CEDARS Debates is a monthly feature in Ocular Surgery News. CEDARS — Cornea, External Disease, and Refractive Surgery Society — is a group of cornea, cataract and refractive surgery specialists, here to discuss some of the latest hot topics in ophthalmology.This month, Mitchell A. Jackson, MD, and Quentin B. Allen, MD, discuss the pros and cons of using accommodating IOLs vs. multifocal IOLs for cataract surgery.
Author: Healio ophthalmology
Dompe receives orphan drug status for neurotrophic keratitis treatment
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has granted orphan drug designation for a recombinant human nerve growth factor-based treatment.Recombinant human nerve growth factor (rhNGF, Dompe) is indicated for the treatment of neurotrophic keratitis, a corne…
AL-Scan Optical Biometer granted 510(k) clearance
Nidek has announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued 510(k) clearance for the AL-Scan Optical Biometer.The AL-Scan Optical Biometer has the capability to measure axial length, corneal curvature radius, anterior chamber depth, centr…
ACA provisions upheld by Virginia court, medical societies file amici brief
Two hours after the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia ruled in a split decision that provisions of the Affordable Care Act providing tax incentives for low-income citizens to purchase health insurance were unconstitutional, the US Court …
Insignificant link found between genotype, response to AREDS supplements
Genotype had an insignificant association with response to nutritional supplementation, according to study findings.In a retrospective analysis of data from the first AREDS, researchers attempted to gauge whether genotypes at two major loci related to age-related macular degeneration — complement factor H (CFH) and age-related maculopathy susceptibility 2 (ARMS2) — had any significant effect on the relative benefits of AREDS supplements in a subset of patients at high risk for progression to late AMD.
US Court of Appeals strikes down key provisions of ACA
In the case of Halbig vs. Burwell, the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit has ruled that a key piece of the Affordable Care Act involving subsidies to low-income citizens in certain states is unconstitutional. The decis…
NanoVision announces license agreement, technology collaboration with OVI Lens
NanoVision Group announced it has entered into a manufacturing and distribution agreement with OVI Lens, as well as a collaboration for new technological development. Under the agreement, OVI Lens is permitted to manufacture bandage and therapeutic contact lenses under the umbrella of NanoVision. Additionally, the agreement enables NanoVision to distribute OVI’s Quotidia Therapeutic, Quotidia Daily Aloe, Quotidia Therapeutic Aloe and Quotidia Schleral Aloe contact lenses in Asia, Europe and the Middle East on an exclusive or co-exclusive basis starting Sept. 24, according to a press release.
AbbVie to acquire Shire for $54.6 billion
AbbVie announced it has reached an agreement to acquire Shire for $89.56 per share, or about $54.6 billion, according to a company press release.The agreement consists of $41.71 in cash and 0.896 in new AbbVie shares, representing a 53% premium to Shire’s closing price on May 2.
BLOG: Patients’ best interests should dictate scope of practice
The state of Louisiana recently expanded the scope of practice for optometrists to include performing limited laser procedures. This could not be a more divisive issue. Those who favor expansion of optometric scope of practice would label it a win for patient access, whereas those against such laws would argue that less-than-qualified individuals will be performing surgery. Indeed, there are parts of our country where patient access to qualified ophthalmologists is limited. Otherwise, there would be no need to consider such laws. But do these laws really compromise patient care? If (Read more...)
HARBOR study: visual, anatomic improvements maintained at 2 years
Ranibizumab improved vision for 2 years in patients with subfoveal neovascular age-related macular degeneration, according to results of the HARBOR study.The randomized, controlled, multicenter phase 2 study included 1,098 patients 50 years and older with treatment-naïve subfoveal wet AMD.Patients were randomly assigned to one of four groups: 0.5 mg monthly injections (group one), 0.5 mg as needed (group two), 2 mg monthly (group three) or 2 mg as needed (group four).
Allergan announces Q2 operating results
Allergan has reported operating results from the second quarter of 2014, which includes $1.83 billion in total product net sales — a 15.9% increase from 2013.The company’s Board of Directors has also declared a second-quarter dividend of $0.05 per share, which will be payable on Sept. 5 to stockholders of record as of Aug. 15, according to a press release.
Optos releases Q3 earnings report
Optos announced third-quarter headline revenues of $42 million, marking a 5% increase from the same time last year.Underlying revenue increased by 13% from the previous year, and headline year-to-date revenue was reported at $114.7 million, marking an increase of 1.5% from the same quarter in 2013, according to a press release.The company has added 364 new customers, with 992 customers year-to-date in 2014 — a 17% increase from their 848 customers in 2013.
HOAs, back-scattered light remain high 6 months after DMEK for Fuchs’ dystrophy
Anterior and posterior higher-order aberrations and back-scattered light persisted for 6 months in eyes with Fuchs’ endothelial dystrophy that underwent Descemet’s membrane endothelial keratoplasty, according to a study.The retrospective study included 118 eyes of 118 patients who underwent DMEK for Fuchs’ endothelial dystrophy. A control group comprised 27 eyes of 27 age-matched subjects with no ocular disease.
5 ways to improve your ophthalmology practice
How many patients do you see in clinic each week? Staff and technology changes are sometimes necessary in order to improve professional capacity, software enhancements, trust among team members and patient wait time or visit duration.Here are five ways…
BLOG: Subluxated capsular bag-IOL complex with CTR and dislocated endocapsular segment
A subluxated capsular bag is often addressed by surgeons during cataract surgery. It may exist as a preoperative entity associated with the subluxation of the lens, as an intraoperative entity due to pull or traction on the capsular bag, or as a postoperative entity due to progressive weakening of the zonules, which is usually seen in pseudoexfoliation, Marfan’s syndrome, and other metabolic and connective tissue disorders. For cases of mild subluxation, a capsular tension ring (CTR) can be used, and the timing of its implantation into the capsular bag depends (Read more...)
Abbott reports positive second-quarter financial results
Abbott reported a second-quarter ongoing EPS of $0.54, marking a growth of 17.4% above the previous guidance range of $0.50 to $0.52, according to a company press release.The company also reported diluted EPS of $0.30 from continuing operations under G…
Eylea shows sustained improvements in BCVA vs. laser photocoagulation
Data from the phase 3 VIVID-DME trial indicate that aflibercept injection provided sustained improvements in best corrected visual acuity from baseline at 2 years compared with laser photocoagulation in patients with diabetic macular edema.Patients in …
BLOG: Managing associate optometrists in your practice, part 2
The first step before you start placing ads is to clarity of scope of work actually needed in your practice. Optometrists can fill several different, sometimes overlapping roles. Here are the most common: Refractionist or ‘super-tech’A few surgeons use optometrists as refractionists only. In my view, this is a vast underutilization of resources.
Add-on sulcus-fixated multifocal IOL, conventional multifocal offer similar outcomes
A conventional multifocal IOL and an add-on multifocal IOL yielded similar visual outcomes and safety profiles, according to a study. The prospective, randomized study included 29 eyes of 19 patients implanted simultaneously with a monofocal IOL in the…
Intraoperative OCT may impact decision-making during vitreomacular traction surgery
Subclinical findings on optical coherence tomography during vitreomacular traction surgery can affect decisions made during the course of the surgery, according to study findings.The retrospective, consecutive case series included 12 eyes of 12 patient…