News

Santa Barbara, CA—Scientists at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), have made discoveries that could lead to improved recovery after retinal reattachment surgery and inhibition of undesirable cellular effects that lead to proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR).

Montreal—Combination treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) using verteporfin photodynamic therapy (Visudyne PDT, Novartis/QLT Inc.) plus intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide appears to improve visual outcomes and reduce the number of re-treatments necessary to achieve lesion regression compared with standard PDT alone, albeit with the recognized steroid-associated risks of cataract progression and IOP elevation, said Albert J. Augustin, MD, at the annual meeting of the American Society of Retina Specialists.

Boston—Epinastine HCl 0.05% ophthalmic solution (Elestat, Inspire/Allergan) safely and effectively relieves the signs and symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis due to cat dander, according to the results of a clinical trial conducted by researchers from New England Eye Center, Tufts University, Boston.

Orangeburg, NY—The low-dose modified corticosteroid loteprednol etabonate ophthalmic suspension 0.2% (Alrex, Bausch & Lomb) is effectively used during the acute phase of seasonal allergic conjunctivitis, according to Ayman Matta, MD, PC, FACS.

The conjunctival allergen challenge model is highly reproducible and has a highly standardized grading system.

Miami—Despite the presence of new therapies for ocular allergies on the market, nedocromil sodium ophthalmic solution 2% (Alocril, Allergan) may be an effective choice for some patients, said William Trattler, MD, in private practice at the Center for Excellence in Eye Care, Miami.

Washington, DC-An unstable tear film can decrease functional visual acuity and may be the primary target for treatment of dry eye, said Kazuo Tsubota, MD, at World Cornea Congress V.

Fort Lauderdale, FL-Contrast sensitivity and visual acuity improved in a small group of subjects with dry eye following instillation of one of three types of artificial tears administered in a study of tear layer disruption. The fact that only one solution produced an enhancement in visual performance suggests that practitioners need to match a patient's dry eye subtype with an appropriate artificial tear supplement to gain the most improvement, said William H. Ridder III, OD, PhD, FAAO.

Washington, DC-Initiation of topical cyclosporine 0.05% ophthalmic emulsion (Restasis, Allergan) is associated with rapid onset of relief in most LASIK patients with mild-to-moderate chronic dry eye, said Karl G. Stonecipher, MD, at the annual meeting of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery.

Orlando—When a child receives the diagnosis of Leber's congenital amaurosis (LCA) or another genetically based disease, too often parents hear from the ophthalmologist that nothing can be done. Whether the doctor intends to deliver such a negative message or conveys it inadvertently by using cold, clinical terminology, it is the wrong message, according to Edwin M. Stone, MD, PhD.

Orlando— A series of recent studies of amblyopia therapy seem to be suggesting that less aggressive or shorter treatments could be more effective than previously thought.

It was important to educate the nurses, respiratory therapists, and families that more oxygen was not necessarily better.

Ann Arbor, MI—The University of Michigan Health System is planning a $120 million expansion of its U-M W.K. Kellogg Eye Center to devote more space to vision research, education, and patient care.

Orlando—The high-frequency ultrasound biomicroscope (UBM) can reliably estimate the distance of horizontal muscle insertion from the limbus in eyes that had previous strabismus surgery on the same muscle, according to Shuan H. Dai, MB, BS, FRANZCO, a pediatric ophthalmologist.

Rochester, NY—Bausch & Lomb and three of its employees have been honored by two organizations for their research efforts.

New York—Pegaptanib sodium injection (Macugen) has won recognition as a major scientific breakthrough from an organization accustomed to novel pharmaceutical products. The drug, the first FDA-approved treatment for wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD), was named Innovative Pharmaceutical Product of the Year at the 2005 Pharmaceutical Achievement Awards.

When removing a cataract, surgeons have an opportunity to perform other vision-correcting procedures. However, that scenario leads to what can be a delicate subject—who's going to pay for those "extras?"

At a recent meeting of department directors, the president of my university, William Brody, MD, PhD, made an offhand comment that resonated with me. He noted that "the citizens of the United States, a nation built upon risk, seem no longer willing to accept any risk."

Orlando—A questionnaire administered to adults who underwent surgery for strabismus showed that most patients believed any disabilities related to this condition improved after the procedure, said George R. Beauchamp, MD, FACS, professor of clinical ophthalmology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, Dallas.

Fort Lauderdale, FL—Follow-up in the first 10 patients with the Artificial Silicon Retina microchip (ASR, Optobionics) implanted now ranges between 2 and 4.5 years.

Fort Lauderdale, FL—Patients who have moderate-to-severe glaucoma are more likely to be involved in motor vehicle collisions, according to Gerald McGwin Jr., MS, PhD, and colleagues.

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.

Show organizers have developed a new software tool that combs through massive amounts of show information and separates out those classes in which attendees might be interested.

The results of the most recent research will be presented in a number of forums, and attendees can take advantage of the technical displays in the exhibit hall.

St. Louis—Neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and progressive supranuclear palsy, are characterized by visual complaints, which must be assessed carefully to establish the correct diagnosis.

Baltimore—A number of eye movement disturbances are characterized by cerebellar disease and saccadic intrusions. Michael X. Repka, MD, detailed these abnormalities and how to distinguish among them.

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.