Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in Ophthalmology for May 2010. This roundup includes the latest research news from journal articles, as well as the FDA approvals and regulatory changes that are the most likely to affect clinical practice.
Single Lens Distance Glasses May Reduce Falls
WEDNESDAY, May 26 (HealthDay News) -- Older individuals who wear multifocal glasses and take part in regular outdoor activity may prevent falls by using single lens distance glasses for outside use; however, this intervention may be harmful in those who wear multifocal glasses and take part in limited outdoor activity, according to a study published online May 25 in BMJ.
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Many Women Age 40 and Older Avoid Follow-Up Eye Care
MONDAY, May 24 (HealthDay News) -- Despite self-reported diagnoses of diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration (ARMD), many women aged 40 and older do not receive eye care in the recommended follow-up period due to cost, lack of insurance coverage, or believing there is no reason for follow-up care, according to a report published in the May 21 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
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Diabetic Retinopathy Detectors Equally Effective
THURSDAY, May 20 (HealthDay News) -- A new automated detection algorithm appears to be as effective at detecting diabetic retinopathy as an established algorithm used in a large early-detection project, according to a study published online April 16 in Ophthalmology.
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IOL for Infant Cataracts Not Superior to Contact Lenses
THURSDAY, May 13 (HealthDay News) -- Contact lenses for infants who undergo surgery for congenital cataracts result in short-term vision outcomes comparable to those with intraocular lens (IOL) implantation, but with fewer additional operations performed, according to research published online May 10 in the Archives of Ophthalmology.
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Removing Financial Incentives May Reduce Performance
WEDNESDAY, May 12 (HealthDay News) -- The focus of clinicians may change and their performance levels could drop when previously established financial incentives are removed, according to research published May 11 in BMJ.
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New FDA Program Targets Misleading Drug Advertising
WEDNESDAY, May 12 (HealthDay News) -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has announced the launch of a new program to educate health care providers regarding their role in making certain that advertisements and promotions for prescription drugs are truthful and not misleading.
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Cost Benefit of Treating Ocular Hypertension Questioned
WEDNESDAY, May 12 (HealthDay News) -- Treating people who are at low risk for glaucoma for ocular hypertension is not cost-effective unless they have a life-expectancy of at least 18 additional years, according to research published in the May issue of the Archives of Ophthalmology.
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Laser Treatment Improves Eyes With Retinal Venous Occlusion
FRIDAY, May 7 (HealthDay News) -- Patients with central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) who have laser-induced chorioretinal venous anastomosis (L-CRA) may have greater improvement in visual acuity at 18-month follow-up than patients who receive usual care, according to a study in the May issue of Ophthalmology.
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Signs of Early AMD Less Common Among Asians
THURSDAY, May 6 (HealthDay News) -- The age-specific prevalence of late age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is comparable between Asians and whites, but estimates of early AMD rates are lower in Asians than whites, according to research published in the May issue of Ophthalmology.
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