News

The advantages of the hypotensive lipids bimatoprost (Lumigan, Allergan), latanoprost (Xalatan, Pfizer), and travoprost (Travatan, Alcon) over timolol 0.5% (Timoptic, Merck) have been conclusively demonstrated in phase III clinical trials. As a class, these therapies have been shown to reduce IOP and to reduce fluctuations of the diurnal curve significantly. Yet, it is important to understand that despite these commonalities, differences also exist. It is only in understanding these differences, and matching them clinically to the individual profile of the patient, that we can choose the right drug at the right time.

When a decision is made to prescribe a topical beta-blocker for monotherapy or as an add-on agent, timolol hemihydrate (Betimol, Santen) offers many advantages that may make it an excellent option.

Baltimore-Patients prescribed latanoprost (Xalatan, Pfizer Ophthalmics) continue therapy significantly longer than their counterparts using other prostaglandin-type drugs, according to the results of a population-based, retrospective cohort study.

Mainz, Germany-Analysis of autoantibody repertoires using advanced pattern-matching algorithms, such as artificial neural networks, may be useful for diagnosis of glaucoma, said Franz H. Grus, MD, PhD. He is the group leader of the experimental ophthalmology unit ("Pathophysiology of the Eye"), department of ophthalmology, University of Mainz, Germany.

Charleston, WV-Findings of a bilateral comparison study evaluating prophylactic punctal occlusion in patients undergoing laser- vision correction surgery indicate soft plugs (Soft Plug-SA, Oasis Medical) may provide greater comfort and for a longer duration than standard collagen plugs.

Between sessions, many networking opportunities are available to attendees. Delegates might enjoy one of two 2-hour bike tours of the island, visiting an archeological site, the Old Burnham Clam Factory, and the five-story mansion and former home of Bob Turley, the New York Yankees pitcher who threw the first 100-mph fastball.

Fountain Hills, AZ-Coronado Industries Inc.'s patented pneumatic devices for the treatment of glaucoma will be distributed throughout Spain under a new sales and distribution agreement with Izasa S.A. of Madrid.

Cleveland-The National Eye Institute has awarded Cleveland Clinic's Cole Eye Institute a $6 million grant to study advanced imaging for glaucoma (AIG). The Cole Eye Institute is organizing and coordinating a multicenter effort to develop and test advanced imaging technologies for the diagnosis and management of glaucoma.

Glaucoma drug therapy

Advanced Medical Optics (AMO) has introduced three new suction rings and updated the software used in conjunction with the rings for its Amadeus microkeratome, features that increase the safety and versatility of the device, said physicians who are familiar with the upgraded product.

Camarillo, CA-Analysis of the variables that can affect flap thickness in LASIK showed that thickness increased with greater microkeratome head plate depth, higher preoperative central corneal thickness, and smaller microkeratome suction ring diameter.

Cataract surgeons who participated in the premarketing clinical trials for the model AT-45 accommodative IOL (Crystalens, eyeonics inc. [formerly C&C Vision]) are heralding that technology as an important advance. The lens affords patients clear uncorrected vision at near, intermediate, and distance. FDA approval for marketing of the lens was granted in November.

Irvine, CA-Standard refraction and vision outcome measures were found to be excellent and comparable in eyes undergoing LASIK flap creation with the femtosecond laser (IntraLase FS, IntraLase Corp.) versus with a mechanical microkeratome, but flap construction with the femtosecond laser is associated with less change in ocular aberrations, according to Dan B. Tran, MD.

St. Louis-Epithelial defect risk associated with the Hansatome microkeratome (Bausch & Lomb) is significantly reduced by use of the zero compression head, according to the results of a retrospective study undertaken by Stephen A. Wexler, MD.

Tampere, Finland-Both the M2 Single Use microkeratome and the M2 microkeratome with the new 90-?m head (Moria, Antony, France) have been performing well in clinical trials.

Charlotte, NC-The OcuLight Symphony Laser System (Iridex) is a revolutionary new system that has both visible and infrared light capabilities all in one unit.

Barranquilla, Colombia-The Carriazo-Pendular microkeratome (Schwind Eye-Tech Solutions) is a highly versatile microkeratome that can be used with great safety to produce high-quality flaps for LASIK and perhaps even for LASEK procedures, said Cesar Carriazo, MD.

The Centurion SES EpiEdge epikeratome (CIBA Vision) is a simple instru-ment to use that safely and reliably separates the epithelium from the stroma via mechanical forces to create an intact epithelial sheet in eyes undergoing Epi-LASIK, said Ioannis G. Pallikaris, MD, PhD, who invented Epi-LASIK and participated in the development of the epikeratome.

The HydroKeratome Waterjet System (Visijet Inc.), the first microkeratome that creates a LASIK flap using a continuous beam of ultra-high-pressure water instead of a metal blade, debuted at the 2003 annual meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology in Anaheim.

Washington, DC-A bill recently introduced in the House of Representatives would provide $75 million in grants to states for eye exams and treatment for uninsured children.

San Francisco-The American Academy of Ophthalmic Executives (AAOE) and the Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology (JCAHPO) will jointly develop and offer the ophthalmic coding specialist examination and title.

New York-Tim Sear, Alcon Inc.'s chairman, president, and chief executive officer, rang the closing bell of the New York Stock Exchange at 4 p.m. Dec. 4 to celebrate the company's dramatic rise in stock price since its initial public offering.

Irvine, CA-Allergan plans to launch epinastine (Elestat), an ophthalmic antihistamine it has licensed for ophthalmic uses, during the first quarter of 2004.

Fremont, CA-Nidek is introducing a new combination pachymeter and A-scan ultrasound unit, and what it is calling the industry's smallest green laser photocoagulator to the United States market. The products, which were launched at the American Academy of Ophthalmology annual meeting, both recently received FDA approval for commercial sales and marketing.

Des Plaines, IL-European regulatory officials have cleared the use of Addition Technology Inc.'s micro-thin prescription inserts (Intacs) for the treatment of keratoconus.

New York-Pfizer Inc. is launching a new business group to combine its products with those gained with the April acquisition of Pharmacia Corp.

Santa Ana, CA-Advanced Medical Optics (AMO) is claiming, in a complaint filed in federal court, that Alcon's Infiniti and Series 20000 Legacy phacoemulsification systems infringe AMO patents for advanced fluidics technologies in the removal of cataracts.

Marco Island, FL-The American College of Eye Surgeons (ACES) andthe Society for Excellence in Eyecare (SEE), along with Ophthalmology Times,will join for the first time to present the SEE Island/Quality Surgery XVIIISeminar. The conference, to be held Feb. 28 to March 3 at the recently renovatedMarco Island Marriott Resort, will merge the best faculty and presentationsfrom the two ophthalmic societies.

Physicians need to have a firm understanding of the resource-based relative value scale (RBRVS) because this scale assigns valuation for billions of dollars worth of procedures and services that physicians provide annually. In addition, it directly has an impact on how the money will be apportioned.

Antwerp, Belgium-Patients who have received the CrystaLens AT-45 accommodating IOL (eyeonics, formerly C&C Vision, Aliso Viejo, CA) after cataract extraction achieve very good distance and intermediate vision as well as improvements in their near vision, according to Erik L. Mertens, MD, FEBO, director and ophthalmic surgeon at Antwerp Eye Center, Antwerp, Belgium.