One of our greatest challenges as practicing clinicians is staying abreast of the continually evolving diagnostics, therapeutics, and new technology in ophthalmology. In some respects, this is a nice problem to have because it means that impactful innovation is continuing at a rapid pace in our field. however, I perceive that information overload has spawned two trends regarding what clinicians most often read. One is a tendency to increasingly plumb ophthalmic trade journals and the internet for practical insights and conclusions. We are accustomed to having information at our fingertips, and this approach requires much less time and effort than reading peer-reviewed journal articles. However, it is hard to discuss topics in sufficient depth with such concise formats. a second trend is for us to effectively focus on new information within our subspecialty, or our greatest subjects of interest. in other words, being a general jack of too many trades risks mastering none.
This is why US Ophthalmic Review fills a special niche for me. Producing only two issues a year, it is able to publish expert, in-depth review articles devoted to important clinical topics. As a cataract specialist, I enjoy having these carefully referenced and comprehensive summaries to update me about conditions that I do not specialize in, but yet encounter regularly. This month’s review articles on glaucoma, corneal procedures, and diabetic retinopathy are a perfect example.
In the glaucoma arena, Drs Kornmann and Giaconni review important considerations when initiating intraocular pressure (IOP)-lowering medical therapy. Drs cheng and Buys provide a comprehensive overview of laser treatments for glaucoma patients. Finally, Drs Samuelson, Stamper, and Gallardo review the role for the EX-PRESS® glaucoma drainage filtration device for trabeculectomy. There is an excellent assessment of corneal crosslinking by Dr Thornton, and Drs Hjortdal and Ivarsen discuss femtosecond flap-free lenticule extraction for myopia and astigmatism.
What is the current treatment algorithm for diabetic macular edema? Drs John and Harris used phone surveys to compare the practice patterns of European and US ophthalmologists. Drs Marozas and Fort provide an excellent overview of prevention and treatment of diabetic retinopathy. Finally, cataract surgery is not the only procedure to recently incorporate computerized laser automation. Drs Kernt, Ulbig, Kampik, and Neubauer introduce us to navigated laser therapy for diabetic macular edema, which integrates the diagnostic imaging and the laser to precisely control spot placement and parameters.
Such a compelling lineup of clinical reviews comes only twice a year and we hope you enjoy this issue of US Ophthalmic Review.
