Vol. VII, No. 24
June 11, 2008
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CONTENTS
New Journal Studies
Academy News
What's New on the Web
Industry News
NEW JOURNAL STUDIES
Tacrolimus appears an effective alternative for ocular surface inflammatory disorders
Researchers treated 10 patients with 0.02% topical tacrolimus ointment, a potent immunosuppressive macrolide. All patients showed marked to moderate improvement. Treatment was especially efficacious for peripheral ulcerative keratitis and atopic keratoconjunctivitis, and was well tolerated for long periods without adverse effects and elevation of IOP. The authors recommend topical tacrolimus especially when use of systemic steroid or immune suppressant is contraindicated. Ophthalmology, June 2008
Small choroidal malignant melanomas treated with TTT have significant recurrence rates
This retrospective study included 20 patients treated with primary transpupillary thermal therapy (TTT). Nine (45 percent) of 20 tumors recurred over a mean follow-up time of 44.6 months. Although tumor control may ultimately be achieved with TTT, the authors conclude that close monitoring is necessary, since repeat TTT or alternative therapies may be required. A separate study found that TTT, though not as successful as radiation therapy, should probably be reserved for specific cases, such as monocular patients with tumors near critical visual structures, surgically unstable patients or patients with advanced diabetic retinopathy.
British Journal of Ophthalmology, June 2008
Adults with glaucoma experience a measurable drop in quality of life early in the disease process
This analysis of participants in the Los Angeles Latino Eye Study finds that visual field loss among glaucoma participants was associated with worse NEI-VFQ-25 and SF-12 PCS scores. This impact was present in participants who were previously unaware that they had glaucoma. The authors conclude that prevention of small or early changes in visual field loss can have important quality of life benefits for glaucoma patients. Ophthalmology, June 2008
Study raises concerns over decreased endothelial cell density in patients undergoing PRK with MMC 0.02%
This non-randomized trial followed patients treated with mitomycin-C (MMC) 0.02% for 10 to 50 seconds during laser photorefractive keratectomy (PRK). The decrease in endothelial cell density was greater in treated eyes (14.8 percent) compared to untreated eyes (5.1 percent) at six months postop. Longer MMC contact time and male sex were the only factors independently associated with greater endothelial cell loss. Journal of Cataract & Refractive Surgery, June 2008
Fluoroquinolones may not be effective against MRSA infections
This laboratory investigation into nationwide antimicrobial susceptibility patterns in ocular isolates supports the common practice of using topical fluoroquinolones as a first-line empiric therapy in ocular infections. It also reports that all ocular S. pneumoniae isolates were susceptible to gatifloxacin, levofloxacin and moxifloxacin, and that non-susceptibility to ciprofloxacin was less than 15 percent. However, high-level in vitro MRSA resistance suggests the need to consider alternative therapy to fluoroquinolones when MRSA is a likely pathogen. American Journal of Ophthalmology, June 2008
Meta-analysis: omega-3 fatty acids linked to AMD prevention
Researchers reviewed nine studies published before May 2007 and found that patients with a high dietary intake of omega-3 fatty acids, such as fish and flax, had a 38 percent lower risk of late AMD. Patients eating fish twice a week also had a reduced risk of both early and late AMD. However the authors conclude that there’s still not enough evidence to advocate routine consumption of these foods for the prevention of AMD. Archives of Ophthalmology, June 2008
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ACADEMY NEWS
Registration and housing for the 2008 Joint Meeting to open on June 25
Registration and housing opens June 25 for members and July 11 for nonmembers. You can view your housing options online today.
Academy provides FDA with recommendations to improve contact lens product testing
The FDA held a post-market hearing this week in response to the keratitis outbreaks of 2006 and 2007. Together with CLAO, the Cornea Society and ASCRS, the Academy urged the FDA to expand and strengthen contact lens solution testing to better protect consumers. The Academy also advocated for universal lens care guidelines for consumers to improve safety. The panel of experts endorsed a number of changes, including: warnings not to reuse cleaning solution, discard dates on lens solutions and a recommendation to replace contact lens cases frequently.
O.N.E. provides free access to leading ophthalmic journals
The Academy’s new Ophthalmic News & Education (O.N.E.) Network provides free to Academy members “full text” access to several journals, including the American Journal of Ophthalmology and British Journal of Ophthalmology. Login first, choose the “O.N.E. Network,” then go to the “library” tab.
Now available to order: 2008-2009 Basic Clinical Science Course
This year four Sections have undergone major revisions: Section 10: Glaucoma, Section 11: Lens and Cataract, Section 12: Retina and Vitreous, Section 13: Refractive Surgery. 2008-2009 BCSC CD-ROM is available for advance purchase and will ship July 18. 2008-2009 BCSC Online can be accessed beginning July 18.
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WHAT'S NEW ON THE WEB
Three new articles published in Current Insight, a quarterly Academy publication
Current Insight features experts in each subspecialty of ophthalmology who offer their insights and a concise review of important developments within the subspecialties. The latest articles are:
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INDUSTRY NEWS
FDA issues approvable letter for new topical anesthetic for ophthalmic use
Akorn, Inc. issued a press release stating that the new drug application (NDA) for Akten ophthalmic gel 3.5% is approvable.
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