Later this month, Optometric Management will celebrate an unprecedented milestone: the publication of the 1,000^th “Tip of the Week” newsletter. In 2002, Neil Gailmard, O.D., M.B.A., who was then chief optometric editor of OM, wrote the first “Tip”... and then continued to write the next 813 editions of the newsletter!

Passing the writing duties on to a team of worthy authors, Dr. Gailmard now serves as editor of the newsletter, which enjoys a long-standing reputation for mining a wealth of “gems” — practical, actionable advice on leadership, customer service, staffing, finance, technology, efficiency and much more.

If you are not already a regular reader of the “Tip,” let me invite you to visit optometricmanagement.com/newsletters/tip-of-the-week for a free subscription, so you don’t miss any editions, including a very special 1,000^th “Tip.” There, you also can view the complete archive of this enduring and invaluable practice newsletter.

AN ISSUE OF REFRACTION

Moving to this month’s edition of OM (issue No. 667 by my informal calculations), each of the first three features focuses on the theme of refraction, specifically:

• Myopia. In “State of Myopia Management” Dr. Mark A. Bullimore reviews the research on current myopia treatments, including spectacles, orthokeratology, soft contact lenses and atropine. Dr. Bullimore also acknowledges the speed with which research and treatments are being introduced. “This ride is moving so quickly that seatbelts are highly recommended,” he writes.
• Presbyopia. Dr. Cecelia Koetting summarizes the pipeline for pharmacologic solutions for presbyopia in “Getting the Drop on Presbyopia." With the growth of the presbyopic population (estimated at 1.1 billion people worldwide), “the introduction of more treatment options for this refractive condition. . . couldn’t come at a better time,” notes Dr. Koetting.
• Amblyopia. In “A Primary Care Guide for Treating Amblyopia,” Dr. Barry Tannen provides the steps needed to diagnose and manage functional amblyopia. By becoming familiar with research, clinical trials and related therapies, Dr. Tannen summarizes, “you can institute a plan to prevent and/or minimize vision loss.” OM