News

Glaucoma Research Foundation (GRF) honored a long-time global leader in ophthalmology with its Catalyst Award on Thursday night at the foundation’s Glaucoma 360 Annual Gala and presented two renowned stem-cell researchers with its Visionary Award.

Analysis of the Harbor Study data could not definitively answer the question about whether anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapies influence the development of atrophy in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD). However, investigators did find that the visual acuity (VA) continued to improve in patients treated with monthly and as-needed drug regimens and that certain risk factors can predict development of atrophy, according to Srinivas Sadda, MD.

Michael S. Ehrlich, MD, explains how a simple lacrimal irrigation technique not only can avoid unnecessary discomfort for patients, but also adds diagnostic value for ophthalmologists.

An office-based system (NOVA Testing System, Diopsys) represents an advance in electrophysiological technology that allows clinicians the ability to detect pathology they have been unable to see in the past, thereby detecting disease early.

How does a practice remedy a long waiting time for patients? First, you must be concerned and communicate it to the staff. Physicians should watch or “visit” the reception area periodically to see if there is a “crowd.” Look at the patient’s scheduled time and monitor this regularly. Of course, the physician also should get to the office a little early and be ready to see the first patient when he/she is ready.

Peripheral melting disorders require surgical intervention when all else has failed and there is an impending risk of perforation. A peripheral C- or banana-shaped graft can restore tectonic integrity while maintaining a reasonable corneal contour to preserve vision.

New devices to lower IOP and facilitate aqueous outflow via minimally invasive glaucoma surgery are being developed, and early results from clinical trials are favorable for some.

Dr. Schuman discusses his role in its development, future of patient care for glaucoma

Bleb failure can often be avoided with well-managed trabeculectomy and effective postoperative care.

Analyses of data from the Advanced Imaging for Glaucoma Study showed many Fourier-domain optical coherence tomography parameters were significant risk factors for glaucoma onset in eyes that were glaucoma suspect or had pre-perimetric glaucoma.

CO2 laser-assisted sclerectomy surgery performed with a proprietary platform offers an effective and safer alternative to manual non-penetrating deep sclerectomy procedure for the management of medically uncontrolled open-angle glaucoma.

A glaucoma filtration device was equally effective in reducing IOP in eyes with pseudoexfoliative glaucoma and primary open-angle glaucoma in a recent small study.

Topical AR-13324 0.02% (Rhopressa, Aerie Pharmaceuticals) significantly lowered IOP in eyes with ocular hypertension or open-angle glaucoma in a 28-day phase II study.

Pattern scanning laser trabeculoplasty uses computer guidance for precise delivery of laser spots to the trabecular meshwork. At 6 months post-treatment, percentage IOP reduction was similar in eyes undergoing PSLT performed with a 577-nm laser compared with selective laser trabeculoplasty using a 532-nm laser.

Although the LOXL1 gene may increase the risk for pseudoexfoliation syndrome, currently available genetic testing does not effectively predict who will develop disease.

When faced with a particularly difficult decision, Alastair Mitchell Mitchell uses the “big red bus test.” He thinks about walking out of his building in London and crossing the street, only to turn and see that one of those monstrous London double-decker red buses is literally about to flatten him and send him to the hereafter. In the brief instant before the bus hits him, he wonders what would be the thing that he would most regret not having accomplished. The answer to this question should guide prioritization of the efforts of a successful chief executive officer, businessman, or (presumably) ophthalmologist.

Understanding that every office will have varying personalities and characters is important when managing staff members.

Subretinal fluid was associated with better visual acuity, whereas greater thickness of the subretinal tissue complex was associated with worse visual acuity in the second year of the Comparison of Age-related Macular Degeneration Treatment Trials.

Adherence and persistence among patients prescribed bimatoprost 0.03% or bimatoprost 0.01% was investigated using pharmacy claims data, and the results showed statistically significant differences favoring bimatoprost 0.01%.

Follow-up to 3 years in a study of eyes undergoing combination cataract surgery with implantation of a single microbypass trabecular stent shows a 36% reduction from baseline mean medicated IOP and 84% reduction in daily medication use.

The protocols for the pivotal trials establishing the efficacy of the brinzolamide 1%/brimonidine 0.2% fixed combination included pre-planned analyses of subgroups defined by IOP and demographic characteristics.

Microinvasive glaucoma surgery creates a new paradigm for the role of glaucoma surgery and is within the skillset of cataract and cornea surgeons.

George O. Waring III, MD, FACS, FRCOphth, was more than an ophthalmic surgeon and innovator. He was a friend, a mentor, a teacher, and an inspiration to those who knew him.

Joel Schuman, MD, FACS, director of the UPMC Eye Center at the University of Pittsburgh, discusses the upcoming Glaucoma 360 meeting and the Catalyst for a Cure. The meeting is planned for Feb. 5-7 in San Francisco. Both programs are part of Glaucoma Research Foundation's mission to prevent vision loss from glaucoma by investing in innovative research.

Preliminary results from a single center phase IV study support the safety and efficacy of femtosecond laser astigmatic keratotomy in patients undergoing cataract surgery or refractive lens exchange, said Pavel Stodulka, MD, PhD.

With just a swift click of an iPhone button, sighted people can now lend their eyes to the blind.

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is a multibillion-dollar industry in the United States, and the fact that it lacks regulatory oversight creates some cause for concern. However, when it comes to glaucoma, it appears that CAM use is modest and mostly benign, but also backed by little evidence of efficacy, said Derek S. Welsbie, MD, PhD.

These days, social media is king. Everything has become shareable and information can be passed along with just a click of a post or tweet button. But what happens if someone posts their negative feelings about your clinic, your staff, or even you online for the world to see? What if a patient desperately needs answers to their eye issue and reaches out to you via Facebook or Twitter for an answer? These scenarios can quickly turn into violations of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) if handled incorrectly.In this Q&A with Misti Buard, a certified marketing coach, we delve into everything physicians need to know to prevent HIPAA violations via social media.