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Follow the money

One thing that is interesting about the Medicare data is how much goes to the top 1% of physician billers.

Small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE), which has not yet been approved for refractive correction in the United States, may be less accurate and produce more irregular astigmatism than LASIK or PRK because of the imprecision resulting from the two incisions needed to create the lenticule. In addition, the technique for potential enhancements needs improvement. However, the treatment is promising and may stand the test of time as the technology advances.

Exfoliative glaucoma can prove to be a particularly difficult disease for opthalmologists to manage. In this article, aspects of IOP-lowering therapy specific to this type of glaucoma are considered, as well as the range of treatments available and the potential advantages and challenges associated with each therapy.

Careful preparation that includes planning ahead and going into surgery armed with the proper equipment and alternative strategies will facilitate easy and atraumatic explantation when performing IOL exchange, said Stephen S. Lane, MD.

A novel eyewear prototype wants to be the solution for those seeking wearable technology to track fitness and activities, but hate the bulky equipment that is required to be worn on wrists or clothing.

Intravitreal aflibercept 2 mg every 8 weeks after 5 initial monthly doses (IVT-AFL 2q8) improved visual acuity outcomes in eyes with center-involved diabetic macular edema (DME) to a greater extent than intravitreal ranibizumab 0.5 mg as needed (IVR 0.5 mg PRN), though vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibition with either IVT-AFL or IVR is efficacious and appears safe

Alcon has received European CE mark for a trifocal IOL (AcrySof IQ PanOptix) designed for patients who are undergoing cataract surgery and want to address their near, intermediate, and distance vision needs with one lens.

Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anto-VEGF) monotherapy is inadequate in patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD). However, by adding an anti-platelet-derived growth factor (anti-PDGF) drug to the anti-VEGF regimen, treatment is enhanced by preventing the development of fibrosis thus improving visual outcomes, according to Usha Chakravarthy, MBBS, PhD.

It has been established that implementing electronic health records (EHR) has not been well received by physicians. Complaints of EHR costs and complications are among a laundry list of concerns physicians have voiced since the system’s mandated adoption. Ophthalmology Times asked three EHR experts to list the most common complaints they have heard physicians experience while addressing the implementation, and their advice on solving these issues.

A laser tissue bonding apparatus integrated with an optical coherence tomography (OCT) probe is a plausible instrument that allows for temperature-controlled laser bonding of incisions in the cornea, according to Israeli researchers. The OCT probe can provide real-time feedback of structural change of the corneal tissue, and indicate the progress and end point of the bonding.

A team of researchers from Denmark believes it has found a way for ophthalmologists to identify the patients who will most likely to benefit from age-related cataract surgery.