometry
1245 Madison Avenue
Memphis, T2 38104-2218
901-722-3201 www.sco.edu
cervin@sco.edu

Stanley A. Appelbaum OD, FCOVD
Board Certified in Vision Therapy by
the College of Optometrists in Vision Development
6509 Democracy Blvd.
Bethesda, Maryland 20817
--
133 Defense Highway Suite 113
Annapolis, Maryland 21401
301-897-8484 www.visionhelp.com
eyepower2@gmail.com

NeurologyAdvance Online

NeurologyAdvance Online: Check it out!

Learn Street Skateboarding through 3D Simulations of Angle Rotations

Learn Street Skateboarding through 3D Simulations of Angle Rotations    
Learning physical activities such as sports and games is expensive and time-consuming. A common advice is "repetition makes perfection," which implies that wrong actions must soon be noticed and avoided. ...... A computer software application allows a user to see an object through a three dimensional experience by rotating the object. We adopt this technique to introduce a 3D medium that allows its user to view how skateboarding tricks are done. S...... User test results show that using the software is a more effective means to learn skateboarding compared to watching a video demonstration. .... the 3D simulation application could be used to learn other sports and games, since most of them show a repeated hand-stroke, leg movement, or jumping posture. The approach discussed in this paper opens a venue to learn sports and games in a more interactive, efficient, and cost-effective way...                                                                                     Comments: If this 3D training tools works for sports....can you imagine what would happen if we used it for optometric vision therapy? DM
                      
 
  

Friday, January 13, 2012

AN EXPLORATORY STUDY: PROLONGED PERIODS OF BINOCULAR STIMULATION CAN PROVIDE AN EFFECTIVE TREATMENT FOR CHILDHOOD AMBLYOPIA

AN EXPLORATORY STUDY: PROLONGED PERIODS OF BINOCULAR STIMULATION CAN PROVIDE AN EFFECTIVE TREATMENT FOR CHILDHOOD AMBLYOPIA

This study explored the potential for treating childhood amblyopia with prolonged periods of binocular stimulation.Strabismic, anisometropic and strabismic and anisometropic amblyopes participated in a dichoptic perceptual learning task (AKA vision therapy). A statistically significant improvement in the mean visual acuity of the amblyopic eye was noted. Stereopsis was seen for the first time in 3 subjects. The vision therapy/perceptual learning therapy use improved both monocular VA and depth perception. 

Comment: Optometrists, especially developmental optometrists, have long used binocular optometric vision therapy as an integral part of treating amblyopia (lazy eye). This research supports this methodology of treatment and demonstrates that amblyopia is a binocular vision problem and not just a problem with the clarity of vision (visual acuity). All eye care professionals should use binocular vision therapy to improve not only visual acuity but also depth perception and other visual perceptual, visual spatial, accommodative (focusing), oculomotor and all other vision processing deficits associated with amblyopia. To find a doctor who can help diagnose and treat amblyopia please go to the College of Optometrists in Vision Development, Optometric Extension Program Foundation, American Optometric Association, American Academy of Optometry and the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry websites. Click here for more info on amblyopia. See also: Help Your Patients See 3D and Identifying Binocular Vision Disorders. DM

 

Computer Tips and Tricks


Computer Tips and Tricks
by Christopher Grant

As an Information Technology (IT) Services provider to the Healthcare industry, we receive calls and emails every day relating to computer issues from prospective clients. After a brief conversation, we find that some of the issues could have been resolved by the callers themselves. The calls range from very simple preventative maintenance activities, to
complex issues such as dealing with viruses, malware, spyware,
computers running slowly, and many other important and potentially devastating problems.
Don’t get me wrong, Grant-Tech LLC is in business to make a  rofit and are always available
to assist our clients with technology issues. There are some things, however, you can do yourself and at the same time save some money while keeping your computers in “Tip Top Shape.” This will keep your computers available to you and your staff when you need them most.
...

Comments: To read more click on the title above. DM

Glasses, Patching Work for Rogue Form of Lazy Eye


Glasses, Patching Work for Rogue Form of Lazy Eye

Pang Y, et al "A prospective pilot study of treatment outcomes for amblyopia associated with myopic anisometropia" Arch Ophthalmol 2012; DOI: 10.1001/archopthalmol.2011.1203. 

I am very proud of my ICO colleagues, Yi Pang, MD, OD, PhD; Christine Allison, OD; Kelly A. Frantz, OD; Sandra Block, OD, MEd; and Geoffrey W. Goodfellow, OD. What a great paper! 

Both refractive correction and patching significantly improved the VA of the amblyopic eye associated with myopic anisometropia, with 88% of participants' eyes improving 2 lines or more. Further improvement in VA was observed when patching plus near activities was added to refractive correction and patients were followed for 16 more weeks. We recommend that clinicians treat myopic anisometropic amblyopia with refractive correction and patching plus near activities.

DM