News

It is well known that with most disease, the earlier it is detected, the better the outcome prognosis. Along with early detection comes the need for early treatment. Traditionally, options for glaucoma have been limited. Medications can be effective when used properly, though patients are notorious for compliance issues.

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.

Ophthalmologists all know how to safely watch an eclipse, but how will ophthalmologists around the country be participating in and observing the event?

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.

It will soon be time for the FIL – Feira Internacional de Lisboa in Lisbon, Portugal to open its doors to the ophthalmic community for the 35th Congress of the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (ESCRS), taking place between the 7th and 11th October 2017.

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?”

Findings in the journal Clinical Ophthalmology report that using the technique phacoemulsification was performed without complications in 607 of 609 cataract eyes.

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.

Hyperopic SMILE is being investigated in a prospective study. Early outcomes show good efficacy, safety, and predictability along with some interesting differences compared with hyperopic LASIK.

Wavefront-guided LASIK and wavefront-guided PRK following previous keratorefractive surgery demonstrate similar safety, efficacy, and predictability and result in comparable wavefront outcomes.

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.

See what eye exams may be composed of in a few years.

A new questionnaire can help assess candidates’ symptoms before LASIK surgery, monitor them for visual symptoms as well as satisfaction after LASIK surgery, and measure the impact any post-LASIK symptoms have on a patient’s ability to function.

Decentration of less than 0.75 mm from a light-constricted pupil with a novel corneal inlay for the surgical correction of presbyopia does not affect visual acuity, task performance, or severity of halos and glare.

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.

Descemet’s stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) appears to have a higher risk of postoperative fungal infections (predominantly Candida) when compared to penetrating keratoplasty (PK).

When dealing with patients with retinal disease, macular disease, or a meaningful risk of retinal detachment, certain types of IOLs should be avoided due to potential complications.

Presbyopia patients have changed. They are younger than ever, more active than ever before, and they have more treatment options than ever before.

'Teleglaucoma’ is feasible and can play a major role in blindness prevention. Telemedicine and teleglaucoma are going to be an important part of how physicians take care of patients in the United States and worldwide.

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.

The pharma drought is coming to a close. After decades of same-old medications for glaucoma and ocular surface disease, a series of new agents with new mechanisms of action (MOA) are moving toward marketing approval.