Articles

There is no need for children with lazy eye to wear an eye patch for the whole day, in order to correct their vision, according to report published online by the British Medical Journal.

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals has received a $20 million milestone payment from Bayer HealthCare following dosing of the first patient in a Phase III study of the VEGF Trap-Eye for the treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Alimera Sciences and pSivida have announced that enrolment has begun for the first human pharmacokinetic study of fluocinolone acetonide (FA) in Medidur, the companies' product for the treatment of diabetic macular oedema (DME).

Ophthotech Corporation has announced deals with two companies to obtain the rights to treatments for age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

The decline in quality of life (Qol) and the increased need for daily living assistance in patients with wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) substantiates the need for new treatments that can halt disease progression, according to a multi-country study published in the September issue of Archives of Ophthalmology.

Central corneal thickness (CCT) measurements should be included as part of a complete ocular examination, particularly in patients at risk of developing primary open angle glaucoma (POAG), according to a study conducted by the American Academy of Ophthalmology and published in the journal Ophthalmology.

Intravitreal injections for the treatment of retinal diseases, such as neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD), could be replaced by a non-invasive gel formulation, applied under the eyelid, according to a presentation made at this month's meeting of the British Royal Pharmaceutical Society in Manchester, UK.

Vision restoration therapy can help restore vision that has been partially lost as a result of stroke, according to a report published online, ahead of print, in Neurorehabilitation & Neural Repair.

All the news from the XXV Congress of the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, held September 8–12 2007 in Stockholm, Sweden.

Over a five-year follow-up period the Visian implantable collamer lens (ICL) (STAAR Surgical) maintains a good level of best spectacle corrected visual acuity (BSCVA).

Ultraviolet (UV) and violet blocking intraocular lenses (IOLs) can provide protection from radiation and offer good quality of vision, however, blocking blue light can actually cause a loss in quality of vision.

Implantation of the bitoric, aspherical intraocular lens (IOL), *Acri.Comfort 646 TLC (*Acri.Tec), is rotation-stable and associated with excellent levels of astigmatism correction in cataract patients.

Aspheric ablation is a good surgical option for enhancing near vision in hyperopic presbyopes.

NearVision conductive keratoplasty (CK) (Refractec) offers a minimally invasive method of enhancing near vision in plano presbyopes and in post-LASIK eyes.

The practice styles and choices of US and EU ophthalmologists are very similar with the greatest differences apparent in refractive surgery, David Leaming said.

Anterior chamber fluctuations during phacoemulsification can cause an increase in retinal thickness and alterations of the blood aqueous barrier. In order to avoid these complications, it is better to use a machine that offers good anterior chamber stability.

Implantation of phakic refractive lenses (PRL) appears to be a predictable and well-tolerated procedure for correcting high myopia.

The type of phakic IOL chosen strongly governs the type of complication that is likely to occur in the long-term. Posterior, angle-supported anterior and iris supported anterior phakic IOLs all have different issues that face the surgeon.

Patients who report photophobia prior to phacoemulsification may be more comfortable under subtenon anaesthesia.

The AcrySof toric intraocular lens (IOL) (Alcon) offers greater spectacle independence than the monofocal AcrySof SA60AT single-piece IOL (Alcon).

Microcoaxial phacoemulsification induces significantly less keratometric changes and provides better visual acuity than standard phacoemulsification.

Using oval choppers and needles during bimanual cataract surgery spares energy and maintains anterior chamber stability.

Amadeus II (Ziemer) achieves more precise corneal depth and faster epithelial healing time than other surface ablation treatments for lamellar keratoplasty and epi-LASIK, according to Carlo Lackerbauer from Munich, Germany, presenting at the Zeimer symposium.

Tapering the dose of a topical fluoroquinolone at the end of a course of treatment is a great way to build up bacterial resistance. As such, doctors must not taper the dosage at the end of treatment.

Dry eye following cataract surgery may not be a direct result of the surgery but rather the surgery triggers symptoms in eyes with pre-existing sub-optimal tear properties.

Preop and postop imaging and endothelial cell counts are vital to check the position and performance of a phakic IOLs, Dr David Hardten told colleagues.

The new sulcoflex intraocular lens (IOL), which has been designed for sulcus-implantation in the pseudophakic eye ("piggy back"), is safe and well-tolerated.

AMO today announced the introduction of three new refractive technologies to the European market; the Tecnis 1-piece intraocular lens (IOL), the Tecnis multifocal acrylic IOL and the WhiteStar Signature phaco system.

Although the LADAR 6000 (Alcon) is accurate and safe, the need for pharmacological mydriasis and the use of a nomogram result in a more time consuming surgical procedure.

Dr Howard I. Fine told delegates that he was the best ophthalmic surgeon because none of his patients used glasses. He then showed the audience a video of 'patients', all wearing spectacles, drinking directly from bottles of wine. It was a lighted finish in keeping to the session's theme, "I am the best because. . .".