Articles

New extended delivery methods are under development and in the future should facilitate more effective administration of numerous types of ocular agents.

Results of retrospective studies of eyes undergoing surface ablation treatments at the Cole Eye Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, are suggesting an algorithm for using mitomycin-C (MMC) to prevent haze.

When we launched Ophthalmology Times Europe (OTE) two years ago, our aim was always to provide a forum for ophthalmologists to communicate their knowledge, discoveries, experience and opinions. This aim has not changed. However, with the industry evolving at such a dramatic rate, it is difficult to convey the views and opinions of everyone who wants to be heard in our print publication. Help is at hand.

Circumferential viscodilation and tensioning of Schlemm's canal is a safe and effective surgical procedure for reducing intraocular pressure in adult patients with open-angle glaucoma.

Advanced Medical Optics (AMO) has entered into a US patent license agreement with Carl Zeiss Meditec.

Alimera Sciences and pSivida have completed enrolment for the FAME (Fluocinolone Acetonide in diabetic Macular Edema) study of Medidur.

Researchers have identified the gene responsible for binocular vision.

A new pressure-to-cornea index (PCI) has been created in an attempt to integrate intraocular pressure (IOP) and central corneal thickness (CCT) into a unified risk factor.

Aspheric intraocular lenses induce less wavefront aberrations and perform better in photopic and mesopic conditions than spherical IOLs.

A new preloaded disposable intraocular lens (IOL) injector that uses no viscoelastic was unveiled at the Asia-Pacific Association of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons meeting held, this year, in Vietnam.

A study published in the September issue of the Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery suggests that a laser welding technique could offer a good alternative to suturing for closing corneal wounds following phaco or extracapsular cataract extraction.

A variant form of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has been discovered to be responsible for the inflammation and altered retinal vascularization that occurs in conditions such as diabetic retinopathy.

An artificial cornea based on a commercially available polymer, may be ready for clinical testing early in 2008.

The National Aeronautics and Space Agency (NASA) has approved AMO's LASIK technologies for use on US astronauts.

The glaucoma-specific health-related quality of life questionnaire, Glau-Qol, demonstrates good correlations with disease progression in patients with glaucoma and ocular hypertension.

Carl Zeiss Meditec has now completed its acquisition of Acri.Tec AG.

25-gauge pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) appears to be safe and effective for the treatment of epiretinal membranes.

Bausch & Lomb's shareholders have voted to approve a merger with Warburg Pincus.

Austrian pharmaceutical firm Croma-Pharma has acquired two companies, thus strengthening its cataract surgery portfolio and, according to the firm, moving it into the top five list of companies operating in the European ophthalmic market.

A chloramphenicol 0.25%-betamethasone 0.13% (C&B) gel combination has comparable efficacy and tolerance and better acceptance by patients than an aqueous tobramycin 0.3%-dexamethasone 0.1% (T&D) preparation for controlling inflammation and prophylaxis of endophthalmitis following cataract surgery.

Retinal detachment is still the most common serious complication of macular surgery.

In a review of culture-positive fungal keratitis seen at Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, UK, over a 13-year period, Candida has been identified as the principal isolate.

Alcon has received an approvable letter from the FDA for RETAANE 15 mg (anecortave acetate depot suspension) for the treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD), however the letter advised that an additional clinical study would be required before approval is given.

The use of dexamethasone eye drops following cataract surgery has a greater effect on the blood glucose profile of diabetic subjects than in diabetic subjects treated with diclofenac.

Performing 25-gauge pars plana vitrectomy with oblique parallel incisions rather than with standard straight incisions, may allow for more complete postoperative wound sealing.

Genentech is seeking to restrict the use of its anti-VEGF drug Avastin by ophthalmologists in the US.

Alimera Sciences has entered into an exclusive worldwide agreement with Emory University, USA to explore oxidative stress management as a treatment for ophthalmic diseases.

In order to minimize the toxic effect of indocyanine green (ICG) dye on the retina, concentrations should be kept as low as possible and repeat injections should be avoided.

OPKO Health has acquired exclusive worldwide rights for ophthalmic uses to a topical clinical stage compound, civamide, with potential applications for the treatment of dry eye.

Ophthalmic solutions containing steroids are 5.8 times more likely to be contaminated with bacteria than solutions that are steroid-free.