News

Avedro Inc. has received a complete response letter from the FDA regarding the new drug application (NDA) for its riboflavin ophthalmic solution/KXL System.

Ronald Smith, MD, former president of the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), died earlier this month in Los Angeles.

The FDA has approved a new label update tied to Genentech’s ranibizumab (Lucentis) prescribing information for wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Alcon Laboratories has announced the addition of toric and multifocal contact lenses to its portfolio of one-day contact lenses, Dailies AquaComfort Plus.

Bausch + Lomb has introduced a new peroxide cleaning and disinfecting solution, PeroxiClear 3%.

OcuSOFT’s Retaine HPMC lubricant eye drops will now be available in a patented multi-dose, preservative-free delivery system.

STAAR Surgical’s Visian toric implantable lens (TICL) has received favorable votes to three questions presented to the FDA’s Ophthalmic Devices Panel of the Medical Devices Advisory Committee.

The Bowman’s ectasia index (BEI) may be a novel index for diagnosing keratoconus with a sensitivity and specificity of 100% for both, according to study results reported by Mohamed F. Abou Shousha, MD, PhD.

TearLab Corp. has closed the acquisition of the assets of the OcuHub business unit from AOAExcel Inc.-the for-profit subsidiary of the American Optometric Association (AOA).

Physicians who treat uveitis should ask patients about any tattoo changes. Some component of black tattoo ink may act as an environmental trigger-leading to the development of simultaneous bilateral ocular inflammation and elevation of tattooed skin.

An analysis of patient data and DNA from the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) indicates that two genetic polymorphisms predict a differential response to antioxidants and zinc, the components of the AREDS formulation.

Procedure may increase near and intermediation vision without compromising stereopsis

There is no current justification for considering routine corneal crosslinking for primary prevention of postLASIK ectasia-considering the many unknowns about the efficacy and safety of combining procedures-relates one ophthalmologist.

Children and adolescents with keratoconus may have rapid progression between the ages of 8 and 19 years and immediate treatment with corneal crosslinking may stop that progression.

Corneal confocal microscopy may be a useful tool for physicians performing corneal collagen crosslinking.

Results from preclinical studies and early clinical experience show that iontophoresis is an efficient and effective method for delivering riboflavin into the cornea, while CXL performed after the procedure is associated with good results in early follow-up.

Complete removal of lens substance is critical in pediatric cataract surgery. M. Edward Wilson, MD, offers helpful strategies.

Alignment at distance and patient age are factors contributing to treatment approaches for juvenile patients with high accommodative convergence-to-accommodation ratios.

Orthoptists’ skills can be extremely helpful in the management of patients with craniofacial syndromes, since large percentages of patients afflicted by various syndromes have amblyopia or strabismus.

Pediatric cataract surgery is now approached as a refractive procedure in which multiple factors are taken into account to determine the timing of IOL implantation and power selection.

The role of ophthalmologists will become increasingly more vital in the management of type 2 diabetes as the numbers of patients with the disease is projected to double by 2030. Exenatide may prove to be an important adjunct to current oral anti-diabetes drugs.

Thanks to the Polar Vortex, this has been a harsh-some might say cruel-winter in my little town that sits along the border between North and South. Thankfully, we have the poetry of William Carlos Williams to help get us through these frigid days-reminding us that winter is a time of peace, and that the wise trees of Baltimore have prepared their buds and will soon bring forth a beautiful and fragrant springtime.

Studies with follow-up of 2 to 6 years show that corneal crosslinking for progressive keratectasia is safe and induces long-term structural changes.

Be intentional about ongoing networking with customers and colleagues by setting aside time to talk about potential business opportunities and share clinical concerns.

An effective opening in the selling process between opticians and their optical customers will increase the likelihood for increased closing rates and improved sales.

The treatment of mumps is unchanged since Hippocrates first prescribed supportive therapy, including rest, cool compressors, and pain medications.

Performing collagen crosslinking as a concurrent primary LASIK procedure-show data from comparative studies of patients with hyperopia and myopia at risk for ectasia or regression postLASIK-increases postoperative refractive and keratometric stability.

Data from a series of 56 eyes examined at 5 years after femtosecond lenticule extraction (FLEx, Carl Zeiss Meditec) show good safety and long-term stability of the refractive and functional results.