Ophthalmology Times back issues from April 2006:
Anti-inflammatory drugs show promise to treat uveitis
Apr 01, 2006; ... Under study Baltimore-Uveitis is a vision-threatening disease for which current therapy-namely, oral corticosteroids, antimetabolites, T-cell inhibitors, and alkylating agents-is not consistently effective. In addition, the side effects produced by these treatments are well ...
Escalon completes MRP Group acquisition
Apr 01, 2006; ... Deal finalized Wayne, PA-Escalon Digital Vision Inc., a subsidiary of Escalon Medical Corp., has completed the acquisition of substantially all of the assets of MRP Group Inc., a privately held provider of ophthalmic technology solutions. The purchase price included 250,000 shares of ...
Should your patients sign up for Medicare prescription drug coverage?
Apr 01, 2006; ... Education Dorado, Puerto Rico-The Centers for Med-icare and Medicaid (CMS) now offers a prescription drug option to patients enrolled in Medicare. Those eligible for Medicaid were automatically enrolled in a plan in their states in January. As the deadline for enrollment approaches (May ...
Significant wound burn during cataract surgery can be avoided
Apr 01, 2006; ... Minimizing complications Salt Lake City-Significant wound burn occurs in approximately one out ot 1,000 cataract surgery cases. However, there is the potential to decrease the incidence dramatically by changes in the surgical technique, modulation of the power in the eye, and the type of ...
OASIS to J&J: Acuvue Oasys is infringement
Apr 01, 2006; ... In Brief Litigation Glendora, CA-OASIS Medical filed a lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson/Johnson & Johnson Vision Care Inc. (J&J) in the U.S. District Court in the Central District of California, alleging that the companies' use of the name OASYS infringes and dilutes ...
Low-vision rehab to get coverage during project
Apr 01, 2006; ... Demonstration Washington, DC-The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will expand its coverage of vision rehabilitation services in a 5-year demonstration project scheduled to start this month. The project, sponsored by Sen. John Sununu (R-NH), will take place in six ...
Online glaucoma test offered by Lighthouse
Apr 01, 2006; ... Discount available New York-Lighthouse International offered a free trial of an online glaucoma test on its Web site for 1 week earlier this year as part of its celebration of Low Vision Awareness Month. The Peristat test, which evaluates glaucoma risk with 90% accuracy, normally ...
European agents like IOP-lowering drug
Apr 01, 2006; ... Early look 'positive' Fort Worth, TX-The European Medicines Agency's Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use has reacted positively to the initial marketing authorization for Alcon Laboratories' travoprost 0.004%/ timolol 0.5% solution (DuoTrav) for lowering IOP. In a ...
Only those with integrity need apply
Apr 01, 2006; ... Character matters Practitioners should look for associates who value this key quality "In looking for people to hire, look for these three qualities: Integrity, Intelligence, and Energy. And if they don't have the first, the other two will kill you." -Warren ...
Pfizer invests in nitric oxide-donating technology
Apr 01, 2006; ... Treating eye disease New York-Pfizer Inc. and NkOx, France's largest biotech company, have pledged to cooperate on a deal that gives Pfizer exclusive rights to NicOx's work in developing nitric oxide-donating technology for use in ophthalmology. The $385.2 million (EUR 323 ...
Alcon withdraws anecortave application
Apr 01, 2006; ... More data sought Fort Worth, TX-Alcon Inc. has withdrawn its application for European marketing authorization for anecortave acetate suspension for depot injection (Retaane) 30 mg/ml after being told that more clinical data would be necessary for approval. The company said in a ...
Balanced salt solution lots recalled after injuries
Apr 01, 2006; ... FDA Brief Braintree, MA-The FDA is asking Cytosol Laboratories Inc. to recall all brands and sizes of its balanced salt solution (BSS) after more than 300 patients who received the drug were reportedly injured. The product lots of BSS, used to irrigate a patient's eyes, ears, ...
Findings assess centers' performance measures
Apr 01, 2006; ... Cataract surgery study Wilmette. IL-Pre-procedure processing of patients, appropriate staffing and purchasing practices, scheduling, and billing and collection methods contribute to the efficiency of ambulatory health-care centers, according to a non-clinical study of cataract surgery in ...
