News

There is an ongoing controversy surrounding the importance of talent for athletes, musicians, physicians, and other professionals. Some argue talented people are better at learning certain things (developing skills). What is the truth when it comes to ophthalmology?

Infections after blepharoplasty are uncommon with or without the use of an antibiotic ointment. However, if infections occur, be suspicious of community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), said Mark A. Alford, MD.

In 2016, Vision Share eye banks provided more than half the supply of U.S. donor corneas with over 20,000 placements. It has worked to build the largest network of non-profit eye banks in the world, with 13 members and 20 eye banks in the United States and a vast network of providers at home and abroad.

The advent of low-risk surgical options is moving glaucoma from a pharmaceutically managed disease to one controlled via a series of surgical procedures. The outcome appears to be highly beneficial for patients, says Robert J. Noecker, MD.

OSD is of significant concern in patients with glaucoma on multiple topical medications. Optimal treatment of this condition with minimizing the intensity as well as with additional pharmacologic treatments for OSD can improve visual acuity and compliance and result in better outcomes both medically and regarding patient satisfaction.

America may face a public health crisis in coming years unless drastic changes are not made to the public perception of eye health, according to a report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM). Taking steps to create a public conversation about the matter, Allergan has launched a public awareness campaign, See America, to improve this awareness of and access to comprehensive eye exams.

New treatments and greater awareness are making dry eye an even more important part of glaucoma care, according to Richard Lewis, MD, of Sacramento Eye Consultants.

Ophthalmologists are likely to continue grappling with changes brought about by the Medicare Access and CHIPS (Children’s Health Insurance Program) Reauthorization Act (MACRA) under the administration of President Donald J. Trump, according to Ruth D. Williams, MD.

Despite the legalization of marijuana by several state governments, physicians should not recommend smoking it as a treatment for glaucoma, said Sunita Radhakrishnan, MD. “It has been approved by public opinion rather than regulatory process,” said Sunita Radhakrishnan, MD. 

For his research efforts to better understand the molecular pathways that are responsible for axonal degeneration in glaucoma, Richard Libby, PhD, was awarded the 2017 Shaffer Prize for Research during Thursday night’s Glaucoma 360 annual Gala.

Over the years, Glaucoma 360 has brought the concept of innovation in glaucoma to the forefront. This year’s meeting will surpass the Glaucoma Research Foundation’s (GRF) own “Horizons” by adding a few more “degrees” to its 360-degree concept.

Phenylephrine 1%/ketorolac injection 0.3% added to ophthalmic irrigation solution and administered intracamerally during cataract surgery was associated with a statistically significant reduction in surgical time, intraoperative complications, and use of pupil dilating devices and with a statistically significant improvement in best-corrected visual acuity.

When his surgery center was in the market for a new phacoemulsification platform, medical director Jonathan Solomon, MD, decided to switch from a unit equipped with a flow-based peristaltic pump to technology that features a vacuum-based Venturi system (Stellaris PC, Bausch + Lomb).