Articles

Outlined of a four-point scale that may help to simplify the assessment of a patient's risk of developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued a ruling that will allow Medicare beneficiaries undergoing cataract surgery to choose an astigmatism-correcting intraocular lens (IOL).

Intraocular pressure (IOP) measurements with the Pascal dynamic contour tonometer (PDCT) are relatively immune to changes in corneal biomechanics and pachymetry, according to a study published in the January issue of the American Journal of Ophthalmology.

The US Navy is proceeding with a programme allowing LASIK with IntraLase flap creation in naval aviators.

A new class of lipids, that makes up part of the tear film, has been identified, which could lead to insights into the role of fatty acid amide activity in the human biological system.

Retina specialists have a new therapy in their armoury: on January 24th 2007, the European Commission approved ranibizumab (Lucentis, Novartis) for the treatment of patients with wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Bausch & Lomb has made an equity investment in AcuFocus.

The Ahmed glaucoma valve (AGV) and the Molteno single plate implant (MSPI) may provide good early and intermediate-term control of intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with neovascular glaucoma (NVG), but do not achieve the same success when implanted for long periods.

A new fixed combination of dexamethasone and netilmicin offers an effective and safe way to control ocular inflammation after cataract surgery.

Advanced Medical Optics (AMO) has acquired two companies in a spending spree that has cost it approximately $828 million. The purchase of IntraLase Corp. represents a collaboration of two of the strongest performers in the refractive surgery market and the acquisition of WaveFront Sciences boosts AMO's quest for the custom all-laser LASIK.

The FDA has accepted iCoTherapeutics' Investigational New Drug (IND) application for iCo-007.

Alcon has received FDA approval for the AcrySof ReSTOR intraocular lens (IOL) for the correction of aphakia following cataract surgery in patients with or without presbyopia.

Intraocular pressure (IOP) measurements with the Pascal dynamic contour tonometer (PDCT) are relatively immune to changes in corneal biomechanics and pachymetry.

OccuLogix has received Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) clearance from the FDA to begin a pivotal Phase III study of the RHEO procedure to treat dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Who could ignore the biggest news story of the last few weeks - the European approval of Lucentis? Whether you are a retina specialist or not, it would have been virtually impossible to miss this announcement. In fact, the press coverage received by this approval has been quite incredible. Certainly in the UK, we have seen headlines splashed across the pages of many of the major national newspapers. The entry of Lucentis into Europe marks a significant milestone in the treatment of wet AMD. This agent has actually been shown to improve vision in wet AMD sufferers; something that has never been done before. Now all wet AMD sufferers are eligible for treatment, which means retinologists now need to question how they will cope with the sudden surge of patients. Time will tell but we do hope to provide you with a guide on how to manage your clinic and patients in the new era of wet AMD therapy in upcoming issues.

Boston Micromachines Corporation has developed an enhanced deformable mirror capable of meeting the criteria for ultra-high resolution retinal imaging.

Bausch & Lomb has announced the launch of three new products onto the European market.

A veterinary ophthalmologist from the USA is working on a microchip implant to help blind cats see.

The UK Royal National Institute of the Blind (RNIB) is launching a campaign encouraging glaucoma patients to follow their medical advice more thoroughly, in order to prevent needless loss of sight.

Patients with retinitis pigmentosa (RP) could benefit from continued treatment with a topical form of carbonic anhydrase inhibitor.

Advanced Medical Optics (AMO) has acquired two companies in a spending spree that has cost it approximately $828 million.

Contact lenses are a major risk factor for the development of fungal keratitis, according to a study published in the December 2006 issue of Eye and Contact Lens.

More prospective studies are needed to evaluate the role of diurnal and long-term intraocular pressure (IOP) function in glaucoma development and progression, according to Felipe A. Medeiros, MD, PhD, assistant professor of ophthalmology, University of California at San Diego, USA, speaking at the glaucoma subspecialty session.

Advanced Medical Optics (AMO) has voluntarily recalled certain lots of its 12 ounce COMPLETE MoisturePLUS multipurpose contact lens care solution and Active Packs, sold in the US.

Advanced Medical Optics (AMO) has announced its acquisition of Wavefront Sciences and its planned purchase of IntraLase.

Happy New Year to you all. I'm sure, by now, the memories of Christmas have faded and the New Year's resolutions have already been broken but I do hope you used the holiday season to recharge your batteries, ready to face whatever 2007 may bring.

The surgeon does not change gloves in between cases but simply rinses with 0.5% chlorhexidine/70% isopropyl alcohol solution. Despite the simplicity of this, the rates of infection in Dr V hospitals is lower than US rates

Retinal cell transplants have successfully restored sight to blind mice, according to research published in a recent edition of Nature magazine.

The wavefront guided approach has certainly yielded the best outcomes in my practice; patient satisfaction rate is very high, while the retreatment rate is extremely low at 2.3%

Novartis has received a positive opinion from the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP), recommending the European Union approval of its wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) agent, Lucentis (ranibizumab).