According to the National Eye Institute, an estimated 16 million Americans suffer from keratoconjunctivitis sicca—a condition more commonly known as dry eye disease (DED) or dry eye syndrome. DED occurs when the eyes are unable to produce enough tears to continually lubricate the surface of the eye, which is important for clear vision. Common signs and symptoms include a gritty, irritated feeling as well as tired, sore, or red eyes. Patients have also reported experiencing itching, burning,...

As an eye care specialist, you want to offer your patients the very best in ophthalmic care, and that means outfitting your practice with the latest digital imaging equipment. However, like any new piece of equipment, a digital imaging solution is a significant investment, and you want to make sure you are getting the best return on that investment. Specifically, how can you be sure Medicare will reimburse you for the images you bill for? While it is true that Medicare reimbursement for...

Over the last two decades, there have been significant advancements in the technology used by eye doctors to examine and diagnose their patients. In particular, the development of the digital refractor (also called a digital phoropter) greatly accelerates exam time by automating the refraction process. For example, comparing a patient’s old prescription to their new one is streamlined to make the process quick and easy, saving doctors time and money and allowing them to see even more patients...

Myopia, or nearsightedness, is the leading cause of moderate to severe vision impairment and among the top causes of blindness worldwide. Here in the United States, nearly 30% of the population is affected by myopia, and across the globe more than 1 billion people are myopic. The condition, which occurs when the shape of the eye causes light rays to bend the wrong way, can make far-away objects seem fuzzy or blurry; this is considered a refractive error. The science behind refractive errors...