Author: Healio ophthalmology

Strampelli Medal Lecture focuses on history and potential new developments of ICL

MILAN — Predicting vault more accurately and controlling it over time would allow the STAAR ICL to be applied universally and replace many of the procedures performed in the cornea today, according to Roberto Zaldivar, MD, the Benedetto Strampelli SOI Medal Lecturer, at the OSN Italy meeting. With only three cases of cataract in 16,000 implantations performed over the last 15 years, Zaldivar said that in expert hands this procedure should raise no fear of complications. The central hole of the AquaFlow model has further improved the safety profile, and (Read more...)

MMC may help reduce haze associated with Raindrop inlay implantation

The concept of corneal inlays dates back a few decades, and the commercial introduction of the Kamra from AcuFocus and the Raindrop near vision inlay from ReVision Optics has cemented their use in our practices as an additive way of correcting presbyopia without ablating corneal tissue. Inlays are implanted in the stromal tissue and can be removed if needed. All procedures have been shown to improve near function without compromising distance vision because inlays are unilaterally implanted in the nondominant eye. Commercial outcomes have been positive, but there are some (Read more...)

ACP: Withdrawal from climate accord undermines threat of climate change

President Donald J. Trump announced on June 1 that the United States will withdraw from the 2015 multinational Paris climate agreement to reduce global warming and the greenhouse effect. This withdrawal will “greatly undermine” the global effort to curb the damaging impact of climate change on human health, according to a press release issued by ACP.

VIDEO: Selective laser trabeculoplasty studied in patients with uveitic glaucoma

KIAWAH, S.C. — Kenzo J. Koike, MD, a senior resident at the Medical University of South Carolina, discusses his presentation at the Kiawah Eye meeting on use of selective laser trabeculoplasty for treatment of uveitic glaucoma. Koike and colleagues found that, even though there are relative contraindications for use of SLT for this indication, there were no visually significant complications and IOP reductions were maintained at 1 year in the small patient cohort.

Tracking cataract surgery outcomes leads to improved performance

MILAN – Tracking the outcomes of cataract surgery helps individual surgeons and clinics improve their performance, leading to overall better results and greater patient satisfaction, according to a speaker. “Patient expectations are sky-high nowadays,” Richard S. Davidson, MD, said at the OSN Italy meeting. “We are under a lot of pressure to do more surgery in less time, with decreased reimbursement and a high demand for better outcomes.”

AMA: Practice ownership no longer the majority among physicians

The proportion of patient care physicians who have an ownership stake in their medical practice dropped below 50%, marking the first time that physician practice owners fell under the majority since practice arrangement trends have been documented, according to a new study by the AMA.“Patients benefit when physicians practice in settings they find professionally and personally rewarding, and the AMA strongly supports a physician’s right to practice in the setting of their choice,” Andrew W. Gurman, MD, president of AMA, said in a press release. “The AMA is committed to (Read more...)

Alimera Sciences reports $6.7 million quarterly net loss

A first-quarter net loss of $6.7 million was reported by Alimera Sciences, compared with an $11.1 million net loss for the first quarter of 2016. Operating expenses went down from $14.2 million in 2016’s first quarter to $11.5 million in 2017’s first quarter, according to a press release. Research, development and medical affairs expenses went down approximately 30% to $2.1 million.

Noninvasive laser therapy may be alternative to MIGS

MILAN — Transscleral micropulse laser therapy may be an effective alternative to minimally invasive glaucoma surgery in the treatment of mild to moderate glaucoma, according to a surgeon here.“It is a safe, minimally invasive and effective procedure that you can do in your office under topical anesthesia. I believe it has a great future as a treatment,” Rolando Toyos, MD, said at the OSN Italy meeting.