An Australian Corneal Graft Registry study has linked penetrating grafts to better survival and visual outcomes in keratoplasty compared with DALKs and endokeratoplasties. Medscape Medical News
Tag: News
Eye Doctor Faked Diagnoses and Treatments, Feds Say
A Florida ophthalmologist accused of bilking more than $7 million from Medicare told seniors they would go blind unless he treated their wet macular degeneration, according to the indictment. Medscape Medical News
FDA Panel Debates New Guidance for Proper Use of Contacts
An FDA advisory committee has cautioned against holding the industry responsible for patient noncompliance. Medscape Medical News
Metformin Linked to Reduced Risk for Glaucoma
The geroprotective effects of the diabetes drug, which mimic caloric restriction, might help prevent late-onset open-angle glaucoma. Medscape Medical News
IOP Reductions Greater With Microstents Than Trabeculotomy
Implantation of 2 stents lowers intraocular pressure (IOP) and reduces the need for medication better than ab-interno microcautery trabeculotomy, new research shows. Medscape Medical News
LASIK Effective, Safe in Patients Under 25
Younger patients have better outcomes and significantly lower enhancement rates than older patients, a new study shows. Medscape Medical News
Combination Drug Shown to Prevent Miosis in Ocular Surgery
The compound could offer an FDA-approved alternative to inexact off-label combinations. Medscape Medical News
Glaucoma Risk Underestimated by Ophthalmologists, Trainees
Trainees and practicing ophthalmologists are twice as likely to underestimate as to overestimate glaucoma likelihood in an Internet-based self-assessment study. Medscape Medical News
VEGF Blockade May Slow, but Not Halt, Progression in DME
High VEGF, as well as glucotoxicity or other causes, may hasten progression of retinal nonperfusion in diabetic macular edema, suggesting ranibizumab may not prevent retinal capillary closure. Medscape Medical News
Less Invasive Surgery After Failed Penetrating Keratoplasty
For patients who have failed a first cornea transplant with penetrating keratoplasty, a less invasive procedure can be used to redo the procedure safely. Reuters Health Information
Patching, Drops Improve Vision Over Long Term in Amblyopia
Either patching or atropine eye drops improved vision in a long-term follow-up of the Pediatric Eye Disease Investigator Group RCT in children with amblyopia. Medscape Medical News
ABIM Responds to MOC Petition Addressing Costs, Time
Late Monday, the American Board of Internal Medicine posted a statement on its website in response to the cardiology-led petition to recall the recent changes to the MOC process. Heartwire
New Telemedicine Policy Pleases Some, Others Have Issues
The policy from the Federation of State Medical Boards could have major impact on standardizing regulations, but some observers still see obstacles to the technology’s spread. Medscape Medical News
Medicare’s Look-Up Tool for Doc Pay Reveals and Conceals
Unlike other groups with similar tools, CMS does not post the total amount that individual physicians received from Medicare in 2012. Users have to figure that out themselves. Medscape Medical News
Steroids Early in Bacterial Keratitis May Improve Vision
Adding topical corticosteroids 2 to 3 days after starting topical antibiotics in the treatment of bacterial keratitis has been linked to improved vision outcomes, according to a new RCT. Medscape Medical News
MOC Deadline Looms Anew, as Resistance Mushrooms
April 30 is the last day physicians can register for the controversial maintenance of certification. In the meantime, almost 8500 physicians have signed a cardiologist-led petition protesting the new requirements. Heartwire
Photobiomodulation in Diabetic Macular Edema
Patients with non-center-involving diabetic macular edema (NCDME) may benefit from photobiomodulation, a new case series suggests. Reuters Health Information
Drug Improves Vision in Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension
This is the first strong evidence that acetazolamide works in this condition, lead author of the NORDIC IIH study says. Medscape Medical News
Eye Surgeons Need ‘Working’ Knowledge of Blood Thinners
For the ophthalmic surgeon, managing antiplatelet and anticoagulant treatment in patients undergoing elective surgery can be ‘challenging,’ note the authors of a new paper. Reuters Health Information
Tacrolimus Eye Drops for Refractory Allergic Ocular Diseases
Use of tacrolimus 0.1% eye drops is associated with significant improvement of refractory allergic conjunctivitis with proliferative lesions and/or corneal involvement, according to an observational study from Japan. Reuters Health Information