NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF VISION PROFESSIONALS

A P R I L 2 0 1 1

NAVP
S P R I N G I S S U E

ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS WE CAN DO WHEN SCREENING, IS TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE RISK FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH THE DIFFERENT EYE CONDITIONS.

GOING WEST!!!
The 2011 NAVP conference will be held August 3rd, 4th, and 5th in San Francisco, California. With opening remarks beginning at noon on Wednesday August 3rd and closing remarks ending the conference at noon on Friday, August 5th . The conference will take place at the Chancellor Hotel on Union Square. wwwchancellorhotel.com Phone: 415-362-2004. A rate of $125.00 per night has been secured for attendees. Deadline for this low rate is July 5th. The rate includes the weekend. April Nakayoshi MPH, Program director/ Prevent Blindness Northern California is the hostess and she can be reached at: ANakayoshi@eyeinfo.org or at 1388 Sutter St. Suite 408, San Francisco, CA 94109. April has put together an All Star list of speakers and topics.
Golden Gate Bridge

Mark Twain said the coldest winter he ever spent was summer in San Fran! So do bring a jacket or sweater for evenings. Cable cars go right in front of the hotel and the hotel is close to great shopping, galleries and theater. Plan to stay an extra day and take in the Golden Gate Park, The Japanese Tea house in Golden Gate, Fishermen's Warf and China Town just to name a few.

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Risk Factors are Important

The Missouri Lions Eye Research Vision Screening team recently had a glaucoma screening at the Harley Davidson motorcycle plant in Kansas Citywhat a thrill. No free rides though. An employee of 60 years old was screened and his eye pressures were within the normal range. He had not had an eye exam in nearly 3 years as he said his vision seemed good and he had not noticed any changes. BUT he was African American, his sister and mother had glaucoma and he was 60. So we promptly pointed out that he had 3 of the 4 risk factors of Glaucoma and encouraged him to get a complete eye exam at the earliest possible date. One of the most important things we do at screenings is to educate the public about the eye diseases and their related risk factors. Almost all eye conditions have risk factors related to them. Take time to know what they are and take time to point them out to the people you screen.

Risk Factors For Glaucoma Anyone over the age of 60 Family history African Americans over the age of 40 Hispanics History of Diabetes

Fun Facts about the Eye

Your retina has 10 layers, but is only about as thick as a piece of paper. You dont see with your eye you see with your BRAIN! You average 6 blinks a minute or over 3 million blinks a year. Snakes can see heatwe can only feel it.

Your eye turns the light you see into electricity. The light waves we see are a small part of the electromagnetic radiation spectrum!!! Birds see more color than humans.

Only the cones in the retina see color

NAVP

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2011

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Age Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD)

ARMD is a chronic, progressive eye disease that causes loss of central vision. It affects the macula, the part of the retina that allows us to see fine detail. It causes no pain and usually does not lead to total blindness. There are two typeswet and dry. Dry is more common and wet is considered more advanced and more severe. important because there is treatment to slow the progression. Who is most at risk? As the name suggestthe aged. Those over 50, Caucasian, women and smokers are at the highest risk. To reduce your risk do not smoke, maintain a healthy weight and consume fresh colorful vegetables and fruits, keep cholesterol and blood pressure under control, and of course have regular eye exams.

Amsler Grid

Although there is no cure for ARMD, early detection is very

The Amsler Grid

The amsler grid is a simple black and white graphic chart with straight vertical and horizontal lines. The grid is given to the patient to take home and advised to post it on the refrigerator or a mirror where they will see it each day. The patient is to gently cover one eye at a time and look directly at the black dot in the middle of the grid. With out taking his/her eye off the black dot they are to ask themselves if they are aware that there are four corners, if the lines going up and down are straight and if all the pieces of the grid are there. They are then advised that if they see a wavy eye with either eye or if parts of the chart seem to be missing they should call their eye doctor immediately and make an appointment. Regular eye appointments are important in detecting early sings of ARMD.

Calling all Volunteers

The NAVP will be looking for nominations this year for new board members. Please consider running for an office. It is a great way to meet new people, take on new challenges and be part of something bigger than yourself !

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The National Association of Vision Professionals is an organization of dedicated professionals whose goal it is to help preserve sight. Please e mail Tamara Oberbeck with article of interest or education. toberbeck@mlerf.org

National Association of Vision Professionals

2012 NAVP Conference: August 1, 2, 3rd in St. Louis, Missouri

Visionpros.org

Our Board
PRESIDENT:

Linda Pinnell, B.S. Team Leader, Pediatric Vision Screening Program California-Hawaii Major Project, Inc. Office (951) 672-0667 Fax (951) 6720667 Vice President: Jeff Robinson, Coordinator Louisiana Lions Cubsight Program 825 Kaliste Saloom Rd. 111-100 Lafayette, La 70508 Toll Free: 1.866.CUBSITE Direct: 337.262.5312 Fax:337.262.5237 E-mail: jeff.robinson@la.gov

Treasurer:
Secretary/Newsletter: Tamara Oberbeck RN Vision Screening Manager Missouri Lions Eye Research Foundation 404 Portland St Columbia MO 65203 toberbeck@MLERF.org 573-777-8554

Michele Hartlove Executive Director Prevention of Blindness society Metropolitan Washington mhartlove@usa.net New Membership: Michele Hartlove 1775 Church St. NW Washington, DC 20036

SPRING