Novartis reports 4% increase in third-quarter net sales

Novartis International reported an increase in net sales for the third quarter, according to a news release.Net sales totaled $14.3 billion, a 4% increase over the third quarter 2012. Net sales for the first 9 months of 2013 totaled $42.8 billion, a 2% increase over the first 9 months of 2012.Net income for the third quarter totaled $2.26 billion, down 6% from the same period in 2012. The decrease was attributed to a negative currency impact.

Contrast sensitivity decreases after surgery for macula-on RRD

Contrast sensitivity decreased after surgery for macula-on rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, and the extent of the retinal tear played a role in the decrease.A prospective study comprised 84 eyes of 84 patients with unilateral macula-on rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) who successfully underwent scleral buckling or pars plana vitrectomy. Contralateral healthy eyes comprised the control group.LogMAR best corrected visual acuity and contrast sensitivity at four spatial frequencies — 3, 6, 12 and 18 cycles/degree — were measured before and after surgery for macula-on RDD.

Visual Impairment Corrected Via Cataract Surgery and 5-Year Survival in a Prospective Cohort – Corrected Proof

Purpose: To compare mortality risk between cataract surgical patients with corrected and persistent visual impairment.Design: Cohort study.Methods: A total of 1864 consecutive patients, aged ≥64 years, undergoing phacoemulsification surgery at Westmead Hospital were followed annually for 5 years postoperatively. Visual impairment status in the surgical eye was categorized as none (presenting visual acuity [VA], ≥20/40), mild (VA <20/40-20/60), or moderate-severe (VA <20/60). All-cause mortality was obtained from the Australian National Death Index.Results: Of 901 patients with moderate-severe visual impairment before surgery, 60.4% (n = 544), 15.5% (n = 140), and 24.1% (n = 217) had no, mild, or moderate-severe visual impairment in the (Read more...)