News

Carl Zeiss Meditec Inc. and Laser Diagnostic Technologies Inc. (LDT) announced that they have signed a definitive agreement for Carl Zeiss Meditec's acquisition of LDT.

Ophthalmologists can improve glaucoma care by evaluating the optic nerve to assess the patient's risk of progression, according to speakers at a CME symposium Saturday. Faculty members provided the audience with tips for determining disease severity through optic nerve evaluation, employing a systematic approach to the evaluation, identifying patients at risk of disease progression, and determining the most effective treatment.

Laser presbyopia reversal (LAPR) is showing significant promise and patient satisfaction based on 12-month follow-up results from a U.S. clinical trial, said Sandra C. Belmont, MD, at the refractive surgery subspecialty day meeting.

Following its recent initial public offering, IntraLase has positioned itself for growth in the keratome market.

Refractive surgeons shared their experiences with the One Use-Plus microkeratome (Moria) for LASIK flaps as well as clinical trials using the new Epi-K device (Moria) for epi-LASIK, which is not yet available in the United States.

Two phase III trials, one phase II trial, and one extension trial of anti-VEGF agent Lucentis (Genentech) are under way.

The C-01-99 phase III clinical trial, which compared a 15-mg dose of anecortave acetate (Alcon Laboratories) with standard administration of verteporfin for the treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD), found that there was no statistical difference between the two treatments.

The VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) Inhibition Study in Ocular Neovascularization (VISION), a phase III appraisal of three doses of pegaptanib sodium injection (Macugen, Eyetech Pharmaceuticals) (0.3, 1, and 3 mg) compared with a sham procedure, found that the 0.3-mg dose of Macugen improves visual outcomes in patients with age-related macular degeneration.

Refractive lens exchange with implantation of the Acrysof ReSTOR IOL (Alcon Laboratories) is an effective method for providing an excellent range of vision for presbyopic myopes or hyperopes, said Francesco Carones, MD, at the refractive surgery subspecialty day meeting.

Laser presbyopia reversal (LAPR) is showing significant promise and patient satisfaction based on 12-month follow-up results from a U.S. clinical trial, said Sandra C. Belmont, MD, at the refractive surgery subspecialty day meeting.

Valuable new data continue to be gleaned from the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS). In this large randomized, controlled clinical study of 4,753 patients, investigators at 11 sites evaluated the effect of antioxidants vitamins C and E and zinc compared with placebo in age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Topical application of mitomycin-C (MMC) is more effective for preventing corneal haze after PRK than it is for treating existing haze, but further studies are needed to establish the long-term corneal safety of this strongly cytostatic agent, said Marcelo V. Netto, MD, at the refractive surgery subspecialty day meeting.

San Diego-Implantation of the Implantable Contact Lens (ICL, STAAR Surgical) to treat myopia has a negligible effect on the corneal endothelium 3 to 4 years after implantation of the lens, according to Henry Edelhauser, PhD.

San Diego-Recurrent outbreaks of diffuse lamellar keratitis (DLK) seem to be associated with problems with cleaning protocols and bacterial contamination. Constant vigilance and maintenance of strict cleaning protocols are essential to prevent recurrences of DLK, said Simon P. Holland, MD.

Indianapolis-In vivo imaging studies using optical coherence tomography (OCT) are providing new insight into the pathology of X-linked juvenile retinoschisis, according to Hua Gao, MD, PhD.

S?o Paulo, Brazil-Botulinum toxin type A (Botox, Allergan) significantly improves all aspects of quality of life in patients with blepharospasm, according to Tammy Osaki, MS, a medical student at the Vision Institute of the Federal University of S?o Paulo, Brazil.

San Diego-A new technique for corneal marking and probe placement seems to improve the accuracy and standardization of probe placement in conductive keratoplasty (CK). This has translated into improved surgical outcomes, reported Charles H. Williamson, MD, at the annual meeting of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery.

San Diego-Wavefront-guided treatments seem to improve night-vision disturbances caused by LASIK. Patients with severe higher-order aberrations after the initial refractive procedure benefitted from treatment driven by the Wavefront Aberration Supported Corneal Ablation (WASCA) aberrometer and the MEL-80 excimer laser driven by the CRS-Master software platform (all from Carl Zeiss Meditec AG).

Baltimore-Researchers from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health studying a well-defined, older population found refractive error and myopia were highly heritable.

Vienna, VA-The 200 Hz Eye Tracker is an excellent addition to the EC-5000 excimer laser system (Nidek), according to Nancy A. Tanchel, MD.

As another safety bonus, improper assembly is no longer a concern.

San Diego-Implantation of the Implantable Contact Lens (ICL, STAAR Surgical) to treat myopia has a negligible effect on the corneal endothelium 3 to 4 years after implantation of the lens, according to Henry Edelhauser, PhD.

Kingston, PA-FDA study results show the safety and effectiveness of the investigational viscous-dispersive ophthalmic viscosurgical device (OVD) DisCoVisc (Alcon Laboratories) for use during cataract surgery and IOL implantation, said Harvey Reiser, MD.

With the relatively recent FDA approval of capsular tension rings (CTRs), cataract surgeons finally have the opportunity to use these devices for their patients

San Diego-A system for performing a sutureless posterior vitrectomy uses 25-gauge cannula instruments that can be inserted directly through the conjunctiva and eliminates the need for its dissection. The transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy system (TSV25, Bausch & Lomb) reduces the problems associated with performing surgery in eyes with a shallow anterior chamber, according to Rosa Braga-Mele, MD.

The AcrySof Natural IOL (SN60AT, Alcon Laboratories) has the ability to attenuate blue light-mediated cell death, according to results of a cell culture system study comparing several IOLs.

IOLs that block blue light, such as the AcrySof Natural IOL (Alcon Laboratories), trade scotopic visual performance for limited protection against acute UV-blue retinal phototoxicity, and they are a particularly poor choice for individuals whose scotopic vision is impaired because of conditions such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and diabetic retinopathy, according to Martin A. Mainster, PhD, MD, FRCOphth.

Eye surgeons who routinely use injection anesthesia may find it helpful to utilize a device to shield the globe and periocular structures.