News

Paris-The Schwind microkeratome (Schwind Technologies) is a safe instrument and allows creation of flaps with predictable thickness, according to Ioannis Aslanides, MD, and Vinod Kumar, MD.

Waltham, MA-OXiGENE Inc. is launching a phase II clinical trial of its lead compound, Combretastatin A4 Prodrug (CA4P), in patients with myopic macular degeneration (MMD) under an investigational new drug application (NDA) submitted to the FDA.

Epi-LASIK is a promising new refractive procedure that potentially offers the visual recovery and minimal pain of LASIK without some of the well-known stromal flap complications.

For many American children, especially boys, the toys most cherished on Christmas morning were model trains. For Robert Laird, MD, Portland, OR, the love continued to flourish right into adulthood. His fascination with whistles, smoking engines, and painstaking detail continues.

New Orleans-Lowering IOP in patients with ocular hypertension or early glaucoma does help delay or prevent further damage. However, does every 1 mm Hg of pressure reduction really affect patient outcomes?

Paris-The Schwind microkeratome (Schwind Technologies) is a safe instrument and allows creation of flaps with predictable thickness, according to Ioannis Aslanides, MD, and Vinod Kumar, MD.

Los Angeles-The BD K-3000 (BD Ophthalmics) is an easy-to-use microkeratome that surgeons can rely on for safe and predictable performance in LASIK flap creation, said Jonathan M. Davidorf, MD.

Paris-The Amadeus II microkeratome (Advanced Medical Optics) builds on the advantages of its predecessor with new features that enhance safety, efficiency, and ease of use, said Eric D. Donnenfeld, MD, at the XXII Congress of the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons.Dr. Donnenfeld presented a study in which he evaluated the Amadeus II in a series of 100 eyes of 50 patients.

Houston-A new federal grant focusing on painful inherited visual disorders that scar the cornea will allow researchers to narrow the genetic cause of one type of corneal dystrophy and to offer improved diagnosis of this family of diseases.

The keratome features a 19-mm suction ring that fits well into small eyes.

New Orleans-Six-month follow-up results from a randomized, prospective, contralateral eye comparison study confirm findings from earlier visits showing all-laser LASIK performed with the femtosecond laser microkeratome (IntraLase FS, IntraLase) yields superior vision outcomes compared with the same ablation procedure performed in eyes with a mechanical microkeratome-created flap, reported Daniel S. Durrie, MD, at the 2004 ISRS/AAO refractive surgery subspecialty day meeting.

Paris-The performance of the new Zyoptix XP microkeratome (Bausch & Lomb) is comparable to that of the Hansatome microkeratome (Bausch & Lomb), according to Wing Kwong Chan, MD.

Salt Lake City-Researchers at the University of Utah's Moran Eye Center have identified gene mutations that impair the ability of the photoreceptor cells to dispose of waste properly and as a result cause retinitis pigmentosa.

New Orleans-Findings of a retrospective study of ocular sequelae in baby-boomers born prematurely and who developed retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) reinforces the concept that ROP is a lifetime disease requiring ongoing, careful surveillance, said William S. Tasman, MD, at the American Academy of Ophthalmology retina subspecialty day meeting.

Los Angeles-A clinical trial of a prototype intraocular retinal prosthesis continues to produce encouraging results during ongoing follow-up. Meanwhile, the development program is on schedule for a higher-density device that investigators hope will enable unaided mobility for totally blind individuals, according to Mark S. Humayun, MD, PhD.

Duluth, GA-Norwood Abbey Ltd. has launched a 3-month study of postoperative comfort, visual recovery, and wavefront-guided custom ablation with its Centurion SES Epikeratome with EpiEdge for Epi-LASIK for the treatment of myopia.

Waltham, MA-OXiGENE Inc. is launching a phase II clinical trial of its lead compound, Combretastatin A4 Prodrug (CA4P), in patients with myopic macular degeneration (MMD) under an investigational new drug application (NDA) submitted to the FDA.

Dublin, CA-Carl Zeiss Meditec Inc. completed the acquisition of Laser Diagnostic Technologies (LDT), maker of a complementary technology aimed at measuring optic changes that lead to glaucoma diagnosis.

Irvine, CA-The FDA has approved Visiogen Inc.'s Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) for the Synchronym dual-optic accommodating IOL.

New Orleans-Surface ablation is an important option for enhancement procedures in eyes with thin corneas or previous flap complications that are at risk for poor outcomes after LASIK treatment, said Raymond M. Stein, MD, at the International Society of Refractive Surgery subspecialty day at the American Academy of Ophthalmology meeting.

Burlington, MA-A new approach to treating ocular ischemic syndrome-percutaneous carotid artery stenting-may be useful to treat previously inoperable lesions and provide subsequent visual and intracranial benefits, said Jeffrey L. Marx, MD.

A single state has the attention of ophthalmologists and their advocates throughout the United States-and the state in question is not even a swing state.

Munich, Germany-Posterior chamber Artisan/Verisyse aphakic IOL (Ophtec BV) implantation for aphakic correction in eyes without capsular support may be the answer to the challenges that arise with anterior chamber IOL implantation. Tobias Neuhann, MD, described a new technique that uses this normally anterior chamber IOL in a novel way.

Dublin, Ireland-Allergan Inc. will cut more than 300 jobs this spring at its Westport plant in western Ireland as it transfers its contact lens solutions operations there to Advanced Medical Optics Inc. (AMO) of Santa Clara, CA.

San Diego-Wavefront-guided PRK using the CustomVue S4 laser (VISX) was found to be safe and effective and to induce fewer higher-order aberrations when compared with standard PRK, according to Steven C. Schallhorn, MD.

Munich, Germany-Posterior chamber Artisan/Verisyse aphakic IOL (Ophtec BV) implantation for aphakic correction in eyes without capsular support may be the answer to the challenges that arise with anterior chamber IOL implantation. Tobias Neuhann, MD, described a new technique that uses this normally anterior chamber IOL in a novel way.

Implementing new technology for biometry and IOL power calculation represents an important investment for the surgeon.

Sterling, VA-WaveLight Inc. has honored four surgeons for their work in advancing new refractive laser technology through their early adoption of the company's Allegretto Wave excimer laser system.

New York-Eyetech Pharmaceuticals has appointed Barrett Katz, MD, as its vice president of medical strategy.

Durham, NC-Inspire Pharmaceuticals Inc. will exclusively license several patents from the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation to develop and commercialize new therapeutics for treating glaucoma.