Author: Healio ophthalmology

OSN Europe: Endodiathermy marks useful in cases of postoperative toric IOL rotation

Imperative to the efficacy of all toric IOLs is the position of the IOL with regards to the intended alignment axis because every degree of misalignment leads to residual astigmatism. Misalignment of the IOL may be caused by either inaccurate placement or rotation of the IOL.Toric IOLs represent a significant advance in achieving optimal cylindrical and spherical refractions after IOL surgery and are the preferred method for correcting pre-existing astigmatism during cataract surgery. Accurate rotational stability and axial alignment of toric IOLs are critical to the efficacy of surgery. Each (Read more...)

Publication Exclusive: Correct technique, tools can optimize femtosecond surgery outcomes

Modern-day cataract surgery requires lysis of most, if not all, corticocapsular adhesions toward the outer lens surface and freeing cortical-nuclear attachments in the interior of the cataractous lens. Hydrodissection is utilized to shear corticocapsular adhesions, while hydrodelineation breaks the epinuclear-nuclear adhesions. These surgical steps will facilitate in-the-bag nuclear rotation, thus assisting in lens division and removal by the technique of the surgeon’s choice. Further, such separation of the cortex from the lens capsule will simplify cortical cleanup and help preserve an intact posterior lens capsule for in-the-bag IOL placement. Incomplete (Read more...)

Rates of insurance coverage increase due to same-sex marriage laws

Marriage equality laws were associated with increases in employer-sponsored health insurance and reductions in state-funded Medicaid assistance for both men and women in same-sex relationships in New York State, according to recently published data in JAMA. Gilbert Gonzales, MHA, division of health policy and management at the University of Minnesota, analyzed data from the 2008 to 2012 American Community Survey to assess the correlation between New York’s Marriage Equality Act and health insurance coverage among men and women.

Publication Exclusive: Collaborative effort focuses on safety vision, health of astronauts

Space is a hostile environment for the human body. We are all aware of the great risks taken in being rocketed into space and returning to Earth, with several memorable tragic accidents. Once in space and safely into the International Space Station, there remain many physiologic challenges that impact nearly every part of the body.The study of these challenges to the health of our astronauts is a joint effort between NASA and the National Space Biomedical Research Institute (NSBRI), both in Houston. The NSBRI is housed in close proximity to (Read more...)

Publication Exclusive: Monitoring long-term effects on vision in microgravity a priority for NASA’s future flight to Mars

NASA is banding together with thought leaders in ophthalmology and industry to try to remedy vision problems encountered by astronauts in space for lengthy periods of time. The hope is that in-flight monitoring and treatments will counter the detrimental effects of living in essentially a gravity-free environment.“When you are in space, you do not have gravity like we do on Earth,” OSN Chief Medical Editor Richard L. Lindstrom, MD, said. “In the head, gravity assists blood return to the heart. But in weightlessness, not only is this assist absent, but (Read more...)

Wyanoke Wins 12 Awards for Publication Excellence

Thorofare, NJ – Two Wyanoke Group companies, SLACK Incorporated and Association & Meeting Solutions, were presented with a dozen prestigious APEX awards, with Infectious Disease News earning the highest recognition of Grand Award in the category of Websites.APEX Awards recognize excellence in graphic design, editorial content and the ability to achieve overall communications excellence. APEX Grand Awards honor the outstanding works in each main category, while APEX Awards for Publication Excellence recognize exceptional entries in each of the individual categories. Of more than 1,800 entries in APEX 2015, only 82 (Read more...)

CMS modifies ACO investment model to better serve rural areas

Two new revisions to CMS’ Accountable Care Organization Investment Model will afford more benefits to small practices and rural communities, according to a blog post by Patrick Conway, MD, chief medical officer of CMS. “While we have accomplished a lot to make sure Americans have access to good, quality health care, continuing to reform our health care system by increasing quality and lowering costs will need everybody to be a part of the effort. Part of that will mean continuing important work with health care providers to reform health care (Read more...)