News

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%.

Follow-up to 3 years in a study of eyes undergoing combination cataract surgery with implantation of a single microbypass trabecular stent shows a 36% reduction from baseline mean medicated IOP and 84% reduction in daily medication use.

The protocols for the pivotal trials establishing the efficacy of the brinzolamide 1%/brimonidine 0.2% fixed combination included pre-planned analyses of subgroups defined by IOP and demographic characteristics.

Microinvasive glaucoma surgery creates a new paradigm for the role of glaucoma surgery and is within the skillset of cataract and cornea surgeons.

George O. Waring III, MD, FACS, FRCOphth, was more than an ophthalmic surgeon and innovator. He was a friend, a mentor, a teacher, and an inspiration to those who knew him.

Joel Schuman, MD, FACS, director of the UPMC Eye Center at the University of Pittsburgh, discusses the upcoming Glaucoma 360 meeting and the Catalyst for a Cure. The meeting is planned for Feb. 5-7 in San Francisco. Both programs are part of Glaucoma Research Foundation's mission to prevent vision loss from glaucoma by investing in innovative research.

Preliminary results from a single center phase IV study support the safety and efficacy of femtosecond laser astigmatic keratotomy in patients undergoing cataract surgery or refractive lens exchange, said Pavel Stodulka, MD, PhD.

With just a swift click of an iPhone button, sighted people can now lend their eyes to the blind.

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is a multibillion-dollar industry in the United States, and the fact that it lacks regulatory oversight creates some cause for concern. However, when it comes to glaucoma, it appears that CAM use is modest and mostly benign, but also backed by little evidence of efficacy, said Derek S. Welsbie, MD, PhD.

These days, social media is king. Everything has become shareable and information can be passed along with just a click of a post or tweet button. But what happens if someone posts their negative feelings about your clinic, your staff, or even you online for the world to see? What if a patient desperately needs answers to their eye issue and reaches out to you via Facebook or Twitter for an answer? These scenarios can quickly turn into violations of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) if handled incorrectly.In this Q&A with Misti Buard, a certified marketing coach, we delve into everything physicians need to know to prevent HIPAA violations via social media.

Although much progress has been made in treating retinal vein occlusions, much still needs to be done. Julia Haller, MD, described the four-step, evidence-based approach that she uses to treat these patients

Peripheral ulcerative keratitis (PUK) is a complex, sight-threatening inflammatory disease that requires multimodal treatment. Corticosteroids are considered the mainstay, but a variety of other interventions are used to prevent progression and promote healing. Identification of any underlying cause is also important for directing therapeutic intervention, said Radhika Tandon, MD.

The move toward specialty specific cloud-based EHR and practice management software platforms is real and will happen. It’s no longer a question of if, but when. An overhaul of EHR platforms to offer systems that cater to specific medical practices is needed. For specialty physicians, the shift cannot come soon enough.

New tools are facilitating repositioning of a misaligned toric IOL. The corrective procedure is best undertaken sooner than later.

Taking a deeper look at several imaging technology which have advanced optical imaging.

Upgrades to a laser cataract surgery platform include features such as high-resolution video screening images that improve efficiency. In addition, a new interface with a smaller suction ring diameter expands the number of people who are candidates for laser cataract surgery.

A disposable irrigation/aspiration handpiece is designed for the soft removal of cataracts following femtosecond laser fragmentation without the use of ultrasound energy. Dee Stephenson, MD, shares personal experiences with the integration of this technology into practice.

Stephen S. Lane, MD, describes his technique for using an ocular sealant, as well as cases where he finds it useful and superior to sutures.

L. Neal Freeman, MD, MBA, takes a closer look at modifier -59, including some of the major concerns all physicians should be aware of, as it will affect claims.

Examining how utilizing an intravitreal transzonular injection can help patient compliance.

Single-use lenses for anterior segment lasers may reduce the risk of disease transmission and eliminate reductions in optical quality that occur over time with reusable lenses.

A recently approved intracameral phenylephrine and ketorolac 1%/0.3% product is expected to produce better surgical outcomes following cataract surgery or IOL replacement by preventing miosis and reducing intraoperative pain.

In patients who present with a cataract, certain histories should raise suspicion about existing damage to the posterior capsule or an increased risk for capsule rupture intraoperatively. Armed with that information, cataract surgeons can implement proper strategies for cataract removal and IOL implantation.