Ophthalmology Times back issues from April 2007:
Approach re-treatment for off-axis ablation in 2 stages
Apr 01, 2007; ... Conventional LASIK Reviewed by Robert K. Maloney, MD Las Vegas-Off-axis ablations are rare with wavefront-guided LASIK procedures but still occur with conventional treatment. Although the consequences can be severe, good results eventually can be achieved through appropriate ...
SCORE Study updates CRVO, BRVO
Apr 01, 2007; ... NEI support Reviewed by Ingrid U. Scott, MD, MPH Las Vegas-The lack of highly effective treatments for macular edema associated with central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) and branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO), coupled with conflicting studies on the safety and effectiveness of ...
New formula allows, simplifies pseudophakic IOL power calculation
Apr 01, 2007; ... Postrefractive surgery Reviewed by Edmondo Borasio, MD Las Vegas-The BESSt formula allows pseudophakic IOL power calculation in post refractive surgery eyes without any prerefractive surgery data and is significantly more accurate than a variety of other techniques, said Edmondo ...
Letters
Apr 01, 2007; ... Practice value Sunwear discussion extends to patient satisfaction, retention I couldn't agree more with the comment by Edward C. August, MBA, ABOM, NCLC, that "sunwear should be addressed as part of every ophthalmologist's prescription analysis discussion with each patient" ...
B&L recalls second contact lens solution
Apr 01, 2007; ... Voluntary recall Says elevated levels of trace iron caused product to lose effectiveness Rochester, NY-Bausch & Lomb is voluntarily recalling about 1.5 million bottles of its contact lens solution (ReNu MultiPlus) after it discovered elevated levels of trace iron had caused ...
Scott's perilous journey to South Pole leads to discovery
Apr 01, 2007; ... Unknown territory Hardships of polar explorers bring to light various eye afflictions "To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield." -Alfred Tennyson, Ulysses These words, concluding Tennyson's poem about aging heroes of ancient Greece who express determination ...
University of Iowa launches Project 3000
Apr 01, 2007; ... In Brief LCA Iowa City, IA-The University of Iowa is launching Project 3000 in an effort U) identify all 3,000 U.S. men, women, and children who have Leber's congenital amaurosis (LCA). To accomplish this, the project will offer genetic testing to identify individuals ...
On the Fast Track
Apr 01, 2007; ... New appointment Dr. Campbell joins Soptirona advisory board Minneapolis-Robert C. Campbell, MD, has joined the advisory board of Sophrona Solutions. His 30 years of ophthalmology experience spans a wide spectrum of practice, lectures, academia, research, and ...
Extra review delays lens approval
Apr 01, 2007; ... New device Monrovia, CA-STAAR Surgical Co. says the application for its toric phakic implantable IOL (Visian TICL) will be submitted to the Ophthalmic Devices Panel of the FDA's Center tor Devices and Radiological Health for evaluation, delaying the approval it had hoped would come later ...
Inspire agrees to sell InSite anti-infective
Apr 01, 2007; ... Marketing deal Alameda, CA-Inspire Pharmaceuticals plans to commercialize InSite Vision Inc.'s topical anti-infective tor treating bacterial conjunctivitis (AzaSite). The product combines a topical 1% azithromycin formulation with InSite's patented ophthalmic drug-delivery system ...
Six researchers win $100,000 grants
Apr 01, 2007; ... Alcon Prize Fort Worth, TX-The Alcon Research Institute (ARI) has given six ocular researchers $100,000 each to further their research endeavors. The researchers, honored for their outstanding research contributions, were recognized during the 26th Alcon Research Institute Awards ...
Range expands for accommodating IOL
Apr 01, 2007; ... Enhancements Aliso Viejo, CA-eyeonics Inc. has expanded the range of its accommodating lens (crystalens Five-O) to benefit patients with larger eyes and more precise diopter needs. The lens is now available from 10 to 30 D. In the 16- to 27-D range, the lens is available in ...
Texas centers ready to help restore sight
Apr 01, 2007; ... Therapeutic device Boca Raton, FL-Nova Vision Inc. has installed its device (Vision Restoration Therapy [VRT] ) in two centers in Texas, where therapists can help restore sight to people who have been left partially blind by a stroke or brain injury. The FDA-cleared, non-invasive ...
