Surgery

Orlando-A new light-adjustable IOL (LAL) has been designed that will allow for noninvasive correction of residual refractive errors present after cataract surgery, said Daniel M. Schwartz, MD, during the refractive surgery subspecialty day meeting prior to the annual meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Researchers are ready to begin testing the LAL in clinical trials, he added.

Ophthalmologists are always looking to broaden their procedure offerings to increase their revenue stream.

The Selecta Duet (Lumenis), a new dual-purpose laser system, brings anterior segment surgeons a cost-effective and space-saving solution for treating both glaucoma patients undergoing selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) and pseudophakic patients in need of Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy for secondary cataract.

Patients with high-risk glaucoma have a sight-saving option that is providing promising results.

Fort Worth, TX-Alcon has received FDA clearance for its Opti-Free Express Multi-Purpose Disinfecting Solution "no-rub" formula for use with silicone hydrogel lenses. The indication has been added to the product's carton, label, and package insert.

Orlando-The Contact Lens and Eyecare Symposium (CLES) will offer more than 130 hours of accredited continuing education courses from which to choose during the group's inaugural meeting, Jan. 22 to 26 at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort in Orlando.

Cincinnati, OH-The quarterly Video Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery has published two more issues in 2002 that are available free to residency programs in the United States and surgeons abroad.

Santa Clara, CA-Lumenis Ltd. is hoping to broaden the use of its ophthalmic laser products via two new strategic alliances with Ellex Medical Pty. Ltd. and Moria S.A.

Newark, NJ-Multimodal therapy, close surveillance with prompt intervention for early signs of failure, and long-term suppression of fibroblastic activity may help improve long-term success rates of glaucoma filtering surgery, said Paul J. Lama, MD.

Editor's Note: HIV/AIDS continues to be a major health problem, not only in the developing world, but in North America and Europe as well. Although the incidence of ocular complications of HIV/AIDS has decreased dramatically since the introduction of highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART), the prevalence of HIV positivity continues toincrease, particularly among heterosexual women and minorities.

FDA News

Los Angeles-Considering the limited availability of published randomized trials, glaucoma surgeons should remain skeptical about the safety and efficacy of viscocanalostomy and deep sclerectomy with collagen wick, said Donald S. Minckler, MD.

Mexico City-Surgical treatment of central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) by the creation of retinochoroidal anastomosis (RCA) may become an effective therapy for some patients with CRVO, according to Hugo Quiroz-Mercado, MD.

Rockville Centre, NY-Implantation of a posterior chamber phakic refractive lens (PRL) (Medennium phakic refractive lens, CIBA Vision, Duluth, GA) demonstrated positive visual outcomes in the treatment of high hyperopia, according to Alexander Hatsis, MD, who presented the results of the FDA phase II trial.

Wilmette, IL-The use of botulinum toxin type A (Botox, Allergan) to remove facial lines is the latest cosmetic procedure craze to hit the national morning programs and evening magazine shows.

New York-Eyelid ptosis following botulinum toxin A (Botox, Allergan) therapy is directly related to using frontalis injection, though other investigators have not linked the characteristic droopiness to that approach, said Michael Kane, MD.

The management of refractory and complex glaucoma is a challenging and often humbling undertaking. These difficult-to-treat glaucomas include neovascular, traumatic, uveitic, secondary angle closure, postsurgical, and refractory open-angle glaucoma (OAG).

New York-The incidence of posterior capsule opacification (PCO) was found to be significantly lower following cataract extraction with the Nd:YAG laser (Dodick photolysis system, ARC Laser Corp.) than with conventional phaco, according to a study performed at the Manhattan Eye, Ear, and Throat Hospital (MEETH), New York.

Los Angeles-Polishing the anterior capsule after phacoemulsification and lens implantation does not appear to reduce the incidence of posterior capsular opacification (PCO). In fact, substantially more eyes that underwent this procedure after cataract surgery needed posterior capsulotomy, a startling finding reported by Kevin M. Miller, MD.

Jackson, MI-The new AcrySof Natural IOL (Model SB30AL, Alcon, Fort Worth, TX), which has a light transmission spectrum similar to that of a 53-year-old human crystalline lens, is the first of its kind that has become commercially available. It effectively filters blue light between 400 and 500 nm and preserves contrast sensitivity and color perception, according to Paul Ernest, MD.

All eyes are focused on Orlando for this year's meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), Oct. 20 to 23. More than 500 exhibitors will showcase the latest ophthalmic technology in Halls A and B (Level 2) of the Orange County Convention Center.

Salt Lake City-A "sandwich-like" pattern of capsular attachment of a new one-piece hydrophobic acrylic IOL (AcrySof SA30AL, Alcon, Fort Worth, TX) appears to prohibit epithelial ingrowth, according to Liliana Werner, MD, PhD.

Tampa-Direct incision, the placement of autologous tissue grafts, and now the use of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene, or ePTFE, are options for improving facial subunits. While communication between the doctor and patient is important in all cases to determine which option is best, it is particularly useful with ePTFE (SoftForm) implants. The key to patient happiness is patient selection.

Irvine, CA-When Allergan announced in January that it planned to spin off its optical medical device business into a separate company called Advanced Medical Optics (AMO), David E.I. Pyott, chairman, president, and CEO of Allergan, said the company would evolve into a specialty pharmaceutical company.

Baltimore-The AcrySof single-piece acrylic IOLs (Alcon, Fort Worth, TX) provide good refractive correction, excellent stability, and a low incidence of posterior capsular opacification (PCO), said Richard A. Adler, MD.

New York-An anterior chamber phakic IOL for the treatment of high myopia combats the four major problems facing anterior chamber lenses, according to cataract sur-geon Charles D. Kelman, MD, who described the advantages of his invention.

Fairfax, VA-The American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) will rename its Innovator's Lecture to the Charles D. Kelman Innovator's Lecture to recognize his contributions to ophthalmology.

The many forms and causes of dry eye syndrome are targeted by a nearly equal number of devices to treat the malady.

Sydney, Australia-A rapid increase in the occurrence of myopia and an aging world population means 70% of the world will require vision correction by year 2020, according to a study by the Cooperative Research Centre for Eye Research and Technology.

Philadelphia-The reality of light-adjustable IOLs for clinical use is on the horizon. Availability of technology such as this will eliminate the need to remove IOLs because of incorrect power, according to Nick Mamalis, MD.