News

San Diego-The AcrySof Natural IOL (SA60AT, Alcon Laboratories, Fort Worth, TX) that filters blue light does not negatively affect patients’ color perception. The IOL more closely mimics the human crystalline lens and scotopic vision is excellent in these patients, Robert Cionni, MD, stated..

San Diego-Blocking light from the blue portion of the spectrum is thought to be advantageous to the eye, and IOL manufacturers have developed IOLs with this feature. However, aging eyes may be negatively affected by filtering out blue light, according to Randall J. Olson, MD

San Diego-High speed video photography and 2-dimensional laser visualization have helped researchers better understand the dynamic characteristics of the fluid pulses from the AquaLase liquefaction device (Alcon Laboratories). This information is beneficial for surgeons as they develop and refine their cataract removal technique using this new technology, said Ramon C. Dimalanta, PhD, at the annual meeting of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery.

San Diego - Based on a computer-generated model of the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of the anterior segment, intracameral antibiotic use appears to be a rational approach to endophthalmitis prophylaxis after cataract surgery, reported Randal Peterson, MD, at the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery annual meeting.

San Diego - The AcrySof Toric IOL (Alcon Laboratories, Fort Worth, TX) is outperforming a comparable spherical IOL in uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) levels and the low level of residual astigmatism. The interim safety and efficacy results of the FDA clinical trial of the AcrySof Toric IOL were presented here at the annual meeting of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery.

San Diego - Bimanual microincision phacoemulsification with the Millennium System (Bausch & Lomb) is safe and associated with excellent visual acuity results, said Mark Packer, MD, at the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery annual meeting.

San Diego - Two-year follow-up of eyes with the ClariFlex with OptiEdge silicone IOL (AMO) implanted show that the second-generation silicone IOL with its novel edge design is performing well. Furthermore, risk of posterior capsular opacification (PCO) and glare was minimal, according to the results of a study presented by Elizabeth A. Davis, MD, FACS, at the annual meeting of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery.

San Diego-A newly identified biomicroscopic sign, the sharkfin sign, seems to indicate that focal thermal damage to the stroma has occurred during phacoemulsification. The sharkfin sign seems to be a curvilinear lucency in the corneal incision.

Washington, DC-As a 31-year-old doctor fresh out of residency, Arnall Patz, MD, suggested a connection between high levels of oxygen and premature infants' blindness, and the medical community reacted with near hostility.

The FDA has approved a new drug application by ISTA Pharmaceuticals for the once-daily liquid formulation of timolol 0.5% as a therapy for glaucoma.

Fort Lauderdale, FL-Supplemental inspired oxygen may decrease macular thickening due to diabetic macular edema (DME), according to the results of a pilot study presented by Quan Dong Nguyen, MD, MSc, at the annual meeting of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology.

Washington, DC-Pulsed treatment with the 532-nm, diode-pumped, frequency doubled, solid-state green laser (OcuLight GLx, Iridex) appears to be a safe and effective method for closing the retinal arteriolar connections that feed early stage lesions of retinal angiomatous proliferation (RAP), said Robert P. Murphy, MD.