News

Dorado, Puerto Rico-Cataract and other major surgeries made up a large part of ophthalmologists' practice revenue in 1995. Clinical services also contributed substantially to the bottom line. But over the last 7 years, surgeons have seen a decline in both these areas, noted practice management consultant James Rienzo.

Ottawa-Thanks to advances in techniques and technology, surface ablation with PRK or LASEK for eyes with low-to-moderate refractive errors yields visual outcomes equivalent to LASIK with lower risks of vision-threatening complications and fewer re-treatments, said W. Bruce Jackson, MD.

Fort Lauderdale, FL-Vitrectomy with retinal vein cannulation and infusion of tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) is a relatively safe procedure that improves vision in patients with central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) or hemispheric retinal vein occlusion (HRVO), according to Jeffrey N. Weiss, MD.

Fort Lauderdale, FL-A newly developed high-speed optical coherence tomography (OCT) system for recording 3-D images of the human retina promises to be a valuable tool for the diagnosis of retinal diseases, said Christoph K. Hitzenberger, PhD, associate professor of medical physics at the Institute of Medical Physics, University of Vienna, Austria.

Irregular astigmatism, one of the most frequent complications of corneal refractive surgery, was relatively unnoticed and underestimated until video keratography showed that some irregular astigmatism is present in as high as 40% of patients who have undergone corneal refractive surgery.1

Vancouver, British Columbia-Surgeons treating patients with high degrees of hyperopia should consider performing a procedure other than PRK because of the development of apical scarring with potential subsequent severe vision loss, according to Simon P. Holland, MD, clinical associate professor, department of ophthalmology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver.

Philadelphia-The performance of glaucoma medications in phase III FDA trials may not reflect their performance in a real-world clinical setting, according to researchers at Wills Eye Hospital.

Two glaucoma drugs approved last year, travoprost (Travatan, Alcon) and bimatoprost (Lumigan, Allergan), are associated with higher rates of hyperemia than the more established drug latanoprost (Xalatan, Pharmacia). However, the hyperemia is seldom a clinically significant side effect, according to a sampling of physicians who are familiar with all three drugs.

He journeyed to the United States and achieved the American dream-professional and personal success. Born in India, educated there and in Britain and the United States as an ophthalmologist, V.K. Raju, MD, settled in Morgantown, WV, and began his career as a professor in the department of ophthalmology at West Virginia University, and on the staff of Monongalia General Hospital.

Santa Ana, CA-"A new coMpany is bOrn" announced the print advertisement that appeared recently in the ophthalmic journals. The rays of a rising sun burst forth over an optic planet, symbolic of the dawning of a new company with "the future of sight."

New York-Certain glaucoma cases present a major challenge to the clinician. Participants in a session at the Glaucoma 2002 meeting here discussed some of these unusual conditions.

The many forms and causes of dry eye syndrome are targeted by a nearly equal number of devices to treat the malady.

When it comes to treating dry eye, ophthalmologists and patients have a plethora of products from which to choose. Relief can come in the form of eye drops, gels, and ointments, or nutritional supplements and sprays.

Columbia, SC-The Columbia Eye Clinic, one of the largest ophthalmic practices in South Carolina, launched a high-speed, satellite broadband service linking medical professionals at the Columbia Eye Clinic with patients at Beaufort-Jasper-Hampton Community Health Center in Ridgeland, SC. The new service allows retinal specialists to screen the eyes of patients more than 100 miles away for diabetic retinopathy.

Newton Square, PA-Consumers now have an interactive tool to help them determine if LASIK is right for them. The new "Am I a Candidate for LASIK?" feature can be found on www.AllAboutVision.com, an eye health Web site.

Schaumburg, IL-Prevent Blindness America (PBA) appointed two new board members to its 2002-2003 national board of directors: Dan Myers of Duluth, GA, who is president of Novartis Ophthalmic's North American Division, and Julian Gangolli of Laguna Niguel, CA, who is senior vice president of U.S. eye care sales and marketing, Allergan.

New York-Eyetech Pharmaceuticals Inc. has completed enrollment in two phase III trials of Macugen, its treatment for wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and has received $54.2 million from investors for further development of the drug.

Washington, DC-Several organizations have joined three patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in a lawsuit filed against the Department of Health and Human Services in an effort to appeal the department's ruling that Medicare would not cover ocular photodynamic therapy (PDT) with verteporfin.

Sydney, Australia-A rapid increase in the occurrence of myopia and an aging world population means 70% of the world will require vision correction by year 2020, according to a study by the Cooperative Research Centre for Eye Research and Technology.

Seoul, South Korea-Essilor International will establish a new branch in Seoul, South Korea, after a deal was signed with Samyung Trading Co. based there.

Philadelphia-The reality of light-adjustable IOLs for clinical use is on the horizon. Availability of technology such as this will eliminate the need to remove IOLs because of incorrect power, according to Nick Mamalis, MD.

Anchorage, AK-Carl E. Rosen, MD, spends much of his free time grappling on the ground, literally. For the Alaska-based ophthalmologist and orbital surgeon, this means practicing a form of martial arts known as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

It's 4:55 p.m. on a Friday, last patient of the day-a 50-year-old man with diabetes and hypertension with new-onset right-sided ptosis and diplopia. Examination reveals a right third nerve palsy (TNP). What is the next most appropriate step?

Philadelphia-Twenty-one gauge microphaco performed with WhiteStar Technology (Advanced Medical Optics, Santa Ana, CA) that uses two microincisions (0.8 mm) to separate irrigation and aspiration is safe, according to Randall Olson, MD.

Sacramento, CA-As the boom in LASIK surgery recedes, refractive surgeons risk major declines in numbers of patients unless they understand marketing concepts that will help them find and attract potential clients, according to Glenn Hagele.

Chicago-Improved centration with a good-quality eye tracker is essential to address many of the issues involved with hyperopic LASIK, according to refractive surgeon Manus Kraff, MD.

Philadelphia-In an uncertain economic climate, the ophthalmic market can take stock in knowing it is alive and well, according to Kenneth P. Taylor, an independent industry consultant.

Cleveland, OH-The femtosecond laser (Pulsion FS, IntraLase) offers a new tool for precision flap-making in LASIK procedures, said Ronald R. Krueger, MD.