Two genetic variations associated with primary open-angle glaucoma involve genes on chromosomes 9 and 8 that may interact with transforming growth factor-beta. Medscape Medical News
Month: April 2012
CATT Update 16: Two-year Results Published in Ophthalmology – No Significant Difference Found Between Avastin and Lucentis
For those of you who have been following my writings on Avastin vs. Lucentis and on the CATT Study, the two-year results comparing Avastin to Lucentis have just been published in Ophthalmology (1) and no significant differences between either the two d…
‘Visual Snow’ Called Real, Not Drug Related
NEW ORLEANS (MedPage Today) — A mysterious and troubling phenomenon called “visual snow” is a distinct syndrome that does not appear to stem from illicit drug use, nor is it a migraine aura, a researcher said here.
‘Visual Snow’ Called Real, Not Drug Related
NEW ORLEANS (MedPage Today) — A mysterious and troubling phenomenon called “visual snow” is a distinct syndrome that does not appear to stem from illicit drug use, nor is it a migraine aura, a researcher said here.
Transplantation Of Fetal Membrane To Prevent Blindness
Transplanting tissue from newborn fetal membranes prevents blindness in patients with a devastating disease called Stevens-Johnson syndrome, a Loyola University Medical Center study has found. The study by senior author Charles Bouchard, MD, and collea…
Major Breakthrough In Macular Degeneration Research
University of Kentucky researchers, led by Dr. Jayakrishna Ambati, have made a major breakthrough in the “dry” form of age-related macular degeneration known as geographic atrophy (GA). GA is an untreatable condition that causes blindness in millions o…
Best and worst paid doctors: Survey
More and more U.S. doctors are regretting their career choices. According to an annual survey of physician pay called Physician Compensation Survey from Medscape/WebMD this is in spite of the hefty amounts that they make each year. However the survey r…
Genes Linked To Common Forms Of Glaucoma
Results from the largest genetic study of glaucoma, a leading cause of blindness and vision loss worldwide, showed that two genetic variations are associated with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG), a common form of the disease. The identification of g…
IRIDEX launches non-invasive MicroPulse Laser Trabeculoplasty for glaucoma
IRIDEX Corporation today announced the launch of a new non-invasive, in-office glaucoma procedure based on its proprietary MicroPulse technology. The new glaucoma therapy, a tissue-sparing, repeatable therapy called MicroPulse Laser Trabeculoplasty (M…
Macular Degeneration Tied to Stroke Risk (CME/CE)
(MedPage Today) — Patients with age-related macular degeneration appear to be at risk for both ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke, researchers found.
For AMD, Off-Label Avastin Cheaper Than On-Label Lucentis
There is no national Medicare payment amount for Avastin when the drug is used to treat wet AMD in the office setting. However, physicians often use it off-label, in part due to lower cost. Medscape Medical News
MCW professor receives 2012 Founders Award at AMSSM meeting
Craig Young, MD, was awarded the 2012 Founders Award at the 21th Annual Meeting of the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine, in Atlanta on April 24, 2012. The award is not given annually, but is bestowed when AMSSM leadership determines that so…
Child Abuse: Ophthalmologists Urged To Be Alert For The Signs
It has been estimated that roughly 4% to 6% of child abuse victims present first to an ophthalmologist…
University of Kentucky researchers make major breakthrough in GA
University of Kentucky researchers, led by Dr. Jayakrishna Ambati, have made a major breakthrough in the “dry” form of age-related macular degeneration known as geographic atrophy.
Amniotic membrane transplantation prevents blindness in patients with SJS
Transplanting tissue from newborn fetal membranes prevents blindness in patients with a devastating disease called Stevens-Johnson syndrome, a Loyola University Medical Center study has found.
Tube Shunts Better for Second Surgery in Glaucoma Patients
Failure rate for tube implants is 29.8% compared with 46.9% for trabeculectomy. Medscape Medical News
Case study in the Journal of AAPOS highlights need for vigilance
It has been estimated that roughly 4% to 6% of child abuse victims present first to an ophthalmologist. In a case study in the April issue of the Journal of American Association of Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus, doctors at the University of Wa…
Provider bonuses do little to improve diabetes care
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) – Small financial incentives aimed at getting physicians to make sure their
diabetic patients receive recommended routine exams may not lead to changes in practice, according to a new study
from Canada.
OIG: Avastin a Better Buy for Wet AMD
WASHINGTON (MedPage Today) — The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services should establish a national payment policy for bevacizumab (Avastin) to treat wet age-related macular degeneration, a government report concluded.
Caffeine May Relieve Dry Eye Syndrome
Caffeine increases tear volume, particularly in people with certain genetic polymorphisms. Medscape Medical News