The first femtosecond-only method of laser vision correction is now able to be performed outside the United States after several years of clinical research and development, according to the manufacturer of the laser with which it is performed (VisuMax, Carl Zeiss Meditec).
An accommodating IOL with aspheric optics (Crystalens AO, Bausch + Lomb) has received new-technology IOL classification from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
A thermo-biomechanical system (Vedera, Avedro) for performing a proprietary procedure (Keraflex) to flatten the cornea in the treatment of myopia and keratoconus has received the European Union (EU) CE mark.
The FDA has granted 510(k) clearance to a femtosecond laser (LenSx, LenSx Lasers Inc.) for use in cataract surgery. Specifically, the device is used for laser phacofragmentation.
Ganciclovir ophthalmic gel 0.15% (Zirgan, Sirion Therapeutics) is now commercially available for the treatment of acute herpetic keratitis
The FDA has approved a new IOL (Softec HD, Lenstec) for patients with cataracts.
Congress again has delayed a 21% Medicare physician payment cut, this time until June 1.
Concern about potential long-term toxicity associated with use of mitomycin-C is driving researchers to identify new pharmacologic approaches for managing haze formation after PRK.
Analyses of 24-month data from the two pivotal phase III trials investigating a proprietary fluocinolone acetonide-releasing intravitreal insert for the treatment of diabetic macular edema generated positive results that are the basis of filing a new drug application with the FDA.
Six hours of occlusive therapy and treatment with atropine can be beneficial to children with severe amblyopia.
Of all the ophthalmology programs in the United States, the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute at the Unviersity of Miami Miller School of Medicine is among the youngest.
Nanotechnology is the newest and perhaps most exciting and futuristic application in ophthalmology.
Results from an interim analysis of a phase II study show fenretinide is well tolerated and exhibits promising biological activity in slowing lesion growth in patients with advanced geographic atrophy associated with age-related macular degeneration.
The generation I Gold Micro Shunt Plus has been around for several years now and has proven to be an effective tool in reducing IOP to clinically beneficial levels in primary open-angle glaucoma.
Numerous potential treatments are in the pipeline for wet age-related macular degeneration.
An evolution in techniques for tarsoconjunctival flaps and grafts has provided reconstructive surgeons with a variety of effective options for addressing lid defects and other problems.
Endothelial keratoplasty is continuing to evolve with the development of techniques that are moving toward more exact tissue replacement and providing better outcomes.
The author pokes fun at the obscurity of conjuctiva.
Results of a study evaluating new technology for in-office measurement of tear film osmolarity show that it outperforms more traditional assessments in identifying dry eye disease and rating disease severity.
A new formulation of the fixed antibiotic/corticosteroid combination containing tobramycin and dexamethasone offers several improved characteristics that make it a viable therapeutic option for the management of inflammatory ocular conditions where a risk of bacterial infection exists.
Though images of the eye are commonplace for ophthalmologists, artist Jo Yarrington was amazed at the orb that was her eye as shown by retinal scan.
Following a promising phase I study of a fusion protein in diabetic macular edema, enrollment has been completed for a phase II study, and data will be available soon.
Almost a quarter of a century ago, the American Academy of Ophthalmology took a proactive stance to address eye care for indigent patients in the United States.
A new therapy is being evaluated for the treatment of dry age-related macular degeneration.
No definitive medical or surgical treatments for nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) have emerged following years of research.
In a multicenter trial evaluating the outcomes following vitrectomy for diabetic macular edema, investigators with the Diabetic Retinopathy Clinical Research Network found that visual acuity improvement was associated with the removal of epiretinal membrane during surgery and worse baseline VA.
When the ophthalmology department at Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, was looking for an image management system that could integrate with the existing electronic medical record system, four vendors were invited to showcase their products to the selection committee.
While conversing with a group of professors during a recent dinner at an ophthalmology meeting, it occurred to the author that the people sitting around the table represented four continents. As the lone American, he felt his colleagues may be able to offer a message to ophthalmologists in the United States.
With the advent of intravitreal agents that block the negative effects of vascular endothelial growth factor among patients with age-related macular degeneration, ophthalmologists have begun to seek a higher level of performance from their diagnostic equipment.
Analyses exploring relationships between structural and functional losses in glaucoma show that early structural damage as measured by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography can occur in the absence of visual field changes.
