Glaucoma and Trabeculoplasty

Glaucoma is not just one eye disease, but a group of eye conditions resulting in optic nerve damage, which causes loss of vision. Abnormally high pressure inside your eye (intraocular pressure) is in most cases the cause of this damage.

Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness and can damage your vision so gradually you may not notice any loss of vision until the disease is at an advanced stage. The most common type of glaucoma, primary open-angle glaucoma, has no noticeable signs or symptoms except gradual vision loss.

Early diagnosis and treatment can minimize or prevent optic nerve damage and limit glaucoma-related vision loss. It’s important to get your eyes examined regularly, and make sure your eye doctor measures your intraocular pressure.

Laser trabeculoplasty uses a very focused beam of light to treat the drainage angle of the eye. This surgery makes it easier for fluid to flow out of the front part of the eye, decreasing pressure in the eye. There are two types of laser trabeculoplasty: Argon laser trabeculoplasty (ALT) uses a laser to open up the drainage angle of the eye. Selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) uses a lower-level laser to open the drainage angle of the eye.

For laser trabeculoplasty eye drops are put in the person’s eye before or after the procedure to decrease the amount of fluid in the eyes and prevent elevation in eye pressure immediately after laser treatment. A special microscope (slit lamp) and lens (goniolens) are then used to guide the laser beam to the canals (trabecular meshwork) where fluid drains from the eye. The doctor makes small burns in the trabecular meshwork. Some people feel a heat sensation in the eye during the laser surgery.

L. Jay Katz, MD, provided an update on the forthcoming randomized clinical trial comparing selective laser trabeculoplasty with topical medical therapy using prostaglandin analogues as initial monotherapy for glaucoma. According to Dr. Katz, he and his fellow researchers found the two treatment options to be similarly efficacious out to 1 year.

Glaucoma can affect any age group including newborns, infants, children and the elderly. According to statistics provided by the Glaucoma Research Foundation, over four million people in the US suffer from glaucoma, of which only 50{0730eed075b45d9e50c00d6cd42dd08773e0164f29a45151808bf89051290974} are aware of their condition. Glaucoma presents a greater public health concern than cataracts because the blindness caused by glaucoma is irreversible. Thus, early detection through comprehensive eye examinations is the key to protect against glaucoma damage.

At Laser Locators we carry the top name surgical and diagnostic ophthalmic equipment manufacturers you can trust, like Acon, Nidek, Lumenis and more for preforming all of your precise ophthalmic procedures. Contact us at www.laserlocators.com  or call 1-877-924-2020 and let one of our expert equipment locators help you today.

Getting the Most out of Three IOLs

“The aspheric design of this multifocal IOL enhances patients’ outcomes”, says Elizabeth A. Davis, MD. “There are a number of different IOLs to choose from to achieve the best outcome for patients today. Presbyopic correction lenses are now available and with good results. In many cases, surgeons prefer the Tecnis Multifocal IOL (Abbott Medical Optics Inc. [AMO]) based on their design and positive outcomes.”

In assessing any IOL, you must consider several factors: ease of implantation, predictability of refractive outcome, quality of vision, range of focus (spectacle independence), patients’ satisfaction, side effects, and long-term stability.

The Tecnis Multifocal IOL is based on an aspheric optic design meant to reduce the spherical aberration of an average cornea to zero. The Tecnis Multifocal has a full-diffractive posterior surface, which makes the diffractive optics pupil independent for optimal image quality at all distances under any lighting condition. The optic is made of acrylic and comes in both a one- and three-piece design. The frosted edge also minimizes edge glare.

Experience With The Lens

In a clinical trial, 94.6{0730eed075b45d9e50c00d6cd42dd08773e0164f29a45151808bf89051290974} of subjects implanted bilaterally with the lens reported being satisfied with their vision. Also at 1 year, 92.1{0730eed075b45d9e50c00d6cd42dd08773e0164f29a45151808bf89051290974} of the subjects had 20/25 or better distance UCVA and saw 20/32 or better at near with distance correction in place. More than 86{0730eed075b45d9e50c00d6cd42dd08773e0164f29a45151808bf89051290974} of subjects reported never wearing glasses, and slightly less than 90{0730eed075b45d9e50c00d6cd42dd08773e0164f29a45151808bf89051290974} were able to function comfortably without glasses at all distances (96.9{0730eed075b45d9e50c00d6cd42dd08773e0164f29a45151808bf89051290974} at near, 89.7{0730eed075b45d9e50c00d6cd42dd08773e0164f29a45151808bf89051290974} at intermediate, and 95.5{0730eed075b45d9e50c00d6cd42dd08773e0164f29a45151808bf89051290974} at distance).Only 1{0730eed075b45d9e50c00d6cd42dd08773e0164f29a45151808bf89051290974} always wore glasses.

All multifocal IOLs inherently reduce contrast and induce some amount of glare and halos, it is important to inform all patients that they should anticipate such side effects.  Achieving optimal refractive outcomes with the Tecnis Multifocal IOL requires careful preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative care. Preoperative preparation requires optimization of the ocular surface, a thorough examination to exclude patients with conditions that would preclude good outcomes, and precise biometry and IOL calculations.

