News

Chicago—A number of incremental advances that have occurred in wavefront-guided treatment during the past year have added up to enhance outcomes of these customized procedures significantly, said Capt. Steven C. Schallhorn, MD, at the refractive surgery subspecialty day sponsored by the International Society of Refractive Surgery at the American Academy of Ophthalmology annual meeting.

Lisbon, Portugal—If presbyopia is the "final frontier" in refractive surgery, which surgical approach will stand out as the winner in treating patients with the condition? Will it be corneal surgery, intraocular surgery, or phakic-versus-pseudophakic approaches? Samuel Masket, MD, asked at the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (ESCRS).

Since its introduction more than a decade ago, the anti-inflammatory efficacy of ketorolac has been well documented.

Baltimore—Extensive research has already led to the identification of a number of surgery- and IOL-related factors that can be targeted to reduce the occurrence of posterior capsule opacification (PCO). Investigators are continuing to evaluate new strategies to reduce its risk further in the future, said Albert S. Jun, MD, PhD, at Current Concepts in Ophthalmology, Baltimore.

All films and posters will be available on-demand electronically at 40 kiosks during the meeting.

Advanced Medical Optics (AMO) Inc.'s Tecnis foldable IOL has earned the title of New Technology IOL (NTIOL) from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The designation follows labeling claims approved by the FDA in April 2004 that the lens reduced postoperative spherical aberrations compared with lenses with spherical optics and improved night driving simulator performance. The designation was effective Feb. 27.

The recently reported success with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitors in patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) provides an important new therapeutic modality for wet AMD and an exciting victory for biotechnology. Yet, the best results will eventually come from interventions that target earlier steps in AMD pathogenesis.

Lisbon, Portugal—Newer tonometry technology seems to offer an improvement over Goldmann tonometry for more accurate IOP measurement in post-LASIK eyes, explained Jay Pepose, MD, PhD, at the XXIII Congress of the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons.

Iowa City, IA—The University of Iowa's (UI) Center for Macular Degeneration (CMD) will be able to advance its mission with the creation of a large-scale nonprofit genetics testing laboratory, made possible by two gifts totaling $6.2 million.

Bethesda, MD—Paris-based Neurotech is initiating a phase II human clinical trial here of its encapsulated cell technology (ECT) for the treatment of vision loss due to the dry form of age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Kleinostheim, Germany—Schwind eye-tech-solutions is launching the Carriazo-Pendular microkeratome in the United States.

Irvine, CA—Refractec Inc. will work with Eyemaginations Inc. to create an animated presbyopia patient education program to be distributed to more than 800 American ophthalmologists.

Irvine, CA—ISTA Pharmaceuticals Inc. announced that the FDA has approved its supplemental new drug application (sNDA) for bromfenac ophthalmic solution 0.09% (Xibrom). The indication expands bromfenac's indication to include the treatment of pain following cataract surgery.

Chicago?Results of a study evaluating post-cataract surgery endophthalmitis at a regional tertiary referral center in England show no evidence for an increase in incidence over a recent period of almost 8 years, reported Omar M. Durrani, FRCS, at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

Chicago?Pay for performance (P4P) is going to be a reality in the very near future, according to William L. Rich III, MD, who explained the whys and wherefores of this complex topic during the retina subspecialty day at the American Academy of Ophthalmology annual meeting.

Chicago-The future of presbyopic lens exchange for high myopia looks bright with the development of various IOL options, according to one proponent. Yet, surgeons and patients should be aware of possible complications, such as retinal detachment, and seek alternatives, cautions another refractive surgeon.

Retinal surgeons need to retain skill in performing scleral buckling because that procedure has a benefit compared with primary vitrectomy for the management of complex retinal detachment in phakic patients, said Michael H. Foerster, MD, at the World Ophthalmology Congress.

Proper management of cataract cases involving intraoperative floppy iris syndrome (IFIS) should keep surgeons from experiencing complications associated with the problem, reported Alan Crandall, MD, at the World Ophthalmology Congress on Thursday.

Knowledge of appropriate technique for intravitreal injection is becoming increasingly important as the indications and agents available for intravitreal therapy expand, said Rajendra S. Apte, MD, at the World Ophthalmology Congress.

Use of intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide has quickly gained favor among retinal specialists as a first-line treatment for treatment of macular edema associated with retinal vein occlusion (RVO). However, findings from an evidence-based literature review indicate published data to support what has become a widespread clinical phenomenon are broad but not deep, said Robert Bhisitkul, MD, PhD, at the World Ophthalmology Congress."The purpose of this analysis was to look beyond the clinical impression that this therapy results in improved vision and reduced macular thickness by considering its long- versus short-term clinical effects. Its results show our best available evidence is inconclusive at best, but results of ongoing studies should give us a greater level of confidence in using intravitreal triamcinolone to treat patients with RVO," said Dr. Bhisitkul, professor of clinical ophthalmology, University of California San Francisco, in the United States.

Glaucoma implants may fail for a number of reasons, said Felix Gil Carrasco, MD, at the World Congress of Ophthalmology on Wednesday. However, inappropriate patient selection and improper placement of the shunt are probably the most common reasons.

New 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.

Challenging phacoemulsification cases can present problems for the cataract surgeon. How a surgeon manages those challenging cases can prevent the case from turning into a nightmare.

Early 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.

Performing "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.

Deep 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.

Exfoliation 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.

Ophthalmologists 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.