MAY 03, 2019
By Anni Griswold
Comprehensive Ophthalmology, Cornea/External Disease, Retina/Vitreous
A weekly roundup of ophthalmic news from around the web.
The FDA has cleared the fourth upgrade in 2 years of the Lensar laser system with Streamline IV. The latest enhancement leverages Lensar’s femtosecond laser technology to create micro radial incisions and support presbyopia inlay procedures. “The addition of the micro incisional capability,” says F. Beau Swann, MD, MS, of Brazos Eye Surgery of Texas, is helpful, “particularly for those patients who are not candidates for a LASIK or SMILE procedures.” AP News
Cases of herpes zoster ophthalmicus tripled in a 12-year time span—with baby boomers leading the charge, according to new Kellogg Eye Center research presented at the 2019 ARVO meeting in Vancouver. Between 2004 and 2016, the number of cases per 100,000 American adults rose from 9.4 to 30.1—among older adults, the number rose to 53. The findings reveal just how important it is for older adults to get the shingles vaccination, says lead author Nakul Shekhawat, MD, MPH. University of Michigan Health
Researchers at ARVO revealed a smartphone-mounting device that interprets high quality retinal pictures using AI software. The device, called RetinaScope, can deliver high-definition retinal images virtually anywhere, and uses a proprietary AI platform called EyeArt to interpret the results in real time. Nonspecialists can use the technology to quickly decide whether a patient needs a detailed retinopathy exam. University of Michigan Health
ZEISS medical technology segment has launched the first dual-speed swept-source OCT/OCTA. The PLEX Elite 2.0 scans at both 100kHz and 200kHz (shown above), providing a deep and detailed view into the retina. According to ZEISS, the device can rapidly scan the retinal vitreous interface all the way down to the choroid to assess highly curved myopic eyes. Doctors can fully image conditions such as posterior staphylomas, retinal detachments, high myopia and choroidal tumors. Zeiss
Bausch + Lomb announced findings from nearly 10 years of the Antibiotic Resistance Monitoring in Ocular MicRoorganisms surveillance study at ARVO this week. The study is the only ongoing multicenter survey of antibiotic resistance patterns specific to ocular pathogens in the United States. Researchers reported decreased resistance of Staphylococcus aureus to methicillin, azithromycin, ciprofloxacin, tobramycin and chloramphenicol between 2009 and 2018. Coagulase-negative staphylococci showed decreased resistance to ciprofloxacin but increased resistance to tobramycin and no change in methicillin resistance. The results should help guide ophthalmic treatment decisions. Bausch + Lomb