News

Although the FDA considers autoimmune diseases a contraindication for LASIK regardless of disease severity, a retrospective study suggests that the surgery may be appropriate in patients with well-controlled or inactive disease, said Ronald J. Smith, MD, MPH, of Beverly Hills.

New Paradigms

Ophthalmic

Short-term use of topical steroids used in conjunction with other long-term therapies can help heal the ocular surface in patients considering refractive surgery, said Deepinder K. Dhaliwal, MD, of the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.

Short-term results show that bevacizumab (Avastin, Genentech) seems to be safe and effective for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD), reported Philip Rosenfeld, MD, PhD, during Retina Subspecialty Day.

Ranibizumab (Lucentis, Genentech) for treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) was shown to prevent moderate vision loss over 24 months and to result in improved vision in some patients in the MARINA Study, according to Joan Miller, MD, who reported the results during Retina Subspecialty Day.

Although the FDA considers autoimmune diseases a contraindication for LASIK regardless of disease severity, a retrospective study suggests that the surgery may be appropriate in patients with well-controlled or inactive disease, said Ronald J. Smith, MD, MPH, of Beverly Hills.

DSAEK

Although almost half of all patients who undergo LASIK report dry eye symptoms, there is no real evidence that the refractive procedure causes chronic dry eye, according to James P. McCulley, MD, FACS, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Fort Worth.

Prevention

Pellucid marginal degeneration is a subtle condition that could lead to corneal ectasia following laser eye surgery. Although it is atypical and rare, clinicians should learn how to identify pellucid and screen patients for it preoperatively, said Yaron S. Rabinowitz, MD, director of ophthalmology research, Cedars Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles.

Dispensing

A world-renowned authority on the role of nutrition and lifestyle in the prevention of disease will deliver the Manus C. Kraff Lecture on Science and Medicine at the 2006 Symposium of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery in April.

New 3D monitor

Prevent Blindness America (PBA), the nation's oldest and largest non-profit eye health and safety organization, is beginning its application process for the 2007 Eyes on Capitol Hill campaign. This event is designed to allow those affected by real-life vision issues an opportunity to discuss their experiences with their government representatives. The event will begin Feb. 28 in Washington, DC, with discussions on federal funding efforts for vision programs and research and seminars on how participants can become effective advocates in their own communities. The following day, participants will make office visits with congressional members.

Retina Health Center opens in Naples

Congressional

The annual American Society of Cata-ract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) survey on trends in refractive surgery was expanded this year to include other refractive surgery-related topics. Stephen Wexler, MD, provided the highlights of the survey at this year's annual meeting.

When Ming Wang, MD, PhD, is dancing, he is truly living. The Nashville corneal and LASIK surgeon followed a long road to the ballroom dance floor and, today, the Chinese-born doctor is a competitive dancer and encourages others to appreciate the fine arts of music and dance.

Las Vegas-A rigorous preoperative dry eye treatment regimen can help ensure patient satisfaction after LASIK whether the IntraLase femtosecond laser (IntraLase Corp) or the Amadeus microkeratome (Advanced Medical Optics) was used to create the flap, according to Kent L. Wellish, MD.

Los Angeles-Intracorneal ring segments (Intacs, Addition Technology Inc.) carry hope of success for patients with keratoconus, especially when the channels for the ring segments are created using the IntraLase femtosecond laser (IntraLase Corp.).

Albany, NY-Multicenter data indicate that the Dohlman-Doane type I (Boston) keratoprosthesis is a viable option for visual rehabilitation in eyes in which multiple penetrating keratoplasties have failed or that have a poor prognosis for primary keratoplasty, said Mich?l W. Belin, MD.

Los Angeles-The rates of infection after cataract surgery can be reduced by a meticulous approach to controlling the microbes on the ocular surface and in the eye. The use of fourth-generation fluoroquinolones can better control the microorganisms that have grown resistant to previous generations of the drugs.

Today most universities have one or two oculoplastic surgeons on staff.

MRI is in general superior to CT for neuro-ophthalmic indications. A CT study, however, might be useful [under certain circumstances].

The Sovereign WhiteStar ICE (Increased Control and Efficiency) system (Advanced Medical Optics [AMO]), with its ultrasound pulse-shaping technology, is proving to be more efficient in recent clinical studies. The results of two studies reported at the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery annual meeting added to that body of information.

Garden City, KS-Cataract surgery patients do not notice a significant difference in vision between two lenses-the blue-light-blocking spherical SN60AT IOL (AcrySof Natural, Alcon Laboratories) and the aspheric SN60WF IOL (AcrySof IQ, Alcon Laboratories)-according to the results of a small, randomized, fellow eye controlled study. Luther L. Fry, MD, a private practitioner in Garden City, KS, reported the results.

Bellville, Cape Town, South Africa-The Tecnis multifocal lens (Advanced Medical Optics) is effective and safe and provides excellent distance and near visual outcomes. Preoperative patient counseling is imperative as well as careful biometry, meticulous reproducible surgery, and astigmatic neutral surgery, all of which are keys to the success of the procedure, according to Johann Kruger, FRCS.