News

Adelaide, South Australia-For patients with periocular lentigo maligna and lentigo maligna melanoma, slow Mohs' surgery may be the answer. The procedure is a combination of rush processing of paraffin-embedded sections and mapped margin-controlled excision, which provides tissue conservation and the best cure rate compared with other treatments, such as unmonitored surgical excision, according to Raman Malhotra, MBChB, FRCOphth.

Fort Lauderdale, FL-Analyses of data collected in the Blue Mountains Eye Study (BMES) provide evidence for a relationship between open-angle glaucoma (OAG) and thyroid disease, and particularly hypothyroidism, said Anne J. Lee, MBBS, at the annual meeting of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology.

San Francisco-Preoperative corneal thickness is the most important predictor of achieved flap thickness using the Hansa-tome (Bausch & Lomb) microkeratome, but preoperative spherical equivalent (SE) and microkeratome head choice also play a role, according to the results of a study presented by Jay S. Pepose, MD, PhD, at the annual meeting of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery.

New York-Potential suitors are lining up to express interest in the probable sale of Pfizer Inc.'s surgical ophthalmology business, but so far, no one is proposing-publicly.

San Francisco-An investigational oval suction ring for the Carriazo-Pendular microkeratome (Schwind) allows for optimal suction even in astigmatic eyes and maximizes the ablatable area of the stromal bed, according to its inventor.

Alameda, CA-Calling the OcuGene glaucoma genetic test a useful tool in identifying at-risk relatives of glaucoma patients, the director of Glaucoma Service at Wills Eye Hospital in Philadelphia announced he is incorporating InSite Vision Inc.'s test into the hospital's glaucoma patient management program.

Washington, DC-A bipartisan group of congressional representatives has formed the Congressional Vision Caucus to raise public awareness about the importance of funding research for eye disease and public health education efforts.

Rochester, NY-Bausch & Lomb will work with Faezeh Mona Sarfarazi, MD, to develop a single-piece, molded silicone lens with a dual optic design aimed at helping presbyopic patients.

Editor's Note: In last month's "Dispensing Solutions" column, Pamela B. Fritz left off with a discussion on space allocation for the MD dispensary (see Ophthalmology Times, July 15, 2003 issue, Page 42). There are several other considerations in determining proper space allocation.

Fort Lauderdale, FL-The combination of lid scrubs and a broad-spectrum fluoroquinolone appears to reduce the number of bacteria in the eyelids and conjunctiva when used before cataract surgery. However, the use of preoperative lid scrubs alone appears to make more bacteria available to the ocular surface, in a recent study, produced a higher rate of positive cultures than when no prophylactic measures were used.

Barcelona, Spain-A combination eye-drop formulation of tobramycin and dexamethasone suspension (TobraDex, Alcon) is safe and well tolerated in patients when administered four times daily to control inflammation following cataract surgery.

Fort Lauderdale, FL-In a comparison study of three fluoroquinolones, gatifloxacin ophthalmic solution 0.3% (Zymar, Allergan), a new fourth-generation compound, was the most effective agent in the treatment of Mycobacterium chelonae keratitis after lamellar keratectomy in an animal model.

Fort Lauderdale, FL-Topical loteprednol etabonate 0.5% (Lotemax, Bausch & Lomb) instilled four times daily may be beneficial to treat patients who have keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) with at least a moderate inflammatory component.

Duluth, GA-Diclofenac sodium ophthalmic solution (Voltaren, Novartis Ophthalmics) is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) with a proven track record. It is the drug of choice to relieve pain following cataract or refractive surgery, and it has maintained that position despite the increased incidence of corneal melt associated with a generic version of the drug, according to Douglas A. Katsev, MD. He described diclofenac as a staple in his private practice in Santa Barbara, CA.

Fort Lauderdale, FL-Reformulated ketorolac tro-methamine ophthalmic solution 0.4% (Acular LS, Allergan) is a safe and effective topical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) for treating ocular pain after PRK.

Ashland, OH-Less than 2 hours by air from the sun-drenched beaches of Miami lay countries where impoverished people have never seen a doctor. In the Dominican Republic and Honduras, where electricity is unreliable and roads are often impassable, congenital glaucoma blinds children and cataracts grow rock hard. Diabetes robs young and old of their limbs, jobs are scarce, and mail and garbage service are nonexistent. Most adults carry machetes for protection.

In the ophthalmic market, there is a distinctive gap between industry leaders and followers.

Munich, Germany-The 2003 annual gathering of the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (ESCRS) will open on Saturday, Sept. 6 and continue through Wednesday, Sept. 10, at the ICM Congress Centre, in this city in the heart of Bavaria.

San Francisco-Automatic iris registration is the basis for the next-generation registration and tracking technology and represents a superior technique for cyclotorsional compensation, said Marc G. Odrich, MD, at the annual meeting of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery.

Boston-Genetic researchers are trying to identify the genetic causes of several conditions that seem to predispose individuals to secondary glaucomas, according to Janey Lee Wiggs, MD, PhD. She reviewed the current knowledge of the molecular genetics of the secondary glaucomas.

Scotland can claim fame for a number of talented surgeons of the 18th and 19th centuries, all with the same family name, Bell. Their medical contributions spanned 2 centuries.

Fort Worth, TX-With the recent FDA approval of its foldable, ultraviolet (UV)-, and blue-light-filtering IOL, Alcon believes its AcrySof Natural single-piece lens has the potential to set a new standard in IOLs.

Irvine, CA-When treating dry eye at all levels of severity, ophthalmic professionals need to match appropriate therapies with individual patients' needs.

New York-With the recent acquisition of Pharmacia Corp., Pfizer Inc. is making latanoprost ophthalmic solution (Xalatan) and three non-ophthalmic medicines available at a reduced cost to qualified senior citizens.

New York-Robert Ritch, MD, surgeon, director, and chief of glaucoma services at The New York Eye and Ear Infirmary, will serve a 5-year term as a trustee of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO).

Basel, Switzerland-Novartis Ophthalmics will have exclusive license to develop and market ranibizumab (Lucentis, formerly known as rhuFab V2), an anti-VEGF antibody fragment, outside North America under a new agreement with Genentech Inc.

Irvine, CA-Allergan's Botox (botulinum toxin type A) has officially made its way into the nation's lexicon as a household word.

Monrovia, CA-The FDA is studying STAAR Surgical Co.'s implantable contact lens (ICL) under an expedited review status that calls the product a potentially revolutionary advance over the current market.