San Francisco-Gaussian fitting on inverse normalized pachymetry maps enables quantification of the depth and width of focal thinning associated with keratoconus and is showing promise as a new method for diagnosing this corneal ectatic disease, said David Huang, MD, PhD, of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles.
San Francisco-Both ultrasound pachymetry and a proprietary Scheimpflug imaging device (Galilei Dual Scheimpflug Analyzer, Ziemer Ophthalmic Systems) produced excellent repeatability of central corneal thickness (CCT) measurements, and the repeatability was strong for both "virgin" and post-refractive eyes, according to Mitchell P. Weikert, MD, MS, assistant professor of ophthalmology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston.
San Francisco-The dynamic stimulation aberrometer provides "objective and observer-independent measurements of accommodation and is a suitable instrument for the planning of treatment of presbyopia," said Matthias Elling, MD, Ruhr University Eye Hospital, Bochum, Germany.
San Francisco-Simultaneous topography-guided PRK with riboflavin/ultraviolet A (UVA) corneal collagen crosslinking is showing promise as a safe and effective approach for treating eyes with progressive keratoconus, said Ronald R. Krueger, MD, medical director, Department of Refractive Surgery, Cole Eye Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH.
San Francisco-Intraoperative subtraction pachymetry may be less accurate and more prone to measurement error than postoperative optical coherence tomography (OCT) measurements, according to Yohko Murakami, MA, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA.
San Francisco-Results of a study using an ex vivo model suggest a possible role for air bubble-induced trauma in loss of endothelial cell density after Descemet's stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK), said Anna Hong, MD, a resident at the Duke University Eye Center, Durham, NC.
San Francisco-The combination of canaloplasty and phacoemulsification surgery in patients who have both cataracts and primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) results in a dramatic decrease in both IOP and the number of anti-glaucoma medications patients must take. Bradford J. Shingleton, MD, a glaucoma and cataract specialist with Ophthalmic Consultants of Boston, presented 2-year results of an ongoing prospective, randomized international study of canaloplasty in patients with POAG who also presented with a visually significant cataract.
San Francisco-Bausch & Lomb Storz Ophthalmic Instruments recently launched two new continuing education programs available at www.StorzOphthalmicCE.com. Participants will receive contact hours approved by the Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution Inc., the International Association for Healthcare Central Service Material Management, and the Texas Nurses Association.
San Francisco-Through an increase in the pulse repetition rate, a new femtosecond laser system (VisuMax, Carl Zeiss Meditec) enhances the precision of therapy, shortens treatment times, and further improves patient comfort, said the manufacturer in a prepared statement.
San Francisco-Creation of a multifocal corneal is a safe and effective option for reducing spectacle dependence in eyes with pseudophakia implanted with a monofocal IOL, according to Gustavo Tamayo, MD, of Bogota Laser Refractive Institute, Bogota, Colombia.
San Francisco-Results of a prospective clinical evaluation undertaken at the Storm Eye Institute, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, are consistent with the world literature in showing a very high rate of patient satisfaction after LASIK. Importantly, the data also indicate that dissatisfaction may resolve if the underlying issues are identified and addressed, said Kerry D. Solomon, MD, professor of ophthalmology at the institute.
San Francisco-Wavefront-optimized excimer laser ablation does not appear to induce night vision disturbances-in fact, patients were more likely to report fewer night vision disturbances after the procedure than they did preoperatively, according to Olivia Lee, MD, Emory University, Atlanta.
San Francisco-When analyzing multifocal lens performance, it is important to follow patients over time and to remember that there is a brain behind the eyes, said Manfred R. Tetz, MD, of the University of Berlin, Germany.
San Francisco-Large preoperative pupil size does not positively correlate with an increase in visual symptoms after wavefront-guided myopic LASIK, according to the results of a prospective study reported by researchers from Stanford University, Stanford, CA. The relationship between pupil size and quality of vision after LASIK is a source of controversy with various publications reporting different results, said Annie Chan, MD, who is in the residency program at the university's Department of Ophthalmology.
San Francisco- Non-penetrating canaloplasty may provide an effective and safe alternative to standard trabeculectomy in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), according to Diamond Y. Tam, MD, University of Toronto.
San Francisco-Results of the most recent American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS)/European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (ESCRS) survey on foldable IOLs requiring explantation or secondary intervention indicate a shift in the leading causes for these procedures, said Nick Mamalis, MD, professor of ophthalmology and visual sciences, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City.
San Francisco-Ophthalmologists and optometrists can and should work together as colleagues in service to patients but with appropriately defined responsibilities. That's the word from guest speaker David W. Parke II, MD, the new executive vice president and chief executive officer of the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO).
San Francisco-Three programs in different geographic areas of the world serve as models of success in addressing cataract, the top cause of blindness globally, said David F. Chang, MD, who delivered the Binkhorst Lecture during the opening session.
San Francisco-At the opening general session, Bradford J. Shingleton, MD, summarized the activities and accomplishments of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) during his 1-year tenure as president of the organization.
San Francisco-The first session of a unique training program, Premium Lens Boot Camp, to help refractive and cataract surgeons grow their accommodating/multifocal lens business will be held June 5 at the O'Hare Marriott, Chicago.
San Francisco-New three-dimensional (3D) flat-panel displays (TrueVision Systems Inc.) will enable cataract and refractive surgeons to display live and recorded content of the surgical view from a microscope or slit lamp.
San Francisco-If you had a very ill patient, you would examine his or her vital signs frequently. The same holds true when the "patient" is the U.S. economy, said John B. Pinto, of the ophthalmic practice management consulting firm J. Pinto & Associates.
San Francisco-"If you wanted to be at the start of a major change in how we do things in glaucoma, you're there," said Richard A. Lewis, MD, who spoke during the Stephen A. Obstbaum, MD, Honored Lecture at Glaucoma Day.
San Francisco-What advice would you give to President Obama to help navigate health-care reform? Three people well acquainted with the challenges that the president will face answered that question here at Glaucoma Day.
San Francisco-Although the debate continues regarding the pros and cons of different approaches to antibiotic prophylaxis for postoperative endophthalmitis, available data are clear in demonstrating that it is critical to assure an effective concentration is present at the time of surgery and maintained in the early postoperative period, said Randall J. Olson, MD, John A. Moran Presidential Professor and chairman of the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City.
San Francisco-An interim analysis of data from an ongoing U.S. clinical trial shows corneal collagen crosslinking using riboflavin and ultraviolet A (UVA) light has promising efficacy and safety for the treatment of progressive keratoconus and postLASIK ectasia, said R. Doyle Stulting, MD, PhD, professor of ophthalmology, Emory University, Atlanta.
San Francisco-Femtosecond laser-assisted penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) has potential advantages over conventional PKP performed with manual corneal trephination.
San Francisco-In eyes with normal endothelium requiring corneal transplantation, deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) using Anwar's big-bubble technique can result in visual acuity outcomes that are at least as good as those experienced after penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) and with the advantage of causing fewer complications than the full thickness procedure, said Donald H. Tan, MD, deputy director and head, corneal service, Singapore National Eye Centre, and head and professor of ophthalmology, National University of Singapore.
The FDA has approved trypan blue ophthalmic solution 0.15% (MembraneBlue, Dutch Ophthalmic Research Center International, b.v.) for use as an aid during vitrectomy procedures by staining the epiretinal membranes and, thereby, facilitating the removal of tissue, according to a prepared statement.
QLT Inc. has released results from its phase Ia trial of QLT091001, a new drug QLT is developing for the potential treatment of Leber's congential amaurosis.
