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Thread: 'Diagnosing and Treating Computer-Related Vision Problems' By Sheedy and Shaw-McMinn

  1. #1
    Forever Liz's Dad Steve Machol's Avatar
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    'Diagnosing and Treating Computer-Related Vision Problems' By Sheedy and Shaw-McMinn

    As part of our cooperative effort with Elsevier Science, Health Service Division, OptiBoard I am please to announce the third in a series of reviews of selected ophthalmic titles published by this company. The third book is Diagnosing and Treating Computer-Related Vision Problems By James E. Sheedy, OD, PhD and Peter G. Shaw-McMinn, OD.

    This title was reviewed by the distiguished panel of Pete Hanlin, Joann Raytar and Darryl Meister.

    We hope you enjoy these reviews. For further information and pricing on this title, please visit this page:

    http://www.us.elsevierhealth.com/pro...sbn=0750674040

    Please feel free to discuss this book with the reviewers and post any questions you have.


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  2. #2
    Master OptiBoarder Darryl Meister's Avatar
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    'Diagnosing and Treating Computer-Related Vision Problems'
    By Sheedy and Shaw-McMinn


    Reviewed by:
    Darryl Meister, ABOM
    Technical Marketing, SOLA Optical


    Sheedy, a noted expert on the clinical and visual implications of computer vision, has collaborated with Shaw-McMinn, a professor of practice management, to deliver one of the few practical, yet comprehensive books on diagnosing and managing computer-related vision problems. The focus of the book is twofold, with numerous chapters dedicated to either the clinical management or the practice management of computer vision disorders. The influence of these two authors—and their respective specialties—on the various chapters is quite evident. A broad spectrum of topics is covered to deliver a rather thorough work on the subject, including:
    • How to organize the computer workstation to achieve maximum ergonomic utility with minimal musculoskeletal discomfort
    • How to adjust workstation and ambient lighting to minimize glare and reflections, while improving contrast and visual comfort
    • How to prescribe, select, and design task-specific spectacle lenses that provide optimal visual performance to the computer user
    • How to attract new patients and generate referrals by establishing yourself and your practice as experts in computer-related vision problems
    • How to train your staff to deliver exceptional support in a computer vision practice during pretesting, lens selection, and other patient interactions
    • How to utilize the latest products and systems for diagnosing and treating computer vision disorders, including PRIO and task-specific progressives
    • How to treat pathological conditions that affect computer vision, with an emphasis on “dry eye”
    • How to diagnose and treat refractive errors, accommodative disorders, and binocular vision anomalies specific to intensive computer use
    After a concise discussion on the nature and prevalence of the problem, the book quickly moves into the “nuts and bolts” of computer vision management. Indeed, the book addresses virtually all of the fundamental aspects of the management of computer-related vision problems, from the initial refraction to workstation ergonomics, including spectacle dispensing and practice management. The technical concepts and the business aspects of computer vision management are both addressed in detail. In addition to thorough sections on the visual, optical, and environmental aspects of computer vision, the book provides several useful chapters on practice management and marketing strategies for successfully catering to computer users.

    The straightforward, practical approach of this book should appeal to all eyecare professionals interested in computer vision. Nevertheless, optometrists and ophthalmologists will find the comprehensive sections on diagnosing and managing the visual of computer users particularly useful, which include procedures for properly diagnosing anomalies of accommodation and binocular vision, vision training exercises, treatments for ocular pathological conditions, and much more. Opticians will appreciate the extensive chapter on eyewear for computer use, which includes a summary of the various lens options for computer use, an evaluation of the various “computer lenses” on the market, and a discussion of lens treatments beneficial to the computer user. Finally, technicians will benefit from the staff training exercises, clinical evaluation summaries, and pretesting procedures that have been specifically tailored to computer users.

    I appreciated the fact that this book was relatively easy to read, which should ensure that non-clinicians and ancillary personnel unfamiliar with the subject matter will also find value in its contents. The authors presented the essential fundamentals of each chapter’s topic in an admirably comprehensible manner, while generally refraining from the use of overly obscure concepts and excessive technical jargon. Many chapters concluded with a helpful list of “action items,” training exercises, and relevant clinical procedures. The book also contains numerous useful supplementary materials, including many patient handouts, numerous clinical forms, marketing ad copy, and several staff training exercises.

    As a technical marketing coordinator for a leading manufacturer of computer lenses, I appreciated the concise, yet thorough approach of this book. The authors obviously worked hard to provide the essentials of identifying and treating computer-related vision problems using a judiciously succinct and easily comprehensible approach, without digressing into the less critical and more obscure details of the subject. This book should become a valuable resource for any eyecare professional interested in prescribing and dispensing for computer vision, including optometrists, opticians, ophthalmologists, and ancillary personnel.

