Thursday, May 1, 2008

Doc Honors "Healthy Vision Month" With Plagiarism

Here we go again: Scott Klein, M.D., of Central Florida Eye Care plagiarizes an article for the Lake Placid edition of "Feeling Fit" as his way of honoring "Healthy Vision Month.”

The article was apparently written back in 2003 and published on the Web as a University of Iowa News Service news release. Here's the original.

In honor of the month, the local doctor deleted Hilary Beaver, M.D.,’s name and inserted his own. She is credited with being an assistant professor at the University of Iowa’s department of ophthalmology and visual sciences. Klein is credited with being a plagiarist for Sun Coast Media Group. Here's the side-by-side evidence.

University of Iowa: Eye conditions and diseases that can rob you and your loved ones of vision could strike at any time in life, from newborns to older adults.

In honor of May's Healthy Vision Month, eye specialists across the nation are urging Americans to take care of their eyes, as well as the eyes of their loved ones, and to pay attention to warning signs and visit an eye specialist regularly.

Klein copies: Eye conditions and diseases that can rob your family of their vision could strike people at any age in life, from newborns to seniors. In honor of May’s Healthy Vision Month, eye doctors across the country are urging Americans to take care of their eyes, as well as the eyes of their family. Pay attention to warning signs and visit an eye doctor regularly.

University of Iowa: "Many people associate eye problems with getting older. Although seniors are at a higher risk for eye disease, these problems may have started earlier. Vision loss could have been prevented if the problem was caught earlier in the course of the disease." said Hilary Beaver, M.D., an assistant professor (clinical) in the University of Iowa department of ophthalmology and visual sciences. "Preschoolers, senior citizens, diabetics and others with risk factors for eye problems all need regular eye care. Too often they don't get it, and the sad result is vision loss."

Klein copies: "Many people associate eye problems with getting older. While it's true that seniors are at higher risk for a lot of eye problems, some of those problems actually start earlier, and vision loss could have been prevented if the problem was caught sooner,” said Dr. Scott Klein, an Eye M.D., with Central Florida Eye Care in Winter Haven. “Preschoolers, senior citizens and people with diabetes, as well as others with high risk factors for certain eye problems, all need regular eye care. Too often they don't get it, and the sad result is vision loss."

University of Iowa: Infants and toddlers should be screened for common childhood eye problems, such as strabismus (crossed eyes) and amblyopia (lazy eye), during their regular pediatric appointments. Vision testing is recommended for all children starting at about age 3.

Some warning signs that your child may have vision problems include wandering or crossed eyes, a family history of childhood vision problems, a disinterest in reading or viewing distant objects, and squinting or turning the head in an unusual manner while watching TV.

Klein copies: Infants and toddlers should be screened for common childhood eye problems, such as strabismus (crossed eyes) and amblyopia (lazy eye), during their regular pediatric appointments. Vision testing is recommended for all children starting at around 3 years of age. Some warning signs that your child may have vision problems include wandering or crossed eyes, a family history of childhood vision problems, redness, discharge, a disinterest in reading or viewing distant objects, and squinting or turning the head in an unusual manner while watching TV.

University of Iowa: "Most children and teenagers have healthy eyes, but they still need to take care of their vision," Beaver said. "The major danger to the eyes at these ages is accidental injury." Beaver recommends protective eyewear for all activities that present a risk of eye injury. An eye specialist can recommend the appropriate protective eyewear.

Even the young adult and middle-aged groups can be affected by eye problems. Those at risk for eye disease include African-Americans over age 40 (glaucoma), people with diabetes (diabetic retinopathy) and those with a family history of eye problems. If you fall into one of these groups, check with your eye specialist to find out how often you need to have a complete eye exam. These individuals should have a complete eye exam at least once between the ages of 20 and 29, at least twice between ages 30 and 39, and every two to four years between ages 40 and 65.

Klein copies: "Most children and teenagers have healthy eyes, but they still need to take care of their vision," says Dr. Klein." The major danger to the eyes at these ages is accidental injury." Dr. Klein recommends protective eyewear for all activities that present a risk of eye injury. An eye doctor can recommend and fit appropriate protective eyewear. Even the young adult and middle-aged groups can be affected by eye problems.
Those at risk for eye disease include African-Americans over age 40 (glaucoma), people with diabetes (diabetic retinopathy), those over age 60 (macular degeneration and cataracts) and those with a family history of eye problems. If you fall into one of these groups, check with an eye doctor to find out how often you need to have a complete eye exam. These individuals should have a complete eye exam at least once between the ages of 20 and 29, at least twice between the ages of 30 and 39 and every two to four years between the ages of 40 and 65.

University of Iowa: Seniors over age 65 should be examined at least every one to two years for cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration and other eye conditions. Those with diabetes should be examined every year.
Protecting your eyes from accidents, and early detection and treatment of eye problems, are the best ways for you and your family to take care of your vision throughout life. If you or your family are at risk for eye diseases or experience any eye problems, visit your eye specialist. You can also learn more online by visiting
www.uihealthcare.com/eyecare.


University of Iowa Health Care describes the partnership between the University of Iowa Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine and UI Hospitals and Clinics and the patient care, medical education and research programs and services they provide. Visit UI Health Care online at http://www.uihealthcare.com/.

STORY SOURCE: Joint Office for Planning, Marketing and Communications, University of Iowa Health Care, 200 Hawkins Drive, Room 8798 JPP, Iowa City, Iowa 52242-1009.
CONTACT(S): Tom Moore, 319-356-3945
, mailto:thomast-moore@uiowa.edu.

Klein copies everything but the story source, saving that credit for himself: Seniors over age 65 should be examined at least every one to two years for cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration and other eye conditions. Those with diabetes should be examined every year. Protecting your eyes from accidents, as well as early detection and treatment of eye problems, are the best ways for you and your family to take care of your vision throughout life. For additional information on healthy vision, visit www.cfleye care.com. Central Florida Eye Care is a full-service ophthalmology practice located at 122 E.Central Avenue, Winter Haven, FL and headed under the direction of Dr. Scott Klein, an Eye M.D. and fellowship-trained glaucoma specialist. Patients can schedule an appointment with Dr. Klein by calling his office at 863-294-2332.
Note to Editors: The byline tells readers who wrote a story. If the byline does not belong to the author, it's plagiarism.

1 comment:

  1. It's very disheartening to keep seeing this.

    ReplyDelete