IOP is the only proven modifiable risk factor for progression of normal-tension glaucoma (NTG). However, Shan Lin, MD, says there is some compelling evidence that a number of other variables play a role. Dr. Lin reviewed information from studies investigating cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressure, myopia, sleep apnea, low blood pressure (BP), oxidant minerals (calcium and iron), and oral contraceptive (OC) use, and found that these factors may contribute to NTG progression.
For many years, researchers have suspected and tried to prove a link between glaucoma and dementia, said Yvonne Ou, MD. Definitive answers, however, have been hard to come by. Glaucoma and dementia have several factors in common: both are neurodegenerative, chronic, and progressive diseases that are age-related and cause irreversible neuronal cell loss. They are both becoming a major public health concern as the U.S. population ages.
Physicians are taking pictures of eye problems with their personal smartphone, and smartphones are expected to have a tremendous impact in expanding telemedicine, reports Robert T. Chang, MD. However, while smartphone cameras may function well for pictures of the external eye, they lack the proper magnification and lighting to provide the necessary detail when capturing intraocular images. New adapters are addressing those limitations to enable smartphone fundus photography and acquisition of other high quality anterior segment images.
Identifying and managing the risk factors of glaucoma is key to its effective management. Andrew G. Iwach, MD, says ophthalmologists are not treating means or averages,but individuals, and this requires a customized approach for every eye and every patient.
Adding a dry eye center is not only beneficial to patients, but can also increase revenue to practices.
Blowing through a half-billion dollars is probably a lot harder than it seems
Controlling staff members’ attitudes may not seem important, but it is to patients who attend your practice. Make sure the overall atmosphere and experience for them is highly important or they will go elsewhere.
Patients with elevated tear osmolarity who underwent punctal occlusion showed rapid improvement in tear osmolarity and other features of dry eye disease.
Further distancing itself from Valeant Pharmaceuticals International’s unsolicited acquisition proposal, Allergan has filed an investor presentation with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and has posted the presentation to its website detailing its initial concerns about the sustainability of Valeant’s business model.
Allergan has received a strong outpour of support from its physician customers, their nurses, and office staff members, as well as from patient advocacy groups and medical associations following the company’s rejection of Valeant Pharmaceuticals International’s unsolicited acquisition proposal.
Value-based medicine analyses have indicated that glaucoma therapy has great patient benefits because it preserves their vision-which positively impacts their quality-of-life (QOL)-and it is cost effective with a high return on investment, according to Gary Brown, MD.
The FDA has granted AbbVie’s adalimumab (Humira) orphan drug designation for the treatment of non-infectious intermediate, posterior, or pan-uveitis, or chronic non-infectious anterior uveitis.
Ophthotech Corp. has entered into an ex-U.S. licensing and commercialization agreement with Novartis Pharmaceuticals that will focus on the treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
Analyses of data from a large, prospective, comparative case series show that laser cataract surgery (LCS) significantly reduces use of ultrasound energy. Furthermore, outcomes from the most recent group of LCS cases shows that after laser lens fragmentation, cataract removal can be achieved in almost all eyes using aspiration only, said Burkhard Dick, MD, PhD.
Ohr Pharmaceutical has entered into a definitive agreement with SKS Ocular and its affiliate SKS Ocular 1 (SKS Ocular) to acquire SKS Ocular's ophthalmology assets.
Following a meeting with the FDA last week, Shire has announced that it intends to submit a New Drug Application (NDA) for its dry eye disease treatment, lifitegrast, in the first quarter of 2015, as it completes remaining chemistry and manufacturing work.
Amakem Therapeutics announced that first patients have commenced treatment in a phase II dose-ranging study of its lead drug candidate-AMA0076-for the treatment of glaucoma.
BioLight Israeli Life Sciences Investments’ ViSci, its wholly owned subsidiary, has been informed that the FDA has granted a patent number covering the proprietary formulation of its glaucoma treatment, latanoprost, by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
Advances in endoscopy, a decades-old technology, offers major advantages to patients with pituitary tumors by improved visualization, rehabilitation, and shorter hospitalization.
Small Incision Lenticule Extraction (SMILE) performed using a femtosecond laser (VisuMax 500 kHz, Carl Zeiss Meditec) is being investigated as a treatment for spherical myopia in a U.S. clinical trial. Positive results were achieved in preliminary analyses of data from 315 eyes.
A new patient interface improved the usability and performance of a femtosecond laser system in a multicenter study.
Two-year follow-up data is positive for eyes enrolled in the first study of the Schlemm canal scaffold (Hydrus, Ivantis).
After watching a muddy high school soccer game, Dr. Rob Kitei and his two daughters were inspired to create a product that could be applied to players’ cleats to prevent mud accumulation. Following acquisition by global brand Mission Athletecare in September 2012, it will be nationally sold this summer.
To prepare for the transition to femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery, surgeons must be prepared for the learning curve and other practical considerations this implementation requires.
On the heels of the unanimous rejection by Allergan’s Board of Directors of an unsolicited buyout proposal by Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Valeant’s top executive intends to issue a financial increase counteroffer in an attempt to salvage the deal.
Examining the gender pay gap and what anonymous web users really think of it
Results of a commercially available, genetic profiling test for uveal melanoma can be used to determine patients at high risk for metastasis. Understanding of the genetics of the tumor is also being applied to develop targeted therapies that may improve patient survival.
Laser refractive cataract surgery improves the predictability of refractive outcomes, and this benefit holds value for surgeons and patients.
An optical dispensary designed for maximum shopability is a powerful marketing tool.
The American Academy of Ophthalmology has developed the Intelligent Research in Sight Registry, the first compressive eye disease outpatient clinical registry in the United States.
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