World Ophthalmology Congress 2008

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Green tea benefits?Dorairajan Balasubramanian, director of research, L.V. Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, India, reported on in vitro tests he has performed on cells and polyphenols such as epigallocatechin gallate (ECGC) and catechin, and their protective value against cytotoxic agents.

Neuroprotectants offer hope to glaucoma sufferersErythropoietin (EPO), ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF), and wolfberry seem to provide neuroprotection of retinal ganglion cells in a rat model of ocular hypertension.

Telemedicine may help identify & treat DRWith diabetes cases worldwide expected to double in the first 30 years of the 21st century, telemedicine might be a pathway to ensuring that more patients receive care, and thus, prevent complications from retinopathy.

Accurate IOL power challenging in refractive patientsAchieving the proper IOL power for patients who have had a refractive procedure such as LASIK, PRK, or RK can be challenging, and taking more measurements leads to greater accuracy.

Acupuncture advantagesIs there a place for traditional Chinese medicine in modern ophthalmology? Quite possibly, said Dennis Lam, MD, FRCS, Chinese University of Hong Kong.

Lamellar sliver: devastating complication of recutting after LASIKA lamellar sliver is a devastating complication resulting from recutting flaps during LASIK enhancement procedures, said Jonathan Song, MD, from the Doheny Eye Institute, Los Angeles, US.

Artificial cornea ideal solution for someThe use of an artificial cornea in patients who have experienced multiple immunologic graft rejections is more likely to result in good-quality vision than is performing another corneal transplant.

Defeating dry eye diseaseThe importance of treating dry eye disease was the subject of "Advances in dry eye: disease perspectives, treatment options, and post-surgical management," a symposium held in conjunction with the World Ophthalmology Congress (WOC).

Beyond the anti-VEGF inhibitorsNew investigative drugs for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) may complement the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) agents, improve the visual results, and require fewer injections. Various routes of administration are under investigation and combination treatments are likely to provide more favourable results.

Mixing & matching IOLs not always to patient's advantageUsing various types of IOLs in the same patient has been trumpeted as a way to achieve better vision correction than bilaterally implanting the same IOL. Yet, this concept of "mix and match" is not quite that simple.

Detecting glaucoma progression a multi-pronged approachOphthalmologists should assess disease progression in patients with established and suspected glaucoma, should confirm with repeat testing any visual function loss that is seen, should remember that structural measurements have variability, and should consider using structural and functional testing together to detect disease progression, said Robert Weinreb, MD.

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