Author: Healio ophthalmology

Valeant announces $2 billion Securities Repurchase Program

A new securities repurchase program that will allow Valeant Pharmaceuticals to make purchases up to $2 billion of its senior notes, common shares and other securities will replace the company’s expiring program, according to a company press release. The board of directors also authorized a sub-limit for the repurchase of Valeant common shares of more than 10% of the company’s public float and 5% of the company’s issued and outstanding common shares, according to the press release.

NIH renews research grants on aging

The NIH has announced renewed funding of $23.4 million for 11 Edward R. Roybal Centers for Research on Applied Gerontology and the designation of two additional sites.“The Roybal Centers’ comprehensive research infrastructure facilitates collaborations among academic researchers and those in the public and private sectors who can help design and deliver novel approaches to a number of challenges of an aging society,” NIA Director Richard J. Hodes, MD, said in a press release announcing the grants that will span 5 years. “Through a range of projects, the centers seek to (Read more...)

Surgeon discusses management of cataract and Fuchs’ dystrophy

NEW YORK — Individual case evaluation is important to decide which cataract procedure is beneficial for patients with cataract and Fuchs’ dystrophy, according to a speaker here.“In the decision-making process, do we do nothing and wait, do we do phaco with corneal Fuchs’ dystrophy, should we do endothelial keratoplasty alone, or do we do a triple procedure all at the same time — phacoemulsification, endothelial keratoplasty and posterior IOL implantation?” Thomas “TJ” John, MD, asked at OSN New York 2014.

5 things to read during Contact Lens Health Week

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Optometric Association have partnered to launch Contact Lens Health Week, an annual campaign with the objective of increasing public awareness and encouraging healthy behavior surrounding contact lens wear and care.Clinicians can ensure they stay up-to-date during Contact Lens Health Week by accessing the latest contact lens industry news and clinical care research at Healio.com/Optometry through the Primary Care Optometry News daily coverage from the American Academy of Optometry’s annual meeting in Denver.

Surgeon recommends use of sealants to close corneal incisions

NEW YORK — Cataract surgeons should be confident that a hydrogel sealant used to close corneal incisions will prevent wound leakage with fewer adverse events than sutures and no need for removal, according to a speaker here.“The inconvenient truth about what we do is that there are corneal incisions that we assume we seal but do not,” John A. Hovanesian, MD, FACS, said at OSN New York 2014.

Surgeon dispels misconceptions about retina surgery

NEW YORK — Three common misconceptions about retina surgery are that it takes a long time, patients do not see well after surgery and patients have to be face down after surgery, according to a speaker here. “Most of you may have trained back in an era of 20-gauge surgery. You may have trained at a time where people did not see improvement or when retinal surgery was painful,” John W. Kitchens, MD, said at OSN New York 2014. “Some of these things are historical. We do things a lot (Read more...)

Speaker offers tips for dealing with weak zonules in cataract surgery

NEW YORK — Surgeons should take extra time look for risk factors related to weakened or compromised zonules at the cataract surgery consult, according to a speaker here. “If we all do enough cataract surgery, we are going to come across patients who have zonular issues. It could be zonular laxity or actual zonular dehiscence,” Cynthia Matossian, MD, said at OSN New York 2014.

Cataract surgery first leads to better long-term maintenance of glaucoma

NEW YORK — Planning cataract surgery before glaucoma surgery leads to better long-term maintenance of glaucoma, according to a speaker here. In patients with narrow open-angle glaucoma with high IOP, cataract surgery deepens the angle, increases the anterior chamber, prevents peripheral anterior synechiae (PAS) and decreases IOP, Savak Teymoorian, MD, said at OSN New York 2014.

Speaker offers pearls for femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery

NEW YORK — Surgeons should begin adopting femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery, according to a speaker here. “The technology is beginning to come into its own and mature, and we have four platforms to choose from,” Lisa Arbisser, MD, said at OSN New York 2014. “Our journey is on a continuum of perfection in cataract surgery, and I think that it is not the giant leap but it has the potential to get there.”

Valeant acquires Nicox Inc. for up to $20 million in cash, future payments

Valeant Pharmaceuticals has acquired Nicox’s U.S. diagnostics subsidiary Nicox Inc. in a deal totaling up to $20 million, Nicox announced in a press release.Under the terms of the agreement, Valeant acquired Nicox Inc. for $10 million in cash, plus additional cash payments of up to $10 million based on Valeant achieving sales benchmarks with transferred products. The deal is effective immediately.