Articles

Understanding vitreomacular interface diseases is key to treatment.

Patients need to pay attention to their eye health over the long term.

Members of the Ophthalmology Times Europe® Editorial Advisory Board were asked to predict developments in their ophthalmic specialties and interests for 2023. A focus is our ageing population, while efficiency and productivity are also on their minds. The board members agree that one of the major challenges in the year to come will be the large number of patients awaiting diagnosis and treatment, which is only going to increase with the rising average life expectancy worldwide.

A study of paediatric ophthalmology visits during the COVID-19 pandemic reveals a sharp drop in completed visits, especially among Black patients, older children and non-English-speaking patients.

A new device for goniotomy has the advantage of an irrigation/aspiration system, which offers easier excision of the trabecular meshwork and better visibility. Dr Desai shares his experiences using the device as well as his tips and surgical pearls for success.

A recent survey of retinal clinic patients reveals a lack of awareness of the risks and safety issues associated with stem cell therapies.

A corneal refractive technique can combine monovision and extended depth of field to create a wide, seamless range of functional vision. This can provide independence from spectacles.

The survey addressed topics that would facilitate a better understanding of the awareness of retina specialists regarding this relative new form of treatment in ophthalmology.

The funding will give a boost to the development of the company's novel photo-crosslinked EyeLief, EyeLief-SD, and OcuLie biodegradable drug-delivery technologies.

Giving patients access to new treatments and information on changing their lifestyle habits could result in major steps towards minimising or even preventing geographic atrophy.

Correcting abnormal tear film osmolarity before cataract surgery enables more accurate measurements to be captured, reducing residual refractive error.

Axial length growth is a sensitive means of assessing myopia progression in children. Drops and special lenses are options for inhibiting excessive axial length growth.

Inflammation is par for the course in ocular gene therapy; preventing it should be the goal because once it develops, treatment can be difficult.

Corneal cross-linking (CXL) is improving all the time, although all protocols retain the basic requirements for oxygen, riboflavin and UV light. Recent developments mean that CXL at the slit lamp is feasible, which will improve access to the procedure.

Use of a highly viscous cohesive ophthalmic viscosurgical device (OVD) enables removal of debris without excessive collateral irrigation trauma.

Studies reveal the advantages of numerous new glaucoma treatments that offer a wider range of options for individual patients.

Combining ECP with vitrectomy can reduce medication use following the procedure and in some cases avoid the need for further surgery.

An end-of-week review of what happened in ophthalmology from 29 October to 3 November 2022.

One clinician advises investigating prospective patients for history and evidence suggesting HSV keratitis, and monitoring for post-surgery epithelial defects.

A global survey of retinal experts assessed their perceptions of evolving clinical practice in the Covid-19 era, focusing on digital teleophthalmology, home monitoring and decentralised patient care.

A small study demonstrates that high-resolution imaging with adaptive optics may be a useful method of assessing integrity of the cone mosaic following macular hole repair.

Gentle eye drops, laser or minimally invasive surgery, advising patients on safe viewing of electronic devices, and addressing eyelid disorders can all help to minimise adverse effects.

Investigators evaluated VA outcomes after cataract surgery and the factors associated with good visual outcomes in a population of patients with type 2 diabetes.

Clinicians need to investigate patients’ history, family history, visual behaviours and general health in order to promptly and accurately refer paediatric cases to ocular genetics clinics.

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to greater comfort with robotic telepresence in eye screenings.

Methods using a combination of non-invasive thermal treatments and meibomian gland expression seem to be particularly effective.