Cataract surgery has an amazing success rate, and it is anticipated that less than 1% of IOLs will become dislocated after routine phacoemulsification. Certain pre-existing conditions such as pseudoexfoliation syndrome, Marfan syndrome and traumatic zo…
Author: Healio ophthalmology
UK government to fund Second Sight’s Argus II retinal prosthesis system
The publicly funded NHS System in the United Kingdom will provide funding for blind patients to receive the Argus II retinal prosthesis system, according to a press release from Second Sight Medical Products.A select group of blind patients with retini…
Jonathan Lass, MD, awarded Castroviejo Medal from Cornea Society
Jonathan H. Lass, MD, the Charles I Thomas Professor of Ophthalmology at Case Western Reserve University, has been awarded the Castroviejo Medal, the Cornea Society’s highest honor, according to a press release.Lass, a member of the Center for Anterior Segment Diseases and Surgery in the University Hospitals Eye Institute, medical director of Eversight Ohio and medical director of the Cornea Image Analysis Reading Center at Case Western Reserve University and University Hospitals, is a leading cornea and external disease expert.
Digital image analysis of blepharoptosis surgery outcomes provides precise measurements
Digital image analyses can provide precise measurements of eyelid features following bilateral, CO2 laser-assisted blepharoptosis surgery, according to study results published in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Global Open.The researchers used a Nik…
GenSight reports visual acuity gains in phase 1/2 study of GS010 for Leber’s hereditary optic neuropathy
GenSight Biologics reported sustained visual acuity improvement in patients with Leber’s hereditary optic neuropathy who were treated with GS010 in a phase 1/2 clinical trial. GenSight reported each cohort of three patients was given an increasing dose of GS010 through a single intravitreal injection into the eye most severely affected by the disease. At baseline, all eyes had an off-chart median visual acuity, according to a company press release.
HHS finalizes new Medicare Alternative Payment Models
HHS recently announced it has finalized new Medicare alternative payment models that shift Medicare payments from rewarding quantity to rewarding quality — models that develop incentives for hospitals and clinicians to work together to avoid preventable hospital readmissions and complications, and quicken patient recovery.“We’re proud to continue progress strengthening Medicare for beneficiaries, providers, and taxpayers with alternative payment models that reward the quality of care over quantity of services,” HHS Secretary Sylvia M. Burwell said in a press release. “These models give providers and hospitals the tools they need to (Read more...)
Advances in optical coherence tomography expand clinical applications
Researchers from MIT along with Acacia Communications recently developed the first optical coherence tomography system that provides opportunities for long-range measurements and imaging of cubic meter volumes which would allow clinicians to see deeper and clearer images of the anatomy, according to a paper published in Optica. “Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a powerful 3-D imaging modality with micrometer scale axial resolution and up to multi-GigaVoxel/s imaging speed. However, the imaging range of high speed OCT has been limited [to depths of a few centimeters],” James G. Fujimoto, PhD, from (Read more...)
Symptoms and satisfaction of patients in the PROWL study: Pre- and postoperative legal implications
From international law firm Arnold & Porter LLP comes a timely column that provides views on current regulatory and legislative topics that weigh on the minds of today’s physicians and health care executives.In October 2009, the FDA, the National Eye Institute and the Department of Defense launched the LASIK Quality of Life Collaboration Project to help better understand the potential risk of severe problems that can result from LASIK surgery. On Nov. 23, the long-awaited Patient-Reported Outcomes with LASIK (PROWL) studies were published in JAMA Ophthalmology. The PROWL-1 study included (Read more...)
Eyenovia phase 2 trial shows positive results in microtherapeutic approach to dosing
Eyenovia’s topical piezo-print microtherapeutic approach to dosing has shown positive safety and efficacy results in a phase 2 study, the company announced in a press release.The EYE 102 study showed an 8% reduction in ocular side effects with the microtherapeutic approach compared with 66% with conventional topical treatment, the release said.
