Have you logged onto the ISRS/AAO Web site recently? We have redesigned and reorganized our Web site to improve your online time with us. Check it out at www.isrs.org. Let us know what you think. E-mail your thoughts to ahastings@aao.org. Remember if you haven't paid your2007 dues yet, you will lose access to vital features on our Web site, among other benefits such as the Journal of Refractive Surgery, this newsletter, and reduced fees to our annual regional meeting. Speaking of our annual regional meeting, I hope to see you this week in Beijing, China. Program Directors Ronald R. Krueger, MD, and Jialiang Zhao, Sr., MD, have planned an exciting program. If you can't be there, you can keep track of some of the highlights by reading Academy Express Live at ISRS/AAO, a special edition of the American Academy of Ophthalmology's popular weekly electronic newsletter, Academy Express. Two issues of Academy Express Live will be produced in Beijing to highlight the top clinical headlines from our meeting. We hope you enjoy it.  

- Marguerite B. McDonald, MD, FACS

CLINICAL UPDATES
- Why invest in a femtosecond laser, when mechanical microkeratomes produce similar outcomes at a quarter of the cost?
- Buttonholes more likely to occur in the second eye of bilateral simultaneous LASIK surgery
- Rochester nomogram provides improved, more predictable postoperative refractive outcome
- Punctal plugs appear a viable alternative in unsatisfied, low refractive error patients
- Method for calculating IOL power in post-LASIK/post-PRK eyes
- Overnight bandage contact lens after LASIK re-treatment may increase epithelial ingrowth

ISRS/AAO INFORMATION
- Onsite registration for the 2007 ISRS/AAO Regional Meeting in Beijing, China begins May 25
- Abstracts for ISRS/AAO 2007 Refractive Surgery Subspecialty Day are due June 27
- ISRS/AAO Web site has a new look
- 2007 ISRS/AAO membership dues are payable now

INDUSTRY NEWS
-First human recombinant hyaluronidase product is now available

CALENDAR
- Upcoming meetings

CLINICAL UPDATES

Why invest in a femtosecond laser, when mechanical microkeratomes produce similar outcomes at a quarter of the cost?
Steve Schallhorn, MD, answers this question in this month's feature. In short, the answer is that patients experience faster visual recovery and improved contrast sensitivity. Dr. Schallhorn expects that within the next ten years, femtosecond technology, or some variant of it, will be at the forefront of refractive surgery.

Buttonholes more likely to occur in the second eye of bilateral simultaneous LASIK surgery
Every buttonhole identified in this retrospective review occurred in the second eye when the same blade was used for both eyes, perhaps a reflection of the fact that the same blade cuts thinner flaps when used a second time. Good outcomes were achieved when laser treatment was delayed; either surface laser treatment or a repeat attempt at flap creation with the LASIK procedure. Journal of Refractive Surgery, May 2007

Rochester nomogram provides improved, more predictable postoperative refractive outcome
At one-month postop, 93.1 percent of eyes treated with this nomogram achieved UCVA of 20/20 or better, compared to 89.3 percent in the Zyoptix FDA trial group. There was also a significant reduction in the incidence of postoperative overcorrection. But authors caution against using this nomogram across different laser platforms due to differences in algorithms for measuring and treating higher order aberrations. Journal of Refractive Surgery, May 2007

Punctal plugs appear a viable alternative in unsatisfied, low refractive error patients
This small retrospective study of patients who presented for initial refractive surgery or re-treatment after LASIK or photorefractive keratectomy shows that punctal plugs can improve vision in patients with low refractive errors; 86 percent gained at least one line of Snellen UCVA, while 52 percent gained more than two lines. As a result, 92 percent declined to pursue further refractive surgery. Journal of Refractive Surgery, May 2007

Method for calculating IOL power in post-LASIK/post-PRK eyes
This evaluation of pre and postoperative data finds that myopic PRK and LASIK induce a decrease in the keratometric refractive index, and that this reduction correlates to the amount of attempted correction. When the attempted correction is known, calculating the postoperative index of refraction may enable better corneal power measurement. Journal of Refractive Surgery, May 2007

Overnight bandage contact lens after LASIK re-treatment may increase epithelial ingrowth
This small retrospective study finds a 40 percent incidence of epithelial ingrowth among patients whose bandage lens was removed the day after surgery for re-treatment - a significantly higher incidence compared to two other re-treatment methods, forceps lift and spatula cleaving. It also finds the Pinelli spatula may reduce trauma to the epithelium at the flap edge, and that the incidence of epithelial ingrowth was unrelated to the preoperative spherical equivalent. Ophthalmology, April 2007

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ISRS/AAO INFORMATION

Onsite registration for the 2007 ISRS/AAO Regional Meeting in Beijing, China begins May 25
Program Directors Ronald R. Krueger, MD, and Jialiang Zhao, Sr., MD, have brought together refractive and cataract surgery leaders from around the globe to share the latest developments in the field. The meeting, Expanding Horizons in Refractive and Cataract Surgery, is scheduled for May 25-27.

Abstracts for ISRS/AAO 2007 Refractive Surgery Subspecialty Day are due June 27
Bring us your innovative ideas in refractive surgery for inclusion in our program, which features presentations from leading surgeons from around the world. Abstracts for papers and e-posters must be submitted by June 27.

ISRS/AAO Web site has a new look
The reorganized and redesigned Web site unveiled this month is easier to navigate, making your time online more efficient. E-mail your thoughts to ahastings@aao.org.

2007 ISRS/AAO membership dues are payable now
If you have already paid your dues, thank you. If not, you can do so online.

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INDUSTRY NEWS

First human recombinant hyaluronidase product is now available
Baxter Healthcare Corporation expects Hylenex to provide an advanced and more sustainable supply of hyaluronidase, circumventing the quality and supply problems associated with the animal-derived product.

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