Late onset bleb leakage should be managed carefully
October 23rd 2004Late onset bleb leakage usually occurs 2 to 3 years after glaucoma filtering surgery with an incidence between 2% and 9%. This condition warrants treatment, according to Philip P. Chen, MD, who spoke during the glaucoma subspecialty day meeting.
New approach possible to management of perforating ocular injuries
October 23rd 2004A new preventive approach to perforating ocular injuries seems to prevent the almost inevitable development of proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) that follows this type of injury, according to Ferenc Kuhn, MD, PhD, of the University of Alabama, Birmingham.
Patients need to be monitored closely after intravitreal triamcinolone injection
October 23rd 2004Patients who undergo intravitreal triamcinolone (IVTA) injection for the treatment of retinal disease should be closely monitored because of the risk of steroid-induced IOP, explained Michele C. Lim, MD, during the glaucoma subspecialty day meeting.
FORGE: Focusing Ophthalmology on Reframing Glaucoma Evaluation
October 23rd 2004Ophthalmologists can improve glaucoma care by evaluating the optic nerve to assess the patient's risk of progression, according to speakers at a CME symposium Saturday. Faculty members provided the audience with tips for determining disease severity through optic nerve evaluation, employing a systematic approach to the evaluation, identifying patients at risk of disease progression, and determining the most effective treatment.
12-month results positive for laser presbyopia reversal
October 22nd 2004Laser presbyopia reversal (LAPR) is showing significant promise and patient satisfaction based on 12-month follow-up results from a U.S. clinical trial, said Sandra C. Belmont, MD, at the refractive surgery subspecialty day meeting.
Symposium features disposable automated microkeratome, new epi-LASIK device
October 22nd 2004Refractive surgeons shared their experiences with the One Use-Plus microkeratome (Moria) for LASIK flaps as well as clinical trials using the new Epi-K device (Moria) for epi-LASIK, which is not yet available in the United States.
Anecortave acetate results not significantly different from PDT
October 22nd 2004The C-01-99 phase III clinical trial, which compared a 15-mg dose of anecortave acetate (Alcon Laboratories) with standard administration of verteporfin for the treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD), found that there was no statistical difference between the two treatments.
Macugen demonstrates good visual results after 24 months
October 22nd 2004The VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) Inhibition Study in Ocular Neovascularization (VISION), a phase III appraisal of three doses of pegaptanib sodium injection (Macugen, Eyetech Pharmaceuticals) (0.3, 1, and 3 mg) compared with a sham procedure, found that the 0.3-mg dose of Macugen improves visual outcomes in patients with age-related macular degeneration.
Pseudoaccommodative IOL offers excellent range of vision
October 22nd 2004Refractive lens exchange with implantation of the Acrysof ReSTOR IOL (Alcon Laboratories) is an effective method for providing an excellent range of vision for presbyopic myopes or hyperopes, said Francesco Carones, MD, at the refractive surgery subspecialty day meeting.
12-month results positive for laser presbyopia reversal
October 22nd 2004Laser presbyopia reversal (LAPR) is showing significant promise and patient satisfaction based on 12-month follow-up results from a U.S. clinical trial, said Sandra C. Belmont, MD, at the refractive surgery subspecialty day meeting.
Mortality data emerge from AREDS
October 22nd 2004Valuable new data continue to be gleaned from the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS). In this large randomized, controlled clinical study of 4,753 patients, investigators at 11 sites evaluated the effect of antioxidants vitamins C and E and zinc compared with placebo in age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
Preclinical studies provide insight into risks and benefits of MMC
October 21st 2004Topical application of mitomycin-C (MMC) is more effective for preventing corneal haze after PRK than it is for treating existing haze, but further studies are needed to establish the long-term corneal safety of this strongly cytostatic agent, said Marcelo V. Netto, MD, at the refractive surgery subspecialty day meeting.
Endothelial cell loss gradual, levels off after ICL implantation
October 15th 2004San Diego-Implantation of the Implantable Contact Lens (ICL, STAAR Surgical) to treat myopia has a negligible effect on the corneal endothelium 3 to 4 years after implantation of the lens, according to Henry Edelhauser, PhD.
Recurrent DLK outbreaks call for strict cleaning protocols
October 15th 2004San Diego-Recurrent outbreaks of diffuse lamellar keratitis (DLK) seem to be associated with problems with cleaning protocols and bacterial contamination. Constant vigilance and maintenance of strict cleaning protocols are essential to prevent recurrences of DLK, said Simon P. Holland, MD.
Botulinum toxin improves blepharospasm symptoms
October 15th 2004S?o Paulo, Brazil-Botulinum toxin type A (Botox, Allergan) significantly improves all aspects of quality of life in patients with blepharospasm, according to Tammy Osaki, MS, a medical student at the Vision Institute of the Federal University of S?o Paulo, Brazil.
New technique modification for CK gets better results
October 15th 2004San Diego-A new technique for corneal marking and probe placement seems to improve the accuracy and standardization of probe placement in conductive keratoplasty (CK). This has translated into improved surgical outcomes, reported Charles H. Williamson, MD, at the annual meeting of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery.
High-resolution, wavefront-guided treatment aids night vision
October 15th 2004San Diego-Wavefront-guided treatments seem to improve night-vision disturbances caused by LASIK. Patients with severe higher-order aberrations after the initial refractive procedure benefitted from treatment driven by the Wavefront Aberration Supported Corneal Ablation (WASCA) aberrometer and the MEL-80 excimer laser driven by the CRS-Master software platform (all from Carl Zeiss Meditec AG).
Endothelial cell loss gradual, levels off after ICL implantation
October 15th 2004San Diego-Implantation of the Implantable Contact Lens (ICL, STAAR Surgical) to treat myopia has a negligible effect on the corneal endothelium 3 to 4 years after implantation of the lens, according to Henry Edelhauser, PhD.
Viscous-dispersive OVD offers best of both worlds
October 15th 2004Kingston, PA-FDA study results show the safety and effectiveness of the investigational viscous-dispersive ophthalmic viscosurgical device (OVD) DisCoVisc (Alcon Laboratories) for use during cataract surgery and IOL implantation, said Harvey Reiser, MD.
No need to dissect conjunctiva during posterior vitrectomy
October 15th 2004San Diego-A system for performing a sutureless posterior vitrectomy uses 25-gauge cannula instruments that can be inserted directly through the conjunctiva and eliminates the need for its dissection. The transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy system (TSV25, Bausch & Lomb) reduces the problems associated with performing surgery in eyes with a shallow anterior chamber, according to Rosa Braga-Mele, MD.