News

East Hanover, NJ-The FDA has approved the over-the-counter (OTC) use of ketotifen fumarate ophthalmic solution 0.025% (Zaditor) for the temporary prevention of itchy eyes due to allergic conjunctivitis. The drops treat eye itch associated with pollen, ragweed, grass, animal hair, and dander without the potentially negative effects of a decongestant.

Houston-Intestinal surgeries-such as gastric bypass, resections of the large and small bowel, and gallbladder removal-may interfere with the intestine's ability to absorb vitamin A, resulting in the potential for severe deficiencies and compromised vision.

London-A new operating microscope for cataract surgery that uses near-infrared light to illuminate the surgical field offers several advantages compared with the conventional microscope, including possible faster visual recovery and the potential to avoid phototoxic retinopathy.

Novagali Pharma, a French biopharmaceutical company specializing in ophthalmology, has completed the enrollment for its phase III study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a potential treatment for vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC). Enrollment for the international study was completed much earlier than expected, the company said, indicating an unmet need for a treatment.

Biovitrum, a Stockholm-based biopharmaceutical company, has initiated a clinical phase II study with the candidate drug BVT.28949, a 5-HT2A antagonist for treating glaucoma.

London- One of the most revolutionary technological changes in corneal transplant surgery in decades is beginning to hit clinics around the world. A software and hardware upgrade for the femtosecond laser (IntraLase FS, IntraLase Corp.) has been released to help surgeons design custom incision shapes that improve surgical precision and promote faster healing.

Clinton, CT- Ophthalmology Resources LLC recently launched Dispensing Ophthalmology online, a virtual tool to help make optical dispensaries more successful and more profitable. Dispensing Ophthalmology, located at www.dispensingophthalmology.com, provides access to and complete details on two new services: optical production tracking and Medicare post-cataract eyewear education.

Fewer than 10 years ago I sat in the audience at the first "Array Familiarization Course" offered in San Francisco at the conclusion of the American Academy of Ophthalmology annual meeting. A highlight of the course for me was I. Howard Fine, MD's response to a question about the best refractive procedure for a 60-year-old patient with 6 D of myopia. The first FDA approvals for excimer laser ablation recently had come through, and LASIK was on everyone's mind. Dr. Fine, however, proposed refractive lens exchange with the Array lens, offering complete spectacle independence. The idea clicked.

Miami-When other possible treatments for ectasia fail, lamellar or penetrating keratoplasty (PK) may be the last resort for these patients.

London-Anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) (Visante OCT system, Carl Zeiss Meditec) can be used to calculate IOL tilt and decentration and may have an advantage of being able to provide accurate measurements in eyes with an irregular pupil or cornea, said Richard Lee, BSc.

Pittsburgh-The Glaucoma Probability Score (GPS), the new mathematical model featured in the Heidelberg Retina Tomograph 3 (HRT3, Heidelberg Engineering) software, eliminates subjective operator input in defining the optic disc margin and performs comparably to the HRT II in discriminating between healthy and glaucomatous eyes, according to a study undertaken by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh.

Canberra, Australia-Spatial frequency doubling (FD) stimuli have an excellent ability to predict progression of visual field loss and optic disc abnormalities for about 3 years in patients with glaucoma, but the predictive power of one assessment on its own drops off over time, said Ted Maddess, PhD, a senior fellow (associate professor) in the visual sciences group, Research School of Biological Sciences, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia.

The use of a pattern-scan laser system (Pascal Photocoagulator, OptiMedica Corp.) to treat diabetic retinopathy and other retinal disorders is showing substantial advantages over conventional single-burn techniques, according to a growing body of clinical experience. Early adopters say key attributes include better targeting of photocoagulation burns to fit specific retinal conditions, less patient discomfort due to lower applied laser power, and improved overall clinical efficiency because the number and duration of treatments are sharply reduced.

Bonita Springs, FL-The rotating Scheimpflug camera-based Pentacam system (Oculus) seems to provide an easy-to-use tool for obtaining reliable corneal pachymetry measurements, said Stephen E. Pascucci, MD, a private practitioner in Bonita Springs, FL.

Calgary, Alberta-Serial digital fundus imaging with remote interpretation by experienced physician graders is accurate for detecting clinically significant retinopathy of prematurity (CSROP), according to the results of the Photographic Screening Trial for Retinopathy of Prematurity (PhotoROP).

Ophthalmology Times is celebrating its 30th anniversary this month. Let's look at the evolution that has occurred during these 30 years to the most common intraocular operation performed by ophthalmologists: the cataract extraction.

London-A reduction in IOP in patients with open-angle glaucoma can be achieved after nonpenetrating glaucoma surgery (canaloplasty) when circumferential suturing is done in the inner wall of Schlemm's canal. This technique results in distension of Schlemm's canal and enhanced outflow of aqueous with the subsequent lowering of the IOP, explained Norbert Koerber, MD, at the XXIV Congress of the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons in London.

Ophthalmology Times periodically posts online questions to survey ophthalmologists who receive its e-newsletter. This is clearly not a scientific sampling of opinion.

Markham, Ontario, Canada-AlphaRx Inc. announced the appointment of Michael S. Berlin, MD, MS, to its scientific advisory board.

Irvine, CA-Ophthalmic device manufacturer Refractec Inc. announced the appointment of Richard L. Lindstrom, MD, of Minnesota Eye Consultants, to its six-member board of directors.

Boston-The Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary (MEEI) appointed Reza Dana, MD, MSc, MPH, of Cambridge, MA, as director of its cornea and refractive surgery service. Dr. Dana has been an associate surgeon at MEEI since 2001 and has served as acting director of the cornea and refractive surgery service since April.

Hinsdale, IL-Preoperative topical application of semi-frozen balanced salt solution (BSS) given immediately before the epi-keratome pass is a highly effective technique for significantly reducing or even eliminating pain after epi-LASIK, said Bruce Larson, MD, who is a clinical instructor, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, IL, and in private practice in Hinsdale, IL.

Many factors play a role in wound healing after epi-LASIK. For example, use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) after surgery, advanced age, and a compromised tear film have been associated with delayed wound healing, whereas younger age, healthy tear film, and certain nutritional supplements have been associated with rapid wound healing.

The device processes images captured by a head-mounted miniature camera and transmits them to the optic nerve.

Danbury, CT-Cataract onset appears to be delayed among consumers of diet soda relative to their counterparts who drink non-diet beverages, according to a study by Ralph J. Falkenstein, MD, and colleagues.

"Reported cases of ectasia have been diagnosed up to 4 years after LASIK," said R. Doyle Stulting, MD, PhD, during a symposium on ectatic diseases in corneal and refractive surgery.

Triamcinolone acetonide injections for macular edema associated with retinal vein occlusion have become a therapeutic mainstay, but conflicting data have emerged about the safety of these injections, and some reports indicate that visual stabilization rather than visual improvement is occurring.

Enhancements can help prevent dispensary fraud, embezzlement