News

Several risk calculators are available to help assess the likelihood that a patient with ocular hypertension will develop glaucoma. The decision to treat then can be based on an individual patient's risk. That determination may be guided by expert opinion, results of decision analysis models, personal experience, and discussion with the patient.

Hyperemia is the new scourge of glaucoma therapy, responsible in many cases for poor patient adherence or discontinuation of medication.

A study of the mechanisms involved in nocturnal changes in IOP indicates that a decrease in outflow facility is insufficient to compensate for a decrease in aqueous outflow. Episcleral venous pressure could be a factor in the circadian variations, however.

Progressive myopia rather than glaucoma may be primarily responsible for glaucomatous-appearing optic nerve damage in a subset of young to middle-aged individuals of Chinese descent. In a retrospective study of 16 Chinese men who were glaucoma suspects or patients, visual fields remained stable over a follow-up period of up to 7 years, leading researchers to postulate that this condition may not have the same natural history as primary open angle glaucoma in other populations. A correlation between myopia and glaucomatous optic nerve damage has long been known, and has recently been confirmed in several populations, including China.

A group of leading experts on IOP has issued a consensus document on the topic that aims to optimize care of patients with glaucoma.

Many previous beliefs about ocular toxoplasmosis are proving not to be true.

Phakic IOLs can provide accurate and stable correction of myopia, but their potential to result in serious complications remains a cause for concern. Care in selecting appropriate candidates and the implantation procedure are critical to optimize the risk:benefit ratio.

Ophthalmologists need to warn patients that the use of a phophodiesterase-5 inhibitor may increase the risk of the development of ischemic optic neuropathy.

In a small series of eyes, application of a contact lens after LASIK re-treatment procedures did not help prevent epithelial ingrowth, which is counter to the current thinking and what is in the literature.

Elevation topography can be a useful tool in screening patients for LASIK to lessen the chance of the development of ectasia. An ophthalmologist offers tips for using this technology effectively.

Determining the cause of transient monocular visual loss can be tricky. Following simple steps may help sort out the diagnosis.

Research has shown that dry eye syndrome is largely due to inflammation. Therefore, "soft" corticosteroids such as loteprednol etabonate ophthalmic suspension 0.5% (Lotemax, Bausch & Lomb) or fluorometholone ophthalmic suspension 0.1% (FML, Allergan), or cyclosporine ophthalmic emulsion 0.05% (Restasis, Allergan), may be effective.

Dry eye is estimated to affect 25% of those who visit a general ophthalmology clinic. The disorder has a significant effect on quality of life. In this article, one ophthalmologist reviews how to evaluate patients presenting with dry eye complaints and how to manage the condition.

Optometrists, general ophthalmologists, and cornea subspecialists have similar approaches to diagnosing and treating dry eye. Three clinician groups that relied on fluorescein staining and TFBUT for diagnosis found that cyclosporine emulsion 0.05% (Restasis, Allergan) was an important component of treatment for the majority of their eye-care practitioners.

Ophthalmologists who recommend that patients use over-the-counter artificial tears should instruct patients on how to use specific products because it could save or cost patients money, according to a new study.

A prospective, randomized, contralateral eye controlled study found that visual acuity and contrast sensitivity outcomes in patients undergoing bilateral cataract surgery with implantation of a multifocal IOL were improved by treatment pre- and postoperatively with topical cyclosporine ophthalmic emulsion 0.05% (Restasis, Allergan).

A prospective study of 50 patients undergoing bilateral laser-vision correction surgery randomly assigned one eye to PRK and the fellow eye to femtosecond thin-flap (110 µm) sub-Bowman's keratomileusis (SBK). The results show that during 6 months of follow-up, dry eye signs and symptoms are generally similar with the thin flap and surface ablation procedures.

Research has shown that dry eye syndrome is largely due to inflammation. Therefore, "soft" corticosteroids such as loteprednol etabonate ophthalmic suspension 0.5% (Lotemax, Bausch & Lomb) or fluorometholone ophthalmic suspension 0.1% (FML, Allergan), or cyclosporine ophthalmic emulsion 0.05% (Restasis, Allergan), may be effective.

The tissue-on-tissue model, rather than tests using plastic or metal surfaces, is the best way to test the lubricity of ophthalmologic formulations, according to a new study. Using this model, a particular dry eye drop was found to be statistically significantly superior to saline.

A study examining the effect of artificial tear instillation on contrast sensitivity found that, in patients with dry eye a temporary loss with initial use disappears as the treatment is continued. Further investigations are evaluating if the finding reflects a benefit on the tear layer.

Research into the etiology of dry eye syndrome has painted a picture of a highly complex disease that has evolved over the decades. Exhaustive efforts have been expended on shedding light on the mechanisms of dry eye disease. Nevertheless, as more is learned, more questions arise.

Olopatadine HCl 0.2% ophthalmic solution (Pataday, Alcon Laboratories) is safe, effective, and well-tolerated when applied once daily to treat the ocular signs and symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis or rhinoconjunctivitis. In addition, the activity of olopatadine 0.2% was found to be superior to that of epinastine HCl 0.05% (Elestat, Inspire Pharmaceuticals and Allergan) in alleviating ocular itching and redness induced by conjunctival allergen challenge.

Adult patients with a history of allergic conjunctivitis gave epinastine (Elestat, Inspire Pharmaceuticals and Allergan) high marks for tolerability and comfort in a recent single-center, double-masked, four-visit crossover study.

By understanding the inflammatory cascade that occurs during an allergic response, clinicians will be better equipped to choose effective medication for allergic conjunctivitis.

Ocular symptoms of allergies for many are as severe as rhinitis symptoms said Stephen C. Pflugfelder, MD. Ocular manifestations of seasonal allergies include seasonal allergic conjunctivitis (SAC), perennial allergic conjunctivitis (PAC), vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC), and atopic keratoconjunctivitis (AKC), said Dr. Pflugfelder. The ideal therapy should include multiple steps in the allergy cascade, perhaps by neutralizing both the H1 and H2 receptors, stabilizing the mast cells, and having anti-inflammatory properties.

A proprietary formulation of ketotifen fumarate ophthalmic solution 0.025% (Alaway, Bausch &Lomb) offers a highly safe and effective treatment for allergic conjunctivitis with the convenience benefits of an OTC medication.

The hygiene hypothesis suggests that smaller family sizes as well as the use of antibiotics and vaccines has led to an allergy epidemic. Probiotics could reverse that epidemic and reduce the risk of developing atopic diseases and, potentially, nasal and ocular symptoms of respiratory allergies.

Sodium carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) 0.25% lubricating eye drops (TheraTears, Advanced Vision Research) mimic the composition of the human tear film and promotes healing of irritation of the ocular surface caused by dry eye, according to the recently released final report of the Dry Eye Workshop.

An ophthalmologist can give a great eye exam, but to be successful in a family practice the eye-care professional (ECP) must make sure the child-patient feels cheerful, healthy, and participative. The environment should welcome young patients. Their positive attitudes will reflect on a staff.

Children need to wear vision correction for many aspects of their life such as school and recreational activities. Even though most eye care professionals don't believe young children are responsible enough for contacts studies show they had results just as positive as older children. There are many ways to introduce children to contact lenses.