Cataract & Refractive

A new cataract gene's location and defect in the coding region was discovered.

Medically well-controlled glaucoma patients and patients with exfoliation syndrome may experience intraocular pressure (IOP) elevation shortly after cataract surgery. This can be controlled by the instillation of timolol maleate 0.5%.

Sub-Bowman's keratomileusis (SBK) is associated with a low complication rate.

The use of intravitreal dexamethasone (IVD) is not warranted as a routine adjunctive treatment in postoperative endophthalmitis.

People who are dissatisfied with the results of LASIK are more likely to be referred to a cornea service by their doctor than by their LASIK surgeon.

Topical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs often are administered for off-label purposes to patients who are undergoing cataract surgery, but surgeons should consider the cost, the risks, and the evidence available to support such use.

Microincision cataract surgery (MICS) does not degrade the optical quality of the cornea or induce a modification in corneal astigmatism.

LASIK for myopia over -10 D is both safe and effective in the long-term.

Conductive keratoplasty (CK) is an effective long-term treatment for near-plano presbyopia.

The US ophthalmic market will embrace the use of premium intraocular lenses (IOLs) rapidly, whereas less flexible reimbursement programmes in Europe and Japan will delay their adoption in those markets.

Bausch & Lomb has entered into an agreement to purchase eyeonics, the maker of the Crystalens accommodating IOL.

By 2012 the market for optical coherence tomography (OCT) is predicted to hit the $800 million mark.

Performing cataract surgery using a fluid-based method of phacoemulsification results in less corneal endothelial cell loss compared with conventional ultrasound phacoemulsification.

A company in the US, Chakshu Research, claims that it has developed an eye drop that can remove cataracts and restore vision.

The pros and cons of surface ablation procedures were reviewed at the opening session of the refractive surgery subspecialty day at the American Academy of Ophthalmology annual meeting.

In our experience so far, PML is a very successful procedure that has been well-accepted by patients and is in high demand at our centre. Currently, about 50% of our patients are PML candidates

An overall spectacle independence of 90% was achieved, however, I have found that some patients do still require glasses when using a computer for intermediate vision

PresbyLASIK treatment uses the principles of LASIK surgery to create a multifocal corneal surface aimed at reducing near vision spectacle dependence in presbyopic patients. This treatment constitutes the next step in the correction of presbyopia after monovision LASIK.1-3 Among the presbyLASIK techniques, central presbyLASIK 4 creates a central area, which is hyperpositive for near vision leaving the midperipheral cornea for far vision. 5 Positive clinical results of this surgical technique have been recently reported 4 and also tested objectively with a light propagation algorithm. 6

The development of the excimer laser has allowed more and more refractive surgical procedures to be developed, treating ever-expanding indications. As such, LASIK remains the most popular procedure for surgeons seeking to correct myopia. But what about hyperopia, which is traditionally thought to be more difficult to treat?

Applying a specific number of FS-induced cuts to the crystalline lens could restore accommodation.

Ophthalmic surgeons have been implanting multifocal lenses for several years, not only in cataract surgery, but also to offset the accommodation lost as a consequence of age. With the newest generation of lenses, more than 80% of refractive and cataract patients can now enjoy life without glasses.

The first generation Crystalens accommodating intraocular lens (IOL) (eyeonics) was approved by the FDA in November 2003 and has since undergone two revisions. The first involved modification of the lens optic to a "square" rather than smooth edge in order to reduce the incidence of asymmetric capsular fibrosis, which could cause capsular contraction and IOL tilt

It has been discovered that the equatorial diameter of a lens directly influences accommodation and thus presents a sound target for presbyopia treatment interventions

Presbyopia Correcting IOLs (PCIOLs) are perhaps the most significant technological advancement in recent ophthalmic history. These lenses not only provide patients with the option of seeing near, intermediate, and distant objects without dependence on glasses for most of their daily activities - they could also become the single most important cornerstone for building a successful ophthalmic practice, both now and in the foreseeable future.

A look back at what happened in the fields of cataract & refractive surgery in 2007 and what we can look forward to in 2008.