Clinical Papers

This paper summarizes the research and eye health content presented during the managed vision care track at the 2010 Transitions Academy. It includes insights shared during an HR panel discussion, and provides tips from panelists on strategies for communicating the importance of vision benefits to employees.

This consensus paper addresses cultural and linguistic considerations for providing vision care to culturally diverse groups, summarizing discussions held during a professional roundtable event sponsored by Transitions on April 20, 2009 in Washington, D.C. The event brought together experts from the general health care sector, along with eyecare professionals with experience meeting the needs of specific demographics, for an in-depth discussion on the CLAS (Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services) standards in health care. The paper identifies strategies for eyecare professionals to promote cultural competency within their own practice, using the CLAS standards as a guide. The paper also overviews the unique eye health- and communication- needs of the three largest, fastest-growing demographic groups: Hispanics, African Americans and Asian Americans.

Diabetes is rapidly approaching epidemic proportions worldwide, and the eye is one of the principal target organs of the diabetes disease process.This white paper provides an overview of diabetes with an emphasis on the importance of Healthy Sight Counseling for the patient with diabetes or at risk for diabetes. In addition to covering topics directly related to diabetic eye disease, this paper also provides a useful review of diabetes, the systemic disease, for vision care professionals, bringing them up-to-date on current trends in diagnosis and management.

A Roundtable sponsored by Transitions Optical, Inc. on Healthy Sight in Women and Their Children took place at SILMO on October 31, 2008. The discussion explored the many challenges in recognizing and serving these two important groups at risk for vision threatening ocular disease.  While there are many racially based groups at risk worldwide, women are almost always affected in greater numbers and with greater severity than men. This gender bias makes women a clear cut priority for targeting initiatives fostering Healthy Sight.  Vision problems in children differ from those in adults due to the nature of the child’s developing eye.  Early diagnosis and prompt appropriate therapy for any vision threatening disorder is paramount for this group, as is protection from ultraviolet radiation exposure.  This paper summarizes the discussion of the panel experts and shares their recommended solutions for addressing the concerns for women and their children worldwide.

 

This consensus paper addresses obstacles in providing quality vision care and vision wear to the U.S. Hispanic population, summarizing discussions held at a professional roundtable event supported by Transitions on April 30 in Washington, D.C. Authors of the paper share practical tips for overcoming language barriers and advice for how to better relate to Hispanic patients on a culturally competent and clinically informed level. The paper concludes with key strategies that eyecare professionals and the industry can embrace to make a positive change for the eye health of Hispanics.

This consensus paper summarizes the discussions from the National Association of Vision Care Plans (NAVCP) Member Medical Advisor roundtable, sponsored by Transitions Optical on April 18, 2007. The paper explores the challenge of educating consumers on the value of vision care plans, reinforcing the need to elevate eye care as an important aspect of overall health and wellness. The paper includes an overview of the presentations delivered during the roundtable - discussing the consumer-driven health care trend and highlighting participant observations - and concludes with recommendations for achieving a higher level of awareness.

While Healthy Sight Counseling is a methodology that can be applied to patients of all ages, certain aspects of healthy sight - such as the need for UV and trauma protection - are especially important for children. This clinical review paper provides eyecare professionals with a blueprint to achieve healthy sight in practice through comprehensive vision care, the appropriate selection of vision wear and patient and practitioner education. The paper represents a collaborative effort on the part of a panel of experts in vision and child care - including an ophthalmologist, a pediatric ophthalmologist, an optometrist, a pediatrician and an ophthalmic educator.

This clinical review paper, developed by a noted, ocular pharmacologist and textbook author, raises awareness of potential ocular side effects of many common medications as part of Healthy Sight Counseling. A diverse Editorial Advisory Board, consisting of respected ophthalmologists and optometrists, reviewed the paper to ensure relevance to the widest range of eyecare practitioners.

This paper, authored by Susan Stenson, esteemed educator and researcher and Transitions Optical Global Medical Director, provides a thorough introduction to the Healthy Sight Counseling methodology. It advocates incorporating quality of vision and ocular health concerns to generate a "customized eyeglass prescription," through its three components of Vision Care, Vision Wear, and Education.

This paper presents the findings of a community-based study which explored factors that affected eyeglass lens preferences among children. Nearly 9 out of 10 children preferred Transitions lenses over regular, clear lenses when factors such as visual comfort and peer acceptance were considered. Parents of the children were also surveyed, and the results are included in this paper.

This paper examines a number of factors that can impact patients' eye health and vision, including exposure to UV radiation and glare. It explores research into the consequences of unprotected exposure to the sun, and discusses how Transitions lenses can protect vision and eye health.

This paper presents the findings of a clinical research study that explored patient preference for lenses that offer glare protection. Patients preferred Transitions lenses with AR-coating over clear lenses with AR-coating for visual comfort and daily activities

This paper addresses the question of what truly constitutes good or normal vision, considering both quantity of vision, as measured by Snellen acuity, as well as quality of vision, which factors in both contrast sensitivity and glare.

This paper raises awareness of the need for ocular protection in children, covering the correlation of UV exposure to incidences of ocular conditions later in life

This monograph focuses on the latest research in vision-related quality of life, and details an independent study conducted at New York University in which patients evaluated their visual experiences wearing Transitions lenses versus regular, clear lenses.

This consensus paper is the result of a roundtable convened by Transitions Optical which included ophthalmologists, optometrists, and a range of optical and non-optical medical professionals and researchers. It advocates a multi-disciplinary approach to UV and glare education and public outreach efforts to increase awareness