Articles

Insertion of a SmartPlug (Medennium) can be an effective management tool for severe dry eye syndrome.

Angle-supported phakic IOLs can no longer be sold or implanted in France because of their association with significant endothelial cell loss, which was discovered in patients two to three years after implantation.

Topcon Medical Systems has received FDA approval for its 3D OCT-1000. Meanwhile, the firm has also announced that it is to become the sole European distributor of OptiMedica's Pascal Photocoagulator.

Optos has launched a new version of its proprietary retinal imaging software, V2 Vantage.

Results from Phase II continuation studies of pegaptanib sodium (Macugen) for the treatment of diabetic retinopathy (DR) and Central Retinal Vein Occlusion (CRVO), found that the relative benefits of the treatment were maintained throughout the continuation period with no new safety signals to report.

Opko Health has entered into an agreement to acquire the Canadian company, Ophthalmic Technologies.

Advanced Medical Optics (AMO) has submitted a proposal to acquire Bausch & Lomb for $75 per share in cash and AMO stock.

The FDA has sent Allergan a warning letter relating to misleading information printed in a professional journal advertisement for its ophthalmic solution, Acular LS.

Ellex has launched a website that is to become the primary online resource for the company's selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) users.

AMO has received FDA approval for the Advanced CustomVue Monovision procedure, the first wavefront-guided procedure for the correction of myopic prebyopes, with or without astigmatism.

The FDA has approved an import license application for the iCare tonometer, produced by Finnish firm Tiolat Oy.

A unique nanoparticle has been developed that could prove to be an effective drug delivery device for the treatment of glaucoma.

A 3-D computer automated threshold Amsler grid test is able to identify abnormalities characteristic of glaucoma in glaucoma suspects whose achromatic Humphrey visual field test was normal.

A new gene has been discovered which, when mutated, causes Leber's congenital amaurosis (LCA), a common form of inherited blindness in babies.

A potential new treatment approach for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) may be possible now that insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3 (IGFBP-3) has been found to play an important role in promoting the development of retinal blood vessels.

Community optometrists trained in glaucoma can provide satisfactory decisions regarding diagnosis and initiation of treatment.

People who drink coffee are less likely to develop primary late onset blepharospasm.

Five of the largest European ophthalmic societies have founded a new supranational society — The Federation of European Ophthalmology.

High-tension open angle glaucoma (htOAG) is associated with high pulse pressure, increased carotid arterial stiffness and, in people treated for systemic hypertension, low diastolic perfusion pressure.

Researchers from University College London (UCL), Moorfields Eye Hospital and the University of Sheffield, UK are launching a pioneering project that plans to use stem cells to cure blindness resulting from age-related macular degeneration.

The European Society of Ophthalmology (SOE) celebrated its 50th anniversary at its 2007 Jubilee Congress, held in June, in partnership with the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

Fluorescein angiography (FA) remains a valuable tool for monitoring anti-VEGF drugs after intravitreal injections, however, optical coherence tomography (OCT) is becoming and increasingly popular method.

A clinical trial of an electronic subretinal prosthesis has successfully allowed blind patients to recover some perception of single and multiple phosphenes, as well as horizontal and vertical lines.

Blue-blocking intraocular lenses (IOLs) offer no advantages to the eye and could actually cause health problems such as insomnia and depression.

Although femtosecond lasers offer a strong alternative to microkeratomes, they are not suitable for every situation, according to Theo Seiler, MD.

Product Watch

This year, from the 8th to 12th September, Stockholm will be playing host to the 25th Congress of the European Society for Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (ESCRS). More than 5,000 delegates from all around the world are expected to attend what is Europe's largest ophthalmic conference and exhibition. Attendees will be able to choose from between 100 courses, more than 20 symposia, in excess of 600 free papers and almost the same number of posters, as well as perusing the stands at the exhibition.

Over the past five years, we have successfully performed oculoplastic surgery on several hundred patients at the Belgian Ocular Laser Center (BOLC; www.BOLC.org) in Ghent, Belgium and, during this time, I have found the CO2 laser to provide an excellent alternative to the scalpel for treating the eyelids. Finally, we can offer bloodless surgery and improved outcomes.

Allergan pulled up by FDA; AMO makes a move on B&L; Opko snags Ophthalmic Technologies; Alcon sets its sights on WaveLight; B&L to sue Alcon; Ellex launches SLT website

It's that time of year again and it seems like only yesterday when we were gearing up for the annual congress of the ESCRS in London. Now the European society is taking us to the Swedish capital city, Stockholm, for its annual event.