Over the past five years, we have successfully performed oculoplastic surgery on several hundred patients at the Belgian Ocular Laser Center (BOLC; www.BOLC.org) in Ghent, Belgium and, during this time, I have found the CO2 laser to provide an excellent alternative to the scalpel for treating the eyelids. Finally, we can offer bloodless surgery and improved outcomes.
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) in England produced its first Appraisal Consultation Document (ACD) regarding the use of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) drugs for the treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) recently. Essentially, the document recommended that the new anti-VEGF inhibitor Lucentis (ranibizumab; Novartis Ophthalmics) may be used only to treat predominantly classic subfoveal choroidal neovascularization (CNV) which shows evidence of progression in the second affected eye, provided the visual acuity is between 6/12 and 6/96.1 After considering feedback from formal consultees, the Appraisal Committee will prepare a Final Assessment Document (FAD) for submission to NICE who will then issue guidance.
Prior to the advent of wavefront-guided LASIK, the only parameters that could be modified in order to obtain optical correction for a given patient's refractive error were the sphere, cylinder and axis. This approach, however, would often not yield the ideal optical correction and, in many cases, the post-refractive surgery patient may be able to read the 20/20 line but not clearly. In some cases, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) would even decrease following surgery. This situation can usually be attributed to the persistence of significant amounts of higher order aberrations (HOAs).
Dr Richard Duffey seeks to answer this question by comparing the results of femtosecond LASIK flaps with those of the mechanical microkeratome.
Allergan pulled up by FDA; AMO makes a move on B&L; Opko snags Ophthalmic Technologies; Alcon sets its sights on WaveLight; B&L to sue Alcon; Ellex launches SLT website
In recent years, excimer laser refractive surgery has provided solutions for myopia, astigmatism and hyperopia and now it is also taking on the challenges presented by presbyopia.
It's that time of year again and it seems like only yesterday when we were gearing up for the annual congress of the ESCRS in London. Now the European society is taking us to the Swedish capital city, Stockholm, for its annual event.
The quest for safe, effective surgery, which produces optimal results, has prompted much debate among experts on what the best procedure is for performing laser enhancements. For wavefront-guided enhancements, lamellar and surface procedures are both popular methods and I would like to discuss my experience and share my thoughts on their future in refractive surgery.
By mixing and matching diffractive and refractive IOLs, patients can achieve much better all round visual results.
Bevacizumab: less effective against larger lesions; New supranational European society; Happy 50th birthday SOE; Blue-blocking IOLs damage health; 3-D test identifies early stage glaucoma; A new way of tackling ROP; Femtosecond not always appropriate; High pulse pressure linked to OAG; Stem cell project to cure AMD underway; OCT increasingly popular for anti-VEGF monitoring; Glaucoma nano-treatment on the horizon; Lucky for some: the 13th LCA gene; Community optometrists able to diagnose glaucoma accurately; Coffee may prevent blepharospasm
Ninety percent achieved the efficacy endpoint, and, furthermore, over two-thirds of patients improved by at least three lines and one-quarter improved by at least five lines in distance vision
Editorial advisory board
Call for papers
The practice of treating angle closure glaucoma (ACG) varies widely across the United Kingdom, according to a poster presented at the 8th congress of the European Glaucoma Society (EGS), held June 1–6 in Berlin.
Current screening and referral methods are thought to be inadequate. But what needs to be done to improve the situation?
Involving the general ophthalmologist in follow-up monitoring is recommended, whilst patient self-monitoring is essential in the long-term.
During the course of therapy, when should fluorescein angiography be performed? Also consider whether the general ophthalmologist could provide some much needed assistance.
Is it necessary to administer intravitreal injections in an operating theatre? Find out how to optimize patient flow during the treatment process.
Is a formal examination necessary following the administration of an intravitreal injection?
A good team structure involving bredth of technical staff is important to ensure smooth patient flow during the initial diagnosis procedure.
Healthcare authorities must be updated on AMD and the importance of new therapies. A system also needs to be implemented which advises on responsibility for payment.
According to some experts, the team approach is preferable to the production-line approach when organizing a clinic that administers intravitreal anti-VEGF therapy.
Sirion Therapeutics has initiated two new Phase III clinical studies for two of its pipeline compounds, ST-601 (difluprednate) and ST-603 (cyclosporine).
The British intraocular lens (IOL) manufacturer, Rayner Intraocular Lenses, has received pre-market approval (PMA) for its C-flex lens from the FDA making it the first non-US IOL to receive FDA approval in twenty years.
Significantly more glaucoma patients, who are treated surgically rather than medically, will experience reversal of cupping.
Ellex Medical Lasers has received FDA 510(k) approval to market the Ellex 30XL laser slit lamp.
Novagali Pharma's Investigational New Drug Application (IND) to conduct a pivotal Phase III clinical trial of its dry eye candidate, Nova22007, has been granted by the FDA.
A study, which was halted before the completion of enrolment, failed to demonstrate any difference in the visual outcomes or safety concerns in patients with neovascularization secondary to age-related macular degeneration (AMD) who were treated with photodynamic therapy (PDT) in combination with either intravitreal injections of Macugen (pegaptanib sodium) or triamcinolone
QLT has announced that the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) will recommend to the European Commission that the occult indication for Visudyne be removed from the product's European label.
ISTA Pharmaceuticals has withdrawn its marketing authorization application for Vitragen.