LISBON, Portugal — Because there are no safety issues in non-smokers exposed to beta-carotene, there is no reason why these patients should be switched to the AREDS2 formulation from the original AREDS formulation, according to one speaker at the Controversies in Ophthalmology meeting. In response to studies reporting an association between beta-carotene and increased risk of mortality and lung cancer, AREDS participants who were current smokers were reassigned to a formulation that did not contain beta-carotene. “At the conclusion of the AREDS, no increase in mortality or lung cancer was (Read more...)
Author: Healio ophthalmology
FDA clears 532 nm laser for Stellaris system
The Stellaris PC Vision Enhancement System has received 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the integrated 532 nm green laser and software, Bausch + Lomb announced in a press release. The laser can be upgraded for existing S…
OD-OS introduces Navilas Laser System 577+
The Navilas Laser System 577+ will be launched at the World Ophthalmology Congress in Tokyo, OD-OS announced in a press release. The laser system features a yellow 577 nm wavelength and microsecond pulsed laser treatments.
New cross-linking protocol, device may help fight infectious keratitis on a global scale
LISBON, Portugal — An optimized treatment protocol, a miniaturized device that mounts on a slit lamp and a new photosensitizing agent may allow for a faster and more effective application of cross-linking for infectious keratitis in the near future. Cross-linking for infectious keratitis, now called PACK-CXL for photoactivated chromophore for keratitis-CXL, disinfects the corneal surface via reactive oxygen species and increases the resistance to enzymatic digestion by modification of the collagen structure.
Cost, accessibility remain issues for homebased monitoring of AMD
LISBON, Portugal — Daily home-based monitoring of age-related macular degeneration can have a positive impact on prompt, early treatment and preservation of vision, but access and cost may be issues, speakers said during a debate at the Controversies in Ophthalmology meeting. Susan B. Bressler, MD, PhD, presented results of the National Eye Institute’s HOME study, a secondary study to AREDS2, in which the ForeseeHome AMD Monitoring Program (Notal Vision) was used. The study was a 3-year phase 3 trial in which 1,520 participants were randomized 1:1 into the device group (Read more...)
Under-monitoring, under-treatment of AMD confirmed by real-life studies
LISBON, Portugal — Real-life studies carried out in different countries confirmed that age-related macular degeneration patients who require intravitreal anti-VEGF injections are under-monitored and under-treated. “Several studies already published, including LUMIERE, AURA, WAVE and Coimbra, as well as Medicare data, seem to indicate that this is the scenario all over the world,” Rufino Silva, MD, said at the Controversies in Ophthalmology meeting. The studies looked at the results of real-world clinical practice and revealed a scenario that is different from what should be expected by following the recommendations of clinical (Read more...)
Ocriplasmin injection showed high rate of success in select VMT patients
LISBON, Portugal — Real-life data of a selected, homogeneous group of patients with vitreomacular traction only, treated by a single injection of ocriplasmin, showed higher efficacy compared with MIVI-TRUST data. “We had an overall success rate, in terms of resolution of the traction, in 52% of the patients, compared with the 26% rate of the MIVI-TRUST. Patients with focal traction did even better, with a 61% success rate,” Peter Szurman, MD, said in an industry-sponsored symposium at the Controversies in Ophthalmology meeting.
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Survey shows most women unaware of their risk for permanent vision loss
Only 9% of American women realize they are at greater risk of having permanent vision loss than men, according to a press release Prevent Blindness. The survey, conducted by Harris Poll from Jan. 24-28 among 2,039 U.S. adults age 18 years and older, fo…
Corneal cross-linking for infectious keratitis with corneal melt has low complication rate
Corneal collagen cross-linking with photoactivated riboflavin for infections keratitis with corneal melting did not accelerate corneal healing but resulted in fewer complications than antimicrobial monotherapy, a study found. The prospective study incl…
Choroidal and retinal thickness associated with severity of refractive error
Significant variations in choroidal and retinal thickness in different regions of the macula in normal eyes are linked to the degree of refractive error, according to a study. The prospective, cross-sectional study included 124 Chinese adults who under…
Private sector progressing in Croatian ophthalmology
Croatian ophthalmology is fast gaining lost ground, reaching European standards and developing country-tailored key strategic initiatives, but more in the private sector than in the public sector, according to one official.
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Foveal bulges linked to better BCVA in eyes with resolved macular edema
The presence of a foveal bulge in healthy eyes and eyes with resolved macular edema associated with branch retinal vein occlusion may indicate better best corrected visual acuity, according to a study. The retrospective, observational case series included 31 eyes of patients with macular edema attributed to BRVO. A control group included 31 healthy fellow eyes. Through spectral-domain optical coherence tomography, researchers identified foveal bulges in all 31 eyes in the control group and in seven eyes in the BRVO group at final visit, a statistically significant difference (P
Combination anti-VEGF, PDT may resolve PCV in eyes with neovascular AMD
The prevalence of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy was elevated in Caucasian patients with presumed neovascular age-related macular degeneration who responded poorly to ranibizumab monotherapy. In eyes with PCV, combination therapy cleared PCV and sta…
Study: Physical activity, occasional drinking associated with less visual impairment
Occasional alcohol consumption and staying physically active were associated with lower odds of developing visual impairment, a study found. The Beaver Dam Eye Study began with 4,926 people between the ages of 43 years and 86 years at baseline. Twenty …
Cross-linking: A milestone in the management of keratoconus
First developed by Theo Seiler and his team in Zurich in 1993, corneal collagen cross-linking, or CXL, was progressively adopted as a technique in the first decade of this century by several corneal specialists in Europe, gaining wide popularity over a…
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