News

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE), an independent advisory organization in England, has recommended use of a 0.7-mg dexamethasone intravitreal implant in an applicator (Ozudex, Allergan) for the treatment of macular edema due to central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) as well as for branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) in cases in which laser photocoagulation is neither beneficial nor appropriate.

The Centre for Contact Lens Research and the Brien Holden Vision Institute have launched www.contactlensupdate.com, a new source of Web-based information about contact lenses.

The Optical Laboratories Association (OLA) again will hold its annual meeting in conjunction with International Vision Expo West. Registration for the OLA 2011 annual meeting, which will be held Sept. 22 to 24 at the Sands Expo Convention Center in Las Vegas, is now open.

The International Vision Expo & Conference has announced new initiatives and discounts to help international visitors get the most out of the show, the educational sessions, and the host city.

Vision West Inc. and C&E Vision Services Inc. will host a Webinar, ?Yelp 101: Maximizing Yelp?s Business Tools to Attract New Patients? on Thursday, Aug. 11, at 8 pm Eastern Time, 5 pm Pacific Time. The Webinar is part of an ongoing initiative by Vision West and C&E to provide eye-care professionals with relevant social media resources.

Presbyopic spectacle correction is not necessary when performing visual field testing using automated perimetry in pseudophakic patients with a diffractive aspheric multifocal IOL implanted.

Simplification of PPV to repair primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachments means less is more.

Most American ophthalmologists recognize Aravind for its service for indigent patients.

The author muses on how the government's massive debt is leading federal leaders to desire to control the healthcare system.

New treatment options for non-arteritis anterior ischemic optic neuropathy still are being developed.

Monthly intravitreal injections of ranibizumab for CRVO is effective, but careful, long-term observation is often necessary to maintain a positive treatment benefit when shifting to an as-needed treatment regimen.

James T. Rosenbaum, MD, has dedicated his career to ferreting out the secrets surrounding human leukocyte antigen B27 and its association with ankylosing spondylitis.

Optimal treatment and management of patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension is currently unknown.

Breakthroughs in genetics and genomics will change our view of biology in coming decades, helping identify the causes of all single-gene eye diseases, gain insight into disease gene functions, untangle the genetics of common eye diseases, and bring the promise-and potential downsides-of personalized medicine into the clinic.

Investigators working with a new method of analysis based on topical coenzyme Q10, a molecule shown to have neuroprotective activity, have successfully profiled different phases of cell death in vivo.

Analyses of data collected during 4 years of follow-up in a prospective, multicenter European study demonstrate a favorable safety profile for the foldable, acrylic, angle-supported phakic IOL, including maintenance of corneal endothelial health.

A successful research career often includes a little serendipity as well as dedicated pursuit of a hypothesis, according to Andrew J. Fischer, PhD.

From potential new therapies for glaucoma and diabetic macular edema to a deeper look at the anterior segment the 2011 meeting of ARVO was, yet again, an industry spectacle.

The Bascom Palmer Eye Institute at the University of Miami and the Wilmer Eye Institute at Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, have been named to the first and second spots, respectively, in the ophthalmology category of U.S. News and World Report?s 2011?2012 list of best hospitals for the eighth consecutive year.

Pfizer has withdrawn its application to the European Medicines Agency for an extension of the therapeutic indication for 0.3-mg pegaptanib sodium (Macugen) injection to include treatment of visual impairment due to diabetic macular edema (DME).

The FDA has approved the use of incobotulinumtoxinA (Xeomin, Merz Aesthetics) to temporarily improve the appearance of moderate to severe glabellar lines associated with corrugator and/or procerus muscle activity in adults.

In an effort to assist ophthalmologists in the market for an electronic health record (EHR) system as well as the vendors who make such systems, the Medical Information Technology Committee (MITC) of the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) has developed a list of features that ophthalmology practices need from EHR systems to deliver quality patient care, enhance physician-to-physician communication, and meet the ?meaningful use? standards required by health care reform policies.

Bausch + Lomb (B + L) is partnering with Mom Central Consulting (www.momcentralconsulting.com) to deliver tips to help mothers have basic ?daily talks? with their children about issues that may affect self-confidence, including the wearing of eyeglasses.

Safilo Group has continued and expanded its support of the Special Olympics, donating more than 80,000 optical frames and sunglasses between 2010 and 2011 for Special Olympics athletes through the Opening Eyes vision care program.

Prevent Blindness America (PBA) has launched its Most Beautiful Eyes contest, offering children from across the United States the chance to become the face of the PBA Star Pupils program in 2012 and win a $25,000 scholarship.

A new episode of VSP Vision Care?s EyeFiles Webisode series highlights ways to protect children from computer vision syndrome (CVS) and offers tips on how to combat digital eyestrain.

The Vision Council has launched an iPhone application (PackLists) and Web site to help people protect their eyes from the harmful effects of ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure.

Cataract surgery pioneer Steven P. Shearing, MD, died July 10 at the age of 76.