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.
Author: Healio ophthalmology
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.”
VIDEO: Pulsed laser glaucoma treatment reduces IOP, medications
LOS ANGELES ― At the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery meeting here, Rolando Toyos, MD, discusses his work with pulsed laser in the treatment of severe and moderate glaucoma with the Iridex Cyclo G6 laser system.
Omeros reports $15.1 million quarterly net loss
Omeros reported a net loss of $15.1 million, or $0.34 per share, in the first quarter of 2017 compared with a net loss of $20.5 million, or $0.54 per share, in the same quarter last year, according to a company press release.Total revenues were $12.3 m…
VIDEO: ‘Adaptive fluidics’ improves phaco procedure
LOS ANGELES ― At the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery meeting here, Mitch Schultz, MD, discusses a presentation on his personal experience using the Bausch + Lomb Stellaris Elite phacoemulsification system with “adaptive fluidics.”
VIDEO: DREAM study demonstrates Prokera Slim eases dry eye disease in severe cases
LOS ANGELES ― At the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery here, Marguerite M. McDonald, MD, discusses her presentation of the DREAM study, which showed self-retained amniotic membrane, Prokera Slim from Bio-Tissue, greatly reduced DEWS scores in patients with severe dry eye.
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.”
Alcon names chief medical officer
Stephen S. Lane, MD, will join Alcon as its chief medical officer and global head of franchise clinical strategy, where he will lead the integration of scientific, clinical and commercial priorities across the company’s surgical and vision care franchises, according to a press release.Lane has specialized in cataract surgery, cornea/external diseases, anterior segment surgery, LASIK and refractive surgery in his more than 30-year career.
VIDEO: Intraocular delivery of medications during cataract surgery advantageous
LOS ANGELES ― At the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery meeting here, Cynthia A. Matossian, MD, discusses the four Cs of the advantages of intraocular delivery of medications during cataract surgery over topical post-surgical administration: Cornea, compliance, cost and call-backs.
Most doctors disapprove of Trump approach to health care
A new survey shows that the majority of U.S. doctors do not like President Donald J. Trump’s job performance when it comes to health care policy, and think that the future of health care looks bleak for both medical professionals and patients. Earlier this year, a poll that appeared in the New England Journal of Medicine suggested that most U.S. physicians do not want to see the Affordable Care Act repealed. That survey was taken before the House pulled the original vote on the American Health Care Act due to (Read more...)
SightLife Surgical names P. Bernard Haffey chief commercial officer
Paul Bernard “Bernie” Haffey has joined SightLife Surgical as its first chief commercial officer, according to a company press release. Haffey previously served as president and CEO of Nexis Vision and as president and CEO of NDO Surgical. He also held the titles of executive vice president and chief commercial officer at both Summit Technology and IntraLase Corp.
Precizon Presbyopic IOL from Ophtec receives CE mark
The aspheric Precizon Presbyopic IOL received a CE mark and will be commercially launched in October during the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons meeting in Lisbon, Portugal, Ophtec announced in a press release. The lens was studied …
Precizon Presbyopic IOL from Ophtec receives CE mark
The aspheric Precizon Presbyopic IOL received a CE mark and will be commercially launched in October during the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons meeting in Lisbon, Portugal, Ophtec announced in a press release. The lens was studied …
ARMOR study: Antibiotic resistance high among staphylococci
BALTIMORE – Researchers found high levels of antibiotic resistance among staphylococci, along with many isolates demonstrating multidrug resistance, in preliminary results for ocular isolates collected in 2016 under the ARMOR program, presented at the Association of Research in Vision and Ophthalmology annual meeting.The ongoing Antibiotic Resistance Monitoring in Ocular micRoorganisms (ARMOR) is a nationwide antibiotic resistance surveillance program specific to ocular pathogens.
VIDEO: Diet and supplements can augment treatment for dry eye disease
LOS ANGELES – At the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery meeting here, Laura M. Periman, MD, discusses “foundational medicine,” the daily habits, eating patterns and supplements that can bolster eye health, particularly for dry eye patients.
ONL Therapeutics closes $4.25 million in Series A funding
ONL Therapeutics has closed $4.25 million in Series A funding for preclinical development of its lead therapeutic candidate, ONL1204, designed to treat retinal detachment, according to a company press release.The funding, which came from investors including Novartis, the University of Michigan’s Michigan Investment in New Technology Startups program, Capital Community Angels, Invest Michigan, Biosciences Research & Commercialization Center and Hestia Investments, will be combined with a $1 million grant from the National Eye Institute.