A weekly news brief from the American Academy of Ophthalmology
July 16, 2008
CONTENTS
- Long-term IOP fluctuation linked to visual field progression in low IOP
- Tetrapeptide eye drops appear an effective treatment for neurotrophic keratopathy
- Periocular anesthetic injection with sedation linked to reflex sneezing
- Voriconazole injection appears a good option for deep-seated recalcitrant fungal keratitis
- Study identifies two variables vital for accurate prediction of refractive corneal power in post-LASIK patients
- Visual impairment may be associated with higher suicide risk
- Academy to offer EyeBuild at this year’s Joint Meeting in Atlanta
- How to customize features on the Ophthalmic News & Education (O.N.E.) Network
- Find AAOE practice management consultants online
- Don’t miss the Young Ophthalmologist Program at the 2008 Joint Meeting
- View the candidates for the Board of Trustees election
- The Physician’s Guide to Eye Care is the definitive source for non-ophthalmic physicians and medical students
NEW JOURNAL STUDIES
Long-term IOP fluctuation linked to visual field progression in low IOP
In this analysis of the Advanced Glaucoma Intervention Study, investigators considered only IOPs after surgical intervention and up until the time of first evidence of visual field (VF) worsening, and only included eyes that had one surgical intervention. IOP fluctuation was associated with VF progression in the low mean IOP group, but not in the high mean IOP group. The authors suggest clinicians may want to rethink target pressure, perhaps considering “IOP modulation” rather than “IOP reduction” when exploring treatment options. Ophthalmology, July 2008
Tetrapeptide eye drops appear an effective treatment for neurotrophic keratopathy
In this prospective, open label study 25 patients (26 eyes) were treated with a combination of substance P-derived peptide (FGLM-amide) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1)-derived peptide (SSSR). Three-quarters of the treated eyes responded, as defined by complete resurfacing of the corneal epithelial defects, within an average of 10.5 days. Treatment was more effective in eyes without limbal stem-cell deficiency. No adverse effects of treatment were observed. British Journal of Ophthalmology, July 2008
Periocular anesthetic injection with sedation linked to reflex sneezing
This large, retrospective review of patients undergoing oculoplastic surgical procedures found that periocular anesthetic injections elicited “vigorous and potentially dangerous” reflex sneezing in 5 percent of patients when it’s delivered under intravenous sedation. However, no patients who received periocular anesthetic injections without intravenous sedation sneezed. American Journal of Ophthalmology, July 2008
Voriconazole injection appears a good option for deep-seated recalcitrant fungal keratitis
Three patients unresponsive to topical antifungal therapy underwent intrastromal injection of voriconazole 50 micrograms/0.1 ml, in combination with topical treatment. Within three weeks, the authors observed faster reduction in the size of corneal infiltration, and a complete resolution of the ulcers in all three patients. American Journal of Ophthalmology, July 2008
Study identifies two variables vital for accurate prediction of refractive corneal power in post-LASIK patients
This retrospective review of 30 myopic patients who had LASIK and subsequent phacoemulsification showed that the multiple regression formula based on ACCP3mm and ΔSE more accurately predicted corneal refractive power compared to formulas based on ACCP3mm alone or SimK and ΔSE. Journal of Cataract & Refractive Surgery, July 2008
Visual impairment may be associated with higher suicide risk
An analysis of data for 137,479 adults who participated in surveys conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics identified 200 suicide deaths. While vision impairment alone does not significantly increase the risk of suicide, it does seem to do so when it is associated with poor health. The authors conclude that eye care professionals should be aware of the potential increased risk of suicide for patients with visual impairment, especially those in poor health, and provide appropriate referrals. Archives of Ophthalmology, July 2008
ACADEMY NEWS
Academy to offer EyeBuild at this year’s Joint Meeting in Atlanta
With the success of last year’s effort to build homes in New Orleans, the Academy is again working with Habitat for Humanity to offer EyeBuild in Atlanta. The project, building energy-efficient, EarthCraft-certified homes that protect the environment and reduce utility bills, takes place Thursday and Friday, Nov. 6 to 7. Learn more online. The registration fee is $25 and includes lunch, transportation and a t-shirt. Online registration for EyeBuild ends on Oct. 15.
How to customize features on the Ophthalmic News & Education (O.N.E.) Network
O.N.E. is designed to allow members to create customized views of the many resources it offers. When you log into O.N.E. with your last name and member number, you can customize a meeting calendar, a MOC/CME log that tracks your progress, a “favorites” area for links to pages you view regularly, and a log of past searches for quick reference. You can even select a subspecialty by which to filter news.
Find AAOE practice management consultants online
The AAOE’s Consultant Directory is an online searchable database of prescreened practice management consultants. As an Academy or AAOE member, you can search for consultants by any combination of the following criteria: key competency, state, consultant name and agency name. Consultant fees vary by geographic area and the type of service required. More information can be found online.
Don’t miss the Young Ophthalmologist Program at the 2008 Joint Meeting
Are you transitioning from residency or in your first years in practice? Don’t miss the Young Ophthalmologist Program ($35) on Sunday, Nov. 9 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Learn the business skills critical to launching a successful career in ophthalmology, including coding, contracts, insurance, negotiating and more. Featured speakers include Wesley Millican from CareerPhysician and coding executive Sue Vicchrilli. More information can be found online.
View the candidates for the Board of Trustees election
The official slate of candidates for 2008 election is now online. You can also find more information about the nominations process online.
The Physician’s Guide to Eye Care is the definitive source for non-ophthalmic physicians and medical students
This enhanced third edition provides step-by-step recommendations for performing an ophthalmic screening examination, screening the symptomatic patient, interpreting common ophthalmic systems and sign, managing the red eye and handling eye trauma.
WHAT'S NEW ON THE WEB
The July/August issue of EyeNet magazine is online
From hurricanes and earthquakes to explosions and epidemics, are you and your staff prepared to deal with sudden disruption and trauma?
INDUSTRY NEWS
Alcon pulls the plug on anecortave acetate
Alcon, Inc. announced last week that it has terminated the development program designed to evaluate the benefit of anecortave acetate treatment on the risk for developing sight-threatening choroidal neovascularization secondary to AMD. Recent data showed the drug failed to meet either primary or secondary study endpoints.
Two ophthalmologists warn public about a ‘Medical Hoax’
Lawrence Tychsen, MD, and Gregg Lueder, MD, professors of ophthalmology and visual sciences at Washington University School of Medicine and pediatric ophthalmologists at St Louis Children’s Hospital are working to get the word out that the umbilical cord stem cell infusions offered in China for children with optic nerve hypoplasia are a “21st century snake oil” scam. They are concerned that recent reports in the media will mislead many parents of children with ONH, who may bankrupt savings, go deeply into debt or organize fundraisers to pay for sham treatment.
The Academy provides the items appearing in the Academy Express as a service to members. The articles and studies come from news reports and peer-reviewed journals, and are not the product, opinion or position of the Academy unless explicitly stated to be so. The Academy does not endorse products, companies or organizations. The Academy disclaims all liability. This electronic newsletter is sent to Academy members on a weekly basis. If you would like to update your e-mail address or be removed from the mailing list, please send a request to Georgia Alward. Questions? Comments? E-mail Susanne Medeiros. ©2008 American Academy of Ophthalmology. All rights reserved. |
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