Pediatrics

San Francisco-The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) will induct its first woman president in 2005, when president-elect Susan H. Day, MD, moves up to that position.

Lens designers and manufacturers are constantly searching for the perfect progressive addition lens. They strive to design the most comfortable lens both optically and cosmetically. This combination of both equals a lens that is thin, light, and versatile for all lifestyle activities, while delivering the sharpest visual acuity possible without noticeable power shifts in every meridian. Ophthalmic professionals don't have to wait for tomorrow for this technologically advanced progressive lens. It's here today.

When a decision is made to prescribe a topical beta-blocker for monotherapy or as an add-on agent, timolol hemihydrate (Betimol, Santen) offers many advantages that may make it an excellent option.

Jacksonville, FL-VISTAKON, a division of Johnson & Johnson Vision Care Inc., is offering an array of educational materials to help eye-care professionals instruct patients about eye health and run their practices more efficiently.

Apathy is defined in Webster's unabridged dictionary as "a lack of interest, or indifference." Apathy, coupled with an unwillingness to get involved or to speak out on issues, is endemic among the medical profession.

Rochester, NY-For pediatric ophthalmologist Gary D. Markowitz, MD, having an ophthalmic dispensary has been a positive experience in terms of patient service as well as practice growth.

For clinicians, the Internet can become a valuable tool for disseminating information on their practices and, ultimately, in attracting new patients.

"Give a man a fish and he eats for a day. Teach a man to fish and he eats for a lifetime."

San Francisco-The American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus (AAPOS) is offering its annual "I Care for Eye Care" calendar and note cards, featuring children's artwork from all over the world.

Editor's Note: Although less common than uveitis in adults, uveitis in children can present unique diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. Emmett T. Cunningham Jr., MD, PhD, MPH, editor of the "Uveitis Update" column in Ophthalmology Times, asked a panel of uveitis specialists to comment on various aspects of the condition in this roundtable discussion. Their comments have been edited for length and clarity.

In the past, ophthalmologists have had the luxury of viewing themselves as specialized surgical and medical care providers and have not been driven to include a retail profit center, such as an optical dispensary, in their practice.

For ophthalmologists who have decided to add an optical dispensary to their offices, the process of designing and equipping the space can be a daunting experience. Far more than just attaching frame display racks to the walls, the optical dispensary should be coordinated and blended with the decor and design of the rest of the office. It should also be designed for maximum efficiency and represent the doctors' aesthetic tastes.

Mount Airy, NC-Hugh L. Hennis III, MD, makes housecalls throughout rural western North Carolina without leaving his chair.

Fort Lauderdale, FL-Cyclosporine A drops may be an effective treatment for Thygeson's superficial punctate keratitis (SPK) over the long term. It is especially useful in patients whose disease does not respond to treatment with steroids or those whose disease responds to steroids and who have elevated IOP levels, according to the results of a U.K. study reported at the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology.

Fort Lauderdale, FL-Ketotifen fumarate 0.025% ophthalmic solution (Zaditen/Zaditor, Novartis Ophthalmics) is safe for use in a pediatric population with allergic conjunctivitis, according to H. Jerome Crampton, MD.

Fort Lauderdale, FL-Topical loteprednol etabonate 0.5% (Lotemax, Bausch & Lomb) instilled four times daily may be beneficial to treat patients who have keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) with at least a moderate inflammatory component.

Fort Worth, TX-Alcon Inc. is teaming with the Vision Council of America (VCA) to stress the importance of eye exams for school-age children as part of the "Check Yearly. See Clearly" national vision health awareness initiative.

Parsippany, NJ-Safilo Group will add several Liz Claiborne Inc. licensed eyewear brands to its line up-becoming the sole manufacturer for all Liz Claiborne-branded eyewear and sunwear collections-with the acquisition of Outlook Eyewear.

San Francisco-Pediatric LASIK is an investigational procedure, but it can be a feasible and safe modality for young patients with anisometropic amblyopia who truly have no other option for improving best-corrected vision, said Jonathan M. Davidorf, MD, at the annual meeting of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery.

Washington, DC-In an effort to curb the eye damage caused by teens who unwittingly buy and wear cosmetic contact lenses from unauthorized vendors, the House of Representatives will consider a bill that would recognize and regulate non-corrective contact lenses as medical devices, regardless of their intended use.

San Francisco-IOL implantation in pediatric eyes with traumatic cataract offers the opportunity for a favorable visual outcome, but success in these cases depends on a properly timed procedure and diligent surgical care, said M. Edward Wilson, MD, at the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery annual meeting.

Atlanta-CIBA Vision is recalling all of its Glitter Eyes contact lenses after it discovered that layers of the lens can partially "delaminate" and cause pigments within the lens to smear, smudge, or pool.

New York-Pfizer Inc. will invest $400 million to expand its New Jersey facilities and potentially add 1,300 jobs, but plans to close five research and development sites around the world-including two in the United States- and other former Pharmacia Corp. offices as it begins the difficult logistical transition of its $57 billion takeover.

Editor's Note: Anterior uveitis is the most common type of intraocular inflammation. Among patients with inflammation localized primarily to the anterior chamber, 50% or more are HLA-B27 positive. Inaddition, a number of these patients with HLA-B27-associated anterior uveitis have, or will develop, an associated systemicdisorder such as ankylosing spondylitis,reactive arthritis (formerly known asReiter's syndrome), inflammatory bowel disease, or psoriatic arthritis.

Columbus, OH-Age-adjusted approaches are needed for the evaluation and management of suspected orbital fracture in pediatric patients because children are different from adults, according to JDespite the introduction of more accurate IOL formulas and biometry instrumentation, cataract and refractive lens surgery have yet to achieve the ophthalmologist's ideal of perfect emmetropia in all cases.1-5 This limitation stems from occasional inaccuracies in keratometry and axial length measurements, an inability to assess the final position of the pseudophakic implant accurately in a fibrosing capsular bag, and the difficulty of completely eliminating pre-existing astigmatism despite the use of limbal relaxing incisions and toric IOLs.6,7 A new lens technology offers the hope of taking ophthalmologists one step closer to achieving emmetropia in all cases and also perhaps further improving the final result by addressing higher-order optical aberrations.