News

Dyax Corp. and Fovea Pharmaceuticals have entered into an exclusive license agreement for the development and commercialization of an ocular formulation of DX-88 for the treatment of retinal diseases, the companies announced in a joint statement.

Ophthalmology is constantly evolving, and the ways things are done now are not necessarily going to stay the same in the future. The reality is that it's more important to be able to adapt to change than it is to predict change.

Surgeons should review the new discoveries in orbital anatomy and consider expanding their surgical armamentarium to include surgery of the pulley system says one ophthalmologist.

Analysts and ophthalmologists are closely watching the drama unfolding between private Swiss drugmaker Roche and the publicly traded, California-based Genentech, maker of ranibizumab (Lucentis), the only FDA-approved treatment for age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and its popular cousin, bevacizumab (Avastin). Roche is attempting a hostile takeover of Genentech.

This is the personal experience of electronic prescribing (e-prescribing) implementation presented by Cindy Maddox, MD, FACS, director of glaucoma services and vice chairwoman at the New England Eye Center, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston and member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology's health policy committee.

A frame buyer's certificate program is being presented by the Vision Council's Eyewear and Accessories Division at International Vision Expo East, held March 27 to 29, at the Jacob K. Javits Center in New York City.

The top courses to choose from at Vision Expo East

A survey conducted by independent research firm, Decision Analyst, and sponsored by Bausch & Lomb, found that four out of 10 consumers incorrectly believe that their astigmatism prevents them from wearing contact lenses.

Two new tools are being offered by the American Academy of Ophthalmology to help members avoid wrong site or wrong IOL errors.

Sightsavers International has launched the Mumbai Eye Care Campaign to prevent avoidable blindness and to offer eye care to millions of Mumbai's citizens in underserved areas of the city, such as Dharavi, the setting of the award-winning film, 'Slumdog Millionaire.'

A dry eye questionnaire can be a useful tool in clinical practice for characterizing the type and severity of dry eye that a patient is experiencing and evaluating the effectiveness of therapeutic intervention.

Vigorous exercise may help prevent age-related macular degeneration and cataracts, according to a new study.

Within the next 10 years, viewers may be able to watch TV via a contact lens inserted in the eye, according to some technology consultants.

The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) recognized in a statement the passing of Yasuo Tano, MD, president of the Asia-Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology and immediate past president of the Japanese Ophthalmological Society.

Paul Bryar, MD, an ophthalmologist from Chicago, is running as a democratic candidate in the Illinois special primary election that will take place March 3, according to a release issued by the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery.

Bausch &. Lomb has launched a new advertising campaign in six Florida markets aimed to educate baby boomers and seniors about its proprietary FDA-approved accommodating IOL (Crystalens), the company announced in a prepared statement.

The Standard Occupational Classification listing encompasses all three levels of JCAHPO certification: certified ophthalmic assistant, certified ophthalmic technician, and certified ophthalmic medical technologist, the organization said.

Pfizer will disclose publicly its compensation of U.S. health-care professionals for consulting, speaking engagements, and clinical trials by early next year on the company’s Web site, according to a prepared statement from the company.

Dyax Corp. and Fovea Pharmaceuticals announced in a joint statement that they have entered into an exclusive license agreement for the development and commercialization of an ocular formulation of DX-88 for the treatment of retinal diseases.

A new formulation of lubricant eye drop (Systane Ultra, Alcon Laboratories) contains polymer network and demulcent ingredients that have been proven in multiple studies to provide benefits in patients with dry eye disease, according to one ophthalmologist. The drop, however, reformulates these agents in a system designed to further enhance ocular surface comfort, protection, and symptomatic relief. Initial patient impressions are very positive, he said.

Blink GelTears and Blink Tears Preservative-Free (Advanced Medical Optics) are two new over-the-counter products for the treatment of dry eye disease. These products are gaining in popularity with ophthalmologist because of the rapid long-lasting beneficial response they produce in this patient population and the absence of a preservative. The products are also beneficial for patients who have undergone LASIK and cataract surgery and develop subsequent dry eye signs and symptoms postoperatively.

Contact lens practices are probably feeling the effects of more and more patients simply taking their prescriptions and buying their lenses on the Internet. But, if contact lens fitting is a valuable service that you offer and you want to improve your productivity and profitability, then you might want to make a few changes. Using the Internet to send email updates to patients, ordering supplies online, and giving patients the option to purchase on your Web store will make a big difference in your practice.

Ophthalmologists are well acquainted with the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT), but many ophthalmologists are only familiar with CPT's "Category I" codes. It is important for ophthalmologists to understand code Category III, since many eye-care services have appeared or will appear in this category.

CooperVision Inc. has redesigned its corporate Web site, www.coopervision.com, to include new technology and content in an effort to better serve the needs of practitioners and their patients.

Safilo Group announced the renewal of its exclusive licensing agreement with Jones Apparel Group to design, manufacture, and market prescription eyeglass frames for women and children, as well as women's prescription sunglass frames under the Nine West brand.

A compromised lipid layer plays a key role in the development and perpetuation of dry eye disease because it allows increased aqueous evaporation and fails to protect against friction between the blinking lid and the ocular surface. A proprietary brand of emollient eye drops (Soothe XP. Bausch & Lomb) was created to re-establish the tear film lipid layer and restore moisture, and it is an effective choice for providing symptomatic relief in patients with dry eye disease, says one optometrist.

Ophthalmologists who responded to questions about treatment of dry eye indicated that there are limitations in the available treatment options, especially for patients with moderate to severe cases of the disease, and that only 5% of ophthalmologists saw existing treatments as effective for the patients with the worst cases.

A clinical trial tested the safety and efficacy of Optive eye drops (Allergan) in contact lens wearers. Participants reported no adverse events and that their lenses were more comfortable to wear; clinical assessment found no adverse events or complications after 4 weeks of treatment.

A review of the world literature shows that about one-third of patients who are undergoing LASIK already suffer from dry eye, and the proportion affected after surgery is similar. In most cases, however, dry eye does not appear to affect postoperative vision and satisfaction outcomes adversely. Identification of patients at risk and pre-treating may reduce the postoperative incidence of dry eye.

Ecabet sodium (ISTA Pharmaceuticals), an anti-ulcer and gastritis drug under development for the treatment of dry eye, showed positive results in a phase IIb clinical trial of the drug.