News

LASIK in 2007 represents a wonderful world that can provide excellent efficacy, safety, and stability. Multiple innovations are the foundation for today's improved outcomes, and the outlook is bright for future advances.

Results of a pivotal phase III trial of a cyclosporine A product for the treatment of vernal conjunctivitis (VKC) in children showed that the drug improved symptoms and signs of the orphan disease, and tolerability was excellent, according to the manufacturer.

A pooled analysis of three randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled, conjunctival allergen challenge trials demonstrates that once-daily treatment with olopatadine 0.2% (Pataday, Alcon Laboratories) is equally effective for improving ocular itching caused by exposure to indoor or outdoor allergens.

Epinastine HCl 0.05% does not have a drying effect on the ocular surface and may be kinder to patients being treated for seasonal allergies and underlying dry eye disease.

To treat the ocular discomfort associated with allergic conjunctivitis several medications are in the pipeline.

Medical technology company Optos is collaborating with Eyemaginations to produce animations designed to enable eye-care professionals to educate their patients about diabetic retinopathy, retinal detachment, glaucoma, and choroidal nevi.

Fortune magazine has named Genentech and Alcon Laboratories to its latest "100 Best Companies to Work For" list.

The Wilmer Ophthalmological Institute is celebrating the 25th anniversary of its Current Concepts in Ophthalmology meeting in Vail, CO, this year.

Progress in the diagnosis and treatment of retinoblastoma has been minimal over the past couple of decades, although improvements have been made, and new therapies are being studied, according to an ocular oncology expert.

The eye has played an important role in angiogenesis research over the past several decades, and it will continue to do so, according to Judah Folkman, MD, considered the founder of the field.

Judah Folkman, MD, whose work in cancer research led to significant breakthroughs in treating age-related macular degeneration, is being remembered as the kindly and compassionate "father of angiogenesis."

Bausch & Lomb. acquired IOL manufacturer eyeonics, announced a new research deal, and gained a new chairman and chief executive officer.

Post-occlusion surge varies from phacoemulsification system to system based on several different parameters, including decreasing flow, increasing bottle height, decreasing tip gauge, and flow restriction. Randall J. Olson, MD, details recent research.

Off-label use of mitomycin-C appears to prevent haze and improve visual acuity in patients with complicated LASIK flaps when used in conjunction with PTK or PRK.

The FDA has granted fast-track designation to a silicone matrix ocular implant that helps prevent corneal transplant rejection.

Co-management has come under fire from the federal government because of some instances of serious abuses. It can succeed when done correctly, however.

Prospectively collected data from 45 eyes that underwent hyperopic LASIK using a proprietary excimer laser were analyzed. After a mean follow-up of 5.3 years, about three-fourths of the eyes had a spherical equivalent within 1.0 D of the emmetropic target.

Implantable contact lenses appear to correct high myopia more accurately than customized all-laser LASIK, and the phakic lenses also provide a better quality of vision, according to results of a retrospective study of 79 consecutive eyes undergoing vision correction for high myopia.

Recipients of a premium IOL have high expectations for excellent uncorrected distance visual acuity. The availability of these implants has created a new patient base for laser vision correction. Considerations for performing laser enhancement are discussed.

Aspects of the intraoperative performance of two ophthalmic viscosurgical devices (OVDs) were prospectively evaluated during a single-surgeon, randomized study. Both agents worked well, but the results showed clear differences favoring a cohesive OVD of 1.6% sodium hyaluronate (Amvisc Plus, Bausch & Lomb) over a viscous-dispersive OVD of 4% chondroitin sulfate and 1.65% sodium hyaluronate (DisCoVisc, Alcon Laboratories).

Transversal ultrasound technology allows safe and efficient removal of all grades of nuclei with minimal energy and stress on the corneal endothelium and other ocular structures.

The combination of torsional ultrasound and micro-coaxial phacoemulsification is ideal for cataract surgery because of the improved efficiency of the ultrasound system and the astigmatically neutral, highly competent 2.2-mm incision through which the highest-quality IOL can be implanted.

Post-occlusion surge varies from phacoemulsification system to system based on several different parameters, including decreasing flow, increasing bottle height, decreasing tip gauge, and flow restriction. Randall J. Olson, MD, details recent research.

A new phacoemulsification pump produces reduced post-occlusion surge and is safer and more responsive than its predecessor.

Although intracameral medication use in cataract surgery has several potential advantages, they should be weighed against the possible disadvantages and the benefits and risks of topical medication alternatives.

Topical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs often are administered for off-label purposes to patients who are undergoing cataract surgery, but surgeons should consider the cost, the risks, and the evidence available to support such use.

In vivo confocal microscopy was used to measure the thickness of ophthalmic viscosurgical devices (OVDs) retained beneath the corneal endothelium after phacoemulsification surgery. Results are reported for six different OVDs used in surgeries performed with varying fluidics settings.

Use of topical drops after cataract surgery may be associated with a number of drawbacks. Alternative strategies for intraoperative drug delivery can be highly effective and more economical, as well as offer better safety, convenience, and efficacy.

The Simplified Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) Severity Scale has been shown to be predictive of vision loss.

The use of chilled water and 0.1% hyaluronic acid during epi-LASIK improved the survival rate of corneal epithelial basal cells, according to one study.