Optonol announced in a prepared statement that its proprietary mini glaucoma shunt (Ex-PRESS) will be paid under a new ambulatory payment classification (APC) beginning Jan. 1, 2009.
ISTA Pharmaceuticals has filed a new drug application (NDA) with the FDA for bepotastine ophthalmic solution (Bepreve). If approved, the solution would be used as an eye drop treatment for ocular itching associated with allergic conjunctivitis.
The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) 2008 joint meeting with the European Society of Ophthalmology, held in Atlanta Nov. 8 to 11, featured strong attendance numbers. Preliminary figures for attendance at the meeting were approximately 22,000, and attendance at the Subspecialty Day events Nov. 7 and 8 totaled more than 6,200.
Prevent Blindness America (PBA) announced it has been awarded a 3-year cooperative agreement from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), with a first-year grant of $1 million.
Advanced Medical Optics (AMO) announced that the FDA has granted premarket approval of a clear dispersive ophthalmic viscosurgical device (OVD) (Healon D) for use as a surgical aid in cataract extraction, IOL implantation, corneal transplant, and glaucoma filtration surgery.
Sirion Therapeutics Inc. announced that a difluprednate ophthalmic emulsion 0.05% (Durezol) indicated for the treatment of inflammation and pain associated with ocular surgery is now commercially available.
Akorn Inc. has announced approval of an FDA new drug application (NDA) for ophthalmic gel 3.5% (Akten), a topical, ocular anesthetic formulation.
At the American Academy of Ophthalmic Executives (AAOE) meeting, Derek A. Preece, MBA, from the BSM Consulting Group, Orem, UT, talked about the importance of understanding exactly what benchmarks are and how to use them effectively during his presentation, "Using benchmarks to improve your practice."
An undiagnosed problem plagues ophthalmology practices, according to Shani Lenard, who believes that the relationship between physicians and administrators can affect the success of a practice. Lenard, practice management consultant, MediScend, Pembroke Pines, FL, and panel members Ann M. Hulett, COE, CAE, Rocky Mountain Eye Center, Murray, UT; Gregory S. Brinton, MD, MBA, founding partner of Retina Associates Utah, Layton; and Traci Fritz, COE, administrator, Fite Eye Center, Clinton Township, MI, discussed the characteristics that build good relationships and key behaviors and explained why they foster success.
