Articles

All the latest news and industry developments in focus, December 2008

Problems with night vision correlate to an increase in the risk of symptoms of both the wet and dry forms of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), according to study results published in the November issue of Ophthalmology.

Links to other useful ophthalmology resources on the web

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is valuable in managing diabetic macular oedema (DME), more so than fluorescein angiography, in which the degree of leakage is not correlated with visual acuity and outcomes, according to Peter Kaiser, MD.

The most recent featured discussion on the European Ophthalmology forum was on the topic of patient numbers

Claiming that blue light is harmful and should be blocked is nothing more than a marketing ploy backed by absurd arguments.

There is no evidence to suggest that there is rapid glaucoma progression following refractive surgery.

An antioxidant eye drop (OT-551, Othera) is being investigated to treat geographic atrophy in dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Professor Gerd U. Auffarth petitions the European Parliament for the introduction of co-pay schemes for cataract patients in the EU

Novagali Pharma SA has withdrawn the EMEA centralized marketing authorization application for Vekacia (cyclosporin) 0.05% eye drops, which had been intended for the treatment of vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC).

OTE's Victoria Farrell interviews Cambodian paediatric ophthalmologist Phara Khauv to find out how an ORBIS initiative has impacted his practice in a vastly underserved country.

Whether the stromal flap is thin or thick is irrelevant; it will never heal fully.

The high incidence of side effects associated with steroids makes them a less favourable treatment option.

A series of awards granted to scientists under the age of 45 has been announced by the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) Foundation for Eye Research (AFER) and Merck & Co, Inc.

The difficulty of accurate IOL power calculation in postLASIK eyes is an issue being faced increasingly by cataract surgeons. Jack T. Holladay, MD, clinical professor of ophthalmology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, US offered several tips for achieving better refractive outcomes in this growing population of eyes.

Long-term use of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) drugs should be treated with caution because endogenous VEGF plays an important role in the maintenance of retina neuronal cells, according to study results published by PLoS ONE on the 3rd November.

The slimmer design of 25 G instruments has left us exposed to an increased risk of complications and decreased surgical control.

The Phase I three-year feasibility study of the Argus II Retinal Implant for Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) will be expanded to enrol more patients in Europe, according to an announcement from Second Sight Medical Products, the implant's manufacturer.

Although there is a relatively high rate of diabetic retinopathy (DR) progressing to proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR), the level of PDR care available has improved, according to 25-year results of the Wisconsin Epidemiologic Study of Diabetic Retinopathy (WESDR), published in the November issue of Ophthalmology.

It may be possible to regenerate optic neural axons by manipulating growth control pathways, according to study results published in the 7 November issue of the journal Science.

GS-101, Gene Signal's experimental topical ophthalmic solution designed to prevent the rejection of corneal grafts, has entered Phase III trials.

Instead of combined surgery, cataract extraction alone by phacoemulsification through a clear corneal incision with posterior chamber IOL implantation may be the most appropriate procedure for patients with controlled or modestly uncontrolled glaucoma as well as for patients with ocular hypertension or glaucoma suspects.

The holiday season is upon us again and we are about to close the door on another year, but before we do, I would firstly like to say a big thank you to all of you for your continued support of our publication throughout this year.

Office-based vergence/accommodative therapy with home reinforcement (OBVAT) is the most effective method of treating symptomatic convergence insufficiency when compared with any other home- or office-based placebo or therapy, according to study results published in the October issue of the Archives of Ophthalmology.

A series of debates on the most relevant, and most controversial, topics in ophthalmology, in which today's most eminent ophthalmologists argue for the validity of their differing opinions and practices.

HOYA Surgical Optics has been distributing IOLs to ophthalmic surgeons in Europe since 2003. The name HOYA, however, represents more than just IOLs; the firm has a long tradition in high tech optics…

Laser in situ keratomileusis buttonhole: Classification and management algorithm

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Clinical findings following Ahmed Glaucoma Valve implantation in pediatric glaucoma

The Phase I three-year feasibility study of the Argus II Retinal Implant for Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) will be expanded to enrol more patients in Europe, according to an announcement from Second Sight Medical Products, the implant's manufacturer.