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Accommodation is the result of changes in the optical power of the crystalline lens that results from change in the lens anterior and posterior surface curvatures and thickness. The ciliary muscle is the engine that drives the accommodative process, and the lens capsule and the lens are important components of accommodation, according to Adrian Glasser, MD, from the College of Optometry, University of Houston, Houston.

The short-term clinical experience with intravitreal bevacizumab (Avastin, Genentech) supports growing perception that treatment is safe and effective for neovascular age-related macular degeneration.

Patients who complain of poor visual function after LASIK may have unstable tear film, which affects the smoothness of the ocular surface and disturbs vision. With the help of the functional visual acuity meter, clinicians can assess functional vision over 60 seconds and then address any instability of the tear film if necessary.

Researchers at Wilmer Eye Institute and Genentech collaborated to study retrospectively the incidence of myocardial infarction and strokes in persons with neovascular AMD. The initial results showed the rates increased with increasing levels of comorbidity.

Preparing the contracted socket for grafting requires careful assessment and planning to ensure a positive result.

Numerous small-incision approaches make it possible to gain access to orbital tumors. The choice of surgical approach or combination of approaches is dictated by the size and location of the lesion or the area being pursued.

Diseases of the canaliculus can be managed with microtrephination and the silicone stent.

Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor treatment of the pediatric retinal diseases-familial exudative vitreoretinopathy and retinopathy of prematurity-using pegaptanib sodium showed mixed results, with a marked decrease in exudation in the former but no effect in preventing retinal detachment in the latter.

The short-term clinical experience with intravitreal bevacizumab (Avastin, Genentech) supports growing perception that treatment is safe and effective for neovascular age-related macular degeneration.

Ranibizumab for treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration was shown to prevent moderate vision loss over 24 months and to result in improved vision in some patients in the MARINA study.

Bimanual, three-dimensional robotic surgery seems to be technically feasible for performing ocular microsurgery when used in pig eyes, and may be a boon for surgeons in geographically remote areas that lack access to state-of-the-art technology.

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Dry eye management may be one of the most prevalent, yet overlooked, aspects in ophthalmology.

A new generation of dry eye therapy is artificial tears offering both lubricating and osmoprotective components that protect the eye at the surface and the cellular level.

Nocturnal lagophthalmos frequently is missed by ophthalmologists. A three-level classification may help ophthalmologists spot the disorder in patients whose condition might otherwise be overlooked.

Botulinum toxin type A (Botox Cosmetic, Allergan) injected into the periocular region for the treatment of lateral canthal rhytids, usually does not suppress tear production. However, surgeons should warn patients that temporary dry eye is a possibility, although a rare occurrence.

Hormone fluctuations and the aging process combine to make dry eye syndrome a risk for perimenopausal women. For this age group, aggressive therapy that includes an anti-inflammatory agent is usually necessary.

Canalicular injuries must be repaired in a timely fashion for the patients to achieve the best outcomes. Even seemingly small lacerations require careful examination because when the eyelid is everted and a laceration is noted medial to the punctum, the laceration can have an impact on the canaliculus.

Manufacturers of punctum plug technology continue to improve their offerings, making their products easier to insert with better retention. This overview highlights new punctum plugs or plugs modified over the past year.

Dry eye symptoms and fluctuating or decreased visual acuity due to ocular surface disease puts individuals at increased risk for refractive surgery-related dry eye.

Patients may experience severe dry eye symptoms following refractive surgery. By 6 months postoperatively, however, the majority of patients are no longer plagued by severe dry eye, according to a prospective, randomized study. More LASIK patients than PRK patients seem to experience severe dry eye after 1 month postoperatively, but by 3 and 6 months, this is no longer the case.

Patients who complain of poor visual function after LASIK may have unstable tear film, which affects the smoothness of the ocular surface and disturbs vision. With the help of the functional visual acuity meter, clinicians can assess functional vision over 60 seconds and then address any instability of the tear film if necessary.

No evidence exists that refractive surgery causes chronic dry eye. In many cases, patients seeking refractive surgery already may have dry eye symptoms. It is the surgeon's responsibility to identify and treat dry eye prior to surgery, ensuring that the patient has a healthy ocular surface.

Treatment of contact lens-related dry eye is based on disease severity and frequently results in discontinuation of contact lens use.

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Vision health advocates convened here to review data and the effectiveness of various state policy models to provide children's vision care in what is touted as the first "Vision Summit."

Aliso Viejo, CA-First-quarter 2007 revenues for eyeonics inc., the developer of the crystalens accommodating IOL, have increased 36% over the same period last year, the company said.

The Lincy Foundation has given the first installment of a 4-year, $4.75 million grant to the Oregon Retinal Degeneration Center at Oregon Health & Science (OHSU) Casey Eye Institute.

The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) is enrolling patients in a study to test the long-term safety and effectiveness of intraocular injections of ranibizumab (Lucentis, Genentech) in patients with diabetic macular edema (DME)

A federal appellate court has blocked the largest Canadian-owned pharmaceutical company from manufacturing and selling a generic version of Allergan's ketorolac tromethamine ophthalmic solution 0.5% (Acular).