News

San Francisco-Femtosecond laser technology (Intralase FS laser, IntraLase Corp.) provides LASIK surgeons a more precise, predictable method for creating a corneal flap than the conventional mechanical microkeratomes, explained two LASIK experts at the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery annual meeting.

Chicago-As progress continues to be seen in technology for identifying structural and functional glaucomatous changes, ophthalmologists may be wondering whether and how to incorporate those modalities into their practices.

Mesa, AZ-A one-pass scleral-corneal incision technique seems to "offer the best of both worlds" to cataract surgeons, according to Neal Nirenberg, MD, who uses the technique almost exclusively for his cataract patients in his private practice in Mesa, AZ.

Hideo Ozawa has an aggressive vision for his company. As president and founder of Nidek Inc., Ozawa has set a plan in motion to transform the Japan-based eye-care company to the size of General Motors by the end of the 21st century.

St. Paul, MN-The North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society (NANOS) has been approved as a regular organizational member of the Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology (JCAHPO).

Dallas-Essilor of America Inc. is offering a new training program for selected eye-care professional offices to focus on the Varilux technology.

Irvine, CA-The FDA has issued ISTA Pharmaceuticals Inc. an approvable letter for Istalol (timolol), a once-daily liquid formulation for the treatment of glaucoma.

Mount Airy, NC-Hugh L. Hennis III, MD, makes housecalls throughout rural western North Carolina without leaving his chair.

Kansas City, MO-The combination of endoscopic medial wall and floor and transcutaneous lateral orbital decompression used to treat Graves' orbitopathy has a low risk of morbidity, but may not result in as much anatomic retropulsion of the globe as other methods, according to W. Abraham White, a medical student at the University of Missouri-Kansas, Kansas City, MO. White presented an analysis of results achieved by one otolaryngologist and one ophthalmologist using this method.

New York-For patients with Graves' orbi-topathy, a modification of an orbital fat decompression technique is a safe and effective way to achieve results.

The use of hyaluronic acid gel injections from non-animal sources is a safe, long-lasting treatment for facial rhytidosis, based on the results of a 5-year study of clinical experience with the filling agent.

n]1?4?Id of small studies conducted in the United States and Canada found that most patients who underwent laser presbyopia reversal (LAPR) had significant clinical improvement and could read magazines and newspapers without glasses shortly after surgery.

Thinking of incorporating wavefront technology into your practice? Curious as to where we're headed with pseudophakic IOLs? Like to find out about the latest advances in glaucoma, neuro-ophthalmology, retina, or uveitis?

Loteprednol etabonate ophthalmic suspension 0.2% (Alrex, Bausch & Lomb Pharmaceuticals and Pharmos Corp.), the so-called "safe steroid" approved for treatment of seasonal allergic conjunctivitis, appears to be living up to its billing, according to several ophthalmologists who prescribe the drug for a range of ophthalmic allergies.

Fort Lauderdale, FL-Cyclosporine A drops may be an effective treatment for Thygeson's superficial punctate keratitis (SPK) over the long term. It is especially useful in patients whose disease does not respond to treatment with steroids or those whose disease responds to steroids and who have elevated IOP levels, according to the results of a U.K. study reported at the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology.

With a host of allergy medications from which to choose, clinicians need to thoroughly explore patient history before determining which drug is most appropriate for each individual.

Fort Lauderdale, FL-A twice-daily dosing regimen of pemirolast potassium 0.1% ophthalmic solution (Alamast, Santen Inc., of Napa, CA, and Tampere, Finland) is as effective as the four-times-daily regimen of the drug for treating seasonal allergic conjunctivitis. The simpler dosing regimen may enhance patient compliance.

Fort Lauderdale, FL-Ketotifen fumarate 0.025% ophthalmic solution (Zaditen/Zaditor, Novartis Ophthalmics) is safe for use in a pediatric population with allergic conjunctivitis, according to H. Jerome Crampton, MD.

Fort Lauderdale, FL-Olopatadine hydrochlo-ride ophthalmic solution (Patanol, Alcon) reduces the release of mast-cell-derived mediators and their allergic effects in the eyes of patients with allergic conjunctivitis, according to Andrea Leonardi, MD.

Aggressive topical medical therapy and trabeculectomy offer equal protection against visual field loss to patients with newly diagnosed open-angle glaucoma (OAG). This is the conclusion, based on the current follow-up of patients enrolled in the ongoing Collaborative Initial Glaucoma Treatment Study (CIGTS).

San Francisco-Should a patient's race play a role in an ophthalmologist's decision as to which glaucoma medications to use? Shan C. Lin, MD, believes evidence to do so is lacking.

Adelaide, South Australia-For patients with periocular lentigo maligna and lentigo maligna melanoma, slow Mohs' surgery may be the answer. The procedure is a combination of rush processing of paraffin-embedded sections and mapped margin-controlled excision, which provides tissue conservation and the best cure rate compared with other treatments, such as unmonitored surgical excision, according to Raman Malhotra, MBChB, FRCOphth.

Fort Lauderdale, FL-Analyses of data collected in the Blue Mountains Eye Study (BMES) provide evidence for a relationship between open-angle glaucoma (OAG) and thyroid disease, and particularly hypothyroidism, said Anne J. Lee, MBBS, at the annual meeting of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology.

San Francisco-Preoperative corneal thickness is the most important predictor of achieved flap thickness using the Hansa-tome (Bausch & Lomb) microkeratome, but preoperative spherical equivalent (SE) and microkeratome head choice also play a role, according to the results of a study presented by Jay S. Pepose, MD, PhD, at the annual meeting of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery.

New York-Potential suitors are lining up to express interest in the probable sale of Pfizer Inc.'s surgical ophthalmology business, but so far, no one is proposing-publicly.

San Francisco-An investigational oval suction ring for the Carriazo-Pendular microkeratome (Schwind) allows for optimal suction even in astigmatic eyes and maximizes the ablatable area of the stromal bed, according to its inventor.

Alameda, CA-Calling the OcuGene glaucoma genetic test a useful tool in identifying at-risk relatives of glaucoma patients, the director of Glaucoma Service at Wills Eye Hospital in Philadelphia announced he is incorporating InSite Vision Inc.'s test into the hospital's glaucoma patient management program.

Washington, DC-A bipartisan group of congressional representatives has formed the Congressional Vision Caucus to raise public awareness about the importance of funding research for eye disease and public health education efforts.

Rochester, NY-Bausch & Lomb will work with Faezeh Mona Sarfarazi, MD, to develop a single-piece, molded silicone lens with a dual optic design aimed at helping presbyopic patients.

Editor's Note: In last month's "Dispensing Solutions" column, Pamela B. Fritz left off with a discussion on space allocation for the MD dispensary (see Ophthalmology Times, July 15, 2003 issue, Page 42). There are several other considerations in determining proper space allocation.