Surgery

High-frequency waves cut and coagulate tissue at same time, providing excellent wound healing

Material, shape, cost, and pegging are among the factors surgeons need to weigh

Correct dosing, depth of injections are among requirements for doing the procedure correctly

Dorado, Puerto Rico-After positive results from a European clinical trial showed transforming growth factor-b2 (TGF-b2) mono clonal antibody was effective in delaying wound healing after first-time trabeculectomy, U.S. investigators are undertaking a multicenter clinical trial to compare the new agent with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), reported Marshall N. Cyrlin, MD.

San Francisco-Clinical trials are under way in centers in Germany and Colombia to evaluate a dual-optic accommodating IOL (Synchrony, Visiogen) designed to offer amplified, consistent accommodation across a wide range of IOL powers, said Stephen D. McLeod, MD.

The Royale Injector (ASICO), a single-handed injection system for implanting the AcrySof lens (Alcon), has in- corporated a plunger mechanism into the design that cataract surgeons appreciate.

Dorado, Puerto Rico - Refractive lens exchange (RLE) does look promising as a viable option to corneal refractive procedures, particularly in those patients with high myopia or hyperopia. However, surgeons need to review the advantages and limitations of the intraocular procedure carefully with patients, according to Terrence P. O'Brien, MD.

Fremont, CA-Nidek Inc. will lend its YC-1600 Nd:YAG ophthalmic laser to Mercy Ships International to treat the poor in developing nations.

Madison, WI-Leaking blebs occur fairly often now that antimetabolites are used in glaucoma surgery. A variety of treatment approaches can be used to manage them, and the outcomes are usually successful if care is taken in the management process, according to Todd Perkins, MD.

Mendoza, Argentina-Intraocular contact lenses (ICLs) (STAAR Surgical) have been used for many years outside the United States, and the results indicate that the ICLs can be tolerated over the long term. More patients have been opting to have this type of lens implanted following a previous LASIK procedure, and their visual outcomes have been good, according to Roberto Zaldivar, MD.

Carlsbad, CA-The Vision Membrane multifocal IOL (Vision Membrane Technologies Inc.) is a silicone anterior chamber phakic IOL that is intended to treat patients with myopia, hyperopia, and presbyopia. The IOL is extremely thin, even for cases of extreme myopia, and can eliminate the glare and halos normally associated with corneal refractive procedures.

Dorado, Puerto Rico-Have you ever wondered what you as a cataract surgeon can do to improve your patients' outcomes? Steve A. Arshinoff, MD, FRCSC, may have some answers.

At this year's ARVO meeting, glaucoma specialists can broaden their clinicalknowledge of topics ranging from surgery and wound healing to neuroprotectionto retinal nerve fiber layer imaging. Members of Ophthalmology Times'Editorial Advisory Board reviewed dozens of glaucoma abstracts to be presentedat the meeting. Some of the board's selections are highlighted here.

Cincinnati, OH-Spencer Thornton, MD, is guest host on the third volume of the 2003 Video Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery to review the surgical options in the treatment of presbyopia.

Anaheim, CA-Performing cataract surgery in an eye with a failing filtering bleb is a tricky business, which has been addressed by a few different procedures. Successful intervention can be achieved in carefully selected patients. However, in those in which intervention might be problematic, a new investigational device is under study to lower IOP, according to Reay H. Brown, MD.

Anaheim, CA-Selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) seems to be as effective for treating patients who had undergone argon laser trabeculoplasty (ALT) as the initial treatment for glaucoma, and may be more effective for re-treatments, but data and fol- low-up are limited, said Douglas N. Johnson, MD, at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

New Orleans-The AquaLase liquefaction device (Alcon) is a new technology for lens removal that provides the advantages of excellent safety for the cornea and posterior capsule without sacrificing efficiency, said Stephen F. Brint, MD.

Anaheim, CA-Myopic patients considering refractive lens exchange (RLE) for correcting their myopic refractive errors should be aware of the risk of retinal detachment (RD) and the retinal re-attachment rate and outcomes, said Barry S. Seibel, MD.

Anaheim, CA-Refractive lens exchange (RLE) for high hyperopia is another option for patients hoping to achieve a good refractive outcome and preserve the normal architecture of the cornea, said Raymond M. Stein, MD.

Washington, DC-Micro-thin prescription inserts (Intacs, Addition Technology), which received FDA approval in the United States in 1999 for the treatment of mild myopia, are an alternative to tissue-ablating laser vision procedures and have a number of advantages.

The FDA has approved Refocus Group's request to begin phase II clinical trials of its scleral implants and scleral spacing procedure for the surgical treatment of presbyopia.

Salt Lake City-The Light Adjustable Lens (LAL, Calhoun Vision) is an exciting new technology for the future, said Nick A. Mamalis, MD.

Anaheim, CA-The recently approved model AT-45 accommodative IOL (Crystalens, eyeonics inc. [formerly C&C Vision]) is expected to be a very useful practice addition for surgeons in their management of presby-opia, said D. Michael Colvard, MD, at the International Society of Refractive Surgery/ American Academy of Oph-thalmology subspecialty day meeting.

Kansas City, KS-The foldable acrylic AR-40E IOL (Sensar with OptiEdge, AMO) contin-ues to provide positive results as the number of eyes with implants and duration of follow-up increase, said John D. Hunkeler, MD.

Dorado, Puerto Rico-The 26th annual "Current Concepts in Ophthalmology" meeting, sponsored by Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine/Wilmer Eye Institute and supported by Ophthalmology Times, will be held Feb. 20 to 23 at the Hyatt Dorado Beach Resort.

Atlanta-The FDA has given CIBA Vision permission to print that its Clear Care solution provides clinically significant improvements in frequency of dryness and end-of-day comfort over three multipurpose solutions.

Cataract surgeons who participated in the premarketing clinical trials for the model AT-45 accommodative IOL (Crystalens, eyeonics inc. [formerly C&C Vision]) are heralding that technology as an important advance. The lens affords patients clear uncorrected vision at near, intermediate, and distance. FDA approval for marketing of the lens was granted in November.

As the end of 2003 approaches, it is estimated that nearly 100 million people around the globe wear contact lenses. This translates into approximately 4% to 5% of all spectacle wearers. Quite a large marketplace.

Antwerp, Belgium-Patients who have received the CrystaLens AT-45 accommodating IOL (eyeonics, formerly C&C Vision, Aliso Viejo, CA) after cataract extraction achieve very good distance and intermediate vision as well as improvements in their near vision, according to Erik L. Mertens, MD, FEBO, director and ophthalmic surgeon at Antwerp Eye Center, Antwerp, Belgium.

Developments in refractive surgery are interdependent and encompass diagnostics, surgical technology, and supportive therapeutics, all of which have a common goal: emmetropia. A number of advances have grabbed the attention of refractive surgeons over the past year, such as improvements in lasers, materials, and refinements in indications for certain refractive procedures. Wavefront technology is still taking center stage.