News

The promise of 2004, that new anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) treatments for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) be developed, came to fruition in 2005, much to the excitement of ophthalmologists. These emerging treatments for AMD took center stage this year and resulted in numerous ideas about the effect of the pharmaceutical advancements and their impact on other retinal diseases.

Leading edge programming on contact lenses, solutions, and related eye-care issues is the focal point of the fourth annual Contact Lens and Eyecare Symposium (CLES), Jan. 11 to 15, 2006, at the Royal Pacific Resort at Universal Orlando, FL.

Cleveland, OH —Howard S. Siegel, MD, and his wife, Judith, love a spin around a dance floor—whether it be with dance clubs, in showcases, when traveling, or teaching their students.

Everyone who wears eyeglasses knows there are certain accessories that one absolutely must have in order to stay comfortable, safe, and secure. Sometimes people don't realize they need an accessory until they see someone else with one or they are in a desperate situation without one. That is when they will remember where they saw the thing they need. And that should be in your optical shop.

Pinellas Park, FL—Transitions Optical's traveling Eye Didn't Know That! exhibit helped inform more than 170,000 consumers about healthy sight before recently concluding its North American tour.

The landscape of glaucoma has been relatively quiet during 2005, but experts in the field agree there have been a few noteworthy developments.

Chicago-Jason T. Halverson, MD, of the Albert Florens Storm Eye Institute at the Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, was named the winner of the third annual Ophthalmology Times Resident Writer's Award Program. The program was sponsored by Advanced Medical Optics (AMO). In a presentation at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in October, Dr. Halverson was the first-place winner for a case study report of traumatic mydriasis that was managed by cerclage pupilloplasty to reduce pupillary aperture.

Jason T. Halverson, MD, a senior ophthalmology resident at Albert Florens Storm Eye Institute at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, was named the winner of the third annual Ophthalmology Times Resident Writer's Award Program—presented during the American Academy of Ophthalmology annual meeting in Chicago. Dr. Halverson's winning submission is featured here. He was nominated by David T. Vroman, MD, associate professor of ophthalmology, Cornea, Cataract, and Refractive Surgery, Albert Florens Storm Eye Institute, Medical University of South Carolina.

A patient complained of severe glare and light sensitivity associated with a persistent traumatic mydriasis of the right eye. After conservative treatment with topical miotics and a painted contact lens failed to decrease the mydriasis, a cerclage pupilloplasty was performed on the right eye resulting in a 4-mm round pupil. The patient experienced significant reduction of glare and photophobia.

Memphis, TN—TBI/Tissue Banks International has built the first National Eye Bank Center here to centralize the screening, evaluation, and shipping of eye tissue for corneal transplant surgery and ocular research.

Washington, DC—Daniel D. Garrett, senior vice president of Prevent Blindness America (PBA), helped to shape national policies for older Americans as an at-large delegate to the 2005 White House Conference on Aging.

Aliso Viejo, CA—eyeonics Inc. is reducing the number of implants it requires ophthalmic surgeons to perform before providing credentials for crystalens IOL implantation.

Costa Mesa, CA—In an effort to retain patients who need to finance their refractive surgery, CareCredit, a division of GE Consumer Finance, is offering 95% approval rates through its CareCreditPlus program.

Fairfax, VA—The American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) has formed a Retina Clinical Committee to provide members with a resource on the latest advances in retinal treatment.

Basel, Switzerland—Novartis will work with Senju Pharmaceutical Co. to develop and commercialize a topical treatment for glaucoma.

Irvine, CA—The Federal Aviation Administration is allowing pilots to have the conductive keratoplasty (NearVision CK, Refractec Inc.) treatment to reduce their dependence on glasses.

Paris—Fovea Pharmaceuticals SA, a biopharmaceutical company working to discover, develop, and commercialize drugs to treat retinal diseases, announced the closing of a $25 million equity financing round.

Marblehead, MA—A Western Australia-based drug developer will acquire Advanced Ocular Systems (AOS) in a $31 million all-stock deal.

Dallas—Cataract and refractive surgeon Jeffrey Whitman, MD, will serve as president-elect of the American College of Eye Surgeons (ACES) for a 2-year term.

Irvine, CA—Allergan Inc. has offered to acquire Inamed Corp. for $1.45 billion cash and 17.9 million shares of Allergan stock to create a global leader in medical aesthetics.

Melville, NY—OSI Pharmaceuticals has completed its $935 million acquisition of Eyetech Pharmaceuticals Inc. after reviewing recent data by Eyetech competitor Genentech Inc.

The Scoring Tool for Assessing Risk (STAR) is intended for use in patients with untreated ocular hypertension. It is a cardboard, slide rule-type device featuring two sliding bars (A and B) and three windows.

The promise of 2004, that new anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) treatments for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) be developed, came to fruition in 2005, much to the excitement of ophthalmologists. These emerging treatments for AMD took center stage this year and resulted in numerous ideas about the effect of the pharmaceutical advancements and their impact on other retinal diseases.

A newly developed glaucoma risk calculator will enhance the management of untreated ocular hypertension, said Robert N. Weinreb, MD, director, Hamilton Glaucoma Center, and distinguished professor of ophthalmology, University of California, San Diego (UCSD).

Montr?al—The benefits observed in patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) after 1 year of treatment with pegaptanib sodium (Macugen, OSI/Eyetech Pharmaceuticals) continued into the second year of treatment with pegaptanib sodium and surpassed those outcomes achieved with 1 year of treatment followed by usual care and 2 years of usual care, according to Donald J. D'Amico, MD.

Toulouse, France—With lengthening follow-up, the posterior chamber implantable collamer lens (ICL) (STAAR Surgical) continues to be associated with encouraging results in the management of refractive amblyopia in children who have not had a response to conventional therapy with contact lenses or spectacles, said Laurence C. Lesueur, MD.

Phoenix—Children with traumatic cataract often achieve a good visual outcome after cataract removal and primary IOL implantation, said Richard L. Golub, MD.

Refractive IOLs, fine-tuning of excimer laser surgery, and shifts in the choices of refractive surgeries, among other developments, have all been highlighted as the primary advances in 2005.