Creation of retinochoroidal anastomosis may help those with CRVO
November 1st 2002Mexico City-Surgical treatment of central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) by the creation of retinochoroidal anastomosis (RCA) may become an effective therapy for some patients with CRVO, according to Hugo Quiroz-Mercado, MD.
Retinal gene expression changes with age
November 1st 2002Ann Arbor, MI-Results from gene microarray studies by researchers at the University of Michigan reveal there are highly specific, age-related changes in retinal gene expression. Those findings are described in the August issue of Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science [Yoshida S, et al. IVOS 2002; 43:2554-2560].
Lasers give similar results for low to moderate myopia
November 1st 2002Fort Myers, FL-A comparison of two laser systems, the STAR S2 (VISX, Santa Clara, CA) and the LadarVision (Alcon, Fort Worth, TX), used to treat low to moderate levels of myopia indicated that the visual results after LASIK were similar between the two but that visual recovery appeared to be faster with the STAR S2.
Inhaled cocaine use linked to nonischemic vascular event
November 1st 2002A 42-year-old Hispanic male presented complaining of decreased vision in his left eye. He noted that his vision in that eye had decreased suddenly three weeks earlier. The patient had low hyperopia. His medical, surgical, and family histories were unremarkable. He was using no medications and had no known drug allergies. Although he initially reported no significant social history, after more extensive questioning he admitted to the occasional inhalational use of cocaine. His most recent use was on the day prior to the onset of his visual disturbance.
Wavefront-guided LASIK may provide improved visual results
November 1st 2002San Diego-Several higher-order aberrations have been correlated with patients' visual complaints after LASIK. Because wavefront technology appears to reduce the induction of higher-order aberrations after LASIK, wavefront-guided ablations may improve the visual outcomes after LASIK, according to Steven C. Schallhorn, MD.
Visual outcomes found comparable in study of two treatment approaches
November 1st 2002Bucaramanga, Colombia-A study that compared traditional Planoscan ablations with Zyoptix (Bausch & Lomb, San Dimas, CA) wavefront-guided LASIK for myopia indicated that the two treatment approaches provide similar visual results.
Certain factors identify those at risk for corneal ectasia after LASIK
November 1st 2002Atlanta-The risk of corneal ectasia following LASIK is greater in patients with form fruste keratoconus, more than -8 D of myopia, and residual stromal beds that are thinner than 225 ?m. Most of the patients who developed corneal ectasia, however, were able to obtain a good visual outcome with contact lens correction, according to R. Doyle Stulting, MD, PhD.
Posterior chamber PRL corrects moderate to high hyperopia
November 1st 2002Rockville Centre, NY-Implantation of a posterior chamber phakic refractive lens (PRL) (Medennium phakic refractive lens, CIBA Vision, Duluth, GA) demonstrated positive visual outcomes in the treatment of high hyperopia, according to Alexander Hatsis, MD, who presented the results of the FDA phase II trial.
Infections after LASIK resolve with antibiotic course
November 1st 2002Warner Robins, GA-Diagnosis and treatment of late-onset microbacterial infections with amikacin after LASIK results in good visual recoveries. However, other refractive procedures, such as PRK or LASEK, will decrease the incidence of these types of infections, most of which result from creation of the flap, according to Johnny L. Gayton, MD.
Santen hopes to build its presence through collaboration
November 1st 2002Napa, CA-When Santen Inc. entered the U.S. marketplace, the company's initial corporate campaign featured a bright-eyed, smiling little girl named Molly. The little girl was the focal point of the campaign that was entitled, "Protecting the Joy of Sight."
Hyperopia clinical module submitted to FDA
November 1st 2002Fremont, CA-Nidek Inc. has submitted its hyperopia PMA clinical module to the FDA for review and approval of its EC-5000 Excimer Laser System for hyperopia, hyperopic astigmatism, and mixed astigmatism. This marks the final step in gaining commercialization approval by the FDA to market and treat indications of hyperopia with the Nidek system.
Toric IOL appears to be safe for treating moderate to high astigmatism
November 1st 2002Sint-Truiden, Belgium-Implantation of the toric Artisan IOL (Ophtec BV, Groningen, the Netherlands) is a safe technique for use in patients with moderate and high levels of astigmatism, according to Camille Budo, MD, an ophthalmologist in Sint-Truiden, Belgium.
Ablation method predictable, safe in small multicenter trial
November 1st 2002Nice, France-Preliminary data suggest that visual outcomes are excellent with the VISX WavePrint ablation method (VISX) for custom laser vision correction. At the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery meeting, Douglas D. Koch, MD, described results of the VISX Study Group with 171 patients. He is professor of ophthalmology, The Allen, Mosbacher, and Law Chair in Ophthalmology, Cullen Eye Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston.
Representatives picked: AAO appoints Packer, McCaa to advisory board
November 1st 2002Fairfax, VA-Mark Packer, MD, and Connie S. McCaa, MD, have been appointed to serve on the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) Board of Councilors as representatives of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) membership.
Co-management can place doctors in vulnerable position
October 15th 2002Washington, DC-Co-management of cataract and refractive surgery patients may seem like a risky endeavor for ophthalmologists, exposing them to liability under the anti-kickback law. However, this doesn't have to be the case, noted Michael A. Romansky, JD.
Changing laser platforms offers challenge
October 15th 2002Citrus Heights, CA-The LADARVision system (Alcon, Fort Worth, TX) performed well with improved outcomes in the first 90 days in a study conducted to determine the effect on outcomes of incorporation of a new laser platform into a refractive practice.
Two-step approach best handles residual refractive errors
October 15th 2002Alicante, Spain-Wavefront-guided LASIK followed 3 months later with a refinement procedure seems to be an effective method for correcting residual refractive error, according to Jorge Alio, MD, PhD, professor and chairman, department of ophthalmology, University Miguel Hernandez, Alicante, Spain.