News

Two leading-edge technologies developed by the Japan Broadcasting Co. can help ophthalmic surgeons perform procedures more easily, replacing the traditional ophthalmic microscope, explained Kensaku Miyake, MD, who delivered the Charles D. Kelman Innovator's Lecture during the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery annual meeting.

Correction of high myopia with a phakic IOL or by clear lens exchange does pose some risks for patients because these methods are intraocular procedures. To avoid the associated risks of IOL surgery - such as infection, cataract formation in the case of phakic lenses, possible endothelial damage, pupil ovalization, or zonular problem - surgeons might want to consider myopic keratophakia and excimer laser ablation instead, explained Luis A. Ruiz, MD.

"I just hired a new ophthalmologist. Can I bill his services under my name until I get him credentialed with the health plans?"

Word search puzzles are an effective way for patients to exercise their ciliary muscles after crystalens accommodating IOL (eyeonics) implantation, explained Paul Koch, MD, who developed a series of six exercise booklets, each containing 14 different puzzles.

The measurement of corneal hysteresis can play an important role in corneal pathologies and refractive surgery in an effort to improve patient outcomes. In a breakfast meeting Sunday, Reichert Ophthalmic Instruments presented a panel of physicians and scientists to discuss the principles of corneal biomechanical properties and the role of the company's Ocular Response Analyzer (ORA) in measuring corneal hysteresis.

A study to demonstrate the effectiveness of the oscillatory movement in the new torsional handpiece (OZil) by Alcon was the highlight of the "Innovations in Ophthalmology" symposium Sunday night. The symposium was sponsored by Dulaney Foundation and supported by an educational grant from Alcon Laboratories.

The Ophthalmology Times staff, including Publisher Lauri Jorgensen and Editor-in-Chief Mark L. Dlugoss, welcomed members of the ophthalmic industry to the San Francisco Marriott on Sunday evening to celebrate the publication's 30th anniversary. A cocktail reception was held at the 39th Floor Lounge, The View, where more than 100 guests enjoyed the setting overlooking San Francisco.

Alcon Laboratories rolls out several extensions to its product offerings, including the AcrySof toric IOL, DisCoVisc ophthalmic viscosurgical device (OVD), and Systane Free lubricant eye drops.

Word search puzzles are an effective way for patients to exercise their ciliary muscles after crystalens accommodating IOL (eyeonics) implantation, explained Paul Koch, MD, who developed a series of six exercise booklets, each containing 14 different puzzles.

Results of a preclinical study undertaken at the John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, indicate higher aqueous humor concentrations of fourth-generation fluoroquinolones can be achieved by implanting an antibiotic-presoaked IOL compared with standard topical administration, reported Guy Kleinmann, MD.

The combination of an apodized diffractive IOL (AcrySof ReSTOR, Alcon Laboratories) in one eye and a refractive multifocal IOL (ReZoom, AMO) in the other provides greater patient satisfaction than the same diffractive IOLs (AcrySof ReSTOR) in both eyes, according to a study conducted by Henry L. Milne, MD.

Phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK) appears to be a viable approach for treating carefully selected pediatric eyes with dense superficial corneal opacity, said Arias N. Kollias, MD.

Initial results from a prospective, randomized clinical trial show that both LASIK and PRK with adjunctive topical mitomycin-C (MMC) are safe and effective for decreasing myopia and astigmatism after penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) for keratoconus, but suggest a possible advantage of the surface ablation technique for better reduction of cylinder, reported Rene? Solomon, MD.

Eric Donnenfeld, MD, described the current recommendations formulated by the newly created Ectasia Committee at the annual meeting of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS).

When other possible treatments for ectasia fail, lamellar keratoplasty (LK) or penetrating keratoplasty (PK) may be the last resort for these patients, said William Culbertson, MD.

Findings from the Swedish National Cataract Register tracking the incidence of endophthalmitis after cataract surgery in Sweden showed a low incidence of this complication with only 108 endophthalmitis cases after 225,000 procedures performed during 2002 and 2004, according to Mats Lundstrom, MD.

Early curvature changes on the corneal surface that are measured by topography need to be heeded in patients undergoing refractive surgery, according to Steven Klyce, PhD.

A new treatment strategy consisting of oral doxycycline and topical sodium citrate 10% may have a positive role in the treatment of post-LASIK inflammatory conditions characterized by increased collagenolytic activities, said Elias F. Jarade, MD.

The Synchrony dual-optic single-piece IOL (Visiogen) performed well in a small initial study of this lens. The visual results were good; there were no major complications; no glare and halos after implantation; and patient satisfaction was high, according to George Beiko, MD, FRCS, who reported his experience at the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery annual meeting.

Cataract surgery and refractive surgery are merging into one discipline. This convergence reflects a bridging of the skill sets and the mindsets from refractive surgery pioneered by Jose Barraquer, MD, to the technology of the cataract and IOL surgery proposed by Charles Kelman, MD, explained Stephen Lane, MD, during the 29th Binkhorst Lecture at the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery's opening general session.

The opening general session Saturday morning officially kicked off the 32nd annual American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) symposium with a glance at ophthalmology's past and a commitment to build a bridge to the profession's future.

Placement of a single intrastromal corneal implant (Intacs, Addition Technology) appears to offer better results than double-segment placement when treating keratoconus in eyes with paracentral/peripheral cones, said Colin C. Chan, MD.

A new treatment strategy consisting of oral doxycycline and topical sodium citrate 10% may have a positive role in the treatment of post-LASIK inflammatory conditions characterized by increased collagenolytic activities, said Elias F. Jarade, MD.

Refractive surgeons can look forward to a number of accommodating IOL options for their patients in the future, explained Steven Dell, MD, who spoke at the Hot Topics Symposium during the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery annual meeting.

Refractive surgeons can safely and effectively use a single application of low-dose mitomycin-C to treat or prevent corneal haze and scarring associated with surface ablations, according to Capt. Steven C. Schallhorn, MD, who spoke at the Hot Topics Symposium during the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery annual meeting.

Adjunctive use of mitomycin-C (MMC) 0.02% during pterygium surgery results in statistically significant endothelial cell loss, reported Rahamin Avisar, MD.

Epi-LASIK with the EpiVision System (CooperVision Surgical) is a definite advance in surface ablation techniques for refractive surgeons, according to surgeons experienced with the device.

Carl Zeiss Meditec introduces several product developments at this year's meeting of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery.