News

The introduction of the femtosecond laser for flap creation in LASIK gives refractive surgeons an additional treatment option. But beyond the obvious marketing hype of an "all laser" LASIK procedure, are there definite clinical benefits to using this keratome over traditional microkeratomes?

Raleigh, NC-Simplicity is the key word to James Kiley, MD, when he describes the MK-2000 microkeratome (Nidek).

Santiago, Chile-Intracorneal Ferrara rings (Mediphacos) appear to be a useful alternative method to improve corneal shape and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) in patients with keratectasia. However, the long-term refractive effects and complications of the rings need further study, according to Marcelo Coria, MD.

London-The structural integrity of the cornea is compromised by refractive surgeries, and the deeper the surgery is the more compromise takes place, according to John Marshall, PhD, FRCOphth(Hon).

Caracas, Venezuela-Implantation of intrastromal corneal ring segments (Intacs, Addition Technology) and penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) result in similar vision improvement when used to treat eyes with a mild grade of keratoconus, but the implantation procedure offers the advantage of faster visual rehabilitation, said Luis A. Rodriguez, MD.

The use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) before and after cataract surgery significantly lowers the incidence of cystoid macular edema (CME) and provides patients with better quality of vision. The results of three studies presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, San Francisco, bore out that finding.

New York-It is essential for clinicians who treat glaucoma to recognize all the fundamental characteristics of the glaucomatous nerve, David S. Greenfield, MD, said at the Glaucoma 2006 meeting here.

Winter Haven, FL-Combination therapy using bevacizumab (Avastin, Genentech) as a "booster shot" in conjunction with pegaptanib sodium (Macugen, OSI/Eyetech/Pfizer) to treat exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD) appears to work very well in both the short term and the long term, according to Michael Tolentino, MD.

Results from a case study comparing inter-eye central corneal thickness (CCT) in patients with asymmetric glaucoma show a positive association between more advanced glaucomatous cupping and a thinner central cornea, according to Shawn J. Khan, MD, FRCSC.

Madison, WI-The visual and morphology measurements used as endpoints in a clinical trial have both advantages and disadvantages that must be balanced by their value in achieving the goals of the study, according to Ronald Danis, MD.

Charleston, SC-Pediatric cataract surgery with IOL implantation and primary posterior capsulectomy plus vitrectomy is associated with a satisfactory outcome, especially in children operated on after their first birthday, said Rupal H. Trivedi, MD, MSCR.

Wilkes Barre, PA-Bilateral implantation of the apodized diffractive IOL (AcrySof ReSTOR, Alcon Laboratories) appears to result in a high rate of complaints about intermediate vision that can be completely mitigated by implanting the ReSTOR IOL in one eye and the second-generation refractive multifocal IOL (ReZoom, Advanced Medical Optics) contralaterally, according to a study by Frank A. Bucci Jr., MD, a private practitioner in Wilkes-Barre, PA.

Afyon, Turkey-A highly flexible posterior chamber Collamer lens may be problematic for some cataract surgery patients and require an exchange due to progressive hyperopia, explained Faruk Ozturk, MD.

Salt Lake City-Implantation of a hydrophilic acrylic IOL (C-flex, Rayner) presoaked in a solution containing a fourth-generation fluoroquinolone resulted in anterior aqueous humor concentrations of antibiotic that were significantly higher and more persistent than what was achieved with a topical drop administration protocol, according to the results of a preclinical study undertaken by Guy Kleinmann, MD, and colleagues at the John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah Health Science Center, Salt Lake City.

Previously, ophthalmic viscosurgical devices (OVDs) could be divided into two camps: dispersive OVDs and cohesive OVDs. Both have pros and cons. Cohesive OVDs create and maintain space, they don't trap air bubbles against the endothelium, and they are easy to remove at the end of the surgery. However, they don't coat tissues well.

Santiago, Chile-Analysis of the characteristics of capsular tension devices in eyes with lens subluxation indicates that in the medium term following cataract surgery, these devices seem to maintain stability in the eye and the correct anatomic positioning, according to Juan J. Mura, MD.

Baltimore-Cataract surgery in eyes with posterior polar cataracts presents a special challenge, but safety may be optimized with a customized approach that recognizes that not all posterior polar cataracts are alike and employs techniques for minimizing the risk of posterior capsule rupture, said Robert S. Weinberg, MD.

Salt Lake City-Failure to recognize late opacification of the MemoryLens IOL (CIBA Vision) as a cause for vision problems can have potentially negative consequences, including unnecessary surgery and complications secondary to those procedures, said Jonathan G. Haymore, MD.

IOL preference could be related to the degree of dysphotopsia, a better depth of field, or other factors.

Cataract surgery using phacoemulsification is perhaps the most important surgical procedure that ophthalmology residents learn during their 3 years of training and is the "bread-and-butter" procedure for practicing ophthalmologists. It goes without saying, therefore, that the entire ophthalmologic community should do its best to ensure outstanding training for the next generation-this usually requires both adequate surgical volume and excellent supervision by the attending surgeon.

The subject of residents' surgical skills during phaco are coming under close scrutiny at various institutions. Two of three institutions concluded that the key to improved outcomes is adequate wet-lab training, expert supervision, and increased phaco conferences. The third is developing a valid instrument to evaluate performance during phaco; the results would provide immediate feedback to the resident by the attending surgeon.

Raleigh, NC-Children in North Carolina now must undergo vision screening before entering kindergarten, due to a law signed in September by Mike Easley, the state's governor.

Irvine, CA-IntraLase Corp. has received approval to sell its femtosecond laser, the Intralase FS, in Taiwan.

San Francisco-Athenagen Inc., a privately held biopharmaceutical company, has begun phase I clinical testing of ATG003, its topical eye drop therapy for age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Des Plaines, IL-Addition Technology Inc., maker of Intacs corneal implants for keratoconus and myopia, has acquired AlphaCor and AlphaSphere from CooperVision Surgical.

Conduct an Internet search for references to Eugene de Juan, MD, and it will produce millions of results linking to his world-renowned son and retina specialist, Eugene de Juan Jr., MD. However, the junior Dr. de Juan wants the world to know and remember the great work of his general ophthalmologist father, who practiced with grace and compassion for more than 40 years in Mobile, AL.

Rockville, MD-Vision and ophthalmic researchers in the United States have been narrowing their specifications for requested human eye tissue at the same time that the country's eye banks have been facing federal regulations and state laws that make it more difficult for them to meet these needs. The result is a reduction in tissue available for research. But researchers and eye banks can take steps to address this situation. Without such action, future research into some blinding diseases may be threatened.

San Francisco-Stephen D. McLeod, MD, is the new chairman of the Department of Ophthalmology at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF).