News

A dry eye questionnaire can be a useful tool in clinical practice for characterizing the type and severity of dry eye that a patient is experiencing and evaluating the effectiveness of therapeutic intervention.

Vigorous exercise may help prevent age-related macular degeneration and cataracts, according to a new study.

Within the next 10 years, viewers may be able to watch TV via a contact lens inserted in the eye, according to some technology consultants.

The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) recognized in a statement the passing of Yasuo Tano, MD, president of the Asia-Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology and immediate past president of the Japanese Ophthalmological Society.

Paul Bryar, MD, an ophthalmologist from Chicago, is running as a democratic candidate in the Illinois special primary election that will take place March 3, according to a release issued by the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery.

Bausch &. Lomb has launched a new advertising campaign in six Florida markets aimed to educate baby boomers and seniors about its proprietary FDA-approved accommodating IOL (Crystalens), the company announced in a prepared statement.

The Standard Occupational Classification listing encompasses all three levels of JCAHPO certification: certified ophthalmic assistant, certified ophthalmic technician, and certified ophthalmic medical technologist, the organization said.

Pfizer will disclose publicly its compensation of U.S. health-care professionals for consulting, speaking engagements, and clinical trials by early next year on the company’s Web site, according to a prepared statement from the company.

Dyax Corp. and Fovea Pharmaceuticals announced in a joint statement that they have entered into an exclusive license agreement for the development and commercialization of an ocular formulation of DX-88 for the treatment of retinal diseases.

Blink GelTears and Blink Tears Preservative-Free (Advanced Medical Optics) are two new over-the-counter products for the treatment of dry eye disease. These products are gaining in popularity with ophthalmologist because of the rapid long-lasting beneficial response they produce in this patient population and the absence of a preservative. The products are also beneficial for patients who have undergone LASIK and cataract surgery and develop subsequent dry eye signs and symptoms postoperatively.

Contact lens practices are probably feeling the effects of more and more patients simply taking their prescriptions and buying their lenses on the Internet. But, if contact lens fitting is a valuable service that you offer and you want to improve your productivity and profitability, then you might want to make a few changes. Using the Internet to send email updates to patients, ordering supplies online, and giving patients the option to purchase on your Web store will make a big difference in your practice.

Ophthalmologists are well acquainted with the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT), but many ophthalmologists are only familiar with CPT's "Category I" codes. It is important for ophthalmologists to understand code Category III, since many eye-care services have appeared or will appear in this category.

CooperVision Inc. has redesigned its corporate Web site, www.coopervision.com, to include new technology and content in an effort to better serve the needs of practitioners and their patients.

Safilo Group announced the renewal of its exclusive licensing agreement with Jones Apparel Group to design, manufacture, and market prescription eyeglass frames for women and children, as well as women's prescription sunglass frames under the Nine West brand.

A compromised lipid layer plays a key role in the development and perpetuation of dry eye disease because it allows increased aqueous evaporation and fails to protect against friction between the blinking lid and the ocular surface. A proprietary brand of emollient eye drops (Soothe XP. Bausch & Lomb) was created to re-establish the tear film lipid layer and restore moisture, and it is an effective choice for providing symptomatic relief in patients with dry eye disease, says one optometrist.

Ophthalmologists who responded to questions about treatment of dry eye indicated that there are limitations in the available treatment options, especially for patients with moderate to severe cases of the disease, and that only 5% of ophthalmologists saw existing treatments as effective for the patients with the worst cases.

A clinical trial tested the safety and efficacy of Optive eye drops (Allergan) in contact lens wearers. Participants reported no adverse events and that their lenses were more comfortable to wear; clinical assessment found no adverse events or complications after 4 weeks of treatment.

A review of the world literature shows that about one-third of patients who are undergoing LASIK already suffer from dry eye, and the proportion affected after surgery is similar. In most cases, however, dry eye does not appear to affect postoperative vision and satisfaction outcomes adversely. Identification of patients at risk and pre-treating may reduce the postoperative incidence of dry eye.

Ecabet sodium (ISTA Pharmaceuticals), an anti-ulcer and gastritis drug under development for the treatment of dry eye, showed positive results in a phase IIb clinical trial of the drug.

A careful look at all the clues can help the clinician differentiate between dry eye and allergies. The patient history may contain the most important clues for establishing a diagnosis.

Recognizing and treating dry eye disease before LASIK is an important strategy for mitigating patient unhappiness after surgery.

A new product (NutriDox Convenience Kit, Advanced Vision Research) is designed to make the treatment of meibomitis, posterior blepharitis, and meibomian gland disease more convenient for patients and clinicians. The prescription-only system includes an antibiotic, nutrition therapy, and a lid-cleansing component.

A novel ophthalmic anti-allergy agent, epinastine HCl ophthalmic solution 0.05% (Elestat, Inspire Pharmaceuticals), effectively controls ocular allergy in patients with dry eye, according to Jodi Luchs, MD, FACS. The drop has been shown to rapidly prevent ocular allergy symptoms by blocking H1 and H2 receptors, stabilizing mast cells, and inhibiting the release of proinflammatory mediators.

Dry eye is a chronic disease that requires adjustments to treatment, follow-up, re-testing, monitoring of progress, and changes of medication. Treatment should be tailored for each patient.

Bepotastine besilate 1.0% (Bepreve, ISTA Pharmaceuticals), an ocular allergy compound under new drug application review by the FDA, is effective in reducing ocular itching associated with allergic conjunctivitis and also seems to improve other allergy symptoms.

The Wilmer Eye Institute will host its 26th annual Current Concepts in Ophthalmology meeting here March 16 to 20.

Important differences exist between the various classes of over-the-counter eye drops. Physicians play a vital role in explaining these differences, as well as their potential implications in the treatment of the symptoms of dry eye and other conditions, to patients. Educating patients about the available formulations not only may expedite the relief of their symptoms but also may save them time and money.

Everyone is given a special talent, which, if developed, can allow them to perform their talent really well. This explains why there are great singers, superb artists or musicians, and gifted mechanics, to name a few professions. Those talents often are limited to that particular setting, however; they are not always transferable into another area.