A study found that temporal artery biopsy resulted in a 16% incidence of postoperative facial nerve damage, which fully resolved in more than half of the affected patients.Incisions made closer to the orbital rim and brow increased the risk of postop f…
Author: Healio ophthalmology
HHS proposes new guidelines for Medicaid, CHIP, health insurance marketplaces
New Affordable Care Act rules proposed this week by HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius set guidelines for eligibility notices and appeals in Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program and Exchanges, plus give states additional operational flexibility for Medicaid programs.“Today, we are proposing a rule to provide Americans with access to affordable, high-quality health coverage and give states more flexibility to implement the law in a way that works for them,” Sebelius said in a press release.
Posterior chamber iris-claw IOL effective in eyes with insufficient capsule support
Implantation of a posterior chamber iris-claw aphakic IOL in eyes without capsule support yielded positive visual outcomes and an acceptable safety profile, according to a study.The retrospective analysis included 137 eyes of 126 patients implanted wit…
Rheumatoid factor, antinuclear antibody may portend primary Sjögren’s syndrome
Specific diagnostic testing protocols may show signs of Sjögren’s syndrome in patients with clinically significant dry eye, according to a study.The prospective multicenter study included 327 patients with clinically significant aqueous-deficient dry eye. Investigators conducted Schirmer testing, corneal fluorescein staining, conjunctival lissamine green staining and tear film breakup assessment. Patients also took a questionnaire on their history of systemic disease and dry eye.
Dissociation possible during removal, exchange of sustained-release implant
Dissociation was a common occurrence during the exchange or removal of a sustained-release fluocinolone acetonide implant, according to a study.The retrospective study included 27 exchange or removal procedures performed in 20 eyes of 19 patients invol…
BLOG: Of doctors and pilots
When I grew up in the early 1970s, I remember considering different professional careers. Among the most desirable were becoming a doctor, a lawyer, an engineer and a pilot. These were the most respected and best paid mainstream career choices. I chose…
Laser-induced chorioretinal venous anastomosis most successful in younger patients
Laser-induced chorioretinal venous anastomosis had an increased success rate in the treatment of nonischemic central retinal vein occlusion in patients with younger age, better baseline visual acuity and no hypertension, according to a study.The Centra…
Corneal neovascularization reduced with short-term topical anti-VEGF
Short-term topical bevacizumab may reduce corneal neovascularization, according to a study.The prospective, nonrandomized trial included 20 eyes of 20 patients with stable corneal neovascularization. All patients received topical 1% Avastin (bevacizuma…
Wavefront-optimized LASIK yields insignificant change in corneal densitometry
Wavefront-optimized LASIK produced insignificant changes in corneal densitometry at 1 year, according to a study.The prospective cohort study included 43 eyes of 22 patients who underwent LASIK for myopia and/or myopic astigmatism.
BLOG: Mastery: A key to enhanced practice performance
Have you ever watched a children’s karate class? Do it, if you have a nearby studio, and especially if the kids are a couple of years and a few belts into their program. You’ll see little ninjas-in-training, all of about 10 years old, all going “Ayyyyaaahhh” at the top of their lungs under the watchful eyes of their sensei.
Study shows link between cross-linking and persistent corneal edema
Collagen cross-linking in the treatment of keratoconus posed a risk of persistent corneal edema and corneal endothelial damage, according to a study.The retrospective study included 350 patients with progressive keratoconus who underwent collagen cross…
Surgical trainees can safely perform femtosecond LASIK
With the guidance of an experienced surgeon, surgical trainees can safely perform femtosecond LASIK, yielding good visual outcomes, according to a study.In a retrospective case series comparing femtosecond LASIK outcomes of 72 eyes operated on by resident and fellow trainees and 157 eyes operated on by an attending surgeon, only flap thickness was found to be significantly different between the two groups, with the attending group achieving thinner flaps (P
BLOG: FDA cracks down on LASIK advertising
On Dec. 18, the FDA sent out another round of warning letters to LASIK surgeons in California, Indiana, Florida, Texas and Georgia about their ads being misleading and not having sufficient information about potential risks and associated side effects …
Digital health records not upholding promises on lower costs, better care
Electronic health records have not brought the expected reductions in costs or improvements in health care, according to a RAND Corp. analysis.The report concludes that current systems were slow to be adopted and “neither interconnected nor easy to use.”A 2005 analysis by RAND researchers predicted that a broad adoption of health care information technology could eventually save $81 billion annually in US health care costs.The latest report cites the need for health care providers to “re-engineer” processes based on a “compelling vision” that could still meet the original promise of improved care at lower cost.
CMS announces formation of new ACOs in Medicare
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that 106 new Medicare accountable care organizations (ACOs) were created that the agency predicts could give 4 million Medicare beneficiaries access to high-quality health care and save $940 million over the next 4 years under the Medicare Shared Savings Program.“Accountable Care Organizations save money for Medicare and deliver higher-quality care to people with Medicare,” Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius stated in a CMS press release. “Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, more doctors and hospitals are working together to give people with Medicare the high-quality care they expect and deserve.”
Intraocular anti-VEGF benefits patients with macular edema secondary to CRVO
Patients with macular edema secondary to central retinal vein occlusion experienced improved visual acuity and significantly reduced macular edema after intraocular injections of bevacizumab every 6 weeks for 12 months, a study found. The 12-month pros…
Mobius Therapeutics voluntarily recalls two lots of Mitosol
Mobius Therapeutics is voluntarily recalling two lots of Mitosol because they may be non-sterile, according to a company news release.Mitosol (mitomycin for solution) is an antimetabolite used as an adjunct to ab externo glaucoma surgery. The kits in t…