SC VISIONS Spring 2013

ALUMNI MAGAZINE

Raising the Bar–Together

I can say that SCO was the right choice for me. The doctors are here for one reason, and that is to make the students here the best doctors they can possibly want to be. It’s so refreshing to hear from our professors that they see us as future colleagues, and that they want to ensure that we are well prepared as future optometrists. Before I was accepted here, I would read about all the remarkable things SCO has to o� er. Now as an actual student, I am a witness to it.”

— adam YOUng, cLaSS OF 2014

empowerYour support of student scholarships is an investment in optometric education. Learn more how you can help us hold down student indebtedness and recruit top students through scholarships.

Call (901) 722-3216 or visit sco.edu.

empower

sco.edu | 3

INSIDELifetime of Teaching

Paying tribute to 40 years of service to optometric education. ..................................................5

Soaring to New HeightsAlumni and friends set record with SCO’s “Envision Our Progress” campaign. ..................6

Donor Focus ............................................................................ 8

SECO 2013 Celebration ........................................................ 10

Class Notes ............................................................................12

Ensuring SuccessThe Hayes Center for Practice Excellence provides valuable resources to alumni and students alike. ...............................................................13On Campus Focus ................................................................ 14

News Briefs ........................................................................... 15

Mark Your Calendar! ........................................................... 16

Look for SCO at these upcoming events…

April 25-28Arkansas Optometric Association Spring Convention

June 7-9Optometry Association of Louisiana Annual Convention

June 26-30AOA—San Diego, California

August 2-4Southwest Florida Optometric Association Annual Educational Retreat

October 3-6SCO Homecoming and Fall CE

October 16-20Tennessee Association of Optometric Physicians

October 23-26AAO—Seattle, Washington

October 31-November 3Mississippi Optometric Association Fall Conference

November 8-10 Kansas Optometric Association Fall Eyecare Conference

November 13-17West Virginia Association of Optometric Physicians

4 | SCOVISIONS

frOM THE prESIDENTRaising the Bar - TOGETHER

There’s a saying that few people get weak eyes from looking at the bright side. With that thought in mind, I hope you’re proud of what SCO has been ac-complishing lately.

As you’ll read in this issue, your effort has resulted in raising more funds in a shorter amount of time than at any period in our 81-year history. The re-sponse has been overwhelmingly positive to the campaign we launched a little over a year ago to strengthen optometric education at SCO.

Our graduates understand the critical need that compelled us to launch this cam-paign to strengthen SCO’s reputation as THE leading optometry college. Our pride is justi-fied, but that pride is tempered with some caution.

From my perspective, it’s no time to slack up now. With the finish line in sight, we can’t just wish or hope that SCO makes it to our final $4 million goal. We are off on the right start, but we have three years to go in this five-year process.

So while ALL of us do have the right to brag on where we have come, we don’t intend to spend too much time reflecting on past accomplishments. The more strength we demonstrate in surpassing our goal will send a message that SCO’s resolve to lead this profession is resolute. We will go the distance and never look back as we provide high technology classrooms needed by a 21st Century institution.

We will work harder at securing more scholarship opportunities, and in greater value, to attract and reward the most qualified students. And we will continue to lead our profession in providing the best possible clinical education, and in that process, continue to make a difference in the eye and vision health of the tens of thousands of patients who rely on SCO and The Eye Center in Memphis.

To those of you who have established scholarships and awards or sup-ported the construction and growth of The Eye Center, your support enabled us to reach this point in history. You helped us to see the bar raised in levels of philanthropic support.

Beyond our new campaign, we are making progress as we cultivate a new culture of giving, one that will allow us to maintain this enthusiasm and support year in and year out. I encourage those who have never given, or those who haven’t given in some time, to become faithful stewards of our profes-sional institution on an annual basis.

Make SCO a personal philanthropic priority when you consider causes you believe in. There’s still a lot of work to do, but I’m confident that we can sustain this positive momentum. Together, we will lead SCO to an even brighter future.

Richard W. Phillips, OD ’78, FAAO

vice president FOr institUtiOnAL AdvAnceMent

Kristin Anderson, OD

editOr/directOr OF cOMMUnicAtiOns

Jim Hollifield

seniOr creAtive designer

Susan Doyle

MULtiMediA speciAList

Erin Jaffe

MULtiMediA/grAphic design AssistAnt

Owen Bell

Visions is a magazine for alumni, faculty, staff, and other friends of Southern College of Optometry. It is published through the Office of Institutional Advancement. A digital version is available online at www.sco.edu/visions. Please forward comments, address changes, and contributions to:

Office of Institutional Advancement 1245 Madison Avenue

Memphis, TN 38104-2222 800-238-0180, ext. 4 901-722-3379 FAX

BOArd chAir

Jarrett A. Johnson, OD ’90

BOArd MeMBers

Eugene M. Bane, Jr., OD ’65Douglas C. Clark, ODJames B. Jalenak, Esq.

