Author: Healio ophthalmology

Pediatric ophthalmologists pay most in malpractice suits, review finds

WAIKOLOA, Hawaii — About 95% of ophthalmologists are sued for malpractice over a 35-year career, and pediatric ophthalmologists make the highest indemnity payments, a speaker told colleagues here.“Malpractice lawsuits are very common but quite variable depending on what specialty you are in,” Judy E. Kim, MD, said at Retina 2016. “It’s not a matter of if you get sued. It may be a matter of when you’re going to get sued.”

Novartis appoints Mike Ball to lead Alcon, announces business changes for 2016

Novartis has appointed Mike Ball as division head and CEO of Alcon, effective Feb. 1. He will succeed Jeff George.“I want to welcome Mike Ball as division head and CEO of Alcon. His expertise in ophthalmology, as well as medical devices, will be instrumental in accelerating innovation and growth at Alcon,” Joseph Jimenez, CEO of Novartis, said in a press release.

Ocriplasmin not as cost-effective as vitrectomy for vitreomacular adhesion, macular hole

WAIKOLOA, Hawaii — Jetrea may not be as safe or cost-effective as vitrectomy for vitreomacular adhesion and macular hole closure, a speaker told colleagues here.“You’ve got to decide what’s best for your patients, recognizing that ocriplasmin will not achieve a success rate anywhere near that of a single operation, and to look at this issue of cost-adjustment,” William F. Mieler, MD, said at Retina 2016. “Perhaps ocriplasmin is just as expensive as a surgery. These issues are still ongoing. I still use ocriplasmin on occasion, but I think most of (Read more...)

Anti-VEGF use on the rise for treatment of diabetic retinopathy

WAIKOLOA, Hawaii — Current data indicate that anti-VEGF injections are an effective form of treatment for diabetic retinopathy, according to a speaker here. “Our current algorithm is based off some very old but very good data, the Diabetic Retinopathy Study, that was published in Ophthalmology in 1978, so we really have not deviated much from that since that time, and it shows that panretinal photocoagulation reduces the risk of severe vision loss by 50%,” Michael S. Ip, MD, said at Retina 2016. “But it really is an inherently destructive treatment.”

Trifocal IOL shows good vision at all distances at 1 year

One year of follow-up with the At Lisa tri 839MP IOL showed that vision at all distances was maintained, allowing complete spectacle independence.“Only [posterior capsule opacification] formation decreased the performance of the lens in some patients, as it may be expected with multifocal optics,” David P. Piñero, PhD, said in an interview with Ocular Surgery News.