Research prizes given for glaucoma, AMD
Apr 01, 2006; ... Grants awarded New York-Two ophthalmologists performing research in the fields of glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration have received $40,000 awards from the Helen Keller Foundation and Pfizer Ophthalmics. The awards were presented to Xuyang Liu, MD, PhD, during an ...
Ranibizumab receives priority review status
Apr 01, 2006; ... Biologies filing South San Francisco, CA-Genentech Inc.'s ranibizumab (Lucentis), a much-anticipated potential treatment for wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD), has received priority review status from the FDA as part of its Biologies License Application filing. The ...
Corneal implants numbers up again
Apr 01, 2006; ... Sales rise Des Plaines, IL-Addition Technology announces its fourth-quarter 2005 sales of Intacs corneal implants increased 29% over the same quarter the prior year and 12% over third-quarter 2005. The corneal implants, which delay or eliminate ...
Bausch & Lomb advisor elected as fellow
Apr 01, 2006; ... Honor Rochester, NY-Joseph C. Salamone, PhD, a Bausch & Lomb vice president and special advisor, is one of 98 newly elected fellows of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering in Washington, DC. He was nominated and elected by The College of Fellows for ...
ASCRT holds annual meeting in June
Apr 01, 2006; ... Lansing, MI-The American Society of Corneal and Refractive Technologies (ASCRT), a multidisciplinary organization created in 2004, will hold its annual meeting at the Scottsdale ...
Wavefront-guided treatment corrects night-vision problems
Apr 01, 2006; ... Repairs after myopic LASIK Those with increased spherical aberration are candidates for enhancement Athens, Greece-Wavefront-guided enhancement performed with the MEL80 excimer laser and CRS-Master software platform (Carl Zeiss Meditec) is an effective technique for correcting ...
U.S. clinical trial investigating efficacy of presbyopia treatment approach
Apr 01, 2006; ... Changing optics of the eye Intracorneal inlay can be placed under a flap made with either a mechanical or laser keratome Reviewed by Daniel S. Durrie, MD Overland Park, KS-An FDA clinical trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of an intracorneal inlay (AcuFocus, Irvine, ...
Phakic IOLs: do they fit in a refractive surgery practice?
Apr 01, 2006; ... Valuable new dimension Patient selection, IOL sizing, surgical technique are all important to successful integration Reviewed by David R. Hardten, MD Minneapolis, MN-Phakic IOLs are a powerful fit for any practice wanting to provide comprehensive refractive surgery, but ...
Corticosteroid provides potent, safe ocular allergy control
Apr 01, 2006; ... Broad spectrum Structure of loteprednol etabonate designed to exert therapeutic activity at target site Reviewed by Uday Devgan, MD1 and Charles B. Slonim, MD Experience from clinical trials and daily clinical practice indicate that loteprednol etabonate 0.2% (Alrex, ...
Match patient with suitable ocular allergy drug criteria
Apr 01, 2006; ... Custom approach Physician cites azelastine HCI for fast action, long-term efficacy, and convenient dosing Reviewed by Bill G. Bell, MD Carlsbad, CA-In his private practice here, Bill G. Bell, MD, has established a system by which he matches patients with what he hopes is ...
Pretreat eye allergies for better surgical results
Apr 01, 2006; ... Consider topical therapy Refractive surgeons have seen decrease in DLK severity, haze following surface ablation Reviewed by Francis S. Mah, MD Dorado, Puerto Rico-Patients with allergies should be identified and treated before undergoing ophthalmic surgery in order to ...
Allergy drug has multiple mechanisms of action
Apr 01, 2006; ... Another choice Ketotifen fumarate solution targets mast cells, eosinophils to provide relief Reviewed by Penny A. Asbell, MD, FACS, MBA New York-As one of the category of ocular allergy drugs that target several substances in the allergic cascade, ketotifen fumarate ...
Effective ocular allergy treatments are dual action
Apr 01, 2006; ... Exceptional options Allergic conjunctivitis relief possible with agents that stabilize mast cells, inhibit histamine Treatment for allergic conjunctivitis has come a long way from the days of oral antihistamines or cromolyn versus steroids. Our choices have broadened and our ...
Agent's activity profile targets ocular allergy symptoms
Apr 01, 2006; ... Managing allergic conjunctivitis Olopatadine effective on conjunctival mast cells, stabilizes cell membrane Reviewed by Lanny J. Rosenwasser, MD Kansas City, MO-Olopatadine HCl (Patanol, Alcon Laboratories) offers a unique pharmacologie profile of activity that ...
Antibiotic effective against trichiasis
Apr 01, 2006; ... Bethesda, MD-A single dose of oral azithromycin after surgery reduces by one-third the recurrence of vision-threatening trichiasis, according to a clinical trial funded the ...
Alimera Sciences announces new CFO
Apr 01, 2006; ... FROM STAFF REPORTS Atlanta-Alimera Sciences Inc. has appointed Richard S. Eiswirth as its chief financial officer, succeeding Daniel White. Eiswirth, who has been active in Atlantaarea businesses, has founded two consuiting ...
Online medical libraries offer a wealth of information
Apr 01, 2006; ... Electronic information Tech Talk There's a wealth of information available to ophthalmologists and other physicians in medical libraries online-if you know how to tap into them. If you're in an institutional position, a first step would be checking with the librarian to ...
Water channel proteins help maintain overall health
Apr 01, 2006; ... Protein in eye tissues Nobel prize recipient explains discovery, importance of aquaporins in disease states Reviewed by Peter Agre, MD Durham, NC-Aquaporins are the water channel proteins, the body's plumbing system, that move water across the biological compartments and ...
Improved practice profitability is within grasp
Apr 01, 2006; ... Fresh strategies Expert covers financial management, cost controls, as well as power of information technology Ophthalmologists in private practice face unprecedented challenges to the financial success of their practices. In the current state of medicine and reimbursement, ...
Multifocal IOLs accommodate preferences, experience
Apr 01, 2006; ... Providing choices Range of characteristics lets surgeon match lens to patient needs, interests Reviewed by Satish S. Modi, MD, FRCS Baltimore-Cataract surgeons and their patients now have three multifocal IOLs to choose from, depending on the patient's needs and interests ...
Postoperative swelling can be dangerous condition
Apr 01, 2006; ... Risks of cold urticaria Plastics Pearls Potential causes of increased postoperative swelling include rough tissue handling, excessive cauterization, and lymphatic disruption. Other contributing factors are poor patient compliance with cool compresses, head elevation, and rest ....
OTC: overwhelming and total confusion?
Apr 01, 2006; ... Health supplements Appreciating the patient's perspective provides better understanding During resident clinic recently, I met an elderly woman suffering from age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Upset with 20/300 vision in her left eye, she was desperate to maintain her right ...
How to open the book on the closed-book MOC exam
Apr 01, 2006; ... AAO resources Registration for the academy's MOC examination review course is now open to members What's New at the AAO The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) has developed a definitive Maintenance of Certification (MOC) Exam Review Course to help you prepare for the ...
Basil Worgul, biologist who studied causes of cataracts, dies
Apr 01, 2006; ... FROM STAFF REPORTS Edgewater, NJ-Basil V. Worgul, PhD, a biologist who studied radiation's harmful effects on the eye, particularly as a cause of cataracts, died on Jan. 19 at age 58. Dr. Worgul's research ranged from studies of health risks from low doses of radiation in ...
Enhanced efficacy associated with early treatment of neovascular AMD
Apr 01, 2006; ... Preserve vision Response rates better in pegaptanib sodium-treated group than in those who received usual care Reviewed by Christine R. Gonzales, MD Los Angeles-Building on results of a study demonstrating that treatment with pegaptanib sodium (Macugen, OSI/Eyetech ...
Investigational combination product yields similar bioequivalence of corticosteroid
Apr 01, 2006; ... Phase III trial Tobramycin/prednisolone acetate reach concentrations compared with prednisolone acetate alone Reviewed by Donald E. Beahm, MD An investigational ophthalmic combination product containing tobramycin 0.3% and prednisolone acetate 1% seems to be bioequivalent ...
