News

A dysfunctional clinic environment may mean the power lies with employees instead of the administration. Be aware of common complaints so the power of the practice  can be taken back.

Published in the American Journal of Ophthalmology, a retrospective case-controlled study between cohorts of rapid glaucoma disease progressors and nonrapid progressors found that rapid progressors were older, had significantly lower central corneal thickness, and baseline intraocular pressures.

In the past year, Matossian Eye Associates added a new category of presbyopia-correcting IOLs to the practice: the extended depth of focus (EDOF) IOL. The first IOL in this category is the Tecnis Symfony (Johnson & Johnson Vision). EDOF lenses from other manufacturers are in clinical trials, so it behooves the cataract surgeon to better understand how these lenses work.

Antibiotic resistance against fluoroquinolones is increasing, and that may adversely impact patients with retinal disorders. The introduction of intravitreal injections (IVT) to treat retinal diseases has increased from about 1 million in 2007 to an expected 6 million in 2016 (up from only 4,000 in 2001).

Ophthalmology Times asked readers for insights on antibiotics and eye infections from clinicians in the field - including 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. Here are the survey results.

Faced with an increasingly competitive environment, eye surgeons need to appeal to younger patients. The way to accomplish this is relatively straightforward: Be where they are. Of course, the more challenging part of this equation is “How?”

Oral cetirizine is one of the most used oral medications for treatment of allergic rhinitis. In May 2017, the FDA approved the first ophthalmic formulation of the second-generation histamine-1 (H1) receptor antagonist for use in treating ocular itching associated with allergic conjunctivitis.

My friend, Dave, an oculoplastic surgeon, trained the same time I did. He was extremely intelligent and possessed a great sense of humor. A real jokester, he provided free cosmetic services to his office staff, and claimed in their presence that his treatments prevented them from frowning at him.

Implantation of an investigational device for presbyopia resulted in a minimal 2-line increase in distance-corrected near visual acuity and an actual reduction in the amount of near add needed over time, show findings from a single-center, subgroup analysis.

A comparative analysis suggests placement of a cornea inlay (Kamra, AcuFocus) has improved patient satisfaction, refractive stability, and visual results when placed at 250 μm or deeper in the cornea. Shallower implantation depths may be more prone to refractive instability and lower patient satisfaction.

The use of epi-on photorefractive intrastromal cross linking reduced myopia by about 0.25 D in a small study; In a high-oxygen group, the effect averaged 1.25 D.

Excimer laser treatments using vector planning resulted in less corneal astigmatism, less refractive cylinder, and better unaided visual acuity postoperatively than treatments using manifest refractive treatment parameters alone, according to Noel Alpins, MD.

Patients with a contact lens lost in the eye are not a rare occurrence for ophthalmologists. However, 27 lenses at the same time may be another story! Another ophthalmologist shares his experience with a case involving 5 lenses within a patient's eye.

Aerie Pharmaceuticals is developing the first novel mechanism of action for the treatment of glaucoma in over 20 years. The company is developing two products for the treatment of patients with glaucoma and ocular hypertension. One is an entirely new agent, netarsudil, the other is a combination of netarsudil plus latanoprost.

Alcon Laboratories pharmaceutical products have been moved into the Novartis Pharmaceutical Division. The switch means a sharper focus on research and development in ophthalmology as well as better access to Norvartis’ patient services and support capabilities.

Bausch + Lomb (B + L) is more than one of the oldest eye care companies in the industry. It is also one of the broadest, with portfolios in contact lenses, consumer eye products, cataract surgery, intraocular lenses, retina surgery, and a wide range of ophthalmic pharmaceutical products.