News

Baltimore-Radiation therapy is the present standard of care for optic nerve sheath meningiomas, according to Neil R. Miller, MD.

New Orleans-Surgeons need to understand that hyperopic LASIK is profoundly different from myopic LASIK, said George O. Waring III, MD. It is especially important to convey this message to patients who typically may be imbued with the notion

Since the release of the topical beta-blocker timolol maleate (Timoptic, Merck) some 2 decades ago, glaucoma patients have been the beneficiaries of a cascade of new IOP-lowering pharmaceuticals.

FDA advisors OK reverse geometry lens

A test for the optineurin gene will be available to ophthalmologists soon - possibly this year and certainly by 2003, said S. Kumar Chandrasekaran, PhD, CEO of InSite Vision, Alameda, CA.

When faced with a patient having lash or eyebrow hair loss, a careful history searching for clues is help-ful. Hair loss involving the eyelashes or eye-brow area may result from several conditions including skin diseases, drug side effects, endocrine abnormalities, metabolic abnormalities, inflammation, toxins, radiation effects, systemic diseases, infection, and trauma.

The acute onset of a red, painful, proptotic eye will almost always cause the emergency room or primary-care physician to elicit an immediate ophthalmic consultation for the possibility of orbital cellulitis or orbital mass. In the absence of systemic infection or sinusitis, however, orbital inflammatory pseudotumor is more likely to be the diagnosis.

Alameda, CA-Early indications are that the Ocugene glaucoma genetic test (InSite Vision, Alameda, CA) has the potential of becoming a useful tool in determining the likelihood of glaucoma development or progression in certain patients.

Hamilton, Ontario-The results of a phase I clinical trial demonstrate the safety and potential efficacy of scleral expansion band (Presby Corp., Dallas, TX) surgery for reducing elevated IOP, according to Aaron W. Rifkind, MD.

Cincinnati, OH-The IOP-lowering effect of dorzolamide HCl/timolol maleate (Cosopt, Merck, West Point, PA) is comparable to that of brimonidine tartrate (Alphagan, Allergan, Irvine, CA) and timolol maleate after 6 months of treatment.

Washington, DC-Unoprostone isopropyl 0.15% (Rescula, Novartis) may be a viable option for further lowering IOP in patients with advanced glaucoma whose disease is uncontrolled by maximum tolerated medical therapy, said Leslie S. Jones, MD.

Indianapolis-Pooled 6-month data from two multicenter, double-blind, parallel studies demonstrate that once-daily treatment with bimatoprost ophthalmic solution 0.03% (Lumigan, Allergan) is safe and more effective than timolol 0.5% for controlling elevated IOP, said Louis B. Cantor, MD.

Baltimore-Patients who received latanoprost (Xalatan, Pharmacia Corp., Peapack, NJ) to treat glaucoma were more likely to adhere to their regimens and less likely to discontinue their medications compared with patients who are prescribed beta-blockers, carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, or brimonidine, according to Gail Schwartz, MD, and her colleagues.

Ann Arbor, MI-Quality of life is remarkably similar among patients with newly diagnosed open-angle glaucoma randomly assigned to initial treatment with medication or trabeculectomy, according to Nancy K. Janz, PhD.

N onpenetrating glaucoma surgery in expert hands is as efficacious as trabeculectomy for controlling IOP but results in significantly fewer complications, said Tarek M. Shaarawy, MD.

New Orleans - Based on 5 years of follow-up, medication and filtering surgery both appear to be effective and safe for initiating treatment in eyes with newly diagnosed open-angle glaucoma

A 14-year-old boy presents with new-onset, severe, diffuse headache and blurry vision. He is found to have bilateral "papilledema."

Everything has changed since Sept. 11, as we've so often heard. But some things have remained the same.

Ophthalmologists prescribing timolol hemihydrate (Betimol, Santen Pharmaceuticals) can be assured their patients are receiving a brand-name nonselective beta-blocker product that is safe, effective, and economical, said Michael S. Berlin, MD, and George A. Cioffi, MD.

The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) has issued three patient safety bulletins to improve patient care in ophthalmology. The academy has analyzed three key areas where errors may occur and suggested ways to minimize these medical errors.

Allergan's brimonidine tartrate (Alphagan) will have new labeling that indicates its 0.5% strength is suitable for pediatric patients over 2 years old.

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.