News

San Francisco - Many parallels can be drawn between glaucoma and coronary heart disease - both are chronic diseases that can be depicted on a continuum of progression from disease that is first undetectable, then asymptomatic, and ultimately results in functional impairment - and both are associated with a modifiable causal risk factor (IOP and serum cholesterol) that when treated effectively results in a reduction in disease progression risk.

San Francisco - Developers of specialized perimetric tests and quantitative optic nerve and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) analyzers have introduced hardware and software modifications to improve those new tools for assessing function and structure in patients with glaucoma. However, their roles in clinical practice still await definition pending further study, said Christopher A. Girkin, MD, MPH, associate professor of ophthalmology and director, glaucoma service, Callahan Eye Foundation Hospital, University of Alabama at Birmingham.

San Francisco - A newly developed risk calculator will make therapeutic decision-making for patients with ocular hypertension a little more straightforward, said Robert N. Weinreb, MD, director, Hamilton Glaucoma Center, and distinguished professor of ophthalmology, University of California, San Diego.

San Francisco - Statistics released by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2002 indicate glaucoma has become a more common cause of blindness than it was in the past, said Anne L. Coleman, MD, PhD, the Frances and Ray Stark Professor of Ophthalmology, Jules Stein Eye Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles.

San Francisco - A panel of glaucoma experts from across the United States highlighted the latest advances in understanding glaucoma and caring for these patients at “Glaucoma 2005: Mastering Tools and Techniques for the 21st Century,” on Saturday, Sept. 17, at the Ritz-Carlton San Francisco. Now in its 5th year, the program included lectures, panel discussions, and a mini-symposium covering a variety of glaucoma issues with a distinguished faculty.

Fort Lauderdale, FL—The economic ramifications of treating ocular hypertension and glaucoma bring some serious questions into the spotlight, notably the costs of treatment and especially the increased rate of cataract extractions associated with the use of anti-glaucoma eye drops. Harry Quigley, MD, considered these issues at the annual meeting of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology.

Orlando—A review of 17 volunteer-led preschool photoscreening programs indicates that such programs can be highly successful but that strong, preferably paid, administrative leadership is crucial in ensuring adequate rates of follow-up and referral, according to Sean P. Donahue, MD, PhD, associate professor of ophthalmology and visual sciences, pediatrics, and neurology at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, and chief of ophthalmology, Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt.

Although Ronald L. Snow, MD, has been an aviator for more than 35 years, flying is not something he takes for granted.

Fort Lauderdale, FL—The economic ramifications of treating ocular hypertension and glaucoma bring some serious questions into the spotlight, notably the costs of treatment and especially the increased rate of cataract extractions associated with the use of anti-glaucoma eye drops. Harry Quigley, MD, considered these issues at the annual meeting of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology.

The three steps in the educational campaign are vision wear, based on intelligent vision correction; vision care, emphasizing maintenance and preventive eye care; and practitioner and patient education.

Sydney, Australia—Currently available soft contact lenses vary substantially in their optic zone refractive power distribution, and labeled lens power may not correspond exactly to the effective power of the lens on the eye. However, with attention to proper lens fitting, the power profile differences do not appear to result in measurable differences on short-term visual performance, according to the results of a study undertaken by Australian researchers.

Washington, DC—Members of the House of Representatives are expected to consider this fall a bill that identifies all contact lenses as medical devices that should be regulated by the FDA.

Columbus, OH—Although data from a 3-year study indicate that myopia progression was less in children wearing rigid gas-permeable contact lenses (RGPs) than in a control group wearing soft contact lenses (SCLs), half of the effect was due to corneal changes, which are transient.

Orlando—An independent amblyopia clinic staffed by orthoptists could decrease physician workload. It would also be well received by patients, according to David Morrison, MD.

Orlando—A review of 17 volunteer-led preschool photoscreening programs indicates that such programs can be highly successful but that strong, preferably paid, administrative leadership is crucial in ensuring adequate rates of follow-up and referral, according to Sean P. Donahue, MD, PhD, associate professor of ophthalmology and visual sciences, pediatrics, and neurology at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, and chief of ophthalmology, Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt.

