Current intervention programs for physicians generated small but significant reductions in burnout, and interventions with an organization-directed approach were the most effective; however, these were rarely used, according to results published in JAMA Internal Medicine. These findings suggest more models that use a similar method to promote healthy individual-organization relationships are needed.“Burnout is a major concern for physicians. Nearly half of practicing physicians in the United States experience burnout at some point in their career,” Maria Panagioti, PhD, of the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) School of Primary Care (Read more...)
Author: Healio ophthalmology
Spectralis OCT angiography module available outside US
The Spectralis OCT angiography module is now being delivered outside of the United States, Heidelberg Engineering announced in a press release.The module is designed to be added to new and existing Spectralis devices, in order to “perform non-invasive, layer-by-layer examinations of flow in the vascular networks of the retina and choroid,” the release said.
Spectralis OCT angiography module available outside US
The Spectralis OCT angiography module is now being delivered outside of the United States, Heidelberg Engineering announced in a press release.The module is designed to be added to new and existing Spectralis devices, in order to “perform non-invasive, layer-by-layer examinations of flow in the vascular networks of the retina and choroid,” the release said.
Day 1 postoperative review may not be necessary after small-gauge pars plana vitrectomy
VIENNA — Day 1 postoperative assessment may no longer be required in patients who undergo pars plana vitrectomy. “With the expanded use of local anesthesia and small-gauge surgery, the actual rate of first day intervention is almost negligible and the need for routine day 1 review is questionable,” Philip Alexander, MD, FRCOphth, said at the Advanced Retinal Therapy meeting.
Depression prevalence among medical students concerning
Medical students have a higher overall rate of depression than the general population, according to study results published in JAMA. These findings emphasize that effective preventive efforts and improved access to care are needed for students in medical school.“Studies have suggested that medical students experience high rates of depression and suicidal ideation,” Lisa S. Rotenstein, BA, of Harvard Medical School, and colleagues wrote. “However, estimates of the prevalence of depression or depressive symptoms among students vary across studies from 1.4% to 73.5% and those of suicidal ideation vary from 4.9% (Read more...)
Regular cannabis use may cause alterations in vision
Regular users of cannabis can demonstrate a delay in transmission of action potentials by the ganglion cells compared with non-users, which could potentially cause alterations in vision, according to a study. The case-control study included 28 individu…
VIDEO: 3-D system combines depth of field and high magnification
VIENNA – At the Advanced Retinal Therapy meeting, Steve Charles, MD, speaks about the advantages of 3-D surgery and explains why, from initial skepticism, he became an advocate of this technology. The NGENUITY 3D Visualization System (TrueVision/Alcon) provides the visualization surgeons need, combining depth of field with high magnification, he said.
Lucentis receives European approval to treat several choroidal neovascularization conditions
Novartis announced that the European Commission approved an additional indication for Lucentis to treat patients with visual impairments stemming from choroidal neovascularization due to causes other than neovascular age-related macular degeneration or…
Aerie completes enrollment for Mercury 2 phase 3 trial of Roclatan
Enrollment has been completed for the Mercury 2 phase 3 trial of Roclatan for lowering IOP, Aerie Pharmaceuticals announced in a press release.Roclatan, a once-daily eye drop that combines Rhopressa (netarsudil ophthalmic solution) and latanoprost, is …
Pharma stocks drop on Trump quote to cut drug prices
Many pharmaceutical stock prices dropped today after President-elect Donald Trump announced in an interview with Time magazine that he will attempt to bring down drug prices during his presidential term. Trump noted in his interview with Time, which na…
Intraoperative OCT provides information on otherwise unseen features in highly myopic eyes
VIENNA — Intraoperative OCT is a technology in evolution, with benefits for research and limited but significant advantages for daily surgical practice, according to one surgeon speaking at the Advanced Retinal Therapy meeting. Looking at OCT during procedures such as membrane peeling, vitreomacular traction and macular hole surgery gives no meaningful information because no measurable changes occur in the retina. However, when dealing with highly myopic eyes, iOCT may provide information not given by fundus imaging, Ramin Tadayoni, MD, PhD, said.
