The phrase 'Low Vision patient' is not one many optometrists relish. It conjures up images of 'wasted' chair time, constant repetitions, and the requirements of an abundance of patience and understanding. However, very seldom will a patient specify that they require a low vision examination and so it is essential for optometrists to have basic knowledge of how to deal with such cases. This is particularly so, as while Low vision is taught at university, it is quickly forgotten or relegated to the far recesses of the mind when confronted with the daily dose of general refractions, contact lenses and such.

It is not uncommon to find the busy practitioner and student overwhelmed by research publications. Vision, in each edition, will present summaries of certain clinical research topics highlighting some of the most salient points. This will assist clinicians and students to keep in touch with the latest developments in eye care and related fields.

Eye Talk is an exciting forum where relevant and practical questions are posed. In each edition, five eye care practitioners from various parts of South Africa will share their views. This feedback will serve as an invaluable source of information, which will assist readers in formulating their own clinical decisions to suit their patient needs.

The response that we have had to the latest edition of CORE has really taken us by surprise. It is evident to us that optometrists are increasingly making use of CORE but more importantly the diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of the book. It has often been a major concern that many optometrists have diagnostic certification but rarely utilize the knowledge gained in the diagnostic courses. The complaint I often hear is that there is no additional remuneration and therefore there is no value to the practitioner.

The South African Optometric Association would like to thank all optometrists who have taken the time and trouble to attend the workshops and implement ICD-10 properly. You have done our industry proud! The software houses that wrote programmes, based on the rules we provided, also deserve an accolade.

A few years ago, it became apparent to all serious practitioners of iridology and sclerology that in order to be accepted by other practitioners and the general public that we would have to get our house in order. Unfortunately, because of the lack of uniformity and formal training in this country this proved to be a difficult task. There were practitioners who were using techniques taken from ancient and out of date books to people with the latest formal training and methods. The length of training varied from nil to years. Obviously for us to be taken seriously, we would have to set standards and institute training for those who needed it.

Jenny Ellis, manager of Essilor's Instruments Division in South Africa, is the first female to have been appointed to this position by the world's leading lens manufacturer. Vision chatted to Jenny about the establishment of Essilor SA Instruments, and how it has fared thus far.

In early July Luxottica confirmed their acquisition for about 20 million euros of the 79 store Xueliang Optical chain in Beijing, China. Up until recently their only presence in China was with 70 stores in the special administration area of Hong Kong. The Chinese market is huge and organised, and unlike the derogatory comments made by a reader in the last Vision, it does not operate from the "back of a taxi rank"