Retrospective single-surgeon study suggests ALT superior to SLT
Apr 01, 2006; ... Treatment alternatives Further research with more patients, longer follow-up suggested to validate results Reviewed by Bryce Ford, MD, and Jody R. Piltz-Seymour, MD Calgary, Alberta, Canada-In a single-surgeon study of glaucoma patients with uncontrolled IOP on maximally ...
Telemedicine helpful tool for assessing diabetic retinopathy
Apr 01, 2006; ... Non-ophthalmic settings Remote imaging allows expanded management capabilities, complements referrals Reviewed by Ingrid Zimmer-Galler, MD Baltimore-The problem of an increasingly large population of patients with diabetes has spawned a novel and sometimes controversial ...
Race may affect acuity outcomes of pars plana vitrectomy
Apr 01, 2006; ... Three groups compared Differences encountered in patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy complications Reviewed by Hussein Wafapoor, MD Jackson, MS-A study that compared the outcomes of pars plana vitrectomy performed to treat complications of proliferative ...
Antimicrobial Susceptibility: Nationwide Patterns in the TRUST Surveillance Program
Apr 15, 2006; ... Perspectives from specialists in ophthalmology, microbiology, and infectious disease Representing Ophthalmology Discussion Chair Marguerite B. McDonald, MD Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology Tulane University School of Medicine New Orleans, ...
Medicare fee schedule, pay for performance top concerns
Apr 15, 2006; ... ASCRS agenda Fix to physician payment formula must occur for pay for performance Dorado, Puerto Rico-Although Congress staved off a 4.4% cut in Medicare payments to physicians with the passage of the Budget Reconciliation Bill at the beginning of February, this is once again only ...
Torsional phaco likely to change cataract surgery landscape
Apr 15, 2006; ... A revolutionary advancement Reviewed by Richard J. Mackool, MD Dorado, Puerto Rico-Torsional phacoemulsification offers cataract surgeons a new way to remove nucleus material more efficiently and safely than traditional longitudinal ultrasound, reported Richard J. Mackool, MD, ...
Discovery may lead to Leber congenital amaurosis trials
Apr 15, 2006; ... Animal model Reviewed by Krzysztof Palczewski, PhD Cleveland-Gene therapy and pharmacologie therapy, administered separately and combined, rescued retinal function in blind mice that were bred without an enzyme crucial to the detection of light. These experiments are ...
Screenings for amblyopia should be standardized
Apr 15, 2006; ... Ongoing progress Reviewed by Leslie W. France, CO Madison, Wl-Uniform testing and reporting criteria are needed to identify amblyogenic risk factors in children and prevent the development of amblyopia. Leslie W. France, CO, described the evidence base for the guidelines to ...
Alcon, Allergan agree to share exclusivity
Apr 15, 2006; ... Brimonidine lawsuits Fort Worth, TX-Alcon Laboratories Inc. and Allergan Inc. have agreed to split exclusivity rights for brimonidine tartrate 0.15% ophthalmic solution for the reduction of IOP in patients with open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension-an agreement that settles two ...
AGS collects ideas for helping glaucoma patients with compliance
Apr 15, 2006; ... Preventing blindness Ophthalmologists have long been frustrated by their inability to stop or reverse glaucoma. Once the diagnosis has been made, they try valiantly to preserve what vision remains. However, that effort is often thwarted by patients who-for a wide variety of ...
Kirby Puckett dies; baseball great championed glaucoma awareness
Apr 15, 2006; ... Importance of screening New York-When glaucoma suddenly stole vision from Minnesota Twins' Kirby Puckett's right eye and forced his retirement from Major League Baseball in 1996, it offered those in ophthalmology a remarkable opportunity to increase awareness about the ...
Correction
Apr 15, 2006; ... The neuro-ophthalmology article, "Cause of transient monocular visual loss may be difficult to ascertain, expert says" ...
Fewer young scientists seek federal funding
Apr 15, 2006; ... Are we losing the creativity and innovation of younger minds? "The Mafia put a contract out on the life of Albert Einstein-he knew too much." -Anonymous be honest. Has this ever happened to you? You are about to get out of the shower in the morning and suddenly ask ...
