Dysfunctional lens syndrome paradox
April 11th 2015In his latest blog, Mark Packer, MD, FACS, CPI, defends why doctors should not allow the restrictions of third party payers on reimbursement for cataract surgery to drive your diagnosis or your recommendations for treatment, as diagnosis and treatment must remain the surgeon’s sole responsibility if our profession is to retain any of its natural inherent authority.
Novartis deterred UK physicians from prescribing Avastin, report says
April 7th 2015Novartis attempted to block studies in the United Kingdom comparing ranibizumab (Lucentis) and bevacizumab (Avastin) for the treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD), according to an article published in The BJM, an international peer-reviewed medical journal.
Pain without stain poses diagnostic and therapeutic dilemma
April 1st 2015Keratoneuralgia, also known as “pain without stain” is primarily a clinical diagnosis made for patients with corneal pain symptoms with minimal-to-no clinical signs and minimally, if at all, relieved by conventional dry eye treatments.
Novel anti-VEGF agent approved in China may reduce injection frequency
April 1st 2015Conbercept is an anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) drug approved for the treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration in China. Compared with agents used in the United States, it has a higher binding affinity, lower VEGF dissociation rate, and longer clearance time.
Here today, gone tomorrow: Cosmetic outcomes of pterygium surgery
April 1st 2015In this first of a two-part series Arun C. Gulani, MD, discusses how pterygium and pinguecula surgery can be approached cosmetically, even in extensive cases, and not only improved pathologically and functionally but also raised to a cosmetic outcome. Part 2 will address strategies for handling complex and recurrent pterygium surgery and complications such as scleral melts.
Finding opportunity in the industry-sponsored clinical trial arena
April 1st 2015Participating in clinical trials can be rewarding. Not every eye-care practice is set-up for participation in clinical trials, but for those that invest the time and energy to become a high-quality research center, the benefits to both practice and patients can be quite significant.
Intravitreal sirolimus shows promise for noninfectious posterior segment uveitis
April 1st 2015SAKURA is a 24-month phase III study investigating the efficacy and safety of intravitreal sirolimus for treatment of noninfectious posterior segment uveitis. Data were reported from the primary endpoint visit at 5 months.
The future of keratoconus treatment
March 31st 2015Despite the advent of advanced technologies-such as corneal stromal collagen crosslinking (CXL), intracorneal ring segments (ICRS), toric phakic and pseudophakic IOLs, and keratoplasty-patients with keratoconus are mostly being managed with spectacles and/or contact lenses.