Gerrit Melles, father of endothelial transplantation, to receive Helen Keller Prize for Vision Research
Gerrit Melles , MD, PhD, pioneer and developer of endothelial keratoplasty and an OSN Europe Edition Board Member, will be awarded the Helen Keller Prize for Vision Research 2017. He was selected by an international panel of scie…
Salutaris receives 510(k) clearance for radionuclide brachytherapy device
The FDA has granted 510(k) clearance for the SMD-Sr90-DA Radionuclide Brachytherapy Source, according to a press release from Salutaris Medical Devices.The device, indicated for episcleral brachytherapy, is to be used within a manual brachytherapy appl…
CMS takes action to strengthen health insurance marketplace
Two recent actions by CMS — issuing the final Annual Letter to Insurers for 2018 and the final rule regarding Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters — will further strengthen the health insurance marketplace, according to a press release.CMS also said risk stabilization, which is the primary focus of the notice, adds to other recent announcements that improve the risk pool.
Novartis acquires Encore Vision
Encore Vision, a privately held company that is developing a treatment for presbyopia, will be acquired by Novartis, according to a Novartis press release.EV06, Encore’s topical presbyopia treatment, which has demonstrated positive results in a phase 1/2 masked, placebo-controlled proof of concept study, will be added to Novartis’ ophthalmology pipeline, according to the release.
CMS announces new Medicare-Medicaid ACO Model
To improve the quality of care and lower costs for beneficiaries, CMS recently launched the Medicare-Medicaid Accountable Care Organization Model.“This model aims to provide improved care coordination for those enrolled in both Medicare and Medicaid, allowing providers to focus more on providing care for their patients rather than administrative work,” Patrick Conway, MD, acting principal deputy administrator of CMS, said in a news release. “CMS continues to partner with and leverage the best ideas from states to transform our health care system to improve quality and care coordination. In the (Read more...)
Lensar files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in restructuring plan
In a strategic restructuring, Lensar Inc. has filed a Chapter 11 bankruptcy petition with support from PDL BioPharma Inc., the company announced in a press release.PDL, Lensar’s senior secured lender, will assist the company in paying all of its employee obligations and current operating expenses, the release said. A plan to reduce Lensar’s debt and convert some of PDL’s debt into equity is expected to be filed.
VIDEO: Surgeon shares experience incorporating MKO Melts into practice
CHICAGO — At the American Academy of Ophthalmology meeting here, Shamik Bafna, MD, discusses his results incorporating MKO Melts (Imprimis) into his cataract surgery regimen for patient sedation.
William L. Rich III, MD, announces retirement
William L. Rich III, MD, will retire this month, he said in a letter to patients posted to the Northern Virginia Ophthalmology Associates website.Rich, who began the practice in 1976 with Thomas Frey, MD, served as president of the American Acade…
FDA grants orphan drug designation to miltefosine for Acanthamoeba keratitis
The FDA has designated miltefosine as an orphan drug for the treatment of Acanthamoeba keratitis, according to a press release from Profunda.Impavido (miltefosine) was licensed by Profunda from Knight Therapeutics in 2015.
VIDEO: Vitreoretinal surgeons benefit from digital 3-D assisted surgery
Digital 3-D imaging is becoming more useful in vitreoretinal surgery, Jorge A. Fortun, MD, said at the OSN New York meeting. As technology continues to improve, Fortun believes that 3-D digital imaging will allow surgeons to move from optical microscop…
CMS expands opportunities under the Quality Payment Program
CMS is offering clinicians additional opportunities to join Advanced Alternative Payment Models under the Quality Payment Program within MACRA to enhance care and earn additional incentive payments.“The CMS Innovation Center, which the Affordable Care Act created, takes best practices from physicians and other clinicians and promotes them across the nation,” Andy Slavitt, acting administrator of CMS, said in a news release. “Thanks to the bipartisan MACRA, more clinicians and their patients will benefit from being a part of these models. That’s good for the future of Medicare, the health of (Read more...)