A novel once-daily glaucoma drop yielded no drug-related systemic effects or serious adverse events, results of the Rocket 2 trial showed.Aerie Pharmaceuticals hosted a webcast in March to discuss interim safety results of the phase 3 trial comparing R…
Author: Healio ophthalmology
Bumpy road to reimbursement for emerging technologies
The FDA approved marketing of the Triggerfish, a soft silicone contact lens with an embedded sensor that detects small changes or fluctuations in the eye’s volume, in March.The Triggerfish (Sensimed) allows data collected over a 24-hour period with the contact lens to be transferred via Bluetooth to the clinician’s computer, letting the clinician know how IOP varies throughout the day.
Cataract surgeons seek ‘perfect’ capsulotomy
The capsulotomy is a two-way street, allowing extraction of a cataract or clear lens in a refractive lens exchange in one direction and allowing insertion of an IOL in the other. As existing manual and laser methods to create a capsulotomy for cataract surgery are refined, on the horizon are new technologies to bring the ophthalmic community closer to creation of the “perfect” capsulotomy.But what is perfect? Placement, shape, size and method all play a role.
Case study in disruptive innovation: Target marketing and the dry eye center
At OSN New York 2015, Ocular Surgery News held a symposium on disruptive innovation in ophthalmology, discussing new diagnostics, devices and therapeutic treatments that could be considered disruptive. This series takes a look back at disruptive innovations in ophthalmology to examine how and why they were able to change ophthalmic practice.In this installment, OSN spoke with Darrell E. White, MD, of SkyVision Center and OSN’s The Dry Eye columnist, about how market research helped launch the now ever more popular dry eye center.
Abnormal tear osmolarity considered a biomarker of dry eye disease
NEW ORLEANS — Tear osmolarity is an important biomarker of ocular surface disease, according to a study presented at the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery meeting here.“We know that osmolarity causes cytotoxicity to cells of the ocular surface. Because of this lack of specificity and sensitivity of using symptoms alone, perhaps tear osmolarity testing can aid in differential diagnosis and initiation of target therapy,” Jay S. Pepose, MD, PhD, said.
HHS issues final rule for health equity improvements in the Affordable Care Act
HHS has finalized a rule aimed at reducing health care disparities and advancing health equity, according to a press release issued by the agency.The Nondiscrimination in Health Programs and Activities final rule implements Section 1557 of the Affordab…
Malpractice fears may drive use of antibiotic drops after intravitreal injections in some countries
PARIS — A round table held during the meeting of the French Society of Ophthalmology highlighted that topical antibiotics have not been discontinued during intravitreal injection procedures in all countries. While no antibiotics are used in France, the U.K. and Germany, exceptions are made in Spain for Ozurdex (dexamethasone intravitreal implant, Allergan) and for injections performed in patients with diabetes. In Italy, according to Domenico Boccuzzi, MD, postoperative antibiotic drops are still administered four times a day for 1 week after all intravitreal procedures by the majority of ophthalmologists.
Bausch + Lomb, IBM to collaborate on cataract surgery app
Bausch + Lomb and IBM will collaborate on the development of an app for iPhone and iPad to assist surgeons during cataract surgery, according to a press release from Valeant Pharmaceuticals.The app will be designed to streamline a surgeon’s workflow “by delivering patient information and clinical insights as well as intraocular lens (IOL) selection guidance on a single digital platform at the point of care,” the release said.
VIDEO: Surgeon talks about advantages of trocar AC maintainer
NEW ORLEANS — At the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery meeting, Amar Agarwal, MS, FRCS, FRCOphth, discusses the advantages of the trocar anterior chamber maintainer device for a variety of intraocular procedures.
Use of diagnostic, therapeutic tools improves dry eye detection and management
The TearScience LipiView imaging device and LipiFlow system provide an efficient means to diagnose, treat and monitor progress in patients with evaporative dry eye syndrome and is a worthwhile investment for every ophthalmology practice, according to one surgeon.“I am not a dry eye specialist, but thanks to this technology, I have learned to look at dry eye from a different perspective, to learn more and to consider it as a treatable condition,” Matteo Piovella, MD, OSN Europe Edition Board Member, said.
