In Contact - November 2007

RGPs Rule Reprise

As you know I'm a bit of an RGP fan. Freak, some would say.
Unlike Efron - who gleefully predicts and promotes RGPs demise - there are others like me out there.
Edward Bennett is one of them. Ed, an academic and clinician is the flag flying executive director of the GP lens institute. He works tirelessly in the education and promotion of RGPs. The GPLI website recently underwent a revamp. It's looking good. there's plenty to whet your appetite with many useful resources including cases, NaFl patterns, technical info, bitoric calculators and heaps more. We continue to see excellent results after decades of RGP wear. Ever improving computer aided design and manufacturing options results in some remarkably sophisticated, repeatable designs. We can more effectively and accurately correct most complex corneas with ever improving comfort, edges, surfaces and oxygen transmission. Optics and vision are almost always superior to soft lenses.
Patient loyalty is unparalleled. Take note.

Matrix

The IER has released their version of a ?staining grid?. Dubbed the Matrix it looks at Solution-Induced Corneal Staining [SICS]. Download and unzip the file which contains good NaFl explanatory images and grid-like tables. As It's really a material-solution-corneal interaction I figure it should more accurately be dubbed Solution-Lens-Induced Corneal Staining [SLICS], or else some smart Alec will come up with Lens Induced Corneal Staining [LICS].
They analyse and measure, by different methodology to Andrasko et al, lens/solution and staining/time responses. There are some similar looking results.
Meanwhile Alcon have been instructed to use more ?friendly? colours in their version of Andrasko?s grid.
It all gets so confusing
As does advice regarding lenses, cases and solutions. there's much ado regarding case storage while lenses are worn: Wet or dry? Saline, tap water or MPS rinses? Caps on or off? In a damp mouldy bathroom or dust mite riddled bedroom? It's a crazy mess.
You know my advice?

HPCA Review.

The HPCA Act has a built-in review process. It's just started and due for completion by December 2008. Have your say.
See how at http://www.moh.govt.nz/moh.nsf/indexmh/hpca-review
don't miss the opportunity?

Ectatic or Ecstatic?

Ectatic: A term used to describe anterior ?bulging? of the cornea, often post- LASIK.
Ecstatic: A term used to define the mood of Springbok supporters after winning the Webb Ellis Cup?
Most know where I stand on these matters. If not check out the closing paragraphs of the past six editions of In Contact: - or ten years if you feel so inclined.
As to the ?All Grays?, I hardly need to add to the fray. It's all been said.
With much vitriol.
What about the sell-out immigrant Saffers that support the ABs against the Boks, you may ask? Some even refused to support the Boks against the Poms, based on some now irrelevant historical quasi-liberal nonsense.
They know the punishment?
On the other hand the French vs English brought up memories of Agincourt and for the staunch Afrikaners it was part payback for the British concentration camps of the Anglo-Boer war.
In summary take heed of Kirwan?s mate; ?Harden up? and I'd add zipppit, put yer backs into it and don't disappoint me in 2011. I'd like to see the IRB number one, RWC cup holder Boks and ABs in the final at Eden Park. Assuming Banks and Clark don't screw it up. Never mind the fans!
Of course the All Blacks have yet to win a world cup with the Springboks competing. 2011 is their chance to prove they?re capable and not just a load of hot air.
The POHMs were mostly good competitors and good sports, especially the one?s we watched the game with at Fox?s Ale House at Auckland?s Viaduct.
The same good sportsmanship was sorely lacking from many local chokers?
Actions speak louder than words.

A Good Year

It's been a good year. A trip to present in Las Vegas at the GKC, followed by some great skiing at Snowbird, Utah in January set the scene. The CCLS conference in Queenstown followed in March, with a few trips to Oz since, most recently to speak at the ICLC.
On the sporting front my Pretoria Bulls, took the Super 14. The ABs managed to get the Tri Nations. [In the spirit of embracing Henry?s rest and rotation policy Jake White sent his third team downunder]. Home team Auckland took the Air NZ Cup, undefeated I might add.
Of course that was eclipsed the same weekend by Pretoria Boys High School old-boy, Captain John SmIt's Boks unbeaten rise to take the RWC. Like man of the match Matfield he too was born in Pietersburg [now Polokwane].
It must be something in the water?
I?ll pass through Polokwane, mid-November when we head up to the far north for some R&R. I?ll drink some of the local water.
What the hell, I?ll eat some biltong too.
Just in case.
Os du Randt, the only Bok to play in the RWC winning ?95 side, deserves a special mention. At 35, he used every morsel of his considerable bulk and experience and managed a full eighty minutes in his last game. Goodonyamate. As for Percy, I've finally forgiven him for all his chokes of old. He handled all sorts of pressure with aplomb and even survived a dirty shove in the back, vaulted an advertising board, totalled a TV camera and got right back into it. Of course we always knew Schalk was a real man. The Safari Ferrari, Habana deservedly earned the IRB Player of the year award after equalling Jonah?s record eight tries.
Nice work boys. All of you!
The same weekend Hamilton added to the Poms woes with a small but critical mistake: His second in as many races. They cost Hamilton a history making first ever rookie world championship F1 crown. McLaren?s driver policies, spy drama and infighting cost them and both their drivers the title, including my man Alonso. McLaren don't even show up on the manufacturers table as part punishment for the espionage saga.
Good on Kimi Raikkonen, he deserves the F1 title. he's been rated by many as the fastest driver for years. His six wins this year prove it. With a little help from team tactics, Ferrari and Raikkonen sneaked up and took both titles. Nicknamed the Iceman, he's a quiet guy.
He does his talking on the track.
Take note ABs.

 

For more information or any comments email Alan at incontact@optom.co.nz.