Author: Healio ophthalmology

Sex differences observed in characteristics of dry eye

Sex plays a large role in the symptoms of dry eye disease, according to a study. In a large cohort, women had significantly higher symptom scores and a lower correlation between signs and symptoms than men.
Dry eye disease is more prevalent in women. The recent TFOS DEWS II report confirmed that sex and hormones play an important role in the regulation of the ocular surface and adnexa. A study carried out in the Netherlands used a large tertiary dry eye clinic’s database to further explore the role of sex (Read more...)

OWL names new executive director

Gaynor Fries has been appointed the new executive director of OWL: Advancing Diversity in Leadership, according to a press release.
“I am honored to be stepping into a leadership role with OWL and look forward to working more closely with the board to fulfill OWL’s mission,” Fries said in the release.
She has worked with OWL since 2015 and brings more than 25 years of administration and management experience to her new role.
“We are so thankful for Gaynor ‘growing up with us’ here at OWL, where she has made (Read more...)

Racial, ethnic minorities less likely than whites to participate in health research studies

Jagdish Khubchandani
Racial and ethnic minorities — particularly black individuals — appeared less likely than white individuals to participate in health-related research studies, according to study results.
Jagdish Khubchandani, PhD, MPH, associate professor of community health in the department of nutrition and health science in Ball State University’s College of Health, and colleagues assessed health research participation history and willingness to participate among 7,809 members of HealthStreet, a community engagement research program. The study population was 65.8% black

VIDEO: Fluocinolone acetonide insert a promising option for noninfectious uveitis

HONOLULU — At the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology meeting here, Eric B. Suhler, MD, MPH, discusses early pooled results of two studies evaluating the safety and efficacy of an intravitreal 0.18 mg fluocinolone acetonide insert for the treatment of noninfectious posterior segment uveitis. Six-month results found those treated with the insert were less likely to have inflammatory flare, he said.

MGD symptoms greater in patients with diabetes

HONOLULU — Meibomian gland dysfunction was found to be more severe in patients with diabetes, possibly contributing to a greater prevalence of dry eye disease in these patients, according to a poster presented at the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology meeting here.
Johanna Garzon, PhD, and colleagues in Colombia conducted a prospective study of 37 patients with type 2 diabetes and 36 healthy controls to assess the meibomian glands, ocular surface and tear function.
In both groups, 71% of participants presented with MGD: 76% in the diabetes group (Read more...)

Optos launches Monaco, UWF retinal imaging device with OCT

Optos plc, part of Nikon Corp., announced the U.S. launch of Monaco, the first ultra-widefield imaging device combined with optical coherence tomography.
Monaco is a compact desktop UWF retinal imaging device, which provides greater imaging functionality, according to a company press release.
“The addition of OCT to our ultra-widefield imaging device offers a more comprehensive array of imaging tools in one machine, enabling eye care practitioners to see and treat retinal pathology earlier and more effectively,” Robert Kennedy, CEO of Optos, said in the release.
The device is the company’s

Cogan Lecture looks at potential of virtual reality for testing visual fields

HONOLULU — There is potential for early detection of glaucomatous disease with use of virtual reality in-home-based testing of visual fields, Felipe A. Medeiros, MD, PhD, said here in his delivery of the Cogan Lecture at the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology annual meeting.
Citing a study published in JAMA Ophthalmology, Medeiros described the use of the nGoggle, a wearable brain-computer interface, to objectively assess visual function and distinguish glaucomatous eyes from healthy ones. The nGoggle integrates dry electroencephalogram and electro-oculogram systems to

VIDEO: Iluvien can optimize DME treatment

HONOLULU — The PALADIN and USER studies found patients with diabetic macular edema who received an Iluvien implant (fluocinolone acetonide, Alimera Sciences) required less frequent anti-VEGF treatments, Victor Gonzalez, MD, said at the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology meeting here.

At-home OCT monitoring of retinal disease a possibility

HONOLULU — A home-care OCT monitoring device could reduce the cost and burden of treatment for patients with retinal disease, according to a researcher here.
Claus von der Burchard, MD, and colleagues have developed an off-axis full-field time-domain OCT technology intended for patient use at home to monitor their retinal disease.
“What [age-related macular degeneration and diabetic eye disease] have in common is that they can be treated very effectively with injections,” von der Burchard said in a news conference highlighting high-tech advances in vision research at the