In the Medicare Advantage market, set rates for traditional Medicare act as a “strong anchor” for physician reimbursement, according to findings published in JAMA Internal Medicine.The researchers suggested that developing reforms that transition the Medicare program toward premium support models could significantly impact how clinicians are being paid.
Author: Healio ophthalmology
IOPtima launches iLid CO2 laser kit for blepharoplasty
The iLid CO₂ laser kit, designed for oculoplastic surgeons to perform CO₂ laser-assisted blepharoplasty, has been launched, according to an IOPtima press release.The kit allows surgeons to use a CO₂ laser beam instead of a scalpel to cut the upper and lower eyelids to remove extra fat and peel the top layer of skin.
Alimera, pSivida amend licensing agreement
Alimera Sciences may now seek approval of Iluvien for the secondary indication of posterior uveitis in the European Union, Middle East and Africa, according to a press release from the company.Alimera and pSivida amended a previous agreement, under which “Alimera held the worldwide license from pSivida to sell Iluvien for the treatment of all ocular diseases other than uveitis,” the release said.
Nondamaging laser therapy treats chronic chorioretinopathy
Nondamaging retinal laser therapy may be used as a treatment for chronic and potentially acute central serous chorioretinopathy, according to a meta-analysis of current literature.The analysis included 16 prospective or retrospective studies with 398 p…
Ocular Therapeutix requests NDA extension for Dextenza
Ocular Therapeutix has submitted an amendment to its FDA new drug application resubmission for Dextenza, detailing a manufacturing equipment change, according to a company press release.The company has modified a piece of equipment referenced in its ND…
PUBLICATION EXCLUSIVE: Military refractive surgery enhances ophthalmic knowledge, service members’ readiness
I became interested in laser corneal refractive surgery in 1985. I sent my then-fellow Ralph Zabel, MD, to England to work with Prof. John Marshall for a year. Ralph, while initially skeptical, became a believer after about 6 months and co-authored the…
Air descemetopexy may treat Descemet’s membrane detachment after cataract surgery
Air descemetopexy can treat Descemet’s membrane detachment after cataract surgery, avoiding the need for endothelial transplantation in many cases, according to a study. At Aravind Eye Hospital in Pondicherry, India, air descemetopexy was performed in 112 patients between January 2013 and December 2015, out of 119,031 cataract surgery interventions. One hundred ten patients had at least 1 month of follow-up and were included in the analysis.
Medical costs increase, but number of patients treated and services rendered remained stable
Total medical expenditures increased markedly between 1996-1997 and 2011-2012, but the number of individuals with visits during an average month and the total utilization of medical services were largely unchanged, according to research recently publis…
Johnson & Johnson CEO discusses future of health care
Health care in the United States will need continued innovation and a commitment to improvement from legislators and industry alike for a sustainable future, Alan Gorsky, CEO of Johnson & Johnson, said at the OCTANe Ophthalmology Technology Summit. Gorsky discussed the country’s changing health care landscape in an interview with Jim Mazzo, global president of ophthalmic devices at Carl Zeiss Meditec, during the meeting in Newport Beach, California, in June. He focused on how industry leaders and legislators in Washington need to work together to improve the Affordable Care Act (Read more...)
PUBLICATION EXCLUSIVE: Overcoming the PRK mindset: Incorporating LASIK, SMILE into the military
The reason for undergoing refractive surgery as a member of the U.S. military is not necessarily a medical one.For this population, wearing glasses in combat would encumber aiming systems, helmets and faceguards. In many cases, glasses and contacts are…
Lower doses of atropine yield less rebound
Whereas level I evidence supports the use of topical atropine to prevent myopic progression of up to 1 D per year in pediatric patients, higher doses have been shown to increase rates of myopic rebound, according to an American Academy of Ophthalmology report.Researchers reviewed 17 level I, II and III studies of children with myopia who had been treated with atropine ophthalmic solution of varying concentrations – 1%, 0.5%, 0.1% and 0.01% – to prevent myopia progression.
Omidria maintains mydriasis, reduces postop pain
OMS302, a combination of phenylephrine and ketorolac, prevented intraoperative miosis in patients undergoing cataract surgery better than its individual components or vehicle, according to a study.The multicenter randomized clinical trial evaluated 222…
Practice management pop quiz for physician and administrator
“Education’s purpose is to replace an empty mind with an open one.”– Malcolm Forbes
Military refractive surgery enhances ophthalmic knowledge, service members’ readiness
I became interested in laser corneal refractive surgery in 1985. I sent my then-fellow Ralph Zabel, MD, to England to work with Prof. John Marshall for a year. Ralph, while initially skeptical, became a believer after about 6 months and co-authored the…
Overcoming the PRK mindset: Incorporating LASIK, SMILE into the military
The reason for undergoing refractive surgery as a member of the U.S. military is not necessarily a medical one.For this population, wearing glasses in combat would encumber aiming systems, helmets and faceguards. In many cases, glasses and contacts are…
Increase accuracy of preop measurements with ‘markerless’ toric IOL alignment techniques
Refractive cataract surgery continues to gain in popularity among both cataract surgeons and their patients because advanced technology and surgical techniques seem to deliver improved visual outcomes. Among cataract surgery patients, corneal astigmati…
Man experiences painless vision loss after combined DSAEK, cataract surgery
A 65-year-old Caucasian man was emergently referred to the retina department at the New England Eye Center for less than 24 hours of painless loss of vision in the right eye. He had undergone a combined Descemet’s stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty and cataract extraction in the right eye 6 days before presentation. His immediate postoperative period had been uncomplicated thus far.The day of presentation, he returned to his surgeon’s office and was immediately referred to our retina department with concern for endophthalmitis. He had no other complaints. He had been (Read more...)
Do you believe another refractive surgery procedure will overtake PRK in terms of popularity for military members?
PointI believe LASIK is poised to overtake PRK as the favored procedure in Navy refractive surgery, but it will be very interesting to see what role there is for small incision lenticule extraction in the future.
Business education in clinical practice
To the Editor:Thank you for the focus on business practices and importance of the combination of clinical and business knowledge in the practice of today. Your editorial and the cover story in the March 10 issue of Ocular Surgery News highlighted many …
Biomimetic 3-D printed corneas may revolutionize corneal transplantation
A biomimetic cornea that combines stem cell technology and 3-D printing may be the future of corneal transplantation.“Research is still at the early stages, but what the future may bring is a customized graft, perfectly tailored for the patient, derived from the patient’s own cells, with no risk of rejection. A concept that is entirely different from the types of artificial corneas we have now, and also a potential solution to the cornea transplant tissue shortage that is currently a global concern,” Nadia Zakaria, MD, PhD, said.