B + L’s Victus femtosecond laser cleared by FDA

Have you gotten a chance to read the August 8th issue of the Ophthalmology Times eReport? In this e-newsletter we released information on the Victus femtosecond laser receiving FDA approval, separate and combined cataract surgery, a protein that may block diabetic retinopathy damage (atypical protein kinase C), and more. Check out the articles in this issue below.

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Femtosecond laser cleared by FDA

Bausch + Lomb (B + L) and Technolas Perfect Vision GmbH (TPV) have received 510(k) clearance from the FDA for a femtosecond laser platform (Victus), and it is now available for shipment within the United States. Read more

Combined or separate cataract, DSAEK procedures in Fuchs’ dystrophy?

In patients who present with both cataract and Fuchs’ endothelial corneal dystrophy, ophthalmologists have the option of performing cataract extraction alone or simultaneously with Descemet’s stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK), said Anthony Aldave, MD, at the 29th annual Current Concepts in Ophthalmology conference. Careful patient selection and informed consent are vital to choosing the proper approach. Read more

Cataract surgery reduces hip fracture risk

Patients who had cataract removal surgery were found to have a 16% decrease in the risk of hip fracture compared with patients who did not undergo the procedure, according to an observational study of more than 400,000 Medicare beneficiaries. Read more

Protein may block diabetic retinopathy damage

A protein that could “interrupt” the chain of events that causes retinal damage in diabetic retinopathy has been identified by researchers at the University of Michigan Kellogg Eye Center. The finding could lead to a therapy that targets two mechanisms at the root of the disease: inflammation and the weakening of the blood barrier that protects the retina. Read more

Jason Woody honored by EBAA

Jason Woody, president and chief executive officer of the Lions Eye Institute for Transplant & Research (LEITR), has received the Leonard Heise Award from the Eye Bank Association of America (EBAA). Read more

Prevent Blindness America Swing Fore Sight Golf Tournament supports eye programs

Sight-saving programs of Prevent Blindness America (PBA) will be supported by the 5th Annual Swing Fore Sight Golf Tournament, a four-person scramble set for Sept. 5 at the Royal Links Golf Club in Las Vegas. Read more

Bryan Lee, MD, JD, wins Vanguard Ophthalmology Society Scholar Award

Bryan S. Lee, MD, JD, a cornea, glaucoma, and refractive surgery fellow at Minnesota Eye Consultants, is the inaugural recipient of the Vanguard Ophthalmology Society Scholar Award. Read more

Haag-Streit, Reliance Medical Products name Ernest Cavin president, CEO

Ernest Cavin, MBA, DBA, has been named president and chief executive officer (CEO) of Haag-Streit USA and Reliance Medical Products, both based in Mason, OH. Read more

Sightpath expands social media efforts

Sightpath, a provider of mobile and fixed ophthalmic surgical products, has created a company blog, a Facebook page, a Twitter account, and a Vimeo channel, as well as a fortified LinkedIn profile. Read more

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Top 5 Updates on Cataracts in 2012

From femtosecond platforms to how cataracts effects driving, eye-care news in regards to cataracts has been quite eventful this year. The following links are to our hand-picked cataracts news pieces from Ophthalmology Times that we think you’ll be interested in.

Cataracts, blurred vision ‘severely’ effected driving

Results of motor vehicles agency-administered vision tests do not necessarily reflect fitness to drive, according to a study published in Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science. Read more

New CE mark adds utility for laser platform

OptiMedica Corp. has announced that its proprietary platform that combines a femtosecond laser, integrated three-dimensional optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging, and a proprietary pattern-scanning technology (Catalys Precision Laser System) has been granted CE mark approval for creating single-plane and multi-plane arc cuts/incisions in the cornea during cataract surgery. Read more

Biometry, IOL power formulae improve outcomes

Accuracy of IOL power calculation can be significantly increased through the use of a low-coherence laser interferometry device (Lenstar LS900, Haag-Streit) for optical biometry combined with a last-generation, four-variable, “paraxial” ray-tracing formula (Olsen formula; PhacoOptics software, IOL Innovations). The benefit is due to improved prediction of postoperative IOL position, said Thomas Olsen, MD. Read more

Surgeon Dr. Robert Welsh dies

Robert C. Welsh, MD, believed to be the first U.S. surgeon to limit his practice to cataract surgery, died Jan. 8. He was 89. Read more

FDA clears femtosecond laser program

The FDA has cleared a new femtosecond laser platform (Femto LDV Z Models, Ziemer Ophthalmic Systems AG). The platform has been released globally. Read more