New techniques, technology in cataract surgery highlighted at symposium
February 22nd 2006New techniques and technology in cataract surgery was the theme of a symposium Wednesday night at the World Ophthalmology Congress. The symposium touched on new phacoemulsification technology, the use of a new ophthalmic viscophthalmic device (OVD), anti-infectives, and the latest intraocular lens technology.
Technologies for glaucoma diagnosis and follow up
February 22nd 2006Early detection of glaucoma is critical. According to the AGIS study, by the time a reproducible visual field defect is detected, 20% to 50% of the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) can be damaged, said Remo Susanna, Jr., MD, at the World Ophthalmology Congress on Wednesday.
Tips offered for safe, effective antimetabolite use
February 22nd 2006Performing "safe surgery" remains as the sine qua non for using antimetabolites safely and effectively as an adjunct to trabeculectomy. However, there are some strategies that can be incorporated in the surgical technique to reduce the risk of complications resulting from the application of anti-scarring medication, said Richard K. Parrish, II, MD, at the World Ophthalmology Congress.
Controversy continues to surround deep sclerectomy
February 22nd 2006Deep sclerectomy is not the holy grail of glaucoma surgery, but available evidence indicates that it is definitively safer than trabeculectomy and that it can result in long-term success rates matching those of trabeculectomy when performed with proper technique by experienced hands, said Tarek M. Shaarawy, MD, at the World Ophthalmology Congress.
Epidemiologic results raise need for better diagnosis, management of XFS
February 22nd 2006Exfoliation syndrome (XFS) is a global disease that is important to recognize because of its association with other visual-threatening ocular pathologies, said Alan H. Robin, MD, of the Wilmer Eye Institute at Johns Hopkins University in the United States.
OCT can play a role in corneal, anterior segment procedures
February 22nd 2006Ophthalmologists are familiar with the use of optical coherence tomography (OCT) for the back of the eye. Now, there also is a role for OCT in anterior segment corneal procedures and complications, reported Ronald Smith, MD, of the United States at the World Ophthalmology Congress on Wednesday.
Experience with corneal collagen cross-linking finds new indication, safety criteria
February 22nd 2006Increasing clinical experience with corneal collagen cross-linking using combined topical riboflavin application and ultraviolet-A (UVA) irradiation indicates this simple, nonsurgical intervention may be an effective treatment for keratoconus and iatrogenic keratectasia. However, its safety may depend on respecting a minimum corneal thickness threshold of 400 microns as a criterion for candidate selection, said Theo Seiler, MD, at the World Ophthalmology Congress.
Radioactive surgery aims for selective radiation delivery to CNV membranes
February 21st 2006Encouraging results have been achieved in a pilot clinical trial of selective epiretinal brachytherapy for exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD), reported Eugene de Juan, Jr., MD, at the World Ophthalmology Congress.
New technologies are helping to change refractive surgery
February 21st 2006New technologies and surgical techniques are redefining the refractive surgery arena in ophthalmology. With the progress of customized wavefront-guided LASIK and the use of phakic intraocular lenses (IOLs), today's refractive surgeon can offer a wider range of services to the patient.
Global challenges face cataract surgeons in the near future
February 21st 2006With the world's population getting older and the rate of blindness increasing in regard to that aging population, cataract surgeons worldwide are facing some clinical challenges in the years ahead, according to Stephen A. Obstbaum, MD, of United States.
Studies focus on new strategies for pegaptanib treatment
February 21st 2006With an aim to further improve efficacy and safety outcomes achieved with anti-VEGF therapy for AMD, ongoing studies with pegaptanib sodium (Macugen, OCI/Eyetech Pharmaceuticals) are evaluating the potential benefits of early treatment initiation and of using an induction/maintenance approach, said Anthony P. Adamis, MD, at the World Ophthalmology Congress.
Intravitreal AdPEDF demonstrates favorable safety, efficacy potential
February 21st 2006Favorable Phase I study results have led to the launch of a Phase I/II trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of AdPEDF (GenVec) treatment of exudative AMD, said Timothy Stout, MD, at the World Ophthalmology Congress.
Triamcinolone monotherapy loses favor as potential AMD treatment
February 21st 2006In the new treatment era for exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD) heralded by the availability of locally administered anti-VEGF drugs, intravitreal monotherapy with triamcinolone injection may no longer be considered as a current therapy for this neovascular condition, said Jost Jonas, MD, at the World Ophthalmology Congress.
