MILAN — Freeze-dried amniotic membrane elements administered to the eye topically represent a revolutionary transplantation technique without the use of surgery, according to a presenter here.The technique, called elemental unit transplantation, is the result of 12 years of research by Kenneth R. Kenyon, MD, and Emiliano Ghinelli, MD. Ghinelli presented the technique, which was recently approved by the Institute of Health in Italy, at the annual joint meeting of Ocular Surgery News and the Italian Society of Ophthalmology.
Month: May 2014
Air bubble stops bleeding, avoids pressure spikes during phaco in glaucoma patients
MILAN — Injecting an air bubble into the anterior chamber may help stop hyphema while also avoiding pressure spikes during cataract surgery in patients with glaucoma, according to a surgeon here.“Studies have shown that intraoperative IOP rises above 30 mm Hg in 10% of uncomplicated phaco cases. In glaucoma patients, the high pressure tends to persist into the following week,” Steven Dewey, MD, said at the annual joint meeting of Ocular Surgery News and the Italian Society of Ophthalmology.
BLOG: Ethical dilemmas; insurers offer doctors bonuses for using cheaper medications
An article in Tuesday’s Wall Street Journal describes a new payment incentive from WellPoint Health Insurance for oncologists treating breast cancer, in which doctors receive a $350 per month bonus payment for using an insurance-approved chemotherapy regimen. The approved regimen has been described by leading specialists in the field as reasonable for the majority of patients but is certainly not an ideal fit for everyone.
Study finds high BP drugs may raise likelihood of age-related macular degeneration
There may be a connection between taking vasodilators and developing early-stage age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the leading cause of vision loss and blindness among Americans who are age 65 and older, according to a study published online in O…
You’re Not on the ‘Best Doctors’ List — Does It Matter?
‘Best Doctors’ lists are published each year; those not on the lists may say the concept is silly, though they may also be irked that they didn’t make the cut. Do those lists make a difference? Medscape Business of Medicine
New-generation, pre-loaded MICS lens produces good FDA trial results
MILAN — The new-generation Hoya 251 IOL for microincision, already available in Europe and Asia, has emerged from its U.S. Food and Drug Administration trial with good outcomes, according to a surgeon here. “The previous three-piece model available for a decade has transitioned to a one-piece. The lens is preloaded into a dedicated inserter, which can be used to gently guide the lens to [unfold]. The PMMA non-stick haptic tips help the lens to easily self-position in the bag. The aspheric balanced curve optic design provides excellent visual quality and (Read more...)
Microstent Standalone Treatment Improves Refractory Glaucoma
Microinvasive glaucoma surgery is safe and beneficial, even when not combined with cataract surgery, new research shows. Medscape Medical News
Valeant to sell filler, toxin rights to Nestle
Valeant Pharmaceuticals has agreed to sell all rights to Restylane, Perlane, Emervel, Sculptra and Dysport, all currently owned or held by Valeant, to Nestle S.A. for $1.4 billion in cash, according to a press release.Nestle expects to operate the acqu…
Valeant increases proposal for Allergan merger by about 21% per share
Valeant Pharmaceuticals has increased its April 22 proposal to acquire Allergan, the company announced in a press release.The revised proposal increases Valeant’s cash consideration by $10 per share, or about 21%, to $58.30.
Intraoperative aberrometry offers superior refractive outcomes in cataract surgery
MILAN, Italy – Intraoperative aberrometry is an effective and reliable method for IOL selection and alignment, greatly improving the refractive outcome of cataract surgery, according to one specialist.The ORA system with VerifEye software (WaveTec Vision) has become an indispensable tool in the practice of Alan R. Faulkner, MD.
Allergan issues concerns about viability of Valeant’s business model
Allergan filed an investor presentation with the Securities and Exchange Commission outlining its concerns about the fiscal and operational stability of Valeant Pharmaceuticals, the company announced in a press release.According to the release, Allergan retained the financial consultant Alvarez & Marsal and the forensic accounting firm FTI Consulting to analyze issues surrounding the intrinsic value of Valeant’s business model and stock.
Strampelli Medal Lecture highlights continuous evolution of OVDs
MILAN, Italy – The continuous evolution of ophthalmic viscosurgical devices has gone hand in hand with major advances in ocular surgery, making the devices an indispensable tool for addressing new types of surgery, according to Steve Arshinoff, MD. Arshinoff, the Benedetto Strampelli Medal Lecturer at the joint meeting of Ocular Surgery News and the Italian Society of Ophthalmology, discussed the history of ophthalmic viscosurgical devices (OVDs), from the first high-viscosity, cohesive Healon (sodium hyaluronate)— patented by Endre Balazs, MD, and sold globally in 1980 — to the contest between Healon (Read more...)
Less IOP fluctuation seen in patients with OAG and moderate to severe myopia
Nocturnal IOP increased less in young myopic patients with open-angle glaucoma than in a control group of glaucoma patients with emmetropia or mild myopia, according to a study.The prospective study included 108 patients with open-angle glaucoma (OAG) …
Amakem initiates phase 2 study of investigational glaucoma agent
Amakem Therapeutics announced its initiation of a phase 2 dose-ranging study for the investigational glaucoma agent, AMA0076, according to a press release.The locally-acting Rho-kinase (ROCK) inhibitor has been developed to reduce IOP by targeting the …
The visual cortex processes auditory information too
Scientists studying brain process involved in sight have found the visual cortex also uses information gleaned from the ears as well as the eyes when viewing the world.
STAAR announces 12% revenue increase in Q1 2014
STAAR Surgical reported 2014 first quarter revenue of $20.2 million, demonstrating a 12% increase from the first quarter of 2013, according to a company press release.“We are off to a very good start in 2014 with revenue growth of 12% and 15% growth in constant currency, which was driven by [Visian implantable collamer lens] and IOL new product sales,” Barry Caldwell, STAAR Surgical president and CEO, said in the release.
Valeant reports 77% first-quarter revenue increase
Valeant Pharmaceuticals reported revenue of $1.9 billion in the first quarter of 2014, an increase of 77% compared with last year’s earnings, according to a press release.The company also reported an increase in its developed market revenue of $1.4 billion, up 82% from the first quarter of 2013 as a result of promoted dermatology brands, consumer, neurology and other, and oral health businesses, as well as a 9% organic growth in Bausch + Lomb businesses, the release said.
Physician customers offer support for Allergan’s rejection of Valeant’s unsolicited acquisition proposal
Allergan received more than 500 letters from its physician customers, as well as from various patient advocacy groups and medical associations, in support of its decision to reject Valeant Pharmaceutical’s unsolicited proposal to acquire the company, according to a press release.“All of us at Allergan are deeply touched that our customers have taken the time to write to tell us that our work has mattered to them and their patients, and to publicly share their support and encouragement for our company’s business model and our promising future,” David E.I. Pyott, (Read more...)
New neural pathway identified in eyes that aids in vision
A type of retina cell plays a more critical role in vision than previously known, a team led by Johns Hopkins University researchers has discovered.
EU Panel Backs Simbrinza for Glaucoma, Ocular Hypertension
International Approvals