Appearing at a robot near you and vying for attention at your car window is the robot vendor (for a lack of a better word or an official title). We see them every day, jostling for position amongst newspaper jockeys; each nervously dodging the hurried traffic, eagerly selling an assortment of products, from coat-hangers, cold-drinks, cellphone accessories, bulk discount plastic bags, and the latest offering - your choice of sunglasses!

What's happening around the globe

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Damar Optical started in May 1996 with Martin as one of the founder members. This new, vibrant company eagerly entered the optical arena, operating from a small cottage. They got their first break in October that year when they landed the Roccobarocco Agency. That was the beginning of the journey for Damar and they have evolved into a well established and respected Company.

EVER DOMINANT IN THE LOCAL MARKET PLACE

Since his arrival here in 2002 Stefano Toffoli has been excited about and committed to - Africa.

Originally, religion was seen as the custodian of answers to man's quest to understand himself. Next, political ideologies entered this domain, utilising this opportunity to answer this eternal question in order to propagate a particular brand of philosophy. Later, both religion and politics competed aggressively to perpetuate their ideologies using science and scriptures in support of their beliefs. At times, it became difficult to separate the two, and this conflict for dominion over the hearts and minds of the people still continues today.

With psychological disorder rates increasing, the optometrist is faced with new challenges and sensitive boundaries. Functional vision loss (FVL) is a diagnosis of exclusion and describes a condition of visual dysfunction not attributed to an organic cause or sensory abnormality. FVL may manifest as various ocular complaints however ocular health functioning remains normal.

AMD treatmentoptions

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the leading causes of blindness. Broadly, AMD treatment can be divided into two modalities i.e., prophylaxis treatment modality and intervention treatment modality.

The Decay of Dk?

A SUCCESSFUL CONTACT LENS needs to provide acceptable levels of vision, comfort, handleability/usability and physiological response. The first three parameters are of primary concern to the wearer and are usually immediately apparent. The final requirement - an acceptable physiological response - is usually of greater concern to the contact lens practitioner and is usually of medium and long-term concern.

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"

It is nearly 4 years since Vision last had time to chat to Selwyn Moss of SDM and we were keen to find out what his feelings and those of his associate, Shaun Arnott are with regard to optometry today.

With the summer sun easing

up we need to alter our selling mindset for the next few months. A cooling in temperature must not equate to a cooling off of sales! That might sound simple but it's more complicated than you think. Shifting focus involves igniting the most powerful sales force within you and that's your passion and sheer enjoyment of what you do.

What are the growth possibilities for the optical industry in the years ahead. Will the industry grow and by how much annually. Overall consumer retail sales in apparel and household goods have been growing at around 15% over the last 12 months and this takes into considerations price reductions through the strengthening of the rand. So unit sales are up consumers are buying more stuff more often. How much in units or stuff did your practice grow at the same time?

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.

In the past, cataract surgery was a highly risky and traumatic procedure. Without the surgery blindness was assured. Therefore, cataract was a "dread" diagnosis feared by all patients.

NOTE:  This article is intended as a review of practitioners of the sections discussed within. Part III will deal with the fitting procedures. The figures are referenced in the paragraphs preceding them.

In very early cases we can correct regular astigmatism and very low amounts of irregular astigmatism with the best possible spectacle correction. However, if there is significant anisometropia and/or very high astigmatism, it may be difficult to maintain clear comfortable binocular vision through a spectacle correction only.

We all start the year with well-meaning, if at times unattainable, new year resolutions. Hopefully these Ten Optical Resolutions will prove to be easier than downing those eight glasses of water or staying off chocolate for three months or doing a 40 minute workout while trying not to yell at the kids! It's all in the name of expanding our vision.

Moving with the times

Having gone through a transition period, and having moved premises, Wade Miller has new brands as well as new staff on board to take Sightique to the next level."I have always had a strong and loyal customer base in the outlying and rural areas, which influenced the brands we developed and promoted. Now with new and exciting brands we offer, there is an opportunity to open up to the practices in the urban areas which will change the demographics of our business.""Kaos and La Matta, which are designed and manufactured in Germany, offer the optometrist colour, colour and more colour. We decided to run with these two brands in order to brighten up the selection available to consumers.

Across town Irwin Schaffer remains in the existing premises, now effectively branded with his new company name and logo - Eye Squared Optics. Seemingly inspired with new energy, Irwin too is putting the past behind him, rolling up his sleeves and getting down to business.

On the 5th of August 2004 the Health Minister, threw a challenge to private health care, by announcing the Health Charter initiative. The South African Optometric Association was invited to the meeting. The Minister's approach to the Optometry must seen in a positive light, and has allowed the profession an invaluable opportunity to assist in bringing affordable, accessible, sustainable and equitable eye care for all South Africans.

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.

"The market is going to grow without a doubt and Safilo is on the right track to support this growth. I believe the more stable economic and political picture will create a really meaningful middle market. Stability will offer true benefits, one will be able to plan and project much more reliably for instance."Increased international interest and opportunities such as the soccer World Cup all help to develop the market creating huge opportunities."Safilo will continue to launch fashion focussed, licensed products backed by our established infrastructure. We will continue to support and encourage growth through applying effective business principles, backed by aggressive and superior marketing."

Is there an ideal lens for computer use for presbyopia?

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.

Sola International and Carl Zeiss eyeglass business have announced a merger set for completion in the first quarter of 2005. Zeiss' management see this merger as providing a major contribution to the service capabilities of Sola's global network of Rx labs, creating more added value. With projected sales of Euro - 275m during 2004, Zeiss' eyeglass turnover is approximately half that of Sola International, who will produce revenues in the region of Euro-524m, however this merger will position the new company 2nd or 3rd largest global player in this sector with projected revenues of Euro-800m and will have a combined global personnel of over 9 500.