CHICAGO — At the American Academy of Ophthalmology meeting here, Hasenin Al-Khersan, a fourth-year medical student at the University of Chicago, discusses how the Paragon Koch Kellan scholarship provides an avenue for him to pursue a career in ophthalmology.
Author: Healio ophthalmology
Physician burnout intervention not associated with reduced errors, improved quality
An intervention focused on improving physician work-life balance did not improve patient care in primary care settings, according to data published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine.The intervention did not lead to a reduction in medical erro…
Abbott reports third-quarter sales of $5.3 billion
Abbott reported sales of $5.3 billion in the third quarter, an increase of 2.9% on a reported basis and 4% on an operational basis, according to a press release.International sales increased by 2.2% on a reported basis and 3.7% on an operational basis.
VIDEO: Surgeon discusses novel double-infusion cannula technique in complex cases
CHICAGO — At the American Academy of Ophthalmology meeting here, Amar Agarwal, MS, FRCS, FRCOphth, discusses a double-infusion cannula technique used in complex, glued IOL cataract surgery combined with pre-Descemet’s endothelial keratoplasty.
VIDEO: Shire executive updates Xiidra launch
CHICAGO — At a Shire media event during the American Academy of Ophthalmology meeting here, Robert Dempsey, head of ophthalmics at Shire, discusses the launch of Xiidra for the treatment of dry eye.
Portable artificial vision device may improve daily life for patients with low vision
CHICAGO — A new portable device from OrCam Technologies may provide advantages to subjects with low vision quality that other low vision aids cannot, according to a speaker here. “The OrCam is effective and can give these people increased functionality. This is very important for people who are missing out on a big part of their lives and miss it. It is very simple to understand, easy to use, reliable, highly portable and has at least some advantages over other low vision aids,” Elad Moisseiev, MD, said at a press (Read more...)
VIDEO: Real-world analysis reveals positives of Omidria in cataract surgery
CHICAGO — At the American Academy of Ophthalmology meeting here, Eric D. Donnenfeld, MD, discusses a real-world study using Omidria in cataract surgery.
Alcon launches CyPass micro-stent at AAO meeting
CHICAGO — Alcon launched the CyPass micro-stent at the American Academy of Ophthalmology meeting, according to a company press release.CyPass, approved in July 2016 for use with cataract surgery to lower IOP in adult patients with mild to moderate primary open-angle glaucoma, is implanted during cataract surgery into the supraciliary space, the release said.
VIDEO: Corneal topography useful in preoperative dry eye assessment
CHICAGO — At the American Academy of Ophthalmology meeting here, Jonathan D. Solomon, MD, discusses his pre-cataract or refractive surgery assessment of dry eye. Along with tools such as InflammaDry and TearLab, Solomon urges the use of corneal topography to assess the ocular surface.
VIDEO: Thermal pulsation helps optimize ocular surface
CHICAGO — At the American Academy of Ophthalmology meeting here, Sumit “Sam” Garg, MD, discusses the preoperative assessment and treatment of the ocular surface prior to cataract surgery. In addition to re-esterified Omega-3 supplements and warm compress use, in many patients he finds the use of thermal pulsation of is a good option for creating an optimal ocular surface.
MACRA rule may help ophthalmologists avoid penalties
CHICAGO — The recently finalized MACRA rule from the Centers for Medicare and Medicare Services may help ophthalmologists avoid penalties by shifting physician payments from a volume based payment program to a value based payment program, according to speakers here.“MACRA has established, really, an entirely new payment policy for physicians. They’re calling it a quality payment program. In a nutshell, they’re paying for value rather than volume…The final rule has been pretty encouraging in terms of what we believe is the ability for most of our members to avoid the (Read more...)
Adherence to Mediterranean diet can reduce risk of AMD
CHICAGO — Adherence to a Mediterranean-type diet, namely through increased consumption of fruits, can significantly reduce the risks of developing age-related macular degeneration, according to a speaker here. Joao Figueira, MD, PhD, reported results from the Coimbra Eye Study, a lifestyle and food habits questionnaire in the Portuguese population, at an American Academy of Ophthalmology press briefing here.
Confocal imaging enhances contrast visualization in geographic atrophy
CHICAGO — Eidon confocal color imaging allows visualization of geographic atrophy “with very impressive contrast,” SriniVas R. Sadda, MD, said at a CenterVue press briefing here.“Advancements in industry technology have made us rethink the role of color imaging in geographic atrophy,” Sadda said.
Three receive OWL awards
CHICAGO — Ophthalmic World Leaders, previously Ophthalmic Women Leaders, presented three OWL awards at its “signature event” during the American Academy of Ophthalmology meeting here.OWL, an organization dedicated to advancing diversity in leadership, gives the Rising Star Award, the Catalyst Award and the Visionary Award each year to a member of the organization.
Survey finds most dry eye sufferers not familiar with key symptoms
Nearly nine out of 10 eye care professionals believe the multi-screen lifestyle is responsible for a rise in dry eye disease, which is becoming increasingly common, according to new survey results from Shire.The National Eye Current Attitudes Related t…
Topical NSAID prevents pseudophakic CME in eyes with certain risk factors
CHICAGO — The use of once-daily 0.3% nepafenac after cataract surgery can help prevent pseudophakic cystoid macular edema in eyes with certain risk factors, but did not improve PCME outcomes in eyes without those risk factors, according to a presenter here. “We are able to show we had a significantly improved PCME outcome with risk factors. This is, in the general ophthalmology practice, about 10% to 30% of patients. However, in 70% to 90% of the patients, it is unlikely that clinical PCME outcomes are improved in those patients without (Read more...)
Extended release ENV515 lowers IOP at 9 months with one dose
A “clinically meaningful” IOP reduction was maintained at 9 months with one dose of extended-release ENV515, according to an interim analysis of a phase 2 study released by Envisia Therapeutics.ENV515 (travoprost XR) is being evaluated in five patients during the ongoing multicenter 12-month safety and efficacy evaluation.
Visual gains achieved with abicipar for diabetic macular edema
CHICAGO — A cohort of patients with diabetic macular edema receiving abicipar pegol every 8 weeks showed “comparable” gains in visual acuity when compared with every 4-week dosing with ranibizumab, according to a presenter here. Tarek S. Hassan, MD, reported results of the PALM study at Retina Subspecialty Day preceding the American Academy of Ophthalmology meeting. In the multicenter, double masked, phase 2 trial supported by Allergan, 43 patients received 1 mg abicipar every 8 weeks, 41 patients received 2 mg abicipar every 8 weeks, 45 patients received 2 mg (Read more...)
Physicians’ political beliefs may impact patient care
When it comes to politicized health issues, whether a physician is a Democrat or Republican may impact how they care for patients.According to a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, political bias affects how issues s…
IRIS becomes ‘world’s largest clinical registry’
CHICAGO — Since its debut on Jan. 1, 2013, the American Academy of Ophthalmology’s Intelligent Research in Sight Registry has become the world’s largest clinical registry, William L. Rich III, MD, said in a press briefing at the American Academy of Ophthalmology meeting.The registry provides ophthalmologists with data on more than 28 million U.S. patients and 100 million patient visits, according to Rich.