Cheryl Guttman

San Francisco-The BD K-4000 microkeratome (Becton, Dickinson & Co.) can be used reliably to create high-quality flaps of predictable dimensions, said Robert M. Kersh-ner, MD, at the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery annual meeting.

Great Neck, NY-Capsular tension rings can be a valuable adjunct in patients with unstable or absent zonules who are undergoing cataract surgery, and they may have additional application for the management of late IOL decentration that is secondary to capsular phimosis, said Kenneth J. Rosenthal, MD, FACS.

Orlando-Adjustment for energy delivery calibration errors represents the single most important step excimer laser manufacturers can take toward achieving improved visual outcomes in eyes undergoing corneal ablative refractive surgery, said Jack T. Holladay, MD, MSEE, FACS, at the annual meeting of the American College of Surgeons.

San Francisco-LASIK is a safe, effective, and accurate treatment for correcting ametropia in post-radial keratotomy (RK) eyes, reported Stephen M. Weinstock, MD, at the annual meeting ofthe American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery here.

Clinical practice experience is confirming the results from premarketing clinical trials that showed a new over-the-counter artificial tear product (Systane, Alcon) is a novel approach for modulating the signs and symptoms of dry eye.

Baltimore-LASIK presents a challenge to normal tear film dynamics, and some patients may be affected by prolonged neurotrophic epitheliopathy.

Kansas City, MO-Placement of silicone intracanalicular plugs (ICP) in the treatment of dry eye can result in a variety of complications, including irreversible lacrimal occlusion. When removal is indicated, various surgical strategies may be necessary because the recommended simple irrigation in the office is not always effective, said William L. White, MD.

Montreal-In the clinical setting, night vision disturbances after LASIK cannot be predicted by pupil size, but rather are correlated with preoperative sphere and the photoablation optical zone size, said Mihai Pop, MD.

Columbus, OH-Age-adjusted approaches are needed for the evaluation and management of suspected orbital fracture in pediatric patients because children are different from adults, according to Jill A. Foster, MD.

Orlando-Ophthalmologists will perform with greater ease, efficiency, and for a longer time if they pay attention to ergonomics in the operating room, said Aaron U. Parnell at the annual meeting of the American College of Eye Surgeons.

Baltimore-All phakic IOLs are associated with potential problems, although evolution in implant design has been accompanied by declining complication rates, said Walter J. Stark, MD.

Niagara Falls, Ontario-Switching to once-daily instillation of nedocromil sodium 2% ophthalmic solution (Alocril, Allergan) is an effective alternative for maintaining control of ocular symptoms of seasonal allergic conjunctivitis after acute relief is obtained with twice-daily administration, according to an environmental study conducted by Michael Alexander, MD.

Wailea, HI-Olopatadine 0.2% (Patanol, Alcon) significantly reduced itching and redness for 24 hours, according to the results of a study presented at the annual meeting of the Western Society of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.

Boston-The mast-cell stabilizer pemirolast potassium 0.1% (Alamast, Santen) is a safe, comfortable, and effective agent for preventing and relieving ocular itching of seasonal allergic conjunctivitis throughout the allergy season, according to a pooled analysis of data from phase III trials.

Maui, HI-Evidence-based guidelines for the medical management of glaucoma developed by a panel of glaucoma specialists aim to enhance clinical decision-making for the general ophthalmologist, said Anne L. Coleman, MD, PhD, at the annual Royal Hawaiian Eye meeting here.

S?o Paulo, Brazil-Hyperhomocysteinemia appears to be associated with exfoliation syndrome and might be a modifiable risk factor for that disorder, said Roberto M. Vessani, MD, who was a glaucoma fellow with Glaucoma Associates of New York and is currently glaucoma preceptor, glaucoma service, department of ophthalmology, University of S?o Paulo, Brazil.

Micro-suction ring eases flap creation in deep-set eyes; fits in smaller fissures

Phase III studies for high myopia, hyperopia show stable refractions, few complications

Those with moderate myopia, hyperopia are potential candidates for vision correction surgery

Orlando-The MK-2000 (Nidek) is a one-piece automated microkeratome designed for ease of use and safety, reported Maria C. Arbelaez, MD, during the refractive surgery subspecialty day prior to the American Academy of Ophthalmology annual meeting.

Orlando-The Carriazo-Pendular microkeratome (Schwind eye-tech-solutions GmbH) represents a new generation in mechanical microkeratomes and brings a unique approach to LASIK flap creation that is designed for safety and reproducibility, said Maria C. Arbelaez, MD, at the refractive surgery subspecialty day prior to the American Academy of Ophthalmology annual meeting.

Nice, France-The disposable Steritome microkeratome (Refractive Technologies) brings unparalleled safety and predictability to LASIK flap creation, according to Ronald Singal, MD.

Orlando-The Amadeus microkeratome (Advanced Medical Optics, AMO) combines the advantages of a pre-assembled microkeratome with a number of "bells and whistles" that further increase its ease of use and contribute to safe and reliable performance in creating lamellar flaps, according to Eric D. Donnenfeld, MD.

Orlando-The M2 (Moria) is an easy-to-assemble, automated microkeratome that allows customization of various flap features and offers an excellent safety profile, said Raymond M. Stein, MD.

Always measure corneal thickness to decrease the risk of ectasia, since various factors can affect final flap thickness, expert advises

Orlando-Laser vision correction can be an effective treatment for anisometropic amblyopia in children, according to Deepinder K. Dhaliwal, MD.

Barcelona-Dissecting Schlemm's canal is the basis of every type of non-penetrating filtering glaucoma surgery, but the procedure can be technically challenging at first.

Ann Arbor, MI-Results from gene microarray studies by researchers at the University of Michigan reveal there are highly specific, age-related changes in retinal gene expression. Those findings are described in the August issue of Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science [Yoshida S, et al. IVOS 2002; 43:2554-2560].

Nice, France-A new, simplified method for describing aberrations of the eye with Zernike polynomials presents wavefront data in a form more familiar to ophthalmologists.

Cleveland, OH-The femtosecond laser (Pulsion FS, IntraLase) offers a new tool for precision flap-making in LASIK procedures, said Ronald R. Krueger, MD.