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Epithelial ingrowth is the migration of epithelial cells from outside the flap-bed interface into the interface postoperatively. Epithelial implantation is the placement of epithelial cells into the interface during the procedure. The incidence of epithelial ingrowth and implantation has been reported as high as 10%, although it can be as low as 0.2%1 to 0.4%2 if meticulous surgical technique is employed.

Surgical maneuvers used to treat pseudotumor cerebri include some formof shunt procedure, such as a lumboperitoneal shunt, a ventriculoperitonealshunt, or optic nerve sheath decompression (ONSD). Shunting procedures areultimately designed to divert the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) that is underpressure away from the neuro-ocular junction, where hydrodynamic forcescompress ganglion cells and their blood supply, leading to injury and/ordeath of these cells.

Most ophthalmologists agree that the Internet is a valuable resourcefor provider education. In addition to e-mail, physicians probably mostfrequently use the Internet to access information on diseases and medications.Increasingly they are also using it to access major medical journals andonline continuing medical education programs.

As a result of efforts by the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO),the proposed Medicare fee schedule for 2002 includes new coverage for glaucomascreening, as well as increases in two ophthalmic services.

The FDA has given pre-marketapproval to STAAR Surgical Co. for its AquaFlow collagen glaucoma drainagedevice for use in the correction of open-angle glaucoma.

Hydroflex II acrylic IOL

The FDA has approved phase I clinicaltrials on Medical Developmental Research Inc.'s Hydroflex II Advanced SeriesHydrophilic Acrylic IOL.

The FDA has approved Visudyne (verteporfinfor injection) therapy for the treatment of predominantly classic subfovealchoroidal neovascularization (CNV) caused by pathologic myopia and presumedocular histoplasmosis.

Every comprehensive ophthalmologist performs anterior vitrectomy in association with cataract surgery complicated by vitreous prolapse. Even in the best of hands, rupture of the posterior capsule and vitreous prolapse occur in 1% to 2% of cataract operations.

Allowing patients to listen to the music of their choiceduring cataract or glaucoma surgery can help reduce the cardiovascular effectscaused by both pre- and peri-operative feelings of stress, according toKaren Allen, PhD.

Ophthalmic Women Leaders (OWL) will hold a networking reception and meeting Monday, April 12, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Westin Boston Waterfront Hotel. The event will take place during the annual meeting of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery.

Today, when patients come for a visit, ophthalmologists have the discretionof using either the eye codes (92002 to 92014) or the E/M codes in billing.But, when is it truly appropriate to use a certain set of codes for a givenvisit? Unfortunately, there's no one standard. It all depends on the rulesset by the carriers in your state.

Augusta, GA-Despite negative results in an early trial, effortsare continuing to determine whether external-beam irradiation can slow visionloss caused by subfoveal choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in age-relatedmacular degeneration (AMD), said Dennis M. Marcus, MD.