News

Corticosteroids remain the primary treatment for inflammatory diseases that involve the eye and orbit. However, side effects and treatment failures have provided the impetus for the use of safer and more specific immunosuppressive agents. The selection of a specific agent will depend on multiple factors. The next step in the use and development of alternative immune agents will likely involve both the identification of inflammatory conditions that are most responsive to a particular agent and identifying patient-specific factors that might predict a response to that agent.

A novel analytic model, the Markov model, allows ophthalmologists to gauge the probability of progression of glaucoma in their patients over time simply by knowing their current mean deviation value.

New excimer laser affords a safe, controllable, efficient procedure.

The recent FDA approval of bepotastine besilate ophthalmic solution 1.5% (Bepreve, ISTA Pharmaceuticals) as a twice-daily prescription eye drop treatment for ocular itching associated with allergic conjunctivitis gives clinicians an additional treatment option, one with multiple mechanisms of action and a rapid onset of action.

An automated program for phacoemulsification that controls ultrasonic pulses based on the amount of vacuum being used may help prevent or minimize endothelial cell loss.

A new generation of patient education and practice enhancement software for eye-care professionals has been designed to enhance delivery of eye-care information and patient counseling throughout the practice.

A new hypothesis about the development of age-related macular degeneration points to a role of age-depleted steroidal hormones. An ophthalmologist discusses the evidence supporting this idea.

Selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) is effective in lowering IOP in patients with glaucoma, but in combination with certain topical therapies, SLT may be less effective in lowering IOP.

The responsibility of creating a fee schedule rests with the physician, and with this responsibility comes opportunity.

Anything you do positively to improve reimbursements is worthwhile, because a series of small gains can quickly add up.

In this editorial, one movie teaches two people life lessons about trust and money. These issues also seem to be the center of debate about the U.S. health care system.

For now, the most effective way to prevent or manage diabetic retinopathy remains taking a proactive approach to controlling blood glucose levels and hypertension in patients.

A disposable Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) donor inserter has several advantages that suggest it offers a safer alternative to conventional donor folding techniques.

Getting in and out of a mutual fund at the wrong time is generally accounted for by the psychology behind an investor's behavior.

ISTA Pharmaceuticals has announced preliminary results from two recently completed studies of its investigational eye drop, prednisolone acetate 1.0% and tobramycin 0.3% (T-Pred).

Travis Meredith, MD, has been elected as the new president of the Association of University Professors of Ophthalmology (AUPO), which is composed of department chairmen, residency directors, and research directors of ophthalmology departments in the United States and Canada, according to a prepared statement.

Bausch & Lomb intends to consolidate its worldwide contact lens manufacturing and proposes to begin moving most of its global contact lens production to its existing sites in Waterford, Ireland, and Rochester, NY, according to a prepared statement. ??

LenSx Lasers Inc. announced that the FDA has granted 510(k) clearance for its femtosecond laser used for anterior capsulotomy during cataract surgery.

Heidelberg Engineering has two new models in its family of multimodality ophthalmic imaging devices (Spectralis).

Abbott has announced a definitive agreement to acquire Visiogen Inc. for $400 million in cash, providing the company with a next-generation accommodating IOL technology (Synchrony), according to a prepared statement.

The FDA has approved bepotastine besilate ophthalmic solution 1.5% (Bepreve, ISTA Pharmaceuticals) as a twice-daily prescription eye drop treatment for ocular itching associated with allergic conjunctivitis.

Alcon has announced in a prepared statement that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire ESBATech AG, a Swiss biotechnology company.

Pieris AG announced that it has entered into a collaboration agreement with Allergan Inc. that will combine Pieris' proprietary anticalin technology with Allergan's drug delivery and ophthalmic drug development with a goal of developing agents for the treatment of serious ocular disorders.

Sirion Therapeutics Inc. announced the FDA approval of its new drug application for ganciclovir ophthalmic gel 0.15% (Zirgan) as a treatment for acute herpetic keratitis. The FDA granted orphan drug designation to the gel for this indication in April 2007.

The recession has affected medical practices, causing many to look at how money is spent. This five-partner practice cuts expenses creatively by not overlooking small details and has been able to prevent employee layoffs.

Many, if not most, ophthalmologists have at least entertained the idea of obtaining a master of business administration degree. This three-part series is designed to provide guidance through the process. The first steps involve the realization of goals, the return on investment, and the application process.

Fellow ophthalmologists and business partners are mourning the loss of Jeffrey P. Gilbard, MD, 55, whose career was filled with innovative ideas and solutions for treating dry eye disease.

Despite the economy, there still are many patients who will be interested in premium frame collections. With premium frames you can offer patients luxury, technology, and fashion.

Adair Eyewear, a family owned eyewear retailer, has launched an online reading glass boutique called TrendyReaders.com.

San Francisco is nearly synonymous with a high cost of living. The advent and financial success of the early years of the Internet revolution still lures high-income folks to the city by the bay. Property values and household income are among the top in the nation, which enables a profitable restaurant and entertainment scene.