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Loteprednol etabonate 0.5%/tobramycin 0.3% ([LE/T]; Zylet, Bausch & Lomb) was found to be superior to dexamethasone 0.1%/tobramycin 0.3% ([DM/T]; Tobradex, Alcon Laboratories) in a comparison study that tested ocular comfort and tolerability in healthy volunteers. LE/T also has shown to be less likely to cause increases in IOP levels compared with DM/T. LE/T may provide some small advantages, possibly resulting from formulation differences and/or the steroid used, the researchers concluded.

Essilor of America Inc. has announced a 3-year extension of Essilor International?s partnership with the Special Olympics Lions Club International Opening Eyes program.

Gary Conrad, PhD, has received a 4-year grant renewal of $1.48 million from the National Eye Institute for the National Institutes of Health (NEI/NIH) to study the cornea. Dr. Conrad is a university distinguished professor at Kansas State University's Division of Biology.

To answer the question of whether quality - specifically, uncorrected vision, astigmatism, visual rehabilitation, and safety - is sacrificed when M-SICS is performed instead of phaco, Sanduk Ruit, MD, Geoffrey Tabin, MD, David F. Chang, MD, and colleagues conducted the first prospective, randomized trial of phaco versus M-SICS in a charity camp population.

Phase II of a clinical study examining a formulation of cyclosporine (Cyclokat, Novagali Pharma) has been completed, and results demonstrate statistically significant improvement with signs and symptoms in patients suffering from moderate-to-severe dry eye syndrome.

The newest version of proprietary software (Guided Progression Analysis, Carl Zeiss Meditec) to measure the functional progression of glaucoma combines event and trend analyses and enables faster, more quantitative evaluation of change in visual field than that permitted by older methods, according to one ophthalmologist. Use of the software requires a particular, newer perimeter (Humphrey Field Analyzer II-i, Carl Zeiss Meditec), and clinical correlation is advised.

Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) represents an improvement in imaging compared with time-domain OCT and, therefore, the potential for improved patient care. Proprietary technology (3D OCT 1000, Topcon Medical Systems) is easy to use and has versatile software, according to one ophthalmologist. The choice of any SD-OCT unit, however, must be based on an analysis of an individual practice's needs.

A model under development for in vivo visualization of human lens morphology could have clinical applications in patients at risk for changes in lens transparency. The device, which uses a rotating camera, creates a three-dimensional model of the lens and uses the relationship between contrast sensitivity measurements and lens optical density to evaluate visual function.

Wal-Mart Stores, along with 1-800 Contacts, have a new program that will save customers as much as 12% to 50% on the costs of a yearly supply of contact lenses. Additionally, Wal-Mart is offering frame-and-lens packages for children age 18 or under for as low as $39.

The mini-glaucoma shunt (Ex-Press, Optonol) appears to be an effective procedure compared with standard trabeculectomy, as it shows a higher efficiency with minimal inflammation and lower rates of postoperative hypotony and its sequelae. Although both approaches demonstrate very similar IOP control in the long-term, less postoperative adverse events are seen with implantation of the shunt.

Essilor of America Inc. and Transitions Optical Inc. launched a new progressive sunwear line (Definity Fairway Transitions SolFX lenses) designed to meet the visual demands of golfers who need multifocal prescriptions.

Analyses of optical coherence tomography images from eyes with established diagnoses of optic nerve head drusen or optic disc edema and unaffected controls showed qualitative and quantitative criteria had reasonable sensitivity and specificity for discriminating between the two pathologies.

To celebrate the "Reflection of a woman's soul" campaign, Jee Vice sunglasses are on display in Henri Bendel's Fifth Avenue store window through the end of the month. A Jee Vice Boutique also can be found at the department store.

Genetically engineered mice could immediately use their enhanced color vision to discriminate among colors indistinguishable to all other mice. The authors state "the experiment demonstrates the remarkable plasticity of the mammalian brain."

Elevated IOP accelerates retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) loss and increases the risk that glaucoma will progress, according to an observational cohort study of 204 patients recruited from the Diagnostic Innovations in Glaucoma Study.

The upheaval in our current economy is changing the ground rules for skillful handling of personal finances. Some of the time-honored methods for building and maintaining a secure financial future for you and your family need to be modified while today's unpredictable financial crisis runs its course. Here are seven tips from the experts that will help you to come out on top once the financial storm has abated.

Results of a study using a non-contact applanation tonometer (Ocular Response Analyzer, Reichert) to evaluate keratoconic eyes during and after corneal collagen crosslinking demonstrate changes in tonometer measurements that are consistent with changes in corneal thickness, hydration, and regularity.

A 26-year-old African American female presented to the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute emergency room with complaints of progressively decreasing vision in both eyes over the past 2 weeks associated with numbness on the right side of her face and mouth. She also had symptoms of light sensitivity but denied flashes, floaters, or other ocular symptoms. She denied any other recent illnesses, drug usage, exposure to parasites, infections, or risk factors for HIV.

The clinical exam remains the key to ophthalmologists' decision-making related to the diagnosis and determination of progression of glaucoma. "Baseline" technology in ophthalmology practices includes the slit lamp, some lenses, a gonio prism, an automated perimeter, a pachymeter, and optic nerve imaging capability. Other technology, however-such as confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy; nerve fiber layer imaging devices capable of scanning laser polarimetry and optical coherence tomography (OCT); and some anterior segment imaging technologies, including ultrasound biomicroscopy and anterior segment OCT-do not yet have absolute sensitivity and specificity and serve as aids to, not replacements for, the ophthalmologist.

Data analyzed from a total of 568 eyes included in a prospective study of Descemet's stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty indicate that the time from donor death to surgery affects endothelial cell density loss and risk of graft dislocation, but more data are needed to understand possible associations better.

The most common adjusting error that opticians make is temples fitted too close to the patient's head. When this mistake and others are seen it means that somewhere an optician has been improperly trained and is making the mistake on a daily basis.

Evaluation of corneal topography and the ocular wavefront are critical in screening and treating refractive surgery candidates. The diagnostic tools needed to perform these assessments continue to improve.

A proprietary high-resolution spectral-domain optical coherence tomograph (Spectralis, Heidelberg Engineering) offers many advantages to clinicians, such as superior image quality, true multimodal imaging, and improved monitoring of disease progression, says one doctor.

Luxottica Group is carrying out a number of cost-cutting measures, including store closings, manufacturing reductions, and cuts in advertising. These changes came after the company's net income in 2008 fell to €395 million, down 17.6%.

The future will bring an influx of glaucoma patients due to an aging population as well as more patients with angle-closure glaucoma, stemming from an influx of immigrants. Increasing the efficiency of the clinical and business sides of the glaucoma practice is a must for survival in this changing environment. Some procedures that can increase cost efficiency include gonioscopy and tailoring visual field testing to the patient.

One needs to have an understanding of materials, designs, and changes in processes of manufacture to appreciate today's high-tech quality options. Knowing where materials and designs originated helps in seeing the road from which we traveled, as well as gaining insight into where we are going in the world of ophthalmic lenses.

A number of factors should be considered when choosing a spectral-domain optical coherence tomography system. Although the capabilities of many systems essentially are similar, some differences exist based on ease of image acquisition and quality, software versatility, and other factors that may make them the best choice for a specific practice's needs. Proprietary technology (RTVue-100, Optovue Inc.) has the capability to perform both retinal and anterior segment imaging, which may make it a versatile instrument for a general ophthalmology practice, according to one practitioner.

San Francisco-Results of a study using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis to study the ultrastructural characteristics of lamellar flap specimens and stromal beds show marked differences depending on the instrument used for flap creation. The variation noted may have implications for clinical outcomes, said Renee D. Solomon, MD.

San Francisco-Capsular tension rings enhance the optical performance of multifocal IOLs by ensuring centration of the lens and reducing irregularities in the posterior capsule such a folds and wrinkles, said Tobias Neuhann, MD, director, AaM Augenklinik am Marienplatz, Munich, Germany.

San Francisco-A new system combining a modified Shack Hartmann wavefront sensor with a new streamlined phoropter makes measurement of refractive error simpler, more efficient, and more accurate, said Gholam A. Peyman, MD.