September 2013 Issue of The Ophthalmologist

Focusing on ophthalmologists rather than just on ophthalmology will generate an engaging, accessible and, above all, useful new publication.

A stark picture of an overstretched, fragile service, often at odds with hospital management, is painted in a recent RCO report. What can be done?

Free glaucoma simulation app reinforces the importance of taking medication. A recently-launched free app for iPhones and iPads will help newly diagnosed glaucoma patients better understand how the condition will affect their vision as it worsens, reinforcing the importance of taking prescribed eye drops and attending eye clinic.

Why the pharmaceutical industry is making acquisitions in ophthalmology – and why it won’t stop. The world’s pharmaceutical companies have fallen heavily for the charms of ophthalmology in recent times, with a string of acquisitions and product launches, including:

The level of hypertensive retinopathy is an independent long-term risk factor. A recent study has demonstrated that retinal photographs can reveal the future stroke risk of hypertensive patients –

In the event of an oculolinctus craze, we are ready (thanks to The Daily Mail and others). This summer, Western media leapt upon a post on Japanese curation site Naver Matome which detailed a sudden increase in the practice of oculolinctus.

The global obesity pandemic is causing a chronic cardiovascular and diabetic disease crisis. Advances in retinal microvascular imaging offer hope in tackling these problems… but are ophthalmologists ready for a prominent role in the fight against systemic disease?

Corneal cross-linking (CXL) is having a transformative impact on the treatment of keratoconus and post-laser ectasia.

Stereotactic radiation therapy is a new treatment aimed at wet age-related macular degeneration. The results of a randomized, sham-controlled trial are encouraging.

Is the future of eyedrops preservative-free? Itching. Irritation. Dry eye. In extreme cases, keratosis and scarring. Adverse events occur in one in 10 patients who are on long-term therapy with eyedrops for conditions like glaucoma or uveitis. For many, these side-effects are caused by preservatives.

Management approaches for best outcome vary by location. Glaucoma is exceeded only by cataracts as a cause of blindness. In 2002, the World Health Organization estimated that 12.3 million people worldwide had been blinded by glaucoma.

It’s a rare discovery that necessitates changes to anatomy textbooks. Here, Harminder Dua describes how he discovered the eponymous new layer of the cornea, and discusses its significance.

Retinal implants offer hope for the treatment of inherited blindness. Clinical trials of battery-powered subretinal and epiretinal devices have demonstrated that patients with retinitis pigmentosa, blind for many years, can once again recognize objects.

Well over 1,000 different proteins have been cataloged in the vitreous humor. Here’s how they break down.

With an ever-growing market and new treatment options on hand, presbyopia offers an attractive business proposition. Understanding the patient and building your practice around her/him is key to success. Here’s how we have done it.

In Australia, the highly successful collaborative care approach for glaucoma patients has been ripped apart by the optometrists’ regulatory body. Can it be repaired? Ophthalmologists are making a determined effort.

How do you translate a good idea into a physical, purchasable product? Technical, medical, regulatory and business skills are a must, as is an immense ability to resist pressure – especially when your device measures it.

What is SCHWIND eye-tech-solutions known for? We develop, produce and market a comprehensive product portfolio for the treatment of ametropia and corneal diseases. This includes diagnostic systems, software modules for individual treatment planning, and nanosecond and excimer laser systems.

Dry Eye Disease (DED) is one of the most common problems that we deal with in our clinics. We have seen our dry eye clinic grow exponentially as the baby boomers become older. We completed a 3 year retrospective study showing that over 75%

During the DOC 2013 in Nürnberg/Germany the new Geuder MACH2 Double-Blade Vitreous Cutter was introduced. For the first time, the technology of two active blades has been realized in a sterile product.