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Wavefront analysis of the human eye is based on an optical theory that was first developed in astronomy more than 100 years ago, with roots that date back almost 400 years. Astronomers used the technology to reduce higher order aberrations (HOAs) induced by the earth's atmosphere. Recognising the potential of this analysis in ocular refractive surgery, manufacturers have recently introduced wavefront technology into several major laser systems in order to improve treatment outcomes and address HOAs within the visual system.

Early surgical intervention and adequate orthoptic therapy are important when dealing with children who have undergone cataract surgery. A pseudophakic implant represents an effective solution for the management of aphakic children; a multifocal IOL can provide additional correction, without hindering quality of vision. Here, Klaus Weber, MD provides a brief overview of the incidence, causes and management of childhood cataract, and recommends potential avenues of treatment for the visual rehabilitation of paediatric patients with aphakia.

Here, we take a closer look at Schwind's latest unveiling, the ESIRIS excimer laser with the ORK-CAM (ORK-Custom Ablation Manager) software with aspherical aberration-free profiles.

Ophthalmologists who perform refractive procedures today, often to the dismay of patients as well as the treating physicians, achieve less than optimal satisfactory results postoperatively in 5% to 25% of their patients. Residual refractive errors, overcorrection, as well as pre-existing irregular astigmatisms induced by small optical zones and/or decentred ablations are difficult to correct with standard treatments because of their irregular nature.

An FDA panel has recommended against the approval of VisionCare Ophthalmic Technology's Implantable Miniature Telescope (IMT).

It ensures faster rehabilitation of patients operated on using 22 gauge compared with conventional 2.8 mm coaxial phaco, probably because of the reduction in postoperative trauma during emulsification of the crystalline lens in a closed system with narrow incisions

The mixing and matching of refractive and diffractive multifocal intraocular lenses (MIOLs) to enhance vision in cataract patients is not a new concept. In fact, the theory was first pioneered and realised in 2000 by Uzeyir G?nenc, MD of Dokuz Eyl?l University, Izmir, Turkey, who went on to present his first set of results at the 2003 congress of the ASCRS. So why is it that, back then, nobody really paid attention to this technique? The answer is simple; the idea at that time seemed quite bizarre and was something that many surgeons would never consider performing in their own practice. Three years on and armed with five-year data, the global ophthalmic community is now starting to pay attention.

The management of paediatric glaucoma is primarily surgical. In the literature, goniotomy and trabeculotomy, despite success rates of only 40-90%, are still the initial surgical procedures of choice for most cases of primary congenital glaucoma. In the case of secondary glaucomas associated with conditions such as aphakia, aniridia, anterior segment dysgenesis and Sturge-Weber syndrome, the success rates of goniotomy or trabeculotomy are much lower.

I would like to give a warm welcome to all of our readers and, particularly to those of you who have recently joined the many ophthalmologists across Europe who read our publication. I have been delighted by the response we have had to Ophthalmology Times Europe so far and I would like to thank you all for your very kind words of support and encouragement. We have tried to make Ophthalmology Times Europe a little different to other publications out there, not only in the world of ophthalmology, but across industries. By providing broad coverage of the industry and presenting arguments and ideas in an easily digestible format, it has been our mission to supply you with something that you enjoy reading.

Open angle glaucoma can be considered as a pathology, which predominantly requires surgical treatment. In light of this, John Cairns, in 1968, introduced a "protect filtering" surgical technique that would improve aqueous outflow and reduce intraocular pressure (IOP) in glaucomatous eyes. That technique was called trabeculectomy.

OccuLogix has signed an agreement to acquire SOLX, in order to continue its diversification plans focusing on age-related eye diseases.

In some cases, it can be difficult for ophthalmologists to determine precisely what is affecting their patient. It is essential that a correct diagnosis is established as a misdiagnosis could have serious consequences for the patient; allowing the real problem to progress undetected. Here, Arashvand and Geh talk us through a case of orbital injury mimicking traumatic Brown's Syndrome.

Keratoconus progression was halted in all 20 eyes treated at eight months postoperatively. In 75% of eyes we recorded a regression in pathology and an improvement in visual acuity was seen in 80% of eyes

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October 2006 Edit List

Vitreous relapse common in eyes with retinoblastoma

Alcon & Origenis intensify relationship

Macugen maintenance

Treating myopic foveoschisis

The NOG (Nederlands Oogheelkundig Gezelschap) was founded in 1892 when a group of like-minded ophthalmologists met at the Maashotel in Rotterdam to discuss the latest developments in their profession. The aim of the society was, and still is, the scientific and social support of ophthalmology in the Netherlands. The father of Dutch ophthalmology was Franciscus Cornelis Donders who was a brilliant ophthalmologist and scientist. He was a close friend of Albrecht von Graefe from Germany. Together, Donders and Herman Snellen formed, in Utrecht, the "epicentre" of Dutch Ophthalmology. Three years after the death of Donders the NOG was founded.

The Centres for Medicare and Medicaid Service (CMS) has recognized Alcon's AcrySof IQ intraocular lens (IOL) as belonging to the New Technology IOL (NTIOL) classification of Reduced Spherical Aberration.

Deep sclerectomy is not the holy grail of glaucoma surgery, but available evidence indicates that it is definitively safer than trabeculectomy, according to Tarek M. Shaarawy, MD.

Marred by reports of vision loss due to contamination, amongst other complications, trypan blue has received its fair share of bad press over recent years, with many unapproved versions of the formulation making its way into cataract surgeons' practices.

As a result of our excellent postoperative patient data in a variety of applications, we will continue to use the femtosecond laser technology in our practice. It supports our procedures with great precision and safety, it is easy to use and enables us to set new standards in our surgeries

It's that time of year again and I'm sure most of you will be getting ready for Europe's largest annual congress, the 24th Congress of the ESCRS. I have to admit, although I have lived in England my whole life, London never ceases to amaze me. It's busy, expensive and sometimes can feel quite impersonal. That aside, it is a remarkable city. Its cosmopolitan nature gives rise to an eclectic mix of, amongst many other things, restaurants, bars, parks, theatres and shops. It's quite easy to feel spoilt for choice. So while you're visiting our wonderful capital, make sure you get out and sample the delights the city has to offer. Our quick guide to getting out and about in London (ESCRS Congress preview) gives you a little taste of what you might expect.

As described by Huang et al. more than a decade ago, optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a non-contact, non-destructive imaging modality that acquires depth-resolved two- and three-dimensional images of biological tissue.

PCO secondary cataract, no matter how you label it, it exists and it is the most common complication of cataract removal or extraction.

Laser assisted in-situ keratomileusis (LASIK) and photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) offer comparable results for the correction of myopia, but LASIK provides faster visual recovery, according to the results of a review published in The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2006, Issue 2.

The European Medicines Agency (EMEA) has completed its "New Framework for Scientific Advice & Protocol Assistance", which outlines changes in the way it will provide scientific advice on the research and development of new medicines.

From the 9-13 September, the Excel Exhibition and conference centre in London will open its doors to more than four thousand delegates for the 24th Congress of the European Society for Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (ESCRS). This year's congress is full to the brim of symposia, courses and skills training, in addition to having one of Europe's largest ophthalmic exhibitions. The congress is also playing host to this year's annual meeting of the United Kingdom and Ireland Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (UKISCRS), who will be hosting a free papers session as well as three presentations on complicated cases and videos, training refractive surgeons for the future and femtosecond lasers.