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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.

Implantation of phakic refractive lenses (PRL) appears to be a predictable and well-tolerated procedure for correcting high myopia.

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.

Patients who report photophobia prior to phacoemulsification may be more comfortable under subtenon anaesthesia.

The AcrySof toric intraocular lens (IOL) (Alcon) offers greater spectacle independence than the monofocal AcrySof SA60AT single-piece IOL (Alcon).

Microcoaxial phacoemulsification induces significantly less keratometric changes and provides better visual acuity than standard phacoemulsification.

Using oval choppers and needles during bimanual cataract surgery spares energy and maintains anterior chamber stability.

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.

Dry eye following cataract surgery may not be a direct result of the surgery but rather the surgery triggers symptoms in eyes with pre-existing sub-optimal tear properties.

Preop and postop imaging and endothelial cell counts are vital to check the position and performance of a phakic IOLs, Dr David Hardten told colleagues.

The new sulcoflex intraocular lens (IOL), which has been designed for sulcus-implantation in the pseudophakic eye ("piggy back"), is safe and well-tolerated.

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. . .".

Although moxifloxacin has excellent antibacterial coverage, there is an emergence of a resistance to it in bacteria isolated from corneal ulcers.

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.

The diffractive AcrySof ReSTOR (Alcon) intraocular lens (IOL) can provide stable, high levels of spectacle independence for both near and distance vision.

Zeiss took advantage of the annual European congress to announce some product debuts and technological enhancements to currently marketed products.

The vast majority of ophthalmologists are going to become convinced that 2.2 mm microcoaxial surgery with Ozil (Alcon) phaco must be the method of choice for both surgeons and patients said Dr Robert Osher.

Penetrating keratoplasty (PK) with a femtosecond laser offers good surgical results and endothelial cell loss numbers similar to those found for PK using standard trephines.

The new acrylic *Acri.Lyc 356 (*Acri.Tec) diffractive intraocular lens (IOL) produces practically no posterior capsule opacification (PCO) compared with its silicone counterpart.

Ferrara corneal rings are a useful tool in the treatment of keratoconus but long-term stability still needs to be established.

The use of selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) in the management of glaucoma is a safe and effective treatment method, according to Shlomo Melamed from the Sam Rothbery Glaucoma Centre in Tel Aviv, Israel, speaking at the Ellex symposium.

Cases of amblyopia should undergo corneal wavefront analysis and would benefit from corneal wavefront-linked LASIK.