New Equipment Helps Detect Pressure Problems

You're all familiar with the so-called "puff test" -- that annoying little puff of air that gets shot into your eyes as part of your basic eye exam. The test is designed to measure intraocular eye pressure -- or pressure inside the eye. High pressure readings may be an indication of a serious eye disease called "glaucoma."

Trouble is, in about 30 percent of the cases, the puff test -- also called "noncontact tonometry" -- isn't sufficient to do the job. For patients with moderate to high pressure readings, more sophisticated testing often is needed to tell the doctor more precisely what's going on with a patient's pressures, and how the eyes should be treated.

Dr. Seger and Dr. Webb recently acquired a new device called a "pachymeter" for exactly this purpose. Using technology only developed in the last few years, the pachymeter is capable of measuring pressures more accurately and consistently than the traditional technique. Most patients won't need it -- but for those that do, the new instrument can help detect problems that otherwise might not be seen. As with all eye diseases, early and accurate detection can be the key to effective treatment.

What's an "F.A.A.O."?

You've probably seen the letters "F.A.A.O." appear after Dr. Seger's name on his letterhead and other formal documentation. Ever wonder what they mean?

Technically speaking, the letters stand for "Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry." The academy is a professional organization founded in 1922 to advance research and technical standards in the practice of optometry. It is recognized worldwide for its efforts to identify and promote the highest professional standards through educational programs, symposia, lectures and its prestigious optometric publication.

Becoming a "fellow" in the AAO is no simple task. To be considered, doctors of optometry must meet rigorous qualifications set by the academy, maintain the highest professional standards and demonstrate a scientific approach to eyecare. In addition, candidates must submit written case presentations and undergo thorough examination by a panel of leading doctors of optometry.

Any optometrist may use the O.D. designation (for doctor of optometry) after his or her name. Only a select few have earned the right to use the F.A.A.O. designation. Now you know why!

Dr. Seger is Patented!

Did you know that Dr. Seger is the proud holder of three different patents for contact-lens design? It's true. While a research optometrist at Dow Corning in the late 1970s, Dr. Seger developed an innovative lens design that better matched the shape of the eye's cornea than other designs. The geometric-shaped lens also featured a lower mass. He was awarded Patent 4,193,672 by the U.S. Patent Office in March 1980. Later, he improved on that design and was awarded a second patent, number 4,198,132, in April 1980.

After moving to CooperVision as Director of Lens Design and Clinical Research , Dr. Seger developed an ultrathin design for soft contact lenses that allowed more oxygen to pass through the lens. He earned Patent 4,820,038 for this effort in April 1989.