News

Answer lies in attention to candidate selection, counseling, and IOL positioning

New technology can help ophthalmologists care for their patients if they combine it with a personal touch, said Paul P. Lee, MD, JD, in the Shaffer-Hetherington-Hoskins Lecture during the Glaucoma 360 CME Symposium.

Even the best ophthalmologists must prepare to support patients who lose vision while in their care, said Robert L. Stamper, MD.

Insurers are funneling patients to providers based on cost and quality data that may not always be accurate, said Ruth D. Williams, MD.

The development of stem cell treatments for glaucoma faces big hurdles, but researchers are making rapid progress, said Yvonne Ou, MD.

Gary D. Novack, PhD, president of PharmaLogic Development, co-moderated an industry panel discussion on glaucoma pharmaceuticals Friday during Glaucoma 360. Watch Dr. Novack outline the state of glaucoma drug therapy and where the future is headed.

A team of researchers may soon be able to catch glaucoma cases early by spotting nerve damage, said Andrew D. Huberman, PhD, as he provided an update on the work of the Glaucoma Research Foundation’s Catalyst for a Cure Biomarkers Initiative at the Glaucoma 360 New Horizons Forum.

Ophthalmologists must change the way they use data in order to meet the mounting challenges facing their profession, said Paul P. Lee, MD, JD, in the Drs. Henry and Frederick Sutro Memorial Lecture at the 4th Annual Glaucoma 360 New Horizons Forum.

Glaucoma 360 is an all-encompassing event in which clinicians, scientists, industry, and business converge in one direction to discover a cure for glaucoma.

For his efforts to prove that gene therapy could one day provide lasting control of IOP in patients with glaucoma with known genetic defects, Andras M. Komáromy, PhD, DVM, was awarded the 2015 Shaffer Prize for Innovative Glaucoma Research.

Glaucoma Research Foundation (GRF) honored a long-time global leader in ophthalmology with its Catalyst Award on Thursday night at the foundation’s Glaucoma 360 Annual Gala and presented two renowned stem-cell researchers with its Visionary Award.

Analysis of the Harbor Study data could not definitively answer the question about whether anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapies influence the development of atrophy in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD). However, investigators did find that the visual acuity (VA) continued to improve in patients treated with monthly and as-needed drug regimens and that certain risk factors can predict development of atrophy, according to Srinivas Sadda, MD.

Michael S. Ehrlich, MD, explains how a simple lacrimal irrigation technique not only can avoid unnecessary discomfort for patients, but also adds diagnostic value for ophthalmologists.

An office-based system (NOVA Testing System, Diopsys) represents an advance in electrophysiological technology that allows clinicians the ability to detect pathology they have been unable to see in the past, thereby detecting disease early.

How does a practice remedy a long waiting time for patients? First, you must be concerned and communicate it to the staff. Physicians should watch or “visit” the reception area periodically to see if there is a “crowd.” Look at the patient’s scheduled time and monitor this regularly. Of course, the physician also should get to the office a little early and be ready to see the first patient when he/she is ready.

Peripheral melting disorders require surgical intervention when all else has failed and there is an impending risk of perforation. A peripheral C- or banana-shaped graft can restore tectonic integrity while maintaining a reasonable corneal contour to preserve vision.

New devices to lower IOP and facilitate aqueous outflow via minimally invasive glaucoma surgery are being developed, and early results from clinical trials are favorable for some.

Dr. Schuman discusses his role in its development, future of patient care for glaucoma

Bleb failure can often be avoided with well-managed trabeculectomy and effective postoperative care.

Analyses of data from the Advanced Imaging for Glaucoma Study showed many Fourier-domain optical coherence tomography parameters were significant risk factors for glaucoma onset in eyes that were glaucoma suspect or had pre-perimetric glaucoma.

CO2 laser-assisted sclerectomy surgery performed with a proprietary platform offers an effective and safer alternative to manual non-penetrating deep sclerectomy procedure for the management of medically uncontrolled open-angle glaucoma.

A glaucoma filtration device was equally effective in reducing IOP in eyes with pseudoexfoliative glaucoma and primary open-angle glaucoma in a recent small study.

Topical AR-13324 0.02% (Rhopressa, Aerie Pharmaceuticals) significantly lowered IOP in eyes with ocular hypertension or open-angle glaucoma in a 28-day phase II study.

Pattern scanning laser trabeculoplasty uses computer guidance for precise delivery of laser spots to the trabecular meshwork. At 6 months post-treatment, percentage IOP reduction was similar in eyes undergoing PSLT performed with a 577-nm laser compared with selective laser trabeculoplasty using a 532-nm laser.

Although the LOXL1 gene may increase the risk for pseudoexfoliation syndrome, currently available genetic testing does not effectively predict who will develop disease.

When faced with a particularly difficult decision, Alastair Mitchell Mitchell uses the “big red bus test.” He thinks about walking out of his building in London and crossing the street, only to turn and see that one of those monstrous London double-decker red buses is literally about to flatten him and send him to the hereafter. In the brief instant before the bus hits him, he wonders what would be the thing that he would most regret not having accomplished. The answer to this question should guide prioritization of the efforts of a successful chief executive officer, businessman, or (presumably) ophthalmologist.

Understanding that every office will have varying personalities and characters is important when managing staff members.

Subretinal fluid was associated with better visual acuity, whereas greater thickness of the subretinal tissue complex was associated with worse visual acuity in the second year of the Comparison of Age-related Macular Degeneration Treatment Trials.

Adherence and persistence among patients prescribed bimatoprost 0.03% or bimatoprost 0.01% was investigated using pharmacy claims data, and the results showed statistically significant differences favoring bimatoprost 0.01%.