Optometry

A new hypothesis about the development of age-related macular degeneration points to a role of age-depleted steroidal hormones. An ophthalmologist discusses the evidence supporting this idea.

In this editorial, one movie teaches two people life lessons about trust and money. These issues also seem to be the center of debate about the U.S. health care system.

For now, the most effective way to prevent or manage diabetic retinopathy remains taking a proactive approach to controlling blood glucose levels and hypertension in patients.

ISTA Pharmaceuticals has announced preliminary results from two recently completed studies of its investigational eye drop, prednisolone acetate 1.0% and tobramycin 0.3% (T-Pred).

Travis Meredith, MD, has been elected as the new president of the Association of University Professors of Ophthalmology (AUPO), which is composed of department chairmen, residency directors, and research directors of ophthalmology departments in the United States and Canada, according to a prepared statement.

Bausch & Lomb intends to consolidate its worldwide contact lens manufacturing and proposes to begin moving most of its global contact lens production to its existing sites in Waterford, Ireland, and Rochester, NY, according to a prepared statement. ??

LenSx Lasers Inc. announced that the FDA has granted 510(k) clearance for its femtosecond laser used for anterior capsulotomy during cataract surgery.

Heidelberg Engineering has two new models in its family of multimodality ophthalmic imaging devices (Spectralis).

Abbott has announced a definitive agreement to acquire Visiogen Inc. for $400 million in cash, providing the company with a next-generation accommodating IOL technology (Synchrony), according to a prepared statement.

The FDA has approved bepotastine besilate ophthalmic solution 1.5% (Bepreve, ISTA Pharmaceuticals) as a twice-daily prescription eye drop treatment for ocular itching associated with allergic conjunctivitis.

Alcon has announced in a prepared statement that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire ESBATech AG, a Swiss biotechnology company.

Pieris AG announced that it has entered into a collaboration agreement with Allergan Inc. that will combine Pieris' proprietary anticalin technology with Allergan's drug delivery and ophthalmic drug development with a goal of developing agents for the treatment of serious ocular disorders.

Sirion Therapeutics Inc. announced the FDA approval of its new drug application for ganciclovir ophthalmic gel 0.15% (Zirgan) as a treatment for acute herpetic keratitis. The FDA granted orphan drug designation to the gel for this indication in April 2007.

The recession has affected medical practices, causing many to look at how money is spent. This five-partner practice cuts expenses creatively by not overlooking small details and has been able to prevent employee layoffs.

Many, if not most, ophthalmologists have at least entertained the idea of obtaining a master of business administration degree. This three-part series is designed to provide guidance through the process. The first steps involve the realization of goals, the return on investment, and the application process.

Fellow ophthalmologists and business partners are mourning the loss of Jeffrey P. Gilbard, MD, 55, whose career was filled with innovative ideas and solutions for treating dry eye disease.

Despite the economy, there still are many patients who will be interested in premium frame collections. With premium frames you can offer patients luxury, technology, and fashion.

Adair Eyewear, a family owned eyewear retailer, has launched an online reading glass boutique called TrendyReaders.com.

San Francisco is nearly synonymous with a high cost of living. The advent and financial success of the early years of the Internet revolution still lures high-income folks to the city by the bay. Property values and household income are among the top in the nation, which enables a profitable restaurant and entertainment scene.

Ophthalmologists should take a proactive approach toward the screening, management, and early treatment of diabetic retinopathy.

A new lens has been introduced into the market (iZon SL Lenses in Transitions VI, Ophthonix) that provides an ultraviolet-light-activated, changeable tint that can offer many HD vision benefits, including better vision in low luminance and intermediate contrast conditions.

Vision Expo West takes place from Sept. 30 to Oct. 3 at the Sands Expo and Convention Center, Las Vegas.

The Suites at Vision Expo West (VEW) will be moving from the traditional location inside the Venetian Hotel to the new Palazzo Las Vegas.

From babies to toddlers to pre-teens, there are many important considerations to implement when you are dispensing to kids. These considerations range from toddler eyes that are sensitive to ultraviolet rays to protective eyewear for your budding athlete.

Besifloxacin is the first chlorinated fluoroquinolone developed especially for use in the eye.

An in vitro kill kinetics study evaluated eradication of 18 human ocular Staphylococcus isolates by commercial formulations of gatifloxacin 0.3% (Zymar, Allergan) and moxifloxacin 0.5% (Vigamox, Alcon Laboratories). Gatifloxacin demonstrated superior activity, which may be attributed to the presence of benzalkonium chloride 0.005% in its formulation.

San Francisco has cuisine to satisfy many taste buds. From dim sum to gnocchi, use this guide to map out your dining tour of the city by the bay.

Now is the time to focus on the lessons that can be learned in the current economic situation. Take a close look at your staffing levels, practices within your office, and the effect of days spent out of clinic by physicians, among other things, to try to identify ways to weather bad economic times better in the future.

The apprenticeship model suffers from inherent limitations that have called into question not only the safety but the quality, appropriateness, and effectiveness of the training model for residents. External stakeholders in the educational process, including the public, the payers, and the government, have called for reform in the graduate medical education process and for transformation from the apprenticeship model to a competency-based model of education.

William B. Trattler, MD, provides an overview of LASIK enhancements and explains why he frequently uses PRK for this purpose.