What's New 2012
Welcome to our Winter Newsletter! We know that our patients are very keen to know what is new, so we wanted to let you know about the latest innovations that have come to practice and the news from our team.
Our Eye Exam Becomes Even More Extensive!
As you may know, here at N F Burnett Hodd we have always prided ourselves on having the latest technology to assess your eye health. We have machines that assess your risk of glaucoma and also those that can definitively say whether or not you have Age Related Macular Degeneration. With these machines we often discover things that wouldn’t be found in a standard eye examination.
The Optomap
Now, for all of our patients, we are also including the Optos Peripheral Retinal Test as part of the eye examination. The Optos uses laser technology to reach right out to the edges of the retina, giving an image of far more of the retina than a normal camera. We have already discovered retinal detachments and tears before there were symptoms allowing early sight saving treatment. If you have not had an Optos before, expect to have one the next time we see you.
Contact Lens News
As well as being specialists in your eye health we are also world, renowned experts in contact lenses. We are always seeking out new contact lens designs and materials to fit your eyes and your visual needs better!
Here are details of just a few of our latest products that might interest you:
Patients with astigmatism have always found themselves at a disadvantage when it comes to contact lenses as there is not a lot of choice out there, especially when it comes to soft lenses. However this year has seen the arrival of some very new and exciting lenses for them.
Firstly, the first ever silicon hydrogel daily disposable lens for astigmatism has been launched by a British company called Sauflon. Silicon hydrogel is the latest lens material that lets almost as much oxygen through to the eye as when there is no lens at all. This means that the eye remains whiter and the contact lenses can be worn longer, sometimes even overnight. We expect other contact lens companies to launch rival products in 2012.
Duette Hybrid Contact lens
Perhaps an even more exciting innovation for those with astigmatism is the Duette hybrid contact lens from SynergEyes. This lens has a rigid center that corrects most astigmatism easily and a soft, silicon hydrogel skirt that makes the lens extremely comfortable. We were the first practice to have this lens and we are now the first and only to have the Duette Multifocal, which offers those with astigmatism the chance to have a multifocal contact lens and dispense with their glasses most of the time.
For those with more simple prescriptions this year has seen the release of many new soft lenses. Some, such as the Purevision HD aim to give high definition vision superior to previous designs, whilst others aim to give increased comfort such as the Focus Dailies Aqua Comfort Plus. In the New Year we are expecting new, revolutionary designs and materials offering even better comfort than ever.
Duette Hybrid Contact lens
2011 has also seen the release of several more multifocal soft lenses such as Oasys for Presbyopia from Johnson and Johnson and the Biofinity Multifocal from Coopervision, with which we have had successes where everything else failed.
When you come to see us we will let you know if you are suitable for an upgrade.
Don’t forget Over-night vision correction
We often speak to patients who wish they could wake up in the morning and see, and also be contact lens and glasses free in the day. These patients may be suitable for overnight vision correction; this means they wear a contact lens overnight that reshapes the front of their eye correcting their vision when they remove it in the morning. The process is simple; we take a picture of the shape of the front of your eyes and the lenses to correct your prescription are computer generated and sent to us ready for your first 24 hour trial. Within a couple of weeks the lenses should be correcting your vision to the point where often you only need to wear them every other night. This is a very convenient alternative for all, however for young people there is also some evidence that it can slow down the progression of their short sightedness. The great thing is that the changes are completely reversible, making it a safe alternative to LASER surgery. Call the practice more information.
News from the Consulting Room
Kara Tointon
Many of you saw Mr Burnett Hodd on the BBC program “Kara Tointon Don’t Call Me Stupid”. Kara, the Eastenders and Strictly Come Dancing Star suffers from dyslexia. Many dyslexics suffer from a visual condition which makes words move or appear blurry, seriously affecting their ability to read. After the assessment, Mr Burnett Hodd prescribed custom tinted coloured spectacles, which often have a dramatic effect on reading speed and accuracy. You can see the improvement for Kara for yourself on our website. Since the program we have been inundated with dyslexics who didn’t know that their symptoms were not normal and often they have siblings or parents who also benefit from custom tinted spectacles. A dyslexia visual assessment takes about one hour and a half with Mr Burnett Hodd or Dr Caroline Hodd.
Miss Sophie Taylor-West continues to work at the prestigious Moorfields Eye Hospital in the contact lens clinic. She fits the most difficult eyes here at the practice and at the hospital and has become an expert in fitting very oddly shaped eyes. In the New Year she is attending the “San Diego Specialty Lens Symposium” where she spoke last year and she will also be speaking at the “Association des Optometristes de France”
Dr Caroline Burnett Hodd has recently taken charge of the Contact Lens Service at Croydon University Hospital. She also acts as a consultant for No 7 Contact Lenses providing training for optometrists in the UK and Europe.
In November she spoke at the Danish Optometric Conference and also ran several fitting workshops. Next
year Caroline will be speaking at the World Ophthalmology Congress in Abu Dhabi on Hybrid designs for complex eyes.
New from our Dispensing Suite
The Marma collection
Our newest addition to the dispensing suite is an exclusive Italian innovation called “MARMA”. Marma brings the latest spectacle lens technology to your sunglasses. Marma lenses are photochromic, meaning they go darker in the sunlight, as well as having Polaroid properties, which removes the visual glare from reflected light, thus providing double the protection and more versatility in different light levels.
These new lenses are much lighter than older designs when in their un-reacted state even though they go even darker in the sun than before. You can also choose from more tint options than previously, the standard brown and grey tints are being joined by indigo, green and amethyst.
Sports Aids
Did you know we could provide a visual solution for all of the following sports and hobbies?
Cycling, Golf, Skiing, Sailing, Swimming, Shooting and many more.
If you need any advice on how to improve your handicap or lap time please chat to the dispensers!
Why should I have an Annual Care Plan?
The majority of our patients are on our annual care plan. This pays for all of their contact lens appointments and eye examinations (including our complete range of tests to ensure the continuing good health of your eyes) in a year and also gives them a significant discount on their contact lens costs. It also means that if you have an emergency we will happily see you at no charge. If you come to see us at least once a year then this will save you money and give you piece of mind.
We hope you have enjoyed this newsletter and we look forward to seeing you at your appointment.
Caroline, Nigel and Sophie
Yours sincerely
Caroline, Nigel and Sophie