News

A new +2.5 D add version of a multifocal IOL features a re-designed optic that enhances visual function at intermediate and distance and delivers excellent visual quality.

As consumer interest in alternative therapies grows and considering the potential for harm, ophthalmologists need to be prepared to speak about this topic with their patients.

Ophthalmology Times introduces this new series called “Gloves Off with Gulani” that is part of the full-spectrum concept of a “super-specialty,” in which Arun C. Gulani, MD, will present prototype case studies and accept input to show how every case-no matter how difficult-deserves a mindset of emmetropia. Look for the first “gloves-off” encounter-“Multifocal IOL nightmare: Reversed to 20/20”-in the Oct. 1 issue of Ophthalmology Times.

A light-adjustable IOL continues to show potential for delivering customized vision with predictable results.

While manual limbal relaxing incisions and femtosecond femtosecond astigmatic keratotomies can address mild to moderate astigmatism, toric IOLs are quite effective at all ranges of astigmatism, relates one surgeon.

Where the experts may have gotten this one wrong

A single-piece hydrophobic acrylic IOL has many features that make it a good choice for a monofocal implant in routine and challenging cataract surgery cases.

What the $400 million deal brings to the laser cataract surgery market

Topcon Medical Laser Systems has received FDA 510(k) clearance for its portable, dual-port, pattern-scanning laser (PASCAL Synthesis).

The Transparency Commission of the French National Authority for Health has issued a favorable opinion for the reimbursement and hospital listing of Alimera Sciences’ fluocinolone acetonide intravitreal implant (Iluvien) for the treatment of chronic diabetic macular edema.

Ophthalmologists and other physicians are finding it more challenging to stay on top of all the clinical research and information that is presented before them. However, digital devices may provide an answer to help physicians absorb all this information.

Essilor International will acquire PPG Industries’ 51% stake in Transitions Optical, announced the companies in prepared statements. Essilor has held a 49% share of Transitions Optical since the joint-venture formation 23 years ago.

As dry eye syndrome (DES) affects more and more patients over the next 10 years, pharmaceutical companies are expecting to expand their clinical products globally to treat the condition, thus tripling the market’s global revenue over the next decade.

Allergan Inc. has named Douglas S. Ingram as the company’s new president. Ingram will lead the company’s global commercial operations, with responsibility for its broad portfolio of pharmaceutical, consumer, and medical device products.

Deep sclerectomy augmented with implantation of a gold mini-shunt (Gold Mini Shunt Plus, SOLX) in the suprachoroidal space is a safe and effective technique for lowering IOP in eyes with moderate to advanced open-angle glaucoma, according to findings from researchers at the University of Montreal.

Bausch + Lomb (B + L) has acquired an option to license an investigational compound currently in phase II development for the treatment of dry eye syndrome. The compound, called MIM-D3 and developed by Mimetogen Pharmaceuticals Inc., has the potential to be the first in a new class of agents called TrkA agonists, said the companies in a joint statement.

The European Commission has granted Novartis Pharmaceuticals a new indication for ranibizumab (Lucentis) to treat patients with choroidal neovascularization (CNV) secondary to pathologic myopia.

U.S. News & World Report has released its annual Best Hospitals rankings for 2013-2014. Rounding out the top three ophthalmology hospitals in the United States are: Bascom Palmer Eye Institute; Wills Eye Hospital; and Wilmer Eye Institute.

The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) plans to implement the first comprehensive eye disease patient database in the United States.

Abbott announced it intends to purchase Silicon Valley-based ophthalmic device company OptiMedica Corp., as well as Brazilian ophthalmic surgical distributor Vistatek.

Ellex Medical Lasers Ltd. announced that it has launched its proprietary selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) technology in the United States.

In the optical dispensaries of many ophthalmology practices, there exists a problem: deciding the pricing strategy.

Vision loss caused by diabetic macular edema increases the health and financial burdens of managing diabetes, especially for long-haul truckers who rely on their eyesight to maintain employment.

Pupils can be pharmacologically dilated after death, according to the results of a recent study. The study examined pupillary dilation of postmortem eye bank eyes, which may facilitate postmortem examination and screening through modalities such as fundus photography and fundus optical coherence tomography.

Drug modulates visual cycle activity, reduces oxidative stress, slows accumulation of toxins

Slow release of surrogate proteins over several months has been demonstrated in vitro from injectable hydrogel depots. This technology could help create long-term, sustained-release treatments of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor drugs.

Through improved communication and coordination with patients and other health care professionals as well as advocacy for increased or maintained funding for prevention of vision-related problems, ophthalmologists can help decrease costs associated with eye disorders and vision loss, according to a report commissioned by Prevent Blindness America.

Human ocular tissue has a critical role in helping researchers understand and find new treatments for diseases that include glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, and cataract.

Data analyses found a strong association in women between estrogen metabolism pathway single-nucleotide polymorphisms and high-pressure, open-angle glaucoma.

In the first clinical trial of ALG-1001 in wet AMD, there was an apparent clinical benefit to patients, as evidenced by improvements from baseline visual acuity and macular anatomy.