STAAR Surgical reported a net loss of $8 million, or $0.20 per share, in the first quarter compared with a net loss of $2.3 million, or $0.06 per share, in the same quarter of 2015, according to a company press release. Net sales increased 2% over the previous year’s first quarter, and was reported at $19.3 million. The increase in sales was attributed mostly to increased sales of the Visian ICL in China and Germany.
Author: Healio ophthalmology
VIDEO: Small pupils increase complication rates associated with intraoperative miosis during cataract surgery
At Kiawah Eye, Douglas A. Katsev, MD, discusses complication rates associated with intraoperative miosis during cataract surgery in the U.S.
Ultrahigh-speed 25-gauge system reduces core vitrectomy time
An ultrahigh-speed cut rate 25-gauge system can significantly reduce core vitrectomy time in eyes undergoing vitreoretinal surgery when compared with a standard cut rate 25-gauge system, according to a study.Sixty-two eyes were evaluated in the single-…
President Obama outlines progress, future of Affordable Care Act
The United States “will be better off” due to the progress that the Affordable Care Act has made in addressing inadequacies in the health care system, according to a special communication issued by President Barack Obama, JD.Published in JAMA, Presiden…
CMS proposes changes to Medicare payment for coordinated care
CMS recently proposed changes to the Physician Fee Schedule to modify how Medicare pays for primary care, focusing on care management and behavioral health.“Today’s proposals are intended to give a significant lift to the practice of primary care and to boost the time a physician can spend with their patients listening, advising and coordinating their care — both for physical and mental health,” CMS Acting Administrator Andrew Slavitt, said in a press release. “If this rule is finalized, it will put our nation’s money where its mouth is by continuing (Read more...)
VIDEO: Easier, faster approach to scleral buckling without indirect ophthalmoscope
This video shows a new approach to scleral buckling for retinal detachment surgery, “easier and faster to learn and to perform also by young vitreoretinal surgeons with little or no experience in indirect ophthalmoscopy,” according to Omar Trabelsi, MD.No indirect ophthalmoscope or a three-mirror lens and slit lamp are used. The whole procedure is performed under a microscope with a wide-angle viewing lens (BIOM, Oculus), using a vitrectomy endolight inserted through a 25-gauge trocar.
Second Sight reports $5.8 million net loss in first quarter
Second Sight reported a net loss of $5.8 million, or $0.16 per share, in the first quarter compared with a net loss of $5 million, or $0.14 per share, in the same quarter of 2015, according to a press release. Total revenue was reported at $1.1 million…
FDA approves lifitegrast for dry eye disease
The FDA has approved Xiidra for the treatment of signs and symptoms of dry eye disease in adults, Shire announced in a press release. Twice-daily Xiidra (lifitegrast ophthalmic solution 5%) is the first prescription eye drop solution indicated for the …
Two dosing levels of ranibizumab show good effects in eyes with DME
Two dosing levels of ranibizumab improved visual acuity and decreased central foveal thickness in patients with clinically significant diabetic macular edema, a study found.The prospective study included 46 eyes of 46 patients with DME secondary to dia…
Eleven Biotherapeutics eligible for milestone payment after EBI-031 IND application becomes effective
Eleven Biotherapeutics’ investigational new drug application for EBI-031, an interleukin-6 antagonist antibody technology, has become effective, which entitles the company to receive a $22.5 million payment from Roche, according to a press release. Eleven and Roche entered an exclusive license agreement in June regarding the development and commercialization of EBI-031 and other IL-6 antagonist antibody technologies for the treatment of ocular diseases. The $22.5 million payment is part of the $262.5 million that Eleven may be eligible to receive upon achieving regulatory, development and commercialization milestones.
Regeneron reports $1.2 billion in revenue in first quarter
Regeneron reported $1.2 billion in total revenue in the first quarter, a 38% increase from $870 million in the same quarter of 2015, according to a press release. Total revenue in the first quarter included $784 million in Eylea (aflibercept) net produ…
Rayner announces direct market presence in Italy
Rayner announced its direct entry into the Italian cataract market with Rayner Italia Srl, according to a company press release.Rayner Italia was incorporated in Milan and will take over distribution of the company’s entire IOL and injector portfolio, which was previously available in Italy through independent distributors.
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
VIDEO: Chair of SOE Young Ophthalmologists looks forward to future collaborations
OVIEDO, Spain — Andrew Scott, MD, PhD, chair of the European Society of Ophthalmology Young Ophthalmologists, gives his closing remarks at the second meeting of the organization.
VIDEO: Infectious keratitis managed with aggressive treatment
OVIEDO, Spain — At the second European Meeting of Young Ophthalmologists, Antoine Rousseau, MD, gives pearls for the detection and management of infectious keratitis, a condition that mainly affects contact lens wearers and requires accurate and aggressive treatment.
Dysplastic changes seen in some pterygium specimens of patients living in low UV index areas
In a geographic area with low ultraviolet light index, the frequency of epithelial neoplasia seen in excised pterygium specimens was higher than expected, according to a Canadian study. The rate was 2.33%.Of 215 pterygium specimens received at the Henr…
SHP607 reduces BPD, IVH among premature infants in phase 2 trial
SHP607, a recombinant human version of insulin-like growth factor 1 and IGF binding protein-3 from Shire, effectively reduced development of severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia and severe intraventricular hemorrhage among extremely preterm infants, accor…
New keratoconus classification guides customization of intracorneal ring segment implantation
OVIEDO, Spain — A new keratoconus classification oriented to the implantation of intracorneal ring segments was presented at the second European Meeting of Young Ophthalmologists. “Our classification is aimed at using Ferrara rings and originates from Ferrara’s morphological classification. It is based on ectasia location and uses asphericity, topographic astigmatic patterns and the relationship between topographic, comatic and refractive axis as parameters,” Luis Fernández-Vega, MD, said.
VIDEO: Speaker relates advantages of UV cross-linking for treatment of keratoconus
OVIEDO, Spain — At the second European Meeting of Young Ophthalmologists, Nina Jacobsen, MD, PhD, discusses the advantages of UV cross-linking in lieu of intrastromal corneal ring segments for the treatment of keratoconus.
Topcon joins IBM’s Watson Health medical imaging collaborative
Topcon has joined IBM’s Watson Health medical imaging collaborative, according to a press release. Watson Health is comprised of 16 partners, including academic medical centers, health systems, ambulatory radiology providers and imaging technology companies. The partners will provide Watson with insight from a variety of sources, such as medical imaging data, electronic health records, radiology and pathology reports, lab results, doctors’ progress notes, medical journals, clinical care guidelines and published studies.