News

Fight for Sight and Prevent Blindness America (BPA) will co-sponsor a new annual public health research fellowship. The award, entitled “Fight for Sight-Prevent Blindness America Public Health Award,” is a one-time, $20,000 grant for 1 year of full-time research on improving eye health and safety.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has ruled that eyeglasses and contact lenses are exempted from the medical device excise tax that will take affect on Jan. 1, 2013.

Initial findings based on 2 years of follow-up in a randomized, fellow-eye controlled study indicate that adding cornea collagen crosslinking (CXL) routinely to LASIK for treatment of hyperopia or hyperopic astigmatism is safe and may stabilize the refractive outcome better compared with LASIK alone, according to Jonathan B. Kahn, MD.

A recent study found that between 40% and 50% of older adults with visually impairing eye disease limit their activities due to a fear of falling, a strategy that could put them at risk for social isolation and disability.

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. and Bayer HealthCare reported that Bayer HealthCare has submitted an application for marketing authorization in Europe for Eylea (aflibercept) injection for the treatment of macular edema (ME) following central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO).

Nonrefractive visual impairment in the United States has been found to have increased significantly in recent years, possibly related to an increase in prevalence of diabetes.

The Oculus Corvis ST, a non-contact tonometer and optical pachymeter, has received the approval of the U.S. FDA.

A new, larger designed size of AmnioGraft biologic ocular transplantation graft, AmnioGraft AG-5050 (Bio-Tissue Inc.), is now available for the treatment of Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis. The graft consists of amniotic membrane to protect, repair, and heal damaged eye surfaces.

The fluocinolone acetonide intravitreal implant (Iluvien, Alimera) has not met the UK’s cost-effectiveness thresholds for treating DME. Alimera has, however, signed an agreement with Quintiles for the implant’s European launch.

The LensAR Laser System for refractive cataract surgery is now cleared for executing corneal incisions during cataract surgery.

In 99 patients seeking refractive surgery and considered at high risk for colonization with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus spp, results of nasal and/or ocular cultures were positive in seven patients.

A mobile clinic provided exams, screenings, and glasses to underserved individuals in the San Francisco area.

B + L-sponsored “Run for Vision” generates more than $16,000 for corneal transplants.

HCPCS code for mitomycin for solution (Mitosol) created for billing Medicare, private insurance providers.

Addition of SensoMotoric Instruments technology adds capabilities in ocular surgery guidance technology to Alcon's existing global cataract portfolio.

Alcon's LensSx SoftFit Patient Interface provides the latest update to the LenSx laser system for refractive cataract surgery.

Presbia announces that the Presbia Flexivue Microlens implantable corneal inlay for presbyopia is now under active consideration for an IDE.

Data from studies of corneal collagen crosslinking (CXL) for keratoconus and postLASIK ectasia were analyzed to understand quantitative changes in topography.

Prevent Blindness America’s Most Beautiful Eyes Contest emphasizes that keeping children’s eyes and vision healthy should be a priority for everyone.

The LEITR 2012 Eye Ball Gala helps raise approximately $125,000 and showcases the need for ocular advancements and research for the blind and visually impaired.

KalVista Pharmaceuticals has received a £2.4 million grant to accelerate development of an oral plasma kallikrein inhibitor for the treatment of diabetic macular edema.

Focal lamina cribrosa defects were highly correlated with glaucomatous structural and functional damage in an evaluation performed with EDI-OCT.

Results from recent multicenter randomized clinical trials are providing glaucoma surgeons with valuable information to guide their use of aqueous shunts.

Preliminary results from a retrospective multicenter chart review study provide further insight on the long-term outcomes after keratoprosthesis surgery.

Intravitreal injection of aflibercept provides marked improvement in visual acuity in treatment-naive eyes with macular edema secondary to central retinal vein occlusion in results from follow-up to 76 weeks in the phase III GALILEO study.

Intraoperative wavefront aberrometry has been a helpful tool for refining refractive outcomes after cataract surgery in the difficult group of eyes with a history of refractive surgery.

A partnership with Escalon Medical Corp. and Modernizing Medicine Inc. aims to provide cloud-based, end-to-end electronic medical records and image management solutions for ophthalmic practices.

Reichert's next-generation ultrasound biomicroscope offers a larger viewing area, a user-friendly, touch-screen interface, and software improvements.