News

What is in your lens toolbox?

A 3-D simultaneous stereoscopic retinal camera that allows stereo images to be taken in one shot, offers an automatic mosaic merge function, and provides a full 45-degree field angle in two-dimensional mode has been introduced by Kowa Optimed Inc.

The use of a trabecular microbypass stent in combination with cataract surgery in patients with mild-to-moderate open-angle glaucoma is safe and results in clinically safe and statistically significant reductions in IOP with fewer medications when compared with cataract surgery alone.

The debate over the need to remove the corneal epithelium when performing corneal collagen crosslinking will continue until long-term data from peer-reviewed studies become available to answer the question of whether a procedure done with the epithelium on results in sufficient crosslinking for long-term arrest of ectasia progression.

Potential treatments for the management of dry age-related macular degeneration are numerous, but so far, studies still are ongoing as to their therapeutic benefit.

A proprietary surgery system brings to laser vision correction surgeons the benefits of expertise in both femtosecond and excimer laser technology.

Oral fenretinide slowed the growth of geographic atrophy and reduced the incidence of choroidal neovascularization in patients who were treated over a 2-year period with a daily dose of the drug.

Ophthalmic medical device company Glaukos Corp. has been named to the Wall Street Journal?s ?The Next Big Thing? list, which ranks the 50 venture-backed companies it deems most promising.

Scotia Vision LLC and i2eye Consulting LLC are merging in a move designed to strengthen the former company?s business model. The combined entity will be known as Scotia Vision.

Alcon is now a division of Novartis AG that is headquartered in Fort Worth, TX, following the April 8 completion of a merger agreement between the two companies.

If you sell either or both of two brands of polarized lenses (Coppertone and SunRx, Vision-Ease Lens [VEL]), you can enter a drawing to win a grand prize vacation through a new ?Endless Summer? promotion.

Transitions Optical Inc. has launched a new microsite on its Web site to inform consumers of the features of a line of sun lenses (NEOX Transitions SOLFX).

The Outpatient Ophthalmic Surgery Society (OOSS) bestowed the Jerome H. Levy Award for Leadership and Vision in Ophthalmic Surgery on medical practice management and training company BSM Consulting during OOSS? Perspective 2011 at the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery annual meeting in San Diego, CA.

Maui Jim?s new promotion, ?Surf and Win with Maui Jim,? offers people the chance to win a new pair of sunglasses and one of two surfboards used in the film ?Soul Surfer: The Inspiring True Story of Bethany Hamilton? and autographed by cast members.

Merck has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Inspire Pharmaceuticals Inc., in a transaction with a cash value of $430 million.

Abbott Medical Optics has introduced a new system (Micro-Implantation Cataract Suite) designed to help improve cataract procedure outcomes and safety.

The John A. Moran Eye Center at the University of Utah has established The Vision Institute, which is designed to bridge research efforts across University of Utah colleges and departments and foster multidisciplinary collaborations to accelerate research to new patient treatments.

The MEL 80 Excimer Laser (Carl Zeiss Meditec, Inc) has received premarket approval from the FDA for the treatment of hyperopia. This new indication complements the existing FDA approved applications of the surgical laser for myopia and astigmatism.

"More than 50 clinical and basic research experts from around the world have produced a global consensus report on meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). The two-year long International Workshop on Meibomian Gland Dysfunction was conducted by the Tear Film & Ocular Surface Society."

April is Women?s Eye Health and Safety Awareness month, and Prevent Blindness America is offering tips that you can share with your female patients to help them avoid irritation from dry eye syndrome.

Santen Inc. is moving its U.S. corporate headquarters from Napa, CA, to Emeryville, CA, in July.

Preliminary unaudited attendance figures for the 2011 International Vision Expo East (IVEE) show a 7% increase in attendance over 2010 figures, according to show organizers.

Pediatric eye- and vision-care practitioners, working with advocacy organizations, educators, policy makers, and parents, will unveil a new national strategy to combat high rates of eye and vision problems in school-aged children April 12 at 2 p.m. at the National Press Club in Washington.

Use of a commercially available artificial tear product containing propylene glycol as a demulcent and phospholipids in a proprietary emulsion technology reduces tear evaporation for at least 60 minutes post-instillations in patients with aqueous deficient dry eye disease associated with a MGD.

A lubricating eye drop product seems to provide ocular relief for an extended period to patients with mild to moderate dry eye.

If we can help our patients understand the wisdom of leaving a written record of their desires should they suffer severe medical setbacks, they might avoid the problems that can occur from having their health care guided by presumably well-meaning family members who might be educationally or emotionally ill-equipped to make sound decisions.

Preoperative cone location appears to affect topographic and visual acuity outcomes of CXL, according to study results.

Pterygium recurrence rates may be significantly higher in Hispanic patients compared with Caucasian patients.