GLG News by Refractive Surgeons (US)

It is reported today that AMO will purchase Intralase Corp for 808 million dollars in what could securely position AMO as the world leader in all aspects of LASIK and laser vision correction technology. For months it has been speculated that such a purchase would occur.

While the use of Intacs has practically ended for routine correction of myopia, and the company management and ownership has shifted several times in the last few years, there has been a great interest and success in using these implants for the stabilization of eyes with ectasias such as keratoconus...

This article describes the results of a "newer" refractive surgery technique known as sub-Bowman's keratomileusis or SBK.  SBK involves creating a corneal flap just below the epithelial layer of the cornea.  This flap is approximately 60-70 microns in thickness compared to a traditional...

Despite short term patient satisfaction for the correction of myopia, with the multiple problems and issues associated with the approval of the Visian ICL (phakic iol) for correction of myopia over the past several years, and some studies that indicated higher corneal endothelial cell count loss and...

While the authors caution that further studies are required to evaluate the safety and efficacy of Avastin, it is clear that there is a huge interest in this therapy for macular degenration due to its apparent effectivity and relative low cost in relation to other similar anti vgef therapies. ...

It is interesting to see that the government is analyzing the cost of correcting refractive errors in the USA across the entire population. While the military considers it cost effective and safe to offer refractive surgery to a large percentage of its active recruits at a minimal expense to the patient,...

This study demonstrates that many labs are working on finding other new methods to treat earlier forms of macular degeneration before it progresses to the wet form.  The use of hormone replacement, already a common practice since years, may also show to be useful for management of macular dege...

This study shows that other NON-anti VGEF medicines continue to have a role in treating macular swelling and will not likely be completely abandoned in favor of the more expensive options now available.  Given its likely affectivity as an adjunct or possible replacement for many patients, and its...

This article describes early experience with Intralase enabled keratoplasty.  Conventional keratoplasty, or corneal transplantation, is performed using specialized blades called trephines.  These blades are limited in that they can produce only a single type of cut.  Intralase enabled...

While Benzalkonium Chloride (BAK) is the most common eye drop preservative (85% of all drops) it has an adverse effect on the ocular surface.  With prolonged use i.e. dry eyes and glaucoma preservative toxicity because a serious problem.  Currently uni-dose artificial tears are available but...