In-office cataract surgery provided patient outcomes comparable to hospital-based procedures while minimizing direct medical costs, a large, population-based study has found. Medscape Medical News
Tag: News
Part B Drug Proposal Has Winners and Losers Alike
Primary care physicians would receive more Medicare revenue from drugs they administer, and oncologists, ophthalmologists, and rheumatologists would receive less. Medscape Medical News
Diabetes Linked to Lower Life Expectancy, More Disability
An Australian study suggests women and men with diabetes have lower life expectancy and more years of disability than nondiabetics; women with diabetes spend the most time living with disability. Medscape Medical News
AMD Risk Higher Among Outdoor Workers
AMD risk was significantly higher in those who had worked outside or spent long hours in the sun earlier in life; current sun exposure did not affect risk, however. Medscape Medical News
AMD: Untreated Sleep Apnea May Reduce Response to Bevacizumab
A small, single-center study has suggested untreated sleep apnea reduces treatment response to bevacizumab in patients with exudative age-related macular degeneration. Medscape Medical News
Low Vitamin D Levels Linked to Macular Degeneration Risk
Adults with the lowest levels of circulating vitamin D levels had the highest risk for age-related macular degeneration, particularly late-stage, compared with those with the highest levels. Medscape Medical News
Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Increases Risk of Cataracts
The risk of cataracts increases after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), suggesting the need for eye protection in patients undergoing these procedures, researchers from Taiwan report. Reuters Health Information
Interplay Between Glycemic Control, Lipids and Diabetic Eye Disease
New data from the VA Diabetes Trial (VADT) reveal some “interesting interactions” between intensive glucose control and lipids in relationship to progression of diabetic retinopathy, researchers say.
Reuters Health Information
Dexamethasone Implant Helps Some With Diabetic Macular Edema
An intravitreal dexamethasone implant (Ozurdex, Allergan) can prompt improvement in patients with diabetic macular edema refractory to multiple anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) injections, according to Korean researchers. Reuters H…
Delayed Visual Improvements in AMD Continue With Ranibizumab Treatment
Visual improvements in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) treated with ranibizumab continue after macular edema resolves, researchers report. Reuters Health Information
Teleophthalmology May Expand Coverage in Emergency Eye Care
Use of teleophthalmology could help close the coverage gap in emergency eye care, according to a new study. Medscape Medical News
Nuclear Cataract Progression Mostly Driven by Environment
Just more than a third of the progression of nuclear cataract is a result of genetics; environmental factors make up the other two thirds of variability in progression. Medscape Medical News
Retinal Thickness Changes and Hydroxychloroquine-related Retinopathy
Changes in the inner and outer retinal layer do not reliably signal the development of retinopathy in patients taking hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), according to a retrospective study. Reuters Health Information
Real-World Results With Bevacizumab for DME Doesn’t Match Trial Results
In the real world, intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) for diabetic macular edema (DME) doesn’t work as well as it does in clinical trials, according to new research. Reuters Health Information
Diabetic Retinopathy Common in Hospitalized Diabetics
Close to half of hospitalized diabetics have diabetic retinopathy and the condition has not been previously diagnosed in about a quarter, according to a small study from Pennsylvania. Reuters Health Information
A Low P Value May Not Be Important After All
The measure is poorly understood and meaningless without accompanying measures that tell effect size or degree of certainty, the author said, adding that change will take new training. Medscape Medical News
Number of Elderly at Risk for Major Drug-Drug Event Doubles
Two-thirds of elderly are taking five or more prescription/nonprescription medications, a new study showed. Experts calls for better monitoring systems, more patient input in drug lists. Medscape Medical News
New Scan for Diabetic Eye Disease Is Better, but at a Cost
Telescreening trial in remote areas of the Indian Health Service finds that new ultrawide field imaging may cut the number of people referred unnecessarily for diabetic retinopathy follow-up, but at a price. Medscape Medical News
Sutureless Valve Implants for Glaucoma Safe, Quick
For patients with refractory glaucoma, sutureless valve implantation is safe, effective, and fast, according to a surgeon who has perfected the technique. Medscape Medical News
Serious Complications With Baerveldt vs Ahmed at 5 Years
Rates of vision-threatening complications and the need for reoperation were higher with the Baerveldt than the Ahmed implant in patients with refractory glaucoma at 5-year follow-up. Medscape Medical News