    Darryl Meister, ABOM
    Technical Marketing, SOLA Optical
    Darryl J. Meister, ABOM

  3. #3
    Master OptiBoarder Joann Raytar's Avatar
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    Diagnosing and Treating Computer-Related Vision Problems
    Dr. James Sheedy, OD, PhD and Peter G. Shaw-McMinn, OD


    Reviewed by: Joann Raytar

    Diagnosing and Treating Computer-Related Vision Problems is only 269 pages long yet Dr. Sheedy again amazes me by packing so much valuable information into such a short read. Whether it is a book or an article there is one guarantee in reading Dr. Sheedy's work, you will learn something.

    Diagnosing and Treating Computer-Related Vision Problems starts out offering statistics on the number of computer users both at the workplace and in the schoolroom. Dr. Sheedy and others took "surveys of Optometrists ( Sheedy,1992; Nilsen and Slibello, 1997) and found that approximately one out of six primary-care eye examinations is given in the United States primarily because of vision and eye-related problems at computers." This means that every active professional practice and every optician stands a very strong chance of dealing with patients who have symptoms of CVS every day.

    After reading Diagnosing and Treating Computer-Related Vision Problems, I have found that the only way to properly serve these patients, no matter if you are a professional office or a dispensary, is to learn about CVS beyond the prescribing and dispensing of corrective lenses. Office ergonomics, visual habits (not blinking at a computer) and other factors can greatly affect a computer users physical comfort. We tend to dispense glasses, progressive lenses perhaps, and hope the patient will be comfortable. We forget that many computer operating systems have accessibility solutions built right into them to further increase a users comfort. If a patient isn't getting a full range out of a lens for example, remember a computer user can adjust the text size on their computer. Adjusting the height of a monitor can help get rid of that end of day sore neck. Treating dry eyes and reducing office glare can greatly improve a patients' comfort..

    Dr. Sheedy also offers information on what tests have been done to link near and computer distance use with symptoms of myopia and hyperopia. He offers advice on when corrective errors should be treated with lenses in order to make individuals doing a great deal of near work comfortable. Dr. Sheedy also discusses corrective lenses and even discusses the drop to the add in progressive multifocals and the pros and cons of occupational trifocals.

    Included in Diagnosing and Treating Computer-Related Vision Problems are examples of patient lifestyle questionnaires that will enable the professional to determine if CVS is present and by what degree it is affecting a patients lifestyle. Diagnosing and Treating Computer-Related Vision Problems offers a basic guide at setting your practice up as a CVS specialty office. Even if you don't see converting your office into a specialty practice, this book still offers some great ideas that will easily fit into any office set up.

    Diagnosing and Treating Computer-Related Vision Problems is a book that all optical professionals should read. If you are part of a professional office or an opticians office, you will gain valuable insight and ideas from Dr. Sheedy's work. This one definitely gets a thumbs up.

  4. #4
    sub specie aeternitatis Pete Hanlin's Avatar
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    'Diagnosing and Treating Computer-Related Vision Problems'; James E. Sheedy, Peter G. Shaw-McMinn; Butterworth-Heinemann, &copy2003; 281pp.

    Reviewed by: Pete Hanlin, ABOM, LDO

    The very existence of Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) has been and continues to be the subject of much debate- particularly within the profession of Optometry. In fact, as Dr. Sheedy notes in his acknowledgement, the term CVS was coined by a manufacturer of diagnostic equipment. Given the origins of- and controversy surrounding- CVS, one approaches this work with the question: “Is there really something unique about the visual challenges associated with computer use, or is this simply a marketing gimmick for practitioners wanting to specialize in something other than ‘contact lenses?’”

    During the brief introductory chapter, it is speculated that “approximately one out of six primary-care eye examinations is given in the United States primarily because of vision and eye-related problems at computers.” If this is indeed the case, there is a lot of money to be made in the care of CVS patients- and the authors make every effort to show the reader how to get his or her share.

    This is borne out in the second chapter, which explains how the average practice can be positioned to care for CVS patients. Actually, this would be good reading for any practitioner wanting to review the customer service in an Optometric practice. Although the inclusion of what can only be described as marketing strategies in a book with the words “Diagnosing and Treating” in the title was a bit disturbing at first, upon reflection it makes a lot of sense. After all, even the most skilled practitioner can’t help patients who don’t come to his or her office.

    Chapters three through five are basically a review of refractive and phoric conditions that the average practitioner will probably skip over. However, chapters six through eleven present the “must read” material of the book. It is here that the particular visual characteristics of a monitor, the studies regarding eye and body positioning, and arrangement of the ideal workstation are discussed. The book’s concluding chapter and appendices relay information on how to become a successful consultant to businesses wishing to create better work environments.

    For a practitioner who either sees CVS patients, or wishes to see more, Diagnosing and Treating Computer-Related Vision Problems probably represents one of the more thorough works on the subject and should be read cover to cover. For the practitioner who has a passing interest in knowing the latest studies on CVS, chapters six through eleven are informative enough to merit adding this work to the practice’s library. Whatever one’s view on CVS, the sheer numbers of computer users out there dictates that the eye care provider stay abreast of the latest on caring for computer using patients.
    Pete Hanlin, ABOM
    Vice President Professional Services
    Essilor of America

    http://linkedin.com/in/pete-hanlin-72a3a74

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