Purpose: To evaluate the subjective and objective measures of ocular surface disease in patients with glaucoma.Design: Cross-sectional study.Participants: Sixty-four glaucoma subjects with bilateral visual field (VF) loss and 59 glaucoma suspects with normal VFs.Methods: Consecutive patients were recruited prospectively from the Wilmer Eye Institute Glaucoma Clinic.Main Outcome Measures: Tear film breakup time (TBUT), corneal staining score (0–15), and Schirmer’s test results were included as objective metrics, whereas the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire was administered to assess symptoms. Total OSDI score, vision-related subscore (derived from questions about vision and task performance), and discomfort-related subscore (derived from questions about ocular (Read more...)
Month: May 2013
Combination Therapy for Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration Refractory to Anti–Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Agents – Corrected Proof
Objective: To examine the outcomes of combination anti–vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and photodynamic therapy (PDT) for the treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) refractory to anti-VEGF monotherapy.Design: Retros…
Genotype and Phenotype of 101 Dutch Patients with Congenital Stationary Night Blindness – Corrected Proof
Objective: To investigate the relative frequency of the genetic causes of the Schubert–Bornschein type of congenital stationary night blindness (CSNB) and to determine the genotype-phenotype correlations in CSNB1 and CSNB2.Design: Clinic-based, longi…
Web-based versus Paper Administration of Common Ophthalmic Questionnaires: Comparison of Subscale Scores – Corrected Proof
Objective: To compare participants’ responses to Web-based and paper-and-pencil versions of an ophthalmic, patient-reported outcome (PRO) questionnaire.Design: Questionnaire development.Participants: Matched subjects with ocular surface disease (OSD) (n = 68) and without OSD (controls, n = 50).Methods: Subjects completed a standard, paper-and-pencil and a Web-based version of the same questionnaire in randomized order. The administered questionnaire included several ophthalmic PRO subscales: the National Eye Institute’s (NEI’s) Refractive Error Quality of Life Instrument’s Clarity of Vision, Near Vision, Far Vision, Glare, Symptoms, Worry, and Satisfaction with Correction subscales; the Ocular Surface Disease Index’s (OSDI’s) Symptoms subscale; and the NEI’s Visual Function Questionnaire’s (Read more...)
Elie Dahan, glaucoma innovator and OSN Europe Edition Board Member, dies at 62
Elie Dahan, MD, a leading specialist in glaucoma, as well as pediatrics and cataract surgery, died in early May at the age of 62. His sudden death shocked his many friends and colleagues and will leave a deep void in the ophthalmic community, where he …
Laminar thickness measurement outstrips RNFL measurement in diagnosing glaucoma
Laminar thickness measurement was more reliable than peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness measurement in diagnosing normal tension glaucoma, according to a study.The study included 68 patients with primary open-angle glaucoma and 76 patien…
BLOG: Are you spending too much or too little on marketing? Part 2
A detailed how-to guide on ophthalmic marketing could easily fill hundreds of Healio blogs. (Indeed, SLACK/OSN published my first book, which was dedicated to ophthalmic marketing, 27 years ago. Looking at how primitive this book is today is an indication of how fast the field has changed since I wrote it.) To get started, let’s look at some of the numbers that should guide your decisions. As a first step in assessing your situation, prepare a graph for the past 12 or more months of the number of month-by-month new (Read more...)
Valeant to acquire Bausch + Lomb for $8.7 billion
Valeant Pharmaceuticals has agreed to purchase Bausch + Lomb for $8.7 billion in cash, according to a joint news release from the companies.Under the agreement, Bausch + Lomb will keep its name and function as a division of Valeant, and Valeant’s ophthalmology holdings will be folded into the Bausch + Lomb division, the release said.
Alcon launches JETREA in Denmark and Sweden
ThromboGenics NV, an integrated biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing innovative ophthalmic medicines, today announces that its partner Alcon has launched JETREA in Denmark and Sweden, the third and fourth European markets…
Study Backs Benefits of Omega-3s for Dry Eye Syndrome
Taking oral omega-3 fatty acids for 30 days significantly reduces the symptoms of dry eye syndrome, a report online May 3 in Ophthalmology demonstrates. Reuters Health Information
RVO: Reading Speed Improves With Ranibizumab Injections
Ranibizumab therapy makes a functional difference for patients with retinal vein occlusion, researchers have found. Medscape Medical News
Patients With Macular Degeneration at Increased Death Risk
Age-related macular degeneration was associated with a higher risk for death related to circulatory disease and all-cause mortality in a long-term follow-up of the AREDS study. Medscape Medical News
Cataract Surgeons See Laser’s Potential in a New Light
Femtosecond lasers, the current darlings of the cataract surgery world, are growing up. Is zero phaco power a realistic goal? Medscape Medical News
Glucosamine Linked to Increased Intraocular Pressure
Glucosamine supplementation was linked to significant, reversible increases in intraocular pressure in a small study, but the investigators could not exclude the potential for permanent damage. Medscape Medical News
Contact Lenses in Kids: Best Practices
Decorative contact lenses are never a good idea. But what are other best practices for children and teens who use contact lenses? CHOP Expert Commentary
Studies confirm efficacy of intense pulsed light treatment on meibomian gland dysfunction
MILAN — Intense pulsed light is an effective treatment for meibomian gland dysfunction and related dry eye disease, according to studies presented here. Intense pulsed light (IPL, DermaMed) uses a xenon flashlight in a band between 400 nm and 1300 nm.
Central hole maintains natural aqueous dynamics after implantation of posterior chamber phakic lens
MILAN — Five-year follow-up of a modified posterior chamber implantable Collamer lens with a central hole showed a high safety profile due to the maintenance of natural eye aqueous dynamics.The Visian ICL V4 (STAAR Surgical) was found in animal experiments to improve the aqueous humor perfusion on the anterior surface of the crystalline lens, preventing the formation of secondary cataract. Clinical studies were performed between 2007 and 2010, and in 2011 the lens received the CE mark.
Good refractive results seen with new laser system
MILAN — A new laser system that will soon be launched in the international market provides good results, according to one speaker here. The Microscan NanoVisum platform (NanoVision Group), which has recently been upgraded with the wavefront-guided PlatoScan treatment software linked to the L80 Wave + aberrometry-topography system (Visionix Luneau), originates from Soviet military space combat laser technology, which was converted into various civil applications, including ophthalmology. The machine features 500-Hz laser frequency, optimized laser shot delivery map, larger treatment zone, enhanced tracking device and improved alignment.
Vitamin & Diet Recommendations for ARMD
AREDS 2 did not change any dietary or supplement (vitamin) recommendations for those with macular degeneration. The original formula is still recommended.
Ultrasonic knife allows prechop of dense lenses
MILAN — The use of an ultrasonic knife attached to a standard phaco handpiece allows safe and efficient prechop of dense lenses, according to one surgeon.”With very dense nuclei, I can’t prechop using a standard instrument because I cannot get it inside the nucleus,” Jeffrey D. Horn, MD, said at the annual joint meeting of Ocular Surgery News and the Italian Society of Ophthalmology.