News

Data reported by American surgeons using ocriplasmin for treatment of symptomatic vitreomacular adhesion (VMA) show that it is possible to increase the success rate through careful patient selection, said David Chow, MD.

TearScience introduced its new LipiView II system that assists clinicians in improving diagnosis of meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) with objective examination of patients’ tear film lipid layer, blink profile, and now meibomian gland structure and function.

Ellex Medical Lasers Ltd. has released a comprehensive e-book-“It’s All About Outflow”-describing the role of canaloplasty in clinical practice.

Findings from a mid-term evaluation of the first Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty (DMEK) cohort show that the procedure results in a near complete visual recovery that is achieved at 6 months and seems to remain stable for at least up to 6 years, said Fook Chang Lam, MD.

Evidence for assessing the efficacy and safety of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) agents for treating corneal and ocular surface disease is accumulating. However, there is clearly a need for more research to define if, when, and how this therapy should be used, said Anat Galor, MD.

A targeted approach to treatment based on the findings of a thorough history, appropriate testing, and clinical exam can be successful for bringing relief to many patients with dry eye that is difficult to manage, said Deepinder K. Dhaliwal, MD.

As more state legislatures are relaxing anti-marijuana laws, doctors are being put in the middle by patients requesting prescriptions or authorizations for its use for medical needs, said Marc F. Lieberman, MD.

There has been considerable progress in treatment for diabetic macular edema (DME) in the last several years, but a look at the investigational pipeline indicates further advances are likely on the horizon, said Peter A. Campochiaro, MD.

Although the prognosis for posterior uveal melanoma remains poor, a look at recent developments and ongoing research provides hope for better outcomes in the future, said Jerry A. Shields, MD, in his delivery of the 2014 Charles L. Schepens, MD, Lecture.

There are already several good reasons for ophthalmic surgeons to perform “heads-up” surgery. Further benefits to support its use are anticipated as the technology continues to evolve, said Claus Eckardt, MD, professor of ophthalmology, Klinikum Frankfurt Höchst, Frankfurt, Germany.

Preliminary results from the Patient Reported Outcomes with LASIK-1 (PROWL-1) and PROWL-2 studies show that at 3 months after surgery, more than 95% of patients are seeing 20/20 or better uncorrected binocularly and more than 90% have monocular uncorrected visual acuity of 20/20 or better, said Malvina B. Eydelman, MD.

A novel medical device from BlephEx allows physicians to perform a painless, in-office procedure to treat blepharitis-thus relieving patients from the chronic and irritating symptoms of inflammatory lid disease and dry eye.