Surgery

Lenstec Inc. announced that the FDA has granted the company an Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) to begin a clinical trial of the Softec HD posterior chamber IOL.

Blue-light-filtering IOLs provide protection against potential blue light toxicity without significantly affecting clinical functioning of recipients, said James D. McCulley, MD, during a spotlight session on pseudophakic IOLs at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

A fluocinolone acetonide implants seems effective for treating noninfectious posterior uveitis, reported Carlos Pavesio, MD, who reported his results at the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

The SOLX Gold Micro-Shunt (GMS, OccuLogix) is a novel approach to treating increased IOP in patients with open-angle glaucoma that does not respond to other therapies and is a good alternative to trabeculectomy, according to Shlomo Melamed, MD, an investigator based in Tel Aviv, Israel.

The SOLX Gold Micro-Shunt (GMS, OccuLogix) is a novel approach to treating increased IOP in patients with open-angle glaucoma that does not respond to other therapies and is a good alternative to trabeculectomy, according to Shlomo Melamed, MD, an investigator based in Tel Aviv, Israel.

DSAEK

Today most universities have one or two oculoplastic surgeons on staff.

Stockholm, Sweden-The Perfect Capsule (Milvella), a sealed capsule irrigation device, seems to be very useful in very small eyes for preventing posterior capsular opacification (PCO), according to Maria Kugelberg, MD, PhD.

Maastricht, The Netherlands-Preliminary results with the foldable iris-claw myopic phakic IOL (Artiflex, Ophtec) indicate it has a similar safety index when compared with the original polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) model (Artisan, Ophtec), but is associated with less early induced refractive astigmatism, which results in a better efficacy index initially and shorter visual recovery curve, said Rudy M.M.A. Nuijts, MD, PhD.

I have made two changes in my surgical technique to enhance outcomes with presbyopia-correcting IOLs.

Since our practice began offering presbyopia-correcting IOLs, we have implanted 450 of them. One in five of our cataract and refractive lens exchange patients chooses one of these new lenses. The AcrySof ReSTOR lens (Alcon Laboratories) accounts for 80% of our presbyopia-correcting implants, while the ReZoom (Advanced Medical Optics) and the crystalens (eyeonics) together represent 20%.

Rockville, MD-The Association for Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) has announced the next recipient of its Friedenwald Award and a new member of its supporting organization's governing board.

Alicante, Spain-While one segment of the ophthalmic community sees presbyopic lens exchange for patients with high myopia as a promising, safe technique leading to good improvements in visual acuity, another segment does not, stating that the risk of retinal detachment and other complications related to the surgery are just too high, according to Jorge L. Alio, MD.

Charleston, SC-Pediatric cataract surgery with IOL implantation and primary posterior capsulectomy plus vitrectomy is associated with a satisfactory outcome, especially in children operated on after their first birthday, said Rupal H. Trivedi, MD, MSCR.

Salt Lake City-Failure to recognize late opacification of the MemoryLens IOL (CIBA Vision) as a cause for vision problems can have potentially negative consequences, including unnecessary surgery and complications secondary to those procedures, said Jonathan G. Haymore, MD.

IOL preference could be related to the degree of dysphotopsia, a better depth of field, or other factors.

Des Plaines, IL-Addition Technology Inc., maker of Intacs corneal implants for keratoconus and myopia, has acquired AlphaCor and AlphaSphere from CooperVision Surgical.

This year's scientific program includes more than 500 peer-reviewed courses.

Advanced Medical Optics Inc. (AMO) launched its Tecnis CL silicone IOL, which reduces spherical aberrations, improves functional vision, and improves night-driving simulator performance. This IOL replaces the company’s Z9000 and Z9001 Tecnis silicone IOL models.

The Tecnis multifocal IOL (Advanced Medical Optics) has been shown to be highly effective for patients with different clinical needs, such as in patients undergoing cataract surgery and IOL implantation, those with presbyopia, and in those with hyperopia. Three studies presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery reported the results with this IOL.

Pleasanton, CA-Certain elements are key to building a successful lenticular refractive practice, according to Shareef Mahdavi, BA. While technology will continue to evolve, success with implants will likewise require physicians to evolve their approaches to the business side of refractive surgery, namely, upgrading their customer service.

Minneapolis, MN-Early results are promising regarding the potential role of conductive keratoplasty (CK, Refractec) as an additional tool to improve vision outcomes in eyes with keratoconus or post-LASIK ectasia treated with corneal implants (Intacs, Addition Technology), said Jason K. Darlington, MD.

Cincinnati-"Regardless of whether we are talking about full-thickness transplants or endothelial transplants, corneal transplant rejection is the leading cause of graft failure," said Edward J. Holland, MD, director, Cornea and External Diseases, Cincinnati Eye Institute, Cincinnati.

The Tecnis multifocal IOL (Advanced Medical Optics) has been shown to be highly effective for patients with different clinical needs, such as in patients undergoing cataract surgery and IOL implantation, those with presbyopia, and in those with hyperopia. Three studies presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery reported the results with this IOL.

Los Angeles-Preliminary results from a prospective study of patients with the crystalens square edge (SE) accommodating IOL (eyeonics) implanted suggest modification of the original optic edge design has been effective for reducing the development of posterior capsule opacification (PCO) and without causing an increase in visual quality-related complaints, according to D. Michael Colvard, MD.

Baltimore-Surgical results for patients requesting a blepharoplasty can be improved if the surgeon carefully examines individuals for coexisting diagnoses, pre-existing asymmetries, brow position, and lower eyelid malposition, explained Shannath L. Merbs, MD, PhD, FACS.

Baltimore-Tunnel creation for placement of corneal implants (Intacs, Addition Technology) in eyes with corneal ectasia is a promising new use for the femtosecond laser (IntraLase FS, IntraLase), according to Alisa Kim, MD.

The use of botulinum toxin by ophthalmologists to treat a variety of disorders has exploded over the past several years. It has highlighted many issues of interest, including off-label use, supply charges, and cosmetic indications. All of these have important implications for coding, billing, and reimbursement.

San Francisco-In an initial analysis, the Synchrony dual-optic single-piece IOL (Visiogen) performed well. The visual results were good, there were no major complications and no glare or halos after implantation, and patient satisfaction was high, according to George Beiko, BM, BCh, FRCS.

According to Alessandro Franchini, it is insufficient to design an aspheric lens that maintains a certain degree of spherical aberration simply to achieve a degree of pseudo-accommodation.