News

After studying a series of patients who developed ectasia following excimer laser corneal refractive surgery, investigators identified a set of risk factors and designed a highly sensitive and specific screening method to identify eyes at risk of developing ectasia after LASIK.

The informed consent for refractive lens exchange must apprise patients about the risks of endophthalmitis and rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. Data on these issues, which are mostly derived from the cataract surgery literature, are reviewed.

An initial analysis of data collected from LASIK patients pre- and postoperatively indicates personality influences visual quality of life after surgery.

According to the Barbados Eye Studies, black people treated for glaucoma are at increased risk of dying from heart and vascular disease, particularly those treated with timolol maleate eye drops.

Blood sugar levels below what is considered diabetic indicate a complication of the disease that leads to blindness, Australian researchers report.

Sutureless Descemet's stripping with endothelial keratoplasty may be a reliable method of endothelial keratoplasty with the use of sulfur hexafluoride in place of filtered air.

An aberration-free optic lens (SofPort AO, Bausch & Lomb) provides excellent visual acuity, low incidence of Nd:YAG capsulotomy, no patient complaints of visual disturbances, and improved nighttime vision, according to results of a 2-year postoperative study.

A study analyzing demographic, pretreatment, and outcomes variables in a large population of patients undergoing conventional LASIK for low-to-moderate myopia identified that postoperative UCVA and visual symptoms, such as monocular diplopia and glare, play a significant role in patient dissatisfaction. However, together they only explain a small portion of the variance.

Although tonometry remains a vital tool in glaucoma management, the significance of individual measurements should be regarded with a healthy degree of skepticism. Central corneal thickness (CCT) measurements should be incorporated into global assessment of glaucoma risk, but trying to correct tonometry readings by CCT is not appropriate.

Visual field testing, although not perfect, currently is the most established approach for estimating progression in glaucoma. Several approaches are available to measure visual fields, and with all of them, it is important to repeat the test frequently over a long period of time.

The cataract surgery population is growing, and patients are presenting with vision needs that differ from those of previous generations. New IOL technology, including aspheric, multifocal, and accommodating designs, is helping surgeons meet the changing paradigm in patient expectations.

Results of a multicenter FDA clinical trial of a fourth-generation version of an accommodating IOL (crystalens HD-100, eyeonics/Bausch & Lomb) demonstrate that the lens provides excellent uncorrected visual acuity at all distances that exceeds those of previous versions and without causing loss of contrast sensitivity.

Calculating corneal spherical aberration-especially in eyes with extreme ranges of corneal spherical wavefront aberrations-by using the recorder function of a diagnostic system with analytical software may be beneficial when choosing an IOL that has positive, neutral, or negative SA to reduce postoperative SA in the whole eye.

Cary Rayment, who was honored Jan. 23 by the Glaucoma Research Foundation (GRF) with the 2008 GRF Catalyst Award, is leading his company's strategic plan to spend more than $3.5 billion on research over the next 5 years.

Women remain underrepresented at the higher levels of academic medicine and in executive positions, but these trends are certain to change as the female physicians now starting their careers accumulate experience.

Cataract surgeons agree that proper incision construction is paramount for achieving good postoperative stability that will reduce the risk for endophthalmitis. The safety of the clear cornea incision technique versus use of other incision types remains controversial, however.

Women remain underrepresented at the higher levels of academic medicine and in executive positions, but these trends are certain to change as the female physicians now starting their careers accumulate experience.

Femtosecond laser (IntraLase, Advanced Medical Optics) technology is capable of performing nonmechanical dissection of the posterior lamellar disc for endothelial keratoplasty in a safe manner.

Patients with age-related macular degeneration have twice the risk of dying from heart attack or stroke, according to Australian researchers.

Cataract surgery incision sizes have been significantly reduced by new technology. Now surgeons can make two 1.8-mm cuts on either side of the eye.

Epinastine HCl 0.05% does not have a drying effect on the ocular surface and may be kinder to patients being treated for seasonal allergies and underlying dry eye disease.

The origin of the term glaucoma is disputed. Its meaning through antiquity is also poorly understood. Today there are an increasing number of medications. But as yet we are still in the Dark Ages insofar as the cause of this visually disabling disorder.

The ARVO meeting will feature more than a dozen minisymposia by the ARVO sections, education courses, workshops, special interest group sessions, and events aimed specifically at members-in-training.

Preoperative donor endothelial cell count does not affect the rate of dislocation in endothelial keratoplasty. The surgical technique is likely the most important factor that drives the dislocation rate, primary graft failure rate, and long-term endothelial survival, according to one surgeon.

An interim analysis of a dose-escalation phase I trial of sirolimus for the treatment of diabetic macular edema has found promising efficacy signals and no safety concerns.

Phakic IOL implantation has advantages as a method of refractive surgery. Enhancement may be needed to optimize the refractive result, but many issues should be considered before undertaking an enhancement and when offering this technology to potential candidates.

Surgically induced refractive errors can compromise vision following penetrating keratoplasty. Considerations for evaluation and management of patients needing an enhancement are discussed.

LASIK in 2007 represents a wonderful world that can provide excellent efficacy, safety, and stability. Multiple innovations are the foundation for today's improved outcomes, and the outlook is bright for future advances.

Results of a pivotal phase III trial of a cyclosporine A product for the treatment of vernal conjunctivitis (VKC) in children showed that the drug improved symptoms and signs of the orphan disease, and tolerability was excellent, according to the manufacturer.

A pooled analysis of three randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled, conjunctival allergen challenge trials demonstrates that once-daily treatment with olopatadine 0.2% (Pataday, Alcon Laboratories) is equally effective for improving ocular itching caused by exposure to indoor or outdoor allergens.