News

Phase III studies for high myopia, hyperopia show stable refractions, few complications

Those with moderate myopia, hyperopia are potential candidates for vision correction surgery

Orlando-The MK-2000 (Nidek) is a one-piece automated microkeratome designed for ease of use and safety, reported Maria C. Arbelaez, MD, during the refractive surgery subspecialty day prior to the American Academy of Ophthalmology annual meeting.

Orlando-The Carriazo-Pendular microkeratome (Schwind eye-tech-solutions GmbH) represents a new generation in mechanical microkeratomes and brings a unique approach to LASIK flap creation that is designed for safety and reproducibility, said Maria C. Arbelaez, MD, at the refractive surgery subspecialty day prior to the American Academy of Ophthalmology annual meeting.

Nice, France-The disposable Steritome microkeratome (Refractive Technologies) brings unparalleled safety and predictability to LASIK flap creation, according to Ronald Singal, MD.

Orlando-The Amadeus microkeratome (Advanced Medical Optics, AMO) combines the advantages of a pre-assembled microkeratome with a number of "bells and whistles" that further increase its ease of use and contribute to safe and reliable performance in creating lamellar flaps, according to Eric D. Donnenfeld, MD.

Orlando-The M2 (Moria) is an easy-to-assemble, automated microkeratome that allows customization of various flap features and offers an excellent safety profile, said Raymond M. Stein, MD.

Always measure corneal thickness to decrease the risk of ectasia, since various factors can affect final flap thickness, expert advises

Orlando-Laser vision correction can be an effective treatment for anisometropic amblyopia in children, according to Deepinder K. Dhaliwal, MD.

Baltimore-Amblyopia is a relatively common problem in children, but there is no consensus on the best treatment. Recently, there has been increasing interest in using atropine drops instead of patching, but they are not FDA approved for that indication, said Michael X. Repka, MD.

Orlando-Recent advances in macular surgery are now making it possible to treat the various disorders associated with pathologic myopia, according to Yasuo Tano, MD, who delivered the Edward Jackson Memorial Lecture during the opening session of the American Academy of Ophthalmology annual meeting.

Orlando-Ophthalmologists should be aware of the risks to the ocular surface associated with long-term use of glaucoma medications, according to Robert J. Noecker, MD, MBA, who also spoke at the Cornea Health symposium during the American Academy of Ophthalmology annual meeting.

Orlando-Pay attention to the ocular surface before undertaking a cataract or refractive procedure, advised John D. Sheppard, MD, who outlined strategies in his practice for avoiding surgical complications at the Cornea Health symposium held during the American Academy of Ophthalmology annual meeting.

Needham, MA-Ruthanne B. Simmons, MD, who followed in her father's footsteps to make her mark in ophthalmology and laser surgery research, died Nov. 8 of breast cancer. She was 43.

Santa Barbara, CA-Volunteer ophthalmologists with Surgical Eye Expeditions International will visit 50 clinics in 32 developing countries to restore eyesight to disadvantaged patients with surgically correctable blindness during 2003.

Cleveland-Modified proteins found in drusen might play a role in the onset of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), according to a study by researchers at the Cleveland Clinic Cole Eye Institute.

Los Angeles-Researchers are one step closer to restoring some level of usable vision to certain blind eyes.

Long-term results from the Multicenter Trial of Cryotherapy for Retinopathy of Prematurity (CRYO-ROP study) are showing continued advantages for treatment in preventing blindness and no long-term disadvantage with reference to acuity.

Pathology is the branch of medicine that deals with the nature of diseases, their cause and effect, particularly from the structural and functional changes that they cause. In its earliest forms, its origins date back to biblical times.

Asthenopia, blurred vision, and diplopia are classic symptoms of strabismus, which occasionally requires the use of prism or surgery to restore normal binocular vision. Ophthalmic prisms may be useful in the management of both tropias and phorias. In this column, we will discuss the management of prescriptions that contain prism.

New York-Obtaining corneal pachymetry readings and correcting IOP based on those data is key to improved evaluation and management of glaucoma, said James C. Tsai, MD.

Nice, France-The diffractive/refractive, fold-able, multifocal AcrySof IOL (study model MA60D3, Alcon, Fort Worth, TX) achieves similar mean distance vision and better near vision compared with the Array multifocal SA40N IOL (AMO, Santa Ana, CA), an FDA-approved IOL. Importantly, patients reported significantly fewer complaints of halos compared with the SA40N IOL, according to Philippe Dublineau, MD.

Nice, France-Microburst phacoemulsification improves surgical control and efficiency during high-vacuum/high-flow cataract surgery, resulting in a safer procedure compared with the standard phacoemulsification procedure.

Orlando-Cataract and refractive surgeons have worked hard over the last decade, perfecting their surgical techniques. Small-incision cataract surgery has revolutionized the ophthalmic profession as have developments in laser refractive procedures. But surgical technique is only part of the equation for producing outstanding surgical outcomes. Prevention of post-surgical infection is another concern.

Malm?weden-The initial results of the Early Manifest Glaucoma Trial (EMGT), a National Eye Institute-sponsored study conducted in Sweden, suggest that IOP-lowering treatment significantly delays progression of open-angle glaucoma in patients with elevated and normal IOP.

The Castillejos LASIK re-treatment spatula (Rhein Medical Inc.)was designed to help surgeons lift stubborn flaps more easily, and with less trauma to theepithelium, according to the instrument's inventor, David Castillejos, MD, FACS.

Cleveland-Cleveland Clinic's Cole Eye Institute has been chosen as the Foundation Fighting Blindness' national collection site for eyes donated for blindness research. The collection center, formally known as the Retinal Degeneration Pathophysiology Facility, was previously located in Phila-delphia.

Los Angeles-Lions Clubs International (LCI) has launched a comprehensive initiative for diabetic retinopathy education focused on southern California.