News

Fort Lauderdale, FL—A potential new strategy has been proposed to treat optic neuritis and multiple sclerosis, namely, delivery of the superoxide dismutase (Sod) 2 gene. Intravitreal Sod2 injections in mice suppressed myelin fiber injury and rescued the retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) for up to 1 year after the inoculation, according to John Guy, MD.

While many of his colleagues were considering retirement, Mal Krinn, MD, was studying and preparing for a transition to his new role as artisan breadmaker at his son's restaurant.

Spam’s opportunity costs collectively represent the greatest cost to employers using the Internet as a business tool today.

Understanding the fundamentals of services marketing is extremely useful for the optimal marketing of a medical practice. Basic knowledge in this area is also helpful when studying the marketing approach of your competitors. Additionally, you may consider these concepts when analyzing ads for which you are the targeted customer.

Columbus, OH—Vision researchers, eyecare specialists, bioscientists, public health, and government leaders gathered recently here in what is billed as a unique opportunity to foster collaboration in the study of vision and aging.

Hosting a trunk show can open the lid to increased patient traffic for the ophthalmic dispensary.

In the setting of severe and widespread zonular weakness, ring suturing may be necessary.

Miami—Cataract surgeons performing standard ultrasound phacoemulsification will find the AquaLase liquefaction device (Alcon Laboratories) is an easy technique to transition to and is one that offers multiple advantages for enhancing the safety of lens removal, said Sonia H. Yoo, MD.

Frankfurt, Germany—The design of the optic edge seems to be one of the most important factors in the development of posterior capsule opacification (PCO). IOLs with a sharp edge have less PCO regardless of the lens material, according to Thomas Kohnen, MD.

Reposition the IOL first before performing a YAG capsulotomy in instances of symptomatic IOL decentration with concomitant PCO.

Fort Lauderdale, FL—Three-dimensional optical coherence tomography (3-D OCT) imaging and mapping of intraretinal layers are possible using high-speed, ultrahigh-resolution (UHR) OCT, the latest research tool in OCT technology.

Fort Lauderdale, FL—WDR36 is a novel causative gene for adult-onset primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) that is located at the GLC1G locus. Sharareh Monemi, MD, PhD, and Mansoor Sarfarazi, PhD, explained that this discovery should help in the diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma.

Patients treated with cyclosporine had greater symptomatic improvement compared with controls using preservative-free artificial tears.

Fort Lauderdale, FL—The results from a clinical trial demonstrate that topical moxifloxacin 0.5% ophthalmic solution (Viga-mox, Alcon Laboratories) instilled in a q.i.d. dosing regimen achieves a significantly higher concentration in aqueous humor compared with topical gatifloxacin 0.3% ophthalmic solution (Zymar, Allergan) to provide antibacterial coverage for a broader range of important ocular pathogens, said Joel D. Aronowicz, MD, at the annual meeting of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology.

Fort Lauderdale, FL—Results from a preclinical study indicate that fluoroquinolones available for ophthalmic use may differ in their effects on corneal healing, said Luis E. Fern?ndez de Castro, MD, at the annual meeting of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology.

Fort Lauderdale, FL—Supplements of high-dose vitamins C and E and betacarotene may provide some benefit to patients who already have age-related macular degeneration (AMD), said Thomas Friberg, MD.

Uveal melanoma . . . and most solid tumors partially inactivate RB and the tumors proliferate slowly with a low rate of apoptosis.

Cleveland—Verteporfin photodynamic therapy (Visudyne PDT, Novartis Ophthal-mics/QLT Inc.) for symptomatic circumscribed choroidal hemangioma appears to be safe, effective, and associated with potential benefits relative to alternative modalities, said Arun D. Singh, MD.

Los Angeles—The medical management of age-related macular generation (AMD) has progressed by leaps and bounds in a very short space of time and generated a great deal of excitement among retina specialists. In particular, translational research has resulted in a large number of drugs that target choroidal neovascularization (CNV).

Des Plaines, IL—Addition Technology Inc. has seen another boost in sales of its micro-thin prescription inserts (Intacs).

Tarrytown, NY—Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. will begin a phase I trial to evaluate the safety and tolerability of its "VEGF Trap" on patients with the wet form of age-related macular deneration.

Midway through a conference call on July 28 with investors regarding its second-quarter financial results, STAAR Surgical's President and Chief Executive Officer David Bailey interrupted with surprising news: the FDA's Office of Device Evaluation (ODE) had issued an "approvable letter" for its myopic Visian implantable collamer lens (ICL).

Montr?al—Intravitreal injection with the anti-VEGF antibody ranibizumab [(formerly RhuFab) Lucentis, Genentech] has been associated with impressive results in the treatment of minimally classic and occult choroidal neovascularization (CNV) secondary to age-related macular degeneration (AMD), according to the 1-year outcomes of a phase III trial.

Selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) is a new treatment option for glaucoma that has significant advantages over argon laser trabeculoplasty (ALT) with equal or better outcomes. Although studies are still under way, SLT may have important implications for primary glaucoma therapy.

New Orleans—Results of a retrospective study evaluating outcomes in eyes with an Ahmed Glaucoma Valve (AGV, New World Medical) implanted indicate that the FP7 model with its silicone flexible plate affords better IOP control than the S2 model featuring a rigid polypropylene plate.

Burlington, VT—Early appropriate intervention can make a substantial difference in preventing permanent visual loss or diplopia when faced with a patient who has an orbital compartment syndrome or a white-eyed blowout fracture.

Rockford, IL—A glaucoma shunt that is relatively new to the market is getting very good results in patients whose IOP is uncontrolled despite multiple medications and glaucoma filtering surgeries. The Express Mini-Glaucoma Shunt (Optonol Ltd.) has thus far exceeded the expectations of Edward Yavitz, MD, who said that device is his shunt of choice.

Selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) is a new treatment option for glaucoma that has significant advantages over argon laser trabeculoplasty (ALT) with equal or better outcomes. Although studies are still under way, SLT may have important implications for primary glaucoma therapy.

Fort Lauderdale, FL—Latanoprost (Xalatan, Pfizer Ophthalmics) reduces IOP significantly more than does timolol gel-forming solution (GFS), results of a randomized, crossover clinical trial demonstrated.

Indianapolis—The Baerveldt Glaucoma Implant (AMO) overcomes the first hurdle with glaucoma drainage devices by allowing easy placement in the eye in a single quadrant and covers a sufficiently large surface area to obtain safe IOP levels—a good combination in this type of device, according to Louis Cantor, MD.