CORONADO, Calif. — As a primary intervention, trabeculectomy with mitomycin C had a higher success rate than tube shunt surgery at 1 year in patients with glaucoma and no prior ocular surgery, according to a study presented here.“Not only was the overall success rate higher in the trabeculectomy group but the rate of complete success was significantly higher,” Steven J. Gedde, MD, said at the American Glaucoma Society meeting, where he reported 1-year results of the Primary Tube Versus Trabeculectomy Study.
Author: Healio ophthalmology
Reduced IOP with CyPass plus phaco maintained at 2 years
CORONADO, Calif. — IOP reduction was sustained at 2 years in patients with mild to moderate primary open-angle glaucoma who underwent CyPass micro-stent implantation at the same time as cataract surgery in the COMPASS trial, Quang H. Nguyen, MD, and colleagues reported in a poster presented at the American Glaucoma Society meeting.In the randomized intervention trial, 374 patients underwent the combination of phacoemulsification plus CyPass micro-stent (Alcon) implantation, with 61.2% of those patients maintaining mean IOP between 6 mm Hg and 18 mm Hg at 2 years. Of the 131 (Read more...)
Study: Erosions more frequent in corneal than scleral patch grafts
CORONADO, Calif. — Corneal patch grafts eroded faster and more often than scleral patch grafts in patients who underwent glaucoma tube shunt implantation, according to a study presented at the American Glaucoma Society meeting. Azra Idrizovic, DO, and colleagues undertook the study to compare specifically the rates of corneal and scleral patch graft erosion in eyes with glaucoma drainage implants and to examine the risk factors associated with tube erosions.
Multi-imaging distinguishes choroidal neovascularization types
Using a range of imaging modalities can be effective in identifying the types of choroidal neovascularization lesions in patients with age-related macular degeneration, according to a study.The cross-sectional retrospective study singled out retinal an…
Business education gives a boost to clinical practice
Investing in a Master of Business Administration degree or some other type of business education can significantly improve an ophthalmologist’s clinical practice and provide enterprising opportunities. Jai G. Parekh, MD, MBA, FAAO, managing partner at Brar-Parekh Eye Associates in Woodland Park and Edison, New Jersey, said earning an MBA is analogous to having undergone refractive surgery. “I see through a different lens now as everything is more ‘macro’ to me, after having practiced for so many years in a ‘micro’ fashion,” he said.
‘New era’ of presbyopic IOLs brings reduced glare, better vision
New IOL technologies are providing clinicians with ways to reduce glare and halo while delivering favorable visual outcomes, according to a speaker at Hawaiian Eye 2017. Eric D. Donnenfeld, MD, discussed the advantages of IOLs that have broadened clinicians’ options in treating presbyopia while reducing dependence on glasses.
Middle-age man experiences unilateral sudden-onset vision loss
A 44-year-old man with no significant medical or ocular history was referred by an outside optometrist to Ophthalmic Consultants of Boston for sudden-onset painless decreased vision of the right eye that began 4 days before presentation. At that time, the patient was also experiencing fevers, fatigue, 3 weeks of painless sores on the roof of his mouth, and spots on his palms and soles. His primary care physician obtained blood work, including CBC, ESR, BMP, HIV, Lyme, rheumatoid factor, RPR, ANCA and ANA, which were all negative except for an (Read more...)
Give me that old time religion
“All religions must be tolerated … for every man must get to heaven in his own way.”– Epictetus
A few books, a mentor and a clear sense of purpose can help forge a practice’s path to success
Most ophthalmologists focus on the sciences during their 4 to 5 years of college education and then are immersed in a very challenging medical school environment for 4 more years, with minimal to no formal training in business or practice management. This is repeated during their 1 year of internship and 3 years of residency. Those who perform a fellowship in a well-managed private practice environment have the opportunity to learn some business and practice management skills, but enhancing clinical and surgical skills remains the top priority.Fortunately, most young ophthalmologists (Read more...)
American Diabetes Association updates guidelines for diabetic retinopathy
The American Diabetes Association updated its guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of diabetic retinopathy for the first time since its last position statement on the condition in 2002, according to a report. The American Diabetes Association con…
Analysis: Baerveldt implant reduces IOP more than Ahmed glaucoma valve
CORONADO, Calif. — On average over time, the Baerveldt glaucoma implant reduced IOP significantly more than the Ahmed glaucoma valve but with more sight-threatening complications, Donald L. Budenz, MD, MPH, said at the American Glaucoma Society meeting.Budenz presented a 5-year analysis of pooled data from the Ahmed Baerveldt Comparison Study and the Ahmed Versus Baerveldt Study, both randomized clinical trials.
Xen reduces both IOP and medication use in refractory glaucoma
CORONADO, Calif. — In a group of refractory glaucoma patients, the ab interno placement of Allergan’s Xen45 gel stent reduced both IOP and medication use at 12 months, Davinder S. Grover, MD, MPH, and colleagues reported in a poster presented at the American Glaucoma Society meeting.Of 65 patients implanted with the gel stent, 76.3% achieved a 20% or greater reduction in IOP from baseline, and 69.2% of patients needed fewer medications. At baseline, 84.6% of patients were using more than three hypotensive medications; the mean number of medications decreased from (Read more...)
Iridex launches G-Probe Illuminate at American Glaucoma Society meeting
CORONADO, Calif. — Iridex announced the availability of its G-Probe Illuminate at the American Glaucoma Society meeting here. The G-Probe Illuminate, which can be used for office-based procedures or in the operating room, has built in transillumination, allowing for visualization of the ciliary body and consequent targeted transscleral cyclophotocoagulation, according to a company press release.
OCT-based scanned capsule centration helps achieve 360° overlap
OCT-based scanned capsule centration for femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery provided better overlap between the IOL and lens capsule than pupil centration with a three-piece IOL, according to a study.The prospective, randomized clinical trial …
Potential FDA pick favors approving drugs before efficacy demonstrated
President Donald J. Trump is said to be considering picking former HHS official Jim O’Neill to lead the FDA, a move that would signal the administration is serious about loosening regulations on the drug approval process.Trump has yet to name a replacement for Robert M. Califf, MD, who stepped down as FDA commissioner when the new president was inaugurated, according to tradition. He would likely find an ally in O’Neill, who appears to favor the approval of drugs before their efficacy has been established.
PUBLICATION EXCLUSIVE: From the outside looking in at anti-VEGF therapy
As an anterior segment surgeon, I am a little out of my comfort zone commenting on the details of the many studies evaluating the indications and outcomes after the use of anti-VEGF therapy. I do not perform intravitreal injections of anti-VEGF, nor do any of the 26 doctors at Minnesota Eye Consultants. We do, however, have many patients in our practice who are being treated by retina specialist colleagues.My first impression is that intravitreal anti-VEGF therapy for wet age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and macular edema from a host of (Read more...)
VIDEO: Expert identifies new ways to improve profitability
ATLANTA – We need to look at how much it costs us to do business, Owen Dahl, MBA, FACHE, LSSMBB, said at MedPro 360. “We don’t often understand how much it costs us to see a patient, for example,” he said. Dahl has been a health care manager for nearly 40 years and has authored several books, including Lean Six Sigma for the Medical Practice: Improving Profitability by Improving Processes.
Topcon’s SL-D301 slit lamp now available
Topcon Medical Systems has released its new SL-D301 slit lamp, the company announced in a press release.With a Galilean-type observation system and three magnifications, the SL-D301 can be used with the R-900 and 870 model applanation tonometers, the r…
Aerie resubmits NDA for Rhopressa
Aerie Pharmaceuticals has resubmitted a new drug application for its once-daily IOP-lowering eye drop Rhopressa.The initial filing for Rhopressa (netarsudil ophthalmic solution 0.02%) was withdrawn in October 2016 because the contract manufacturer in T…
Health care revolution will shift, reimagine medicine
ATLANTA – A big part of the change in health care will be in redefining where health care happens, Daniel Kraft, MD, physician-scientist and inventor and entrepreneur in clinical practice, biomedical research and health care innovation, said at MedPro 360, prior to SECO.Currently, providers are too often reactive in health care, he said.