Optometry

For patients who are suffering with moderate to severe signs and symptoms of seasonal or perennial allergic conjunctivitis, loteprednol etabonate ophthalmic suspension 0.2% (Alrex, Bausch & Lomb) is a safe and well-tolerated therapeutic option that can provide rapid clinical improvement, according to new research.

An efficacy evaluation comparing two marketed artificial tears showed that a polyethylene-based product (Systane Ultra, Alcon Laboratories) resulted in statisically greater reductions in corneal and conjunctival staining than a glycerin/carboxymethylcellulose-based tear (Refresh Optive, Allergan).

The overall anti-allergic eye drop market consists of about 25 products developed and approved in the United States (with some marketed abroad) to address the needs of the seasonal allergic conjunctivitis patient population.

International Vision Expo and Conference East promises to deliver all the latest products, trends, and information on medical eye care, fashion, lens technology, and business solutions at its annual meeting here.

Just a few weeks after announcing a controversial plan to take over ophthalmic giant Alcon Laboratories, Novartis announced its chief executive officer is stepping down and the chief financial officer will retire.

The use of a hydroxypropyl cellulose ophthalmic insert (Lacrisert, Aton Pharma) has been proven to offer much relief to patients suffering from dry eye syndrome.

A phase II study with a novel non-invasive iontopohoretic drug delivery system (EyeGate II Delivery System, EyeGate Pharma) shows that the device appears to optimize the delivery of a proprietary dexamethasone-derived corticosteroid solution (EGP-437) and improve significantly the signs and symptoms of dry eye, which may raise the bar in therapies for dry eye syndrome.

Results of a utility analysis of cyclosporine 0.05% ophthalmic emulsion (Restasis, Allergan) show that it is highly cost-effective and improves the quality of life in patients with moderate to severe dry eye disease that is unresponsive to conventional lubricant therapy.

Benefits of an artificial tear drop that commonly is used to help relieve symptoms of dry eye may extend to contact lens wearers who experience dryness and discomfort caused by their contact lenses, according to researchers.

Analyses of data from two hybrid environmental studies evaluating olopatadine hydrochloride 0.2% once daily for the treatment of seasonal allergic conjunctivitis or rhinoconjunctivitis show that patients derive improvement in the frequency and/or severity of their nasal symptoms as a simultaneous benefit with relief of ocular allergy, according to Mark B. Abelson, MD.

Given the plethora of over-the-counter and prescription approaches available for dry eye, patient and clinician agreement on the appropriate regimen is key to treatment success.

The multimodal anti-allergy agent epinastine hydrochloride 0.05% (Elestat, Inspire Pharmaceuticals) is an ideal treatment option for the management of seasonal allergic conjunctivitis and is a particularly good choice in patients who have dry eye disease as a comorbidity, according to Laurie D. Barber, MD

Grid laser photocoagulation remains standard of care for eyes with ME secondary to BRVO.

Findings from recent studies indicate fundus autofluorescence imaging has useful diagnostic and prognostic applications in the clinical management of age-related macular degeneration.

In the future, clinicians may be able to offer patients with central serous retinopathy effective and safe treatment with micropulse laser trabeculoplasty.

New non-invasive imaging modalities are showing promise for enabling earlier detection of hydroxychloroquine retinopathy compared with current recommended screening techniques.

Surgeons who understand vitrectomy fluidics will be better able to maintain intraoperative control and be successful in removing vitreous without tearing the retina.

Many approaches for treating exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD) have been developed.

An updated analysis of data from an ongoing phase II study of intravitreal ranibizumab treatment for diabetic macular edema shows that functional and anatomic benefits observed at 6-month primary efficacy endpoint are generally maintained at 1 year after switching to a "prn" dosing schedule.

Preferential hyperacuity perimetry testing may be helpful in detection of retinal toxicity resulting from administration of hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine.

A preliminary study of epimacular brachytherapy showed that radiation and antivascular endothelial growth factor injections reduced the treatment burden in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration.

A single sustained-release dexamethasone intravitreal implant resulted in resolution of inflammation and improvement in visual acuity (VA) in patients with intermediate or posterior uveitis through 26 weeks in a multicenter, randomized, controlled clinical trial.

Inadequate nutrition is a modifiable risk factor for age-related macular degeneration.

Pooled results from two randomized, investigator-masked parallel group clinical trials show that the fixed combination fo brimonidine tartrate 0.2%-timolol maleate 0.5% produced greater IOP lowering than the fixed combination of dorzolamidehydrochloride 2%-timolol maleate 0.5%, whether the fixed combination products were used alone or as an adjunct to treatment with a prostaglandin analogue.

Timolol maleate 0.5%/sorbitol complex is a convenient, well-tolerated choice for adjunctive therapy in patients taking a prostaglandin analogue who need further IOP control.

Switching to another prostaglandin analogue that does not contain benzalkonium chloride may not be the answer for managing complaints from patients of dryness and irritation.

TLC Vision Corp. has won U.S. bankruptcy court approval for a restructuring of its debt.

A handheld applanation tonometer is a newer portable device for measuring IOP that has been designed for reliable performance and easy, economical use.

In response to an FDA warning of cleaning validation at one of its plants, Abbott Medical Optics said problematic manufacturing processes were restricted to production of its ophthalmic viscosurgical device, 3% sodium hyaluronate, which is no longer being made or sold.

Glaucoma specialists are beginning to realize that much of the conventional wisdom surrounding angle-closure glaucoma is incorrect.