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STAAR Surgical Co. announced the FDA has given conditional approval for aninvestigational device exemption for the toric implantable contact lens (ICL).

New Orleans-Safety, reproducibility, and user-friendliness make the Amadeus microkeratome (Allergan) an excellent choice for LASIK flap creation, said Kerry D. Solomon, MD, at the refractive surgery subspecialty day prior to the American Academy of Ophthalmology annual meeting.

New Orleans-The BD K-3000 Microkeratome (Becton Dickinson Ophthalmic Systems, Franklin Lakes, NJ) is a reliable and safe system for flap creation during LASIK, according to Paul Dougherty, MD, medical director, Dougherty Laser Vision Institute, Camarillo, CA.

Heidelberg, Germany-A femtosecond-pulse intrastromal laser microkeratome (20/10 Perfect Vision) may make LASIK flap creation safer and more predictable than it is with mechanical microkeratomes, said Frieder H. Loesel, PhD.

Gulfport, MS-The disposable Flapmaker microkeratome (Refractive Technologies Inc., Cleveland) has been receiving high marks from refractive surgeons since it was introduced almost 4 years ago because of its consistency, ease of use, and sterility.

New Orleans-Keratectomy creation with the automated Summit Krumeich-Barraquer Microkeratome (SKBM, Alcon) results in flaps of predictable diameter and hinge size, smooth beds with well-defined edges, and an intact epithelium, said R. Bruce Grene, MD, at the refractive surgery subspecialty day prior to the American Academy of Ophthalmology annual meeting.

New Orleans-Recently introduced upgrades have further enhanced the versatility and safety of the Hansatome (Bausch & Lomb), but users must recognize that deriving the full benefits of this microkeratome depends greatly on its meticulous care, according to Randy J. Epstein, MD, at the refractive surgery subspecial-ty day held prior to the American Academy of Ophthalmol-ogy annual meeting.

New Orleans-The MK-2000 (Nidek) is an easy-to-use, highly reliable, and safe microkeratome, said Arturo S. Chayet, MD, at the refractive surgery subspecialty day prior to the American Academy of Ophthalmology annual meeting.

Cincinnati, OH-By utilizing the benefits of flare-tip phacoemulsification probes, cat-aract surgeons can substantially increase their intraoperative efficiency, according to Robert Cionni, MD.

New Orleans-The automated M2 (Moria) is a simple-to-use, versatile microkeratome that surgeons can rely on to create reproducibly thick flaps, said James J. Salz, MD, at the refractive surgery subspecialty day prior to the American Academy of Ophthalmology annual meeting.

Galveston, TX-Three-times-a-day treatment with famciclovir (Famvir, Novartis) was as effective against ophthalmic herpes zoster as five-times-a-day acyclovir (Zovirax, Glaxo Wellcome) in a major international trial, said Stephen K. Tyring, MD, PhD.

Atlanta-The longest follow-up to date of a large number of LASIKpatients has given convincing evidence that the procedure does not damagethe corneal endothelium, said Henry F. Edelhauser, PhD.

Infrared video tracking system leads to more predictable correction,less need for enhancements

Studies show potential problems, but many questions remain unanswered

The innovative technology of Bausch & Lomb's Millennium Microsurgicalplatform takes another surge upward with the addition of its new Burst Modesoftware and a retooling of its already highly touted Dual Linear foot pedal.

System enhancements may put surgery times closer to standard phaco fordense cataract

Iowa City-Over a long term, researchers found that in a group of patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), the average rate of visual field decline (based on the Goldmann I4e isopter) was -1.3% per year.

Salt Lake City-The Photon Laser and Phaco Workstation (Paradigm Medical Industries, Salt Lake City) lets surgeons use either laser or ultrasound to remove a cataract, with the ability of switching back and forth between the two modalities.

New Orleans-WhiteStar, the new power modulation technology for the Sovereign System (Allergan), affords phacoemulsification surgeons improved intraoperative control and optimizes outcomes for patients, with clearer corneas on postoperative day 1, said Lisa Brothers Arbisser, MD, at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology here last fall.

Los Angeles-Sonic energy (The Wave) offers an efficient and safer alternative to traditional ultrasound phacoemulsification for clear lens extraction, said Stephen S. Bylsma, MD.

Athens, Greece-A novel technique can remove any type of cataract through two small paracenteses, using almost half the energy necessary in traditional phacoemulsification techniques.

Editor's Note: James A. Davison, MD, is associate clinical professor, department of ophthalmology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City. His practice is the Wolfe Clinic, Marshalltown, IA. He discusses his cataract technique with Ophthalmology Times Senior Editor Julia Talsma.

If you knew syphilis, you knew medicine! So was the thought of the medical community for more than 500 years.

In spirit of cooperation, ophthalmologists, optometrists, opticians canparticipate in all topics

Phakic, aphakic IOLs, bioptics, wavefront-guided correction are all undercurrent study

Sales presentation for BD Ophthalmics

Inflammatory signs of the orbit (e.g., proptosis, chemosis, injection) are rarely the presenting findings in giant cell arteritis (GCA). These patients may be misdiagnosed as having orbital inflammatory pseudotumor when the process is really an underlying orbital ischemic or orbital infarction syndrome.

Editor's Note: Randall J. Olson, MD, is the John A. Moran presidential professor and chair of ophthalmology, and director of the John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City. He recently spoke with Ophthalmology Times on his approach to cataract surgery.