News

Wailea, HI-Olopatadine 0.2% (Patanol, Alcon) significantly reduced itching and redness for 24 hours, according to the results of a study presented at the annual meeting of the Western Society of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.

Boston-The mast-cell stabilizer pemirolast potassium 0.1% (Alamast, Santen) is a safe, comfortable, and effective agent for preventing and relieving ocular itching of seasonal allergic conjunctivitis throughout the allergy season, according to a pooled analysis of data from phase III trials.

Tampa, FL-Loteprednol etabonate ophthalmic suspension 0.2% (Alrex, Bausch & Lomb Pharmaceuticals and Pharmos Corp.), the first corticosteroid specifically designed for signs and symptoms of seasonal allergic conjunctivitis (SAC), is safe for long-term use, according to a recent multicenter study.

Ophthalmic drops that combine immediate antihistamine relief with prophylactic care in the form of mast cell inhibition and eosinophil blockage are the mainstay of therapy for allergic conjunctivitis.

This year's fierce winter is now about to bring a big dose of misery to the 60 million Americans who suffer from seasonal allergies. Experts predict a fast-peaking, intense spring allergy season. Moisture accumulated from heavy snow and excessive rain has nurtured mold, and will fuel tree-pollen production-all of which will trigger an early and severe allergy season.

Chicago-The diagnosis and treatment of inflammatory glaucoma remain one of the most challenging problems for ophthalmologists, according to Chicago glaucoma specialist Jon M. Ruderman, MD.

Maui, HI-Evidence-based guidelines for the medical management of glaucoma developed by a panel of glaucoma specialists aim to enhance clinical decision-making for the general ophthalmologist, said Anne L. Coleman, MD, PhD, at the annual Royal Hawaiian Eye meeting here.

S?o Paulo, Brazil-Hyperhomocysteinemia appears to be associated with exfoliation syndrome and might be a modifiable risk factor for that disorder, said Roberto M. Vessani, MD, who was a glaucoma fellow with Glaucoma Associates of New York and is currently glaucoma preceptor, glaucoma service, department of ophthalmology, University of S?o Paulo, Brazil.

San Francisco-LASIK continues to be the predominant refractive procedure for treating patients with refractive errors ranging from +3 to -9 to -10 D, according to Richard J. Duffey, MD, who presented the results of the 2002 ASCRS survey of U.S. trends in refractive sur-gery.

Atlanta-Americans say having itchy, watery eyes is their most annoying allergy symptom, according to a new national survey.

Columbia, MO-Neuroretinitis may be linked to multiple sclerosis in some patients, according to the results of a small case series. Further study, however, is warranted, reported Kyle Williams, MD.

New York-The Glaucoma Foundation is funding seven research projects in 2003 under its Grants-in-Aid program.

Golden, CO-Noridian, the Medicare carrier for 14 western states, has proposed limiting coverage for monitored anesthesia care (MAC) for cataract surgery, except for severely ill patients.

Irvine, CA-IntraLase Corp. has hired Ber-nard Haffey as its new vice president, business development.

Paris-Neurotech will collaborate with INSERM, the French National Institute for Health and Medical Research, to develop a technology platform and therapies for retinal diseases.

Alameda, CA-The U.S. Patent & Trademark Office said InSite Vision Inc.'s patent gives the company sole rights to the use of azalide antibiotic formulations as a topical treatment of ocular infections.

Mountain View, CA-IRIDEX Corp. has completed enrollment in a clinical trial for its TTT4CNV, to determine whether trans-pupillary thermotherapy (TTT) laser treatment can reduce the risk of vision loss for patients with occult wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Irvine, CA-ISTA Pharmaceuticals is regrouping after an FDA advisory committee said the company's tests of ovine hyal-uronidase (Vitrase) failed to demonstrate sufficient statistical evidence to support its efficacy in treating vitreous hemorrhage.

Irvine, CA-In early April, cyclosporine ophthalmic emulsion 0.05% (Restasis, Allergan) became commercially available for the treatment of eye inflammation associated with keratoconjunctivitis sicca. The introduction of the product marks the first therapeutic option for people with dry eye by not only providing temporary relief of dry eye, but also treating the associated ocular inflammation, according to the company.

Boston-Multiple intravitreal injections of rhuFab V2 (Genentech Inc., San Francisco) are well-tolerated and appear to have favorable biologic activity for the treatment of exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD), said Jeffrey S. Heier, MD, of Ophthalmic Consultants of Boston and the Center for Eye Research, principal investigator for that trial.

Patients seeking an ophthalmologist or medical information have much more data at their disposal today than did previous generations.

How should you, and why is it advisable to, integrate optometrists into your ophthalmology practice? Should the physician treat the optometrist as a "super-tech" or as an eye doctor?

Royal Oak, MI-Optical coherence tomography (OCT) may be more sensitive than fluorescein angiography in detecting vitreofoveal traction and differences in thickness in the different areas of the macula in patients with persistent diabetic macular edema (DME). While fluorescein angiography remains the standard in imaging, Cynthia Carvalho-Recchia, MD, suggested an adjunctive role for OCT in patients with DME.

Philadelphia-Gene therapy has successfully restored the visual function of blind dogs with a rare congenital retinal disease, according to early research results. This breakthrough holds implications for the treat- ment of several human retinal degenerative diseases within the next several years.

Orlando-Deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) is performed to manage anterior corneal disorders and keratoconus, and posterior lamellar keratoplasty (PLK) is used to manage posterior (endothelial) corneal disorders.

Editor's Note: Sight is precious, but its impairment does not preclude achievement. Helen Keller, Ray Charles, and Andrea Bocelli are just a few successful people that come to my mind immediately. There are many others!

Cincinnati-The third and fourth issues of the 2002 Video Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, published by Robert H. Osher, MD, are available free to residency programs in the United States and ophthalmologists around the world.

Washington, DC-The New Jersey Assembly will consider a bill that would allow optometrists to perform surgery, including LASIK, when it returns from budget break in May or June.

Rochester, NY-Bausch & Lomb is launch-ing its most ambitious TV advertising campaign ever, marking a new creative direction and marketing strategy for the 150-year-old company.

Washington, DC-PRK causes no loss of visual resolution and, in fact, improves uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) and visual resolution during use of night vision goggles under a range of night sky conditions.