Cataract & Refractive

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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.

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 truth about LASIK

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.

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.

Moria's new microkeratome, One Use-Plus SBK, outperforms Femto-LASIK, it was announced at this year's meeting of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS).

Phakic intraocular lenses (IOLs) have failed to live up to their promise, according to an opinion expressed at this year's meeting of the French Society of Ophthalmology (SFO).

Extraction of cataracts lowers intraocular pressure (IOP) to normal levels in glaucoma patients, and may in fact be a better treatment option than combined surgery, according to a study presented at this year's meeting of the Italian Society of Ophthalmology.

Diagnoses using digital slit-lamp images are comparable to diagnoses using 35 mm photographic slides for some anterior segment abnormalities, according to a study published online ahead of print in Eye.

The incidence of capsular block syndrome (CBS), although rare, can be increased by design features of lenses implanted during cataract surgery, according to a study published in the March 2008 issue of the Journal of Cataract & Refractive Surgery.