Articles

In a point-counterpoint debate at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, one clinician contended that the rate of post-LASIK ectasia is declining and that, with careful screening and other preparatory steps, the rate of ectasia can be kept very low. The counter-argument by another clinician suggested that the multifactorial basis of ectasia as well as unknown risk factors make it impossible to prevent a certain percentage of cases from developing.

In a prospective, randomized, contralateral study of 75 adults, eyes in which an aspheric IOL (AcrySof IQ model SN60WF, Alcon Laboratories) had been implanted demonstrated better mesopic contrast sensitivity, significantly less spherical aberration, and significantly less total higher-order aberrations compared with eyes in which a standard spherical IOL (AcrySof model SA60AT, Alcon Laboratories) had been implanted. Cumulative uncorrected visual acuity and best-corrected visual acuity were equivalent between both groups.

A new study shows that costs associated with glaucoma will more than double by 2025.

OT134, a laser therapy for the reduction of intraocular pressure, has completed the follow-up period of its first human clinical study.

The EyeRoute Image Management System, which provides a remote view of a Spectral Domain OCT system, has been introduced by Topcon Medical Systems.

A new model can predict the percentage of people who will develop advanced age-related macular degeneration (AMD) at various ages. The model, which is based on well-established risk factors for the disease such as age, smoking, and genetics, considers high-risk, intermediate-risk, and low-risk genotypes. Genotypes are more predictive of the risk of developing advanced AMD than is age.

Scientists who produced a visual prosthesis giving rudimentary sight to the blind are to receive the Joseph von Fraunhofer Prize 2008 in recognition of their achievement.

A research project developing new technologies for laser treatments for the retina has been launched by the German Federal Ministry for Education and Research.

Eating a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids seems to correlate with a low incidence of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), according to a study published in the June 2008 issue of the Archives of Ophthalmology.

Peeling the internal limiting membrane (ILM) may reduce the rate of premacular fibrosis (PMF) formation, according to a study published in the June 2008 issue of Retina.

The higher level of advanced glycation end products (AGE) in senile diabetic patients may correlate to a higher rate of cataract development, according to a study published in the May?June 2008 issue of the Journal of Diabetes and its Complications.

Ophthalmology organizations voice concerns to FDA on contact lens safety.

Further study is needed to establish the role of multifocal IOLs in eyes with glaucomatous damage, according to Ike Ahmed, MD, who was speaking during the glaucoma subspecialty day at the annual meeting of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery.

Following positive clinical trial results, Allergan, the makers of bimatoprost, are submitting a new drug application (NDA) to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), seeking a new indication for the prostaglandin analogue as an eyelash growth stimulant.

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is an independent risk factor for heart failure (HF), according to a study published in the April 22 2008 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

Absence of a specific RNase III endonuclease in the retina causes no immediate structural abnormalities but does prompt total retinal inactivity, according to a study published in the May 7 2008 issue of the Journal of Neuroscience.

Eric Greve, one of the founding members of the European Glaucoma Society (EGS), has been honoured during a lunchtime ceremony at its quadrennial International Congress, held June 1–6 in Berlin, Germany.

Although fluorescein angiography (FA) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) are both effective ways to detect macular oedema (ME), when used in isolation they may miss subtle manifestations of the condition, according to a study published in the April 2008 issue of Retina.

A bimatoprost and timolol fixed combination (Ganfort; Allergan) is more effective at lowering intraocular pressure (IOP) over 12 weeks than latanoprost (Xalacom; Pfizer), according to results presented at the meeting of the European Glaucoma Society (EGS), held June 1–6 in Berlin.

Intravitreal injections of bevacizumab (Avastin; Genentech) stabilize vision and decrease retinal detachment in patients with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV), according to a study published in the May 2008 issue of the British Journal of Ophthalmology.

The European Glaucoma Society (EGS) has officially unveiled the updated edition of its "Terminology and Guidelines for Glaucoma" at its 8th International Congress, held June 1?6 in Berlin.

Depression in retinitis pigmentosa (RP) patients worsens vision-related function even where visual acuity is not compromised, according to a study published in the May 2008 issue of the British Journal of Ophthalmology.

US firm Acucela Inc. has dosed the first patient in the Phase I trial of its lead candidate, ACU-02, an oral compound which is in development for dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Bevasiranib, a small interfering RNA (siRNA) compound targeting vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A), is distributed throughout the eye, including the retina, according to a study published on 28 May 2008 in Molecular Vision.

Santen Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. (Japan) and MacuSight Inc. (US) are to collaborate on developing MacuSight's sirolimus to treat ocular conditions including diabetic macular oedema (DME) and wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

The refractive errors of myopia and hyperopia are thought to be, by Gu Zhu, MD and colleagues, primarily inherited.

After hearing a variety of testimonies to discuss the post-market experience of LASIK, advisers to the FDA determined that lasers need improved patient labeling information. The advisers determined that the LASIK procedure itself is not the culprit; rather, it may be poor screening of possible candidates and misconstrued or insufficient information about the procedure relayed to patients. Ophthalmologists said that LASIK has a very high patient satisfaction rate and enumerated considerations for approaching studies of patient dissatisfaction.

Bausch & Lomb (B&L) bought by Warburg Pincus last October has a long-term growth plan and will not return to the public market any time soon, said Gerry Ostrov, chief executive officer, B&L.

Azarga (brinzolamide 1%/timolol 0.5% eye drops suspension; Alcon) and Cosopt (dorzolamide 2%/timolol 0.5% eye drops solution; Merck) are equally efficacious in IOP-lowering capacity, however, Azarga offers greater ocular comfort, according to a study presented at this week?s European Glaucoma Society congress in Berlin, Germany.

Increased fruit and vegetable consumption reduces the risk of glaucoma, according to a study reported in the June 2008 issue of the American Journal of Ophthalmology.