News

San Diego-The Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL, STAAR Surgical) appears to be safe and effective for treating low to high myopia based on the 3-year FDA study results. There is, however, a low risk of developing a cataract as a result of implantation, explained Harry Grabow, MD, who reported the findings at the annual meeting of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery.The criteria for inclusion in the myopic ICL study were –3 to –20 D of spherical equivalent (mean preoperative refraction, –10 D) and up to 2.5 D of cylinder. The refractive results were good with a mean stable postoperative refraction of about –0.5 D.

Six-month results show 88% achieving 20/40 for distance, 70% achieving J3 or better

William Halstead is justifiably given credit for popularizing and spreading the value and the virtue of surgical gloves around the world.

Advanced Medical Optics (AMO, Santa Ana, CA) redefined its position in the ophthalmic community when it reached a definitive agreement April 21 to acquire Pfizer’s surgical ophthalmology business for $450 million in cash. The deal will boost AMO’s revenue base by 25% and allow the company bragging rights to the Healon line of viscoelastic products, the CeeOn and Tecnis IOLs, and the Baerveldt glaucoma shunt.“You don’t see many of these deals come across in a lifetime-in any industry,” said AMO President and Chief Executive Officer James V. Mazzo

More than 330 ophthalmologists from 24 states and several countriesattended "Glaucoma 2004: Mastering Tools and Techniques for the 21stCentury," on Friday, June 4, and Saturday, June 5, at the Plaza Hotel.

The use of antiproliferative agents has helped increase thelikelihood of successful filtering surgery by inhibiting the wound healingresponse. The problem is that these agents also contribute to the risk ofbleb leak and bleb-associated infection, reported Paul J. Lama, MD, of theUniversity of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Newark, and the Veterans'Administration Medical Center, East Orange, NJ.

What are the best approaches to the glaucoma suspect, establishedglaucoma patient, and the patient with low-tension glaucoma? Those weresome of the topics covered in the afternoon session on Friday, June 4.

Global risk assessment is a relatively new concept in ophthalmology.In the field of cardiology, risk factors to aid in treatment decisions havebeen used for 50 years. Cardiologists and internists document such factorsas blood pressure and serum lipid profiles in all patients to determinethose who are at risk and need treatment.

Automated perimetry is an important tool for the diagnosis andmanagement of glaucoma. Using this tool, clinicians can identify the abnormalvisual field and then monitor for ongoing visual field deterioration, saidJody R. Piltz-Seymour, MD, of the University of Pennsylvania, and the ScheieEye Institute, Philadelphia. She described the strengths and weaknessesof three systems currently used by clinicians.

Clinicians need to recognize the fundamental characteristicsof the glaucomatous optic nerve in daily practice. While understanding cup-to-discratio is important, it is also important to recognize other structural characteristics.

The new technology has the potential to be safer with the delivery of micropulses of BSS, which results in littleor no increase in temperature or vibration inside the eye.

Patients with atypical or stereotypical symptoms present more cause for concern.

Visual field testing, fundus photography help to document condition of optic nerve over time

Debate weighs merits of both modalities; further research may elucidate preferences

The typical signs and symptoms of shunt malfunction include headache, neck pain, malaise, nausea and vomiting, mental status changes, increased blood pressure, or seizure.

Inhibition of PKC shown to affect changes in retinal blood flow as well as leukocyte adhesion

Inflammatory mechanisms, infectious agents, and environmental and systemic co-factors explored

Glaucoma agent may be more protective of optic nerve by blunting IOP spikes, expert says

New this year: A rapid-fire paper session consisting of almost 30 cutting-edge refractive surgery-based papers from around the world.

San Diego-The key to achieving the most from refractive surgery is an understanding of the biomechanics of the refractive procedures in the eye coupled with advances in pharmaceuticals to facilitate wound healing.

When should intraocular lymphoma be considered, and when it is suspected what steps should be taken to make the diagnosis?

The risk of endophthalmitis after clear corneal surgery was significantly higher compared with both scleral and limbal incisions.

Baltimore-Peripheral iris fixation of a foldable posterior chamber IOL using a modified McCannel suture appears to be a useful technique for the management of delayed-onset within-the-bag IOL subluxation in eyes with pseudoexfoliation syndrome, said Aruoriwo M. Oboh-Weilke, MD

Presence of pigmentation may be inhibitory factor for blood vessel growth, researchers report

However, IOP remains most important risk factor for blindness

Fixed combination compares favorably with concomitant use of prostaglandin analogue, beta-blocker

Waltham, MA-Interleukin Genetics Inc. has received a U.S. patent for a method that uses specific genetic markers to identify people with diabetes who are at an increased risk of retinopathy.

Des Plaines, IL-First-quarter 2004 sales of Addition Technology Inc.'s micro-thin prescription inserts (Intacs) increased 57% over the same period a year ago and 93% over the previous quarter, according to the company.

Irvine, CA-Medennium Inc. is working with GD Services Inc. of Newport Beach, CA, to help raise money for its SmartIOL, an injectable, full-sized, accommodating IOL under development.

New York-Eyetech Pharmaceuticals and Archemix Corp. will collaborate on the research and development of aptamers for use in the treatment of ophthalmic diseases.