News

As the years pass, I am amazed at how much ophthalmic practice has changed since my residency, and I think about how things will be even better in the future. Do you remember when glaucoma treatment was pilocarpine, epinephrine, acetazolamide, or surgery? Do you remember when all we could offer someone with macular degeneration and choroidal neovascularization was a low-vision referral? How about 12-mm extracapsular cataract incisions and rigid IOLs without viscoelastics, with each operation taking about 45 minutes of surgical time?

Los Alamitos, CA-Larry Geisse, MD, a surgeon in private practice in Los Alamitos, CA, recently encountered a case of toxic anterior segment syndrome (TASS) that might hold lessons for other clinicians in the treatment of TASS.

San Francisco-The most common complications involving foldable IOLs and requiring explantation showed little change over the past 2 years, according to an annual survey sent to members of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) and the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (ESCRS).

Literature review shows single application of low-dose MMC can prevent, treat haze after surface procedures

Prophylactic, therapeutic use of mitomycin-C considered safe

Dislocation, decentration concerns for foldable IOLs,survey finds

Task force evaluates etiologic factors

ISTA Pharmaceuticals gained exclusive North American rights to Senju Pharmaceuticals' iganidipine, a calcium-channel blocker, and a new formulation of latanoprost, a prostaglandin analogue.

Prevent Blindness America (PBA) announced four recipients of the 2006 Investigator Awards. The winners will receive grants for research projects dedicated to eye health.

Compared with placebo, ruboxistaurin mesylate ( proposed brand name , Arxxant, Eli Lilly and Co.) reduces the risk of sustained moderate vision loss by 41% in patients with moderate-to-severe nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy, according to pooled data from two 3-year phase III trials. Eli Lilly and Co. presented the findings at the American Diabetes Association's annual scientific sessions recently.

The FDA has approved bimatoprost ophthalmic solution 0.03% (Lumigan, Allergan) as a first-line treatment for elevated IOP associated with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension.

The FDA Ophthalmic Devices advisory panel will meet this month to make recommendations and vote on the pre-market approval filed by VisionCare Ophthalmic Technologies Inc. for its implantable miniature telescope (IMT).

(OSI) Eyetech Pharmaceuticals Inc. and Pfizer Inc. have initiated a phase IV trial that will study whether use of pegaptanib sodium injection (Macugen) following neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) therapy provides a balance in long-term safety and efficacy. Called LEVEL (EvaLuation of Efficacy and safety in maintaining Visual acuity with sEquential treatment of neovascuLar AMD), the 54-week trial will comprise up to 1,000 patients at 100 sites across the country.

This year, the world's top ophthalmic meeting will be held at one of the world's top tourist destinations-Las Vegas.

The femtosecond pulses offer real, precise subsurface effects, with the least amount of energy required.

Fort Bragg, NC-U.S. Army Lt. Col. Scott D. Barnes, MD, is on a mission to protect and preserve the sight of troops serving on the front line.

The NEI has funded a number of applications . . . including plasticity and regeneration of retinal synapses, subconjunctival route to prolong corticosteroid repair, and effects of substratum topography on corneal epithelium.

The right thing to do is rarely the easiest option.

The surgeon does not have to keep refocusing because the system has a large depth of focus (about 25 mm).

The femtosecond pulses offer real, precise subsurface effects, with the least amount of energy required.

San Francisco-Correction of high myopia with a phakic IOL or by clear lens exchange does pose some risk for patients because these methods are intraocular procedures. To avoid the associated risks of IOL surgery-such as infection, cataract formation in the case of phakic lenses, possible endothelial damage, pupil ovalization, zonular problems, and retinal problems, surgeons might want to consider myopic keratophakia and excimer laser ablation instead, explained Luis Antonio Ruiz, MD.

The FIT device requires a 4.5-mm incision for implantation, making it easier to implant than IMT, which needs a 10-to 12-mm incision.

The use of hormonal therapies may represent the next generation of medication for the tear film deficiencies of dry eye.

Washington-Advancements in eye research might be in jeopardy unless Congress works to boost the president's recommended National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding levels for fiscal year 2007.

Recently it was that time of the year for my medical school's graduation ceremony. Three hours and forty-five minutes of speeches and handing out diplomas, wearing warm academic regalia in an auditorium that could have used more air conditioning-I think you all have been there and know the drill. Deans, vice deans, assistant deans, and department chairmen are accorded the honor of sitting up on the stage, so we get a close-up view of the proceedings.

Bethesda, MD-Of the 14 million Americans that are visually impaired, more than 11 million have uncorrected visual impairment, such as nearsightedness, according to a study designed and supported by the National Eye Institute (NEI) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) (JAMA 2006;295:2158-2163).

Irvine, CA-The philanthropic arm of Allergan Inc., The Allergan Foundation, donated $2 million to the University of California-Irvine's (UC-Irvine) department of ophthalmology. The donation will further strengthen the department's research agenda and clinical care. The gift was "the largest donation ever to ophthalmology," according to a joint press release from the university and Allergan.

Des Plaines, IL-The Internal Revenue Service has authorized the Foundation for Keratoconus Care to commence operations.