News

The FDA has granted Ocular Systems Inc. (OS) 501(K) clearance to market its human corneal endothelium delivery instrument, the EndoSerter. For use during endothlelial keratoplasty, this instrument delivers a corneal endothelail allograft less than or equal to 8.5 mm in diameter and less than or equal to 175 micrograms in central thickness through a single 4-mm incision.

A proprietary fluorescein sodium and lissamine green dye combination has shown favorable results for evaluating the ocular surface.

While U.S. ophthalmologists continue to await FDA approval of the dual-optic accommodating IOL, accumulating data from a number of investigations are providing evidence about the long-term performance of this novel presbyopia-correcting implant technology.

In young patients who present with low-to-moderate myopia, minimal astigmatism, and excellent optics, there is no doubt that wavefront-guided LASIK with femtosecond laser flap creation is the refractive surgery procedure of choice.

Dog bite injuries frequently affect the periocular area, and clinicians should be familiar with the clinical examination, as well as the surgical and medical management paths to take in such cases.

Local therapy with intravitreal sustained-release implants may have a place in the management of ocular infectious and inflammatory diseases, especially when the benefits are weighed against those involved with systemic therapy for patients.

A rebate Genentech offers large-volume purchasers of its ranibizumab has stirred debate over the propriety of rewarding physicians for treating their patients with expensive drugs.

Implantable lenses may be a viable option for vision correction in patients with high myopia, and in those who have thin corneas or conditions that might predispose them to complications with LASIK.

Staggered management- consisting of medical therapy, argon laser, and cyclopexy - is beneficial in patients with cyclodialysis cleft.

The annual American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery Symposium on Cataract, IOL, and Refractive Surgery will be held here Friday, March 25, to Tuesday, March 29.

As a busy eye-care facility, Clayton Eye Center in Morrow, GA, employs four ophthalmologists and seven optometrists who see as many as 200 patients daily.

Prevent Blindness America (PBA) has commended the recent recommendation by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) for vision screening of all children aged 3 to 5 years. The USPSTF recommendation updates the task force?s 2004 recommendation of vision screening for all children aged fewer than 5 years. The USPSTF now recommends vision screening for the presence of amblyopia and its risk factors for all children aged 3 to 5 years.

After many years as a partner and supporter of Prevent Blindness America (PBA), Allergan Inc. has awarded PBA an advocacy grant to provide funding for The Eye Care Advocacy Network (Eye CAN).

QLT CMO steps down

Dipak Panigrahi, MD, senior vice president, research and development, and chief medical officer of QLT has stepped down from his position with QLT.

Prevent Blindness America (PBA) held its 6th annual "Eyes on Capitol Hill" event on March 2. This annual event was designed to give community leaders and patient advocates the opportunity to meet with government representatives to discuss vision issues.

The State Food and Drug Administration (SFDA) of China has granted Oculus GmbH SFDA certification for the HR version of its Pentacam camera. As the first rotating Scheimpflug camera on the world market, this camera provides 3-dimensional views of the anterior segment. This certification allows full marketing and sales of this instrument in thee People's Republic of China.

A line of photochromic performance sunwear (SOLFX, Transitions) debuted to more than 40,000 Professional Golfers' Association (PGA) of America and Ladies Professional Golf Association officials; retail and equipment buyers; golf course owners, managers, and developers; and golf instructors at the 2011 PGA Merchandise Show Jan. 26 to 29 in Orlando.

The FDA has granted final approval to Hi-Tech Pharmacal Co. Inc. for the company's abbreviated new drug application for levofloxacin ophthalmic solution 0.5%, the generic for a proprietary ophthalmic solution (Quixin, Vistakon). The product is indicated for bacterial conjunctivitis.

Inspire Pharmaceuticals is undertaking a corporate restructuring designed to allow the company to focus on its eye-care business.

Sanofi-Aventis, a multinational pharmaceutical company headquartered in Paris, is reportedly exploring the possibility of making four acquisitions in the ophthalmology sector totaling $1.35 billion, according to the French newspaper Les Echos. According to the newspaper, which cited unnamed sources, three of the targeted companies are based in the United States, and the fourth one is based in Israel.

Correction

Last week?s Ophthalmology Times e-News erroneously reported that Transitions Optical?s Spanish-language courses, to be offered during International Vision Expo East, were approved for American Board of Ophthalmology credit. Rather, the courses are approved for American Board of Opticianry credit.