News

An age-adjusted retinal nerve fiber layer thickness normative database for a proprietary ocular coherence tomography device gives clinicians a tool for assessing glaucoma risk from a patient's first visit, according to one expert.

Lower corneal hysteresis is associated with worse glaucomatous damage independent of its effect on IOP measurement, and may be the best indicator of the eye with worse visual field loss.

In a review of what has changed in the more than 35 years since he became interested in open-angle glaucoma, Alfred Sommer, MD, MHS, provided his insights during glaucoma subspecialty day at the AAO.

A year after Novartis AG announced its intention to acquire the controlling shares of Alcon Inc., the companies have agreed on merger terms that raise the offer to minority shareholders of the world's largest eye-care company by $15 per share.

The impending availability of generic latanoprost is creating much discussion about the potential effect on the prescribing of IOP-lowering medications.

Results of an in vitro study of the potentially adverse effects of different topical glaucoma medications and preservatives showed that the preservatives polyquad and sofZia had much less toxicity when used in place of benzalkonium chloride in prostaglandin analogue formulations.

After putting physicians on the brink of a massive pay cut 5 times during 2010, legislation has been passed that buys a year of stability while a better method is sought for paying those who treat Medicare patients.

The lack of randomized, controlled clinical trials of blepharoplasty and ptosis repair leaves oculoplastics open to challenge for reliance on anecdotal evidence of the efficacy of common surgical procedures.

A multicenter, randomized clinical trial comparing the efficacy of the Ahmed valve implant with the B?rveldt implant for treating refractory glaucoma found that 1 year after surgery, the IOP, number of glaucoma medications, and rate of failure were lower in patients who received the B?rveldt implant.

Capsule membrane suturing is an effective secondary technique for extending the possibility of achieving capsular fixation in the management of decentered or dislocated IOLs.

The dream that stem cell therapy may someday be used to protect against or restore glaucoma-related vision loss seems to be moving closer to reality.

Eyes on the Amazon

The author recounts his trip to the Amazon, comparing points to former President Theodore Roosevelt's Amazon's expedition.

Time to change labs

With consumers investing in everything from Botox to bunion removal, it's no wonder that consumers are asking opticians, "Isn't there anything else?"

The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology works closely with the National Alliance for Eye and Vision Research to help ensure that adequate funding is available for both basic and translational research for the National Eye Institute.

When the author sees someone wearing improperly adjusted glasses, he recognizes that somewhere an optician has been trained improperly.

The most important advance in refractive surgery in 2010 that is being touted by surgeons is femtosecond technology for laser cataract surgery and the creation of LASIK flaps.

Consider using the slow time at the end of the year to work on your business so you are ramped up to deal with the busy season around the corner.

Vision quest

Developments in techniques and technology are enabling the quest for the perfect cataract operation.

The newest version of a biometer that some call the industry's gold standard makes it possible to measure axial length through dense cataracts quickly and easily prior to cataract surgery without having to resort to immersion ultrasound.

A medical food (Zytaze, OCuSOFT) designed to provide nutritional support to enhance the effectiveness of injections of onabotulinum toxin A (Botox/Botox Cosmetic, Allergan), abobotulinum toxin A (Dysport, Tercica), and rimabotulinum toxin B (Myobloc, Solstice Neurosciences) in the treatment of blepharospasm, hemifacial spasm, and cosmetic procedures now is available in pharmacies as a prescription-only supplement.

A system for performing accelerated corneal crosslinking (KXL, Avedro) has received the European Union?s (EU?s) CE mark, which certifies that the system has met the EU?s health and safety standards and opens the door to immediate commercialization across the European economic community and in other countries recognizing the CE mark.