Cataract & Refractive

The first results of an ongoing multicentre study in France suggest that a new diffractive intraocular lens (IOL), Diffractiva-s (HumanOptics), offers good visual results.

Cataract referrals made by optometrists are more likely to include better information regarding vision loss than referrals made by general practitioners .

Preoperative tear volume may affect recovery of the ocular surface after LASIK and could increase the risk for chronic dry eye.

Topical levofloxacin penetrates better than ofloxcin or ciprofloxacin into the aqueous of eyes with functioning filtering blebs.

Six-month data for myopia treatments with the SCHWIND AMARIS laser show that it is effective and patient friendly.

Bausch & Lomb has acquired eyeonics, the maker of the crystalens accommodating IOL.

Diffuse lamellar keratitis (DLK) occurs more frequently after LASIK performed with the IntraLase 15 kHz femtosecond laser than after LASIK performed with the Moria M2 microkeratome.

Female cataract surgery patients are more likely to assess their postoperative visual function as worse than male patients.

The M2 microkeratome (Moria), the Carriazo-Pendular microkeratome (Schwind) and the IntraLase femtosecond laser all create flaps of predictable thickness.

Incision sizes needed to remove cataracts have been significantly reduced by new technology, such as the vision enhancement system (Stellaris; Bausch & Lomb) which allows surgeons to make two 1.8 mm cuts on either side of the eye.

A study published in the January issue of Antimicrobial Agents & Chemotherapy, has found that the high proportion of corneal infections linked to contact lens solutions are fuelled and made resistant to treatment by the formation of a highly resistant structure of microbial cells held together with a glue-like matrix material, called biofilms.

The use of glaucoma drainage surgery is decreasing in Britain, which may be explained by an increase in cataract extraction, according to a report published in the January issue of Eye.

Using a telemedicine system to assist ophthalmologists in developing countries with the diagnosis and management of various ophthalmic conditions can be successful.

Wavefront-guided LASIK is a safe and efficacious way to correct moderate to high myopia and compound myopic astigmatism.

In eyes that have undergone corneal refractive surgery, non-Goldmann measurements of intraocular pressure (IOP) and continued examination of the optic nerve is essential as changes of the corneal shape can lead to falsely low IOP values.

A more holistic approach to patient referral and rehabilitation provision for people with low vision is required.

Modern intraocular lenses (IOLs) transmit only a part of the spectrum, just like natural lenses, but the transmission of the natural lens changes with age. With increasing age, the lens becomes far less transparent in the violet/blue part of the visible spectrum. Can the transmission of an IOL, therefore, be compared to that of the natural lens at a certain age? In other words, can we assign a virtual age to an IOL? The answer is yes and such an age is far easier to interpret than the complicated transmission curves provided by industry.

Sreening for early ectatic disease is essential in the evaluation of the refractive surgical candidate. There have, however, been many cases of severe post-LASIK ectasia without evidence of preoperative risk factors. Improving preoperative screening with better detection of subtle corneal topographic abnormalities may therefore help eliminate these rare but devastating cases.

Refractive surgery has come a long way since the first lamellar refractive surgeries were performed decades ago. Through continuous fine-tuning and evolution, LASIK has become today's dominant refractive procedure. However, as with all medical procedures, there is always room for improvement.

Cataract surgeons agree that proper incision construction is paramount for achieving good postoperative stability that will reduce the risk for endophthalmitis. The safety of the clear cornea incision technique versus use of other incision types remains controversial, however.

As a modern ophthalmic surgeon, I feel a reading test for clinical practice must be highly standardized, accurate, easy and quick to perform, whilst also offering the opportunity to perform research.

New developments in diagnostic technology should enable better screening and follow-up of refractive surgery patients, said Dan Z. Reinstein, MD, delivering a keynote address during the refractive surgery subspecialty day preceding the annual meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology in November 2007.

The anti-inflammatory nepafenac 0.1% is more comfortable and at least as efficacious as ketorolac 0.5% in the prevention and treatment of postoperative ocular pain and inflammation.

Femtosecond lasers create highly reproducible flaps that correspond with preoperative intended thickness.

With regards to maintaining corneal biomechanics, sub-Bowman's keratomileusis (SBK) and advanced surface ablation (ASA) are improvements over conventional LASIK.