News

So far, 2017 has been a very exciting year for both ophthalmology and healthcare as a whole. We still have a few months left for more excitement, so stay tuned!

A new small-aperture intraocular lens (IOL) extends patients’ depth of focus as well as multifocal IOLs with fewer dysphotopsias, researchers say.

Scleral tunnel, “glued” fixation technique works better than alternative fixation techniques in cases where intraocular lenses (IOLs) cannot be placed in capsular bag or in the sulcus, according to Sumit Garg, MD.

The most recent analyses of data from the ARMOR (Antibiotic Resistance Monitoring in Ocular micRoorganisms) Surveillance Program can guide clinicians choosing antibiotic therapy for initial empiric therapy and infection prophylaxis. The information also reinforces the importance of prudent antibiotic prescribing to limit the development of bacterial resistance to existing options, according to Penny Asbell, MD.

Ophthalmology Times wants insight on antibiotics and eye infections from clinicians in the field - so the editors asked you. Readers like you helped by completing our survey and telling us about your experience with postoperative infections after eye surgery, if you use topical antibiotic prior to cataract surgery, how you choose antibiotics in a routine surgical prophylaxis, and more. The 118 U.S.-based ophthalmologists who responded were entered into a drawing to win a $200 gift card, with the winner being an ophthalmologist in Houston.

Though extended depth-of-focus lenses tend to be more forgiving of residual refractive error and mild decentration than other presbyopia-correcting IOLs, it is important to select patients carefully and follow good preoperative protocols for a successful outcome.

Addressing patient dissatisfaction after presbyopia-correcting IOL surgery requires listening to understand the problem. Time and patient reassurance may be adequate for resolving some issues.

The idiom “Don’t bring a knife to a gunfight” is meant to convey the importance of not entering a challenging situation without the proper equipment at hand. The concept that one must come properly prepared and equipped to any important task or confrontation is well-appreciated by ophthalmic surgeons, but this particular expression is rarely used by ophthalmologists teaching eye surgery to residents.

Surgeons should use a centroid value for surgically induced astigmatism rather than a mean or median value when working with toric IOL calculators.

When exploring novel treatment options for the management of IOP, clinicians should consider a number of independent factors ranging from beneficial behaviors to body position.

When it comes to recommending a premium IOL, a patient’s glaucoma is only one factor to consider. Just like any other patient planning cataract surgery, visual needs and preferences for/against glasses are also important factors.

Residual astigmatism is not uncommon after toric IOL implantation. Depending on its cause and magnitude, lens reorientation may be a good solution.

A 4-year study following trifocal IOL implantation (AT LISA tri 839MP, Carl Zeiss Meditec) found that the lens provided good distance, near, and intermediate visual acuity. The lens also improved patient quality of vision with better diffraction and less reduction in contrast sensitivity.

One thing has remained constant since the inception of Google: the importance of unique and compelling content. So, the answer seems to be just keep adding content to your website-right? Unfortunately, no.

Cataract and refractive surgeons should use prophylaxis to avoid reactivation of the herpes simplex virus (HSV) in patients with a history of infection with this virus, according to Elizabeth Yeu, MD.

Tomasso, a vitreoretinal surgeon, recently shared a blog by someone who calls him/herself “Neuroskeptic”.Neuroskeptic penned a spoof “scientific” article about midichlorians, which are the little organisms inside cells that give Jedi Knights (the good guys in the “Star Wars” movies) their powers (and unfortunately, confer those same powers to certain bad guys, like Darth Vader).

Having explored the various options available for micro-invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS), I now use several devices with success. One MIGS device (XEN Gel Stent, Allergan) differs from the others in that it drains aqueous into the subconjunctival space and can be performed as a stand-alone procedure without cataract surgery or combined with cataract surgery.

Assessing visual field progression in glaucoma may be more of an art than a science-and there is no one test to give reliable information that is needed about a patient, said Chris A. Johnson, PhD, DSc, FAAO, FARVO, professor, Department of Ophthalmology, and director, Visual Field Reading Center, University of Iowa, Iowa City.

Juan Carlos Izquierdo, MD, decribes how CO2 laser-assisted sclerectomy surgery is a successful, less invasive, and more simple option for a wide range of glaucoma patients. Due to his overall success with the CLASS procedure, he no longer performs trabeculectomy.

Advancing methods for evaluating therapeutic response have fostered a new era in glaucoma neuroprotection in which promising candidates are already being investigated in clinical trials and others are poised to begin phase I testing, said Jeffrey L. Goldberg, MD, PhD.

When setting a target IOP for patients with glaucoma, consideration of IOP fluctuations and the degree to which they vary is important.

With its ability to restore the eye’s natural outflow pathway, ab-interno canaloplasty (ABiC) presents a viable option for the treatment of different stages and severities of glaucoma, according to Mark J. Gallardo, MD.