News

Although the news of Advanced Medical Optics Inc. (AMO) buying VISX caught many on Wall Street off guard, several analysts are saying the deal makes sense in retrospect.

Irvine, CA-IntraLase Corp. glided into the public realm in early October with a successful initial public offering (IPO) at the top of its indicated range, selling nearly 7.3 million shares and raising $86.6 million.

Dublin, CA-The acquisition of San Diego-based Laser Diagnostic Technologies Inc. (LDT) by global device manufacturer and distributor Carl Zeiss Meditec Inc. will give greater exposure to the former company's single product-a novel technology for detecting glaucoma.

Sylmar, CA-Second Sight Medical Prod-ucts Inc. (SSMP) has created a partnership with the Department of Energy (DOE) Artificial Retina Project under a cooperative research and development agree-ment.

San Francisco-EyeCare America, the public service program of the Foundation of the American Academy of Ophthalmology (FAAO), received a $1.125 million grant from Alcon Laboratories Inc., Fort Worth, TX.

For the ophthalmologist considering diversification by setting up an in-house lens fabrication lab, the benefits are numerous: the ability to trim costs, speed up delivery time of glasses, and offer better quality control. Perhaps the two most compelling reasons for doing in-house work are patient satisfaction and additional profits.

New Orleans-The C-01-99 phase III clinical trial of anecortave acetate for depot suspension (Retaane, Alcon Laboratories Inc.) found that the drug did not meet the primary endpoint of non-inferiority to verteporfin (Visudyne, Novartis Ophthalmics and QLT Inc.) in the treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

New Orleans-The VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) Inhibition Study in Ocular Neovascularization (VISION), a phase III appraisal of three doses of pegaptanib sodium injection (Macugen, Eyetech Pharmaceuticals), found that the 0.3-mg dose of the drug improves visual outcomes in patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) compared with a sham procedure and usual care (photodynamic therapy [PDT]).

New Orleans-Two phase III trials, one phase II trial, and one extension trial are under way for anti-VEGF agent, ranibizumab (Lucentis, Genentech). The extension trial indicates that ranibizumab provides a long-term benefit to patients and that it is well tolerated, according to Jeffrey S. Heier, MD, who described the studies during the retina subspecialty day here at the American Academy of Ophthalmology annual meeting.

Baltimore-Intraocular implantation of fluocinolone acetonide (Retisert, Bausch & Lomb) has resulted in significant decreases in the recurrence rate of non-infectious posterior segment uveitis and improvements in visual acuity (VA), it was an-nounced at the annual meeting of the Retina Society here.

Reviewing the evidence for photodynamic therapy (PDT) as a vital tool in the treatment of predominantly classic subfoveal choroidal neovascularization (CNV) due to age-related macular degeneration (AMD), Neil M. Bressler, MD, suggested that it was the best currently available treatment despite limitations, while Jack O. Sipperley, MD, questioned whether PDT was cost-effective.

The best outcomes were achieved in patients with PIC, toxoplasmosis, Stargardt's disease, and birdshot choroidopathy, and the results were better than expected in eyes with angioid streaks.

Sylmar, CA-Second Sight Medical Prod-ucts Inc. (SSMP) has created a partnership with the Department of Energy (DOE) Artificial Retina Project under a cooperative research and development agree-ment.

Retina special report

Animal models are useful tools for research into the etiology, progression, and treatment of disease. Several animal models have been developed to mimic various features of ophthalmic angiogenesis and many of these models have been used to assess the efficacy and safety of treatment regimens prior to clinical use, as well as to test formulations of drugs and modes of administration.

There are many locations within the eye that an IOL can be placed. Most often, lenses are placed in the bag, but they may be placed in the sulcus, sewn into the posterior chamber, or sewn into or clipped onto the iris. Another location can be in the anterior chamber. Let's look at the evolution of anterior chamber IOLs (AC IOLs) in this month's column.

Nashville, TN-GlazMed International Inc., a non-profit Nashville-based organization dedicated to the dissemination of medical knowledge, technology, and information, announces a collaboration between the United States and Russia-the establishment of the Inter-Regional Association of Ophthalmology.

The growing trend in bimanualmicroincision phacoemulsification has prompted many surgeons to evaluate this new surgical technique. Following are 10 tips for the beginning microincision surgeon. Some of these tips may also help the more experienced surgeon fine-tune his or her approach to bimanual microincision surgery.

Baltimore-The Wilmer Eye Institute's 17th annual Current Concepts in Ophthalmology meeting will feature a presentation by retinal translocation inventor Eugene de Juan Jr., MD, along with 3 days of courses and workshops designed to provide the latest updates in the field. Co-sponsored by Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, and Ophthalmology Times, the meeting will convene Dec. 2 to 4.

New Orleans-"Hot-off-the-press" results from the 2004 International Society of Refractive Surgery of the American Academy of Ophthalmology (ISRS/AAO) refractive surgery survey are being examined to determine what constitutes standard of care, said Richard J. Duffey, MD, at the opening day session of the refractive subspecialty day meeting.

Irvine, CA-For years, Roger F. Steinert, MD, struggled to carve out time to explore his theories while tending to patients and teaching students in Boston.

Paris-Available scientific information provides ample evidence that bimanual microincision cataract surgery (MICS) is at least as safe and effective in many respects compared with coaxial phacoemulsification.

Iowa City, IA-Investigators here have identified subtle gene defects that underlie some cases of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), providing clues to the origin and possibly treatment of the condition, but at the same time suggesting a broad molecular-biological diversity.

Los Angeles-Conventional LASIK for the treatment of myopia using the scanning slit excimer laser system (EC-5000, Nidek) affords visual acuity, predictability, and safety outcomes that are comparable to-if not slightly better than-those achieved with Hartmann-Shack aberrometer-driven ablations with other laser systems, according to the preliminary results of a retrospective study performed by Paul J. Dougherty, MD.

Lexington, KY-Mice deficient in monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (Ccl-2) or its cognate C-C chemokine receptor-2 (Ccr-2) provide a high-fidelity model of atrophic and neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and studies performed with those animals so far implicate a role for macrophage dysfunction in AMD pathogenesis, said Jayakrishna Ambati, MD.

Iowa City, IA-Investigators here have identified subtle gene defects that underlie some cases of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), providing clues to the origin and possibly treatment of the condition, but at the same time suggesting a broad molecular-biological diversity.

Unless action is taken, resident training and patient care may suffer

San Diego-The WaveScan System (VISX) may be a valuable method to measure refractions accurately and objectively before LASIK.

The fourth-generation fluoroquinolones gatifloxacin 0.3% (Zymar, Allergan) and moxifloxacin 0.5% (Viga- mox, Alcon Laboratories) provide safe, potent, and broad-spectrum coverage against bacterial pathogens that are important in post-refractive surgery infections, and based on that profile should be considered the treatment of choice for antimicrobial prophylaxis in patients undergoing excimer laser refractive procedures, agree Daniel S. Durrie, MD, and William Trattler, MD.

How nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDs) and anti-infective drugs are used during cataract and refractive procedures varies depending with the procedure and the physician performing it. A few high-volume refractive surgeons explained their regimens and why use of the drugs differs.