News

Intravitreal injections for the treatment of retinal diseases, such as neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD), could be replaced by a non-invasive gel formulation, applied under the eyelid, according to a presentation made at this month's meeting of the British Royal Pharmaceutical Society in Manchester, UK.

ESCRS 2007

All the news from the XXV Congress of the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, held September 8–12 2007 in Stockholm, Sweden.

Ultraviolet (UV) and violet blocking intraocular lenses (IOLs) can provide protection from radiation and offer good quality of vision, however, blocking blue light can actually cause a loss in quality of vision.

The practice styles and choices of US and EU ophthalmologists are very similar with the greatest differences apparent in refractive surgery, David Leaming said.

Anterior chamber fluctuations during phacoemulsification can cause an increase in retinal thickness and alterations of the blood aqueous barrier. In order to avoid these complications, it is better to use a machine that offers good anterior chamber stability.

The type of phakic IOL chosen strongly governs the type of complication that is likely to occur in the long-term. Posterior, angle-supported anterior and iris supported anterior phakic IOLs all have different issues that face the surgeon.

Amadeus II (Ziemer) achieves more precise corneal depth and faster epithelial healing time than other surface ablation treatments for lamellar keratoplasty and epi-LASIK, according to Carlo Lackerbauer from Munich, Germany, presenting at the Zeimer symposium.

Tapering the dose of a topical fluoroquinolone at the end of a course of treatment is a great way to build up bacterial resistance. As such, doctors must not taper the dosage at the end of treatment.

AMO today announced the introduction of three new refractive technologies to the European market; the Tecnis 1-piece intraocular lens (IOL), the Tecnis multifocal acrylic IOL and the WhiteStar Signature phaco system.

Although the LADAR 6000 (Alcon) is accurate and safe, the need for pharmacological mydriasis and the use of a nomogram result in a more time consuming surgical procedure.

Dr Howard I. Fine told delegates that he was the best ophthalmic surgeon because none of his patients used glasses. He then showed the audience a video of 'patients', all wearing spectacles, drinking directly from bottles of wine. It was a lighted finish in keeping to the session's theme, "I am the best because. . .".

It would be helpful if IOL manufacturers made lenses available in 0.25 D steps and provided more detailed information regarding the optical design since refractive outcomes can now be predicted more accurately.

Changes to perioperative management of cataract patients, including the use of disposable bimanual irrigation/aspiration handpieces, intracameral cefuroxime and povidone iodine wash can be effective in reducing the instances of endophthalmitis.

If a sterile unit dose of cefuroxime were available it would become the world standard for endophthalmitis prophylaxis following the startling proof of its efficacy in the ESCRS endophthalmitis study last year. That was the conclusion of a debate for and against intracameral antibiotics at the JCRS Symposium, Controversies in Cataract & Refractive Surgery.

Using a femotsecond laser (IntraLase) to create flaps of 90 microns does not increase the postoperative risk of striae formation or induction of optical aberrations.

A long-term Phase II/III study (IMT002) of an implantable telescope prosthesis for end-stage macular degeneration has demonstrated that it can improve quality of life and sustain visual acuity (VA) improvements.