Brian Jones, MBAChristopher B. King, OD ’83

Martha Rosemore Morrow, OD ’74Sharon Berger Moscow, OD ‘80

Ryan H. Powell, OD ’02Steven T. Reed, OD ’95

James D. Sandefur, OD ’65Carla D. Sanderson, PhD

Robert W. Smalling, OD ’74 A. L. Spivey, III, OD ’67

Leticia W. Towns, FACHE Cristie Upshaw Travis, MS

FAcULty representAtive

Scott Ensor, OD ’01

stUdent representAtive

Stephanie M. Lew, ’14

sco.edu | 5

A Life Well LivedLong-Time Faculty to Retire

Thursday, April 4 wasn’t just any normal day at SCO.

Jim newman, OD ’73, entered the classroom to deliver his

fi nal lecture as an SCO professor. Hundreds of students and

colleagues were on hand to surprise him in an apprecia-

tive gesture to demonstrate their gratitude and love for the

difference he’s made as one of the college’s longer-serving

faculty members.

After 40 years, Dr. Newman is set to retire later this

summer. Over the course of his career, he’s taught roughly

half of the college’s graduates, or 5,000 ODs if you’re

counting. The impact he’s made on the lives and careers of

those alumni is immeasurable.

Dr. Newman notes that another long-

time faculty member is also retiring: Al schoen, OD ’72, who also serves as an extern-

ship preceptor at his practice in Mississippi.

Generations of alumni and current students appre-

ciate the lifetime careers spent by these faculty members in

optometric education.

As Dr. Newman recently noted, when he counts the

four years he spent as an SCO student, he’s devoted 44 con-

secutive years to SCO. In fact, Dr. Newman’s reputation for

caring so deeply about his students led to a new role late in

his career.

For the last several years, he’s led SCO’s Academic

Support Services. Coordinating the student tutoring pro-

gram, Dr. Newman served as a fi rst line of counseling

contact for students experiencing academic or personal

problems that could impede their success.

By monitoring all student grades and tracking student

absences, Dr. Newman played an active role in ensuring

SCO’s high standards. “So much of my time has involved the

students, so I’m going to miss those student relationships

the most,” he says.

Decades of experience gave him the knowl-

edge and insight needed to recognize and provide

the proper counsel to students who needed

his help. His reputation for compassion and

fairness led to as many as 20 students a day

visiting his offi ce for advice.

Dr. Newman says the biggest change

seen by faculty members who started in

the 1970s is the pace of technology. “I like

to remind our students, though, that even

though the technology changes, the patients

don’t. As long as they keep that in mind,

they’ll do well.”

If you would like to recognize a faculty member’s

positive infl uence on your life or time as an

SCO student, contact the O� ce of Institutional

Advancement to discuss opportunities to make a

tribute gift in his or her honor.

Call (901) 722-3216 or visit sco.edu.

6 | SCOVISIONS

The Best is Yet to Come:One for the Record Books

SCO set a new college fundraising record after raising more than $3.3 million by this year’s SECO meeting in Atlanta. Since formally launching the college’s “Envision Our Progress” campaign in 2012, the college raised $3,325,850, the most ever raised by an SCO campaign during the institution’s 81-year history.

With a $4 million goal, the five-year campaign was designed to support the college’s new academic classroom facility cur-rently under construction. The fundraising goal also includes support of the college’s student scholarship program and patient care initiatives to enhance the reach and quality of vision care in the Memphis community.

“We’re very proud of this accomplish-ment and the significant milestone that it represents in the history of our college,” said Dr. Jarrett Johnson, OD ’90, chair of the board of trustees at SCO. “Our alumni have responded to the challenge that we presented, because this effort will strengthen SCO’s pres-ence as a leading college of optometry.”

In his remarks at making the an-nouncement, James Sandefur, OD ’65, SCO Board member and Campaign Co-Chair, also thanked partners in the ophthalmic com-munity for their support, including Essilor of America for making a $250,000 gift to SCO’s campaign (learn more on page 10).

Support from the ophthalmic commu-nity has also included leadership gifts from the Marco Family Foundation and Alcon. In Memphis, significant funding support has been provided by the Assisi Foundation and the Plough Foundation.

“Talk to your classmates, and talk to your col-leagues,” Dr. Sandefur said. “We’ve come too far to turn back now when the finish line is in sight. We need your help in making this goal. We are raising the standard for optometric education.”

Interior webcams have been set up inside SCO’s new academic facility project. Check out construction progress via this smartphone link:

c a m pa i gn F

Oc

US

Make your gift today by calling (901) 722-3216 or by visiting sco.edu.

Work is proceeding on budget and on time for SCO’s new academic facility.

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recognizing the Commitment of Our Donors

d O n O R FO

cU

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’82 Graduate Views SCO as Investment in Optometry’s Future

“It’s a really exciting time in the history of SCO,” observes Bill Gordon, OD ’82 after he recently saw construction photos from SCO’s academic expansion project. “What better time to become involved?”

Dr. Gordon represents alumni from a generation that has watched SCO grow in stature and infl u-ence since their graduation. The fi rst optometrist in his family, Dr. Gordon was infl uenced to attend SCO by his own optometrist, Jim Strom, OD ’63, and Willis Hendley, OD ’82, an undergraduate classmate.

