Cataract & Refractive

Photoablation increases the refractive index of the stroma following laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) surgery, according to a study published in the July 2008 issue of the Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery.

EyeSite, a free, interactive, self-service vision screening booth developed by Bart Foster of SoloHealth, has been launched, with the first kiosk taking residence in a Wal-Mart store in Georgia, US.

The fourth-generation Crystalens HD (Bausch & Lomb) accommodating intraocular lens (IOL) has received FDA marketing approval, five years after the lens was initially launched on the market.

Oertli has launched new instruments to be used in microincision surgery for the anterior and the posterior segments.

Assistant Professor Alexis Tsorbatzoglou and Professor Andras Berta discuss the various theories presented to define the mechanism of accommodation.

Dr Perry Binder discusses advances in femtosecond technology that are taking us a step closer to the ideal.

The rising demand for presbyopia-correcting IOLs has led to a rise in patient expectations, but can we please everyone? questions Professor Jay Pepose.

A combination of procedures could be best option for some patients, claims Dr Volker Rasch.

This technique, using a femtosecond laser, has been shown to improve ?near vision in presbyopes, according to Dr Luis Antonio Ruiz.

Dr Josef Reiter describes his reasons for increasing his number of Epi-LASIK procedures.

The safety of intracameral moxifloxacin (Vigamox, Alcon Laboratories) for post cataract surgery endophthalmitis prophylaxis was investigated in a prospective, randomized, controlled study. Statistical analyses of multiple postoperative outcome measures demonstrated no significant differences between patients who received intracameral moxifloxacin and controls treated with intracameral balanced salt solution.

Acuvue Oasys, a contact lens designed for astigmatic eyes, has been introduced at the American Optometric Association (AOA) annual meeting by Vistakon, a division of Johnson & Johnson Vision Care.

Alcon and Advanced Medical Optics (AMO) are to share proprietary information on their designs for intraocular lenses (IOL).

Durezol (difluprednate ophthalmic emulsion; Sirion Therapeutics) 0.05%, a topical steroid, has received US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for the treatment of postoperative ocular inflammation and pain.

Animals undergoing lens removal surgery were treated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs pre- and postoperatively. On the first day after surgery, aqueous humor samples were taken at times corresponding to trough drug levels. The mean aqueous prostaglandin E2 concentration was significantly lower in animals being treated with ketorolac 0.4% (Acular LS, Allergan) compared with those receiving bromfenac 0.09% (Xibrom, ISTA Pharmaceuticals).

Few well-designed studies evaluate endophthalmitis prophylaxis. Available evidence suggests a role for intracameral cefuroxime. The benefit must be weighed against the potential risk of errors in formulation, however.

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.

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.

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.

Anaesthesia administered by sharp needles carries a greater risk of serious complications than subtenons cannula administration, according to a study published online ahead of print in Eye.

Posterior keratocyte density measurements could be a means of following eyes with post-LASIK ectasia, according to study results presented at this year's meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO).

The month in which one is born may increase the likelihood of suffering severe myopia, according to a study published in the April 2008 issue of Ophthalmology.

The psychological outlook of patients has an enormous influence on their perception of quality of life after cataract surgery, even if the visual outcome is poor.

A 2006/2007 survey gauged the opinions and practice styles of 1 093 ophthalmologists in France. Here are the results.

On April 28, a meeting of the FDA Ophthalmic Devices Panel confirmed that a study investigating patient satisfaction and quality of life post-LASIK is to be conducted in the US by a Joint LASIK Study Task Force.