Mature cataract remains challenge
Apr 01, 2007; ... Hard nucleus phaco Newer technology helps maximize power and cutting capacity to ensure better outcomes Although technology has made significant improvements in today's phacoemulsitlcation systems, the mature cataract with a hard nucleus continues to be problematic during ...
ASCRS again takes annual meeting to San Diego
Apr 01, 2007; ... April 27 to May 2 American Society of Ophthalmic Administrators yearly gathering will be held concurrently San Diego will host this year's annual meeting of the American Society of Cataract and Retractive Surgery (ASCRS), with events from Friday, April 27, to Wednesday, May ...
Interlenticular opacification associated with IOL type
Apr 01, 2007; ... Rabbit study Complication found with hydrophobic acrylic IOLs in the bag but not dual-optic silicone lenses Reviewed by Liliana Werner, MD, PhD Salt Lake City-The development of interlenticular opacification is significantly associated with hydrophobia acrylic IOLs in the ...
Moxifloxacin provides prophylaxis against bacterial growth
Apr 01, 2007; ... Cataract surgery Lash-draping, wound construction among other important considerations Reviewed by Asad Abbas, MD Beaumont, TX-Moxifloxacin (Vigamox, Alcon Laboratories) appears to he superior to gatitloxacin (Zymar, Allergan) in preventing the growth of ...
Exact-power IOLs show high precision for toric refraction
Apr 01, 2007; ... Additional labeling Improved functional results could be especially helpful for refractive lens exchange Reviewed by Anne C. Hunold, MD Heidelberg, Germany-A method to measure the exact dioptric power of each IOL after production allows the manufacturer to include ...
Multifocal offers excellent distance vision
Apr 01, 2007; ... Presbyopia-correcting IOLs But intermediate vision not as good as expected, clinician says Reviewed by Alman E. Ogane, FRANZCO Sydney, Australia-A study of a multilfocal IOL (ReZoom, Advanced Medical Optics [AMO]) found that it provides excellent distance vision and that ...
Accommodating IOL delivers excellent near vision
Apr 01, 2007; ... Choice of implants Study shows definite advantages with device compared with conventional lenses Reviewed by Jonathan M. Davidorf, MD West Hills, CA-A near-vision accommodating IOL (crystalens, eyeonics) provides significantly better near vision compared with a ...
Diffractive lens offers good intermediate vision
Apr 01, 2007; ... Patient satisfaction Majority of patients free from glasses for all levels of visual acuity, report says Reviewed by W. Andrew Maxwell, MD Fresno, CA-Assessments of the intermediate vision and quality of life of patients in whom an apodized diffractive IOL (AcrySof ...
High-volume cataract surgery has better outcomes
Apr 01, 2007; ... FROM STAFF REPORTS Toronto-Researchers from the University of Toronto published a report in the March issue of Opthalmology that physicians who perform a high volume of cataract surgeries have fewer postoperative complications compared with those who don't. Chaim M. Bell, MD, and ...
Proper closure, prophylaxis can prevent retinal incarceration
Apr 01, 2007; ... Posterior scleral wounds Computed tomography can be adjunct to exam in initial evaluation; consultation helpful, too Reviewed by Jennifer L. Lindsey, MD Las Vegas-Following posterior scleral lacerations, attention to proper closure techniques and prophylaxis can prevent ...
April is Rosacea Awareness Month
Apr 01, 2007; ... FROM STAFF REPORTS Barrington, IL-More than 14 million Americans are estimated to suffer from rosacea, yet most of them fail to recognize it. The National Rosacea Society (NRS) has designated April as Rosacea Awareness Month to alert the public to the warning signs of this potentially ...
PRK after UVA-induced collagen crosslinking yields gratifying results
Apr 01, 2007; ... Stabilized eyes Patients with keratoconus, post-LASIK ectasia could be effectively rehabilitated, surgeon says Reviewed by A. John Kanellopoulos, MD Las Vegas-UVA-induced collagen crosslinking (CCL) followed by surface excimer ablation shows promise as a safe and ...
Ocular status determines details of keratoplasty
Apr 01, 2007; ... Review of techniques Preop medications, patient positioning, trephines, wound construction are vital considerations Reviewed by Jayne S. Weiss, MD Detroit-Basic keratoplasty techniques vary depending on the ocular status, said Jayne S. Weiss, MD, a professor of ...
