Articles

Is it possible to "zap" vitreous floaters away? John Karickhoff, Virginia, USA, thinks so and has performed 1,400 procedures over the last 15 years, despite most ophthalmologists thinking that it is unnecessary.

By using calibrated axial length readings obtained with partial optical coherence interferometry (PCI) and intraocular lens (IOL) power calculation formulas incorporating anterior chamber depth (ACD) prediction algorithms, the accuracy of power calculations can be greatly improved, according to study published in the February issue of Acta Ophthalmologica Scandinavia.

Thickness measurements of the central macular region can be used to differentiate between eyes with and without diffuse clinically significant macular oedema (CSMO), but not between eye with or without foveal CSMO, according to a study published in the February issue of Acta Ophthalmologica Scandinavia.

Sirion Therapeutics has begun enrolment for a Phase II trial of the compound fenretinide, as a treatment for geographic atrophy in patients with age-related macular degeneration.

Optos, the retinal imaging device company, has appointed Thomas W. Butts as its new Chief Executive Officer.

Ranibizumab (Lucentis) helps improve anatomic outcomes in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD), according to Nancy HoleKamp, MD speaking at the retina free paper session at the 2006 AAO meeting in Las Vegas.

QLT has entered into a two-year research collaboration with the Wilmer Eye Institute at John Hopkins University, USA, to research and develop potential treatments for dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Combined analysis of two clinical glaucoma trials, presented at the American Academy of Ophthalmology annual meeting, suggests that it would be beneficial for ophthalmologists to use a five-year risk assessment model to better predict which patients have an increased risk of developing glaucoma.

It is now possible, for the first time, to biopsy tissue from a living eye in order to determine which tumours possess high metastatic risk, according to a report in the November 2006 issue of Ophthalmology.

Intraocular lens (IOL) power, following primary lens implantation in infants, can be calculated reasonably accurately using current formulae, according to a report published online (December 2006) ahead of print in the British Journal of Ophthalmology.

Aqueous Pharma has received European Union approval for its three layered artificial tear formula for dry eye, FreshKote.

Triamcinolone acetonide injections for macular oedema associated with retinal vein occlusion have become a therapeutic mainstay, but conflicting data has emerged about the safety of these injections, and some reports indicate that visual stabilization rather than visual improvement is occurring, according to research presented at the 2006 meeting of the AAO in Las Vegas.

Foveal outer segment/pigment epithelial thickness (FOSPET) is significantly thinner in patients with retinitis pigmentosa (RP) than in normal eyes and also shows correlation in logMAR visual acuity (VA), indicating it may be a predictor of VA in RP, according to a study published in the December 2006 issue of the American Journal of Ophthalmology.

Greater central corneal thickness (CCT) measurements are observed in those with ocular hypertension than in those without, according to a report published online ahead of publication in Ophthalmology.

UVA induced collagen crosslinking (CCL) followed by surface excimer ablation shows promise as a safe and effective technique for visual rehabilitation in eyes with keratoconus or postLASIK ectasia, said A. John Kanellopoulos, MD, speaking at the 2006 AAO meeting in Las Vegas.

Patients with open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension with thinner corneas show significantly greater shallowing of the cup and smaller improvements of neuroretinal rim blood flow after intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction, according to a report in the November 2006 issue of Archives of Ophthalmology.

The Anecortave Acetate Risk Reduction Trial (AARRT) has met its patient enrollment requirement of almost 2,600 individuals who are at high risk for developing choroidal neovascularization (CNV) or advanced age-related macular degeneration (AMD) over time, reported Jason Slakter, MD, of the Vitreous-Retina-Macular Consultants of New York, USA at the 2006 meeting of the AAO in Las Vegas.

The US LASIK Vision Institute has re-launched its web site to provide consumers with more information about laser vision correction services and the qualifications of its independent doctors.

ISTA Pharmaceuticals has submitted an Investigational New Drug (IND) application to the FDA for its eye drop formulation of bepotastine for the treatment of allergic conjunctivitis.

iCo Therapeutics, an Isis Pharmaceuticals licensee, has filed an Investigational New Drug (IND) application with the FDA for iCo-007.

Patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) have a higher level of cardiovascular risk than in age-matched patients without glaucoma, according to a report published in a recent issue of Graefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology.

Intraocular injections of ranibizumab significantly reduces foveal thickness and improves visual acuity (VA), thereby demonstrating that vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is an important therapeutic target for diabetic macular oedema (DME), according to the results of a study published in the December 2006 issue of the American Journal of Ophthalmology.

Clear corneal phacoemulsification induces a small reduction in intraocular pressure (IOP), according to the results of a study published in the December 2006 issue of the Journal of Glaucoma.

Refinements in lens technology have probably acted as the greatest catalyst for the recent upsurge in interest that has been witnessed in multifocal intraocular lenses (MIOLs). Coupled with the CE and FDA approvals of several second generation MIOLs, the number of refractive lens exchange (RLE) procedures that have been conducted in individuals over the age of 45 years seeking spectacle independence, has soared.

Contact lenses are a major risk factor for the development of fungal keratitis, according to a study published in the December 2006 issue of Eye and Contact Lens.

Managing glaucoma: the full spectrum approach

More prospective studies are needed to evaluate the role of diurnal and long-term intraocular pressure (IOP) function in glaucoma development and progression, according to Felipe A. Medeiros, MD, PhD, assistant professor of ophthalmology, University of California at San Diego, USA, speaking at the glaucoma subspecialty session.

Neuroprotection, a strategy to slow or prevent the death of retinal ganglion cells, offers the possibility of slowing the rate of glaucomatous progression and preventing blindness. But although the underlying theory appears to be sound, much still needs to be learned through basic and clinical research before neuroprotection could become an integral part of glaucoma therapy.

Although presbyLASIK is still, by no means, perfect, it seems to present a good solution for certain cases, particularly in myopes and hyperopes.

At three months, 88% had monocular uncorrected near vision of J2 or better and 95% had J3 or better. A total of 84% were able to read newspaper-sized print without spectacles and 84% were satisfied or very satisfied with the results