EyeWorld Weekly, April 22, 2022

EyeWorld Weekly, April 22, 2022

EyeWorld Weekly

April 22, 2022 • Volume 28, Number 16

FDA approves new phaco system

Zeiss Medical Technology announced FDA approval of its QUATERA 700 phaco system, which includes its QUATTRO Pump, the latter of which is described by the company as a “synchronized fluidics system.” According to the company’s press release, QUATERA operates with a digitally integrated surgical workflow, bringing in patient data from other systems. Its dashboard displays the microscope view in real-time for OR staff.

Back to top

Next-generation canaloplasty device launch

Nova Eye Medical announced its next-generation canaloplasty device, the iTrack Advance, in Europe and Asia, which builds upon the original iTrack device and is designed to enhance efficiency of the procedure with a new injector and custom cannula. The company stated in its press release that it expects this next-generation device to increase canaloplasty adoption by cataract surgeons and comprehensive ophthalmologists, noting that, to date, it has been performed mostly by glaucoma specialists.

Back to top

New Nd:YAG laser launch

Lumibird Group, the parent company of Quantel Medical, launched its new Capsulo Nd:YAG laser, designed as a fully integrated laser platform for capsulotomy and iridotomy treatments. According to the company’s press release, the laser offers dual illumination angles for anterior and posterior laser applications. It can be paired with Quantel Medical’s Vitra 2 MultiSpot photocoagulating laser for combined pan-retinal photocoagulation through a single slit lamp as well, creating what the company describes as an “all in one laser platform.” This device is available in the E.U. It is not yet available in the U.S.

Back to top

Researchers explore non-surgical option to address vision loss

A news story published by the University of Southern California described research from its Roski Eye Institute that is investigating the possibility of using ultrasound as a non-invasive/non-surgical way to restore some form of vision to patients who have photoreceptor degeneration. The research, which uses ultrasound stimulation to replace electrical stimulation, is currently in animal studies. According to the article, the investigators created a small ultrasound device that is used to target a specific region of the eye with sound waves sent to the retina. Research showed that these sound waves can be projected in a specific pattern and observed by the recipient (a rat in this case) in a similar pattern. The research will move into non-human primate models before in-human clinical trials.

Back to top

Non-invasive method to examine conjunctival goblet cells in vivo

Researchers at South Korea’s Pohang University of Science & Technology and other institutions developed a new form of high-performance microscopy for non-invasive examination of conjunctival goblet cells (CGCs). The university’s press release stated that examination of these mucin-secreting cells can identify dysfunction that could be associated with tear film instability causing ocular surface disease like dry eye. The high-speed extended depth of focus (DOF) microscopy has a 1 mm DOF (25x DOF extension) at 10 frames per second imaging speed, according to the news about the device. The university’s news article continued that “a deformable mirror was used in the system to axially sweep the imaging plane and to capture CGCs on the arbitrary tilted conjunctiva in single frames.”

Back to top

ASCRS news and events

  • 2022 ASCRS Annual Meeting: The ASCRS Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C., begins today with Subspecialty Day. The main program runs April 23–26. Keep up with coverage of the event with EyeWorld Onsite.
  • ASCRS Grand Rounds: ASCRS Grand Rounds, presented by NYU Langone Department of Ophthalmology, is available on demand. 
  • Ophthalmology Quicksand Chronicles: Watch the latest episode of this popular ASCRS podcast hosted by Nicole Fram, MD, and Elizabeth Yeu, MD, with guest Amar Agarwal, MD.

Back to top

Research highlights

  • The prevalence, incidence, and background factors associated with cataract development and cataract surgery were evaluated in a recent study. The research included data from two surveys conducted in 2000 and 2011, representing 7,380 and 5,930 Finnish participants, respectively (4,840 people participated in both surveys). The prevalence of cataract increased from 8.8% in 2000 to 13.6% in 2011; cataract surgery increased from 5.7% to 8.9%, respectively. The researchers wrote that cataract and cataract surgery were associated with age, smoking, and high alcohol consumption. They observed an association with cataract and female gender and low income in 2022 but noted that this association declined during the 11 years. The authors concluded that the increase in cataract surgery reflects improvements in eyecare and noted that healthy lifestyle delays cataract development. Smoking and high alcohol consumption, in contrast, results in earlier development of cataract. The research is published in the journal Clinical Ophthalmology.
  • The importance of examining all patients for collarettes and Demodex blepharitis was emphasized in a recent study. The retrospective study looked at prevalence within case records of consecutive patients at 6 eyecare clinics among 7 investigators. All patients (1,032) were evaluated at the slit lamp for collarettes and Demodex, regardless of what their chief complaint was. The authors reported that among patients who had collarettes, 44% hadn’t been diagnosed with blepharitis. Of those who were on an anti-inflammatory for dry eye, 60% had Demodex blepharitis. Demodex blepharitis was more prevalent in patients who were using topical tea tree oil compared to those who were not and was, according to the investigators, comparable among those using vs. not using lid wipes. The authors concluded that Demodex blepharitis is likely underdiagnosed, with collarettes still being found even among patients using over-the-counter treatments. They advocated for regular screening for Demodex among all patients. The research is published in the journal Clinical Ophthalmology.

Back to top

This issue of EyeWorld Weekly was edited by Stacy Jablonski and Liz Hillman.

EyeWorld Weekly (ISSN 1089-0319), a digital publication of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS), is published every Friday, distributed by email, and posted live on Friday.

Medical Editors: Eric Donnenfeld, MD, Chief Medical Editor; Rosa Braga-Mele, MD, Cataract Editor; Clara Chan, MD, Cornea Editor; Nathan Radcliffe, MD, Glaucoma Editor; and Vance Thompson, MD, Refractive Editor

For sponsorship opportunities or membership information, contact: ASCRS • 12587 Fair Lakes Circle • Suite 348 • Fairfax, VA 22033 • Phone: 703-591-2220 • Fax: 703-591-0614 • Email: ascrs@ascrs.org

Mention of products or services in EyeWorld Weekly does not constitute an endorsement by ASCRS.

Click here to view our Legal Notice.

Copyright 2022, EyeWorld News Service, a division of ASCRSMedia. All rights reserved.

Tags: , , ,