Optometry mourns the loss of Paul E. Berman, OD, a sports vision specialist and the founder and global clinical director of the Special Olympics’ Lions Club International Opening Eyes and Healthy Athletes programs. He was also the team optometrist for the New Jersey Devils hockey team. Dr. Berman unexpectedly passed away on November 10, 2013, at age 62.

Cataract surgery is highly cost effective, according to a cost-utility study published in Ophthalmology. Cataract surgeries performed over one year eventually save $123.4 billion over 13 years in direct health care costs and lost productivity, and deliver a 4,567% return on investment to society. The study also found that the overall cost of cataract surgery in 2012 was 34.4% less than in 2000 and 85% less than in 1985, after adjusting for inflation.

The American Board of Optometry announced its newly elected officers: James M. Vaught, OD as chairman; David A. Heath, OD, EdM, as vice-chairman; Chelsea L. Miller, OD, as secretary; and John P. McGuire, CPA, as treasurer. Also, Jackson Lau, OD, was elected as the new director representing the AOA, and Michael D. Gerstner, OD, was elected as a new member-at-large.  

There is no association between AMD and Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, contrary to prior research indicating a connection, a new study suggests. Published online in JAMA Ophthalmology, the study reported that the genetic risk factors for the two types of diseases show no evidence of linkage.