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Cataract surgery using phacoemulsification is perhaps the most important surgical procedure that ophthalmology residents learn during their 3 years of training and is the "bread-and-butter" procedure for practicing ophthalmologists. It goes without saying, therefore, that the entire ophthalmologic community should do its best to ensure outstanding training for the next generation-this usually requires both adequate surgical volume and excellent supervision by the attending surgeon.

The subject of residents' surgical skills during phaco are coming under close scrutiny at various institutions. Two of three institutions concluded that the key to improved outcomes is adequate wet-lab training, expert supervision, and increased phaco conferences. The third is developing a valid instrument to evaluate performance during phaco; the results would provide immediate feedback to the resident by the attending surgeon.

Raleigh, NC-Children in North Carolina now must undergo vision screening before entering kindergarten, due to a law signed in September by Mike Easley, the state's governor.

Irvine, CA-IntraLase Corp. has received approval to sell its femtosecond laser, the Intralase FS, in Taiwan.

San Francisco-Athenagen Inc., a privately held biopharmaceutical company, has begun phase I clinical testing of ATG003, its topical eye drop therapy for age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Des Plaines, IL-Addition Technology Inc., maker of Intacs corneal implants for keratoconus and myopia, has acquired AlphaCor and AlphaSphere from CooperVision Surgical.

Conduct an Internet search for references to Eugene de Juan, MD, and it will produce millions of results linking to his world-renowned son and retina specialist, Eugene de Juan Jr., MD. However, the junior Dr. de Juan wants the world to know and remember the great work of his general ophthalmologist father, who practiced with grace and compassion for more than 40 years in Mobile, AL.

Rockville, MD-Vision and ophthalmic researchers in the United States have been narrowing their specifications for requested human eye tissue at the same time that the country's eye banks have been facing federal regulations and state laws that make it more difficult for them to meet these needs. The result is a reduction in tissue available for research. But researchers and eye banks can take steps to address this situation. Without such action, future research into some blinding diseases may be threatened.

San Francisco-Stephen D. McLeod, MD, is the new chairman of the Department of Ophthalmology at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF).

Alcon Laboratories has received FDA approval to market a new, benzalkonium chloride (BAK)-free formulation of travoprost 0.004% ophthalmic solution (Travatan Z). Prescribers can expect the product to be available by the end of the month.

The results of Ophthalmology Times' 11th annual survey to determine the Best Overall programs as well as Best Clinical, Research, and Residency programs in ophthalmology lists many familiar names among the Top 10. The difference largely comes as they swap positions on the list, each jockeying for prominence in the hearts and minds of ophthalmology leaders nationwide.

The ad hoc task force sponsored by the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) to investigate an increase in reported cases of toxic anterior segment syndrome (TASS) issued its final report on Sept. 25, 2006.

This year's scientific program includes more than 500 peer-reviewed courses.

Children in North Carolina now must undergo vision screening before entering kindergarten, due to a law signed this past September by Mike Easley, the state's governor.

Children in North Carolina now must undergo vision screening before entering kindergarten, due to a law signed this past September by Mike Easley, the state's governor.

The IntraLase femtosecond laser (IntraLase Corp.) has been approved for sale in Taiwan. Taiwan Hwa-In, IntraLase’s distributor in Hong Kong and Mainland China, will offer the company’s products immediately.

Talecris Biotherapeutics granted Bausch & Lomb the exclusive license to recombinant plasmin technology for use in ophthalmology. Bausch & Lomb and Talecris Biotherapeutics co-developed rPlasmin, a recombinant derivative of the human blood component plasmin. The enzyme degrades many blood plasma proteins, including fibrin clots.

Advanced Medical Optics Inc. (AMO) launched its Tecnis CL silicone IOL, which reduces spherical aberrations, improves functional vision, and improves night-driving simulator performance. This IOL replaces the company’s Z9000 and Z9001 Tecnis silicone IOL models.

The FDA approved Alcon Laboratories’ travoprost ophthalmic solution 0.004% (Travatan Z) for the reduction of elevated IOP in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension, who are intolerant of, or have insufficient response to other IOP-lowering medication.

The American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) released a final report regarding the toxic anterior segment syndrome (TASS) outbreak, which began in early 2006. The final report addressed the findings and recommendations of the ASCRS TASS Task Force, led by Nick Mamalis, MD.

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The Tecnis multifocal IOL (Advanced Medical Optics) has been shown to be highly effective for patients with different clinical needs, such as in patients undergoing cataract surgery and IOL implantation, those with presbyopia, and in those with hyperopia. Three studies presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery reported the results with this IOL.

Philadelphia-Changes in the way ophthalmology is practiced have led Wills Eye Hospital to transfer its inpatient and ophthalmology residency programs to Thomas Jefferson University and Thomas Jefferson University Hospital.

With the FDA approval of WaveLight AG's wavefront-guided LASIK treatment using the Allegro Analyzer for wavefront analysis in conjunction with the company's 200-Hz Allegretto Wave excimer laser, U.S. refractive surgeons now have another choice for their patients. The indication is for the reduction or elimination of up to –7 D of spherical equivalent myopia or myopia with astigmatism, with up to –7 D of spherical component and up to 3 D of astigmatic component at the spectacle plane.

Like many of us, Vance Thompson, MD, loves wine. For Dr. Thompson, director of refractive surgery for Sioux Valley Clinic in Sioux Falls, SD, vacations to California's Napa Valley led to a business opportunity that teaches him much about wine, people, and business.

Pleasanton, CA-Certain elements are key to building a successful lenticular refractive practice, according to Shareef Mahdavi, BA. While technology will continue to evolve, success with implants will likewise require physicians to evolve their approaches to the business side of refractive surgery, namely, upgrading their customer service.

Editor's Note: Part 1 of this two-part feature (see Ophthalmology Times, Sept. 15, 2006) presented a customer-focused approach for persuading patients to undergo LASIK or a premium cataract procedure. At the heart of this method is training staff to concentrate on identifying patients' needs and how to meet their expectations, rather than jumping to the cost or postsurgical outcomes.

Irvine, CA-Intravitreous dexamethasone in a biodegradable, extended-release implant (Posurdex, Allergan) produced significant improvements in visual acuity and was well tolerated in recent studies. Additional investigation comparing applicator versus incisional placement suggests that the applicator approach is quicker, is at least as safe, and results in similar outcomes, according to Baruch D. Kuppermann, MD, PhD.

Madison, WI-Results from a recent study have shown for the first time the potential of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy to improve features of diabetic retinopathy, according to Micheal M. Altaweel, MD.

About one-third of patients displayed improvement in visual acuity at 1, 2, and 3 months after injection.