News

The Federal Trade Commission has announced another delay-Nov. 1-in the enforcement of the "Red Flags Rule" to give creditors and financial institutions more time to develop and implement written identity theft prevention programs.

The Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary in Boston has received $126 million from the recent resolution of a nearly decade-long lawsuit concerning the hospital's role in the development of verteporfin for injection (Visudyne).

Allergan Inc. expects its ketorolac tromethamine ophthalmic solution 0.45% (Acuvail) to be available in the United States in September.

In a phase I study, E10030 (Ophthotech) combined with ranibizumab (Lucentis, Genentech) in patients with subfoveal neovascular age-related macular degeneration was well tolerated and seemed to have biologic activity against choroidal neovascularization, according to one ophthalmologist.

A hydrophilic IOL (Afinity CQ2015, STAAR Surgical) seems to be a more efficient delivery system of moxifloxacin 0.5% (Vigamox, Alcon Laboratories) than a hydrophobic IOL (AcrySof SA60, Alcon Laboratories), according to the results of a comparison of lenses soaked in the antibiotic. Both lenses appear to be capable of delivering antibiotics to achieve clinically relevant levels, however.

A non-contact applanation tonometer (Ocular Response Analyzer, Reichert) appears to be more effective than the Goldmann applanation tonometer (GAT) in assessing very low and negative IOP values using the non-contact applanation tonometer's corneal-compensated IOP (IOPcc) parameter. The GAT may be the long-accepted gold standard, but the more accurate assessment of IOP using the non-contact applanation tonometer challenges this gold standard and raises questions as to which of the two techniques is optimal in measuring IOP.

Oral fenretinide given once daily may slow the progression of geographic atrophy in patients with age-related macular degeneration, according to an interim analysis.

Intravitreal triamcinolone (IVTA) for treating diabetic macular edema (DME) does not seem to be beneficial over the long term compared with focal/grid photocoagulation, and treatment with IVTA results in a higher chance of developing a cataract compared with treatment with the laser, according to a 3-year comparison study. Focal/grid photocoagulation, therefore, remains the most effective treatment for DME, according to one ophthalmologist.

Recent surveys of patients and eye care specialists were undertaken to obtain information about the prevalence and management of blepharitis. Survey results together with clinical trial data highlight use of topical azithromycin.

The 2009 Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology annual meeting highlighted research on the latest therapeutics in retinal disease, dry eye, lid margin disease, ocular allergies, and other conditions.

One "policy wonk" suggests that physicians are performing too many procedures (about 30% too many), and that if they no longer perform unnecessary procedures, money will be freed up to reform the health care system.

A prospective study including 51 patients who underwent bilateral wavefront-guided LASIK for low to moderate myopia assessed visual symptoms at follow-up visits through 12 months after surgery. There was no evidence that large preoperative pupil size correlated with increased risk of unwanted postLASIK symptoms.

Cataract surgeons confronted by capsular rupture with vitreous prolapse usually favor performing limbal vitrectomy over using a pars plana approach.

A recent article in the Journal of the American Medical Association, an editorial in American Family Physician, articles in the general media outlets, and an updated patient advisory statement from the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery and the American Academy of Ophthalmology aim to further education primary care physicians and patients about the association between a patient's use of tamsulosin and complications or difficulty during cataract surgery.

One resident wonders, what does your Ophthalmology Knowledge Assessment Program score say to others about you as a resident? With the exception of applying to oculoplastics fellowships, in the global scheme of things, it may make no difference. On the other hand, some residents wished they had done better because they would have been thought of more positively within their program.

Drug-releasing contact lenses may provide correct and consistent dosages of medication for patients, according to findings published in Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science.

No scientific evidence supports the view that subtle eye or visual problems cause learning disabilities, according to a revised policy statement on learning disabilities, dyslexia, and vision issued by the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

Besifloxacin ophthalmic suspension 0.6% (Besivance, Bausch & Lomb) is a new topical ophthalmic antibacterial indicated for the treatment of bacterial conjunctivitis and administered via sterile ophthalmic drops.

Eduardo C. Alfonso, MD, is the new chairman of the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. Dr. Alfonso is the fifth chairman to be named in the institute's 47-year history.

A next-generation progressive addition lens (Definity, Essilor of America Inc.) features proprietary technology (Dual Add 2.0 ) and design in clear (Trivex) material and gray and brown (Transitions VI).

A new position statement has been released by the Joint Commission to clarify the interpretation of standards regarding steam sterilization.

Prevent Blindness Ohio (PBO), along with Prevent Blindness America (PBA), has named June as Vision Research Awareness month.

Researchers studying the molecular genetics of glaucoma are discovering new genes by applying high-powered technologies to their analysis of family pedigrees and looking for clues in animal models. These genetic discoveries are moving this field toward clinical applications.

A new hybrid contact lens (SynergEyes Multifocal, SynergEyes Inc.) is being offered for the management of emerging presbyopia.

The latest version of a proprietary femtosecond laser (iFS, Abbott Medical Optics) offers a 150-kHz repetition rate and expanded options for flap customization.

Thousands of military personnel receive PRK or LASIK every year. Among Air Force personnel, the procedures have proven to be remarkably safe and effective. Based on a 1-year case review conducted by four ophthalmologists deployed to Afghanistan and eight deployed to Iraq, the most common complication was patients deploying too soon after having had refractive surgery performed.

A retrospective case-control study comparing data from preoperative evaluations with a non-contact applanation tonometer (Ocular Response Analyzer, Reichert) suggest that this device may be useful in helping to identify eyes with forme fruste keratoconus at risk for post-LASIK ectasia.

Social networking sites are being explored as tools for medical education and communication. Internet and SMS technologies increasingly will play a role in the professional lives of doctors, says Ophthalmology Times' medical editor.