Q4 2024 Newsletter

Dear Colleagues,

It’s hard to imagine that the end of the year is already upon us!

It’s a time when we look back at what we’ve accomplished, what we would still like to do, and what the new year might behold.

Ocutech will again make a major contribution to Feeding America on behalf of all of our prescriber colleagues. I invite you to join us in considering your own way to give back to your communities to support those in need.

Low Vision Aids: An important option to lessen the risk of cognitive decline!

Studies confirm a compelling relationship between visual impairment and cognitive decline leading to dementia and even Alzheimer’s.
There are now a growing list of studies that show that vision loss is associated with a greater risk of cognitive decline. Here’s a link to PubMed with a listing of recent papers!
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=visual+impairment+dementia

So we can now make a strong argument to our patients, families, care givers and referral sources (and funding agencies) that low vision aids should be promoted not only to help with vision related activities but also as a way to lessen the risk of developing dementia.

There is also a strong connection between reductions in facial recognition, making eye contact, and reading body language as a dementia risk that can be lessened with bioptic telescopes.  This is a strong reason for bioptic products to be prescribed— not just for visual tasks but as an effort to lessen the risk of cognitive decline.

Staff Update:

Introducing Mary Pernell- Our new Prescriber Support staff member.
You’ve been keeping us rather busy this year and we’ve needed more help to serve you promptly and effectively.

She’s here to help you with anything you need help with, and perhaps you may have already had the opportunity to chat with her. She comes from a corporate background as a “Key Account Manager” so she has years of experience taking good care of her accounts.

Product news:

Introducing the SideSight:

A new option for your hemianopsia patients. Our new SideSight obstacle alarm device will vibrate to warn your patients of a potential collision. Easily attached to eyeglass frames, the SideSight monitors the 45-degree field of view on the non-seeing side and will increase its number of vibrations as the wearer gets closer to the obstacle. They’re lightweight, easy to demonstrate and there’s no learning curve!

It’s intended as a training device for newly hemianopic individuals, those with hemi-spatial neglect and possibly those with tunnel vision (especially for low hanging obstacles- as the device can be aimed upwards). It’s also been found helpful selectively for use by long-term hemianopsia patients (who have likely already adapted) to help them feel more secure when they go to crowded or unfamiliar places.

Here’s a link to the product page:
https://ocutech.com/ocutech-bioptics-products-overview/sidesight/

SideSight Drawing winner at AAO-Indy

We’re pleased to announce that the winner of the SideSight drawing we held at AAO Indianapolis is Jacquey Anne Julio OD FAAO of Las Vegas, Nevada.

This is what she told us when she heard that she was the winner:

“How exciting to see Ocutech innovating for individuals that are visually impaired! Like many of their other products, the Ocutech team is enhancing lives by increasing independence and functionality in ADLs! I am thrilled for some of our patients to see how the SideSight will help their day-to-day! “

Introducing the NEO frames:

You’ve been begging for new frame styles, and finally we’re thrilled to release the NEO Series of plastic frames in 5 fun colors—Blue, Red, Pink, Black and Smoke! There’s a compelling saying in the Industrial Design world that we learned from our engineer—If you can’t hide it, celebrate it! And that’s exactly what we’ve tried to do with the new frame options. We all know that bioptics are very helpful, now we’re making them fun and cool to wear, too! And, the new frame options are at no extra cost!

Contact us for a special price offer on the NEO sample kit.

Here’s a link to the NEO frames information on the website:
https://ocutech.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PRINT_NeoFrame_OCU-1.pdf

Chemistrie Clip Filter option:

Many of our prescribers have suggested that we offer the Chemistrie magnetic filter clip attachment option. And, we’ve listened!

We can now make them to fit all our products. Here’s a photo of it mounted on a SightScope.

Our Starter Kit special pricing offer continues!

(50% off- now $875 rather than $1750) has been very popular, and we are happy to be able to continue the special one-time per practice location offer through January 31, 2025!

The kit includes the three most frequently prescribed Ocutech bioptics (4x Sport-II, 3x Explorer, 2.2x SightScope on a demonstrator clip and a pair of +2 Reading Caps for the SightScope). These three products will likely cover about 80% of your patient prescriptions and you can extrapolate for higher powers without having to have every power version in your office. There’s not much time left, so don’t wait!

Contact Mary Pernell, Tina Woods or Cindy Powers to place your order.

Are you registered on The Vision Council’s Low Vision Prescriber Network (LVPN)?

As you may know, the Vision Council (TVC) sponsors an active Low Vision Information website which also includes the LVPN prescriber finder. The site averages over 400 visitors a month and an average of 300 searches for low vision care providers nationwide every month. If you are not listed on the prescriber network you can sign up here.

The Vision Council “Print Shop” contains all sorts of practice management and marketing materials designed to support the low vision practitioner at discounted rates!

There is no charge to join the LVPN so check whether you are listed, and if not submit your listing right away!

Wishing you all a safe and joyous holiday season and
look forward to connecting next year!

Henry

Henry A. Greene, OD, FAAO

Co-founder and President

OCUTECH, Inc.