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Visual loss following non-ocular surgical procedures is becoming increasingly recognized and reported in the literature by anesthesiologists, surgeons, and ophthalmologists. The usual cause for visual loss in these cases is ischemic optic neuropathy (ION).

A genetically engineered molecule designed to kill cancers by destroying their rapidly growing blood vessels offers a new line of attack against age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and other retinal conditions, said Alan Garen, PhD.

Editor's Note: In the absence of other identifiable causes, vision loss in HIV patients may be due to ischemic maculopathy, and that diagnosis should be investigated with fluorescein angiography. The clinical and angiographic features of five patients with HIV infection-related ischemic maculopathy were described in a paper recently published by Emmett T. Cunningham Jr., MD, PhD, MPH, and associates in the American Journal of Ophthalmology. In this new Ophthalmology Times column, Dr. Cunningham reviews the characteristic features of those patients and highlights the importance of considering a fluorescein angiogram in the diagnostic evaluation of HIV-positive patients with unexplained vision loss.

The need for surgical repair of a single severed lacrimal canaliculus is somewhat controversial, largely because the relative roles of the upper and lower canaliculi have not been clearly established or appreciated.

Roger Martin of Connecticut has made a remarkable difference in the ophthalmic world, proving that anyone can make a difference with desire and dedication.

A recent amblyopia study conducted in collaboration with the National Eye Institute is providing ophthalmologists and their patients with preliminary data indicating that eye drops may be an effective alternative to patching for treatment of the condition.

San Juan, Puerto Rico-IOP on the day after trabeculectomy or a combined phacoemulsification-trabeculectomy procedure is not predictive of a patient's IOP a year later, said glaucoma specialist Janet B. Serle, MD.

Alcon submits PMA application

Philadelphia-Cupping of the optic disc often occurs in association with glaucoma but can also develop after anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (AION), although this is an area of controversy.

Atlanta-For more consistent accuracy in LASIK, refractive surgeons should regularly scrutinize their data so that they can adjust their nomograms, according to EmoryUniversity ophthalmology professor George Waring III, MD.

New Orleans-A system incorporating a narrow-beam excimer laser with an active tracking system to detect minuscule eye motions is effective in the LASIK correction of myopia and astigmatism, according to Marguerite B. McDonald, MD, clinical professor of ophthalmology at Tulane University School of Medicine here.

Minneapolis-Maximum correction and minimal trauma are two of the important benefits provided by the cross-cylinder technique for the correction of mixed astigmatism, according to Y. Ralph Chu, MD.

Many ophthalmologists are aware of the uses of optical coherence tomography (OCT)1 in diagnosing glaucoma and retinal pathologies such as macular hole and cystoid macular edema. However, anterior segment OCT imaging2 is still rarely used because of lack of dedicated commercial instrumentation. Maldonado et al. have shown that the commercial OCT retinal scanner (Zeiss Humphrey Systems, Dublin, CA) can be used to image corneal anatomy after LASIK.3 This has sparked an interest in developing dedicated anterior segment OCT systems.

Yokohama, Japan-Cataract is a major complication in patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) with the characteristic facial eczema, according to Japanese researchers. They advise that patients with this condition be monitored closely and cautioned not to rub their eyes.

Glaucoma researchers at Pusan University Medical Center, Pusan, South Korea and the Kresge Eye Institute (KEI) of Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, working in collaboration, have found that the preoperative injection of mitomycin-C (MMC) can be an effective and safe adjunct to a needling revision procedure for a failed bleb.

San Juan-Assessment of retinal thickness beyond the optic disc may play a role in glaucoma detection, according to Duke University researchers, who presented their findings at the annual meeting of the Amer-ican Glaucoma Society held here.

In our clinics we face practical decisions every day. Multiple competing drugs are often available for any particular problem. Glaucoma treatment options are especially numerous. A little math can easily demonstrate the complexity of glaucoma treatment options.

A 32-year-old woman complained of decreased vision in both eyes upon awakening. She stated that her vision was blurred, with black spots centrally in both eyes. She denied photopsias or pain.

FDA approves Refractec's CK nonlaser procedure for farsightedness

Santa Barbara, CA-With the development of a new 25-gauge self-sealing vitreoretinal surgical system, a group of surgeons hopes to make vitreoretinal surgery minimally invasive.

Boston-Selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) could potentially be used as a first-line therapy for primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG)because it is much less traumatic to the eye than the currently used argon laser trabeculoplasty (ALT), according to its inventor, Mark Latina, MD.

Los Angeles-In the continuing effort to improve cataract and refractive surgery, a new lid speculum designed by Barry S. Seibel, MD, offers lid control for cataract and refractive procedures and several new innovative features that not only enhance patient comfort but also provide better surgical exposure.

As allergy season is approaching, it is important for the physician to understand that ocular allergy is only a component of a broader condition that many times involves the nose and sinuses.

Where on the Internet can you enhance your training and education-as well as that of your administrative staff-with high-quality materials, a minimum investment of time, and no expense? The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO)'s Web site.

A visit to Philadelphia during this year's American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery annual meeting (June 1 to 5) is not complete without a trip to Independence National Historical Park. Within America's most historic square mile, you will want to see two of the most treasured symbols of America's freedom: the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall.

Pseudotumor cerebri (PTC) usually affects young adult, obese women. We recently reviewed our cases of PTC in men since 1995 at three tertiary care institutions and identified a subgroup of patients with sleep apnea.1

Peapack, NJ-For Pharmacia Ophthalmology, these can be considered exciting times.

Q-Vis delays PMA application for laser