News

Steven J. Fliesler, PhD, has been chosen as an Association for Research in Vision Ophthalmology (ARVO) 2014 Gold Fellow.

Despite recent advances in prevention and treatment of most vision loss attributed to diabetes, a new study has shown that fewer than half of Americans with damage to their eyes from diabetes are aware of the link between the disease and visual impairment, and only 6 in 10 had their eyes fully examined in the year leading up to the study.

The FDA has accepted for standard review Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc.’s supplemental Biologics License Application (sBLA) of aflibercept (Eylea) for the treatment of diabetic macular edema (DME).

Sightpath Medical has announced that it will offer Alcon Laboratory’s Centurion Vision System as an option in their cataract surgery suite of equipment and services.

Use of intraoperative aberrometry significantly improves refractive and visual outcomes after toric IOL implantation, according to a retrospective study presented by Kathryn Hatch, MD.

Adalimumab may be a viable treatment option for patients with steroid-resistant refractory pediatric uveitis, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus.

OneSight has announced that in 2014, it will expand its sustainable programs and conduct 50 charitable vision clinics in 14 countries.

Associated vision-related disorders, such as computer vision syndrome-which affects about 90% of people who spend 3 or more hours per day looking at a computer screen-are growing due to a rising compulsion for technological devices, according to Sandy T. Feldman, MD.

QLT Inc. has announced that the first patient in the company’s phase IIa proof-of-concept trial of QLT091001 in adult subjects with impaired dark adaption (IDA) has been dosed.

Bioabsorbable punctal plugs show significant clinical potential for intraocular drug delivery, according to clinical data from a proof-of-concept trial of intracanalicular plugs (Ocular Therapeutix).

Alimera Sciences Inc. has entered into labeling discussions with the FDA for its sustained-release intravitreal implant (Iluvien), and as a result, has reached an agreement that the company’s participation in the 2014 Dermatologic and Ophthalmic Advisory Committee is no longer necessary.

The FDA has given verbal notice indicating the agency’s intent to review STAAR Surgical Co.’s premarket approval (PMA) supplement regarding its toric ICL.

Katena has announced its acquisition of IOP Ophthalmics of Costa Mesa, CA.

Exposure for even fractions of a second to high-powered blue handheld laser devices can cause serious eye injuries, according to a study recently published online in Ophthalmology, the journal of the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

The new patient interface (SoftFit) for the LenSx femtosecond laser (Alcon Laboratories) is elegant technology that improves usability and performance of the laser, according to Michael C. Knorz, MD.

Experts discuss the growing market of MIGS, as well as their benefits and possible concerns, while examining alternative non-invasive intervention methods.

Matthew Hertenstein is a psychologist at DePauw University, Greencastle, IN, who has studied the photographs of children and high school students and then determined what happened to them later in their lives. It turns out that people who smile more warmly in their photos when they are young will allegedly live longer and happier lives.

Glaucoma experts analyze the hardware and software developments that came out of 2013, while noting several changes that still need to be addressed for the best utilization of the technology.

How Gulani 5S system serves as sorter to demystify refractive complication, aim for BVP

Refinements in the design of the Refocus Scleral Implants (Refocus Group) to treat presbyopia (and glaucoma) and in the surgical implantation technique have improved markedly over the year, making the devices easier to implant and the surgery shorter.

New products and medications for surgery became available in 2013, while a heavy eye remained concentrated on the cost of generics.

When managing staff, it is important to remember that employees are unique in their own way and want to be treated as individuals, so you should treat them as such.

The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has published the permanent Health-Care Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) code for ThromboGenics’ ocriplasmin (Jetrea), J7316.

Shire has announced the results from OPUS-2, a phase III efficacy and safety study of its treatment of dry eye, 5.0% lifitegrast ophthalmic solution.

According to a new study that examined the real-world usage of ranibizumab (Lucentis, Genentech) and aflibercept (Eylea, Regeneron), patients with wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) required an equivalent number of injections over 6- and 12-month periods for both treatments.

The American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Academy of Optometry have announced a joint initiative to work together to prepare and better support their members in delivering the highest quality eye care.

The FDA has issued a 510(k) clearance of a rapid, disposable test (InflammaDry, Rapid Pathogen Screening Inc. [RPS]) to aid in the diagnosis of dry eye disease for sale in the United States.

Researchers in the Cedars-Sinai Regenerative Medicine Institute have developed and tested a novel procedure to prepare human amniotic membrane for use as a scaffold for specialized stem cells used to treat some corneal diseases.

The United Kingdom's National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) published its final guidance for a sustained-release intravitreal implant (Iluvien), clearing the path to patient availability through the National Health Service (NHS).

Chronic pain can occur after refractive surgery, but it also can occur in patients with non-surgical ocular disease. It is important to distinguish both the causes and the manifestations of pain before one can successfully treat it, according to Todd P. Margolis, MD, PhD.