News

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.

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.

Camarillo, CA-Analysis of the variables that can affect flap thickness in LASIK showed that thickness increased with greater microkeratome head plate depth, higher preoperative central corneal thickness, and smaller microkeratome suction ring diameter.

Cataract surgeons who participated in the premarketing clinical trials for the model AT-45 accommodative IOL (Crystalens, eyeonics inc. [formerly C&C Vision]) are heralding that technology as an important advance. The lens affords patients clear uncorrected vision at near, intermediate, and distance. FDA approval for marketing of the lens was granted in November.

Irvine, CA-Standard refraction and vision outcome measures were found to be excellent and comparable in eyes undergoing LASIK flap creation with the femtosecond laser (IntraLase FS, IntraLase Corp.) versus with a mechanical microkeratome, but flap construction with the femtosecond laser is associated with less change in ocular aberrations, according to Dan B. Tran, MD.

St. Louis-Epithelial defect risk associated with the Hansatome microkeratome (Bausch & Lomb) is significantly reduced by use of the zero compression head, according to the results of a retrospective study undertaken by Stephen A. Wexler, MD.

Tampere, Finland-Both the M2 Single Use microkeratome and the M2 microkeratome with the new 90-?m head (Moria, Antony, France) have been performing well in clinical trials.

Charlotte, NC-The OcuLight Symphony Laser System (Iridex) is a revolutionary new system that has both visible and infrared light capabilities all in one unit.

Barranquilla, Colombia-The Carriazo-Pendular microkeratome (Schwind Eye-Tech Solutions) is a highly versatile microkeratome that can be used with great safety to produce high-quality flaps for LASIK and perhaps even for LASEK procedures, said Cesar Carriazo, MD.

The Centurion SES EpiEdge epikeratome (CIBA Vision) is a simple instru-ment to use that safely and reliably separates the epithelium from the stroma via mechanical forces to create an intact epithelial sheet in eyes undergoing Epi-LASIK, said Ioannis G. Pallikaris, MD, PhD, who invented Epi-LASIK and participated in the development of the epikeratome.

The HydroKeratome Waterjet System (Visijet Inc.), the first microkeratome that creates a LASIK flap using a continuous beam of ultra-high-pressure water instead of a metal blade, debuted at the 2003 annual meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology in Anaheim.

Washington, DC-A bill recently introduced in the House of Representatives would provide $75 million in grants to states for eye exams and treatment for uninsured children.

San Francisco-The American Academy of Ophthalmic Executives (AAOE) and the Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology (JCAHPO) will jointly develop and offer the ophthalmic coding specialist examination and title.