Glaucoma valve implantation was associated with diminished endothelial cell density in children with uveitic glaucoma, according to a study.The cross-sectional case study included 80 eyes of 42 patients diagnosed with uveitis before the age of 16. The …
Author: Healio ophthalmology
Deep level pneumatic dissection may improve success rate of big bubble procedure
Successful big bubble formation is possible when the cannula tip is inserted at an advanced level during pneumatic dissection, according to a study.The retrospective, noncomparative, interventional case series included 100 patients with consecutive ker…
Dry eye disease symptoms alone insufficient for diagnosis
SAN FRANCISCO — Dry eye disease is likely more prevalent than assumed because patients can exhibit few or no symptoms but still have disease, according to a study presented here.“About 50% of patients in the general practice have mild to severe dry eye disease,” Marguerite B. McDonald, MD, said at the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery meeting.
Vision gains maintained at 3 years after intracorneal inlay implantation
SAN FRANCISCO — Distance visual acuity and quality of vision results were maintained at 3 years in presbyopic patients who received an intracorneal inlay, according to a presenter here. The prospective, nonrandomized clinical trial comprised 507 patients at 24 sites throughout U.S., Europe and Asia-Pacific who underwent pocket emmetropic implantation of the Kamra corneal inlay (AcuFocus) in the nondominant eye. Patients ranged in age from 45 to 60 years. All patients were followed for 36 months.
Correcting post-cataract refractive errors hinges on diagnostics, monitoring
SAN FRANCISCO — Use of PRK to manage refractive errors after cataract surgery poses various challenges, a speaker said here.When encountering post-cataract refractive errors, the surgeon must know what he or she faces and be prepared to take action, Karl G. Stonecipher, MD, said during Cornea Day preceding the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery meeting.
Bipartisan Policy Center proposes deficit-reducing health care reforms
A “modernized, integrated Medicare system” along with tax reforms could achieve $560 billion in federal deficit reductions over the next decade, according to the Bipartisan Policy Center, a Washington, DC-based think tank that actively promotes bipartisanship to address key challenges facing the United States.The report, authored by former Senate majority leaders Tom Daschle and Bill Frist, MD; former Senate Budget Committee Chairman Pete Domenici and former Congressional Budget Office Director Alice Rivlin, PhD, resulted from a year of research and discussions with stakeholders.
Experts debate corneal collagen cross-linking methods
SAN FRANCISCO — The best practices to follow during corneal collagen cross-linking have yet to be determined, but the procedure has numerous benefits, a panel of experts said here. “While there are controversies, all studies and early users agree that CXL halts the progression of ectatic disorders and usually causes some degree of regression of the disease,” John A. Hovanesian, MD, FACS, said during the Update on Corneal Collagen Cross-linking panel sponsored by the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery’s cornea and refractive surgery committees during the ASCRS meeting.
Femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery not feasible in infants at present time, specialist says
BASSANO DEL GRAPPA, Italy — The use of femtosecond laser in congenital cataract surgery deserves consideration but is not feasible at the current stage of development of the technique, according to a pediatric ophthalmology specialist. “There is no reported experience in infants, but theoretically, the disadvantages would by far outweigh the potential advantages,” Paolo Nucci, MD, said at an ophthalmology meeting organized at the San Bassiano Hospital here.
Femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery not feasible in infants at present time, specialist says
BASSANO DEL GRAPPA, Italy — The use of femtosecond laser in congenital cataract surgery deserves consideration but is not feasible at the current stage of development of the technique, according to a pediatric ophthalmology specialist. “There is no reported experience in infants, but theoretically, the disadvantages would by far outweigh the potential advantages,” Paolo Nucci, MD, said at an ophthalmology meeting organized at the San Bassiano Hospital here.
IOL calculations in post-LASIK eyes pose numerous challenges
SAN FRANCISCO — Thorough assessment and patient counseling are critical to making accurate IOL power calculations in eyes that previously underwent myopic LASIK, a speaker said here.During Cornea Day, which preceded the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery meeting, Sumit Garg, MD, explained the various factors that can complicate IOL calculations in post-LASIK eyes.
IOL calculations in post-LASIK eyes pose numerous challenges
SAN FRANCISCO — Thorough assessment and patient counseling are critical to making accurate IOL power calculations in eyes that previously underwent myopic LASIK, a speaker said here.During Cornea Day, which preceded the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery meeting, Sumit Garg, MD, explained the various factors that can complicate IOL calculations in post-LASIK eyes.
