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…
Author: Healio ophthalmology
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.
VIDEO: Alphaeon acquires LensAR
LAS VEGAS — At the American Academy of Ophthalmology annual meeting, Robert E. Grant, CEO of Alphaeon, announces the company’s acquisition of LensAR.
VIDEO: Extrusion cannula may provide a simpler option for lifting dropped IOLs during cataract surgery
LAS VEGAS — At the American Academy of Ophthalmology annual meeting, Ashvin Agarwal, MD, describes a technique for lifting dropped IOLs off the retina during cataract surgery using an extrusion cannula, a device otherwise used in retinal detachment surgery.
VIDEO: Cataract surgeon gives pearls on incorporating multifocal low-add IOL platforms into practice
LAS VEGAS — At the American Academy of Ophthalmology annual meeting, Ehsan Sadri, MD, FACS, talks about how to integrate Tecnis multifocal low-add IOL platforms (Abbott Medical Optics) into everyday practice, emphasizing that patient education about IOL choices and expectations results in greater patient satisfaction.
VIDEO: Surgeon presents positive data on the Xen gel stent
LAS VEGAS — At the American Academy of Ophthalmology annual meeting, Rohit Varma, MD, MPH, discusses positive 1-year study results of the minimally invasive Xen gel stent (Aquesys/Allergan) to reduce IOP in patients with elevated pressure.
Mynosys focuses on bringing automated capsulotomy device to market
LAS VEGAS — Zepto is an “innovative disposable device” that utilizes “precision pulsed technology” to create capsulotomies and shows promise in adoption by cataract surgeons when it comes to market, according to the company’s senior executive.John Hendrick, president and CEO of Mynosys Cellular Devices, told colleagues at the Ophthalmology Innovation Summit here that “for many months and years,” the company has been focusing on being able to create “a perfectly round capsulotomy, every time.”
Oral anti-VEGF, anti-PDGF advanced in pipeline of wet AMD treatments
LAS VEGAS — Early data from study of orally administered X-82 show promise for treating wet age-related macular degeneration, according to a presentation here. X-82 (Tyrogenex) is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) with both anti-VEGF and anti- platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) activities.
Speaker calls for prospective studies of donor diabetes and keratoplasty outcomes
LAS VEGAS — Because the effect of donor diabetes history on keratoplasty outcomes is unknown, there is a need for prospective studies to manage its impact, according to a presentation here. Jonathan Lass, MD, discussed the growing problem of the impact of donor diabetes on the future of the cornea donor pool and patients requiring keratoplasty at the American Academy of Ophthalmology annual meeting.
Contact lens wearers at greater risk for Acanthamoeba keratitis than non-lens wearers
LAS VEGAS — In patients who are diagnosed with Acanthamoeba keratitis, 85% to 100% are contact lens wearers and 33% are orthokeratology patients, according to a speaker here. “The rates of risk are the same or very similar for hard and soft contact lens wearers. Orthokeratology patients are especially high risk… luckily, if you are a noncontact lens wearer, the risk is fairly low,” Elmer Y. Tu, MD, said at Cornea Subspecialty Day preceding the American Academy of Ophthalmology annual meeting.
OASIS: Single Jetrea injection results in long-term resolution of vitreomacular adhesion
LAS VEGAS — A single intravitreal injection of 0.125 mg of ocriplasmin can result in long-term resolution of vitreomacular adhesion, according to a presentation here. At the American Academy of Ophthalmology annual meeting, Peter K. Kaiser, MD, presented results from the OASIS study evaluating a single injection of Jetrea (ocriplasmin, Thrombogenics) in patients with vitreomacular adhesion (VMA), including macular hole, and vitreomacular traction (VMT) at 24 months.
VIDEO: Surgeon presents new data on the Kamra inlay
LAS VEGAS — At the American Academy of Ophthalmology, Phillip C. Hoopes, MD, discusses 3-month data on the first 32 patients who were implanted with the Kamra inlay (Acufocus) at Hoopes Vision.
Speaker: Prevention key to managing neurotrophic keratopathy
LAS VEGAS — Prevention is key to managing varicella zoster virus neurotrophic keratopathy, according to a speaker here. “This is the diabetic foot ulcer of the eye,” Todd Margolis, MD, PhD, said at Cornea Subspecialty Day preceding the American Academy of Ophthalmology meeting. Neurotrophic keratopathy is characterized by decreased corneal sensation and poor corneal healing.
Early BCVA response may predict long-term outcomes of anti-VEGF treatment for DME
LAS VEGAS — Best corrected visual acuity response after three anti-VEGF injections for 12 weeks may be a strong predictor of long-term best corrected visual acuity response in patients with diabetic macular edema patients, according to a presentation here.In an assessment of Protocol I data from the DRCR.net, Pravin U. Dugel, MD, presented long-term treatment outcomes of anti-VEGF therapy in patients with diabetic macular edema at the American Academy of Ophthalmology annual meeting.
Oral acyclovir may be used to prevent recurrence of herpes simplex keratitis
LAS VEGAS — Recurrence of herpes simplex keratitis is commonly associated with corneal scarring and poor corneal graft survival. Early diagnosis and treatment helps prevent permanent corneal scarring caused by the virus’ lytic reaction and its immune-mediated response, according to a speaker here. Daily applications of trifluridine 1% solution or ganciclovir 0.15% are commonly used to treat acute herpetic epithelial keratitis and have been shown to shorten the clinical course, Natalie Afshari, MD, said here at Cornea Subspecialty Day preceding the American Academy of Ophthalmology annual meeting.
VIDEO: Co-founder of Novaliq gives business update
LAS VEGAS — At the Ophthalmology Innovation Summit, Bernhard Günther, managing director, CEO and co-founder of Novaliq, shares recent business updates, including plans for entering into a phase 2 clinical trial on CyclASol (cyclosporine solution) in 2016.
VIDEO: Global marketing director introduces intense pulsed light device
LAS VEGAS — At the Ophthalmology Innovation Summit, Itay Mayer, global marketing director of Lumenis Vision, talks about how ophthalmologists can use the intense pulsed light, a device using optimal pulsed technology.