Monthly intravitreal aflibercept injections significantly improved visual acuity in patients with macular edema secondary to central retinal vein occlusion at 24 weeks, according to a study. As-needed dosing then extended the improvement through 52 wee…
Author: Healio ophthalmology
Ocriplasmin approved for treatment of vitreomacular traction in European Union
The European Commission approved ocriplasmin to treat vitreomacular traction in the European Union, according to a press release from ThromboGenics.The approval, which includes cases in which vitreomacular traction is associated with a macular hole with a diameter of 400 µm or less, results in Alcon making a €45 million milestone payment to ThromboGenics. Another €45 million milestone payment will be made upon the first sale of Jetrea (ocriplasmin, ThromboGenics) in the EU, the release said.
Synergetics reports quarterly net loss of $1.38 million
Synergetics reported a net loss of $1.38 million in the second quarter ended Jan. 31, compared with a net income of $1.87 million in the same quarter last year, according to a company news release.Quarterly net sales dropped to $14.1 million from $15.1…
IOL implantation more expensive than contact lens correction in infants with cataracts
Cataract surgery paired with IOL implantation and spectacle correction in infants cost more when compared with cataract surgery with contact lens treatment, according to a study.The Infant Aphakia Treatment Study included 114 infants with unilateral co…
OCT shows high reproducibility in pediatric measurements
Optical coherence tomography had high reproducibility with reliable measurements in healthy children, according to a study.The prospective, cross-sectional study included 100 healthy children with a mean age of 9.15 years who underwent a series of scan…
Inferior parafoveal scotomas progress away from point of fixation
Superior and inferior initial parafoveal scotomas showed similar patterns of progression, but inferior scotomas migrated farther from fixation, according to a study.The retrospective, observational study included 80 eyes of 80 patients with initial par…
Central fixation stable in eyes with idiopathic epiretinal membrane
Central fixation was unimpaired in eyes with untreated idiopathic epiretinal membrane even though they had diminished visual acuity, according to a study.The prospective study included 14 patients who were diagnosed with unilateral epiretinal membrane …
BLOG: Interesting presentations highlight Oregon meeting
I had the pleasure of recently attending the Oregon Academy of Ophthalmology annual meeting in Portland. I enjoyed connecting with many colleagues and friends, including Devin Gattey, MD, with whom I did a charity trip to Vietnam, and Yujen Wang, MD, w…
BLOG: Some providers notified of ‘random’ EHR prepayment audits
This week some providers participating in the Medicare Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Program began receiving emails notifying them that they have been selected for an EHR Pre-Payment Audit.According to CMS, these prepayment audits, which sti…
DSAEK and PK graft survival, endothelial cell density rates similar at 3 years
Descemet’s stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty and penetrating keratoplasty had similar graft survival and endothelial cell loss rates at 3 years, according to a study. The prospective clinical trial included 173 subjects who underwent DSAEK and 1,101 subjects who underwent PK. DSAEK was performed by two surgeons at two centers, and PK data were culled from the Cornea Donor Study and the Specular Microscopy Ancillary Study.
One-piece, three-piece MICS IOLs yield similar amounts of PCO at 1 year
One-piece and three-piece microincision IOLs caused similar amounts of posterior capsular opacification, but the one-piece implant led to significantly fewer capsular folds, according to a study. The prospective, randomized study included 80 eyes of 40 patients with age-related cataract who underwent phacoemulsification and received a one-piece AF-1 NY-60 MICS IOL (Hoya) in one eye and a three-piece AF-1 iMICS Y-60H IOL (Hoya) in the contralateral eye.
MacuLogix raises $3.6 million to advance tool for early AMD detection
MacuLogix has secured $3.6 million in Series A funding to help speed manufacturing and commercial sales of its AdaptDx diagnostic tool, according to a company news release.AdaptDx, designed for early detection and tracking of age-related macular degene…
Best results occur with early diagnosis of retinoblastoma
PHILADELPHIA — Retinoblastoma in neonates is frequently genetic and bilateral and responds best to early diagnosis and treatment, a speaker said here.“Early recognition can achieve satisfactory tumor control and globe salvage. Chemoreduction is often successful, and external beam radiotherapy should be used with caution,” Laura J. Heinmiller, MD, said at the Wills Eye Institute Annual Conference.
Survey: Majority of pediatric ophthalmologists opt out of wearing white coats
PHILADELPHIA — White coats are one of the most frequent images associated with physicians, dating back to the late 1800s, but most pediatric ophthalmologists do not choose to wear them, according to a speaker here. Even though parents and patients may prefer the physician wear a white coat, most pediatric ophthalmologists do not wear them to avoid risk of spreading infection, Caroline N. DeBenedictis, MD, said at the Wills Eye Institute Annual Conference.
Anti-VEGF therapy effective in choroidal neovascularization with choroidal osteoma
PHILADELPHIA — Choroidal neovascularization and retinal exudation in patients with choroidal osteoma can be regulated with anti-VEGF therapy, according to a study presented here.Not only is anti-VEGF therapy efficacious in these patients, but it also helps preserve visual acuity, which is the ultimate goal in a benign tumor, M. Ali Khan, MD, said at the Wills Eye Institute Annual Conference.
FDA clears microperimetry as part of Optos OCT SLO
Optos has received 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to include microperimetry as part of its OCT SLO device, according to a company news release.With the clearance, the device is the only one on the market to offer structural…
Interferon gaining in treatment of ocular surface squamous neoplasia
PHILADELPHIA — Topical interferon is a viable alternative treatment for ocular surface squamous neoplasia, a speaker said here.”[A study] speculated that the future of therapy might be to focus on vaccines, antibiotics, antivirals and immune modulators,” Carol L. Shields, MD, said at the Wills Eye Institute Annual Conference. “Well, you know what? That future is now. We’re using less and less chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgical excision for ocular surface squamous neoplasia, and we’re using the top four agents, interferon being the most commonly used. It is slow, it is effective, and the toxicity is minimal. Topical interferon is our topical drug of choice.”
Portable ETDRS chart offers advantages over standard chart
PHILADELPHIA — A pocket-sized ETDRS chart has the advantage of the high reproducibility of the standard ETDRS chart without the bulkiness, a speaker said here.While the Snellen chart is the most widely used eye chart, limitations apply, such as limited reproducibility, fluctuating background illumination, different number of letters on each line, and letters with different levels of difficulty to read.
Spectral domain OCT may detect macular thinning in primary open-angle glaucoma
PHILADELPHIA — Spectral domain optical coherence tomography successfully measured macular thickness in patients with open-angle glaucoma and unilateral visual field loss, a speaker said here.”Unilateral glaucoma and spectral domain OCT remains a promising model system for further longitudinal studies and may be able to define macular changes in the first affected eye,” Camilla S. Zangalli, MD, said at the Wills Eye Institute Annual Conference.
BLOG: Doctors with administrative savvy are good for your practice
As soon as he or she is elected, every managing partner or department chair wants to make a difference. You can best serve your group, and launch your new role, by being administratively savvy. Don’t leave all the administrative work for your administrator.