How often do you prescribe glasses in very young children?
October 15th 2015The glasses prescribing patterns of a pediatric ophthalmology group differed from the guidelines issued by the American Academy of Ophthalmology for infants less than age 1 year but were similar for children age 1 to 3 years, a study found. The study also demonstrated the efficacy of using electronic medical records for assessing physician decision-making.
New treatment options revise the prognosis for keratoconus
October 15th 2015Understanding of keratoconus and the resulting dramatic changes in management in recent years have given rise to treatment paradigms that would have been unrecognizable to ophthalmologists a generation ago. The new landscape features a wider range of treatment options, better diagnostic and monitoring tools, and better understanding of the underlying pathology of the disease.
Innovative material helps implant lower IOP safely, effectively
October 15th 2015The XEN Gel Stent is a micro-fistula implant designed to lower IOP without relying on physiologic outflow pathways – it connects the anterior chamber to the subconjunctival space. Prospective data from more than 900 surgeries from around the world support the safety and efficacy of this device.
Investigational drug Luminate targets integrin receptors
October 15th 2015Anti-integrin therapy is a promising new approach in the treatment of vitreoretinal disease. The first drug in this class, Allegro Ophthalmics’ Luminate, is in Phase 2 clinical trials for several indications, including wet age-related macular degeneration, diabetic macular edema, non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy, and vitreomacular traction.
CME rates lower with intravitreal transzonular antibiotic than topical NSAIDs
October 15th 2015The rate of postoperative cystoid macular edema was lower in a recent study of nearly 1,000 cataract surgery patients at two sites using intravitreal transzonular antibiotic and steroid prophylaxis than in previous studies with topical administration.
Good visualization in retinal surgery can improve outcomes
October 15th 2015An endoscope can improve outcomes in cases in which the view through the traditional operating microscope is known to be compromised preoperatively, and is a good backup if a problem makes visualization difficult intraoperatively.
To improve compliance in glaucoma patients, keep it simple
October 15th 2015Noncompliance with glaucoma medication is a familiar issue. There is no one-size-fits-all solution, but aiming for simplicity, consistency, and stability from the start of treatment could help more patients adhere to their treatment plan.
Fixed-dose combination glaucoma drug provides easy, safe IOP control
October 15th 2015Once-daily dosing of one drop of Roclatan (Aerie Pharmaceuticals, Inc.), containing a fixed-dose combination of latanoprost and a rho kinase inhibitor and norepinephrine transport inhibitor, was clinically and statistically superior to administration of its individual components for controlling IOP in open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension.
Angiography debuts as latest upgrade to high-definition OCT platform
October 15th 2015OCT angiography (AngioPlex OCT Angiography) is now available as an upgrade to the CIRRUS 5000 HD-OCT platform (Carl Zeiss Meditec). The technology allows visualization of the blood flow and microvasculature in the retina, choriocapillaris, and choroid with the ease of noninvasive imaging.
Topical beta blocker for migraine treatment?
October 15th 2015In order to test the authors intriguing hypothesis that topical beta blockers improve acute migraine we will need a well-designed, statistically valid, large sample size, randomized, double masked, placebo controlled, clinical trial that would have defined primary outcome measures as well as strict inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Ultra-widefield imaging: Coming into its own
October 15th 2015Ultra-widefield (UWF) imaging provides clinicians a much broader view of the retinal periphery. The Optos California uses multiple UWF imaging modalities, including color, autofluorescence, fluorescein angiography (FA), and indocyanine green (ICG) angiography in a 200° picture.
Mark Packer, MD: Sitting on the DOCK of the bay
October 11th 2015The DOCK, of course, is the Demonstration of Ophthalmic Cognitive Knowledge, the final step for me in completing my second round of Maintenance of Certification requirements for the American Board of Ophthalmology (ABO). Taking this exam initiated a period of contemplation regarding where I’ve been and where I’m going.
The value of microinstrumentation in successful surgery
October 1st 2015Microsurgical instruments enable surgeons to perform complicated anterior segment eye procedures through good control of tissue handling. In this article, Dr Little explains how fine-gauge instruments allow for procedures such as iris reconstruction to be performed far more easily than was previously possible.
Ab interno trabeculectomy demonstrates positive outcomes, even in patients with narrow angles
October 1st 2015Narrow angles have been associated with a higher IOP in glaucoma patients, presumably by causing higher outflow resistance. Here, Dr Loewen presents recent research in which both ab interno trabeculectomy (AIT) with the trabectome and phaco-AIT significantly reduced IOP and number of medications required, regardless of the degree of angle opening.
Functional vision loss in children: What to say to parents, the patient
October 1st 2015Functional vision loss in children is a relatively common problem. Although physicians may be hesitant to delve into conversations with children and parents when there is no evidence of organic disease, it is better to probe for cause of stress, anxiety, or depression stemming from issues with family, school, outside activities, or friends, and to identify for the patient and parents areas for attention that may be previously unknown or overlooked.
Device improves irregular astigmatism in pseudophakic eyes
October 1st 2015A pinhole implant placed in the ciliary sulcus can improve visual acuity and reduce dysphotic symptoms in pseudophakic eyes with irregular corneal astigmatism. Implantation is even easier with the latest version of the investigational device
Triple macular carotenoid supplement provides greatest benefits for AMD patients
October 1st 2015The AREDS2 findings have empowered ophthalmologists to recommend appropriate supplements to reduce risk of visual loss in patients with AMD. In this article, the authors discuss the emerging revelation that the constituents of macular pigment enhance visual performance and explain how supplementation with all three macular carotenoids in a MZ:L:Z (mg) ratio of 10:10:2 can confer the greatest benefits.