Advanced refractive cataract surgery now an option
Apr 01, 2007; ... Customized approach Latest technology has transformed the specialty into a win-win for patients, doctors Reviewed by William W. Culbertson, MD Miami-A combination of factors has given rise to a hybrid ophthalmologic specialty called advanced or refractive cataract ...
Outcomes analysis using a medical database a necessary, powerful tool for refractive surgeons
Apr 01, 2007; ... Nomogram refinement Can assist in treatment, reimbursement, and administrative matters Reviewed by Perry S. Binder, MD Las Vegas-Refractive surgery outcomes analysis using a medical database provides critical information for im provint; treatment success and practice ...
NSAID significantly reduces pain after surface ablation
Apr 01, 2007; ... Air Force study Postoperative treatment does not delay re-epithelialization, study finds Reviewed by Charles D. Reilly, MD Las Vegas-Postoperative treatment with nepalenac 0.1% ophthalmic suspension ( Nevanac, Alcon Laboratories) significantly reduces pain after surface ...
NSAIDs are valuable surgical tools for cataract surgeons
Apr 01, 2007; ... One surgeon's experience Used preoperatively and postoperatively, pain and CME can be avoided Patients are demanding more from ocular surgeries, from the basic LASIK procedure to new multifocal IOLs. Because of this, we have now reached a time when it is a more popular standard ...
Wavefront-guided LASIK tackles mixed astigmatism
Apr 01, 2007; ... Stable results Patients achieved good UCVA, BCVA 6 months after the procedure Reviewed by Trond Thilesen, MD Larvik, Norway-An assessment of the safety, efficacy, and predictability of customized LASIK with a specific platform (Zyoptix, Bansch & Lomb) in the treatment ...
Better outcomes seen with addition of iris registration
Apr 01, 2007; ... Bitoric ablations Patients with mixed astigmatism benefit from this advanced technology Reviewed by Mounir A. Khalifa, MD Alexandria, Egypt-Patients with mixed astigmatism are considered a challenge for conical refractive surgery because of the configuration of the ...
AUPO supports participation in EyeCare America
Apr 01, 2007; ... FROM STAFF REPORTS San Francisco-Members of the Association of University Professors of Ophthalmology (AUPO) have passed a resolution supporting the programming of EyeCare America, a public service effort of the Foundation of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, according to EyeCare ...
Epithelial ingrowth is primary LASIK complication
Apr 01, 2007; ... A concern Greater incidence seen after re-treatment when compared with primary procedures Reviewed by Thomas E. Clinch, MD Washington, DC-Epithelial ingrowth was the primary complication seen in a study comparing LASIK performed with a femtosecond laser (IntraLase, ...
IOL manufacturer secures significant financing for device validity
Apr 01, 2007; ... FROM STAFF REPORTS Irvine, CA-Visiogen Inc., Irvine, CA, has raised $24 million from new and current investors in support of its dual-optic accommodating IOL (Synchrony). Lead investor CMEA Ventures, along with Foundation Medical Partners, made major contributions to this round of ...
Intravitreal bevacizumab promising for ischemic CRVO
Apr 01, 2007; ... Short-term results Reviewed by Gregory F. Koziolec, MD Las Vegas-Intravitreal bevacizumab (Avastin, Genentech) shows promise as a treatment for macular edema associated with ischemic central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO), said Gregory E Kozielec, MD, at the annual meeting of the ...
Anti-VEGF therapy targets certain retinal vascular diseases
Apr 01, 2007; ... Small case series Improved outcomes seen in infants with ROP, FEVR, but some progress to retinal detachment Reviewed by Kimberly A. Drenser, MD, PhD Las Vegas-Studies of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy tor pediatric vitreoretinopathies are promising ...
What will the future bring to physician reimbursement?
Apr 01, 2007; ... The future Can the Democrats and pay-for-performance make a difference? What's New at the AAO For the last several years, Congress has engaged the medical community in an all-too-familiar kabuki theater production. The first act begins with Centers tor Medicare and ...
Residents more confident in clinical skills than nonclinical
Apr 01, 2007; ... Real-world experience Can we effectively learn the 'business of medicine' during residency training? It is no surprise that residents are ready to be ophthalmologists upon graduation but feel ill-prepared to practice ophthalmology. Most residencies offer outstanding clinical ...
Ozone hole reaches record high, sparks warning
Apr 01, 2007; ... FROM STAFF REPORTS Pinellas Park, FL-In response to the recent announcement from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration that the "hole" in the earth's ozone layer currently measures a record high of 10.6 million square ...
Google delivers information in ever newer, better ways
Apr 01, 2007; ... Innovative features Literature searches just became easier with Google Scholar, expert reports Tech Talk Google, a word that sounded like gibberish as recently as 10 years ago, is now so common that it is being widely used as a verb. We "Google" for all sorts of ...
April is sports eye safety month, AAO notes
Apr 01, 2007; ... FROM STAFF REPORTS San Francisco-In recognition of sports eye safety month in April, the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) is urging athletes to wear appropriate, sport-specific protective eyewear properly fitted by an eye-care professional. "Athletes can select from ...
Uveitis specialists explore various treatment options
Apr 01, 2007; ... Recent review Progress achieved with intravitreal corticosteroid implants, immunosuppressive agents, as well as surgical techniques Uveitis Update A Medline search for the term "uveitis" produced nearly 2,000 citations within the past year, a very active period indeed for ...
Protect your homestead, retirement plan against creditors
Apr 01, 2007; ... No sure thing Laws vary from state to state, and federal law changed as of October 2005 Money Matters Q I understand that Florida has homestead protection against creditors. Is this available in other states? A Many may believe that a Florida beach home might be ...
The secrets to smart hiring
Apr 01, 2007; ... Team building How to find great employees who complement your practice Team building is not for sissies, cautioned Steve Robinson, COE, OCS. Robinson, a practice administratorturned-consultant, said, "I think the greatest challenge to administrators today is to continually keep ...
From conceptual to practical
Apr 01, 2007; ... Action plan Secrets for effectively applying consultants' programs in your optical dispensary Do practice management consultants have a secret file that they adjust slightly and present as suggestions to all practices? Mary Sue Jacks, MBA, COE, joked about the "secret ...
Make your ASC a reality
Apr 01, 2007; ... Caution: construction ahead Careful planning, attention to details are 'musts' for creating a profitable facility When you decide to build an ophthalmic ambulatory surgery center (ASC), proceed carefully, advised Katie Jacobs, AIA. Jacobs, an architect with the Kalama ...
Development deal really a process
Apr 01, 2007; ... Building blocks Step-by-step advice for launching a successful ophthalmic ASC The success of an ophthalmic amhulatory surgery center (ASC) doesn't hinge on square footage or the number of operating rooms, according to John A. Marasco, AIA, NCARB. Many factors-including effective ...
Discovery of cause of disc hemorrhage a pressing need
Apr 01, 2007; ... Normal-tension disease Glaucoma progression risk factor needs further study in order to lead to improved prognosis Reviewed by Yoshiaki Kitazawa, MD, PhD Las Vegas-Discovering the cause of disc hemorrhage is a pressing need, because learning that information may lead to ...
Slit-lamp illumination can confound goniometry
Apr 01, 2007; ... 32-patient study AS-OCT study highlights potential for missed diagnoses of narrow angles, angle-closure glaucoma Reviewed by Richard Lee, BSc, and Ike K. Ahmed, MD Las Vegas-Light artifact during slit-lamp gonioscopy can significantly increase angle opening and may ...
Minimally invasive orbital decompression surgery now possible
Apr 01, 2007; ... Thyroid eye disease Clear understanding of orbital anatomy, pathology required for correcting cause of proptosis Reviewed by Michael Kazim. MD Las Vegas-Successfully performed, minimally invasive orbital decompression surgery for thvroid eye disease requires a clear ...
Vision council's message is reaching its target
Apr 01, 2007; ... FROM STAFF REPORTS Washington, DC-Since ils launch 4 months ago, the public service announcenient (PSA) created by the Vision Council of America's (VGA) Check Yearly. See Clearly, campaign and AARP has seen tremendous success, according to VGA. Entitled "An Eye Doctor Can See ...
