Optometry

Lori Kirshner, MD, spends her free time teaching others about animals and working to improve their treatment.

A handheld tonometer that measures IOP through the eyelid and over the sclera is proving to be helpful for ophthalmologists faced with patients who are apprehensive about seeing an instrument approaching their eyesor who have a corneal abnormality.

Computer-based cortical vision training, also known as neural vision therapy, is a noninvasive treatment modality designed to enhance vision by modifying processes at the primary visual cortex.

The Video Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery celebrates its 25th anniversary with the opening of a high-definition Web site serving viewers in more than 150 countries.

Endothelial keratoplasty procedures continue to evolve, and researchers have begun to accumulate enough data to compare outcomes from techniques considered new less than a decade ago with still newer ones.

Non-infectious uveitis involving the posterior segment is a leading cause of vision loss and long-term disability in the developed world and accounts for 10% to 20% of cases of legal blindness, particularly in younger individuals.

Endoscopic cyclophotocoagulation seems to be a safe and easy treatment for glaucoma that provides patients with rapid recovery.

The introduction of premium IOLs has brought new challenges for catarct surgeons.

Despite a challenging economy and diminished endowment funds, ophthalmology departments around the country continue to grow and thrive with new ideas, significant discoveries, and stronger faculties as they train the next generation of caregivers, researchers and educators.

Managed care executives are looking at innovative ways to reduce healthcare costs without negatively impacting members.

The recent FDA approval of ganciclovir ophthalmic gel 0.15% for the treatment of acute herpetic keratitis brings to U.S. ophthalmologists an important advance in topical antiviral therapy for a condition that is the leading infectious cause of corneal blindness in the United States.

The FDA has granted 501(k) marketing clearance for a new digital fundus camera that combines mydriatic and non-mydriatic functions in a single device that may open the doors for the general ophthalmologist to monitor and treat some retinal diseases.

Results from early follow-up in a eye study of advanced surface ablation techniques show that whether epithelium is lifted as a flap in an epi-LASIK technique or removed using the phototherapeutic keratectomy mode of an excimer laser, good visual acuity results and patients are satisfied with their outcomes.

The FDA clearance of a new femtosecond laser is being regarded by many ophthalmologists as the beginning of a new era in cataract surgery.

Results from early clinical experience show the latest version of an investigational presbyopic corneal inlay is associated with efficacy and safety that translate to high patient satisfaction.

The femtosecond laser has capabilities for enabling and improving additional surgical maneuvers.

Today's wholesale optical lab is one of the longest-running constants in the history of American manufacturing.

I-Therapeutix has changed its name to Ocular Therapeutix.

Three hundred events in more than 50 countries will mark this year's World Sight Day, Oct. 8.

Presbia Coöperatief U.A. of Amsterdam unveiled an implantable micro-lens treatment (Flexivue System) for presbyopia at the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons annual meeting.

Several subsidiaries of Bausch & Lomb have been granted rights from CROMA Pharma GmbH to co-promote and sell bromfenac ophthalmic solution in Europe when it becomes available to that market, announced Bausch & Lomb.

Abbott Medical Optics (AMO) has launched a new online ordering service (AMOeasy, www.amoeasy.com) whereby customers can order the company?s implants and other cataract-related products as well as track orders at any time of day.

Pieris AG and Allergan will collaborate in the development of agents to treat serious ocular disorders, Pieris has announced.

The FDA has granted 510(k) clearance to a new digital fundus camera (TRC-NW7SF Mark II, Topcon Medical Systems), according to its manufacturer.

The FDA has approved a new drug application (NDA) for ganciclovir ophthalmic gel 0.15% (Zirgan, Sirion Therapeutics) as a treatment for acute herpetic keratitis (dendritic ulcers), the company announced.

Protection of the eye is the most important issue to address in patients with facial nerve paralysis because corneal damage can result from increased surface exposure and disruption of the tear film. Management of facial nerve palsy depends on an individual's prognosis for recovery. Most patients will have spontaneous, complete recovery.

The joint meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the Pan-American Association of Ophthalmology will be held Oct. 24 through 27 in San Francisco.

Abbott expands its vision-care portfolio with the announcement of a definitive agreement to acquire Visiogen Inc., maker of a dual-optic accommodating lens (Synchrony).

Corticosteroids remain the primary treatment for inflammatory diseases that involve the eye and orbit. However, side effects and treatment failures have provided the impetus for the use of safer and more specific immunosuppressive agents. The selection of a specific agent will depend on multiple factors. The next step in the use and development of alternative immune agents will likely involve both the identification of inflammatory conditions that are most responsive to a particular agent and identifying patient-specific factors that might predict a response to that agent.

The recent FDA approval of bepotastine besilate ophthalmic solution 1.5% (Bepreve, ISTA Pharmaceuticals) as a twice-daily prescription eye drop treatment for ocular itching associated with allergic conjunctivitis gives clinicians an additional treatment option, one with multiple mechanisms of action and a rapid onset of action.