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...)
Author: Healio ophthalmology
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once-daily IOP-lowering eye drop Rhopressa.The initial filing for Rhopressa (netarsudil ophthalmic solution 0.02%) was withdrawn in October 2016 because the contract manufacturer in T…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.
VIDEO: Practitioners should define 3 values patients recognize about the practice
ATLANTA – Dennis Snow, a customer service expert and veteran from the Walt Disney World Company, suggests that practitioners should define three things that they want patients to say about the service provided. “That becomes your brand,” he said at MedPro 360, prior to SECO.“What’s happening within the practice is really the culture,” he said. He suggests hiring carefully and training relentlessly to get the intended results. “Service excellence is nonnegotiable. We need to be coaching our people and recognizing them when they are living the service values.”
VIDEO: HR experts tackle hot topics from immigration to Generation Z
ATLANTA – Amie Remington, general counsel, and John Slavich, director of human resources, both from Landrum Human Resources, offer their expertise on navigating challenges in human resources, here at MedPro 360 prior to SECO. “Immigration is a very hot topic, and two easy ways to stay compliant is by using the new I-9 Form, which came out on Jan 21, and utilizing the E-Verify program, which is a free federal program to see whether employees are legal to work in the U.S.,” Remington said.Slavich had additional advice on the workplace. (Read more...)
Peeling away the red tape of reimbursements
ATLANTA – “As health care providers, much of your time is spent dealing with red tape, meeting layers upon layers of requirements by the government and health care insurance companies,” Thomas Sullivan, editor and author of the popular website Policy and Medicine, said here at MedPro 360, prior to SECO.He said health care reform will always change.
Former Disney exec: Knowing your best employees improves future hiring
ATLANTA — Ask your best employees questions about their job, then use that information as a benchmark for when you are interviewing candidates, customer service expert Dennis Snow said. Snow, who is a trainer and consultant, worked at the Walt Disney World company for 20 years, where he cultivated skills to hire and retain productive employees who lived the Disney corporate vision to make guests happy.
FDA grants 510(k) clearance to Aladdin biometer, corneal topographer HW3.0
The FDA has granted 510(k) clearance to Topcon’s Aladdin biometer with corneal topographer HW3.0, the company announced.Aladdin’s new version incorporates lens thickness, central pachymetry and a generic toric IOL calculator to the device’s capabilities, a company press release said.
Trump offers ‘principles’ in replacing ACA, wants to change FDA procedures
In his first address to a joint session of Congress, President Donald J. Trump laid the broad strokes for replacing the Affordable Care Act while still ensuring access to health care coverage for everyone. Saying that “Obamacare is failing” in certain parts of the country, Trump proposed five specific components the new plan should have, saying these ideas will allow for lower costs, expanded choice, and increased access:
FDA approves VisuMax software update for ReLEx SMILE
The FDA has approved a software update for the Zeiss VisuMax femtosecond laser system for the ReLEx SMILE procedure, according to a company press release.A minimally invasive corneal refractive procedure, ReLEx small incision lenticule extraction is of…
Health Canada accepts new drug submission for Iluvien for DME
A new drug submission for Iluvien has been accepted for review by Health Canada, according to a press release from Knight Therapeutics and Alimera Sciences.Iluvien (fluocinolone acetonide intravitreal implant 0.19 mg, Alimera) sustained-release intravi…
Himalayan Cataract Project selected as semifinalist for $100 million grant
The Himalayan Cataract Project, which works to find solutions for preventable blindness in Asia and Africa, is one of eight finalists in a MacArthur Foundation competition for a $100 million grant, according to a press release from the organization.The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation will award one organization that is making “measurable progress towards solving a significant global problem” with the grant later this year.
VIDEO: Surgeon speaks about the advantages of CAPSULaser in cataract surgery
MAASTRICHT, Netherlands — CAPSULaser is an alternative way of assisting with the creation of a precise capsulotomy. At the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons winter meeting, Pavel Stodulka, MD, PhD, talks about his experience with this technology in more than 200 cataract procedures, including challenging cases.
FDA accepts NDA resubmission for Dextenza
The FDA has accepted a new drug application resubmission for Dextenza to treat ocular pain after ophthalmic surgery, according to a press release from Ocular Therapeutix.Dextenza (dexamethasone insert) 0.4 mg for intracanalicular use is designed to del…
Possible options for the future of health care
A perspective recently published in the New England Journal of Medicine provides some insight on what President Donald J. Trump can and cannot do, in light of his executive order on health care and a promise to “repeal and replace” the Affordable Care Act.The commentary also speculates on what options the president could take and the impact of repealing the legislation.
‘Slurry’ Kenalog cost-effective, easy alternative for intraocular steroid delivery
MIAMI — A single injection of Kenalog lasts for an average of almost 8.5 months and has average or lower side effects compared with other long-term implantable steroid injection devices, according to a speaker here.“Over 1,000 papers have demonstrated the benefit of Kenalog without a single case of reported retinal toxicity, despite the warnings on this excellent medication. Sterile inflammation has been reported in both the preservative and preservative-free version of this medication, but this is an off-label use of this medication,” Susan M. Malinowski, MD, FACS, said at Angiogenesis, (Read more...)
L. Jay Katz named chief medical officer of Glaukos
L. Jay Katz, MD, FACS, has joined Glaukos as its chief medical officer, according to a company press release.the glaucoma service at Wills Eye Hospital and professor of ophthalmology at Jefferson Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, previously served as a medical monitor for Glaukos clinical trials and an investigator for other glaucoma trials, including the Advanced Glaucoma Intervention Study and the Collaborative Initial Glaucoma Treatment Study.“Glaucoma is an insidious, asymptomatic disease that causes vision loss in millions of people worldwide,” Katz said in the release. “I have long admired (Read more...)
IND active for wet AMD treatment from Regenxbio
An investigational new drug application is now active for a phase 1 trial of the wet age-related macular degeneration treatment RGX-314, according to a press release from Regenxbio.The multicenter, open-label, multiple-cohort, dose-escalation trial is …