Lynda Charters

Rome, Italy-The implantation of the AT-45 CrystaLens accommodating IOL (C & C Vision, Aliso Viejo, CA) through a corneal tunnel resulted in disappointing outcomes in patients with 2 D or more of astigmatism. The outcomes differed for patients with against-the-rule astigmatism compared with those who had with-the-rule astigmatism, and there was no predictability in the procedure, according to Scipione Rossi, MD.

San Francisco-The Viscoat (Alcon, Fort Worth, TX) posterior-assisted levitation (PAL) technique can be used to rescue nuclei that have partially descended into the anterior vitreous after posterior capsular rupture, according to David F. Chang, MD.

Fort Myers, FL-A comparison of two laser systems, the STAR S2 (VISX, Santa Clara, CA) and the LadarVision (Alcon, Fort Worth, TX), used to treat low to moderate levels of myopia indicated that the visual results after LASIK were similar between the two but that visual recovery appeared to be faster with the STAR S2.

San Diego-Several higher-order aberrations have been correlated with patients' visual complaints after LASIK. Because wavefront technology appears to reduce the induction of higher-order aberrations after LASIK, wavefront-guided ablations may improve the visual outcomes after LASIK, according to Steven C. Schallhorn, MD.

Bucaramanga, Colombia-A study that compared traditional Planoscan ablations with Zyoptix (Bausch & Lomb, San Dimas, CA) wavefront-guided LASIK for myopia indicated that the two treatment approaches provide similar visual results.

Atlanta-The risk of corneal ectasia following LASIK is greater in patients with form fruste keratoconus, more than -8 D of myopia, and residual stromal beds that are thinner than 225 ?m. Most of the patients who developed corneal ectasia, however, were able to obtain a good visual outcome with contact lens correction, according to R. Doyle Stulting, MD, PhD.

Rockville Centre, NY-Implantation of a posterior chamber phakic refractive lens (PRL) (Medennium phakic refractive lens, CIBA Vision, Duluth, GA) demonstrated positive visual outcomes in the treatment of high hyperopia, according to Alexander Hatsis, MD, who presented the results of the FDA phase II trial.

Warner Robins, GA-Diagnosis and treatment of late-onset microbacterial infections with amikacin after LASIK results in good visual recoveries. However, other refractive procedures, such as PRK or LASEK, will decrease the incidence of these types of infections, most of which result from creation of the flap, according to Johnny L. Gayton, MD.

Sint-Truiden, Belgium-Implantation of the toric Artisan IOL (Ophtec BV, Groningen, the Netherlands) is a safe technique for use in patients with moderate and high levels of astigmatism, according to Camille Budo, MD, an ophthalmologist in Sint-Truiden, Belgium.

Nice, France-Preliminary data suggest that visual outcomes are excellent with the VISX WavePrint ablation method (VISX) for custom laser vision correction. At the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery meeting, Douglas D. Koch, MD, described results of the VISX Study Group with 171 patients. He is professor of ophthalmology, The Allen, Mosbacher, and Law Chair in Ophthalmology, Cullen Eye Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston.

Philadelphia-Twenty-one gauge microphaco performed with WhiteStar Technology (Advanced Medical Optics, Santa Ana, CA) that uses two microincisions (0.8 mm) to separate irrigation and aspiration is safe, according to Randall Olson, MD.

Philadelphia-Obstructive sleep apnea appears to be a significant, previously unrecognized aggravating factor in diabetic retinopathy that promotes progression of ischemia and edema, according to Stephen Sinclair, MD, clinical professor, Hahnemann University Hospital, Philadelphia.

Tel Aviv, Israel-The macular computerized psychophysical test (MCPT)-a new test for monitoring patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD)-seems to be an efficient method for self-detection of AMD-related lesions, according to Anat Loewenstein, MD.

Bethesda, MD-Glaucoma management has entered a new era. Based on the results of the long-awaited Ocular Hypertension Treatment Study (OHTS), physicians now have clear guidelines for treating patients at high risk for developing glaucoma that may actually prevent the disease.