Vol. VII, No. 26
June 25, 2008
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CONTENTS
New Journal Studies
Academy News
Industry News
NEW JOURNAL STUDIES
Patient response to AREDS supplements may be related to their genetic makeup
Researchers assessed the interaction between the two genes that have consistently been shown to have the strongest associations with AMD – CFH genotype and LOC387715/ARMS2 – in participants of the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS). Those with the low-risk CFH genotype appeared to experience more benefit from AREDS-type supplements, compared to patients with the high-risk CFH genotype, although they still had an effect. The authors conclude that more study is needed before considering changing current management. Ophthalmology, June 2008
Treatment timing in patients with high-risk prethreshold ROP does not affect myopia development later in life
This randomized controlled trial included children in the Early Treatment for ROP Study (ETROP) who had developed high-risk prethreshold retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in the neonatal period. About 70 percent were diagnosed as myopic in early childhood, with the proportion increasing between ages six months and three years. Researchers observed limited evidence of an increased prevalence of myopia or high myopia between eyes with zone I and eyes with zone II ROP, or between eyes with plus disease and eyes without plus disease. However, presence of retinal residua of ROP increased myopia likelihood. Ophthalmology, June 2008
More evidence supporting association between cardiovascular disease and AMD risk
This cross-sectional case-control study included 195 subjects with choroidal neovascularization in at least one eye, 97 with non-neovascular AMD, and 115 controls. History of cardiovascular disease, cigarette smoking, the presence of stage two hypertension, and being in the highest body mass index quartile and highest serum cholesterol quartile were each positively associated with wet AMD. Ophthalmology, June 2008
Codman surgical marker pen linked to post-LASIK diffuse lamellar keratitis
A cluster of DLK cases prompted this review of all LASIK patients who had surgery at a single center during a three-day period. Nine of 12 eyes that had LASIK or flap relifting with a Codman surgical marker pen developed grade 1 to grade 3 DLK on the first postoperative day. The 113 other eyes that had LASIK the same week with another brand of surgical marker pen did not develop DLK. Journal of Cataract & Refractive Surgery, June 2008
AquaLase system may reduce risk of cystoid macular edema after cataract surgery
Researchers randomly assigned 63 patients to cataract surgery with either traditional phacoemulsification or AquaLase liquefaction cataract surgery. Over the six-week study period, the median increase in foveal thickness in the study eye compared with the fellow eye was 11 microns (interquartile range [IQR] ?21 to 23 mm) in the AquaLase group and 17 microns (IQR ?11 to 33 mm) the phaco group. The authors conclude that the reduced risk may be most evident in diabetic patients. Journal of Cataract & Refractive Surgery, June 2008
Disagreement in contour placement can produce inconsistent tomograph parameters
This analysis of the Bridlington Eye Assessment Project found that when contouring optic disc images, disagreement in contour placement between two independent observers can result in disproportionate effects on some calculated Heidelberg Retina Tomograph parameters, independent of image quality and lens opacity. Journal of Glaucoma, June/July 2008
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ACADEMY NEWS
Registration and housing for the 2008 Joint Meeting are now open
Academy and AAOE members, reserve your preferred housing and course tickets before they sell out.* Nonmember registration opens July 9. This year’s meeting is held jointly with the European Society of Ophthalmology (SOE), Nov. 8 to 11 in Atlanta. It will be preceded by Subspecialty Day from Nov. 7 to 8. You can also browse the online program.
*Due to overwhelming popularity, the following hotels have sold out: Atlanta Marriott Downtown, Ellis Hotel, Embassy Suites Centennial, Four Seasons, Hampton Georgia Tech, Hilton Garden Inn Downtown, Holiday Inn Downtown, Omni CNN Center, Quality Hotel Downtown, Residence Inn Downtown, Ritz Carlton Downtown and the Westin Peachtree.
Subscribe to a O.N.E web feed to receive automatic updates about news in your subspecialty
When you subscribe to a web feed or RSS*, your Internet provider will check the Ophthalmic News & Education (O.N.E.) Network for updates in the news center and automatically download the most up-to-date news posts to your computer. You can view feeds from the Feeds tab in your Favorites menu.
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*About RSS Feeds: If using a web browser other than Internet Explorer 7, you will need an RSS reader (also known as an aggregator). Find a list of aggregators on Wikipedia.
EyeSmart takes on eye injuries
The Academy’s EyeSmart Campaign has set its sights on eye injuries. Activities will launch on July 1 to increase public awareness about risks of injuries and how to prevent them. You can participate by getting FREE educational materials for your practice that emphasize the new Academy recommendation that each home have a pair of ANSI-approved protective eyewear. Learn more at www.aao.org/eyesmartcampaign.
2008 Orbital Gala offers new twist
This year’s Gala at the Georgia Aquarium features a silent auction during the reception. If you would like to donate an item (e.g. a week’s stay at a vacation home, gift certificates, art, etc.), please contact Joanne Neuman at 415.447.0356 or jneuman@aao.org. Tickets to the Gala can be purchased online.
Put your clinical knowledge to the test with ProVision Series 4
This self-assessment tool is perfect for practicing ophthalmologists working to keep up-to-date or as an exam preparation resource for residents. It features detailed discussions in nine subspecialty areas, and is available in both print and online formats.
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INDUSTRY NEWS
FDA approves steroid treatment for postoperative ocular inflammation and pain
Sirion Therapeutics, Inc., announced in a press release that the FDA has approved its new drug application for Durezol (difluprednate ophthalmic emulsion) 0.05%, a topical steroid for the treatment of postoperative ocular inflammation and pain. Sirion says Durezol is the first ophthalmic steroid indicated for inflammation and pain.
Pfizer provides $3 million for stem-cell research focused on eye diseases
Pfizer Inc. announced that it will provide $3 million in funding to EyeCyte, Inc., an early stage stem/progenitor cell-based ophthalmology research and development company based in La Jolla, Calif. The financing will fund EyeCyte into 2010 and will be primarily used to drive product development of the company’s initial clinical target, diabetic retinopathy.
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