Piggyback IOLs an option for managing postop refractive error
SAN FRANCISCO — Secondary or piggyback IOLs are a viable alternative to other methods of managing refractive error after cataract surgery in eyes that have had previous laser refractive surgery, a speaker said here.Warren E. Hill, MD, shared pearls on refractive assessment and lens choice during Cornea Day preceding the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery meeting.
Intrastromal ‘sliding’ technique effectively addresses astigmatism following anterior keratoplasty
BASSANO DEL GRAPPA, Italy — A manual technique combining arcuate incisions and horizontal separation within stromal layers can effectively address astigmatism following anterior corneal transplantation, according to one surgeon.This technique, according to Massimo Camellin, MD, can be applied to address astigmatic depression areas, where the donor cornea has sunk below the recipient level.
Recurrence of virus-related keratitis persists despite prophylactic treatment
SAN FRANCISCO — Significant variation in treatment and prophylaxis management was seen among clinicians treating keratitis associated with herpes simplex virus and herpes zoster virus, according to a study.A retrospective review that documented demographics, treatment, prophylaxis and recurrence included 193 eyes of 188 patients who presented with HSV or HZV keratitis. Of patients who were on a prophylactic regimen, there were no differences seen between groups regarding the rate of recurrence; however, for patients not on such a regimen, patients with HSV had more recurrences, Halah M. Ali, MBBS, MSc, said at the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery meeting.
Protecting endothelium critical in cataract surgery with concurrent Fuchs dystrophy
SAN FRANCISCO — Cataract surgery alone is preferable to performing it in conjunction with endothelial keratoplasty in cases of concurrent cataract and Fuchs’ endothelial dystrophy, a surgeon said here. During Cornea Day preceding the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery meeting, Francis S. Mah, MD, presented pearls on protecting the endothelium in cataract surgery with concomitant Fuchs’ dystrophy.
Dry eye signs and symptoms found in patients with fibromyalgia
SAN FRANCISCO — Fibromyalgia patients present with signs and symptoms of evaporative and aqueous deficient dry eye disease, according to a physician here.”Fibromyalgia patients should be routinely questioned as to any signs or symptoms of dry eye and referred for a comprehensive evaluation to determine the nature of their dry eye disease and the most appropriate therapeutic course,” Jack V. Greiner, DO, PhD, said at the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery meeting.
Hydrogel corneal inlays show promise for treatment of presbyopia
SAN FRANCISCO — Hydrogel corneal inlays may be a potential treatment for presbyopic patients, resulting in no loss of binocular vision and corneal clarity, according to a physician here.”The inlay has the effect of changing the anterior curvature of the cornea,” Stephen G. Slade, MD, said at the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery meeting.
Femtosecond PK with zigzag incision yields stable visual recovery
SAN FRANCISCO — Early suture removal after penetrating keratoplasty with a femtosecond laser-generated zigzag incision afforded stable visual recovery and minimal astigmatism, a speaker said here.”Conventional corneal transplantation has been around for quite some time, and while it is a very good procedure, it does have some limitations, such as long recovery, suture-in-and-out astigmatism and poor corrected distance visual acuity,” Matthew Wade, MD, said at the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery meeting.
Generalized polyangiitis may pose as atypical conjunctivitis
SAN FRANCISCO — Generalized polyangiitis can mask itself as atypical conjunctivitis, and high clinical suspicion for vasculitis should warrant immediate additional evaluation and tissue biopsy, according to a physician here.”Critical review of radiologic images and tissue biopsies can aid in the accurate diagnosis of this systemic disease because missing the diagnosis can be a fatal mistake,” Evan C. Pike, MD, said at the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery meeting.
Surgeons discuss present and future of femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery
BASSANO DEL GRAPPA, Italy — Femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery will become the state of the art in the coming years, although further developments of the technique and technology upgrades are needed, according to a panel of surgeons speaking at a meeting at the San Bassiano Hospital here. “It’s still early days, and the technique is far from being perfect. As it is now, it requires longer times, and we don’t know yet how to improve some of the weak points of the procedure, such as hydrodissection. However, problems are there to be solved. We only need time, as we did when we switched from ECCE to phaco,” Simonetta Morselli, MD, the meeting organizer, said.