Get to know various lens products, fabrication technologies
June 15th 2002New York-Short of performing a careful refraction, one of the most significant improvements you can make in your patients' glasses is to prescribe an anti-reflective (AR) coating for their lenses, according to a New York ophthalmologist and a Texas optician.
Congenital ptosis is more than just a droopy eyelid
June 1st 2002Visual development and cosmesis are important considerations in the management of congenital ptosis. While parents often are concerned about the child's appearance, the ophthalmologist's role is to make sure the patient's vision is appropriately assessed and to educate the parents regarding the potential relationship between ptosis and visual development.
Postop ION: Increasing awareness or increasing incidence?
June 1st 2002Visual loss following non-ocular surgical procedures is becoming increasingly recognized and reported in the literature by anesthesiologists, surgeons, and ophthalmologists. The usual cause for visual loss in these cases is ischemic optic neuropathy (ION).
Molecule engineered to target neovascularization in AMD
June 1st 2002A genetically engineered molecule designed to kill cancers by destroying their rapidly growing blood vessels offers a new line of attack against age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and other retinal conditions, said Alan Garen, PhD.
Fluorescein angiography indicated in patients with AIDS
June 1st 2002Editor's Note: In the absence of other identifiable causes, vision loss in HIV patients may be due to ischemic maculopathy, and that diagnosis should be investigated with fluorescein angiography. The clinical and angiographic features of five patients with HIV infection-related ischemic maculopathy were described in a paper recently published by Emmett T. Cunningham Jr., MD, PhD, MPH, and associates in the American Journal of Ophthalmology. In this new Ophthalmology Times column, Dr. Cunningham reviews the characteristic features of those patients and highlights the importance of considering a fluorescein angiogram in the diagnostic evaluation of HIV-positive patients with unexplained vision loss.
Amblyopia study offers ophthalmologists a choice
June 1st 2002A recent amblyopia study conducted in collaboration with the National Eye Institute is providing ophthalmologists and their patients with preliminary data indicating that eye drops may be an effective alternative to patching for treatment of the condition.
Smooth, accurate LASIK ablation possible for myopia
May 15th 2002New Orleans-A system incorporating a narrow-beam excimer laser with an active tracking system to detect minuscule eye motions is effective in the LASIK correction of myopia and astigmatism, according to Marguerite B. McDonald, MD, clinical professor of ophthalmology at Tulane University School of Medicine here.
Optical coherence tomography an emerging technology
May 15th 2002Many ophthalmologists are aware of the uses of optical coherence tomography (OCT)1 in diagnosing glaucoma and retinal pathologies such as macular hole and cystoid macular edema. However, anterior segment OCT imaging2 is still rarely used because of lack of dedicated commercial instrumentation. Maldonado et al. have shown that the commercial OCT retinal scanner (Zeiss Humphrey Systems, Dublin, CA) can be used to image corneal anatomy after LASIK.3 This has sparked an interest in developing dedicated anterior segment OCT systems.
Cytotoxic factors, trauma may cause cataract in AD patients
May 15th 2002Yokohama, Japan-Cataract is a major complication in patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) with the characteristic facial eczema, according to Japanese researchers. They advise that patients with this condition be monitored closely and cautioned not to rub their eyes.
A collaborative effort: Needle revision for failed bleb helped by preoperative MMC
May 15th 2002Glaucoma researchers at Pusan University Medical Center, Pusan, South Korea and the Kresge Eye Institute (KEI) of Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, working in collaboration, have found that the preoperative injection of mitomycin-C (MMC) can be an effective and safe adjunct to a needling revision procedure for a failed bleb.
Another approach: Change in paramacular region may indicate early glaucoma
May 15th 2002San Juan-Assessment of retinal thickness beyond the optic disc may play a role in glaucoma detection, according to Duke University researchers, who presented their findings at the annual meeting of the Amer-ican Glaucoma Society held here.
Beware of pitfalls in assessing glaucoma drug results
May 15th 2002In our clinics we face practical decisions every day. Multiple competing drugs are often available for any particular problem. Glaucoma treatment options are especially numerous. A little math can easily demonstrate the complexity of glaucoma treatment options.
Selective laser trabeculoplasty a safe alternative to ALT
May 1st 2002Boston-Selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) could potentially be used as a first-line therapy for primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG)because it is much less traumatic to the eye than the currently used argon laser trabeculoplasty (ALT), according to its inventor, Mark Latina, MD.
Lid speculum maximizes patient comfort, surgical exposure
May 1st 2002Los Angeles-In the continuing effort to improve cataract and refractive surgery, a new lid speculum designed by Barry S. Seibel, MD, offers lid control for cataract and refractive procedures and several new innovative features that not only enhance patient comfort but also provide better surgical exposure.
Academy offers free online training for physicians, staff
May 1st 2002Where on the Internet can you enhance your training and education-as well as that of your administrative staff-with high-quality materials, a minimum investment of time, and no expense? The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO)'s Web site.
The birthplace of our nation's freedom
May 1st 2002A visit to Philadelphia during this year's American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery annual meeting (June 1 to 5) is not complete without a trip to Independence National Historical Park. Within America's most historic square mile, you will want to see two of the most treasured symbols of America's freedom: the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall.