Cheryl Guttman

Cheryl Guttman is a freelance medical writer.

Dr Randolph Evans argues that endocyclophotocoagulation (ECP) is a simple, safe and effective procedure for achieving IOP lowering in patients with medically controlled glaucoma who also require cataract surgery

A new phaco tip (Fine Ozil Tip, MicroSurgical Technology) for use with a proprietary handpiece (Ozil, Alcon Laboratories) improves the safety and efficiency of phacoemulsification using torsional ultrasound with a biaxial microincisional technique. Modification of the phaco parameters improves chopping and segment removal.

Many patients undergoing phacoemulsification want more than simply cataract extraction. Dr Detlev Breyer says that advances in surgical technique and IOL design have made it possible to satisfy most patients' requirements.

A hydroxypropyl cellulose ophthalmic insert (Lacrisert, Aton Pharma) is a preservative-free product recommended for once-daily insertion in the inferior cul-de-sac. Its convenience, efficacy, and safety make it a valuable option for the management of dry eye disease.

The safety of intracameral moxifloxacin (Vigamox, Alcon Laboratories) for post cataract surgery endophthalmitis prophylaxis was investigated in a prospective, randomized, controlled study. Statistical analyses of multiple postoperative outcome measures demonstrated no significant differences between patients who received intracameral moxifloxacin and controls treated with intracameral balanced salt solution.

Few well-designed studies evaluate endophthalmitis prophylaxis. Available evidence suggests a role for intracameral cefuroxime. The benefit must be weighed against the potential risk of errors in formulation, however.

Animals undergoing lens removal surgery were treated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs pre- and postoperatively. On the first day after surgery, aqueous humor samples were taken at times corresponding to trough drug levels. The mean aqueous prostaglandin E2 concentration was significantly lower in animals being treated with ketorolac 0.4% (Acular LS, Allergan) compared with those receiving bromfenac 0.09% (Xibrom, ISTA Pharmaceuticals).

Further study is needed to establish the role of multifocal IOLs in eyes with glaucomatous damage, according to Ike Ahmed, MD, who was speaking during the glaucoma subspecialty day at the annual meeting of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery.

The safety of endoscopic cyclophotocoagulation for the treatment of glaucoma is being investigated prospectively in a multicenter study.