News

Microincision cataract surgery (MICS) combined with trabeculectomy provides a one-year intraocular pressure (IOP) control comparable to that found with trabeculectomy and separate temporal clear corneal phaco, according to the results of a study by Dr Bayer and colleagues from the Ankara School of Medicine, Turkey.

Two-year follow-up data from patients treated with either latanoprost, travoprost or bimatoprost demonstrates that similar resource consumption outcomes are achieved by all three, as reported by Dr Kobalt and colleagues from European Health Economics in France.

Intravitreal bevacizumab (Avastin) may be an important additional treatment option for the rapid resolution of neovascular glaucoma (NVG), according to the results of a study conducted by Maia Kalev-Landoy and colleagues from the Wolfson Medical Center, Israel.

The use of implants in deep sclerectomy enhances success rates and lowers the need for postoperative medications, according to Petr Strnad, MD and colleagues from the Masaryk University, Czech Republic.

Ocular blood flow alterations and previous visual field damage may play an important role in visual field progression in open angle glaucoma (OAG), according to Antonio Martinez and colleagues from the Instituto Gallego de Oftalmologia, Spain.

To help improve compliance, patients should be made aware of what a normal intraocular pressure (IOP) is and be informed of their own at each visit to their ophthalmologist, according to Rohit Arora and colleagues from the North Middlesex Hospital, UK.

Dorzolamide/timolol fixed combinations (DTFC) and latanoprost achieve consistent 24-hour intraocular pressure (IOP) control and obtain a significant increase in 24-hour diastolic ocular perfusion pressure over a six-month treatment period, according to Anastasios Konstas from the AHEPA Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.

Combigan (brimonidine 0.2%/timolol 0.5%) can cause allergic symptoms in significant numbers of patients, according to Dr Subash and co-workers from Kingston Hospital, UK.

Non-penetrating layer-by-layer trabeculectomy in ostias of Schlemm's canal produces a pronounced and sustained effect and can be applied successfully in patients with therapy resistant open angle glaucoma, according to Dr Dashevskiy from the Munich University of Technology, Germany.

In eyes with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG), trabeculectomy with low dosage mitomycin-C (MMC) and intensified postoperative management offers an increased success rate and a lower incidence of complications, according to Professor Alfredo Reibaldi of the University of Catania, Italy.

Endoscopic cyclophotocoagulation (ECP) is an effective approach for the long-term management of difficult glaucoma cases and should be considered as a first-line treatment for refractory glaucoma, according to Francisco Lima, MD speaking at the "Surgery & Lasers in Glaucoma" session.

Non-penetrating glaucoma surgery (NPGS) is a safe and effective filtering procedure and could offer an alternative to trabeculectomy in patients with open angle glaucoma, according to Dr Aslan and colleagues from Ege University School of Medicine, Turkey.

Litigation proceedings initiated by the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary (MEEI) in 2001 against QLT and Novartis Ophthalmics, have been settled.

A study published in the March issue of Acta Ophthalmologica Scandinavica, has found that long-term treatment with a topical steroid after penetrating keratoplasty (PK) is no better at preserving endothelial cell density than short-term treatment.

Cessation of therapy with warfarin may not be necessary in patients receiving anticoagulation who are undergoing vitreoretinal procedures, according to a report in the March issue of Retina.

A study published online ahead of print in Ophthalmology, has highlighted the associated risks between blindness and smoking and warns that people with unilateral age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and age-related maculopathy (ARM) should be advised that they are increasing their risk of developing the disease in the second-eye.

Visual improvements for low myopia is significantly slower after LASEK than after LASIK, according to a study published in the February issue of the Journal of Refractive Surgery.

Patients with age-related maculopathy (ARM) undergoing cataract surgery can expect favourable visual and quality of life outcomes one to three years following surgery, according to the results of a study published in the March issue of Eye.

Iridex has been granted a summary judgement, by the US District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri, on its against Synergetics.

Lux Biosciences has begun treating patients in a pivotal clinical trial programme of LX211.

Preliminary results from a Phase I trial of TargeGen's TG100801 eye drop for macular degeneration, has found it to be well tolerated in humans.

Nitric oxide-donating derivatives of latanoprost for the treatment of glaucoma have been shown to successfully lower intraocular pressure (IOP) in preclinical studies.

Tacrolimus is relatively safe and effective in reducing rejection and prolonging graft survival in subjects with high-risk keratoplasty.

Staar Surgical has revealed that its Visian toric implantable collamer lens (TICL) is unlikely to receive FDA approval in 2007.

SR Pharma has launched a Phase I clinical trial of RTP-801i.

A Phase I clinical study of Athenagen's topical eye drop therapy for wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD), ATG3, has found it to be safe and well tolerated.

Results of a Phase III trial of the once-daily formulation of Xibrom (ISTA Pharmaceuticals) has found it to be both safe and efficacious.

The 1st of March was declared "ORBIS Day" in New York City, USA, by Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg.