The vaccine is already approved for those 60 and older, and the FDA has now approved it for those age 50 to 59 years. Medscape Medical News
Author: Medscape
Fining Unwashed Hands — A Dirty Trick?
Physicians discuss an aggressive campaign to increase handwashing, which uses fines to enforce this important practice. Medscape Family Medicine
Lower Initial Doses of IFN Effective for Behcet’s Uveitis
Starting with a low dose of interferon (IFN) for Behcet’s uveitis and raising it as necessary works just as well as higher-dose protocols, with fewer side effects, Turkish researchers say. Reuters Health Information
When the Doc Fix Is in, Will Everything Be Ok?
Three members of the primary care roundtable discuss the doc fix and its importance in healthcare reform — but is it enough? Medscape Family Medicine
Antidepressants Linked to Glaucoma in Elderly
A new study of more than 5000 patients found an increased risk for acute angle closure glaucoma after patients took antidepressants, especially mixed serotonergics/noradrenergics. Medscape Medical News
Bundling and Private Practice
Health and Human Services Secretary Sebelius answers Medscape readers’ questions about payment and other crucial issues addressed by healthcare reform. Medscape Business of Medicine
Efficacy and Safety of Anti-vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) Therapy With Intravitreal Ranibizumab (Lucentis) for Naive Retinal Vein Occlusion: 1-year Follow-up
How safe and effective is intravitreal ranibizumab in treating retinal vein occlusion? The British Journal of Ophthalmology
Stroke Risk Higher in Patients With Retinal Vein Occlusion
Patients have an almost 2-fold higher risk for stroke than those without a retinal vein occlusion, report researchers. Medscape Medical News
First Eye Tested Always Has Higher IOP: Study
Intraocular pressure (IOP) is always higher in the eye that’s measured first, a new study shows. Reuters Health Information
The Prevention and Public Health Fund: A Prescription for Health
One year after passage of the health reform bill, work is already underway to improve health at the community level. Will this be enough, unless we redefine value in preventive healthcare? Medscape Public Health & Prevention
House Passes 3-Week Spending Bill to Avert Government Shutdown
Medscape Medical News
Morphine/Naltrexone Combo Withdrawn
King Pharmaceuticals notes that Embeda, a combination of morphine and naltrexone, has been voluntarily withdrawn because “a prespecified stability requirement was not met during routine testing.” Medscape Medical News
Morphine/Naltrexone Combo Temporarily Withdrawn
King Pharmaceuticals notes that Embeda, a combination of morphine and naltrexone, has been voluntarily withdrawn because “a prespecified stability requirement was not met during routine testing.” Medscape Medical News
Omega-3 Fatty Acids Linked to Lower Risk for AMD in Women
Regular consumption of fish and omega-3 fatty acids is associated with a significantly reduced risk for the development of age-related macular degeneration in women. Medscape Medical News
Role of Fixed Combinations in the Management of Open-Angle Glaucoma
Does 1 drop from 1 bottle once daily improve adherence? Expert Review of Pharmacoeconomics & Outcomes Research
Roche’s Lucentis Helps Diabetics’ Vision
Diabetics suffering from macular edema can see better when treated with Roche’s eye drug Lucentis (ranibizumab injection), giving the medicine a slight lift ahead of another keenly awaited trial. Reuters Health Information
Federal Incentives Prompt Providers to Replace Existing EHRs
More than one third of healthcare organizations buying electronic health record systems are ditching an existing one, according to a new survey by KLAS. Four vendors dominate the replacement market. Medscape Medical News
Combined Arteriovenous Sheathotomy and Intraoperative Intravitreal Triamcinolone Acetonide for Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion
What is the best treatment approach for branch retinal vein occlusion? The British Journal of Ophthalmology
Fluorescein Angiography and Optical Coherence Tomography Concordance for Choroidal Neovascularisation in Multifocal Choroidtis
What is the best way to evaluate choroidal neovascularization in multifocal choroidtis? The British Journal of Ophthalmology
Polymerase Chain Reaction Testing Identifies Ocular Infectious Agents
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing should be done routinely to test for infectious agents in ocular samples, according to a report in the March 2nd online issue of Ophthalmology. Reuters Health Information