Winds of Change: An Evidence-Based Approach

New Orleans-Interest in the concept of evidence-based medicine is spreading throughout all medical disciplines, and it is making in-roads in ophthalmology as well, according to panelists in an evening CME symposium held Friday at the Astor Crowne Plaza. Evidence-based medicine is the integration of best research evidence with clinical expertise and patient values.

Stephen C. Pflugfelder, MD, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, moderated the program, which featured discussions on efficacy and patient perspectives in glaucoma management. Panelists also discussed new developments regarding specific conditions, such as dysfunctional tear syndrome and chronic dry eye disease, as well as evidence supporting the fourth-generation fluoroquinolones. The program closed with a presentation on retinal perspectives on cystoid macular edema diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.

Presenters included Dimitri T. Azar, MD, Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary; Jeffrey S. Heier, MD, Tufts University School of Medicine and Harvard University Medical School, Boston; Francis S. Mah, MD, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine; Robert J. Noecker, MD, MBA, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine; Randall J. Olson, MD, University of Utah, Salt Lake City; and Steven T. Simmons, MD, Glaucoma Consultants of the Capitol Region, Albany, New York.

The program was jointly sponsored by Ophthalmology Times and the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary and supported by an unrestricted educational grant from Allergan.