News

Leading cataract surgeons speak to recent enhancements to a femtosecond laser and benefits of its integration with an image-guided system.

As the final common pathway in many retinal disorders, macular edema can be considered the leading cause of visual loss in the developed world, and thus has an enormous socioeconomic importance, according to Mark Johnson, MD.

The Italian Medicines Agency has granted marketing authorization to Alimera Sciences’ sustained-release intravitreal implant (Iluvien) for the treatment of chronic diabetic macular edema (DME).

Sequenom Laboratories’ RetnaGene portfolio of laboratory-developed genetic tests will be nationally launched in the United States by Nicox S.A. subsidiary, Nicox Inc.

After consultation with its independent financial and legal advisors, Allergan’s Board of Directors unanimously rejected Valeant Pharmaceuticals international’s unsolicited proposal for the third time.

As the American population ages, the number of those with eye diseases and vision problems will continue to increase. According to a report released Wednesday by Prevent Blindness, the annual costs related to eye disease will reach more than $384 billion in 2032 and $717 billion in 2050.

The statistics concerning herpes zoster (HZ)-also known as shingles-are startling, said Elisabeth Cohen, MD.

Following Allergan’s continued rejection of Valeant Pharmaceuticals International’s hostile takeover bid last week, Pershing Square Capital Management announced it has filed a lawsuit against Allergan.

The American Academy of Ophthalmology’s Intelligent Research in Sight (IRIS) Registry has been recognized by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) as an approved vehicle for enhanced federal quality reporting.

Makindus has received orphan designation for its lead product, MI-100, from the FDA’s Office of Orphan Products Development for the treatment of Stargardt’s disease.

Among the 2013 ASCRS clinical survey results on astigmatism, findings showed that 57% of physicians saw benefits associated with femtosecond laser arcuate incisions compared with conventional manual incisions. Other trends were identified from the more than 1,000 physician responses.

Patients receiving scleral implants are achieving significant rapid improvements in near and intermediate visual acuity, with most patients achieving J3 binocular vision 18 months after surgery.

Advances in ultrasound biomicroscopy enable the capture of higher quality images to ophthalmic surgeons who seek accurate diagnoses or anatomic measurements.

The ratio of the anterior to posterior corneal curvature is not constant for astigmatism. By factoring in the contribution of the posterior cornea based on population data, the Baylor toric IOL nomogram can improve surgical outcomes following toric IOL implantation.

Rather than figure out how to meet the demand for care and comply with the policy, news reports and congressional committees indicate that staff members developed strategies to “game” the computer scheduling system to make it appear as though timely appointments were being given when such was not the case. How many veterans might have suffered some irreversible vision loss as a result of delays in eye care?

Although relatively rare, cases of Acanthamoeba keratitis have been on the rise for more than a decade, for reasons not entirely understood.

The benefit-to-risk ratio of phakic IOLs is well balanced, according to one surgeon, who explained why phakic IOLs may be a good additional option for refractive surgery.

Epithelial-on crosslinking seems to be effective and safe for treating keratoconus as the result of the combination of a new formulation of riboflavin with a higher level of ultraviolet light. This technique resulted in improvements in corneal shape, uncorrected visual acuity, and best spectacle-corrected visual acuity.

CXL protocols using high irradiance/short irradiation time or leaving the epithelium on may limit the opportunity for adequate oxygen replenishment within the cornea, resulting in unsatisfactory outcomes.

Dysfunctional lens replacement may be a better option in certain cases for patients with dysfunctional lens syndrome who initially seek LASIK correction. With the availability of advanced diagnostic equipment, surgeons can now identify candidates and recommend this solution.

A retrospective study including more than 614,000 eyes undergoing femto-LASIK at a single practice over a 5-year period identified a flap striae incidence of 0.85% overall, however a climate conditions influence was also noted.

Knowledge about the circadian pattern of IOP and the 24-hour efficacy of glaucoma medications is increasing, which is expected to improve medical management of glaucoma in the future.

By asking a series of targeted questions, the optician learns about the specific set of needs and wants of the customer. The goal is to learn how, when, where, and why the customer uses his or her eyes each day.

Contractor advisory committee members function as a bridge to communication between providers and the Medicare contractor. They are a valuable resource in the many instances when clarification is required.

Despite Valeant Pharmaceuticals International upping its unsolicited takeover proposal for Allergan twice, Allergan has again rejected the offer, claiming it highly undervalued the company.

Analyses of safety data from Diabetic Retinopathy Clinical Research Network (DRCR.net) trials show a very low rate of endophthalmitis can be achieved in eyes receiving intravitreal drug injections using protocol that does not use topical antibiotics, said Abdhish R. Bhavsar, MD.

Following deliberations, the FDA’s ophthalmic devices advisory panel has determined that the benefits of AcuFocus’ Kamra inlay outweigh the risks for patients suffering vision loss as a result of presbyopia.

The FDA has granted orphan drug status to Ocugen’s recombinant lens epithelium derived growth factor 1-326 (OCU100) for the treatment of retinitis pigmentosa (RP).

FDA 510(k) clearance has been granted to CenterVue’s next-generation Macular Integrity Assessment (MAIA).

By the end of the week, Edward Kondrot, MD, and his wife will begin a 500-mile pilgrimage through Spain along the Camino de Santiago de Compostela to raise awareness for macular degeneration.