Surgery

Eugene, OR-The Tecnis Z9000 modified prolate IOL (AMO)improves functional vision by eliminating positive ocular sphericalaberration, which increases by 0.15% a year, according to MarkPacker, MD, FACS.

Dorado, Puerto Rico-Physicians delving into the refractivecataract surgery arena should be careful screening and selectingpatients to ensure the best results. In order to do this, surgeonsneed to survey patients about their needs and desires pertaining totheir vision, so that the appropriate IOL technology can be chosen,explained Louis D. "Skip" Nichamin, MD, who spoke during theCurrent Concepts in Ophthalmology meeting here.

Trevor Lamb, ScD, FRS, FAA, of the John Curtin School of MedicalResearch, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia, andEdward Pugh Jr., PhD, from the F.M. Kirby Center for MolecularOphthalmology, Scheie Eye Institute, University of Pennsylvania,Philadelphia, share the 2006 Proctor Medal and Lecture for thedevelopment of a comprehensive model of photoexcitation in rodreceptors and its application to the electroretinogram (ERG). Thiswork led to the use of the ERG in the analysis of deficits in avariety of basic and clinical situations.

There are common molecular and cellular mechanisms in differenttissue types and key genes that regulate wound healing.Transforming growth factors (TGFB) and connective tissue growthfactor (CTGF) are important growth factors that interact in thesteps leading to scarring, according to George Schultz, PhD, whospoke at the annual meeting of the Association for Research inVision and Ophthalmology.

There are common molecular and cellular mechanisms in differenttissue types and key genes that regulate wound healing.Transforming growth factors (TGFB) and connective tissue growthfactor (CTGF) are important growth factors that interact in thesteps leading to scarring, according to George Schultz, PhD, whospoke at the annual meeting of the Association for Research inVision and Ophthalmology.

Transforming growth factor B3 (TGFB3) is instrumental in woundhealing without scar formation. Mark Ferguson, PhD, described aseminal discovery that wounds made in embryos?which have highlevels of TGFB3 and low levels of TGFB1 andTGFB2?heal scar-free.

For thousands of ophthalmologists and vision researchers, a springtrip to Fort Lauderdale, FL, is an annual tradition that mixes alittle bit of sunshine with a whole lot of academics. Thattradition continues this year, with the 2006 Association forResearch in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) annual meeting fromSunday, April 30 to Thursday, May 4.

For thousands of ophthalmologists and vision researchers, a springtrip to Fort Lauderdale, FL, is an annual tradition that mixes alittle bit of sunshine with a whole lot of academics. Thattradition continues this year, with the 2006 Association forResearch in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) annual meeting fromSunday, April 30 to Thursday, May 4.

Fort Lauderdale, FL?For thousands of ophthalmologists and vision researchers, a spring trip to Fort Lauderdale, FL, is an annual tradition that mixes a little bit of sunshine with a whole lot of academics. That tradition continues this year, with the 2006 Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) annual meeting scheduled for Sunday, April 30 to Thursday, May 4.

New York?The Scleral Spacing Procedure (SSP) for Presbyopia with PresVIEW Scleral Implants (PSI) (Refocus Group Inc., formerly PresbyCorp) provides significant improvement in near visual acuity (VA) and no change in the uncorrected distance VA, according to Barrie D. Soloway, MD, FACS.

Atlanta?A 6-year study confirms the safety of dual-laser blepharoplasty for aesthetic rejuvenation of the upper and lower eyelids. Describing a series of 320 blepharoplasties, Harley Freiberger, MD, a dermatologic cosmetic surgeon in Los Angeles, reported that no permanent complications were observed, and that lesions healed rapidly and patients were quickly able to return to normal activity.

Memphis, TN?Twenty-five-gauge vitrectomy has become his preferred method for most vitrectomy applications, according to Steven T. Charles, MD, who described how he uses this new technology.

Frankfurt, Germany?Twenty-three gauge vitrectomy instrumentation has become available and offers surgeons an alternative to 25-gauge instruments. Claus Eckardt, MD, looked at the pros and cons of these smaller instruments.

Cleveland?Gene therapy and pharmacologic therapy, administered separately and combined, rescued retinal function in blind mice that were bred without an enzyme crucial to the detection of light.

Des Plaines, IL?Addition Technology announces its fourth-quarter 2005 sales of Intacs corneal implants increased 29% over the same quarter the prior year and 12% over third-quarter 2005.

Glendora, CA?OASIS Medical filed a lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson/Johnson & Johnson Vision Care Inc. (J&J) in the U.S. District Court in the Central District of California, alleging that the companies' use of the name OASYS infringes and dilutes OASIS Medical's trademark rights. Acuvue Oasys with Hydraclear Plus is a trademark of Johnson & Johnson Vision Care Inc. for its line of Acuvue contact lenses.

