Articles

Microincision cataract surgery (MICS) intraocular lenses (IOLs) provide better patient outcomes, which are more like refractive surgery in terms of reduced postoperative astigmatism and minimal induced aberrations, according to a French study.

Clopidogrel and warfarin are associated with a significant increase in minor complications of sharp needle and subtenon?s cannula local anaesthesia but are not associated with sight-threatening complications, according to a study published online ahead of print by Eye.

Microincisional bimanual phacoemulsification and non-penetrating glaucoma surgery appears to be a safe option for patients with glaucoma and co-existing cataract, according to a Turkish study.

A Czech study has found that 2.2 mm square clear corneal incisions for microcoaxial phacoemulsification are very stable and provide adequate postoperative sealing.

Nowadays, cataract surgery not only has a therapeutic purpose, which is to substitute an opaque lens with a transparent IOL, but it also has a refractive aim; to correct previous refractive defects in order to eliminate the use of spectacles. The need for a good postoperative visual acuity and a fast functional recovery has lead cataract surgery to become more and more micro-invasive in nature so that surgical trauma is reduced, a faster recovery and good, time-stable visual results are achieved.1 The achievement of this goal has been realized, thanks to the improvement of surgical techniques, in the form of microcoaxial phacoemulsification and bimanual microphacoemulsification,2 which now allow the almost complete reduction of surgically induced astigmatism.

There is a need to introduce smoking cessation support into routine ophthalmic practice, according to a report published in the February issue of Eye.

I have been so impressed with the aspheric optics and good centration of the Akreos MI60 that I use it as my first choice for implantation; including in patients with visual-critical occupations such as aviators and air traffic controllers

The new Custom Control Software on the MICS Millennium platform (Bausch & Lomb) results in less endothelial cell loss than torsional phacoemulsification performed on the Infiniti System (Alcon), according to a Greek study.

A round up of April's In Focus news

Microincision cataract surgery (MICS) with implantation of an aspheric intraocular lens (IOL) through a 1.8 mm incision can minimize surgically-induced corneal and ocular aberrations and improve optical performance, according to a French study.

Results of the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (ESCRS) study of endophthalmitis prophylaxis do not appear to have had a significant impact on the practices of US cataract surgeons, according to the findings of an online survey conducted by the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) Cataract Clinical Committee.1 The survey results were reported by David F. Chang, MD, at the Spotlight on Cataracts 2007 symposium held during the annual meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

Children who are blind and disabled are often hidden in the society because of stigma, prejudice and negative attitudes of the able-bodied members of the family and community

Corneal grafts obtained from cancer patients may be associated with an increased risk of infection for the recipient, according to a study published in the February issue of Archives of Ophthalmology.

The cumulative experience of more than 20 years of treating retinal diseases with a variety of lasers has taught clinicians and researchers one very important lesson: less is more.

During accommodation, changes in lens thickness are mainly caused by deformation of the nucleus. In older, non-accommodating lenses, the deformations occur predominantly in the equatorial region and do not affect the central curvatures of the lens, according to a report published online ahead of print by Acta Ophthalmologica.

There have always been good arguments for surface ablation, but in most cases I have personally preferred LASIK. Yet every year I find myself performing more and more surface ablation cases and I am not alone in this.

The AcuFocus ACI 7000 corneal inlay could become a new, minimally invasive option for treating patients with presbyopia, Dr Günther Grabner announced at this year's Alicante Refractiva International meeting.

Intracameral cefuroxime is a safe alternative to subconjunctival cefuroxime and leads to a lower rate of endophthalmitis, claims a study published in the March 2008 issue of the Journal of Cataract & Refractive Surgery.

Compensation of cyclotorsion using iris registration can be helpful in decreasing misalignment of the axis of correction and in improving the overall outcome of LASIK, according to a study to be published in the April 2008 issue of the Journal of Cataract & Refractive Surgery.

Look at some of the Phakic IOLs that have been making a name for themselves in Europe.

Accommodating IOLs are making a splash in Europe - why don't you take a closer look at some of them?

Take a look at some of the Monofocal IOLs available in Europe.

Cardiovascular mortality tends to increase in black persons with diagnosed and treated open-angle glaucoma (OAG) and ocular hypertension (OH), and the risk of death and cardiovascular mortality are increased further in those patients treated with timolol, according to a paper published in the March 11, 2008 issue of the Archives of Ophthalmology.

Dynamic contour tonometry (DCT) provides a more accurate measure of glaucomatous visual field loss and intraocular pressure (IOP) when compared with Goldmann applanation tonometry (GAT), according to a study published in the December 2007 issue of the Journal of Glaucoma.

Have a closer look at some of the multifocal IOLs available in Europe.

It is more cost-effective to perform routine tonometry in all initial ophthalmic patients than in none at all or in just high-risk glaucoma patients, according to a paper published in the March 2008 issue of Eye.

A protein, called Robo4, has been identified which appears to play an important role in the development of stable, working blood vessels.

The incidence of endophthalmitis following injections of anti-VEGF drugs is lower when the injections are given in an office setting than the rates reported from clinical trials, which require a more extensive pre-injection regimen.

According to a presentation at the All India Ophthalmological Society meeting, when used appropriately, bevacizumab can produce remarkable results in children with severe retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).

Intraocular lenses (IOL) made from polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) may be associated with an increased risk of postoperative endophthalmitis.