Articles

Sensitivity analysis could determine the rate of human error in strabismus surgery and reduce the need for repeated operations, according to results published online ahead of print by Graefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology.

Although both latanoprost and timolol-dorzolamide fixed combination (TDFC) decrease 24-hour intraocular pressure (IOP) and enhance diastolic ocular perfusion pressure (DOPP) in primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) patients, their mechanisms of action are different, according to study results published online by Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science.

The 23-gauge system for pars plana vitrectomy offers greater postoperative comfort for the patient than does the standard 20-gauge system, according to a study published online ahead of print by the British Journal of Ophthalmology.

Multiple-use packs of preservative-free artificial tears are susceptible to contamination, according to study results published in the November issue of the British Journal of Ophthalmology.

Contrary to accepted wisdom, cataract surgery decreases mortality rates, according to results published online ahead of print by the British Journal of Ophthalmology.

Interest in complement factor inhibition in the treatment of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) continues to gain momentum with two developers making separate announcements on progress with their AMD therapy hopefuls.

Bleb creation and modification should be viewed as any other construction project, according to Dr Andrew Iwach.

Members of the European Ophthalmology forum debate the usefulness of congresses to the ophthalmology community.

AMO's Healon D latex-free viscoelastic has been granted premarket approval by the FDA. The clear dispersive ophthalmic viscosurgical device (OVD) is designed to be used during phacoemulsification, intraocular lens (IOL) implantation, keratoplasty and glaucoma filtration surgery.

Ophthalmology is perhaps two steps closer to a possible clinical application of lens refilling with silicon gel for restoring ocular accommodation thanks to a refined procedure developed by Dr Okihiro Nishi, MD of the Nishi Eye Hospital, Japan.

The iSpheric Model YA-60BB intraocular lens (IOL) (Hoya) has received FDA market approval. The lens has been available in Europe since 2003.

STAAR Surgical's Visian implantable collamer lens (ICL) & toric ICL (TICL) will allow surgeons to differentiate themselves in the slowing LASIK marketplace, according to the firm's president of international operations, David Bailey.

News in focus, November 2008

The act of collaboration is generally regarded positively. Uniting two parties that share a common interest usually yields achievements that could not have been possible if either party went at it alone, and so the whole becomes greater than the sum of the parts.

The discovery of factors affecting retinal angiogenesis have implications for the treatment of vascularization disorders, according to results of a study published in the October issue of Nature Medicine.

Bevacizumab (Avastin) may have an application as an adjunct to antifibrosis therapy, according to study results published in the October/November issue of the Journal of Glaucoma.

Highlights from the ESCRS congress, September 13–17 2008, Berlin, Germany

PhysIOL used this year's congress as a forum to launch its new aspheric aberration-correcting intraocular lenses ? Slim AY 123 in a preloaded system and Micro AY for injection through a 1.8 mm microincision.

Bausch & Lomb has announced a joint venture with femtosecond laser developer 20/10 Perfect Vision, which will allow B&L to offer surgeons the complete 'all laser' refractive solution.

Alcon has launched the +3.0 Add Power AcrySof ReSTOR aspheric intraocular lens (IOL) with natural chromophore. The lens gained its CE mark in late 2007 and has been available throughout the EU since mid-September 2008.

Dr Didier Ducournau explains how the technique he invented based on a mistaken assumption has been refined over the last 21 years.

Sponsored by Laboratoires Théa

As part of its crackdown on the use of unapproved drugs in the US, the FDA is warning all but two makers of balanced salt solution (BSS) to discontinue its manufacture and sale.

Competition winners

Dr Gunther Grabner, professor of ophthalmology at the Paracelsus University of Salzburg, conducted a survey on the advantages and limitations of femtosecond lasers, and concluded that they will come to replace microkeratomes fully.

In a worldwide first, Dr Luis Ruiz presented the preliminary clinical results of an ongoing pilot study concentrating on the non-invasive intrastromal correction of presbyopia.

During the "Controversies in Cataract and Refractive Surgery" symposium, Dr Jack Holladay and Dr Theo Seiler debated the relative merits of presbyopia treatments.

Bimanual microincision cataract surgery (MICS) and microaxial phacoemulsification provide optically better incisions but bimanual MICS respects corneal prolateness more than microaxial phaco, Professor Jorge Alió told delegates.

Recent acquisitions, division restructuring, and management changes prove that Carl Zeiss Meditec is very much committed to change. Ophthalmology Times Europe spoke with new CEO, Dr Michael Kaschke, about the challenges that he faces in an ever-evolving market.

Schwind and Zeimer are to cooperate to supply an integrated all-laser LASIK solution.