Intravitreal VEGF Trap looking promising
February 21st 2006Interim results from a Phase I study suggest that intravitreal injection of VEGF Trap (Regeneron Pharmaceuticals) is a promising new approach for the treatment of exudative age-related macular degeneration, said Quan Dong Nguyen, MD, at the World Ophthalmology Congress.
New paradigm in the way glaucoma is diagnosed
February 20th 2006Suggesting a change in the way physicians diagnose glaucoma, Robert Weinreb, MD, outlined a new paradigm for diagnosis of the disease in his Glaucoma Society of International Ophthalmology Congress (GCIOC) Day Lecture, presented Monday at the World Ophthalmology Congress.Dr. Weinreb said that the glaucoma field is undergoing a revolution in diagnosis. He said there is a transition from reliance solely on visual fields to the increased use of structural analysis of the optic disk and RNFL."It's something that was initiated 20 years ago," explained Dr. Weinreb. "Changes are very, very slow in glaucoma, as it does in all medical disciplines. We have reached an infliction point in glaucoma diagnosis where we are about to reap the benefits of this revolution."
Makings of a state-of-the-art cataract case
February 20th 2006There is a wide range of technology available in cataract surgery today and it's easy for ophthalmologists to get excited and carried away by the technology. However, it's the attention to detail; going back to basics about incisions; pre- and post-surgical management; and the proper use of intraocular lenses that also need to be stressed.
Risk factors for wet AMD revisited
February 20th 2006Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a common cause of vision loss worldwide, particularly in industrialized nations, where it is the main cause of blindness among people of 65 and older, explained Paul Mitchell, MD, at the World Ophthalmology Congress.
Structural imaging plays an integral but not solo role in glaucoma management
February 20th 2006Imaging is an essential part of glaucoma management, but while structural damage is frequently apparent before identifiable visual field loss occurs, both functional testing and quantitative imaging should always be performed in eyes with either early or moderate disease, said David F. Garway-Heath, MD.
Target IOP an essential element in glaucoma management
February 20th 2006A target IOP should be set whenever the diagnosis of ocular hypertension or glaucoma is first made, and it should be re-evaluated at each follow-up visit as part of the assessment of the efficacy of treatment for stopping visual field progression and protecting the optic nerve, said Curt Hartleben, MD, at the World Congress of Ophthalmology.
HSV keratitis treatment recommendations take trial evidence, clinical experience into account
February 20th 2006Evidence-based medicine has provided some guidance on the management of herpes simplex virus (HSV) keratitis, but there are still many questions left unanswered, said Thomas J. Liesegang, MD, at the World Congress of Ophthalmology.
Failures in diagnosis and monitoring plague management of bacterial keratitis
February 20th 2006Establishing the correct diagnosis and modifying therapy appropriately based on response are fundamental in the successful management of bacterial keratitis, said Richard L. Abbott, MD, at the World Congress of Ophthalmology.
World Ophthalmology Congress opens
February 19th 2006For six days S?o Paulo, Brazil, will be the "Mecca" of ophthalmology. On Sunday, it was "get-acquainted day" as ophthalmic colleagues met to renew friendships with fellow colleagues and friends in industry. The Exhibit Hall opened late in the morning, drawing crowds of physicians to view the latest technology in ophthalmology.
World Congress unites ophthalmologists on knowledge quest
February 19th 2006More than 15,000 ophthalmologists from more than 110 countries are registered to attend, and more than 4,000 scientific papers were submitted for consideration. The schedule features more than 400 sessions in addition to subspecialty days, with some 2,400 speakers from all regions of the world.
WOC begins with forum on vision and blindness prevention
February 19th 2006The 2006 World Ophthalmology Congress (WOC) commenced Sunday in São Paulo, Brazil. With the first non-governmental organization (NGO) forum on vision and blindness prevention. The forum promoted the visibility of non-profit organizations that focus both on blindness prevention and assisting the visually impaired, contributing to an exchange of experiences between entities from all continents and from different socioeconomic realities, as well as organizing and providing a complete record of entities that cater to this area.
Floppy iris syndrome requires special care
February 15th 2006Cincinnati—Tamsulosin HCl (Flomax, Boehringer Ingelheim), an alpha-1 blocker used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia, has been implicated in the development of floppy iris syndrome during cataract surgery, according to Robert H. Osher, MD. Healon 5 (AMO) is his viscoadaptive agent (OVD) of choice to manage this challenging iris behavior during cataract surgery.
Awareness of TASS features enables appropriate surgeon response
February 15th 2006Chicago—Awareness of the etiology and treatment of toxic anterior segment syndrome (TASS) is essential because while rare, TASS is a potentially devastating complication of cataract surgery, said Liliana Werner, MD, PhD, during the annual meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology.