News

The combination of ultraviolet radiation and riboflavin treatment to achieve collagen cross-linking may be beneficial in biomechanical stabilization of ectasia, according to an expert who says the combined procedure has reduced the need for penetrating keratoplasty in his practice by 70%.

Eschenbach's seminar "Low Vision Care . . . What's It All About?" is an introductory, hands-on workshop and lecture designed for everyone interested in the field of low vision.

Promoting lenses directly to consumers is just one channel of an innovative digital outreach program from Transitions Optical.

Phara Khauv, MD, one of only eight ophthalmologists in Cambodia, is at Indiana University (IU) School of Medicine preparing to become his nation's first pediatric eye surgeon.

A new pediatric patient can be more easily oriented into a practice with games, movies, and comfortable seating in the waiting room. Specialized equipment like fixation targets with small puppets placed on the end of the transmitter make the exam more like play time. Breaking the ice by talking to the child about his or her interests and joking will also help make a better experience for the child.

A new visual screening process (PediaVision) is available to pediatricians and can take less than 5 seconds to complete and can assist in the detection of refractive errors, media opacities, and other abnormalities.

International Vision Expo will bring its Optical Boot Camp program to the Essilor Corporate Campus in Dallas for a 1-day session on Saturday, Sept. 13.

The Optical Laboratories Association (OLA) released its list of nominees for the 2008 Awards of Excellence. Winners will be announced at the President's Banquet Nov. 8 during the OLA annual meeting in Nashville, TN.

Images from a rotating Scheimpflug camera (Pentacam, Oculus) provide less accurate information on corneal power in post-LASIK eyes than methods involving adjustment based on the amount of laser correction, but the imaging device represents a useful tool when clinical history data are not available, according to the results of a retrospective study.

Proprietary instrumentation (Ocular Response Analyzer, Reichert Ophthalmic Instruments) is useful in ophthalmology, but the current generation of the instrument may have some limitations, according to one physician.

Confocal microscopy can be used for refractive surgery to address concerns regarding wound healing and the interface, especially when assessing different techniques. The technology also can be used to assess problems after LASIK regarding dry eye.

A recent study assessed the consistency and repeatability of skilled refractive surgeons in detecting the iris boundary from the infrared camera of a proprietary excimer laser (STAR S4 IR, Advanced Medical Optics) and used as a gold standard for evaluating the platform's automated system. Results show that both methods provide a level of centration accuracy consistent with quality vision results.

A recent study using a high-resolution spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) to image and quantify retinal nerve fiber (RNF) loss in patients with glaucoma showed superior imaging results when compared with the imaging of a scanning laser polarimetry (SLP) device.

A new version of an ophthalmic ultrasound system has the unique ability to image all aspects of the anterior segment. As a key differentiator to optical coherence tomography, the ultrasound system, which has a high-frequency B-probe, enables the user to see behind the iris and create dynamic movies rather than static images.

An automated glaucoma risk indicator using digital color fundus photos proved to be accurate in the detection of glaucoma disease in a recent study. This novel technique is not intended to replace other state-of-the-art diagnostic techniques currently used . Ophthalmologists, however, can receive a confirmation from this automated diagnosing system that the diagnosis they are making in regards to glaucoma is the right one.

Several preoperative features have been identified as important risk factors for ectasia after laser refractive surgery, particularly in patients undergoing LASIK for high myopia or myopic astigmatism. This complication can occur in the absence of any of these findings, however.

Fourier-domain optical coherence tomography allows detailed visualization of the retinal layers, especially the photoreceptor layer.

Three-dimensional optical coherence tomography (OCT) has improved on the speed with which scans are obtained and has added more detailed information about the retina in various retinal diseases. Two-dimensional OCT, however, should remain a staple in retinal practice for some time to come.

An in-office test is offering hope for many patients with age-related macular degeneration.

Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) offers several major advantages over conventional OCT: faster image acquisition time, improved resolution, and improved image processing. In addition, the technology decreases patient motion artifact, which is especially useful when obtaining images in children.

Ultrasound still has a place in ophthalmology. Several new developments in the technology facilitate detailed visualization of the posterior segment.

Independent studies show promising potential of topical azithromycin 1% ophthalmic solution (AzaSite, Inspire Pharmaceuticals) for the treatment of both posterior and chronic anterior blepharitis.

Clinical trials are advancing frequently, which is why the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology is offering a series of courses to help eye researchers keep up.

A 50-year-old Haitian-born woman pre­sented to the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute with a complaint of suddenly decreased vision in her right eye over the previous 4 days. The patient denied other symptoms of pain, redness, photophobia, floaters, or photopsias.

Postoperative endophthalmitis in an Asian population develops more often in left eyes, among men, and following phacoemulsification, according to an epidemiologic study of cases over 7 years conducted in Singapore.

Patients desiring laser vision correction are treated with phototherapeutic kertectomy and PRK with mitomycin-C either simultaneously or in a staged approach depending on the absence or presence of epithelial ingrowth. A retrospective review of 15 eyes that developed a buttonhole or near buttonhole during LASIK flap creation shows favorable visual outcomes can be achieved.

Vaccines may have a role in corneal and external ocular disease, specifically for herpes zoster virus and human papilloma virus infections, because of the successes of the vaccines in preventing systemic diseases.

Immunohistochemical studies have shown that the receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) is elevated in the optic nerves of patients with Alzheimer's disease. Future studies are expected to provide more information about the role of RAGE in Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative diseases and could lead to new therapeutic options if RAGE is determined to be a causative agent.