VIDEO: Surgeon proposes new hypothesis for pathogenesis of keratoconus
PARIS — At the meeting of the French Society of Ophthalmology, Michael Assouline, MD, hypothesizes that the pathogenesis of keratoconus may involve genetic factors leading to dysregulation of the emmetropization process, much like the one identified for high myopia.
VIDEO: Pediatric specialist talks about use of cyclosporine for ocular allergies
PARIS — At the meeting of the French Society of Ophthalmology, Dominique Brémond-Gignac, MD, PhD, discusses a subspecialty meeting held during the meeting where she talked about the off-label use of cyclosporine for children with ocular allergies.
VIDEO: Extended range of vision IOL improves visual acuity
NEW ORLEANS — At the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery meeting, Jason Jones, MD, discusses results from a study evaluating the Tecnis Symphony IOL from Abbott Medical Optics, which “delivers nice distance quality vision, improved intermediate range of vision and enhanced near vision.
Omidria reduces cataract surgery time, complications
NEW ORLEANS — Intracameral phenylephrine combined with ketorolac during cataract surgery was associated with a significantly lower complication rate than epinephrine injection, a speaker told colleagues here.“Intracameral phenylephrine/ketorolac administration, when compared to intracameral epinephrine in routine cataract surgery, was associated with a statistically significant reduction in use of pupillary mydriatic-assist devices, a decrease in intraoperative and postoperative complications, improvement in uncorrected visual acuity postop day 1 and a decrease in overall procedural time,” Eric Rosenberg, DO, MSE, said at the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery meeting.
VIDEO: Surgeon recommends measuring crystalline lens for increased accuracy
PARIS — At the meeting of the French Society of Ophthalmology, David Touboul, MD, PhD, advocates that visualization and measurement of the crystalline lens should become a future parameter for increased accuracy in refractive cataract surgery.
Bausch + Lomb, Hoya Surgical Optics enter distribution agreement
Bausch + Lomb and Hoya Surgical Optics have entered into an exclusive agreement for Bausch + Lomb to distribute and commercialize Hoya’s portfolio of IOLs and injector systems in the U.S., according to a press release. Bausch + Lomb will be responsible for distribution activities related to Hoya’s line of IOLs and injector systems in the U.S., including the iSert preloaded IOL system, the iSert 250 and 251 IOLs, the iSert PC-60AD preloaded IOL system and the iSert PY-60AD preloaded IOL system.
VIDEO: Vice president of Diopsys discusses new sensor technology
SEATTLE — At the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology meeting, Matt Emmer, vice president of business development and clinical affairs of Diopsys, recaps research presented on the company’s ERG Lid Sensor, a disposable electroretinography sensor intended to assess retinal and macular disease without directly contacting the cornea.
Special lenses may restore color vision for people with color blindness
PARIS — Special lenses that can be mounted on any spectacle frame can effectively correct color blindness, according to Philippe Sourdille, MD.At a symposium sponsored by Medicontur during the meeting of the French Society of Ophthalmology, Sourdille spoke on behalf of György Ábrahám, MD, principal investigator of this technology.
Transepithelial PRK may be feasible option in myopic patients with thin corneas
PARIS — One-step transepithelial PRK with mitomycin is a good alternative to phakic IOLs in myopic patients with thin corneas, according to one surgeon speaking at the French Society of Ophthalmology meeting. “It is an easy, quick, reliable and reproducible procedure that can be optimized or customized to each patient,” Nicolas Mesplie, MD, said.
Sustained-release Dextenza meets endpoints for post-cataract surgery pain
NEW ORLEANS — Sustained-release dexamethasone was superior to placebo in managing pain and preventing inflammation after cataract surgery, a speaker told colleagues here.At the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery meeting, Joseph Gira, MD, reported results of two phase 3 prospective, multicenter, randomized studies of Dextenza (sustained-release dexamethasone intracanalicular depot, Ocular Therapeutix).