Optometry

Given the plethora of over-the-counter and prescription approaches available for dry eye, patient and clinician agreement on the appropriate regimen is key to treatment success.

The multimodal anti-allergy agent epinastine hydrochloride 0.05% (Elestat, Inspire Pharmaceuticals) is an ideal treatment option for the management of seasonal allergic conjunctivitis and is a particularly good choice in patients who have dry eye disease as a comorbidity, according to Laurie D. Barber, MD

Grid laser photocoagulation remains standard of care for eyes with ME secondary to BRVO.

Findings from recent studies indicate fundus autofluorescence imaging has useful diagnostic and prognostic applications in the clinical management of age-related macular degeneration.

In the future, clinicians may be able to offer patients with central serous retinopathy effective and safe treatment with micropulse laser trabeculoplasty.

New non-invasive imaging modalities are showing promise for enabling earlier detection of hydroxychloroquine retinopathy compared with current recommended screening techniques.

Surgeons who understand vitrectomy fluidics will be better able to maintain intraoperative control and be successful in removing vitreous without tearing the retina.

Many approaches for treating exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD) have been developed.

An updated analysis of data from an ongoing phase II study of intravitreal ranibizumab treatment for diabetic macular edema shows that functional and anatomic benefits observed at 6-month primary efficacy endpoint are generally maintained at 1 year after switching to a "prn" dosing schedule.

Preferential hyperacuity perimetry testing may be helpful in detection of retinal toxicity resulting from administration of hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine.

A preliminary study of epimacular brachytherapy showed that radiation and antivascular endothelial growth factor injections reduced the treatment burden in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration.

A single sustained-release dexamethasone intravitreal implant resulted in resolution of inflammation and improvement in visual acuity (VA) in patients with intermediate or posterior uveitis through 26 weeks in a multicenter, randomized, controlled clinical trial.

Inadequate nutrition is a modifiable risk factor for age-related macular degeneration.

Pooled results from two randomized, investigator-masked parallel group clinical trials show that the fixed combination fo brimonidine tartrate 0.2%-timolol maleate 0.5% produced greater IOP lowering than the fixed combination of dorzolamidehydrochloride 2%-timolol maleate 0.5%, whether the fixed combination products were used alone or as an adjunct to treatment with a prostaglandin analogue.

Timolol maleate 0.5%/sorbitol complex is a convenient, well-tolerated choice for adjunctive therapy in patients taking a prostaglandin analogue who need further IOP control.

Switching to another prostaglandin analogue that does not contain benzalkonium chloride may not be the answer for managing complaints from patients of dryness and irritation.

TLC Vision Corp. has won U.S. bankruptcy court approval for a restructuring of its debt.

A handheld applanation tonometer is a newer portable device for measuring IOP that has been designed for reliable performance and easy, economical use.

In response to an FDA warning of cleaning validation at one of its plants, Abbott Medical Optics said problematic manufacturing processes were restricted to production of its ophthalmic viscosurgical device, 3% sodium hyaluronate, which is no longer being made or sold.

Glaucoma specialists are beginning to realize that much of the conventional wisdom surrounding angle-closure glaucoma is incorrect.

Alpha adrenoceptor agonist therapy using brimonidine tartrate 0.1% with a preservative has a wide spectrum of uses in the management of ocular hypertension and glaucoma.

Endocyclophotocoagulation-Plus is an option to consider for controlling IOP in patients with glaucoma who have already undergone multiple failred surgical procedures.

Novartis plans to assume complete control over Alcon Laboratories in a two-step process that some analysts and some members of Alcon's board of directors are challenging for its fairness under U.S. and Swiss merger laws.

Glaucoma and ocular hypertension can effectively be treated topically with IOP-lowering drops.

In his work, Mr. De Gennaro is often asked to review optical dispensary financial statements, which reveal much about how efficiently a dispensary runs as a business.

A new auto tonometer with corneal response technology features corneal compensated IOP, a pressure measurement significantly less affected by the cornea than with other methods of tonometry.

A dentist, aged 48 years, was referred for evaluation and management of loss of correctable acuity, disabling glare, and loss of binocular stereopsis following a series of complicated surgical procedures in his left eye.

Results of a published case series reaffirm the safety of magnetic resonance imaging studies in patients with miniature glaucoma shunt.

The latest generation of photochromic lenses is designed to deliver a combination of high performance and compatibility with all premium lens materials.

An angle-supported phakic lens had a minimal effect on corneal endothelial cell health in patients followed up to 4 years after implantation.