Author: Healio ophthalmology

Hardware, software improvements advance OCT capabilities

WAIKOLOA, Hawaii — Hardware improvements that increase scanning speed with more imaging modalities and software enhancements that allow for new scanning protocols are features rounding out the OCT space in 2016, according to a speaker here. “Bottom line is that there are a lot of new things in OCT technology. We haven’t really hit the ceiling,” Jay S. Duker, MD, told colleagues at Retina 2016.

Four Speaker of the Day awardees named for Hawaiian Eye/Retina 2016

WAIKOLOA, Hawaii — Retina 2016 and the Administrator Program and Nurse & Allied Health Program of Hawaiian Eye kicked off Monday, joining the Comprehensive Ophthalmology Program which started Saturday. Roger F. Steinert, MD, director of the Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, University of California, Irvine, was named Speaker of the Day for the Comprehensive Ophthalmology Program.

Ultra-widefield imaging valuable in detecting peripheral retinal ischemia

WAIKOLOA, Hawaii — Ultra-widefield imaging with fluorescein angiography is a valuable tool for detecting retinal ischemia, according to a speaker here. “With widefield angiography, you can notate neovascularization, perfused areas, previously lasered areas and the area of ischemia,” Judy E. Kim, MD, said at Retina 2016. “What can we do with that information? It seems that the presence of retinal ischemia may correlate with development of diabetic macular edema … so the thought is that areas of ischemia causes increase in VEGF production, which then may play a role in (Read more...)

Self-sealing technique closes corneal incisions without sutures, glue or hydration

WAIKOLOA, Hawaii — A new technique for the closure of corneal incisions uses a valve mechanism of shelved incision, according to a speaker here.“The idea is that the interior incision is closed up against the exterior incision and the pressure inside the eye keeps the wound self-sealing,” Kayman Naseri, MD, told colleagues at Hawaiian Eye.

Surgeon gives pearls for using intraoperative aberrometry

WAIKOLOA, Hawaii — John A. Hovanesian, MD, FACS, presented his pearls for intraoperative aberrometry usage here at the Hawaiian Eye. “While intraoperative aberrometry is a highly valuable tool, we have to know what it can do, and we have to know what it cannot do. We have to know what it is designed to do, which is take in all the information that you have given it (even if some of it is flawed) and take us in a direction that we do not want to go,” he said.

Steinert receives standing ovation in honor of his return to Hawaiian Eye

WAIKOLOA, Hawaii —When David F. Chang, MD, introduced his Refractive/Cataract section co-moderator, Roger F. Steinert, MD, he reminded the Hawaiian Eye audience of Steinert’s invaluable contribution to the annual meeting here.Before Steinert’s presentation “The Heat is On: Next Generation Presbyopia Implants,” Chang noted that Steinert is one of the founders of the Hawaiian Eye.

Speaker: Get to know Medicare Part C

WAIKOLOA, Hawaii — Ophthalmologists need to pay attention to Medicare Advantage organizations, the fastest growing part of Medicare, a speaker said here.“This is Part C Medicare. It’s the fastest growing part of Medicare. Part B is not growing at all,” Kevin J. Corcoran, COE, CPC, FNAO, said at Hawaiian Eye.

Donna McCune named speaker of the day for Sunday Hawaiian Eye program

WAIKOLOA, Hawaii — Attendees of Hawaiian Eye chose Donna M. McCune, CCS-P, COE, CPMA, as Sunday’s Speaker of the Day.Sunday’s program included The Changing Ophthalmic Practice Environment, chaired by Kevin J. Corcoran, COE, CPC, FNAO, and Candace S. Simerson, COE, CMPE, CAHCM, and The Year’s Most Intriguing Papers from the 2015 Journal, Ophthalmology, chaired by George B. Bartley, MD.

Physicians should stay the course until new MIPS program takes effect

WAIKOLOA, Hawaii — Physicians need to “keep running on the treadmill” with regard to existing CMS quality programs, until the new, combined Merit-Based Incentive Payment System begins in 2019, a speaker here said. Under the Medicare Access and CHIP Authorization Act of 2015, PQRS, Meaningful Use and the Value-Based Payment Modifier programs will be merged into the new MIPS program.

Pathologist defeats all odds, survives deadly blizzard on Mount Everest

WAIKOLOA, Hawaii — A pathologist who fought all odds to survive a deadly blizzard on Mount Everest in 1996 shares his story of survival during the keynote lecture at the Hawaiian Eye. In May 1996, Beck Weathers traveled to Mount Everest with a group of climbers who were guided by Rob Hall of Adventure Consultants. On the night of May 10, 1996, a blizzard descended upon the group and forced the climbers to fight for their lives to stay warm in the freezing cold.