PRAGUE — Family history is a key factor in identifying patients at risk of glaucoma and is the basis for research on glaucoma-related genes. At the European Glaucoma Society Congress, Wallace Alward, MD, said that “screening the general population for glaucoma is relatively low yield, while screening first-degree relatives would be a much better use of resources.”
Author: Healio ophthalmology
Receipt of pharmaceutical industry-sponsored meal associated with increased prescription rate
Recent findings published in JAMA Internal Medicine showed that receipt of a pharmaceutical industry-sponsored meal was associated with increased prescription rates by physicians.“Our findings support the importance of ongoing transparency efforts in the United States and Europe,” Colette DeJong, BA, of the Center for Healthcare Value at the University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine, and colleagues wrote. “Small payments and meals should continue to be monitored in the United States and should be incorporated into the European pharmaceutical industry’s recent transparency initiative, which requires drug companies to publicly (Read more...)
AAO revises screening guidelines for chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine retinopathy
The American Academy of Ophthalmology revised its recommendations on screening for chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine retinopathy based on new information about the prevalence of toxicity, risk factors, fundus distribution and effectiveness of screening tools, according to a recent study in Ophthalmology.The AAO recommends a maximum daily hydroxychloroquine use of ≤ 5.0 mg/kg real weight. While researchers assured there are no similar demographic data for chloroquine, dose comparisons in previous data suggest using ≤ 2.3 mg/kg real weight.
VIDEO: Pyott discusses his plans after Allergan
COSTA MESA, Calif. — At the Orange County Ophthalmology Technology Summit, David E.I. Pyott, former CEO of Allergan, discusses his experience with the Allergan-Valeant takeover battle and his philanthropic plans going forward.
Ophthotech completes patient recruitment for third phase 3 trial of Fovista
Ophthotech has completed patient recruitment for a phase 3 clinical trial of Fovista in combination with anti-VEGF agents for the treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration, according to a press release.The three clinical trials in the phase 3 p…
APAO Secretariat news
The Asia-Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology (APAO) Secretariat bade farewell to Deputy Administrative Director Ms. Florence Chung on June 6. Florence had worked at APAO since February 2011, but will now move on to new exciting opportunities at the United Nations. APAO’s CEO and Secretary-General Prof. Clement Tham said that Florence would be greatly missed, and he wished her great success in all her future endeavors.As of June 1, Ms. Cynthia Wong joined the secretariat team as Congress Manager. For more details about the Secretariat team, please visit http://www.apaophth.org/staff-members/.
Subretinal fluid drainage during scleral buckling procedure key to closing retinal breaks
Vitrectomy has become the procedure of choice for many forms of retinal detachment. However, scleral buckling procedures are still optimal in some situations, and, despite less exposure, mastering this technique is still essential for the young retinal…
VIDEO: Speaker discusses genetic research in glaucoma
PRAGUE — At the European Glaucoma Society Congress, Tin Aung, MD, PhD, talks about genetic research related to exfoliation glaucoma.
Low rate of progression to visual impairment seen in UK glaucoma patients
PRAGUE — Linear regression analysis of a large database showed a high variability in glaucoma progression rate and a low rate of progression to blindness among patients treated in U.K. glaucoma clinics.In the United Kingdom, where more than 1 million hospital visits are performed per year for glaucoma alone, auditing of patients allowed the setup of a large data set of 25,000 patients monitored for glaucoma over a period of 12 years.
FDA clears REBIScan’s Pediatric Vision Scanner
The FDA has granted REBIScan market clearance through the de novo pathway for the Pediatric Vision Scanner, according to a press release. The hand-held Pediatric Vision Scanner is designed to help physicians screen for amblyopia and strabismus in young…
VIDEO: OCTANe Ophthalmology Technology Summit brings together industry leaders, investors, innovators
COSTA MESA, Calif. — At the Orange County Ophthalmology Technology Summit, James V. Mazzo, chairman and CEO of AcuFocus and founder of OCTANe, discusses the mission of the Ophthalmology Technology Summit in bringing together key players within the robust ophthalmic community in Orange County.
VIDEO: OCTANe group continues to fund ophthalmic innovation in Southern California
COSTA MESA, Calif. —At the Orange County Ophthalmology Technology Summit, Bill Carpou, OCTANe CEO, discusses the progress the group has made in funding and supporting ophthalmic innovation within what many describe as the “Silicon Valley” of ophthalmology.
Topography-guided transepithelial surface ablation reduces moderate to high astigmatism
Topography-guided transepithelial surface ablation improved vision and reduced moderate to high astigmatism, according to a study.The retrospective study included 206 eyes; 153 eyes had myopic astigmatism and 53 eyes had mixed astigmatism.
FDA accepts new drug application for AC-170 from Nicox
The FDA has accepted the new drug application for AC-170 to treat ocular itching associated with allergic conjunctivitis, according to a press release from Nicox. The FDA granted priority review and assigned a Prescription Drug User Fee Act goal date o…
Undiagnosed, overdiagnosed glaucoma cases may have major repercussions
PRAGUE — Both undiagnosed glaucoma and overdiagnosed glaucoma are significant challenges in Western countries, with major clinical implications for individuals and society, according to one specialist speaking at the European Glaucoma Society Congress.The population-based Thessaloniki Eye Study, presented here by Fotis Topouzis, MD, PhD, confirmed the data of other large cohorts: At least half of glaucoma cases are undiagnosed.
VIDEO: Update on corneal collagen cross-linking
KIAWAH ISLAND, S.C. — At the Kiawah Eye meeting, Kristiana D. Neff, MD, gives an update on corneal collagen cross-linking, including the FDA approval of CXL in April.
Fine-needle aspiration biopsy of orbital lesions may offer alternative to open biopsy
Fine-needle aspiration biopsy of orbital lesions was determined to be an effective technique for cytologic diagnoses and may help avoid open biopsy, according to a study. In the retrospective case series, 210 orbital lesion of 207 patients were evaluat…
I-Glide corneal graft device receives patents in US, Europe
The I-Glide, a device for preservation and transportation of corneal endothelium, has received patents in the U.S. and Europe, Eurobio announced in a press release.The device helps to make Descemet’s stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty easier, quicker and more flexible, with a minimal learning curve for the surgeon, the release said. A lamellar membrane is inserted in the I-Glide, which is filled with a storage medium, and the endothelium can then be preserved for up to 1 week.
Glaucoma Foundation grants award to Ursula Schlötzer-Schrehardt, PhD
Ursula Schlötzer-Schrehardt, PhD , received the 2016 Dr. Robert Ritch Award for Excellence and Innovation in Glaucoma at the Glaucoma Foundation’s gala dinner, which took place during the Interdisciplinary Scientific Think Tank in New York, according to a press release. Schlötzer-Schrehardt, an associate professor and lecturer in experimental ophthalmology and senior scientist in the department of ophthalmology at the University of Erlangen in Germany, gained recognition as a researcher in the field of exfoliation syndrome (XFS) and exfoliation glaucoma. Her most influential contribution is the documentation of XFS as a (Read more...)
VIDEO: OCT-guided AMD management
KIAWAH ISLAND, S.C. — At the Kiawah Eye meeting, David M. Brown, MD, FACS, discusses the use of OCT to manage patients with age-related macular degeneration.