News

Managed care executives are looking at innovative ways to reduce healthcare costs without negatively impacting members.

The recent FDA approval of ganciclovir ophthalmic gel 0.15% for the treatment of acute herpetic keratitis brings to U.S. ophthalmologists an important advance in topical antiviral therapy for a condition that is the leading infectious cause of corneal blindness in the United States.

The FDA has granted 501(k) marketing clearance for a new digital fundus camera that combines mydriatic and non-mydriatic functions in a single device that may open the doors for the general ophthalmologist to monitor and treat some retinal diseases.

Results from early follow-up in a eye study of advanced surface ablation techniques show that whether epithelium is lifted as a flap in an epi-LASIK technique or removed using the phototherapeutic keratectomy mode of an excimer laser, good visual acuity results and patients are satisfied with their outcomes.

The FDA clearance of a new femtosecond laser is being regarded by many ophthalmologists as the beginning of a new era in cataract surgery.

Results from early clinical experience show the latest version of an investigational presbyopic corneal inlay is associated with efficacy and safety that translate to high patient satisfaction.

The femtosecond laser has capabilities for enabling and improving additional surgical maneuvers.

Today's wholesale optical lab is one of the longest-running constants in the history of American manufacturing.

I-Therapeutix has changed its name to Ocular Therapeutix.

Three hundred events in more than 50 countries will mark this year's World Sight Day, Oct. 8.

Presbia Coöperatief U.A. of Amsterdam unveiled an implantable micro-lens treatment (Flexivue System) for presbyopia at the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons annual meeting.

Several subsidiaries of Bausch & Lomb have been granted rights from CROMA Pharma GmbH to co-promote and sell bromfenac ophthalmic solution in Europe when it becomes available to that market, announced Bausch & Lomb.

Abbott Medical Optics (AMO) has launched a new online ordering service (AMOeasy, www.amoeasy.com) whereby customers can order the company?s implants and other cataract-related products as well as track orders at any time of day.

Pieris AG and Allergan will collaborate in the development of agents to treat serious ocular disorders, Pieris has announced.

The FDA has granted 510(k) clearance to a new digital fundus camera (TRC-NW7SF Mark II, Topcon Medical Systems), according to its manufacturer.

The FDA has approved a new drug application (NDA) for ganciclovir ophthalmic gel 0.15% (Zirgan, Sirion Therapeutics) as a treatment for acute herpetic keratitis (dendritic ulcers), the company announced.

AMD Alliance International is hosting a video contest to raise awareness for age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Individuals are invited to create and submit videos of no longer than 3 minutes that will communicate in the most creative and visually interesting ways the impact of AMD.

Protection of the eye is the most important issue to address in patients with facial nerve paralysis because corneal damage can result from increased surface exposure and disruption of the tear film. Management of facial nerve palsy depends on an individual's prognosis for recovery. Most patients will have spontaneous, complete recovery.

Implantation of a toric IOL appears to be a safe and effective method for correcting spherical error and astigmatism in eyes with cataract and a history of penetrating keratoplasty.

The joint meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the Pan-American Association of Ophthalmology will be held Oct. 24 through 27 in San Francisco.

Results of a large epidemiologic study show a number of factors that seem to be associated with a higher risk of cataract.

Abbott expands its vision-care portfolio with the announcement of a definitive agreement to acquire Visiogen Inc., maker of a dual-optic accommodating lens (Synchrony).

Corticosteroids remain the primary treatment for inflammatory diseases that involve the eye and orbit. However, side effects and treatment failures have provided the impetus for the use of safer and more specific immunosuppressive agents. The selection of a specific agent will depend on multiple factors. The next step in the use and development of alternative immune agents will likely involve both the identification of inflammatory conditions that are most responsive to a particular agent and identifying patient-specific factors that might predict a response to that agent.

A novel analytic model, the Markov model, allows ophthalmologists to gauge the probability of progression of glaucoma in their patients over time simply by knowing their current mean deviation value.

New excimer laser affords a safe, controllable, efficient procedure.

The recent FDA approval of bepotastine besilate ophthalmic solution 1.5% (Bepreve, ISTA Pharmaceuticals) as a twice-daily prescription eye drop treatment for ocular itching associated with allergic conjunctivitis gives clinicians an additional treatment option, one with multiple mechanisms of action and a rapid onset of action.

An automated program for phacoemulsification that controls ultrasonic pulses based on the amount of vacuum being used may help prevent or minimize endothelial cell loss.

A new generation of patient education and practice enhancement software for eye-care professionals has been designed to enhance delivery of eye-care information and patient counseling throughout the practice.

A new hypothesis about the development of age-related macular degeneration points to a role of age-depleted steroidal hormones. An ophthalmologist discusses the evidence supporting this idea.

Selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) is effective in lowering IOP in patients with glaucoma, but in combination with certain topical therapies, SLT may be less effective in lowering IOP.