Researchers say the observation suggests a link between a low-dose oral anti-inflammatory agent and subclinical improvement in inner retinal function. Medscape Medical News
Tag: News
Bipartisan Bill to Repeal SGR Hits Partisan Rocks
House Republicans want to pay for SGR repeal by delaying the ACA’s individual mandate for 5 years, which the Democrat-controlled Senate is likely to reject. Gridlock sets the stage for another temporary “patch.”
Medscape Medical News
Video Simulation Tool Might Help Prevent Diabetic Retinopathy
A Moroccan ophthalmologist has developed a video tool depicting what life might look like with diabetic retinopathy, in the hope that its use will encourage diabetes patients to better self-care. Medscape Medical News
Vision Loss Reported After Cosmetic Facial Injections
Dermal filler injections in the forehead led to vision loss, a rare but devastating event, in 3 patients. Medscape Medical News
Italian Watchdog Says Novartis, Roche Colluded Over Eye Drug
Italy’s antitrust authorities said Novartis and Roche colluded to try to stop cancer drug Avastin (bevacizumab) from being used to treat a serious eye disease, and fined the Swiss drugmakers 182.5 million euros ($251 million). Reuters Health Information
Ocriplasmin Injection Linked to Impaired Vision
Two case reports add to previous reports and link ocriplasmin for the treatment of symptomatic vitreomacular adhesion with impaired vision and panretinal changes. Medscape Medical News
Dry Eye Syndrome Linked to Poor Air Quality, Weather
A new report has demonstrated a link between living in an area with poor air quality and the risk of developing dry eye disease. Medscape Medical News
Medicare Advantage Cuts May Shrink Physician Networks
Meanwhile, Connecticut physicians who were bounced from Medicare Advantage networks by United Healthcare in the name of high quality and low cost are pursuing arbitration. Medscape Medical News
High Court to Hear Case on Medical, Dental Board Powers
The case is about whether a state dental board can stop nondentists from whitening teeth. The AMA fears that medical boards could lose the ability to decide who does what in the exam room. Medscape Medical News
Expensive Tube-Shunt Surgery Cost-Effective in Glaucoma
Lower rates of failure and reoperation make the Baerveldt tube shunt cost-effective, despite being more expensive than trabeculectomy, a new study shows. Medscape Medical News
New ACA Insurance Causes Headaches in Some Doctors’ Offices
Sheila Lawless is the office manager at a small rheumatology practice in Wichita Falls, Texas, about two hours outside of Dallas. Kaiser Health News
Bowman Layer Graft Strengthens Eyes With Keratoconus
Surgeons say they were able to lengthen the time that patients with keratoconus could wear contact lenses by grafting donor Bowman layers into the patients’ corneas. Medscape Medical News
2015 Cuts for Medicare Advantage Smaller Than Expected
The funding level for next year is being carefully watched by physicians who could find themselves ejected from Medicare Advantage provider networks in the name of cost control. Medscape Medical News
CMS Promises More Thorough Testing of ICD-10 Codes
The ‘end-to-end’ testing sought by organized medicine will show whether Medicare claims incorporating the new and controversial ICD-10 codes actually get paid. Medscape Medical News
Glucose Prompts Passing Glaucoma Fix in Some
In patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), topical application of glucose can lead to temporary recovery, according to Australian researchers. Reuters Health Information
Ranibizumab and Long-Term Diabetic Macular Edema Outcomes
The benefits of individualized ranibizumab treatment for diabetic macular edema (DME) persist for at least three years, according to results from the RESTORE extension study. Reuters Health Information
Bevacizumab vs Ranibizumab: Cost-Effectiveness for AMD
Bevacizumab is more cost-effective than ranibizumab for the treatment of newly diagnosed neovascular macular degeneration, according to a mathematical model. Reuters Health Information
Alfuzosin for BPH Linked to Fewer Snags in Cataract Surgery
Alfuzosin for benign prostatic hyperplasia causes fewer cataract surgery complications than tamsulosin. Medscape Medical News
Vision Training May Help Patients With Glaucoma See Better
Patients with glaucoma experienced vision improvements and faster reactions to stimuli after computer-based vision training. Medscape Medical News
SGR Bill Rolls Meaningful Use Into New Incentive Program
Medicare bonuses would max out at 12% and penalties at 4% in 2018 under a bipartisan bill that shifts reimbursement from fee-for-service to pay-for-performance. Medscape Medical News