LAS VEGAS — Using the weighted equation of age, residual stromal bed and percent tissue altered may improve the efficacy of screening ectasia risk in patients with normal topography who undergo LASIK, according to a study presented here. “The purpose of this study was to specifically develop an ectasia risk equation considering percent tissue altered, flap percentage, residual stromal bed, ablation depth, and age all together to have a combination that would provide very high sensitivity, and with the other parameters, we would increase the specificity of our findings,” Marcony (Read more...)
Author: Healio ophthalmology
Surgical, medical treatments for squamous neoplasia both have pros, cons
LAS VEGAS — Ocular surface squamous neoplasia is one of the most common nonpigmented tumors of the ocular surface, and there is much debate regarding which treatment to choose, according to a presentation here. At the American Academy of Ophthalmology annual meeting, Carol L. Karp, MD, weighed the pros and cons of excision alone with a no-touch technique and of treatment with chemotherapeutic agents such as mitomycin C, 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and interferon-alpha-2b.
Alphaeon acquires Lensar, partners with PhysIOL to commercialize trifocal IOL technology
LAS VEGAS — Alphaeon has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Lensar for an estimated $59 million in cash, stock and assumed debt, the company announced in a press release. “We’re excited with the chance to join Alphaeon, and together leverage our proprietary platform technology to develop new clinical innovations benefiting physicians and patients alike,” Nick Curtis, CEO of Lensar said in the release.
Speaker: Bilateral, same-day cataract surgery poses no additional risk to patients
LAS VEGAS — Bilateral, same-day cataract surgery should not pose any additional undue risks to the patient than sequential cataract surgery, according to a presentation here.“Bilateral, same-day cataract surgery offers convenience and time saving for patients through reduced time off work, fewer appointments, less travel and concurrent recovery of eyes. Costs savings may also be realized to payers, employers and employees,” Neal H. Shorstein, MD, said at the American Academy of Ophthalmology annual meeting.
ENV515 appears safe in removal of cataracts in glaucoma patients
LAS VEGAS — ENV515 travoprost XR intracameral implant appeared to be safe when used during cataract removal in patients with glaucoma, according to phase 2a clinical trial findings presented here. “All patients completed the study per protocol with no early discontinuations,” Tom R. Walters, MD, said at the American Academy of Ophthalmology annual meeting. “One hundred percent of implants were safely removed and aqueous humor was sampled for drug level analysis.”
Study of SPK-RPE65 gene therapy shows gains in visual acuity
LAS VEGAS — SPK-RPE65 treatment may result in rapid postoperative recovery of visual acuity for RPE65-mediated inherited retinal dystrophies, according to a presentation here. Albert M. Maguire, MD, discussed the phase 3 study’s primary and secondary endpoints, and presented additional results for the gene therapy at the American Academy of Ophthalmology annual meeting.
VIDEO: Three-year Argus II retinal prosthesis safety, functionality results reported
LAS VEGAS — At the American Academy of Ophthalmology annual meeting, Lisa C. Olmos de Koo, MD, MBA, reports 3-year safety and functionality results of implantation of the Argus II retinal prosthesis device (Second Sight) and gives an update on implantation of the second generation of the device.
NYU Langone Medical Center announces successful total face, scalp transplant
NYU Langone Medical Center held a press conference today to announce the successful completion of the most extensive face transplant to date, which took 26 hours and involved more than 100 staff members.The recipient was retired volunteer firefighter P…
VIDEO: Surgeon recommends trocar anterior maintainer for complicated intraocular surgeries
LAS VEGAS — At the American Academy of Ophthalmology annual meeting, Amar Agarwal, MS, FRCS, FRCOphth, discusses the advantages of the trocar anterior chamber maintainer for treating complicated intraocular surgeries.
VIDEO: Allergan CEO discusses next golden age of innovation
LAS VEGAS — At the American Academy of Ophthalmology annual meeting, Brent Saunders, president and CEO of Allergan, gives reasons why he believes ophthalmology is entering its next golden age of innovation.
