Cataract & Refractive

Presbyopia Correcting IOLs (PCIOLs) are perhaps the most significant technological advancement in recent ophthalmic history. These lenses not only provide patients with the option of seeing near, intermediate, and distant objects without dependence on glasses for most of their daily activities - they could also become the single most important cornerstone for building a successful ophthalmic practice, both now and in the foreseeable future.

A look back at what happened in the fields of cataract & refractive surgery in 2007 and what we can look forward to in 2008.

The World Economic Forum has selected 39 companies as Technology Pioneers for 2008 and NuLens is one of those honoured with this title.

LASIK is a safe and effective procedure in the correction of myopia five years after surgery, according to a study in the September issue of Ophthalmology.

Secondary glaucoma is a common consequence in patients undergoing surgery for congenital cataracts, although it may not occur until years after the initial operation.

First eye cataract surgery is probably more cost-effective over a patient's remaining lifetime than if they have no surgery at all.

Bilateral implantation of the Acri.LISA 366D distance-dominant bifocal intraocular lens provides a satisfactory full range of vision.

Topical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are often used off-label for multiple purposes in cataract surgery, but such treatment is often being administered with limited supporting evidence and carries a high cost along with potential risks.

When thinking about administering medications intracamerally during cataract surgery, it is important to consider whether their potential benefits are worth the risk.

According to the results of an online survey conducted by the ASCRS Cataract Clinical Committee, the results of the ESCRS study of endophthalmitis prophylaxis do not appear to have had a significant impact on the practices of US cataract surgeons.

Clear corneal incision (CCI) is not a risk factor for post-cataract surgery endophthalmitis.

Results of 10-year follow-up of patients with high myopia who underwent LASIK indicate that the procedure is safe and effective over the long term.

A fourth-generation version of an accommodating IOL (HD-100 crystalens, eyeonics) provides excellent uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) at all distances without degrading contrast acuity, according to the results of an FDA multicenter clinical trial.

Posterior continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis (PCCC) with optic capture of a posterior chamber IOL is a safe and effective technique to afford stable IOL fixation and maintain visual axis clarity after cataract surgery in pediatric eyes.

The condition of the ocular surface influences the outcome of cataract and refractive surgery and can also affect recovery following some surgical procedures.

An analysis of visual outcomes in a contemporary series of cataract surgery eyes that underwent pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) for retained lens material indicates these complicated cases tend to do well.

Initial experience with intraoperative use of a wavefront analyzer (WaveTec Visions Systems) suggests that it may be a very useful tool for achieving increased accuracy and efficiency in astigmatism correction.

Keratoectasia can develop after surface ablation in eyes with forme fruste keratoconus (FFKC), and there do not appear to be any identifiable features as protecting against that event.

Creation of a pocket for intracorneal riboflavin instillation using the femtosecond laser (IntraLase, Advanced Medical Optics) appears to be a safe and effective method for assisting cornea collagen cross-linking.

Demand for excellent uncorrected distance visual acuity after cataract surgery is increasing, especially with the availability of new presbyopia-correcting IOLs. This phenomenon is opening up a new class of patients to the benefits of laser vision correction.

As the evolution in refractive surgery continues, surgeons can expect to see the journey continuing back to the surface—aided by new strategies to improve the outcomes of sub-Bowman's keratomileusis (SBK) and PRK.

Advanced Medical Optics (AMO) continues its commitment to the LASIK industry by reaching out to a generation of nearly 290 million people worldwide who want better everyday vision.

Results of retrospective studies of eyes undergoing surface ablation treatments at the Cole Eye Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, are suggesting an algorithm for using mitomycin-C (MMC) to prevent haze.

Aspheric intraocular lenses induce less wavefront aberrations and perform better in photopic and mesopic conditions than spherical IOLs.

A new preloaded disposable intraocular lens (IOL) injector that uses no viscoelastic was unveiled at the Asia-Pacific Association of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons meeting held, this year, in Vietnam.

A study published in the September issue of the Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery suggests that a laser welding technique could offer a good alternative to suturing for closing corneal wounds following phaco or extracapsular cataract extraction.

The National Aeronautics and Space Agency (NASA) has approved AMO's LASIK technologies for use on US astronauts.

Austrian pharmaceutical firm Croma-Pharma has acquired two companies, thus strengthening its cataract surgery portfolio and, according to the firm, moving it into the top five list of companies operating in the European ophthalmic market.

A chloramphenicol 0.25%-betamethasone 0.13% (C&B) gel combination has comparable efficacy and tolerance and better acceptance by patients than an aqueous tobramycin 0.3%-dexamethasone 0.1% (T&D) preparation for controlling inflammation and prophylaxis of endophthalmitis following cataract surgery.

The use of dexamethasone eye drops following cataract surgery has a greater effect on the blood glucose profile of diabetic subjects than in diabetic subjects treated with diclofenac.