Author: Healio ophthalmology

Predictability of glaucomatous progression uncertain

KOLOA, Hawaii — The progression of glaucoma remains unpredictable, Kuldev Singh, MD, MPH, said at Hawaiian Eye 2017, where he gave a presentation on the “big picture” of glaucoma care in the U.S.“In the United States, only about 25% to 50% of patients with glaucoma know they have the disease,” Singh said. Only 15% to 20% of individuals with glaucoma are receiving the appropriate care.

VIDEO: SS-OCT angiography allows examination of ‘dormant’ neovascularization changes in dry AMD

KOLOA, Hawaii ― At Retina 2017, Philip J. Rosenfeld, MD, PhD, discusses his study using swept-source OCT angiography to examine “dormant” neovascularization below the retinal pigment epithelium in patients with dry AMD to determine which eyes will be more likely to develop exudation and progress to wet AMD, and who will be eventually in need of anti-VEGF treatment.  

Browpexy considered as adjunct to blepharoplasty

KOLOA, Hawaii — Ophthalmologists should consider browpexy as an adjunct for patients undergoing blepharoplasty, according to a speaker here.“Consider browpexy as an adjunct to blepharoplasty. It’s easy to do and I think you’ll be pleased with the results. But understand, and voice to the patient, they are augmentations to the procedure; this is not a formal brow lift,” Andrew R. Harrison, MD, said at Hawaiian Eye 2017.

Vukich recommends fewer days without contact lenses before LASIK evaluation

KOLOA, Hawaii — The amount of time a patient is out of soft contact lenses before LASIK evaluation does not affect their postoperative visual acuity, according to a speaker here.“We really can’t tell there’s any reason to believe that any time out of the contact lens prior to evaluation has any impact on the quality of vision or on our ability to create a surgical plan,” John A. Vukich, MD, said at Hawaiian Eye 2017.

Waheed gives four steps for detecting CNV with OCT angiography

KOLOA, Hawaii — Even though fluorescein angiography plus high-resolution optical coherence tomography is the gold standard for detecting neovascularization, OCT angiography does a better job than FA in some situations, Nadia K. Waheed, MD, said at Retina 2017.However, interpreting the OCT angiography findings can be time consuming, with the reader needing sometimes to scroll through entire data sets.

VIDEO: Speaker updates HORV task force findings on vancomycin

KOLOA, Hawaii ― At Hawaiian Eye 2017, David F. Chang, MD, discusses current knowledge of hemorrhagic occlusive retinal vasculitis (HORV) as found by the HORV task force, which is comprised of members of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery and the American Society of Retina Specialists. To date, the task force has collected data on HORV in 36 eyes of 23 patients. Because no true cases of HORV have been found in patients who did not receive vancomycin intraoperatively, it appears HORV is in some way a reaction (Read more...)

Speaker: Hang on for the ride in health care

KOLOA, Hawaii — One can be sure that some provisions of the Affordable Care Act will be repealed and some will be replaced – that is the state of politics, according to a speaker here. Another thing to be sure of is that there will be delay, Allison W. Shuren, MSN, JD, said at Hawaiian Eye 2017. “This is not going to happen in January,” she said. “We have set some things up for change, but this is going to be a multi-year ride.”

Capt. Mark Kelly: Perseverance, patience and communication keys to success in life

KOLOA, Hawaii — Capt. Mark Kelly, discussed key elements to success through a series of anecdotes and lessons learned from his personal and professional life experiences here at Hawaiian Eye 2017, where he served as the event’s keynote speaker. The former NASA space shuttle pilot, four-time visitor to the International Space Station and husband of former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords – who survived a 2011 assassination attempt – spoke about the importance of perseverance, communication, patience and attention to detail.

Reider announces Hawaiian Eye speaking retirement

KOLOA, Hawaii — After 25 years of attending and presenting at Hawaiian Eye, renowned speaker Alan E. Reider, JD, MPH, announced his retirement here at the conclusion of his Hawaiian Eye 2017 presentation on compliance. Known for his practical educating style, Reider, a partner at Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer, has been a health care attorney with a focus on both government and private practice for more than 35 years. He is the Regulatory/Legislative Section Editor of Ocular Surgery News. He is a familiar face in ophthalmology.