VIDEO: New formula renders IOL calculations in three dimensions
LAS VEGAS — At the American Academy of Ophthalmology annual meeting, Uday Devgan, MD, discusses the IOL ‘Super Surface’ and ‘Super Formula,’ a novel method developed by John Ladas, MD, PhD, that characterizes IOL formulas in three dimensions to facilitate interpretation and visualization.
Humira plus methotrexate may help manage uveitis in patients with JIA
SAN FRANCISCO – Patients with uveitis related to juvenile idiopathic arthritis may benefit from therapy with Humira and background methotrexate, according to a recently presented study. Athimalaipet V. Ramanan, FRCPCH, FRCP, and colleagues studied a group of 90 patients aged between 2 years and 18 years with uveitis associated with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). During the presentation, Ramanan said in his presentation that the mean age of patients was 9 years, about two-thirds had oligoarticular arthritis and most had active disease for about 5 years.
Iluvien shows similar reduction in DR progression as anti-VEGF treatment
LAS VEGAS — Fluocinolone acetonide and anti-VEGF treatment similarly reduce progression of proliferative diabetic retinopathy, according to a presentation here.“The duration of continuous steroid exposure during the FAME trials provides a unique opportunity to address the clinical question of the impact of corticosteroids on progression of proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR),” Charles C. Wykoff, MD, PhD, said at Retina Subspecialty Day preceding the American Academy of Ophthalmology annual meeting.
AAO continues to preserve the value of its members
LAS VEGAS — The American Academy of Ophthalmology remains strong due to the committed loyalty of its members and is committed to preserving and enhancing the value of its membership, Russell N. Van Gelder, MD, PhD, president of the AAO, said here.“We have nearly 32,000 members… 28% are international, representing 151 countries. Within the U.S., 93% of ophthalmologists belong to this Academy,” Van Gelder said during the opening session of the Academy’s annual meeting.
Use of ‘big data’ has potential to decrease rate of endophthalmitis after cataract surgery
LAS VEGAS — Surgeons can now use “big data” to develop treatment plans to lower the risk of endophthalmitis in patients after cataract surgery, according to Anne L. Coleman, MD, PhD, who gave the Jackson Memorial Lecture here. “Big data” is defined by volume, variety and velocity: The high volume of data can be observed and tracked; the wide variety of data includes digital images and visual fields; and data are potentially available in real time, Coleman said at the American Academy of Ophthalmology annual meeting.
Abbott launches Whitestar Signature PRO in US
The Whitestar Signature PRO phacoemulsification system is now available in the U.S., according to a news release from Abbott Medical Optics.The system incorporates on-demand fluidics and ultrasound efficiency as well as the Cataract Analysis and Settin…
New World Medical launches Kahook Dual Blade for trabeculectomy
LAS VEGAS — New World Medical has launched the Kahook Dual Blade for excising trabecular meshwork.In a company sponsored media briefing here at the American Academy of Ophthalmology annual meeting, the Kahook Dual Blade was showcased as a single-use, disposable ophthalmic knife intended for removing trabecular meshwork through a small clear corneal incision.
Speaker: Gene therapy well-suited for retinal disease treatment
LAS VEGAS — Safety results in the phase 2a trial of AVA-101 support ocular gene therapy as a potential long-term treatment option for wet age-related macular degeneration, according to a presentation here. There is, however, still a need for anti-VEGF rescue therapy. Jeffrey S. Heier, MD, related topline results from the phase 1 and 2a clinical trials of AVA-101 (Avalanche Biotechnologies) at Retina Subspecialty Day preceding the American Academy of Ophthalmology annual meeting.
Zeiss introduces IOLMaster 700 to US market at AAO meeting
LAS VEGAS — The Carl Zeiss Meditec IOLMaster 700 with swept-source biometry is now available in the U.S. According to a company presentation at the American Academy of Ophthalmology annual meeting, the IOLMaster 700 is designed to reduce the risk of refractive surprise, optimize refractive outcomes and enhance clinical workflow.
VIDEO: Researchers look at effect of L-DOPA on timing of AMD onset
LAS VEGAS — At the American Academy of Ophthalmology annual meeting, Andrew A. Moshfeghi, MD, shares new research published in American Journal of Medicine, in which a later than expected onset of age-related macular degeneration was seen in patients taking exogenous L-DOPA for other medical conditions.