“When I came to Memphis, I didn’t know a soul other than a few students from my home state of Georgia. Memphis was part of my enjoyment of my time at SCO,” Dr. Gordon says.

Through his church attendance at Bellevue Baptist in Memphis, he met his wife, Charvie. They’ve spent 20 years together in marriage and in working together to serve patients at their Monroe, Louisiana practice where Charvie works as practice administrator. Together, they’re enthusiastic sup-porters of SCO.

“Charvie will tell you that whenever we’re back in Memphis, one of the fi rst things I want to do is drive by and look at my alma mater,” he says. “I have a love for SCO and she shares that. If it wasn’t for SCO, we would have never met.”

The Gordons support SCO’s “Envision Our Progress” campaign in part because Dr. Gordon credits the college with helping provide the foundation for his success. “I am appreciative of everything the school has given to me, so I want to give back to my profession and to my school. SCO allowed me to fulfi ll and exceed my dreams both professionally and fi nancially. SCO laid the foundation for my own

success in optometry and in life. Without my education at SCO, achieving my own dreams would not have been possible.”

Currently serving as president of the Optometry Association of Louisiana, Dr. Gordon says that he wants to see his alma mater prosper and thrive. “As I learned about the campaign and the new building, I wanted to be a part of that. I wanted to be a part of such a great undertaking and help make my school that I love so much even better.”

Dr. Gordon encourages other alumni to think of their education as an in-vestment that yields a great rate of return after graduation. “Optometry allowed

me to go places that I never would have thought possible. I’m honor bound to support the school that allowed me to prosper. When you’re supporting

your alma mater, you’re supporting the future of our profession as we graduate the new doctors and leaders who will

move our profession forward.”“Our profession and SCO will only be as

strong as alumni want it to be,” he added. “I am honored to be able to give back in a small

way to the school I love that has provided me so much. I am so proud to support the

school that has given so much to me and my future. I just want to continue to make SCO the leader in optometric education.”

“ Our profession and SCO will only be as strong as alumni want it to be.”

8 | SCOVISIONS

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Col. Dean Swick and Why He Supports SCOU.S. Army Col. Dean Swick knows service. From multiple tours of

duty in Iraq and in other dangerous parts of the world, this long-time Army Reservist has devoted a significant part of his 47 years to serving his country.

As SCO’s Director of Information Services for more than 16 years, Swick’s military service has frequently presented

opportunities for his civilian and military careers to intersect. Over the past year, he’s led two

commissioning ceremonies for SCO students launching their military optometry careers and served as master of ceremonies for Flag Day at SCO.

His enthusiasm and can-do attitude is particularly appreciated by SCO’s students. As a

post-graduate, professional program, SCO doesn’t have a football or other organized sports program

beyond intramurals, so students look for creative ways to exercise or enjoy outdoor recreational activities.

An avid mountain biker, marathon runner and hiking/backpacking enthusiast, Swick has led numerous biking trips, camping excursions and canoe trips, all informal yet appreciated by the many students who value his organizational and leadership skills.

More than a decade ago, Swick also helped organize and sponsor SVOSH’s first Eye 5k run/walk. A popular fundraiser for the student organi-zation, the annual event has flourished as SVOSH’s largest fundraiser and continues each fall, even in years where Swick’s tours of duty resulted in him keeping in touch by email from Iraq.

An Arkansas native, he commutes more than 90 miles to work each day. And if you still need evidence of his commitment, consider his phil-anthropic support. Swick generously supports optometric education. His leadership level gift to Envision Our Progress is $10,000.

“While deployed, I received tremendous support in the form of letters, care packages, and emails from students, faculty and staff,” he says. “The support from the SCO community and the understanding from the adminis-tration drives me to want to give back to such a wonderful organization.”

SCO’s students will make a difference for their patients when they graduate, he adds. “For years I’ve watched new students arrive, and they all are just dedicated young people who deserve our support.”

During his time at SCO, Swick has seen technology rapidly advance. He personally constructed the college’s first website, installed the first digital phone system, and led the college into a brave new world of email, high speed Internet connections, tablets, smart phones and technology not even invented when some of today’s students were in elementary school.

In recent years, Swick has led SCO’s effort into newer instructional technology. “When SCO’s tower was built in the 1970s, wireless Internet was unheard of,” he says. “We’ve had to look for ways to keep SCO ahead of the curve. Our students come to us from undergraduate schools using technology more than ever before.”

“ Everything we can do to support our students gives them all the more opportunities to succeed,” he says. “I’m proud to be a part of SCO’s work, and I know that my support helps provide the technology that helps our students succeed.”

From introducing programs such as Moodle to facilitate online academic support services and student-faculty interaction to classroom capture recordings via a system called Tegrity, Swick and his team will play an active part in ensuring that SCO’s new academic facility is equipped with state-of-the-art technology needed for modern classroom and laboratory instruction.

92%

of SCO’s employees made gifts to our campaign last year.

10 | SCOVISIONS

ScO O U t a n d ab

OU

t SECO 2013, Atlanta Featuring Our Campaign Progress Report

SCO’s annual reception for alumni and friends was one for the record books at this spring’s SECO conference in Atlanta.

In addition to providing a campaign and construction progress report via video, the college also recognized top donors and supporters for their role in embracing the campaign. Danne Ventura, Director of Professional Relations at Essilor of America, announced that Essilor was making a $250,000 gift to SCO. The college extends its appreciation to everyone who is supporting SCO, and congratulations to Darby Chiasson, OD ’99, who was formally installed as SECO’s new president. Visit SCO’s photo galleries to view more event photos.

Danne Ventura, Howard Purcell, OD, both of Essilor of America, and campaign co-chairs Jim Sandefur, OD ’65, and Jarrett Johnson, OD ’90

Rick Weisbarth, OD, of Alcon

Jack Schaeffer, OD ’77, and Jim Burke, OD ’77

Mark Schaeffer, OD ’11

Audra Steiner, OD ’00, and Steven Ritter, OD

Alumni and friends are invited to SCO’s annual reception for alumni and friends the evening of Friday, June 28 at the AOA meeting in San Diego.

Class of 2016

Tom Casella, OD ’78, and wife, Carol

David Foutch, OD ’87, with wife, Kim, and Richard Phillips, OD ’78

Alumni Council member Richard Durocher, OD ’96, and wife, Tarron.

Greg Russell, OD ’97

Sandra Stephens, Alumni Council member Terry Tucker, OD ’84, Beth Fisher, and Jeanie Snider

Steve Compton, OD ’78, with wife, Jane, and son, Alex ’16

Andrea Thau, OD, AOA Trustee, and Martha Rosemore Morrow, OD ’74, Board of Trustees Alumni Council Representative

Alumni Council member Horace Deal, OD ’97

Sharon Berger Moscow, OD ’80, with daughter, Michelle

Cheryl Ervin, OD and Greg Loose, OD ’06

Cary Vincent, OD ’78, and Richard Phillips, OD ’78

Marie Kelly, OD ’85, and son, Daniel ’16

Melanie Crandall, OD ’77, and her husband, Dennis “Mac” McMahon

Emily Sprague, OD ’04, and husband, Jeremy Tilley

John Casto, OD ’60, and Bob Crosby, OD ’63

Joe Ellis, OD ’86, and Whitney Hauser, OD ’01

Joel Byars, OD ’63, and wife, Helen

SCO recently introduced a new SCO app for iPhones. Available in the iTunes store, the free app features direct links to SCO news, student bloggers, and other information.

sco.edu | 11

Ashley Schuelke Reddell, OD ’09, with husband, Jonathan Reddell, OD ’11

Jarvis Johnson ’15 and Adam Young, ’14

12 | SCOVISIONS

C L A S S NO

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1977 Bernard sparks, OD, SCO Faculty, welcomed a new grandson, Judah Tyler Sparks, pictured with his big sister, Betsie Noelle Sparks. Dr. Sparks’ son and daughter-in-law are Judah’s new adoptive parents. 1

1982 timothy Underhill, OD, has been reappointed by Florida Governor Rick Scott to his state’s Board of Optometry. His term runs through October 31, 2015.

1983 chris King, OD, SCO Board of Trustees member, has also been appointed to Florida’s State Board of Optometry.

1996 richard durocher, OD, was recently named the Middle Tennessee representative to SCO’s Alumni Council.

1997 chris cooper, OD, recently visited campus to speak at a new one-hour pilot program on communication with patients. The lecture was sponsored by the Hayes Center for Practice Excellence and Johnson & Johnson Vision Care.

2000 Mark shirey, OD, was recently elected President of the Alabama Optometric Association.

2006 emily Whitman, OD, and her husband, Chris, welcomed a daughter, Joanna Emily, last June 20. 2

2008 Amanda trudeau, OD, married Steven Hatcher on February 27 in Playa De Carmen, Mexico. She practices at Total Eye Care in Sallisaw, Oklahoma.

Brandon Walley, OD, and his wife, Morgan, welcomed a daughter, Lila Kate, on December 20, 2012. 3

2010 Joy stone, OD, was recently promoted to Captain in the U.S. Air Force Reserve. She will serve as an OD with the 134th Medical Group in Knoxville, TN. Formerly a Technical Sergeant, she was recruited to the 572nd Air Force Band in 1999 and met her husband, Andrew, in the band. Captain Stone practices at Drs. Foster, Steele and Stone Family Optometry in Newport, TN. She’s pictured at her pinning ceremony with Colonel Cory Strobel, commander of the 134th Medical Group.

2011 Jessica dinwiddie, OD, and her husband, Chris, welcomed a son, Elijah Cade, on October 4, 2012. 4

sarah sweeney, OD, married Kyle dohrman, OD, on October 6 in Saint Marys, West Virginia. They reside in Carterville, Illinois and practice at Marion Eye Centers in Marion, Illinois.

2012 ryan dugan, OD, recently open a new practice in the Wichita area.

Justin Johnson, OD, and his wife, Haylee, welcomed Greyson Alma Johnson, on January 8. 5

INMEMOrIALJohn e. scott, Od ’48, died March 8 in Missouri.

david c. Farrior, Od ’50, died December 12 in North Carolina.

Arthur Louis, Od ’50, died December 11 in florida.

howard W. young, Od ’50, died January 21 in Texas.

Belvin g. dollins, Od ’51, died November 4 in Colorado.

robert A. White, Od ’56, died January 13 in florida.

n. gene perkins, Od ’57, died January 23 in Oklahoma.

Lloyd r. Morris, Od ’63 died february 19 in Oklahoma.

don Lewis, Od ’75, died January 18 in Tennessee.

eddie L. golden, Od ’82, died March 25 in Mississippi.

Alumni will be contacted soon by Harris Connect to update information for SCO’s new Alumni Directory to be published later this year. You may also call (800) 366-9394 directly to verify your information.

In recent months, SCO has enjoyed campus visits from Lisa R. Wade, OD ’84, Cynthia Baker OD ’83, Dan Crook, OD ’05, and Walter Rose, OD ’90. If you’re ever in Memphis and want to visit, we’d love to see you!

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Hayes Center Expands Outreach

When Josh McAdams, OD ’12, started at SCO, his brother- in-law, an ophthalmologist, began recruiting him to join his prac-tice in rural Show Low, Arizona. Even though he was practicing

with a family member and enjoyed a great relationship with his new partner, Dr. McAdams knew he still needed to take a business approach to the situation.

“I drafted a contract and had Dr. Jerry Eisenstatt at the Hayes Center look it over for any ideas that he might

have,” Dr. McAdams says. “During the last four months prior to graduation, I visited, called, and emailed Dr. Eisenstatt with many questions, and he was always more than happy to steer me in the right direction.”

Today, he still seeks input from the Hayes Center for Practice Excellence. Dr. McAdams recently discussed fair compensation for his portion of the practice’s newly built optical. “It’s great to have a second opinion from someone who has worked the business

side of optometry for years and knows how real numbers work. We learn so much in the classroom about the business portion, but until you get in the real world, there’s no telling what scenarios will arise.”

Since its founding at SCO in 2005, the Hayes Center has expanded its programs and initiatives. From helping students with career counseling to young alumni with placement services, the Hayes Center is actively providing valuable resources to students and alumni alike, including Dr. McAdams.

“The idea for the Hayes Center really was revolutionary,” notes Jerry Eisenstatt, OD ’84, Director. “A significant number of colleges across the nation are moving away from impersonal job fairs to one-on-one services tailored to meet the needs of the individual who has specific questions or needs targeted advice. SCO was at the forefront of this idea, to the benefit of our students and graduates.”

Services for AlumniThe Hayes Center’s services include a number of valuable

resources available at no cost to our alumni. “SCO’s investment in

you doesn’t end with your graduation,” noted Dr. Eisenstatt. “We’re committed to assisting and empowering you through your optometry career.”

Dr. Eisenstatt gives this overview of four primary questions that alumni can ask themselves – “If the answer to any of these is yes, then The Hayes Center can help you,” he notes:

• Are you hiring an associate?• Are you considering a partner?• Are you selling your practice?• Are you thinking about

retirement?

The Hayes Center’s website offers information about career counseling, video clips with alumni talking about financial matters, registration links to placement services, a reading room with articles by Hayes Center founder Jerry Hayes, OD ’73, and other resources.

“Luckily as students and alumni, we have a wonderful resource in the Hayes Center to allow us to flourish in our fields,” adds Dr. McAdams.

Call (901) 722-3332, email hcpe@sco.edu, or visit www.sco.edu/hayescenter for more information.

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“ It’s great to have a second opinion from someone who has worked the business side of optometry for years and knows how real numbers work.”

Several alumni serve on an Advisory Council that provides input and oversight to The Hayes Center.

14 | SCOVISIONS

On c a m p U S F

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faculty NewsBill edmondson, OD, and students erin Kindy, ’13, and

Addie smith, ’13, had their poster selected as one of the top posters at the recent Global Specialty Lens Symposium. dustin dixon, OD ’12, resident in Cornea Contact Lens Refractive Surgery, and dan Fuller, OD, faculty, also presented a poster.

paul harris, OD, presented “Oculomotor Innovations” at the Southwest Congress of Optometry meeting in Texas. He also delivered two lectures at the Kraskin Invita-tional Skeffington Symposium.

John Mark Jackson, OD ’99, MS, recently lectured on Team-Based Learning and also collaborated on mate-rial for optics courses at Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona, California.

carrie Lebowitz, OD ’06, has been appointed as the incoming Director of Academic Support Services. She is working on transitioning with Jim Newman, OD ’73, this spring and will officially take over upon his retire-ment on July 1.

chris Lievens, OD, MS, lectured at the Arizona Opto-metric Association’s Fall Congress meeting. Dr. Lievens and dan Fuller, OD, were recently inter-viewed by the ABC-TV Memphis affiliate for a news story about vision.

christina newman, OD, published an article on children and contact lenses in the Journal of Behavioral Optometry, volume 23, pages 145-148.

John sharpe, OD ’83, and Freddy chang, OD, MS, PhD, lectured at Southern Indiana Pharmacology Seminar. Dr. Chang also published an article, “New Drugs in the Ophthalmic Pipeline,” for a recent issue of Review of Optometry.

dan smith, OD ’94, was interviewed for a story, “Managing Pediatric Conjunctivitis,” published in February’s Opto-metric Management magazine.

Beth sparrow, OD ’98, heidi Fouch, OD ’12, and Lucas Bell, OD ’12 presented a poster entitled, “A Case of Unilateral Keratoconus and the Relationship between Corneal Ectasia and Chronic Eye Rubbing” at the Heart of America Contact Lens Society meeting.

glen steele, OD ’69, presented an original paper at the Kraskin Invitational Skeffington Symposium on Vision entitled, “Visual Hunger and Its Relation to Overall Development.” Dr. Steele also made a presen-tation about InfantSEE® at a recent Allergan meeting and represented InfantSEE® at the Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs recent annual conference. He also visited with Tennessee represen-tatives and U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander during a trip to Washington.

James e. venable, OD ’89, was one of five ODs in the country invited to represent optometry, SCO and the Memphis area for the next two years at the United Health Care Provider Advisor Panel Meetings.

SCO at a GlanceSCO is planning an Advisor Open House

in July to give college advisors a better understanding of optometry.

SCO often hosts online seminars about the admissions process for prospective students. If you know a college student who would like to learn more about SCO, suggest a visit to sco.edu.

Twelve SCO students became Student fellows of the Academy, the

highest number in many years.

SCO has welcomed Melisssa Hardage to campus at the new

proprietor of our fourth floor diner.

Nominations for SCO’s Lifetime Achievement and Young Alumni Awards will be accepted through May 30. Visit SCO’s website for more information.

Use of Daily Multifocal Contact Lenses in the Treatment of Convergence ExcessErin Kindy; Addie Smith; William Edmondson, MAT, OD, FAAO | Memphis, Tennessee

Background• Convergenceexcess(CE)isabinoculardisorderthatisoftentreatedwith

abifocaltorelievenearstress.Signsare—— Greater—esophoria—at—near—than—at—distance—— Typically—a—high—AC/A—(accommodative—convergence—to—accommodation—ratio)—— Low—negative—fusional—range—at—near

}Patientcannotcompensatefornearphoricposture

• Symptomswithnearworkinclude—— Asthenopia—and—eye—strain—— Diplopia—— Frontal—headaches—as—the—patient—attempts—to—maintain—single—binocular—vision

• CurrenttreatmentsforCE:—— More—plus—at—near:—utilizes—high—AC/A—ratio—to—relieve—some—of—the—patient’s—near—esophoria.——

} Flat-topspectacles:Currentlyfirst-linetreatment

}PALs(ProgressiveAdditionLenses)

}Multifocalcontactlenses

—— Base-out—brism}Relievesdemandonnegativefusionalvergence

—— Vision—therapy}Goalistoincreasenegativefusionalvergenceranges.

Purpose • Thepurposeofthisposteristodemonstratewithtwocasereports

theuseofdailymultifocalcontactlensesasatreatmentmodalityforconvergenceexcess.

• DescribingtechniquesinusingmultifocalcontactlensesforCE—— Determining—if—the—near—add—of—the—multifocal—contact—lens—is—being—used—by—the—patient—(Libassi—and—Edmondson—method)—— Unequal—contact—lens—adds—can—provide—relief—from—convergence——excess—symptoms.—— A—daily—wear—contact—lens—may—be—a—preferred—modality—for—children—and—young—adults—with—CE.——

Methods ProclearMFDailieswerechosentoattempttorelievesomeofthenearphoriaandsymptoms.

• Libassi—EdmondsonTechnique—— The—Response—AC/A—ratio—and—near—point—phoria—are—used—to—determine—if—the—multifocal—contact—lens—is—providing—the—plus—power—at—near

}Mostofthecontactlensesaresimultaneousvisiondesigns,soboththedistanceRxandnearRxareavailableforthepatient’svisualsystemtoselect.

}Unlikepresbyopes,non-presbyopesmayinadvertentlyutilizethedistanceportionofthecontactlensandnotbenefitfromthepluspoweravailable—verysimilartolookingoverthetopofaflat-topbifocalinglasses.

}Presbyopescannolongerdothis.

• Howtodetermineifpatientis“using”thepluspoweratnear—— Measure—near—(40—cm)—phoria—with—prism-neutralized—cover—test

}Donethroughdistancehabitualcontactlensesandagainthroughhabitualcontactlenses+1.00

—— Calculate—Stimulus—AC/A—Ratio} (Differenceofthetwonearphorias)÷(1.00diopter)=AC/ARatio

} Example: Phoriaatnearthroughhabitualcontactlenses:8∆esophoria Phoriaatnearthroughhabitualcontactlenses+1.00:2∆esophoria StimulusAC/Aratio=6/1 +1.00Daddshouldreducethenearphoriaby6∆to2∆esophoria

—— Follow-up—testing—of—the—near—phoria—of—patient—with—initial—diagnostic—multifocal—lenses—confirms—if—the—patient—was—actually—utilizing—the—near—plus—power—provided—by—the—contact—lenses.

}PutonmultifocalCL.Take—phoria—at—near—through—contact—lens.—If—it—is—near—2∆—esophoria,—then—the—patient—is—using—about—1.00D—of—the—plus—power—and—the—lens—will—provide—the—near—Rx—required.

• UtilizingProclear1daymultifocal—— Lens—design

}Omafilcon-Adailywearlens

}Center-nearasphericmultifocalwithabuilt-inaddofupto+1.00D

} Forthosewithgreateraddrequirements,plusisaddedtothedistancepowerofthenon-dominanteye(referredtoasa“boost”bythemanufacturer).

—— These—two—case—reports—demonstrate—that—unequal—adds—can—provide—relief—of—a—binocular—problem—that—is—traditionally—treated—with—a—bifocal—or—reading—prescription—over—both—eyes.——

• TwocasereportsarediscussedwiththefollowingmeasurementsthroughbothdistancecontactlensesandthroughProclear1daymultifocallenses

—— Distance—and—near—VA—— Prism-neutralized—cover—test——— Stereoacuity—with—Randot

Results• Case1:“Chrissy”

—— 23—YO—1st—year—student—in—professional—school—— Holds—reading—material—in—lap—— Reports—eyestrain—during—studying—

Habitual CLRx

Acuve1DayMoist8.5/14.2OD:-4.50OS-5.25

Multifocal CLRx

Proclear1DayMultifocals8.7/14.2OD:-4.50OS:-4.75

Distance VA OD:20/15-2OS:20/20+2OU:20/15-2 Distance VA OD:20/20OS:20/20

OU:20/15

Near VA OD:20/20-3OS:20/20-3OU:20/20-2 Near VA OD:20/20OS:20/20

OU:20/20

Stereoacuity 70arcsec Stereoacuity 40arcsec

Near Cover Test 12∆esophoria Near Cover Test 6∆esophoria

Near CT +1.00 6∆esophoria

AC/A=6/1

• Case2:“Erin”—— 28—YO—4th—year—clinician—in—professional—school—— Eyestrain—and—diplopia—when—reading—and——utilizingelectronic—medical—records—with——distance—Rx—— Sometimes—takes—off—glasses—when——reading—leisurely—

Habitual CLRx

AcuvueOasys14.0diaOD:-3.00-0.75x160OS:-5.25

Multifocal CLRx

Proclear1DayMultifocals8.7/14.2OD:-3.25OS-4.50

Distance VA OD:20/20OS:20/20OU:20/20 Distance VA OD:20/30OS:20/20

OU:20/30+

Near VA OD:20/15-OS:20/15-OU:20/15 Near VA OD:20/20OS:20/15

OU:20/15

Stereoacuity 70arcsec Stereoacuity 20arcsec

Near Cover Test 16∆esophoria Near Cover Test 8∆esophoria

Near CT +1.00 10∆esophoria

AC/A=6/1

Bothpatientsinthestudyshoweda

markeddecreaseintheirnearesophoria

whilewearingdailymultifocalcontact

lenses.Perhapsmoreimportantly,

“Chrissy”describedasubstantialrelief

ofhernearasthenopia,while“Erin”

reportedless“pulling”ofhereyesanda

resolutionofdiplopiaduringstudying.

Discussion• Advantagesofthecontactlensmultifocalsfornon-presbyopeswithnear

problems—— Better—than—“reading—glasses”—in—situations—where—a—patient—must—look—quickly—back-and-forth—from—near—to—distance—to—near.—— Simultaneous—vision—of—multifocals—assures—that—the—patient:

}Doesn’thaveto“search”forthepluspowerofmultifocalglasses}Doesn’thavetolookforseparatereadingglasseswhenneeded

—— Non-presbyopes—are—unable—to—avoid—using—near—portion—if—included—in—“simultaneous—vision”—contact—lens—multifocal—— Viewing—angle—is—better—for—computer—use—(straight—ahead—rather—than—the—downward—angle—required—with—a—PAL—or—flat-top)—— Cosmetic—benefits

• Possibledisadvantages—— In—some—patients,—spectacles—may—correct—phorias—better—than—multifocal——contact—lenses

} Spectaclelensesmayoffersomeprismaticbenefit

—— A—patient’s—visual—system—with—enough—accommodation—could—choose—distance—image—over—near—image

• Thesecasessuggestthatunequaladdsovereacheyestillachieveddesiredtherapeuticbenefit

—— Near—phoric—posture—was—relieved—by—the—amount—suggested—by—the—patients’—AC/A—ratios—— Stereoacuity—was—significantly—improved—— Patients—reported—overwhelming—relief—of—previous—symptoms

• ThisallowspractitionerstoconsiderProclear1daymultifocals,whichmayrequireunequaladdstogetthenearpluspowernecessaryforCEpatients(seefittingguide).

ConclusionPatientswearingtheselensesexperiencereliefoftheirnearsymptomsand

improvementinstereopsisthroughdailywearmultifocalcontactlenses.A

dailywearmultifocallensmaybeapopular

modalityforchildrenandyoungadultsfor

complianceissues.Patientsofallagesmay

prefercontactlensesoverglassesforcosmesis

orlifestylereasons.Basedonthesecases,

clinicianscanconsideromafilcon-Amultifocal

contactlensesasaviabletreatmentoptionfor

convergenceexcess.

sco.edu | 15

News BriefsSCO Earns Re-Accreditation; Dr. Phillips Appointed

SCO recently earned re-accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools-Commissions on Colleges (SACS-COC). The accreditation will last for 10 years, through 2022.

“The accreditation process is not easy, and I’m so proud of the SCO community for their hard work,” said Dr. Richard Phillips, president of SCO, who was appointed to the SACS-COC board of trustees.

Dr. Phillips will serve on a board of 77 trustees, meeting two times per year to oversee the accreditation of higher educa-tion institutions in 11 southern states.

SCO Students CommissionedThe U.S. Army recently selected three

students from SCO as recipients of the Army’s Health Professions Scholarship Program. A total of eight optometry students nationwide were recently chosen for the highly competitive award.

“To have three of those eight students come from one school is highly unusual and a great honor for us,” said Memphis Army Medical Recruiter Capt. Anne Marie Gildhouse. “It speaks volumes for the school and its program.”

Trent Gaasch, president of the SCO class of 2016, was awarded a three-year scholar-ship. Kyle Anderson and Kelly Bain, both in the class of 2015, were awarded two-year scholarships.

Colonel Dean Swick, SCO’s Director of Information Services, administered the students’ oath during a commissioning ceremony at SCO that was covered by two TV news crews and the local newspaper.

SCO Provides Care to Homeless SCO’s Community Outreach program

recently provided eye and vision care to 229 Memphis area homeless people as part of Project Homeless Connect, a program sponsored by the Community Alliance for the Homeless to provide access to medical care, legal services, veterans’ affairs and other important resources.

Held at the Cook Convention Center in downtown Memphis, the event marked SCO’s first participation with the daylong program. SCO’s faculty, interns and other volunteers worked in an elaborate process that involved checking in participants, performing a checklist of assessments and examinations, and aiding homeless citizens who lack access to the most basic care. The final totals showed:

• Full eye exams were provided to 173 individuals,

• Reading glasses were dispensed to more than 40 individuals, and

• Eyeglass prescriptions were filled for more than 90 additional people.

SCO’s participation was noted in a local newspaper and TV story.

SCO Board of Trustees member James Sandefur, OD ’65, talks with students during State Day.

Legislative Focus at State DaySCO recently hosted its fifth annual

State Day event as a group of state leaders and legislators discussed the importance of the legislative process and the need for students to become involved with their professional associations.

Dr. Steve Loomis, AOA Secretary-Treasurer, discussed legislative milestones in optometry, the changing role of optometry in healthcare delivery, and the importance of maintaining a strong optometric profession.

A group of current and former lawmakers spoke to students over two different sessions during a day of panels and networking opportunities.

Joining the lawmakers were numerous representatives of 14 state associations and the AOA, including nearly 20 alumni.

SCO’s partnership with the Memphis Grizzlies took eye and vision health information to sports fans at more than a dozen NBA games throughout the spring and winter.

The Greater Memphis Chamber of Commerce named SCO as one of its top ten organizations or companies to watch in 2013.

Shelby County Mayor Mark Luttrell is seen

talking with president phillips at a recent event. The mayor’s father-in-law is Norm

Stringer, OD ’49.

Industry partner Superior Optical has arranged and funded for SCO’s top-performing interns to travel to Ocean Springs, Mississippi to learn more about an ophthalmic manufacturing facility.

SCO’s partnership with Students and Advocates for Vision in Education (S.A.V.E.) mobile bus unit provided more than 800 children with services last year.

SOUTHERN COLLEGE OF OPTOMETRY1245 Madison Avenue Memphis, TN 38104-2222

RetuRn SeRvice RequeSted

Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage

PAIDMemphis, Tennessee Permit Number 151

October 3-62013 Homecoming/Fall CE Weekend

Save thesedatesOctober 4

New Academic Facility Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony

This year’s Fall Homecoming

event features a number of

exciting new programs, including

some CE classes moving to our

new academic facility on campus

and a Friday evening alumni

dinner at the Peabody Memphis

for all guests. Look for more

details online and in a special

mailer coming soon.

SCO’s alumni and friends

are invited to join us on Friday,

October 4 at 12:30 pm for our new

academic facility’s formal ribbon-

cutting ceremony. Our faculty, staff and

students will join us as we dedicate the

new building and the completion of our

tower’s renovation project. Immediately following

the ceremony, you’re invited to a campus barbecue. Formal invitations will be

mailed soon. For additional information, email alumni@sco.edu.