Optometry

NicOx announced an agreement to reacquire the development and commercialization rights to an experimental glaucoma medicine from partner company Pfizer.

In a study conducted by the Pan-American Collaborative Retina Study Group, treatment of diffuse diabetic macular edema with bevacizumab (Avastin, Genentech) was shown to improve vision.

The FDA will resume scientific review of the STAAR Surgical Co. premarket approval (PMA) application for its toric implantable contact lens ([TICL]; Visian Toric Implantable Collamer Lens) for patients with myopia and astigmatism after removing the "integrity hold" restrictions it put in place in 2007, according to the company.

In a phase I study, E10030 (Ophthotech) combined with ranibizumab (Lucentis, Genentech) in patients with subfoveal neovascular age-related macular degeneration was well tolerated and seemed to have biologic activity against choroidal neovascularization, according to one ophthalmologist.

A hydrophilic IOL (Afinity CQ2015, STAAR Surgical) seems to be a more efficient delivery system of moxifloxacin 0.5% (Vigamox, Alcon Laboratories) than a hydrophobic IOL (AcrySof SA60, Alcon Laboratories), according to the results of a comparison of lenses soaked in the antibiotic. Both lenses appear to be capable of delivering antibiotics to achieve clinically relevant levels, however.

A non-contact applanation tonometer (Ocular Response Analyzer, Reichert) appears to be more effective than the Goldmann applanation tonometer (GAT) in assessing very low and negative IOP values using the non-contact applanation tonometer's corneal-compensated IOP (IOPcc) parameter. The GAT may be the long-accepted gold standard, but the more accurate assessment of IOP using the non-contact applanation tonometer challenges this gold standard and raises questions as to which of the two techniques is optimal in measuring IOP.

Oral fenretinide given once daily may slow the progression of geographic atrophy in patients with age-related macular degeneration, according to an interim analysis.

Intravitreal triamcinolone (IVTA) for treating diabetic macular edema (DME) does not seem to be beneficial over the long term compared with focal/grid photocoagulation, and treatment with IVTA results in a higher chance of developing a cataract compared with treatment with the laser, according to a 3-year comparison study. Focal/grid photocoagulation, therefore, remains the most effective treatment for DME, according to one ophthalmologist.

Recent surveys of patients and eye care specialists were undertaken to obtain information about the prevalence and management of blepharitis. Survey results together with clinical trial data highlight use of topical azithromycin.

The European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons will hold its XXVII Congress from Saturday, Sept. 12, through Wednesday, Sept. 16, in this Spanish city located on the Mediterranean coast.

The 2009 Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology annual meeting highlighted research on the latest therapeutics in retinal disease, dry eye, lid margin disease, ocular allergies, and other conditions.

A prospective study including 51 patients who underwent bilateral wavefront-guided LASIK for low to moderate myopia assessed visual symptoms at follow-up visits through 12 months after surgery. There was no evidence that large preoperative pupil size correlated with increased risk of unwanted postLASIK symptoms.

Cataract surgeons confronted by capsular rupture with vitreous prolapse usually favor performing limbal vitrectomy over using a pars plana approach.

A recent article in the Journal of the American Medical Association, an editorial in American Family Physician, articles in the general media outlets, and an updated patient advisory statement from the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery and the American Academy of Ophthalmology aim to further education primary care physicians and patients about the association between a patient's use of tamsulosin and complications or difficulty during cataract surgery.

One resident wonders, what does your Ophthalmology Knowledge Assessment Program score say to others about you as a resident? With the exception of applying to oculoplastics fellowships, in the global scheme of things, it may make no difference. On the other hand, some residents wished they had done better because they would have been thought of more positively within their program.

No scientific evidence supports the view that subtle eye or visual problems cause learning disabilities, according to a revised policy statement on learning disabilities, dyslexia, and vision issued by the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

Besifloxacin ophthalmic suspension 0.6% (Besivance, Bausch & Lomb) is a new topical ophthalmic antibacterial indicated for the treatment of bacterial conjunctivitis and administered via sterile ophthalmic drops.

A next-generation progressive addition lens (Definity, Essilor of America Inc.) features proprietary technology (Dual Add 2.0 ) and design in clear (Trivex) material and gray and brown (Transitions VI).

Prevent Blindness Ohio (PBO), along with Prevent Blindness America (PBA), has named June as Vision Research Awareness month.

War veterans often confront many injuries during their tours, including vision loss.

Terms such as quality, style, and value may not be typically associated with the specialty eyewear industry. Certain brands are crossing the divide and making an appearance in corporate and industrial settings to provide protection and aesthetics in one package.

The emerging trend toward the purchase of eyeglasses online is a threat for dispensaries. Even if the trend were to take hold, not everyone will choose to purchase eyeglasses online. Plan how your practice will react.

Children with intermittent exotropia, especially boys, appear more likely to develop mental illness by young adulthood than children without strabismus, according to a report in the June issue of Archives of Ophthalmology

Dry eye disease is common among American men aged more than 50 years and its prevalence increases with age, high blood pressure, benign prostrate disease, and the use of antidepressants, according to a report in the June issue of Archives of Ophthalmology.

To answer the question of whether quality - specifically, uncorrected vision, astigmatism, visual rehabilitation, and safety - is sacrificed when M-SICS is performed instead of phaco, Sanduk Ruit, MD, Geoffrey Tabin, MD, David F. Chang, MD, and colleagues conducted the first prospective, randomized trial of phaco versus M-SICS in a charity camp population.