| Study: Sodium hyaluronate solution safe, effective
| Drop found to be effective quickly in treating signs, symptoms of dry eye disease
| | Ophthalmology Times | An investigational compound for the treatment of dry eye disease consisting of a proprietary formulation of sodium hyaluronate ophthalmic solution 0.18% (Vismed, Lantibio Inc.) was shown to be safe and effective in a multicenter phase III trial conducted in the United States. A new drug application has been filed for the solution, which is already marketed in parts of Europe and Asia as a viscoelastic lubricant eye drop. |
| | Low IOP is measured with great accuracy using non-contact applanation tonometer
| Assessment uses corneal properties to determine pressure, may provide new gold standard
| | Ophthalmology Times | | A non-contact applanation tonometer (Ocular Response Analyzer, Reichert) appears to be more effective than the Goldmann applanation tonometer (GAT) in assessing very low and negative IOP values using the non-contact applanation tonometer's corneal-compensated IOP (IOPcc) parameter. The GAT may be the long-accepted gold standard, but the more accurate assessment of IOP using the non-contact applanation tonometer challenges this gold standard and raises questions as to which of the two techniques is optimal in measuring IOP. |
| | Artificial tear product improves functional visual performance on intensive tasks
| | Ophthalmology Times | | An evaluation of functional visual performance of two currently marketed artificial tear products using the interblink interval visual acuity decay method showed that a tear with a polyethylene glycol/propylene glycol (PEG/PG)-based formulation (Systane Ultra, Alcon Laboratories) resulted in a statistically significant increase in the length of time within one line of best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) within an interblink period at 90 minutes after instillation of a single drop. The drop was compared with a carboxymethylcellulose/glycerin-based tear (Optive, Allergan). Median times to one-line loss of BCVA were not statistically different at the timepoints of 15 or 45 minutes post-instillation. |
| | When using punctal plugs for dry eye, surgeon favors traditional silicone devices
| Occluders made of polyglycolic acid or hydrogel also look promising against dry eye, she says
| | Ophthalmology Times | | When faced with a decision about which type of punctal plug to use in the management of dry eye, one oculofacial plastic surgeon said she turns to traditional occluders made of silicone because they have a long track record and are easily visualized for removal, if necessary. She has not used intracanalicular plugs made of polyglycolic acid or hydrogel but said they seem promising. |
| | Post-LASIK healing rate may be increased by hypromellose gel
| Hypromellose found to aid re-epithelialization of gutter around flaps, may improve patient comfort
| | Ophthalmology Times | | Hypromellose 0.3% gel (GenTeal Gel, Novartis Ophthalmics) may increase the rate of re-epithelialization of the gutter around LASIK flaps during the first postoperative week. |
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| | | DSEK shown to be safe, effective therapy, according to AAO cornea panel
| | Ophthalmology Times | | Descemet's stripping endothelial Keratoplasty (DSEK) was shown to be a safe and effective treatment for corneal endothelial diseases, according to a 2009 review by the cornea panel of the American Academy of Ophthalmology's (AAO) Ophthalmic Technology Assessment Committee, led by W. Barry Lee, MD. |
| | Dr. Alfonso named chairman at Bascom Palmer
| | Ophthalmology Times E-News | | Eduardo C. Alfonso, MD, has been named chairman of the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, according to a prepared statement. |
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