Surgery

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Editor's Note: I developed myectomy surgery more than 25 years ago, and this procedure has been confirmed to be the best surgical treatment for blepharospasm. I have performed more than 1,000 myectomy procedures, and while functional results (reduction in spasm) have not changed greatly in the past few years, cosmetic results have improved greatly and negative side effects and healing time have been reduced.

Cataract removal by means of phacoemulsification has improved over the last 35 years in small, incremental steps. The sequential introductions of capsulorhexis, foldable IOLs, clear corneal incisions, and topical anesthesia have made small improvements in the safety andefficacy of cataract surgery and as a whole have taken us one giant leap forward.Bimanual phacoemulsification is just another one of these small steps that may ultimately enhance our ability to offer the best surgical procedure to our patients.

Orlando-Posterior chamber phakic implants can offer safe and effective correction of moderate to high myopia with stable refractive outcomes, low risks of operative and postoperative complications, high patient satisfaction, and the benefit of less induction of optical aberrations relative to LASIK, according to James J. Salz, MD.

Rochester, NY-A federal circuit appeals court has upheld a ruling that Bausch & Lomb's PureVision contact lenses infringe a patent owned by CIBA Vision that the company uses for its silicone hydrogel contact lenses.

Memphis-The Ophthalas EyeLite Photocoagulator (Alcon) features a 532-nm diode-pumped frequency-doubled YAG laser that makes it a powerful and reliable choice for endoscopic, laser indirect ophthalmoscope (LIO), and slit-lamp delivered photocoagulation procedures, said Steve Charles, MD.

Orlando-The Tecnis Z9000 IOL (Pharmacia) is a revolutionary development in foldable IOL technology with significant visual function benefits for cataract surgery patients, concurred speakers at a Pharmacia-sponsored continuing medical education symposium held during the recent annual meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

Philadelphia-Wills Eye Hospital and Tulane Medical Center are joining efforts to study the efficacy of selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) compared with conventional medical management as monotherapy for open-angle glaucoma.

Lexington, KY-One of the newest viscoelastic products approved by the FDA is 1.2% sodium hyaluronate (CoEase, Advanced Medical Optics), which exemplifies the trend toward developing agents with both dispersive and cohesive properties.

Experience in ongoing clinical trials points to the potential of the 1,064-nm Nd:YAG laser (Photon, Paradigm Medical) as an effective and remarkably safe alternative for removing soft lenses, said Michael B. Limberg, MD.

Salt Lake City-An evaluation of four materials available for the manufacture of IOL haptics showed that polymethylmethac-rylate (PMMA), elastimide, and polyvi-nylidene fluoride (PVDF) had similar loop memory at a level that was significantly higher than that of polypropylene (PP) haptics. All lenses had a silicone optic.

Orlando-A new light-adjustable IOL (LAL) has been designed that will allow for noninvasive correction of residual refractive errors present after cataract surgery, said Daniel M. Schwartz, MD, during the refractive surgery subspecialty day meeting prior to the annual meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Researchers are ready to begin testing the LAL in clinical trials, he added.

The Selecta Duet (Lumenis), a new dual-purpose laser system, brings anterior segment surgeons a cost-effective and space-saving solution for treating both glaucoma patients undergoing selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) and pseudophakic patients in need of Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy for secondary cataract.

Fort Worth, TX-Alcon has received FDA clearance for its Opti-Free Express Multi-Purpose Disinfecting Solution "no-rub" formula for use with silicone hydrogel lenses. The indication has been added to the product's carton, label, and package insert.

Orlando-The Contact Lens and Eyecare Symposium (CLES) will offer more than 130 hours of accredited continuing education courses from which to choose during the group's inaugural meeting, Jan. 22 to 26 at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort in Orlando.

Cincinnati, OH-The quarterly Video Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery has published two more issues in 2002 that are available free to residency programs in the United States and surgeons abroad.

Newark, NJ-Multimodal therapy, close surveillance with prompt intervention for early signs of failure, and long-term suppression of fibroblastic activity may help improve long-term success rates of glaucoma filtering surgery, said Paul J. Lama, MD.