Baltimore?Cataract surgeons and their patients now have three multifocal IOLs to choose from, depending on the patient's needs and interests as well as the physician's preference for and experience with a particular lens.

Lamellar keratoplasty (LK) performed with the femtosecond laser showed good early results and the development of few complications, according to Saj Khan, MD.

Early experience with corneal implants (Intacs, Addition Technology) to treat corneal ectasia including keratoconus, pellucid marginal degeneration, and post-LASIK ectasia, seems promising, according to Audrey Talley-Rostov, MD.

The combination of an apodized diffractive IOL (AcrySof ReSTOR, Alcon Laboratories) in one eye and a refractive multifocal IOL (ReZoom, AMO) in the other provides greater patient satisfaction than the same diffractive IOLs (AcrySof ReSTOR) in both eyes, according to a study conducted by Henry L. Milne, MD.

When other possible treatments for ectasia fail, lamellar keratoplasty (LK) or penetrating keratoplasty (PK) may be the last resort for these patients, said William Culbertson, MD.

Jacksonville, FL?A new study shows that soft contact lenses made with senofilcon A, a new-generation silicone hydrogel material, were associated with a reduction in discomfort, dryness, and other commonly reported problems associated with contact lens wear. Contact lenses made with senofilcon A are currently marketed in the United States under the name Acuvue Oasys Brand Contact Lenses with Hydraclear Plus.

Atlanta?Silicone hydrogel contact lens sales are speeding up so rapidly that they may overtake traditional soft contact lens sales by the end of 2007, according to estimates based on retail audit data by the A.C. Nielsen Co. CIBA Vision holds the leading share of the silicone hydrogel segment at 49.5% of retail sales year-to-date, August 2005, according to the data.

Rochester, NY?The FDA has cleared additional labeling claims for Bausch & Lomb's ReNu with MoistureLoc Multi-Purpose Solution (MPS). The FDA cleared labeling that includes a specific indication for ReNu with MoistureLoc solution use with silicone hydrogel contact lenses, and an additional claim that the product conditions contact lenses, in support of its original "sustained comfort" labeling claim.

FDA approval of the crystalens (eyeonics), in addition to the AcrySof ReSTOR (Alcon Laboratories) and ReZoom multifocal (AMO) IOLs, allows ophthalmologists the ability to offer various choices of presbyopia-correcting technology with the hope of providing a surgical procedure that will greatly reduce or eliminate their patients' dependence on glasses following cataract surgery and refractive lens exchange. Hype and rumor regarding accommodating lens technology has created confusion regarding just how effective or ineffective these particular lenses may be. A review of the results in peer-reviewed medical literature in addition to an analysis of theoretical considerations with regard to the limits of accommodation provided by these lenses should clarify their ultimate usefulness in the average ophthalmic practice.

Chicago?Cataract and glaucoma can occur in eyes with phakic IOLs, but the risk of those complications can often be minimized by careful surgical technique and IOL sizing, said Antonio Marinho, MD, PhD, at the refractive surgery subspecialty day meeting sponsored by the International Society of Refractive Surgery of the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

Chicago—The foldable version of the iris claw fixated myopic phakic IOL (Artiflex II/Veriflex, Ophtec/AMO) affords faster recovery of excellent uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) compared with the polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) model (Artisan/Verisyse, Ophtec, AMO), but otherwise has the same favorable efficacy and safety profile associated with its widely used predecessor, according to results of a prospective, intrapatient comparison study reported by Jose L. Guell, MD, PhD, at the subspecialty day meeting sponsored by the International Society of Refractive Surgery of the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

Chicago—IntraLASIK as a one-step procedure using the femtosecond laser microkeratome (IntraLase) for flap creation shows promise as a safe and effective approach for correcting ametropia after penetrating keratoplasty (PK), although the best refractive results may be achieved in eyes with only mild to moderate astigmatism, said Irina S. Barequet, MD, at the refractive surgery subspecialty day meeting sponsored by the International Society of Refractive Surgery of the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

Lisbon, Portugal—Accurate adjustment of the new Light Adjustable Intraocular Lens (LAL) (Calhoun Vision) after implantation is possible using new digital light delivery systems and may eliminate the need for explantation of the IOL because of incorrect lens power after cataract surgery, reported Nick Mamalis, MD, at the annual meeting of the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons.

Baltimore—Extensive research has already led to the identification of a number of surgery- and IOL-related factors that can be targeted to reduce the occurrence of posterior capsule opacification (PCO). Investigators are continuing to evaluate new strategies to reduce its risk further in the future, said Albert S. Jun, MD, PhD, at Current Concepts in Ophthalmology, Baltimore.