Direct-to-consumer DNA tests for age-related macular degeneration produce conflicting, unreliable results, investigators warn. Medscape Medical News
Tag: News
Subretinal Device Restores Measure of Sight
A third of patients who received a subretinal prosthesis reported having ‘very good’ or ‘useful’ visual experiences. Medscape Medical News
Amblyopia In Early Childhood May Alter Speech Perception
Children with unresolved amblyopia during early childhood may have difficulty with visual-auditory speech integration and subsequent alterations in speech perception. Medscape Medical News
Pharmacists Overturn ‘One Vial, One Patient’ Eyedrop Directive
Pharmacists at a Utah medical center successfully appealed a Joint Commission directive that would have ‘dramatically’ increased health care costs at the facility. Reuters Health Information
Retinal Artery Occlusion May Increase Risk for ACS
Patients with retinal artery occlusion (RAO) may be at increased risk for acute coronary syndrome (ACS), new research from Taiwan suggests. Reuters Health Information
Some Children See Well Despite Severe Optic Nerve Damage
Understanding how this subset of patients with demyelinating disease recover functionally after optic nerve damage could lead to new acute treatment options, researchers say. Medscape Medical News
Retinal Thinning Parallels Neurodegeneration in MS
Changes in the retina measured with optical coherence tomography correlate closely with brain atrophy and may be used as a reliable assessment of neurodegeneration, a new longitudinal study suggests. Medscape Medical News
Statins Don’t Up Diabetic Microvascular Disease Risk
An analysis of a large database in Denmark suggests that statin use among adults who later develop diabetes does not raise the risk for microvascular complications and may even protect against them. Medscape Medical News
Altered Pain Perception May Underlie Some Dry Eye Disease
The causes of dry eye disease are poorly understood, but new research indicates there is an association between psychological factors and altered pain perception and dry eye disease. Medscape Medical News
Health Spending Expected to Climb in 2014 and Beyond
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services predicts that expanded insurance coverage, faster economic growth, and aging baby boomers will lead to increased health spending growth in 2014-2023. Medscape Medical News
CBO Projects Lower Medicare and Medicaid Costs
Reduced costs for medical services and labor have trimmed the 10-year projected cost of Medicare and Medicaid by $89 billion, the Congressional Budget Office said Wednesday. Kaiser Health News
Physicians Losing Money by Not Using Electronic Transactions
Report shows that billions of dollars could be saved if more transactions were automated; observers see some improvement in past 2 years. Medscape Medical News
Internet Brownout Exposes Risk of Cloud-Based EHRs
Many physicians using a highly rated EHR program could not log in because of traffic jams on the information superhighway. Medscape Medical News
Glaucoma Drug Eyed as Novel Diabetes Treatment ‘Archetype’
An old glaucoma drug, methazolamide, improved glucose control in a small study, probably due to a distinct mechanism that the manufacturer, Verva, hopes to pursue. Medscape Medical News
Eye Test May Diagnose ADHD, Predict Treatment Response
A simple test examining involuntary eye movement may provide an objective physiologic marker for diagnosing ADHD and gauging the efficacy of stimulant medication. Medscape Medical News
Diabetic Vision Loss: Screening Key, Blacks at Greatest Risk
One in 25 US adults with diabetes over age 40 has diabetic macular edema, and African Americans are at higher risk, a new study indicates. The lead author is calling for better screening. Medscape Medical News
Prompt or Delayed Laser Equal in Diabetic Macular Edema
For patients receiving intravitreal ranibizumab, the timing of laser treatment for diabetic macular edema has little effect on outcome, report researchers. Medscape Medical News
Supplements to Slow Macular Degeneration May Backfire
Nutritional supplements recommended to slow macular degeneration might instead accelerate the condition in people with certain genotypes, new research shows. Medscape Medical News
Retina Specialists Report Problems With Ocriplasmin
Many patients suffer adverse effects after treatment with ocriplasmin for vitreomacular adhesion, a survey of specialists finds. Medscape Medical News
Retina Docs Prescribe for Themselves, Patients Differently
Specialists would treat age-related macular degeneration differently in themselves than in their patients, a new survey shows. Medscape Medical News