To achieve the best results with the lens, it is important to choose appropriate candidates. Certainly, patients should desire reduced dependence on glasses and contact lenses. They should understand not only the risks of cataract surgery in general but the potential side effects of the lens, including reduced contrast, glare, and halos. Either patients should have minimal corneal astigmatism, or the surgeon should have an appropriate method to manage astigmatism. Accurate preoperative keratometric and biometric measurements are critical, and ocular surface disease must be aggressively treated.

Presbyopia-correcting IOLs are one of the most important transforming factors in the practice of anterior segment ophthalmology, and the AcrySof IQ Restor (Alcon Laboratories, Inc.) diffractive multifocal lens is the most commonly implanted presbyopia-correcting IOL in the United States. This technology offers patients visual rehabilitation for functional distance, reading, and intermediate vision. The surgeon’s selection of patients, meticulous attention to detail, and optimization of postoperative results are the keys to successful outcomes with this lens.

Recent advances in technology with laser cataract surgery may permit greater centration and consistent sizing of the capsulorhexis that could enhance refractive outcomes with presbyopia-correcting IOLs. Accurate biometry with the IOLMaster (Carl Zeiss Meditec, Inc.) or the Lenstar LS 900 (Haag-Streit AG) and control of astigmatism are also essential to maximizing outcomes. Because the lens constant must be carefully personalized to the individual surgeon, tracking postoperative results is imperative to refine surgical outcomes.

Patients are incredibly sensitive to small refractive errors with presbyopia-correcting IOLs, so surgeons must be willing and able to treat them. Astigmatism of greater than 0.50 D in a symptomatic patient requires surgical planning.

With attention to residual refractive error, the ocular surface,2 cystoid macular edema, and the posterior capsule, surgeons can improve appropriate patients’ quality of vision with the AcrySof IQ Restor IOL. The technology has enhanced the quality of life of many pseudophakic patients by reducing or eliminating their need for spectacles. As physicians’ comfort with multifocal lenses improves in the coming years, these IOLs should become more popular, both with cataract and refractive surgeons and their patients.

At Laser Locators we carry the top name surgical and diagnostic ophthalmic equipment manufacturers you can trust, like Acon, Nidek, Lumenis and more for preforming all of your precise ophthalmic procedures. Contact us at www.laserlocators.com  or call 1-877-924-2020 and let one of our expert equipment locators help you today.

Global Ophthalmic Diagnostic Equipment Market Forecast To Grow

The global ophthalmic diagnostic equipment market was estimated at $715.4 million in 2010 and is forecast to grow at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 4{0730eed075b45d9e50c00d6cd42dd08773e0164f29a45151808bf89051290974} to reach $947 million by 2017. The ophthalmic diagnostic equipment market includes perimeters, automatic and manual refractors, slit lamps, contact and non-contact tonometers, fundus cameras, automatic and manual lens meters, direct and indirect ophthalmoscopes, ultrasound equipment, corneal topography systems and other imaging systems. Technological innovations are stimulating growth in this otherwise saturated market dominated by traditional products. Recent advances in Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) systems have contributed to the renewed market growth.

The market for ophthalmic diagnostic equipment is growing due to a significant increase in the incidence and prevalence of eye related disorders among the elderly population and the availability of reimbursement for eye care screening in the majority of developed economies. With the introduction of ophthalmic diagnostic equipment with advanced technologies there is an increased interest in the prevention of blindness caused by Diabetic Retinopathy (DR), glaucoma, and macular degeneration. Thus, people are increasingly opting for diagnostic measures to correct eye related disorders.

Old age is associated with certain problems, especially the degeneration of visual abilities. By 2025, people aged 60 and above will constitute 35{0730eed075b45d9e50c00d6cd42dd08773e0164f29a45151808bf89051290974} of the total global population. Thus, with an increase in the elderly population, demand for products related to eye disorders will increase. Moreover, developing regions in Asia and South and Central America will provide growth opportunities as these markets are unsaturated. More than half of the global population resides in Asia, with India and China accounting for over 50{0730eed075b45d9e50c00d6cd42dd08773e0164f29a45151808bf89051290974} of the regional population. This offers significant market opportunities for manufacturers of ophthalmic diagnostic equipment.

At Laser Locators we carry the top name surgical and diagnostic ophthalmic equipment manufacturers you can trust, like Acon, Nidek, Lumenis and more for preforming all of your precise ophthalmic procedures. Contact us at www.laserlocators.com  or call 1-877-924-2020 and let one of our expert equipment locators help you today.

New study Offers Hope for More Effective Treatment of Myopia

Research by an optometrist at the University of Houston (UH) supports the continued investigation of optical treatments that attempt to slow the progression of nearsightedness in children.

