At Kiawah Eye, Helga P. Sandoval, MD, of the Storm Eye Institute discusses the Hill-RBF formula for calculating IOL power, which she believes can increase the number of surgeons who achieve refractive results within 0.5 D of the intended target.
Author: Healio ophthalmology
New analyses support blocking Anthem-Cigna and Aetna-Humana mergers
Two new American Medical Association analyses support the blocking of the Anthem-Cigna and Aetna-Humana mergers.“The [American Medical Association] AMA analyses show that Anthem-Cigna and Aetna-Humana mergers would significantly compromise market competition in the health insurance industry and threaten health care access, quality and affordability,” Andrew W. Gurman, MD, president of the AMA, said in a press release. “With existing competition in health insurance markets already at alarmingly low levels, federal and state antitrust officials have powerful reasons to block harmful mergers and foster a more competitive marketplace that will operate (Read more...)
Diagnosis of glaucoma may be associated with presence of erectile dysfunction
Glaucoma was found to be a significant risk factor for the presence of erectile dysfunction in a cross-sectional study of male patients older than 40 years of age. A patient questionnaire and retrospective chart review were used to assess 167 male pati…
Avedro shipping Photrexa Viscous and Photrexa for cross-linking procedures
Avedro announced the launch and shipment of Photrexa Viscous and Photrexa, two FDA-approved drugs used in corneal collagen cross-linking procedures with the KXL System. In April, the FDA approved Photrexa Viscous, Photrexa and the KXL System to be used…
Publication Exclusive: Man presents with headache, ptosis and abnormal eye movements
A 49-year-old Brazilian man with no known medical history was admitted to the hospital for headache, ptosis of the right upper eyelid and abnormal eye movements. He had been discharged from the hospital recently with a working diagnosis of migraine, on…
Head-mounted display did not have significant clinical effect on normal eyes
Volunteers who watched video using a head-mounted display for 30 minutes did not experience significant clinical effects in their normal adolescent eyes, according to a study. The study, completed at Korea University College of Medicine in Seoul, inclu…
Senate approves $1.1b in Zika funding as part of stopgap spending bill
The Senate on Wednesday passed a bill to keep the federal government running through Dec. 9, including $1.1 billion in long-awaited emergency funding for prevention and treatment of the Zika virus, according to reports.The 72-26 vote came just 2 days b…
Cellular Dynamics International launches Opsis Therapeutics to develop retinal disease treatments
Cellular Dynamics International has launched Opsis Therapeutics, a new project aimed at discovering and developing medicines for patients with retinal diseases, according to a company press release.CDI, which develops and manufactures induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) products, formed Opsis Therapeutics to focus on researching and manufacturing new retinal disease treatments with a “cross-disciplinary team of internationally recognized advisors and development partners,” the release said. These partners have experience in iPSC manufacture, iPSC differentiation into retinal lineages, retinal cell biology, preclinical modeling of retinal disease and subretinal surgery.
VIDEO: Hydroseparation provides faster, easier way to deal with DMEK graft
This video shows a technique that, according to Pavel Stodulka, MD, PhD, allows for faster and safer Descemet’s separation in Descemet’s membrane endothelial keratoplasty, with less risk of endothelial damage. The technique, named hydroseparation, uses balanced salt solution or Ringer’s solution to separate the membrane without touching the endothelial surface and can be performed on both the donor and recipient corneas.
VIDEO: DMEK patient receives hydroseparation procedure
This video shows a technique that, according to Pavel Stodulka, MD, PhD, allows for faster and safer Descemet’s separation in Descemet’s membrane endothelial keratoplasty, with less risk of endothelial damage. The technique, named hydroseparation, uses balanced salt solution or Ringer’s solution to separate the membrane without touching the endothelial surface and can be performed on both the donor and recipient corneas.
Emerging trends and hot topics in glaucoma from 2016 ARVO meeting
The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology annual meeting can be overwhelming for a young ophthalmologist, with vast numbers of new studies presented in parallel sessions. On behalf of the International Glaucoma Panel, a young mentoring group, Marcos Muñoz, MD, and Karl Mercieca, MD, share with us their top glaucoma studies presented at ARVO 2016.Anthony Khawaja, PhD, FRCOphth
Pay careful attention regarding evaluation and management services and the global surgery period
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.The global surgical payment, which applies to many surgical procedures, such as cataract surgery, includes all necessary services normally furnished by a surgeon before, during and after a procedure. The global surgery payment applies in any setting, including inpatient hospital, outpatient hospital, ambulatory surgical center and physician office. Although the 2015 Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule would have (Read more...)
Speaker reviews advantages of latest generation fluoroquinolones
At the Hawaiian Eye meeting, James McCulley, MD, FRCOphth, talks about his preference for fourth generation topical fluoroquinolones as his approach to prophylaxis in cataract surgery.
Publication Exclusive: Phakic IOLs may make cataract surgery more challenging
For extremely nearsighted patients who are seeking independence from glasses and contact lenses, implantation of a phakic IOL can be a reasonable choice. In the U.S., we have access to two different types of phakic IOLs: anterior chamber iris-clip phakic IOLs and posterior chamber sulcus-fixated phakic IOLs. Both of these options can correct extreme degrees of myopia, as much as –20 D, and they are both designed to stay inside the eye for many years. At some point, however, when a cataract develops, the phakic IOL will need to be (Read more...)
Chromosome 22q11.2 deletion syndrome associated with refractive errors, strabismus
Refractive errors and strabismus are common in children with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome, but serious ocular involvement is uncommon. The prospective study included 16 patients between 4 months old and 18 years old with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome. The pat…
Speaker relates approach to dry eye therapy
According to Sumit Garg, MD, dry eye disease affects 29 million people in the U.S. and is the most common presenting symptom in the general ophthalmologist’s practice. Speaking at Hawaiian Eye, Garg relates his approach to dry eye therapy.
Exfoliation syndrome may be more common in women with pelvic organ prolapse
Women with pelvic organ prolapse were more likely to be diagnosed with exfoliation syndrome, according to a study using the Utah Population Database.Researchers split the study into two substudies and performed a cross-sectional analysis in substudy A,…
Physicians debate ACGME’s Milestones initiative
The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education’s Milestones initiative and its role in internal medicine are a source of debate for physicians. According to recently published findings, many physicians agree the Milestones program is challenging to implement; therefore, making it an inaccurate and invaluable method of educating and assessing residents’ performance. However, Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) asserts it is taking the necessary measures to mend the issue and enhance the Milestones program.
Speaker reviews use of laser in retinal disease
At Retina 2016, Elias Reichel, MD, focuses on the use of panretinal photocoagulation to treat branch retinal vein occlusion, center-involving diabetic macular edema and proliferative diabetic retinopathy.
Top five stories from ESCRS
Clinical research, new technologies and evolving treatments were among the most discussed topics at the 2016 European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons meeting in Copenhagen. New cataract surgery techniques and promising treatments for myopia…