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San Francisco-The ClariFlex third-generation silicone IOL (AMO) is well tolerated in high-risk glaucomatous eyes, and the Unfolder Silver-Z insertion system (AMO) performs well in these eyes, with a very low incidence of cartridge jams or damaged IOLs, accord-ing to Thomas W. Samuelson, MD.

San Francisco-The Sensar IOL (AMO) with OptiEdge provides patients with excellent visual acuity, and after 1 year, it is associated with a higher incidence of clear posterior capsules and a lower rate of Nd:YAG capsulotomy compared with the parent model without OptiEdge, reported William J. Fishkind, MD, at the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery annual meeting.

San Francisco-The AcrySof Natural IOL (Model SB30AL, Alcon), containing a covalently bonded, blue light-filtering chromophore (ImprUV), more closely mimics the light transmission spectrum of the precataractous adult human crystalline lens compared with standard UV-absorbing IOLs without any adverse effects on vision, said Paul H. Ernest, MD, at the American Society of Cata-ract and Refractive Surgery an-nual meeting.

San Francisco-With its proprietary apodized diffractive technology, the AcrySof ReSTOR pseudoaccommodative IOL (Alcon) provides patients with excellent near and distance vision and only infrequently causes visual symptoms that are generally minimal and easily tolerated, said David Allen, MD, at the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery annual meeting.

The first one-bottle daily lens-care system for rigid gas permeable (RGP) contact lenses will be available this month from Bausch & Lomb. The FDA approved Boston Simplus Multi-Action Solution in May.

Rochester, NY-Bausch & Lomb will delay the regulatory filing for the intravitreal fluocinolone acetonide implant (Retisert), a treatment for diabetic macular edema (DME), for up to 3 years while the FDA reviews 12-month safety data of additional eyes treated with implants.

The FDA has approved the use of CIBA Vision's Focus NIGHT & DAY silicone hydrogel contact lenses for therapeutic use, and AOSEPT Clear Care lens-care solution for use with rigid gas permeable (RGP) contact lenses.

San Francisco-With the presbyopic population reaching 51% (141 million) in the United States, the interest in surgical correction of presbyopia will likely take off as the baby boomers look for alternatives to glasses, according to Richard L. Lindstrom, MD, who delivered the Binkhorst Lecture during the opening session of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery annual meeting.

Kansas City, MO-Placement of silicone intracanalicular plugs (ICP) in the treatment of dry eye can result in a variety of complications, including irreversible lacrimal occlusion. When removal is indicated, various surgical strategies may be necessary because the recommended simple irrigation in the office is not always effective, said William L. White, MD.

San Francisco-At 1-year follow-up, the majority of patients who received the hyperopic Implantable Contact Lens (ICL, STAAR Surgical, Monrovia, CA) for correction of moderate to high hyperopia were satisfied with an uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) of at least 20/40 or better, noted Paul J. Dougherty, MD, who spoke during the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery Annual Meeting.

Many of the common complications associated with external silicone punctum plugs, such as extrusion or irritation, can be avoided if physicians take the time to measure the puncta and gauge the correct size, according to representatives of the major manufacturers of these plugs.

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.