The cholesterol-lowering drug rosuvastatin edged out the hypothyroid drug levothyroxine as the most prescribed drug in the United States, recent data show. Medscape Medical News
Tag: News
Graves’ Orbitopathy: Double Vision Worse With Less Disease
The counterintuitive findings mean that Graves’ orbitopathy patients should be screened for restrictions in eye motility, which seems to correlate most with double vision, say the researchers. Medscape Medical News
Smartphones Enable Access to Quality Eye Imaging
New technology can facilitate real-time telemedicine through instant electronic transmission of images and videos. Medscape Medical News
AMD May Progress at a Similar Rate in the Other Eye
The severity of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in one eye seems to pace the rate of degeneration in the other eye, new research has found. Reuters Health Information
Experimental Plug Aids Recovery From Cataract Surgery
The novel approach is a reasonable alternative to medicated eye drops, early research suggests. Medscape Medical News
Implanted Ring Aims to Replace Reading Glasses
A corneal inlay awaiting FDA approval would mean people who have good distance vision, but need glasses for up-close reading, wouldn’t have to keep taking glasses on and off. Medscape Medical News
New Standardized DMEK Technique Saves Eyes
The Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) approach eliminates upside-down grafts and has a low rate of graft failure. Medscape Medical News
Regeneron’s Eylea Works Better vs Avastin and Lucentis in Study
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals said its drug Eylea (aflibercept) for diabetic macular edema produced significantly greater improvement in visual acuity from baseline to 52 weeks compared with Genentech’s Avastin (bevacizumab) and Lucentis (ranibizumab). …
Embryonic Stem Cells Improve Vision, Appear Safe at 22 Months
Phase 1/2 studies conducted in the United States are the first to report the long-term safety and possible biological activity of human embryonic stem cell transplants in human disease. Medscape Medical News
Significant Retinopathy Risk With Long-Term Hydroxychloroquine
Long-term use of hydroxychloroquine may carry a significant risk of toxic retinopathy, according to a retrospective case-control study. Reuters Health Information
Evidence Linking Some Fluoroquinolones to Uveitis Grows
Moxifloxacin or ciprofloxacin appear to increase the risk for uveitis; levofloxacin less so. Medscape Medical News
Long Flights and Patients at Risk for Acute-Closure Glaucoma
Patients with risk factors for acute-closure glaucoma may consider taking special precautions on long flights, researchers suggest. Reuters Health Information
Distant Vision, Toric Intraocular Lenses After Cataract Surgery
Toric intraocular lenses provide higher spectacle-free distant vision rates than do aspherical control intraocular lenses, researchers from The Netherlands report. Reuters Health Information
Corneal Microscopy Detects Diabetic Autonomic Neuropathy
A study shows close correlation of corneal-nerve parameters with standard measures of diabetic autonomic neuropathy, yielding good sensitivity and specificity for making the diagnosis. Medscape Medical News
Protein Content in Compounded Bevacizumab Varies Considerably
The protein concentration of bevacizumab prepared by U.S. compounding pharmacies for intravitreal injection shows significant variations, according to New York-based researchers. Reuters Health Information
Nicox Glaucoma Drug Effective in Late-Stage Studies
French pharmaceutical firm Nicox unveiled positive topline Phase 3 results for its glaucoma drug and said, if approved by regulators, the product could reach peak annual sales of over $1 billion worldwide. Reuters Health Information
Patients Self-Monitor With Wearable Diagnostics
New wearable tracking technology will allow continuous monitoring and novel opportunities for diagnosis, say technologists. Medscape Medical News
Immediate Sequential Cataract Surgery Reduces Revenue
Lower current reimbursement rates for immediate sequential cataract surgery (ISCS) compared with delayed sequential cataract surgery (DSCS) result in lower revenue for ophthalmologists, according to a new cost analysis. Reuters Health Information
Limit Ranibizumab Injections in Macular Degeneration
Investigators have identified an optimum number of injections of the vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitor for wet age-related macular degeneration in the first year of treatment. Medscape Medical News
Vitamin E, Selenium: No Effect on Cataract Risk in Men
Selenium and vitamin E had no significant effect on cataract risk in older men. Medscape Medical News