Conducted by UH College of Optometry assistant professor David Berntsen and his colleagues from The Ohio State University, the study compared the effects of wearing and then not wearing progressive addition lenses, better known as no-line bifocals, in children who are nearsighted. With funding by a National Institutes of Health National Eye Institute training grant and support from Essilor of America Inc. and the American Optometric Foundation Ezell Fellowship program, the study examined 85 children from 6-11 years old over the course of two years. The results were published in Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science, one of the most widely read journals in the field.

Selected according to their eye alignment and accuracy of focusing on near objects, the myopic children were fitted with either normal single-vision lenses or no-line bifocals to correct their nearsightedness. In addition to observing and testing the children, the doctors obtained feedback from parents and guardians of both the children’s outdoor activities and near-work tasks, such as reading and computer use.

Previous research suggested that nearsighted children who do not focus accurately when reading books or doing other near work may benefit more from wearing no-line bifocal glasses than nearsighted children who focus more accurately. Berntsen’s study found a small, yet statistically significant, slowing of myopia progression in children wearing the bifocals compared to those who simply wore single-vision lenses. Berntsen asserts, however, that the results do not suggest that children be fitted with no-line bifocal lenses solely for the purpose of slowing the progression of myopia.

“While the small effect found in the group of children wearing bifocal spectacles does not warrant a change in clinical practice, we found the beneficial effect was still present for at least one year after children stopped wearing no-line bifocal lenses,” Berntsen said. “This is promising if other optical lens designs can be developed that do an even better job of slowing how fast myopia increases in children.”

By understanding why different types of lenses result in the slowing of myopia progression, Berntsen says researchers will be better able to design lenses that may be more effective in slowing the increase of nearsightedness in children.

“Single-vision lenses are normally prescribed when a child gets a pair of glasses, but glasses with progressive addition lenses were shown to slightly reduce myopic progression in our study,” Berntsen said. “For any treatment that reduces myopia progression in children to be useful, the effect of the spectacles or contact lenses must persist after children stop wearing them. The fact that the small treatment effect from our study was still present one year after discontinuing the treatment is promising. The results suggest that if newer optical designs currently being investigated do a better job of slowing myopia progression, the effects may be expected to persist and decrease how nearsighted the child ultimately becomes.”

An important goal of this study, in particular, was to help them improve their understanding of the mechanism behind myopia progression in children and why no-line bifocals cause this small reduction in its progression. Berntsen says the study results and evidence from other studies suggest that lenses specifically designed to change blur in the eye’s peripheral vision may be able to slow the increase of nearsightedness.

“There is support for continuing to investigate new lenses specially designed to change the blur profile on the back of the eye in order to reduce the increase of myopia in children,” Berntsen said. “There is still further research to be done, but our work is an important step in discovering the methods needed to slow the progression of nearsightedness.”

At Laser Locators we carry the top name surgical and diagnostic ophthalmic equipment manufacturers you can trust, like Acon, Nidek, Lumenis and more for preforming all of your precise ophthalmic procedures. Contact us at www.laserlocators.com  or call 1-877-924-2020 and let one of our expert equipment locators help you today.

Relief for Chronic Dry Eyes

Dry Eye Syndrome occurs when the normal flow of tears over the eyes is interrupted, or the tear film is abnormal and there are insufficient tears to lubricate the eye.  Dry eye syndrome is a chronic condition and can get worse with age.  You can relieve the symptoms, but not cure the original cause.

Artificial Tears

Artificial tear lubricants or in some cases blocking the tear ducts will concentrate the limited tears that are available. Artificial tears are eye drops that can be purchased over the counter to increase the amount of tears in the eye and improve the symptoms of the condition. There are many types available–from eye drops to gel formulations. The gel formulations can cause blurring of the vision but relief from the symptoms may last longer. Preservative-free eye drop formulations are popular because they have fewer additvives and may cause less irritation especially if the eye drops are used regularly.

Anti-inflammatory Eye Drops

Restasis eye drops are an ocular cyclosporine formulation that helps the eye increase tear production. This medication is only available by a prescription from an eye doctor. In more severe cases, some doctors may prescribe a short course of steroid eye drops to treat dry eye.

Punctal Occlusion

An eye doctor can also insert small silicone plugs into the drainage channels in the upper and lower eyelids to prevent the tears that are present in the eye from draining out of the eye. These plugs are temporary and can fall out over time. A minor surgical procedure can also be done in the office to permanently close the tear ducts.

Lacrisert

A small insert called Lacricert that is filled with medication (hydroxypropyl cellulose) can also be inserted into the tear duct. The eye medication is continually released from the insert during the day and improves the tear film of the eye. The insert is replaced daily and is applied by the patient at home. Care must be taken with insertion to prevent eye injury.

Your eye doctor can determine your best course of treatment for your particular case. With these simple and safe options available, you do not have to suffer with chronic dry eyes anymore.

At Laser Locators we carry the top name surgical and diagnostic ophthalmic equipment manufacturers you can trust, like Acon, Nidek, Lumenis and more for preforming all of your precise ophthalmic procedures. Contact us at www.laserlocators.com  or call 1-877-924-2020 and let one of our expert equipment locators help you today.