EW Weekly, March 13, 2020

- STRIDE 3 trial results announced for EYSUVIS for dry eye
- Study in China finds conjunctival congestion in small percentage of COVID-19 patients
- Hong Kong providers share infection control measures in ophthalmology during coronavirus outbreak
- Santen, TRACON stop development of DE-122 wet AMD
- Winning Pitch Challenge accepting submissions for symposium at ASCRS Annual Meeting
- