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About EyeDock
This website began in early 2003. At the time I was working in a different clinic nearly every day, and I was continually getting frustrated that I didn't have my list of contact lens parameters or conversion charts handy when I needed them. Since I did have access to computer terminals at every location, I started to think about how great it would be to have that information online rather than have to remember to bring it with me or have a copy of it in every office.
After a number of fruitless internet searches, I realized that no such resource existed. I thought that the world wide web was sophisticated enough to have a database of contact lenses, but there wasn't one available. It seemed that there should be a tool that would allow me to look up lens parameters by any criterion I wanted to. And it should be fast.
Like most of the people using this site, I'm an eye care specialist without any computer background. I take that back- I did have a BASIC class in the 1980's (before anyone ever heard of the word 'internet'). This project, therefore, involved a lot of reading before it even got off the ground, starting with "Sam's Teach Yourself HTML". The more I read, however, the more I realized what potential there was to design a website that would make our lives easier.
When the contact lens database finally started to function I started to share it with my colleagues, former ICO classmates, and eventually the optcomlist.
Brian Chou, OD, FAAO , creator of the refractive surgery website Refrative Source, and I decided to collaborate in the summer of 2003. Our first project was to design a database of topical ophthalmic medications that would work in the same fashion as the contact lens database. At this time we also began designing the online calculators that are available on the site.
We think this is going to be a never ending project - We have so many ideas, and there just aren't enough hours in the week - especially after a full day in the clinic. The visitors to EyeDock have been extremely helpful to us, both by helping us keep the information up-to-date and suggesting things that can be added to the site. We want this to be as complete and accurate as possible, and we encourage anyone who has advice about the site, has a suggestion about a lens or medication to add to the database, and especially if an error is found, please contact us.
Lastly, but perhaps most importantly, we want to stress that this site is only a tool for eye care professionals. The information provided on this site is intended to aid decision making, but it cannot replace our training and experience. For example, any experienced contact lens fitter knows that selecting a lens brand and power is just the first step, but the most important part is evaluating a contact lens for fit and ocular health. Failure to do this can result in infection, inflammation, and potential permanent vision loss.
Thanks for visiting our site, and I hope you find it helpful,
Todd M. Zarwell, OD, FAAO
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Todd M. Zarwell, OD, FAAO
Dr. Todd Zarwell is an optometrist practicing in Madison, Wisconsin. He graduated from Ripon College and earned his doctorate from the Illinois College of Optometry, where he was a member of the Gold Key Optometric Honor Society and was awarded the Colleague of the Year award by his graduating class. After leaving ICO he completed a post-doctoral fellowship in refractive surgery and anterior segment disease at Davis Duehr Dean Eye Care Specialists.
Dr. Zarwell is an adjunct clinical professor at the Illinois College of Optometry. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Optometry, and a member of the American Optometric Association and Wisconsin Optometric Association.
In his free time he enjoys website design and programming, reading, painting, biking and volleyball.
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Brian Chou, OD, FAAO
Dr. Brian Chou is an optometrist practicing in San Diego, California. He graduated magna cum laude from UC Berkeley and continued there to earn his doctorate of optometry. He completed a year-long fellowship in refractive surgery management at the Jules Stein Eye Institute, UCLA School of Medicine.
Dr. Chou is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Neumueller Award in Optics from the American Academy of Optometry and the I.L. Chaikoff Award from UC Berkeley, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology. He has published articles in Review of Optometry, Optometric Management, Optometry & Vision Science, Journal of Cataract & Refractive Surgery, Journal of Refractive Surgery, Review of Contact Lenses, AOA News, and is the author of Practical Spanish in Eyecare (distributed by Elsevier Science). He regularly lectures on refractive surgery and holds professional memberships with the American Academy of Optometry, and the American Optometric Association.
In the community, Dr. Chou has donated services to the underprivileged through charitable organizations, including the Flying Doctors and Hospital de la Familia. He was instrumental in closing a fraudulent publishing company selling a book that advocated unsafe and unproven eye care. His efforts gained the support of the Ohio Attorney General’s Office and Federal Trade Commission.
In addition to routine exams, Dr. Chou has a clinical interest caring for patients with irregular corneas from corneal surgery, trauma, and keratoconus.
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