News

The Wilmer Eye Institute at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, may be based near the nation's capital but, since its earliest days, the institute has considered its primary mission to improve eye care throughout the world.

Changes in the profession are on the horizon. There is a need to increase ophthalmic capacity to deal with the aging American population, among other needs specific to the profession.

The adoption of electronic medical records in the United States has been slow, but interest seems to be picking up despite a number of obstacles.

Use of IOLs during first year of life remains controversial. Currently, implanting IOLs in infants is an off-label use of these lenses.

The combinations of verteporfin photodynamic therapy (PDT), ranibizumab, and dexamethasone and verteporfin PDT and ranibizumab for treating patients with choroidal neovascularization secondary to age-related macular degeneration resulted in fewere re-treatments compared with ranibizumab alone in the phase II exploratory RADICAL study, according to one investigator.

Pazopanib, an investigational topical therapy for age-related macular degeneration (AMD), showed positive beneficial results for treating choroidal neovascularization in a phase IIa trial.

"Bean Town," a unique blend of modern sophistication and historic New England charm, will host the annual meeting of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) from April 9 to 14.

Results of a retrospective study evaluating safety of LASIK flap creation using the 60-kHz femtosecond laser show complications occur at a low overall incidence and, ultimately, are visually insignificant, according to one researcher.

Recognition and treatment of meibomian gland dysfunction and dry eye disease are important in contact lens wearers because these common conditions are a frequent cause of lens intolerance.

Blink Tears Lubricating Eye Drops improved dry eye symptoms significantly better than Systane Lubricant Eye Drops when the artificial tears were paired with topical cyclosporine ophthalmic emulsion.

In the future, a range of devices will be available to restore corneal integrity and function.

A 1-mg dose of intravitreal triamcinolone had a safety profile superior to that of a 4-mg dose of intravitreal triamcinolone and produced visual acuity increases similar to the 4-mg groupand better than the standard-of-care group, according to the primary outcomes of a randomized clinical trial.

For patients who are suffering with moderate to severe signs and symptoms of seasonal or perennial allergic conjunctivitis, loteprednol etabonate ophthalmic suspension 0.2% (Alrex, Bausch & Lomb) is a safe and well-tolerated therapeutic option that can provide rapid clinical improvement, according to new research.

Former first lady Laura Bush stressed the importance of good vision care at the Inaugural Kids Vision Fest, presented by the Essilor Vision Foundation and the Kids Vision for Life Coalition.

An efficacy evaluation comparing two marketed artificial tears showed that a polyethylene-based product (Systane Ultra, Alcon Laboratories) resulted in statisically greater reductions in corneal and conjunctival staining than a glycerin/carboxymethylcellulose-based tear (Refresh Optive, Allergan).

The overall anti-allergic eye drop market consists of about 25 products developed and approved in the United States (with some marketed abroad) to address the needs of the seasonal allergic conjunctivitis patient population.

International Vision Expo and Conference East promises to deliver all the latest products, trends, and information on medical eye care, fashion, lens technology, and business solutions at its annual meeting here.

Just a few weeks after announcing a controversial plan to take over ophthalmic giant Alcon Laboratories, Novartis announced its chief executive officer is stepping down and the chief financial officer will retire.

The use of a hydroxypropyl cellulose ophthalmic insert (Lacrisert, Aton Pharma) has been proven to offer much relief to patients suffering from dry eye syndrome.

A phase II study with a novel non-invasive iontopohoretic drug delivery system (EyeGate II Delivery System, EyeGate Pharma) shows that the device appears to optimize the delivery of a proprietary dexamethasone-derived corticosteroid solution (EGP-437) and improve significantly the signs and symptoms of dry eye, which may raise the bar in therapies for dry eye syndrome.

Results of a utility analysis of cyclosporine 0.05% ophthalmic emulsion (Restasis, Allergan) show that it is highly cost-effective and improves the quality of life in patients with moderate to severe dry eye disease that is unresponsive to conventional lubricant therapy.

Benefits of an artificial tear drop that commonly is used to help relieve symptoms of dry eye may extend to contact lens wearers who experience dryness and discomfort caused by their contact lenses, according to researchers.

A season of gift-giving has concluded. At some point in this coming year, you, Dear Ophthalmology Times reader, will need to select the right gift for that "special someone."

Analyses of data from two hybrid environmental studies evaluating olopatadine hydrochloride 0.2% once daily for the treatment of seasonal allergic conjunctivitis or rhinoconjunctivitis show that patients derive improvement in the frequency and/or severity of their nasal symptoms as a simultaneous benefit with relief of ocular allergy, according to Mark B. Abelson, MD.

A new eyelid spray (Tears Again advanced liposome spray, OcuSOFT) is available that may benefit patients suffering from meibomian gland dysfunction.

Given the plethora of over-the-counter and prescription approaches available for dry eye, patient and clinician agreement on the appropriate regimen is key to treatment success.

Kaenon Polarized announced a distribution partnership with optical manufacturer Rodenstock of Munich, Germany.

The multimodal anti-allergy agent epinastine hydrochloride 0.05% (Elestat, Inspire Pharmaceuticals) is an ideal treatment option for the management of seasonal allergic conjunctivitis and is a particularly good choice in patients who have dry eye disease as a comorbidity, according to Laurie D. Barber, MD