Vol. VII, No. 27
July 2, 2008
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CONTENTS
New Journal Studies
Academy News
Industry News
NEW JOURNAL STUDIES
Higher rate of adverse outcomes with glaucoma drainage devices than for other major incisional glaucoma surgeries
Researchers analyzed Medicare claims data from 1994 and 2005 to assess the long-term complications of primary trabeculectomy (PT), trabeculectomy with scarring (TS), and glaucoma drainage device (GDD) implantation. At the one-year follow-up, the rates of severe adverse outcomes were 2.0 percent in the GDD group, 0.6 percent for PT and 1.3 percent for TS. Rates of less severe outcomes, corneal edema and low vision/blindness were also higher for patients undergoing GDD than PT or TS. The investigators caution that the study does not address how many patients had useful eyesight saved by the surgery. They conclude that treatment decisions be based on both the benefits and possible adverse outcomes of each type of surgery. Ophthalmology, July 2008
Survey: IFIS still linked to higher cataract surgery complication rate
An online member survey from the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery has found that even though most ophthalmologists are aware of Intraoperative Floppy Iris Syndrome (IFIS), can anticipate it, and employ a variety of small pupil management strategies specifically advocated for IFIS, it continues to complicate cataract surgeries – even if the surgeon knows the patient is taking systemic alpha-blockers. Nearly two-thirds of respondents said they would not take tamsulosin themselves if they had a mildly symptomatic cataract. Journal of Cataract & Refractive Surgery, July 2008
Study identifies risk factors for complications after congenital cataract surgery without IOL implantation
Researchers retrospectively reviewed outcomes in 46 children who underwent surgery within the first 18 months of life. The overall prevalence of postoperative complications was 35.4 percent, with the most frequent complication being aphakic glaucoma (15.4 percent). The predictors of postop complications included young age at the time of surgery, family history of aphakic glaucoma, nuclear cataract and persistent fetal vasculature syndrome. American Journal of Ophthalmology, July 2008
Iris-claw phakic IOL shows good long-term results
This five-year, retrospective study of 399 eyes implanted with this phakic IOL to correct myopia, hyperopia or astigmatism found good long-term refractive stability and stable endothelial cell counts after an initial postoperative drop. At final follow-up, central endothelial cell counts decreased significantly by 5.11 percent compared with preoperative levels across all of the groups, although within the individual groups, the change was significant only for the two myopic groups. Among the complications: three explantations due to unacceptable drops in endothelial cell count and three lens re-positionings, two due to ocular trauma and one due to inappropriate iris capture. They also report three lens exchanges due to refractive errors, one macular hemorrhage, one retinal detachment and two cataracts. Ophthalmology, June 2008
Relatives of keratoconus patients appear at high risk of having abnormal topography
Orbscan II analysis was performed in 72 first-degree relatives of patients diagnosed with clinical keratoconus, and compared to 52 clinically normal individuals who underwent LASIK and did not develop ectasia after three years of follow-up. Researchers found an 11 percent incidence of keratoconus among first-degree relatives, which compares to a reported incidence of just 0.05 percent among the general population. Cornea, June 2008
Alcohol consumption not a risk factor for AMD
This analysis of participants in the Rotterdam Study has found that after correction for age, sex, smoking, complement factor H genotype status, and other potential confounders, there is no association between overall or specific alcohol consumption and development of early incident AMD or dry or wet late incident AMD. Archives of Ophthalmology, June 2008
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ACADEMY NEWS
Academy and AAOE members: reserve your preferred course tickets for the 2008 Joint Meeting before they sell out
Nonmember registration opens July 9. The most popular courses, such as Breakfast with Experts and the Skills Transfer labs, fill up quickly. Review the entire Scientific Program – more than 2,000 presentations – online.
Free access to The Wills Eye Manual on the O.N.E. Network
Now in full color and fully updated, the fifth-edition of this best-selling manual is available online for members. The book covers every disorder encountered in the office, emergency room or hospital in a concise online format: symptoms, signs, workup, treatment and follow up. A complete quick-reference guide for all clinicians who treat eye disorders. Find it on the Ophthalmic News & Education (O.N.E.) Network
- Login to O.N.E.
- Choose the “library” tab from the top navigation bar
- Click on the Wills Eye Manual
Academy, ASCRS issue joint education statement on IFIS
As a result of an ASCRS survey showing that Intraoperative Floppy Iris Syndrome (IFIS) continues to complicate cataract surgeries, we are working together to better educate physicians prescribing tamsulosin about the surgical challenges of managing IFIS and about its association with tamsulosin (Flomax®) and other alpha blockers. The joint education statement will be promoted in the July newsletters and member communication venues of the American College of Physicians and the American Academy of Family Physicians.
Last chance to register for the Final MOC Exam Review Course- 2008 is the last year the course will be held
Study for the September 2008 DOCK examination with the only review course based on the POC – the same content the American Board of Ophthalmology uses to develop the exam questions. You will receive an in-depth and interactive review of the most clinically relevant information. The course takes place July 25 to 27 in Rosemont, Ill. Registration ends July 9. Register today at www.aao.org/review_course.
Introductory offer: join AAOE for only $99
The American Academy of Ophthalmic Executives (AAOE) is the Academy’s practice management resource for ophthalmologists and their staff. New members who join now will receive all the benefits of membership including free registration to the 2008 Joint Meeting in Atlanta (Nov. 8 to11). This offer is only available to new members and expires Aug. 15.
Are your patients EyeSmart about eye injuries?
The EyeSmart Campaign’s new recommendation about protective eyewear in and around the home was broadcast to millions of Americans this week through stories in USA Today, ABCNews.com and on more than 40 radio and TV stations. You can help educate your patients and their families about eye injury prevention by signing up for FREE educational materials. Learn more at www.aao.org/eyesmartcampaign.
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INDUSTRY NEWS
Medicare cut put on hold as Congress leaves town
Observers say the political brinkmanship that forced the Bush administration last week to temporarily freeze the expected 10.6 percent cut in Medicare payments was unprecedented. Two blogs – Health Care Policy and Marketplace Review and Politico.com – sum up nicely how we got here. How do we get out? If your senator was one of the 40 who voted no on H.R. 6331 last week, CALL THEM THIS WEEK IN THEIR DISTRICT OFFICES through the AMA Advocacy Hotline at 800.833.6354.
Tell them to vote YES on H.R. 6331 to support physicians and their patients when the measure is again before the Senate after the July Fourth recess.
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