Lisbon, Portugal - Coaxial microphacoemulsification performed through a 2.2-mm incision results in significantly less induced astigmatism than conventional coaxial phacoemulsification through a 3-mm incision, said Samuel Masket, MD, clinical professor of ophthalmology, Jules Stein Eye Institute, University of California-Los Angeles, United States.

Lisbon, Portugal - Preliminary data have demonstrated that VISX CustomVue wavefront-guided enhancement of eyes with high aberrations after a previous refractive surgery is safe and effective. Edward Manche, MD, described the retrospective analysis of 120 eyes of 102 patients Tuesday at the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons meeting.

Lisbon, Portugal - EpiLASIK is a safe and effective alternative refractive procedure to treat patients with myopia. The 1-year data indicate that the patients have good refractive results and stable vision. Vikentia Katsanevaki, MD, PhD, described the study Tuesday at the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons meeting.

Lisbon, Portugal - Coaxial microphacoemulsification performed through a 2.2-mm incision results in significantly less induced astigmatism than conventional coaxial phacoemulsification through a 3-mm incision, said Samuel Masket, MD, clinical professor of ophthalmology, Jules Stein Eye Institute, University of California-Los Angeles, United States.

Lisbon, Portugal - A shift from conventional to wavefront-guided LASIK has resulted in reduced enhancement rates that translate into significant cost savings to the practice, said Richard L. Lindstrom, MD, adjunct professor emeritus, department of ophthalmology, University of Minnesota, and founding partner, Minnesota Eye Consultants, Minneapolis, United States.

Lisbon, Portugal - Treatment with a topical beta-blocker is effective for preventing regression after LASIK to treat myopia. However, there is no way to predict which patients will respond to the therapy, according to Takayoshi Suzuki, MD, who reported his findings Tuesday at the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons meeting.

Lisbon, Portugal - Application of mitomycin C after PRK prevents the development of corneal haze and improves visual acuity. Ewa Mrukwa-Kominek, MD, reported these findings Tuesday at the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons meeting.

Lisbon, Portugal - Dry eye syndrome after LASIK may be the result of goblet cell dysfunction. Extended application of artificial tears may be warranted to facilitate the return to normal function, Ahmed Galal, MD, PhD, said Tuesday at the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons meeting.

Lisbon, Portugal - Nidek Co., Gamagori, Japan, has received a CE Mark for its new and advanced refractive surgery laser system, the EC-5000CXIII. This regulatory milestone clears the way for NIDEK to commercialize and market the new laser platform for refractive surgery, throughout the world, especially in Europe and the Middle East, the company said.

Lisbon, Portugal - Both the Artiflex (Ophtec) iris-claw IOL and the I-Care (Cornéal) phakic angle-supported IOL are effective and provide good refractive outcomes, Antonio Marinho, MD, reported Monday at the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons meeting.

Lisbon, Portugal - Three widely used anterior chamber phakic IOLs may induce a low degree of optical aberrations in implanted eyes, reported Simonetta Morselli, MD, of the Ophthalmic Unit, Hospital of Verona, Italy.

Lisbon, Portugal - The Duet-Kelman phakic lens seems to be safe and efficacious to correct moderate and high degrees of myopia, and patients with high degrees of myopia expressed satisfaction with their increased vision, according to Gonzalo Bernabeu, MD. He reported his experience with the IOL Monday at the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons meeting.

Lisbon, Portugal - Data on the development of endophthalmitis have been reported continuously since 1994 in Sweden, and the rate of endophthalmitis has been decreasing similar to international rates. Per Montan, MD, reported the results of a multicenter study on the risk factors that have been identified for the development of endophthalmitis Monday at the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons meeting.

Lisbon, Portugal - The results of the 7th annual survey on foldable IOLs indicate that dislocation and decentration are by far the most common reasons for lens explantation, with incorrect lens power the next most important factor. Nick Mamalis, MD, reported the results of the survey - conducted by the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) and the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (ESCRS) - Monday morning at ESCRS’ annual meeting.

Lisbon, Portugal - Coaxial microphacoemulsification performed through a 2.2-mm incision is a new technique that can be readily learned by cataract surgeons skilled in phacoemulsification. The technique affords patients the combined benefits of ultra-small incision surgery and conventional foldable IOLs, Robert H. Osher, MD, said Monday at the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons meeting.