News

High-speed, ultra-high resolution (UHR) optical coherence tomography (OCT) provides improved coverage and resolution of the retinal nerve fiber layer, optic disk tomography, and macular thickness, according to V. Srinivasan of Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA.

WDR36 is a novel causative gene for adult-onset primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) that is located at the GLC1G locus. According to the lead author, Sharareh Monemi, MD, of the University of Connecticut, mutations in this gene are involved in the etiology of high- and low-pressure POAG. Dr. Monemi described the study at the annual meeting of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology on Monday.

Results from the FDA Investigational Device Exemption trial of the Model 1 epiretinal prosthesis show that implanted patients are able to interpret patterned electrical stimulation, localize high contrast objects, and recognize motion, reported Mark S. Humayun, MD, of the Doheny Eye Institute at the University of Southern California.

Follow-up in the first 10 patients implanted with the Artificial Silicon Retina (ASR) microchip now ranges between 2 and 4.5 years. During that time, the device continues to be well-tolerated, and at the last available visit, nine of 10 patients describe improved visual function compared with preoperatively, reported Alan Y. Chow, MD, of Rush University, Chicago.

Patients with advanced age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in one eye and a baseline visual acuity of 20/100 or better might benefit from antioxidant supplements, according to an analysis of a subset of patients from the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS), reported Thomas R. Friberg, MD, at the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology annual meeting on Monday.

Calling mucus membrane pemphigoid a systematic autoimmune disease that requires systematic immunological therapy, C. Stephen Foster, MD, is hopeful he will finish the work started 18 years ago that will permanently "quiet" this blinding and progressive ocular disease.

The use of animal models is key to the development of treatments for age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Numerous factors have been studied to determine an association with the development of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), according to Barbara Klein, MD, of the University of Wisconsin, Madison.

The phenotype of age-related macular disease provides information about the genes that confer risk and the environmental factors that are involved in risk in a particular individual.

Proteins appear to unfold in the crystalline lens and result in the accumulation of old protein in the nucleus and in the inner cortex, creating damage and leading to a cataract, explained John J. Harding, MD, who spoke during the "Ocular Pathology&#8212Beyond the Eye" symposium at the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology annual meeting.

Patients with moderate signs of hypertensive retinopathy should probably be evaluated for systemic microvascular diseases, noted Tien Y. Wong, MD, at the "Ocular Pathology&#8212Beyond the Eye" symposium at the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology annual meeting.

Diabetic patients with severe retinopathy should be carefully followed and treated for renal and cardiovascular disease, according to Ronald Klein, MD, MPH, who spoke during the "Ocular Pathology&#8212Beyond the Eye" symposium at the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology annual meeting.

Certain biomarkers of cardiovascular disease may be risk factors for age-related macular degeneration (AMD), according to Andrew K. Vine, MD, FRCSC, who presented the results of a case-control study during the American Academy of Ophthalmology annual meeting.

Irvine, CA—Allergan Inc. has signed an exclusive licensing agreement with Japan's Sanwa Kagaku Kenkyusho Co. Ltd. to develop and commercialize Posurdex for the ophthalmic marketplace in that country.

The AcrySof ReSTOR apodized diffractive IOL (Alcon Laboratories Inc.) recently received FDA approval for cataract patients with and without presbyopia. In clinical trials, 80% of patients reported never wearing reading glasses or bifocals following cataract surgery and implantation of the new lens.

Novagali Pharma, a biopharmaceutical company based in Evry, France, which develops innovative drug delivery systems in ophthalmology, has appointed seven individuals to its scientific advisory board. The company chose experts from America, Japan, Israel, and France.

The ingenuity of pharmaceutical researchers continues to amaze in their bility to devise inventive solutions and improve upon our current arsenal of ophthalmic medications, devices,and delivery systems.

"An archaeobiologist and his former lover travel from San Francisco to the Himalayas to the Arctic Circle on a danger-filled quest for a cure to a drug-resistant form of leprosy . . . "

Certain biomarkers of cardiovascular disease may be risk factors for age-related macular degeneration (AMD), according to Andrew K. Vine, MD, FRCSC, who presented the results of a case-control study during the American Academy of Ophthalmology annual meeting.

Atlanta—It is important to recognize and intervene promptly in patients who may have symptoms of an impending stroke, according to Nancy Newman, MD, who is professor of ophthalmology and neurology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta.

A vertebrobasilar infarct is characterized by acute onset of symptoms that may progress over hours to days.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) can present to the ophthalmologist with visual loss (e.g., opticneuritis), diplopia (e.g., internuclear ophthalmoplegia [INO] or sixth-nerve palsy), or nystagmus.

You can help influence the reimbursement level for specific CPT codes by participating in the Five-Year Review of Work Values, a comprehensive review of all physician relative work values conducted by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

An implantable miniature telescope (IMT, VisionCare Ophthalmic Tech- nologies, Saratoga, CA) may offer improved visual acuity and quality of life in patients with bilateral, endstage age-related macular degeneration (AMD), according to Paul R. Lichter, MD, who made a presentation on behalf of the investigators.

The AcrySof ReSTOR apodized diffractive IOL (model MA60D3, Alcon Laboratories Inc.) provides patients with excellent near visual acuity without compromising distance vision.

Better accommodating IOLs are also needed, and ideally, the new technology will be so sophisticated that it allows accommodation to be under the patient's control.

Coronado Island, CA—A new, high-output filtered xenon light source (Photon, Synergetics, St. Charles, MO), provides excellent illumination during vitreoretinal surgery when paired with a series of novel fiberoptic devices, according to Carl C. Awh, MD.

Durham, NC—Researchers are exploring new ideas on the mechanism by which IOP is elevated in primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). David L. Epstein, MD, proposed theories such as loss of dynamic function and proteasome function and emphasized that POAG has multiple causes.

Boston—Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is finally coming into its own. The technology has advanced to the point that the resolution is down to micrometers and three-dimensional images of retinal structures can be obtained. These advances are expected to make possible diagnosis and management of retinal diseases before they become clinically apparent.

Irvine, CA—Refractec Inc. has hired R. Keith Burgess for the newly created position of director of international sales.