Articles

The efficacy of gatifloxacin and moxifloxacin for preventing methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) keratitis was investigated in a rabbit model. Animals were pretreated with one of the two fourth-generation fluoroquinolones or BSS, received a midstromal injection with an inoculum of MRSA, and then study treatment continued for up to 96 hours postinjection. Gatifloxacin-treated eyes demonstrated less inflammation and infection, and lower numbers of recovered MRSA than moxifloxacin-and BSS-treated animals.

Intravitreal injection of up to 4 mg of a fusion protein that is an anti-vascular endothelial growth factor agent (VEGF Trap-Eye, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc.) is well tolerated and yields no evidence of ocular inflammation. The agent appears to produce rapid and durable clinical increases in best-corrected visual acuity, along with improvements in anatomic features, in patients with neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration.

The instillation of bromfenac 0.09% (Xibrom, ISTA Pharmaceuticals) results in less severe and less frequent patient discomfort compared with ketorolac tromethamine 0.4% (Acular LS, Allergan). However, the anesthetic effect of either commercially available nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug was statistically equivalent.

Treatment with topical azithromycin 1% ophthalmic solution (AzaSite, InSite Vision) using a frequent dosing regimen was effective in reducing colony counts of azithromycin-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa in an animal model of keratitis.

Interim results of a study of pegaptanib sodium as maintenance therapy for age-related macular degeneration show that patients previously treated successfully with other agents maintain visual and anatomic stability.

A modified latex bead rat model has proven to be valid for measuring retinal ganglion cell loss in high-pressure glaucoma.

In a double-masked, randomized comparison of three leading ocular nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents, nepafenac 0.1% (Nevanac, Alcon Laboratories) had significantly greater ocular bioavailability than either ketorolac 0.4% (Acular LS, Allergan) or bromfenac 0.09% (Xibrom, ISTA Pharmaceuticals).

Tears of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) may develop during the course of anti-VEGF therapy for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) related pigment epithelial detachment (PED).

Approximate in vivo intraocular lens (IOL) power can be determined using Scheimpflug imaging and could be applied in cases of unexplained postoperative refractive error.

Sodium hyaluronate 1% and hydroxypropylmethylcellulose 2% (HPMC) can cause significant intraocular pressure (IOP) increases during the first eight hours following cataract surgery.

The combination of latanoprost and brinzolamide for the treatment of normal-tension glaucoma (NTG) can successfully lower intraocular pressure (IOP) both during the day and at night.

Product Watch

Decision to reimburse Avastin in Italy sparks controversy.

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.

One surgeon's quest to reduce intraoperative LASIK complications has led to the development of a new multifunctional instrument, which is hoped will help standardize surgical manoeuvres and reduce the need for retreatment.

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.

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) in England produced its first Appraisal Consultation Document (ACD) regarding the use of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) drugs for the treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) recently. Essentially, the document recommended that the new anti-VEGF inhibitor Lucentis (ranibizumab; Novartis Ophthalmics) may be used only to treat predominantly classic subfoveal choroidal neovascularization (CNV) which shows evidence of progression in the second affected eye, provided the visual acuity is between 6/12 and 6/96.1 After considering feedback from formal consultees, the Appraisal Committee will prepare a Final Assessment Document (FAD) for submission to NICE who will then issue guidance.

Prior to the advent of wavefront-guided LASIK, the only parameters that could be modified in order to obtain optical correction for a given patient's refractive error were the sphere, cylinder and axis. This approach, however, would often not yield the ideal optical correction and, in many cases, the post-refractive surgery patient may be able to read the 20/20 line but not clearly. In some cases, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) would even decrease following surgery. This situation can usually be attributed to the persistence of significant amounts of higher order aberrations (HOAs).

Dr Richard Duffey seeks to answer this question by comparing the results of femtosecond LASIK flaps with those of the mechanical microkeratome.

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

In recent years, excimer laser refractive surgery has provided solutions for myopia, astigmatism and hyperopia and now it is also taking on the challenges presented by presbyopia.

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.

The quest for safe, effective surgery, which produces optimal results, has prompted much debate among experts on what the best procedure is for performing laser enhancements. For wavefront-guided enhancements, lamellar and surface procedures are both popular methods and I would like to discuss my experience and share my thoughts on their future in refractive surgery.

By mixing and matching diffractive and refractive IOLs, patients can achieve much better all round visual results.

Bevacizumab: less effective against larger lesions; New supranational European society; Happy 50th birthday SOE; Blue-blocking IOLs damage health; 3-D test identifies early stage glaucoma; A new way of tackling ROP; Femtosecond not always appropriate; High pulse pressure linked to OAG; Stem cell project to cure AMD underway; OCT increasingly popular for anti-VEGF monitoring; Glaucoma nano-treatment on the horizon; Lucky for some: the 13th LCA gene; Community optometrists able to diagnose glaucoma accurately; Coffee may prevent blepharospasm

Ninety percent achieved the efficacy endpoint, and, furthermore, over two-thirds of patients improved by at least three lines and one-quarter improved by at least five lines in distance vision

Editorial advisory board

Call for papers

The practice of treating angle closure glaucoma (ACG) varies widely across the United Kingdom, according to a poster presented at the 8th congress of the European Glaucoma Society (EGS), held June 1–6 in Berlin.

Current screening and referral methods are thought to be inadequate. But what needs to be done to improve the situation?