Author: Healio ophthalmology

Are the holiday baskets really worth the risk?

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 recent report of a settlement between a large physician practice and the Office of Inspector General (OIG) of HHS reminds us once again that providing perks, even seemingly insignificant perks, to referral sources can be problematic and costly to physicians and physician practices. According to the posting on the OIG website, the practice self-disclosed certain payments made (Read more...)

Hospital chain in India sets a model for low carbon footprint, environment-friendly cataract surgery

Health care procedures are a large contributor to carbon emissions throughout the world. As awareness and concerns about the environmental issues related to global warming increase, the high impact of current surgical procedures and the need for alternative, more sustainable strategies have become a new research focus. In this scenario, the cataract surgery model employed by the hospitals in the Aravind Eye Care System in India is raising great interest internationally.“In 2015 I was involved by Cassandra L. Thiel, PhD, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Pittsburgh, in a (Read more...)

Health care providers have duty to reduce impact of their work on environment

Climate change is predicted to be one of the largest health threats of the 21st century. Human activities are increasing the release of greenhouse gases, leading to global warming and eminent catastrophe. It is important for every individual to know about carbon/greenhouse gas emissions, and each one of us must endeavor to limit the same so as to leave the earth in a better position than it is now.Health care itself is a large contributor to carbon emissions. The health care sector is responsible for one-seventh of the U.S. economy. (Read more...)

TANZANITE study: No re-treatments required with triamcinolone acetonide formulation after 3 months

A majority of patients treated with a proprietary form of triamcinolone acetonide in combination with aflibercept required no additional treatments over 3 months compared with patients treated with aflibercept alone, Clearside Biomedical announced in a press release.The phase 2 TANZANITE clinical trial included 46 treatment-naïve patients with macular edema associated with retinal vein occlusion who were randomized to receive suprachoroidally administered Zuprata (triamcinolone acetonide, Clearside) in combination with intravitreally administered Eylea (aflibercept, Regeneron) or Eylea alone.

Publication Exclusive: By YOs for YOs: European Meeting of Young Ophthalmologists more than doubles past attendance

The 2nd European Meeting of Young Ophthalmologists took place in Oviedo, Spain, in June, and it was a truly remarkable event. From tailored educational sessions to networking with fellow European YOs to coming together and tackling the challenges ahead for YOs, the meeting was the place to be for any young trainee from Europe. Co-organizer Ignacio Rodríguez gives us the details.Anthony Khawaja, PhD, FRCOphth, Outgoing Chair of the SOE Young Ophthalmologists Committee

FDA raises concerns about manufacturing deficiencies in Dextenza complete response letter

Ocular Therapeutix received a complete response letter from the FDA regarding the new drug application for Dextenza for the treatment of postoperative ocular pain, according to a press release. The letter addresses the FDA’s concerns about the deficiencies in the manufacturing process and controls that were identified during a pre-NDA approval inspection of the company’s manufacturing facility, but the FDA did not provide details on which manufacturing deficiencies were identified.