News

Many maintain that rising early, getting to work, accomplishing a lot during the day, and getting to bed at a reasonable hour is the route to success in life. But a body of evidence suggests that human behavioral tendencies to do too much, in some cases, can reduce the likelihood of a good result. At the same time, laziness can produce outcomes that are either negative or positive.

At its 2017 general business meeting in May, the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) welcomed a new president, Claude F. Burgoyne, MD, FARVO. Dr. Burgoyne, a glaucoma clinician and surgeon, is senior scientist, Van Buskirk Chair for Ophthalmic Research, and director of the Optic Nerve Head Research Laboratory at Devers Eye Institute, Portland, OR. He also serves as clinical professor of ophthalmology at Oregon Health and Sciences University, Eugene.

A disposable device for automated anterior capsulotomy that uses precision pulse technology (Zepto, Mynosys Cellular Devices) demonstrated excellent performance in a series of 38 eyes.

Wisconsin ophthalmologist Gerald P. Clarke, MD, has developed a new horseshoe-shaped dilator for use during cases of intraoperative floppy iris syndrome.

A new silicone phacoemulsification sleeve (Ridged Sleeve, ASICO) designed with a variety of novel features is enabling safe and efficient microcoaxial cataract surgery, said Takayuki Akahoshi, MD.

Cataract surgery in eyes undergoing simultaneous endothelial keratoplasty requires several modifications in techniques.

Preloaded IOL systems can save almost 30 seconds of operating time in cataract surgery, according to Damien Goldberg, MD, who participated in a trial with a preloaded delivery system (AcrySof IQ IOL Model AU00TO with UltraSert, Alcon Laboratories).

Los Angeles ophthalmologist Mitchell Shultz, MD, shares some of his clinical experience with a next-generation phacoemulsification platform (Stellaris Elite, Bausch + Lomb). The new platform received 510(k) clearance from the FDA in April.

Joshua Mali, MD, provides clinical evidence and recommendations for pseudophakic CME and represents a new formal standard to first-line management.

As the most common procedure performed by the ophthalmic surgeon, in 2014, 4.3 million cataract operations took place in the European Union Member States. It is estimated that more than 23 million procedures will be performed worldwide in 2016.

Progress of ocular allergy treatment in 2017 starts with the fact that this is a mature therapeutic space, with a range of existing choices for clinicians and patients. Progression in therapies from artificial tears to antihistamines and mast cell stabilizers to topical steroids provides a suitable choice for most patients with ocular allergies.

Sometimes, we ophthalmologists-accustomed as we are to high-success rates with our therapeutic interventions-become inured to the impact our efforts can have on patients’ lives.

A phase II study investigating a novel topical cyclosporine product (CyclASol, Novaliq) formulated in a semifluorinated alkane (SFA) vehicle showed promising efficacy, safety, and tolerability. Planning is ongoing for the phase III trial of cyclosporine in the SFA technology.

In a study of normal volunteers, once-daily dosing of netarsudil mesylate ophthalmic solution 0.02% lowered IOP relative to baseline by increasing outflow facility and decreasing episcleral venous pressure.

Using the Descemet’s membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) procedure can produce better visual results and lower risk of rejection than using the previous methods (DLEK and DSAEK). The method has become easier to learn and use than in the past, and should be considered as the primary EK procedure for most routine cases of endothelial failure.

Advancements in wavefront-guided technology include improved resolution that provides not only better spot quality but also the ability to scan highly aberrated eyes that often did not produce treatable images using earlier technology, according to Edward E. Manche, MD.

A careful clinical workup, along with genetic testing, can help pinpoint what is behind congenital and infantile nystagmus.

Advances in presbyopia, dry eye and allergy, and age-related macular degeneration filled this year’s meeting of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology.

Patient recruitment has started in a randomised clinical trial testing an experimental device (Lamelleye, known also as CXB/1-14) for the treatment of dry eye disease (DED).

How long does it actually take to form a new habit? Is there any science to back this up? And what does all of this mean for your practice?

New treatment possibilities for nonresponsive bacterial keratitis are continually in development, including molecular-targeted therapy, the cautious use of topical corticosteroids, corneal crosslinking for superficial keratitis, and biologicals, Eduardo C. Alfonso, MD, reported.

A recent study sponsored by the National Eye Institute (NEI) of the optimal treatments for fungal keratitis showed that topical natamycin is still the mainstay of treatment. Adding oral voriconazole to the treatment regimen also may be beneficial to treat patients with Fusarium species.

A phase III study of dexamethasone insert, 0.4 mg (Dextenza, Ocular Therapeutix) found that the sustained-release intracanalicular insert is safe, effective, and well tolerated for treating ocular itching associated with allergic conjunctivitis.

Although surgery is still the gold standard for ocular surface tumors, consider the pros and cons of topical chemotherapy as appropriate.

A novel oral formulation of itraconazole (SUBA-Itraconazole, HedgePath Pharmaceuticals) is providing dramatic benefit for patients with basal cell carcinoma nevus syndrome (BCCNS, also known as Gorlin syndrome) and with a favorable safety profile, according to a recent interim analysis of data collected in a phase IIb study.

Everyone knows the name of Warren Buffett, the famous octogenarian-billionaire businessman and investor. His folksy persona and investment insights/elevated returns have earned him the appellation of “The Oracle of Omaha.” His estimated net worth of more than $74 billion makes him one of the wealthiest people on the planet.

A preliminary analysis of a dataset containing more than 300,000 eyes treated with LASIK between 6 to 10 years ago is beginning to quantify some of the risks for ectasia.