News

Kansas City, KS-LASIK using the S3 Variable Spot Scanning (VSS) excimer laser with ActiveTrack (VISX) to create an 8-mm ablation diameter effectively, predictably, and safely treats myopia and myopic astigmatism in patients with large scotopic pupils, according to the interim results of a prospective study reported by John F. Doane, MD, FACS.

New York-The software adjustability of optical zone size with the LADARVision 4000 excimer laser (Alcon) provides a benefit for treating patients with large entrance pupil sizes because it is likely to minimize total higher-order aberrations after LASIK, said Barrie D. Soloway, MD.

Houston-Results from a clinical practice study directly comparing wavefront analysis using two different technologies-ray tracing (Visual Function Analyzer version 1.1,VFA, Tracey Technologies) and a Hartmann-Shack-type aberrometer (WaveScan Version 3.01, VISX)-show that the machines are in good agreement in their measurements of refraction and root mean square (RMS) values for both lower-order and total aberrations, but not in their measurement of higher-order aberrations, according to Rahul T. Pandit, MD.

Dorado, Puerto Rico-The 26th annual "Current Concepts in Ophthalmology" meeting, sponsored by Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine/Wilmer Eye Institute and supported by Ophthalmology Times, will be held Feb. 20 to 23 at the Hyatt Dorado Beach Resort.

Jacksonville, FL-Johnson & Johnson Vision Care Inc. will begin selling ophthalmic pharmaceuticals for the first time under a distribution and supply deal with Santen Pharmaceutical Group.

Monrovia, CA-Officials at STAAR Surgical Co. are scrambling to answer questions raised by a warning letter from the FDA that criticized the company for failing to review product complaints adequately and ensure quality control of its manufacturing materials.

Anaheim, CA-LASIK can be safe and effective for correcting refractive errors in eyes with previous retinal detachment surgery, although alternative procedures may need to be considered because obtaining adequate microkeratome suction to create the lamellar cut may sometimes be a challenge, said Irina S. Barequet, MD, at the International Society of Refractive Surgery/American Academy of Ophthalmology subspecialty day meeting.

Anaheim, CA-Additive intralamellar corneal refractive surgery is an exciting new area of surgical development that may provide an alternative to penetrating keratoplasty for the optical rehabilitation of the keratoconus patient, said David J. Schanzlin, MD, who delivered the Barraquer Lecture at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

Anaheim, CA-Research-ers worldwide are focusing efforts on ocular toxoplasmosis in hopes of finding better preventive and treatment strategies for this parasitic disease, which can lead to permanent vision loss, according to Gary N. Holland, MD, who delivered the Jackson Memorial Lecture during the opening session of the American Academy of Ophthalmology annual meeting.

Anaheim, CA-Scanning laser imaging is not a complete substitute for stereo disc photography of the optic disc-not right now anyway, according to George H. Tanaka, MD.

Generic brimonidine tartrate (Bausch & Lomb), which is formulated differently from the trade formulation (Alphagan P, Allergan), became widely available during the second half of 2003 and seems to be gaining acceptance with ophthalmologists in many cases because of the drug's lower cost.

Albany, CA-Patients with glaucoma who have had an allergic ocular reaction to brimonidine 0.2% (Alphagan, Allergan) also experience an allergic ocular reaction to brimonidine Purite 0.15% (Alphagan P). In patients with a known allergic response to brimonidine, the likelihood of the same reaction to the reformulation is high.

The fixed combination of timolol-dorzolamide (Cosopt, Merck) can be beneficial in glaucoma therapy for several reasons: prescribed in conjunction with a single agent such as a prostaglandin analog, it may achieve a greater reduction in the patient's IOP than the single agent alone, and it can improve compliance, according to two glaucoma experts.

The Bible is one of the most widely referenced books in the world. This month, we examine what the Bible, in particular, the Old Testament, had to say about eye care.

New Orleans-Ruboxistaurin mesylate, a protein kinase C (PKC) beta inhibitor, reduces loss of vision in patients with moderate-ly severe to very severe nonproliferativediabetic retinopathy, researchers reported at the American Diabetes Association meet-ing here.

Anaheim, CA-Results of a retrospective, longitudinal cohort study point to specific physician-related factors that significantly increase the risk of LASIK/PRK malpractice liability claims and lawsuits, said Richard L. Abbott, MD, at the International Society of Refractive Surgery/American Academy of Ophthalmology subspecialty day meeting.

Anaheim, CA-The quest to achieve perfect vision with wavefront-guided laser surgery began just a few years ago and is still continuing on a path to discovery, said Michael C. Mrochen, PhD, at the International Society of Refractive Surgery/American Academy of Ophthalmology sub- specialty day meeting.

Philadelphia-In about 80% of glaucoma cases, medication is the preferred initial approach for lowering IOP. However, the choice of medication must be made with the cognition of individual patient differences that can affect the tolerability and effectiveness of the drug, noted Marlene Moster, MD, clinical professor of ophthalmology, Thomas Jefferson Medical Col- lege, Philadelphia.

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.