US OPHTHALMIC REVIEW – VOLUME 9 ISSUE 1 – SPRING 2016

Welcome to the latest edition of US Ophthalmic Review, which features a wide range of articles that reflect the rapid pace of progress in ophthalmology. We begin with two articles on the subject of cataract surgery, which has been transformed thanks to the use of femtosecond laser cataract surgery (FLACS). However, this technique is not […]

Several factors point to a potentially precipitous rise in the need for cataract surgery in the near future: population growth, increased awareness of and demand for excellent unaided vision, and the collateral benefits of improved vision after surgery. In 2015, there were approximately 900 million individuals older than 60 years worldwide and about 20 million […]

The femtosecond laser has propelled cataract surgery into a new age: with more precise capsulotomies, less need to expose the eye to ultrasound energy and a few other pearls.1But even when employing 21st century state-of-the-art technology to benefit our patients, the supreme rule from the first millenium B.C. holds as true as ever: primum nil […]

Prior glaucoma, whether medically or surgically managed, is a significant risk factor for premature failure of penetrating keratoplasty (PK).1 Ten-year PK outcomes show that prior glaucoma significantly increases the risk of all three leading causes of graft failure: • doubling the risk of failure from rejection; • doubling the risk of endothelial decompensation in the […]

Herpetic keratitis is the most common cause of corneal blindness, and is considered to be a major indication for penetrating keratoplasty (PKP).1 Herpetic keratitis is caused by human herpes virus (HHV). Table 1 shows the herpes viruses that may cause disease in man.2–5 Certain viral infections have been eradicated by vaccination, and others are controlled […]

The development of innovative microinvasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) procedures has given us an opportunity to fill a long-existing niche in the glaucoma management. Traditionally, the treatment for mild to moderate glaucoma includes noninvasive and relatively safe topical medications and laser trabeculoplasty. MIGS offers new options for patients with mild to moderate open-angle glaucoma (OAG) who […]

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors (IMTs) are rarely reported, benign tumors. They are uncommon in the ocular structures. A four-year-old girl presented to us with bilateral proptosis. Subsequent radiologic and histopathologic investigations proved it to be bilateral IMT. This case report is being presented because of its rarity and some of the unique features of the condition […]

In 2015, a novel imaging technology called optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) became available for clinical use. The features of many disorders, including diabetic retinopathy (DR), choroidal neovascularization (CNV), macular telangiectasia type 2, retinal vascular occlusion, and sickle cell retinopathy have been characterized by OCTA. OCTA is a non-invasive, non-dye-based imaging technique that employs motion […]

This review examines how the adoption of refractive wavefront technology can help address the challenges, and promote the success of practices competing in an increasingly demanding regulatory and economic environment. In ophthalmology there is an increased need for efficiency and productivity, beginning with the collection of meaningful patient data. A new value proposition has evolved […]

Enucleation, or surgical removal of the entire eye globe, was described by Bartisch in 1583, and was described in combination with orbital volume replacement (implant) by Mules in 1585.1–3 In the US, trauma is the leading indication for enucleation (40.9% of cases), followed by tumors (28% of cases).4,5 Other indications include painful blind eye, phthisis […]

Psychologic support is one of the most important parts of the fitting procedure and should not be taken lightly. Announcing to the parents that their child has a retinoblastoma is always an unbearable situation. It conjures up extreme feelings of guilt, stress, and fear in the parents and the child. Can you imagine finding out […]

Cataract surgery offers the ophthalmic surgeon an opportunity to treat corneal astigmatism. However, the question remains, what is reasonably possible and what is needed to attain this possibility? As an initial step, the question needs to be asked, how much astigmatism is significant? Employing adaptive optics and bench top studies, it has been shown that […]

The human cornea is the optically clear window of the eye and its main refractive component that focuses light to the retina allowing vision. Thus, the optical transparency of the cornea is critical for optimal vision. Injury or diseases that cause irreversible loss of transparency lead to vision loss and eventually blindness. Globally, it is […]