Dual approach is safe, effective during phacoemulsification
March 15th 2002New York-A dual approach to viscoelastic use during phacoemulsification combining 2% hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (Ocucoat, Bausch & Lomb Surgical) and sodium hyaluronate (Amvisc Plus, Bausch & Lomb Surgical) affords surgeons the opportunity to benefit from the positive features of each and allows surgery to be performed very safely and efficiently, said Robert Ditkoff, MD.
Pars plana viscoelastic aids posteriorly dislocated IOL
March 15th 2002San Francisco-Pars plana injection of viscoelastic is an excellent technique for managing the difficult problem of a posteriorly dislocated IOL. By levitating the IOL forward, this maneuver can facilitate IOL suturing or exchange through an anterior segment approach, according to David F. Chang, MD.
How to manage varying demands of hyperopic LASIK
March 15th 2002New Orleans-Surgeons need to understand that hyperopic LASIK is profoundly different from myopic LASIK, said George O. Waring III, MD. It is especially important to convey this message to patients who typically may be imbued with the notion
Patient history, dermatologic consult aid in hair loss diagnosis
March 1st 2002When faced with a patient having lash or eyebrow hair loss, a careful history searching for clues is help-ful. Hair loss involving the eyelashes or eye-brow area may result from several conditions including skin diseases, drug side effects, endocrine abnormalities, metabolic abnormalities, inflammation, toxins, radiation effects, systemic diseases, infection, and trauma.
Don't overlook possible orbital inflammatory pseudotumor
March 1st 2002The acute onset of a red, painful, proptotic eye will almost always cause the emergency room or primary-care physician to elicit an immediate ophthalmic consultation for the possibility of orbital cellulitis or orbital mass. In the absence of systemic infection or sinusitis, however, orbital inflammatory pseudotumor is more likely to be the diagnosis.
Genetic test may predict disease progression, development
March 1st 2002Alameda, CA-Early indications are that the Ocugene glaucoma genetic test (InSite Vision, Alameda, CA) has the potential of becoming a useful tool in determining the likelihood of glaucoma development or progression in certain patients.
Greater IOP-lowering effect of drug seen in black population
March 1st 2002Memphis, TN-Travoprost 0.004% ophthalmic solution (Travatan, Alcon) is an effective IOP-lowering medication in patients of all racial origins. However, travoprost reduces IOP more in black patients compared with non-black patients, and its efficacy in blacks exceeds that associated with both timolol (Timoptic, Merck) and latanoprost (Xalatan, Pharmacia), said Peter A. Netland, MD, PhD.
Combination glaucoma agents produce good control of IOP
March 1st 2002Cincinnati, OH-The IOP-lowering effect of dorzolamide HCl/timolol maleate (Cosopt, Merck, West Point, PA) is comparable to that of brimonidine tartrate (Alphagan, Allergan, Irvine, CA) and timolol maleate after 6 months of treatment.
Unoprostone lowers IOP in advanced glaucoma cases
March 1st 2002Washington, DC-Unoprostone isopropyl 0.15% (Rescula, Novartis) may be a viable option for further lowering IOP in patients with advanced glaucoma whose disease is uncontrolled by maximum tolerated medical therapy, said Leslie S. Jones, MD.
Study results point to efficacy of once-daily bimatoprost
March 1st 2002Indianapolis-Pooled 6-month data from two multicenter, double-blind, parallel studies demonstrate that once-daily treatment with bimatoprost ophthalmic solution 0.03% (Lumigan, Allergan) is safe and more effective than timolol 0.5% for controlling elevated IOP, said Louis B. Cantor, MD.
Monotherapy after initial diagnosis helps patient compliance
March 1st 2002Baltimore-Patients who received latanoprost (Xalatan, Pharmacia Corp., Peapack, NJ) to treat glaucoma were more likely to adhere to their regimens and less likely to discontinue their medications compared with patients who are prescribed beta-blockers, carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, or brimonidine, according to Gail Schwartz, MD, and her colleagues.
Brand-name glaucoma drug offers cost-effective treatment
March 1st 2002Ophthalmologists prescribing timolol hemihydrate (Betimol, Santen Pharmaceuticals) can be assured their patients are receiving a brand-name nonselective beta-blocker product that is safe, effective, and economical, said Michael S. Berlin, MD, and George A. Cioffi, MD.
Academy helps avoid medical errors in ophthalmology
March 1st 2002The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) has issued three patient safety bulletins to improve patient care in ophthalmology. The academy has analyzed three key areas where errors may occur and suggested ways to minimize these medical errors.
Microkeratome creates nasal hinge, minimizing dry eye
February 15th 2002New Orleans-Safety, reproducibility, and user-friendliness make the Amadeus microkeratome (Allergan) an excellent choice for LASIK flap creation, said Kerry D. Solomon, MD, at the refractive surgery subspecialty day prior to the American Academy of Ophthalmology annual meeting.