Detroit hospital system to upgrade department
Apr 15, 2006; ... Going digital Sacramento, CA-Ophthalmic Imaging Systems (OIS) has been awarded a $548,000 contract with Henry Ford Health System to provide the ophthalmology departments in 15 locations with fully integrated digital systems. Under the conditions of the agreement, the ...
State, national societies need your support
Apr 15, 2006; ... To the editor ... Get involved Thank you for the excellent editorial by Peter J. McDonnell, MD (Ophthalmology Times, Jan. 1, 2006, Page 4, "Ask not what your academy can do for you ..."). It reinforces my sentiments and, undoubtedly, many of our colleagues' sentiments. I ...
Board to certify disaster specialists
Apr 15, 2006; ... In Brief First responders Atlanta-The American Board of Physician Specialties is offering a new program that allows physicians to specialize in handling medical needs during disasters. The board has created the first American Board of Disaster Medicine to train responders ...
OctoPlus adds staff to senior management
Apr 15, 2006; ... Drug delivery firm Leiden, Netherlands-OctoPlus, a drug delivery and development company, has promoted Gerben Moolhuizen to chief business officer and appointed Ewoud van Hoogdalem, MD, as chief medical officer. Moolhuizen joined the company in 2001 and previously served ...
New York to survey vision impairment
Apr 15, 2006; ... Telephone poll Washington-New York State's Department of Health will include new questions about visual impairment and access to eyecare in its annual 2006 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System program. The program, which exists in all 50 states, is a telephone survey ...
30th anniversary winner announced
Apr 15, 2006; ... Ophthalmology Times is pleased to announce that James Caudill, MD, of Charleston Eye Care PLLC, Charleston, WV, is the winner of the publication's 30th anniversary giveaway for the month of February. Dr. Caudill takes home a 30 GB iPod for correctly identifying ...
ORBIS thanks Alcon for blindness prevention work
Apr 15, 2006; ... 'Global visionary' New York-Alcon Laboratories was honored recently by ORBIS International for its 25-year commitment to helping reduce the prevalence of blindness in developing countries. The company received the Global Visionary Award at the group's "Crystal Ball for Sight." ...
Volk creates position for global customers
Apr 15, 2006; ... Growing base Mentor, OH-To meet the needs of a growing global customer base, Volk Optical has appointed Tim Warrell to the newly created position of marketing and customer service manager. The focus of Warrell's new role is on meeting customer needs for optical products and service in ...
IOL pioneer joins digital imaging firm
Apr 15, 2006; ... Advisory board Irvine, CA-3D Vision Systems Inc., a digital imaging technology developer, has added industry veteran John Gilbert to its medical advisory board. Gilbert, who previously worked with Iolab, one of the industry's ...
Nonsurgical methods of vision correction should be option
Apr 15, 2006; ... Lens-based modalities Refractive surgery practices can incorporate orthokeratology, contact lens fitting into the mix Reviewed by David R. Hardten, MD Minneapolis-Refractive surgeons should incorporate rather than dismiss corneal refractive therapy (orthokeratology) and ...
OK Senate passes vision screening bill
Apr 15, 2006; ... Legislation pending Oklahoma City, OK-A state bill requiring children entering kindergarten, first, and third grades to receive vision screenings has passed the Senate and is being considered in the House. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Susan Paddack (D-OK), was unanimously approved ...
Scleral implants under investigation for near vision correction
Apr 15, 2006; ... Investigational device Six-month data show that patients treated with spacing procedure continue to benefit Reviewed by Barrie D. Soloway, MD, FACS New York-The Scierai Spacing Procedure (SSP) for Presbyopia with PresVIEW Scierai Implants (PSI) (Refocus Group Inc., ...
ARVO meeting promises latest research initiatives, results
Apr 15, 2006; ... The spring trek Keynote speaker focuses on global partnerships to control avoidable blindness Fort Lauderdale, FL-For thousands of ophthalmologists and vision researchers, a spring trip to Fort Lauderdale, FL, is an annual tradition that mixes a little bit of sunshine with a ...