Author: Healio ophthalmology

Success of nasolacrimal probing not affected by age or surgeon experience

The success rate of nasolacrimal probing for congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction was 77.3% after first probing and more than 90% after second probing, according to a study.The retrospective case series included 88 eyes of 62 patients between the ages of 1 month and 138 months at Centro Hospitalar São João, Porto, Portugal. Successful nasolacrimal probing was defined as effective lacrimal irrigation intraoperatively and resolution of epiphora at 1 month.

Federal budget proposal would deal ‘devastating blow’ to medical research

The Trump administration’s proposed 2018 budget would decimate scientific research and innovation while jeopardizing millions of Americans’ access to essential health care and preventive services, according to leaders of national medical organizations. President Donald J. Trump’s spending plan — delivered to Congress today with the title “A New Foundation for American Greatness” — proposes nearly $6 billion in funding cuts for the NIH. This would deal “a devastating blow” to medical research, Steven Houser, PhD, FAHA, president of the American Heart Association, said in a statement.

ACP offers recommendations to Congress for health care reform

Today, the ACP released a new policy agenda containing several recommendations for Congress to improve American health care. The paper, titled A Prescription for a Forward-Looking Agenda to Improve American Health Care, emphasizes ACP’s view that it is time to cease the “unfruitful” debate over repealing and replacing the ACA. Instead ACP urges Congress and the administration to create and implement a “forward-thinking agenda” for health care reform in collaboration with ACP and other clinician and patient advocacy organizations.

Lensar, PDL BioPharma announce restructuring plan

Lensar will become a wholly owned subsidiary of PDL BioPharma through a financial restructuring plan that has been court approved, according to a Lensar press release.Lensar, which declared Chapter 11 bankruptcy in December 2016, has maintained its business operations. Through the restructuring, PDL will convert Lensar’s debt to an equity ownership position, the release said.

Cybersecurity expert: 5 things physicians should consider to help protect data

In this guest commentary, Zuly Gonzalez, co-founder and CEO of Light Point Security and former cybersecurity expert at the National Security Agency, discusses what physicians and private practices could do to help prevent hackers from gaining access to patients’ valuable health information. The Baltimore-based cybersecurity company developed the concept of “remote browser isolation” to prevent ransomware and other web-based malware from infecting an organization. 

Q&A: Why health care remains a target to cyberattacks like WannaCry

Earlier this month, hackers executed a worldwide ransomware attack that has impacted more than 100 countries and infected tens of thousands of computers. More than 30 hospitals, doctors’ offices and ambulance companies across the United Kingdom’s National Health Service were affected by the cyberattack. Doctors and nurses were unable to access patients’ records and patients had to be turned away from treatment on occasion.

EVO+ Visian ICL receives CE mark

The EVO+ Visian ICL with aspheric optic has received a CE mark for commercialization in the European Union, according to a STAAR Surgical press release.Indicated for the correction or reduction of hyperopia and myopia between +3 D and –18 D, the EVO+ Visian ICL with aspheric (EDOF) optic is surgically implanted between the iris and the natural lens.

FDA approves Actemra for giant cell arteritis

The FDA has approved Actemra for the treatment of adults with giant cell arteritis. “Rheumatologists will finally have available an option for their patients that is going to allow them to discontinue steroids as rapidly as possible,” Christine Birchwood, PhD, senior medical science director from Genentech, told Healio Rheumatology. “It is the first new therapy these patients will have had in more than 50 years.”

FDA approves Actemra for GCA

The FDA has approved Actemra for the treatment of adults with giant cell arteritis. “Rheumatologists will finally have available an option for their patients that is going to allow them to discontinue steroids as rapidly as possible,” Christine Birchwood, PhD, senior medical science director from Genentech, told Healio Rheumatology. “It is the first option these patients will have had in more than 60 years.”

Contemporary refractive surgery minimally disturbs ocular surface

PRK and femtosecond-assisted LASIK have equally mild and transient effects on the ocular surface, according to a study.Taking into consideration contemporary advances in refractive surgery, the authors undertook the prospective clinical trial to compare “the effect on the ocular surface of current femtosecond laser-assisted LASIK and PRK techniques over a 1-year follow-up.”