News

San Francisco-Three aspheric IOLs-Tecnis Z9000 (Advanced Medical Optics [AMO]), AcrySof SN60WF (LI61AO, Alcon Laboratories), and SofPort AO (Bausch & Lomb)-were compared in two separate trials by two different groups of investigators.

San Francisco-The hyperpulse mode of the Millennium Microsurgical System (Bausch & Lomb) more efficiently breaks up hard nuclei with a shorter average absolute phacoemulsification time than the pulse mode, with less postoperative corneal edema, Chee-Chew Yip, MMed, FRCS, reported at the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery annual meeting.

San Francisco-Torsional phacoemulsification performed with the new OZil handpiece (Alcon Laboratories) and associated software results in more efficient surgery than conventional longitudinal phaco, said David Allen, MD, at the annual meeting of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery.

San Francisco-Questioning patients before cataract surgery about whether they are taking alpha-1 blockers, such as tamsulosin (Flomax, Boehringer Ingelheim), has become increasingly important in light of the observation by David F. Chang, MD, and John R. Campbell, MD, that the drug, which is used to treat the symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia, can cause intraoperative floppy iris syndrome (IFIS).

San Francisco-The new software and hardware upgrades to the Sovereign phacoemulsification system (Advanced Medical Optics [AMO]) make cataract surgery safer and more efficient, based on the results of three studies of the WhiteStar ICE (Increased Control and Efficiency) technology (AMO) reported at the annual meeting of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery.

Heat generation was assessed with a temperature-sensitive film that changes color from brown to yellow when the temperature rises above 53? C.

San Francisco-A Light Adjustable Lens (LAL) (Calhoun Vision) has been precisely adjusted after implantation to correct spherical and astigmatic refractive error. Thus far, the follow-up in human eyes is out to 24 months postoperatively, and the LAL appears to be biocompatible in these eyes, said Arturo Chayet, MD. He reported the update on the clinical results for spherical correction at the annual meeting of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery.

San Francisco-Early results from the FDA clinical trial of the Akreos Adapt IOL (Bausch & Lomb) show that the hydrophilic acrylic implant is meeting or exceeding FDA grid requirements for pseudophakic IOL performance, reported investigators at the annual meeting of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery.

San Francisco-Studies with the accommodating IOL (crystalens, eyeonics) are providing new insights regarding its mechanism of action that help to explain why some patients have achieved near vision that is much better than expected.

San Francisco-Results of a small study suggest that well-selected patients can be highly satisfied with their vision when having the multifocal AcrySof ReSTOR IOL (Alcon Laboratories) implanted in one eye and a monofocal lens in the other, said Richard Tipperman, MD, at the annual meeting of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery.

San Francisco-Cataract removal using 0.7-mm instruments represents the latest development in the evolution of the bimanual phacoemulsification technique, said Amar Agarwal, MD, at the annual meeting of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery.

The study showed SSICS could be performed more efficiently than phaco without compromising outcomes.

Washington, DC-The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) sent a letter to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) supporting reimbursement for intravitreal injections of bevacizumab (Avastin, Genentech) in patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) whose disease has not responded to other therapies.

Bausch & Lomb has its work cut out as the 153-year-old company tries to re-establish its position in the contact lens-care marketplace, according to financial analysts. While the numbers have not been determined, the company anticipates that the costs associated with the ReNu with MoistureLoc product recall will "easily run" $50 to $70 million.

The observations at the Greenville, SC, plant do not appear related to the Fusarium keratitis outbreak, the FDA said.

Los Angeles-Joseph L. Demer, MD, PhD, a noted authority on extraocular muscle movement, has been named the first holder of the Leonard Apt Endowed Chair in Pediatric Ophthalmology at the Jules Stein Eye Institute at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).

Washington, DC-Ophthalmologists whose patients choose a presbyopia-correcting IOL following cataract surgery do not need to have the Medicare beneficiary sign a waiver or advanced beneficiary notice (ABN) prior to surgery.

Des Plaines, IL-Sales of corneal implants (Intacs, Addition Technology Inc.) for the treatment of keratoconus and myopia increased 75% in the first quarter of 2006 compared with the same quarter in 2005, according to the manufacturer. Compared with Q4 2005, corneal implants sales increased 12%.

Toronto-OccuLogix Inc. said it will acquire Boston-based SOLX Inc. in a deal aimed at diversifying OccuLogix's offerings while it awaits further study of its treatment for the dry form of age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Cleveland-Andrew P. Schachat, MD, joins the Cleveland Clinic Foundation's Cole Eye Institute as vice chairman for clinical affairs for the division of ophthalmology. He will focus on clinical affairs and their contribution to the overall success of the Cole Eye Institute program.

Washington-Sixty-two percent of meno-pausal and perimenopausal women reported dry eye symptoms, yet only 16% of women experiencing dry eye symptoms realized dry eye was a symptom of meno-pause, according to a recent survey sponsored by the Society of Women's Health Research (SWHR). The survey polled 304 women in menopause and perimenopause.

Indianapolis-Eli Lilly & Co.'s ruboxistaurin mesylate (proposed brand name Arxxant), a possible treatment for diabetic retinopathy, has received priority review status by the FDA.

San Francisco-The American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus, and American Academy of Pediatrics released a series of recommendations on which to base effective detection and treatment of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). The groups discuss improvements in the possible treatment of ROP and the importance of carefully timed retinal exams by an ophthalmologist for at-risk premature infants.

Albuquerque, NM-While vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and steroids are garnering most of the attention as new therapies for ocular neovascularization and vascular permeability, many other agents show potential as well, according to Arup Das, MD, PhD.

After weeks of enduring a mysterious onslaught of Fusarium keratitis cases that appeared to be associated with ReNu with MoistureLoc contact lens cleaning solution, Bausch & Lomb has discontinued the product worldwide.

The European Commission (EC) granted Allergan a license to market bimatoprost/timolol ophthalmic solution (Ganfort) in the European Union. The once-daily combination product is indicated for the reduction of IOP in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension whose disease is insufficiently responsive to topical beta-blockers or prostaglandin analogues.

The University of California-Irvine's department of ophthalmology received $2 million from the philanthropic arm of Allergan Inc., The Allergan Foundation. The donation will further strengthen the department's research agenda and clinical care. The gift was "the largest donation ever to ophthalmology," according to a joint press release from the university and Allergan.

The American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) formed a Comprehensive Ophthalmology Clinical Committee to "stay abreast of the latest advances in technology, as well as diagnosis and treatment options for various issues that are seen daily in the comprehensive clinic," said ASCRS President Samuel Masket, MD.

STAAR Surgical Co. received CE mark approval for its KS-3Ai preloaded IOL injection system with an aspheric optic design. The company will now be allowed to market this IOL for use in cataract surgery in 21 countries. STAAR will begin shipments to distributors this month.

The FDA approved WaveLight Inc.'s wavefront-optimized Allegretto Wave excimer laser system for the treatment of mixed astigmatism. The indication is to reduce or eliminate naturally occurring mixed astigmatism of up to 6 D at the spectacle plane.