June 2009

News Stories

  • Experts Debate Role of Blood Flow in Glaucoma

    On May 2, 2009, the World Glaucoma Association (WGA) assembled a panel of experts in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to participate in the 6th Annual Global Consensus Meeting on Ocular Blood Flow and Glaucoma. This meeting was designed ...  more >

  • New Noncontact Tonometer Available

    Tomey USA (Phoenix, AZ) has introduced the FT-1000 Non-Contact Tonometer. This instrument features a low-volume (55 dB) air pulse and a setting that allows operators to capture multiple shots in quick succession. The unit is desig...  more >

  • Direct Causal Link Proposed Between Neurodegenerative Disorders

    Several studies have identified similarities in the pathogenic processes underlying Alzheimer's disease and glaucomasup1-3/sup and reported a higher incidence of glaucoma among patients with Alzheimer's disease.sup4,5/sup A new ...  more >

  • Company Releases Laser System

    Iridex Corporation (Mountain View, CA) has begun shipping its IQ 577 laser systems to customers. According to the company, this solid-state laser is indicated for the treatment of glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and age-related ma...  more >

  • AMO Suspends Production of Healon D

    Abbott Medical Optics Inc. (AMO; Santa Ana, CA) has suspended the manufacture of Healon D. The product's manufacturing process limits AMO's ability to ensure a continuous supply of this ophthalmic viscosurgical device (OVD) to the...  more >

  • Inspire Tests AzaSite for Blepharitis

    Inspire Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Durham, NC), initiated a phase 2 program to evaluate AzaSite (azithromycin ophthalmic solution 1%) for the treatment of blepharitis. AzaSite is a topical ophthalmic prescription drug currently approv...  more >

  • Company Lowers List Price of Toric IOLs

    STAAR Surgical Company (Monrovia, CA) reduced the list price of its toric IOLs by $100. According to a news release from the company, the revised pricing policy is intended to allow doctors to pass savings on to patients who could...  more >

  • Letters

    bReducto ad Absurdum/bbr The following letter refers to a news item titled "Company to Publish Payments to Health Care Professionals" that appeared in our March 2009 edition. I do not know whether to laugh or cry over th...  more >

  • In Memoriam: Carl B. Camras, MD

    bA tribute by Dan L. Eisenberg, MD./bbr With a sense of deep loss, I write of the passing of Carl B. Camras, MD, professor and chairman of ophthalmology at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha. Most of us know of ...  more >

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Article
Blocking Surgical Innovation: Part 1

Most of the subspecialties within ophthalmology have developed sophisticated, modern surgical approaches. Glaucoma remains the glaring holdout for a number of reasons. The need for us to develop a strong bond with our patients and... more >

Article
Glaucoma Genetics in 2009

Genes play an important role in glaucoma. Epidemiological studies, twins studies, and reports of families in which glaucoma is transmitted as a Mendelian trait show that genes are involved in the pathogenesis of this disease. Only... more >

Article
Unilateral Progressive Glaucoma at Low IOPs

b class="red"CASE PRESENTATION/bbr A 64-year-old male physician presented in October 2008 with progressive visual field damage in his right eye, the IOP of which never exceeded the midteens. Despite undergoing surgery on the ... more >

Article
Modifiable Risk Factors in Cardiology Versus Glaucoma

b class="red"CASE PRESENTATION/bbr My long-term internist retired, and I became the patient of a new internist. As part of his evaluation, he recommended that, as a male in my mid-50s with a family history of cardiovascular d... more >

TOP 5 ARTICLES FROM JUNE 2009