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Whether one agrees or disagrees with President Donald J. Trump, we can agree that part of his success was finding a way to skip the media, go around the career politicians, and go directly to the people. Is it possible that our legislative efforts have borne so little fruit because we’ve approached it as a politician would?

The 2017 meeting of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) will be held May 5 to 9 at the Los Angeles Convention Center, but at least one guest speaker will be sharing his “out-of-this-world” experiences.

Femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery (FLACS) facilitated a precise capsulotomy and reduced phaco energy in a recent ongoing study with about 100 consecutive eyes, said Jeffrey Whitman, MD, Key-Whitman Eye Center, Dallas.

Pre-treatment with the femtosecond laser in eyes undergoing cataract surgery can induce miosis. The use of a pupil expansion device, however, offers an effective method for managing small pupils in femtosecond laser-assisted cases whether the problem pre-exists or is caused by the laser, said Boris Malyugin, MD, PhD.

A third system upgrade for a femtosecond laser system for refractive cataract surgery (Streamline III, LENSAR) will enhance the efficiency of the procedure, according to Jonathan Solomon, MD.

A newly released hand-held tonometer model (Icare ic100, Icare U.S.A.) features several design upgrades while retaining the rebound technology for measuring IOP that was at the core of the earlier model.

Retinal issues can impact cataract surgery outcomes, especially for those with multifocal or other premium lenses. While multifocal lenses may allow the patient to see more clearly across a range of distances, they may also decrease the amount of light that reaches the retina, exacerbating any issues that may already be present.

All of these cases scenarios, which are an everyday occurrence in my practice, demonstrate my desire to take every patient to emmetropia despite the “so-called” complexity of the cases.

Are you planning on going to a conference this year? As Howard Schultz, chairman and chief executive officer of Starbucks, summarized, knowledge and skill are your keys to earning more. Professional conference season is upon us. Which ones are you paying for you and your employees to attend? No matter how dedicated and organized your practice may be, it’s impossible to internally train each and every staff member to the high level of excellence your patients demand. Thoughtfully motivating and engaging employees takes a concerted and systemic approach to learning and skills training.

Achieving satisfaction for patients interested in a multifocal IOL begins with comprehensive preoperative screening and evaluation.

Recent surveys across most medical specialties confirm physicians in active practice preach to themselves and their patients about the fulfillment of providing intimate, life-improving care, but advise their children to avoid becoming physicians.

Lifitegrast ophthalmic solution 0.05% (Xiidra, Shire) has demonstrated positive results for the treatment of the signs and symptoms of dry eye disease. Eye dryness scores for some patients have improved after two weeks of treatment with the topical drop.

A silicone punctal plug-based delivery system for ophthalmic medications (Evolute, Mati Therapeutics) provides precisely controlled medication release into the tear film and has been associated with positive results in initial clinical testing.

Patient symptoms are not an effective method to diagnose dry eye, as they often overlap with other pathologies. Tear osmolarity results provide clues for alternative diagnoses.

Poor regeneration of the epithelial basement accounts for most 'late haze' associated with PRK, LASIK, infections, or corneal transplants. Proper excimer laser maintenance may reduce irregularities.

Recombinant human lubricin showed potential as a new therapeutic approach to the management of dry eye disease in a small clinical trial. Compared with sodium hyaluronate, lubricin (Lubris BioPharma), significantly improved both signs and symptoms of moderate dry eye after two weeks of treatment.

Seasonal and perennial allergic conjunctivitis are common conditions that are not always well-controlled with conventional therapy. Alternative approaches and novel investigational treatments are discussed.

A phase I/II trial enrolling patients with Sjögrens syndrome dry eye will be investigating  a synthetic fragment of a naturally occurring tear glycoprotein. Findings from extensive laboratory and preclinical research suggest that it is a promising novel therapy.

Chronic dry eye disease (DED) affects more than 25 million people and to date the only pharmacologic therapies are topical or involve punctal plugs. Results from two studies wth a neurostimulator indicate there may be a new pathway to upregulate the body’s tear system.

​A 19-month, open-label study of a novel bimatoprost, sustained-release ocular insert shows good safety and efficacy. The insert is polymer ring that sits atop the eye in the conjunctival fornix. Phase III trials are expected to begin in 2017.

Is your electronic health record (EHR) less than magical? Part of the problem may be how you are using it.

A transepithelial PRK (TransPRK) procedure (SmartSurface, Schwind eye-tech-solutions) provides the benefits of one-step, no-touch surface ablation plus rapid visual recovery, said Diego de Ortueta, MD.

One mistake ophthalmologists typically make with Facebook is to presume their practice websites and Facebook pages should contain similar information. Another misperception is that Facebook is a platform for the constant promotion of their specials, procedures, or new technologies in eye care.

There is an ongoing controversy surrounding the importance of talent for athletes, musicians, physicians, and other professionals. Some argue talented people are better at learning certain things (developing skills). What is the truth when it comes to ophthalmology?

Infections after blepharoplasty are uncommon with or without the use of an antibiotic ointment. However, if infections occur, be suspicious of community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), said Mark A. Alford, MD.

In 2016, Vision Share eye banks provided more than half the supply of U.S. donor corneas with over 20,000 placements. It has worked to build the largest network of non-profit eye banks in the world, with 13 members and 20 eye banks in the United States and a vast network of providers at home and abroad.

Use of a handheld circular polarizing filter to intercept afferent and efferent light from a slit lamp or operating microscope highlights corneal structures that are otherwise invisible or barely seen.

The approved use of wavefront-guided technology for mixed astigmatism may help ophthalmologists to reach another potential groupof patients.

Though much research is happening in the diagnosis and treatment of viral eye infections, much of it might not be readily apparent to clinicians, explains Todd P. Margolis, MD, PhD.

Take these suggestions and you’ll watch your capture rate improve and your average optical ticket rise.