News

As with any IOL implantation technique, there are some potential complications that must be considered. In general, the number of complications is low, and most of them are either easy to avoid or easy to repair

SLT comparable with medical therapy for open angle glaucoma

The US Navy is proceeding with a programme allowing LASIK with IntraLase flap creation in naval aviators.

A rising number of phakic IOLs are steadily making their way into clinics, with each one offering its own unique property to set it apart from the competition. Documented studies will tout the benefits of each lens and, in many cases, will compare phakic lenses in head-to-head studies. Naturally, all studies are important and the benefits a particular kind of lens affords in a certain type of patient, is absolutely critical if a surgeon is to make an informed decision on his or her choice of lens. However, just as important as the choice of lens, is the surgical technique employed to implant the lens. A good technique will, amongst other things, reduce the incidence of potential complications that could ensue as a result of surgery and it will lead to a faster recovery time.

A new class of lipids, that makes up part of the tear film, has been identified, which could lead to insights into the role of fatty acid amide activity in the human biological system.

New technology is allowing clinicians, for the first time, to study the subtle structural changes that cause progression of this disease.

Retina specialists have a new therapy in their armoury: on January 24th 2007, the European Commission approved ranibizumab (Lucentis, Novartis) for the treatment of patients with wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Bausch & Lomb has made an equity investment in AcuFocus.

The Ahmed glaucoma valve (AGV) and the Molteno single plate implant (MSPI) may provide good early and intermediate-term control of intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with neovascular glaucoma (NVG), but do not achieve the same success when implanted for long periods.

A new fixed combination of dexamethasone and netilmicin offers an effective and safe way to control ocular inflammation after cataract surgery.

Advanced Medical Optics (AMO) has acquired two companies in a spending spree that has cost it approximately $828 million. The purchase of IntraLase Corp. represents a collaboration of two of the strongest performers in the refractive surgery market and the acquisition of WaveFront Sciences boosts AMO's quest for the custom all-laser LASIK.

An update of the ESCRS and ASCRS survey on the most common complications involving foldable IOLs.

The FDA has accepted iCoTherapeutics' Investigational New Drug (IND) application for iCo-007.

Alcon has received FDA approval for the AcrySof ReSTOR intraocular lens (IOL) for the correction of aphakia following cataract surgery in patients with or without presbyopia.

Selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) is comparable to medical treatment as the initial therapy for open-angle glaucoma (OAG) or ocular hypertension, according to results of a study presented at the American Academy of Ophthalmology annual meeting, last year in Las Vegas.

Intraocular pressure (IOP) measurements with the Pascal dynamic contour tonometer (PDCT) are relatively immune to changes in corneal biomechanics and pachymetry.

Pre-soaked IOLs may provide an excellent way to deliver fourth-generation fluoroquinolones to prevent endophthalmitis.

OccuLogix has received Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) clearance from the FDA to begin a pivotal Phase III study of the RHEO procedure to treat dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Who could ignore the biggest news story of the last few weeks - the European approval of Lucentis? Whether you are a retina specialist or not, it would have been virtually impossible to miss this announcement. In fact, the press coverage received by this approval has been quite incredible. Certainly in the UK, we have seen headlines splashed across the pages of many of the major national newspapers. The entry of Lucentis into Europe marks a significant milestone in the treatment of wet AMD. This agent has actually been shown to improve vision in wet AMD sufferers; something that has never been done before. Now all wet AMD sufferers are eligible for treatment, which means retinologists now need to question how they will cope with the sudden surge of patients. Time will tell but we do hope to provide you with a guide on how to manage your clinic and patients in the new era of wet AMD therapy in upcoming issues.

Research into the remarkable workings of the human eye have led to the acknowledgement of the presence of inherent higher order aberrations (HOAs) of the cornea, such as coma and spherical aberration. These aberrations are known to lead to optical degradation with the most significant culprit being spherical aberration.

Boston Micromachines Corporation has developed an enhanced deformable mirror capable of meeting the criteria for ultra-high resolution retinal imaging.

Bausch & Lomb has announced the launch of three new products onto the European market.

Special report focusing on all things retinal

A veterinary ophthalmologist from the USA is working on a microchip implant to help blind cats see.

The UK Royal National Institute of the Blind (RNIB) is launching a campaign encouraging glaucoma patients to follow their medical advice more thoroughly, in order to prevent needless loss of sight.

Patients with retinitis pigmentosa (RP) could benefit from continued treatment with a topical form of carbonic anhydrase inhibitor.

Advanced Medical Optics (AMO) has acquired two companies in a spending spree that has cost it approximately $828 million.

Sirion Therapeutics has made an exclusive licensing agreement with the French company, Laboratoires Thea, for the rights to develop and market a topical, anti–viral, ophthalmic gel (Virgan) in the US.

NovaVision's Vision Restoration Therapy (VRT) offers an effective rehabilitation intervention for patients with visual field defects resulting from stroke and traumatic brain injury, according to data presented at the 2007 International Stroke Conference, San Francisco, USA.

Is it possible to "zap" vitreous floaters away? John Karickhoff, Virginia, USA, thinks so and has performed 1,400 procedures over the last 15 years, despite most ophthalmologists thinking that it is unnecessary.