Surgery

With some of the leading ophthalmic surgeons and researchers from Europe and the United States in attendance, NuLens Ltd. introduced a new concept of accommodative IOLs for the treatment of presbyopia during an off-site presentation at the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons meeting.

San Diego-A new ultrathin IOL available in extremely high refractive powers offers distinct advantages over traditional thicker lenses or piggyback lenses for correction of hyperopia in patients with microphthalmos, according to Jochen Kammann, MD.

With the use of antifibrosis drugs, particularly 5-fluorouracil and mitomycin C, success rates increase dramatically. Reported success rates in the literature range from 51% to 90%.

San Diego-With the availability of foldable IOLs able to correct up to -31 D of spherical error, refractive lens exchange (RLE) for high myopia is now an option for patients hoping to achieve a good refractive outcome. However, patients will need to be monitored long term for potential complications, such as retinal detachments and posterior capsular opacification (PCO), explained Thomas Kohnen, MD, who spoke during the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery annual meeting.

Use of drugs and drainage implants also improves trabeculectomy outcomes

Irvine, CA-Medennium Inc. is moving its offices to a new facility about a mile from its previous location.

Don't miss "Ultimate Grand Rounds: Challenges in Cataract Surgery and Corneal Disease" (Sunday, Oct. 24, 10:40 a.m. to 12:10 p.m.), which is an exciting new session on cataract surgery and corneal disease. It will feature debates on case studies covering topics such as capsular tension rings, vitreous loss, multifocal IOLs, pterygium, herpes, dry eye, management of Fuchs' dystrophy, and cataract.

Houston-A number of surgical options are available for managing the anophthalmic socket after primary enucleation and evisceration. However, there is little consensus about what implant or wrapping material is preferred, according to Grant W. Su, MD.

Pre-formed gel masks are applied to patients requesting injectable cosmetic therapies.

San Diego-Phakic anterior chamber IOLs affect the biometric measurement of axial length, which results in clinically significant errors in IOL power calculations in patients who need to undergo cataract surgery. Gerald Zaidman, MD, described such a patient and offered suggestions for managing this complicated problem here at the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery.

Rochester, NY-Bausch & Lomb and CIBA Vision Corp. have settled longstanding patent infringement lawsuits related to silicone hydrogel contact lens materials used to make their extended-wear lenses.

Fort Lauderdale, FL-Initial clinical trial experience suggests that CO2 laser-assisted nonpenetrating deep scle- rectomy (NPDS) holds promise as an excellent option for glaucoma therapy, said Ehud I. Assia, MD, at the annual meeting of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology.

Fort Lauderdale, FL-In a comparison study that has implications for wound healing in surface ablation procedures, investigators found that four commonly used topical ophthalmic antibiotics-moxifloxacin (Vigamox, Alcon), levofloxacin (Quixin, Santen), gatifloxacin (Zymar, Allergan), and ofloxacin (Ocuflox, Allergan)-all showed evidence of toxicity on human corneal epithelial cells, with moxifloxacin causing the least amount of toxicity.

Santa Ana, CA-Advanced Medical Optics Inc. (AMO) is offering an extended low-diopter and plano range of its Array silicone IOL.

Half of cataract surgeons only wait 2 weeks between the time of the first and second eye surgery.

San Diego - Two-year follow-up of eyes with the ClariFlex with OptiEdge silicone IOL (AMO) implanted show that the second-generation silicone IOL with its novel edge design is performing well. Furthermore, risk of posterior capsular opacification (PCO) and glare was minimal, according to the results of a study presented by Elizabeth A. Davis, MD, FACS, at the annual meeting of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery.

PJD is a relatively quick procedure that uses a blunt-tipped cannula inserted between the bulbar conjunctiva and the sclera.

Digital light delivery system allows adjustment of lens, eliminates need for explantation

Patients can get full refund if unhappy with lenses

Study shows cell loss equal to natural aging, allowing IOL to be implanted in young patients

Researchers around the world have been working diligently over the last 25 years to develop artificial corneas for patients who are not good candidates for the current techniques of keratoplasty, according to Eduardo C. Alfonso, MD.

More than 330 ophthalmologists from 24 states and several countriesattended "Glaucoma 2004: Mastering Tools and Techniques for the 21stCentury," on Friday, June 4, and Saturday, June 5, at the Plaza Hotel.

The use of antiproliferative agents has helped increase thelikelihood of successful filtering surgery by inhibiting the wound healingresponse. The problem is that these agents also contribute to the risk ofbleb leak and bleb-associated infection, reported Paul J. Lama, MD, of theUniversity of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Newark, and the Veterans'Administration Medical Center, East Orange, NJ.

San Diego-The key to achieving the most from refractive surgery is an understanding of the biomechanics of the refractive procedures in the eye coupled with advances in pharmaceuticals to facilitate wound healing.

Baltimore-Peripheral iris fixation of a foldable posterior chamber IOL using a modified McCannel suture appears to be a useful technique for the management of delayed-onset within-the-bag IOL subluxation in eyes with pseudoexfoliation syndrome, said Aruoriwo M. Oboh-Weilke, MD

Optical complications were substantial glare in about 20% of patients, halos in 30%, and problems with night driving in 20%.

Ellex Medical Pty. Ltd. introduces the Laserex Solo laser for the treatmentof open-angle glaucoma.

Advanced Medical Optics Inc. presents its ClariFlex with OptiEdge, anextended-diopter range intraocular lens for cataract surgery.

Weighing the risks when complications may be significant

Other medical specialties join AAO to limit procedures by non-surgeons