Retina

Recently, a colleague wrote me to express his concern about a primary care physician (PCP) in his community acquiring digital retinal photographs of his diabetes patients. One of those patients presented to the optometrist’s office with the impression that “all he needed was a refraction” since the PCP had “already checked him for diabetic retinopathy.”

Many diabetics neglect their eyecare due to not knowing and/or misunderstanding the effects of diabetes to the eyes and visual system. Much of the inadequacies in patient education can be attributed to the absence or insufficient communication among healthcare providers, including optometrists, and our patients.

A 12-year-old Hispanic male was evaluated for fundus appearance at the ocular disease service at University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Eye Care.

A central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) represents a true ocular emergency. It is frequently caused by an embolus originating from carotid artery disease secondary to atherosclerotic plaques.

A 76-year-old white female presented for her periodic diabetic eye examination at UAB Eye Care in July 2014. She admitted to blurry vision in her left eye for approximately one week.

A study recently published in Ophthalmology found that nutritional supplements marketed to help treat age-related macular degeneration (AMD) may not be backed by scientific evidence.

According to a report from GlobalData, the age-related macular degeneration treatment market in the U.S., UK, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, and Japan will double in value from $5.1 billion in 2013 to $10.1 billion in 2023.

Check out the biggest retina stories of the year.

Konan Medical recently launched EvokeDx, the next-generation visual pathway diagnostics platform to assess visual evoked potentials (VEP) and electroretinograms (ERG).

Health Canada recently approved Eylea (aflibercept, Regeneron) for the treatment of diabetic macular edema (DME).

An article recently published in Current Opinion in Ophthalmology looked to help eyecare practitioners understand the costs of genetic testing in ocular disease, the complexities of insurance coverage, and its impact on the availability of genetic testing.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently approved VisionCare Ophthalmic Technologies’ Implantable Miniature Telescope for use in patients living with bilateral end-stage age-related macular degeneration (AMD) who are age 65 or older.

The American Academy of Ophthalmology says that close to one-third of the nation's eye physicians and surgeons are participating in the Intelligent Research In Sight (IRIS) Registry, which is the first comprehensive database of eye diseases and conditions in the United States.

According to the National Eye Institute (NEI), 7.7 million people age 40 and older have diabetic retinopathy, and this number is projected to increase to approximately 11 million people by 2030.

A 40-year-old black male was evaluated at UAB Eye Care for decreasing vision secondary to multiple sclerosis (MS).

During the American Academy of Optometry's Academy 2014, presenters shared how optometrists can help halt the diabetes epidemic and combat associated ocular complications.

During the American Academy of Optometry's Academy 2014, experts elucidated with promising directions for retinal and other posterior eye problems.

For any treatment to be successful, early detection is key. For that reason, genetic testing may play a role in determining the frequency of follow-up in patients who are determined to have high-risk alleles.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved VisionCare Ophthalmic Technologies’ implantable miniature telescope for use in patients living with bilateral end-stage age-related macular degeneration (AMD) who are age 65 or older.

Heidelberg Engineering GmbH recently launched two new products, OCT2, the next generation OCT module for Spectralis diagnostic imaging, and the Heyex picture archiving and communication system (PACS).

Genetic testing in AMD is a relatively new focus for optometrists and an important one to ensure that we are getting a complete view of our patients’ risk for developing advanced AMD. Although we are making some progress, we still have work to do to gain a better understanding of how to incorporate its use into clinical practice.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved Eylea (afilbercept, Regeneron) for all forms of macular edema after retinal vein occlusion, including branch retinal vein occlusion.

Ohr Pharmaceutical recently announced details of the planned Phase III registration trials for squalamine eye drops (OHR-102) in the treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD), which are being designed based on guidance provided by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) at a recent "end of Phase II" meeting.

When the retina in my left eye detached in early October 2013, I was on a tour bus, somewhere between Canter’s Deli and Griffith Observatory, in Los Angeles. There was a series of flashes, like warning flares, and then a black tide, an oil slick of a blind spot that started down and to the left and crept toward the center of my vision, arcs of lightning heralding its advance. I knew what was happening, but I didn’t want to believe it.

Centervue recently launched two new products, Eidon and Compass.

A 24-year-old was referred to the Ocular Disease Service at UAB Eye Care for a glaucoma evaluation. Other than a history of spectacle correction for myopic refractive error, the personal ophthalmic history is negative.

Nutritional supplements meant to slow the progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) may actually accelerate the disease in people with certain genotypes, according to research recently presented at the American Society of Retina Specialists annual meeting.

According to research recently presented at the American Society of Retina Specialists annual meeting, focal or grid laser treatment that coincides with the initiation of intravitreal ranibizumab for the treatment of diabetic macular edema (DME) shows results no better than when laser treatment is deferred for 24 weeks or more.

The National Institutes of Health recently awarded a $215,000 Small Business Technology Transfer Grant to Oraya Therapeutics to investigate how its therapy and gold nanoparticles affect the treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

I want to thank the Macular Pigment Research Group (MPRG), Waterford, Ireland for responding to my assertion that mesozeaxanthin (MZ) in supplement form, even if it was scientifically possible to study alone as a supplement, has not proven as of yet to be necessary to build central foveal macular pigment, improve cone visual function, or uniquely protect the retina from age-related macular degeneration (AMD).