16 most popular stories of 2016

It's been a huge year for the field of ophthalmology: Numerous game-changing FDA approvals, new technologies, and unique procedures have been major points of interest in the last several months. Here is a recap of 2016 in the most popular stories decided by you-the readers of Ophthalmology Times!

16.  Photoactivation holds promise for keratitis treatment

The same photoactivation process used in collagen cross-linking for keratoconus can kill bacteria without the need for the oxygen responsible for the biomechanical effects, potentially pointing toward better treatments for keratitis, according to Olivier Richoz, MD, PhD, a corneal and anterior segment fellow at Belfast Royal Victory Hospital, Belfast, United Kingdom.  

15. Unique approach to managing a posteriorly dislocated IOL

When a three-piece IOL intended for sulcus placement dislocates posteriorly during an IOL exchange procedure, cataract surgeons can consider several possible strategies. The options include leaving the dropped lens in the posterior segment while implanting either a posterior chamber or anterior chamber IOL or simply leaving the patient aphakic with the dropped IOL.

Alternatively, surgeons might attempt posterior-assisted levitation of the dislocated implant or seek assistance of a vitreoretinal surgeon.

When faced with this clinical scenario in an 85-year-old man with a history of vitrectomy with endolaser for retinal detachment repair, George Beiko, MD, implemented a novel, gravity-based solution.

14. Premium cataract surgery: Correcting complications and side effects

In this Gloves Off column, Arun Gulani, MD, addresses methods to correct complications and side effects of premium cataract surgery, including patient dissatisfaction postoperatively.

13. Scientific evidence mounting for superior outcomes with dropless cataract surgery

When a certain practice pattern has persisted over decades, it can be difficult to convince physicians to change. However, this desire to cling to traditional techniques has more to do with habit than a basis in scientific data and literature. This struggle is currently occurring with medication following cataract surgery.

12. New ocular allergy drug’s MOA targets inflammation

A new, first-in-class, aldehyde-trap topical drop demonstrated rapid onset of action and sustained efficacy with an acceptable safety profile in a phase II clinical trial of patients with moderate-to-severe allergic conjunctivitis.

11. 5 things interviewers look for in residency candidates

Regular OT blogger, Joshua Mali, MD, a vitreoretinal surgeon at The Eye Associates, Sarasota, FL, had multiple articles this year that reasonated extemely well with our readers. His two part series, 5 things interviewers looks for in residency candidates and 5 things to look for in a residency, make the process of selecting a residency to apply to slightly less complicated. In addition, his blog "Why physicians still have the best profession" was one of the most popular blogs of the year. 

10. 7 common mistakes in managing uveitic glaucoma

Glaucoma is a relatively common complication of uveitis, occurring in about 20% of affected eyes and arising through several different mechanisms. Emmett T Cunningham Jr., MD, PhD, MPH, reviewed seven common mistakes clinicians make in evaluating and managing elevated IOP in eyes with uveitis.

9. Shire's FDA-approved drug ends dry eye treatment drought

The decade-long wait for a new treatment option for dry eye patients finally ended this year with the approval of lifitegrast ophthalmic solution 5% (Xiidra, Shire Ophthalmics), a twice-daily eye drop solution. It is the only FDA-approved drug indicated to treat the signs and symptoms of dry eye disease.

8. Flying Eye Hospital aims to prevent blindness worldwide

A unique, third-generation Flying Eye Hospital is giving wings to Orbis' mission to prevent blindness worldwide.  

The hospital is the world's only mobile ophthalmic teaching hospital located on an MD-10 aircraft, and is the byproduct of six years of work by experts in aviation and hospital engineering.

The plane features the newest technologies to allow surgeon volunteers to teach physicians in developing countries about treatments and safety standards for cataract, glaucoma, refractive errors, diabetes-related conditions, strabismus, and more.

7. Clinical pearls for treating uveitis

Uveitis presents particular problems for ophthalmologists. Inflammation inside the eye can occur from so many causes that the diagnosis often requires painstaking, time-consuming investigation. As researchers have learned more about the disease in recent years, the possible etiologies and treatments have multiplied.

In advising colleagues on uveitis, top experts emphasize patience.“Why do doctors go into ophthalmology?” asked Stephen Foster, MD. “Mostly, it’s because they are running away from internal medicine. They like intellectual matters and manual dexterity matters and, hence microsurgery. They are very gratified by quick results. Doing the detective hunt required by uveitis with the delayed gratification satisfies very few.”

6. Keratoconus as refractive surgery: Thinking outside the ‘cone’

In this column of Gloves Off, Arun Gulani, MD, explains why a paradigm shift is needed in the treatment of keratoconus. He adapts a planned approach for taming keratoconus presentations to 20/20.

5. DJ ophthalmologists in surgery by day, mixing music by night

You may not ever see these ophthalmologists the same way after learning about these spin-doctors' talents in the DJ booth. In this After-hours column, Dr. Aldave and Dr. Kim gave us a peek into the preparation for their shows during major ophthalmology meetings and share their advice for maintaining balance in an at times stressful ophthalmic career.

4. Treating presbyopia with an eye drop?

Topical administration of lipoic acid choline ester 1.5% (EV06, Encore Vision) shows promise as a treatment for restoring accommodation to patients with presbyopia, said Richard L. Lindstrom, MD.

Acting via an “anti-crosslinking” mechanism, the treatment increases lens elasticity through reduction of lens protein disulfides, and was associated with impressive improvements in accommodative amplitude and near vision in an initial randomized, double-masked phase I-II clinical trial.

3. 10 highlights from AAO 2016

This year's annual meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) featured multiple interesting exhibitors, presentations, and events that were not to be missed! However, we know the meetings can get quite hectic and make it impossible to be everywhere and see everything. Our roundups from ARVO and ASCRS 2016 also were extremely popular with our readers.

2. Ophthalmologist pleads guilty to fraud charges

Sreedhar Potarazu, MD, an ophthalmologist and entrepreneur from Maryland, recently pled guilty to $30 million in shareholder fraud and and $7.5 million in tax evasion. The news was obviously very suprising to readers as it made the second most popular article of the year.

Last but not least, the most viewed article of 2016 was....

1. Glaucoma may not be the disease you think it is

Most ophthalmologists learned that glaucoma is a disease of elevated IOP. There is a good possibility it is something else entirely.

“We know that IOP matters in glaucoma, but perhaps the pressure differential across the cornea-which is what we measure in IOP-is only a surrogate for the pressure differential that really matters,” said John P. Berdahl, MD.

Dr. Berdahl explains that glaucoma may actually be a two-pressure disease of IOP and CSF pressure differentials. 

What was the most newsworthy ophthalmic event of the year in your opinion? Leave us a comment below!