A 34-year-old woman with a history of multiple sclerosis and prior optic neuritis in the right eye presented to the neuro-ophthalmology clinic with 3 days of pain with eye movement and mildly decreased vision in the left eye. She reported fatigue and n…
In a study recently published in PLoS One, we developed a simple glaucoma severity index that combines IOP, number of eye drops and visual field damage to estimate how challenging treatment currently is. We demonstrated in another recent study that cat…
A great deal of human and financial capital is being invested to develop alternatives to eye drops for treating many ocular diseases. We ophthalmologists have relied on drops to treat most every nonsurgical ocular problem for centuries. Why the sudden and growing interest in alternatives to drops? After all, we have very strong evidence that drops are safe and effective when used to treat many ocular problems. I believe there are several factors driving the energetic search for so-called “dropless” and “extended-release” ocular pharmacologic agent delivery methods. In this effort, we are not developing new innovative molecules, just new innovative delivery methods.The first driving force is the irrefutable fact that patients just do not take their drops as prescribed. Some cannot because of physical or mental disability, but most simply choose not to follow the recommended method of drop delivery and dosage regimen. Compliance with a prescribed drop in chronic therapy falls below 50% within 6 months and as low as 15% by 4 years in one recent study on glaucoma treatment. In addition, when multiple drops are prescribed, compliance falls even further. Finally, even when patients are highly motivated, many do not take their drops properly.
Common indications of burnout include physical or emotional exhaustion, becoming cynical and overly critical toward oneself or others, and struggling to find enthusiasm, motivation and a positive focus. Recognizing any of these symptoms in yourself should ideally prompt you to stop any self-defeating behaviors, escape the workaholic treadmill and reinvigorate yourself.The cure for burnout is a combination of healthy self-care and personal empowerment. Here are some possible “trailheads” for you to consider on the path back from burnout.
Eye drops and injections, when needed day after day or month after month, can take a toll. Patient compliance with therapy becomes a problem. Treatment becomes expensive. Receiving repeated injections in the eye is not high on the patient’s list of things to look forward to. For those patients who need long-term therapy to control their IOP, heal a persistent wound or restrict neovascular vessels, for example, sustained-release medicines and methods of delivery are being developed to ease this burden.A handful of sustained-release drug delivery implants are already on the market. Retisert (fluocinolone acetonide intravitreal implant 0.59 mg, Bausch + Lomb), Ozurdex (dexamethasone intravitreal implant 0.7 mg, Allergan) and Iluvien (fluocinolone acetonide implant 0.19 mg, Alimera Sciences) are FDA approved for retinal/vitreous disorders.
The Order of Merit as we know it today is a special honor awarded to individuals for great achievement in the fields of arts, learning, literature and science. Established in 1902 by King Edward VII, admission into this elite order is restricted to a m…