Dr. Pratt will address topic of total health at ASCRS meeting
Apr 01, 2007; ... 'Food dude' Promoting wellness Steven G. Pratt, MD, FACS, a senior staff ophthalmologist at Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla, CA, said he believes that physicians should promote wellness and that doctors are more effective when they are a good example of total ...
Poliovirus used to destroy neuroblastoma tumors in mice
Apr 01, 2007; ... FROM STAFF REPORTS Stony Brook. NY-The cause of one notorious childhood disease, poliovirus, could he used to treat another childhood disease, neuioblastoma. Researchers from Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, reported in the March 15 issue of Cancer Research that a ...
Beware of pellucid marginal degeneration prior to refractive surgery, physician urges
Apr 15, 2007; ... Recognize the signs Reviewed by Yaron S. Rabinowitz, MD Las Vegas-Surgeons have become quite good at recognizing subtle forms of keratoconus, but subtle cases of pellucid marginal degeneration (PMU) are harder to detect and result in ectasia after LASIK, said Yaron S. Rabinowitz, ...
Who's better-Magic or Bird?
Apr 15, 2007; ... Group success Bring out best in your team by understanding strengths, weaknesses The main topic of discussion among ophthalmologists these days is the dispute between Rosie O'Donnell and Donald Trump. The debate centers around allowing Miss USA to keep her title and enter a rehab ...
Ophthalmology Times wins 'Pulitzer Prize of business press'
Apr 15, 2007; ... Neal Awards FROM STAFF REPORTS Cleveland-Ophthalmology Times magazine earned two awards in the 53rd annual Jesse H. Neal National Business Journalism Awards competition recognizing editorial excellence. The awards were presented March 22 in a ceremony at the Waldorf=Astoria in ...
Trabeculectomy, shunt use yield similar outcomes
Apr 15, 2007; ... Literature review Reviewed by Donald S. Minckler, MD, MS Las Vegas-A systematic, evidence-based review of prior randomized clinical trials (RCTs) of aqueous shunts found no clear evidence that long-term clinical outcomes of trabeculectomy differ substantially from those of ...
Bausch & Lomb earns NTIOL status for lenses
Apr 15, 2007; ... In Brief Extra reimbursement Rochester, NY-The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has granted new technology IOL (NTIOL) designation to two lenses (SofPort Advanced Optics and SofPort Advanced Optics with Violet Shield, Bausch £ Lomb) for their spherical ...
First trial announced for latanoprost derivative
Apr 15, 2007; ... Reduces IOP Sophia Antipolis, France-NicOx and Pfizer will initiate a phase II, dose-finding study of its PF-03187207 compound for the treatment of patients with glaucoma and ocular hypertension. The 28-day trial is designed to compare the safety and efficacy of the drug with ...
Ziemer Group assumes marketing of keratome
Apr 15, 2007; ... Agreement Port Switzerland-Ziemer Group AG will assume responsibility for the worldwide sales, marketing, and support activities for an automated micmkeratonie ( Amadous II) and all related accessories and consumables. The product line is engineered and nianutactured by a Ziemer ...
Drug improves vision in patients with wet AMD
Apr 15, 2007; ... Interim analysis Tarrytown, NV-Rcgeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. and Bayer HealthCare AG said patients with wet age-related niacular degeneration who received just one dose of their vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) drug (Trap-Eye) had maintained or improved vision at 12 ...
Letters
Apr 15, 2007; ... Merits and drawbacks Physicians weigh in on issue of shortened training From the desk of Peter J. McDonnell, MD Rarely has one of my little essays elicited such a range and depth of feelings as that dealing with the topic of reducing the ages of our medical graduates ...
Ciliary muscle may play role in presbyopia
Apr 01, 2007; ... Age-related decline Expert explains his theory of the mechanism of accommodation Reviewed by Ronald A. Schachar, MD, PhD Dallas- The mechanism of accommodation remains a controversial subject. One preeminent explanation of presbyopia is that it is caused by an age-related ...
Cataract common complication of IVTA for DME
Apr 01, 2007; ... Retrospective study Particular challenge seen in young patients with clear lenses, still-useful accommodation Reviewed by Moncef Khairallah, MD Las Vegas-When considering the use of intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide (IVTA) in patients with diabetic macular edema (DME), ...