VIDEO: U.K. audit finds acceptable success rates, low rate of complications for vitreoretinal surgery cases
VIENNA – At the Advanced Retinal Therapy meeting, Timothy L. Jackson, MD, PhD, FRCOphth, presents the results of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists’ National Ophthalmology Database Study on Vitreoretinal Surgery. This study was based on the data collection from electronic medical records across 21 contributing hospitals in the U.K.
Positive early results seen with iontophoretic EGP-437 in cataract surgery patients
A phase 1b/2a trial of iontophoretic EGP-437 for the treatment of ocular inflammation and pain in post-surgical cataract patients has shown positive results, EyeGate Pharmaceuticals announced in a press release.The multicenter, open-label trial include…
Noveome initiates phase 2 clinical trial for allergic conjunctivitis
Noveome Biotherapeutics Inc. announced the initiation of a phase 2 clinical trial of ST266, the company’s novel secretome for treating patients with allergic conjunctivitis, according to a press release.ST266 harnesses paracrine signaling and has been found to help promote cellular homeostasis, modulate inflammation and regenerate damaged cells, according to the company.
Improvements seen with intravitreal infliximab for treatment of uveitis in Behçet’s disease
Intravitreal infliximab for the treatment of refractory posterior uveitis in Behçet’s disease significantly improved logMAR best corrected visual acuity and decreased central foveal thickness, according to a study.Researchers included 20 patients with refractory posterior uveitis in Behçet’s disease and assessed BCVA, vitreous haze, vasculitis, papillopathy and retinitis at baseline and postoperatively at day 1 and weeks 2, 4, 6, 8, 12 and 18. Additionally, flash electroretinogram and OCT were examined at baseline and postoperatively at weeks 4, 12 and 18.
CMS: US health spending reached $3.2 trillion in 2015
In 2015, the national overall and per-capita health expenditures increased by 5.8% and 5%, respectively, reaching $3.2 trillion, or $9,990 per person, according to a study by CMS published in Health Affairs.“Following five consecutive years of historically low growth, from 2009 through 2013, health spending growth accelerated in 2014 (to 5.3%) and 2015 (to 5.8%),” Anne B. Martin, lead researcher from the office of the actuary at CMS, and colleagues wrote. “The faster growth in 2014 and 2015 occurred as the Affordable Care Act (ACA) expanded health insurance coverage for (Read more...)
Femtosecond lasers may lead transition to new practice model
VIENNA — Femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery has a high cost, and some say it does not outperform skilled standard phacoemulsification surgery. However, it may lead the transition to a new practice model in which optimized workflow, strategic planning and a team approach can efficiently deal with high-volume surgery, according to Rupert Menapace, MD, moderator of a session on femtosecond cataract surgery at the Advanced Retinal Therapy meeting.“We are facing a dramatic growth in the demand for cataract surgery due to the aging of the population and to the increasing interest (Read more...)
VIDEO: Transitioning from inpatient to outpatient surgery for posterior segment, vitreoretinal procedures
VIENNA — Ursula Schmidt-Erfurth, MD, PHD, explains that this year’s Advanced Retinal Therapy meeting, the 13th in the series, focuses on the interest of making a transition from inpatient to outpatient surgery for posterior segment and vitreoretinal procedures.
VIDEO: Role of ILM peeling
VIENNA — At the Advanced Retinal Therapy meeting, Darius M. Moshfeghi, MD, speaks about the role of internal limiting membrane peeling in macular surgery.
Blunt needles preferable to avoid pain, bruising in upper blepharoplasty
Using blunt needles to administer local anesthesia during upper blepharoplasty procedures showed lower occurrence of pain and hemorrhage, according to study results published in JAMA Facial Plastic Surgery.Forty-four patients planning to undergo primar…