Calcified nodules in the retinas of patients with age-related macular degeneration are linked to the progression to advanced stage disease, a study has shown. Medscape Medical News
Author: Medscape
Pressure Intensifies to Lower Drug Prices
Ophthalmic drug costs vary widely in the United States, and patients don’t know whether they will pay $10 or $200 for their medication at a pharmacy. Medscape Medical News
OCT Screening Before Cataract Surgery Can Improve Outcomes
Routine screening with optical coherence tomography (OCT) before cataract surgery can identify overlooked pathologies, researchers say, but cost might be an issue. Medscape Medical News
Medicare Plans to Phase in Changes for Office-Visit Payments
CMS delays the start of a controversial E&M payment change but remains committed to collapsing what’s now a five-level coding system. Medscape Medical News
Cataract Surgery, Hearing Aids May Curb Cognitive Decline
Sensory deprivation is a risk factor for cognitive decline and dementia, but will correcting impaired hearing and vision prevent these outcomes? Yes, these studies suggest. Medscape Medical News
Newly Approved Toric ICL Implanted in First US Patient
A 37-year-old Illinois truck driver has become the first person in the United States to receive new implantable lenses for the correction of myopia with astigmatism approved by the US Food and Drug Administration last month. News Alerts
Surgeon Age Doesn’t Affect Cataract Surgery Outcomes
Late-career surgeons perform a large proportion of cataract operations, and they do it with an overall low rate of adverse events, a Canadian study suggests. Reuters Health Information
FDA Updates Advice on Withdrawn CyPass Glaucoma Stent
The FDA is now advising providers to periodically evaluate patients’ implanted stents for endothelial cell loss and determine if additional action is needed, including removal of the device. News Alerts
‘Eye Health’ Supplements: Do the Benefits Justify the Cost?
This practical overview presents the evidence and ‘bottom line’ guidance for patients who ask whether they should take supplements to prevent eye disease. Medscape Ophthalmology
Corneal Transplantation Failed. What Now?
Dr Christopher Rapuano on a new study comparing long-term outcomes between penetrating and endothelial keratoplasty for repeat corneal transplantation. Medscape Ophthalmology
Strabismus May Have Helped da Vinci Express His Genius
Intermittent exotropia may have helped artist switch from binocular to monocular vision at will and aided him in creating his works, study author explains. Medscape Medical News
FDA Warns Against Using Raindrop Near Vision Inlay
The FDA today issued an alert about an increased risk for corneal haze in patients the device after 75% of patients in a postapproval study developed haze. News Alerts
Drug Pipeline for Macular Degeneration in Focus at AAO
Updates from phase 3 trials of VEGF inhibitors for neovascular age-related macular degeneration, and a novel genetic treatment, will be highlighted at the American Academy of Ophthalmology meeting. Medscape Medical News
Don’t Overlook Ocular Surface Disease Before Cataract Surgery
Dr Sumit (Sam) Garg on the risks of failing to preoperatively diagnose this highly prevalent condition. Medscape Ophthalmology
FDA OKs Fluocinolone Intravitreal Implant (Yutiq) for Uveitis
In clinical trials, Yutiq significantly reduced recurrence rates at 6 and 12 months following treatment compared with sham treatment in patients with chronic, noninfectious posterior segment uveitis. FDA Approvals
Satralizumab Slashes Relapse Rate in Neuromyelitis Optica
First results from a phase 3 study suggest the biologic agent in development could improve outcomes among people with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder. Medscape Medical News
Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction: The Right Way to Teach Parents
Constant tearing is a common complaint noted by parents of infants. And it’s not always the result of a nasolacrimal duct obstruction. CHOP Expert Commentary
Falls in Elders May Be Driving Up Secondary Diagnoses Of Eye Trauma
Hospital admissions due to eye trauma have declined since 2001, but more and more patients are being admitted with a secondary diagnosis of eye trauma, largely due to an increase in falls among older people, new findings suggest. Reuters Health Infor…
A Visual Field Defect in a Patient With History of Seizures
A 64-year-old woman comes to you after 2 weeks of symptoms. Between visual testing and MRI, can you offer her a diagnosis? Medscape Ophthalmology
What Could the Midterm Elections Mean for Physicians?
The November 6 midterms could support the Trump administration’s healthcare policy or further the government’s gridlock. Experts weigh in on the election’s potential effects. Medscape Business of Medicine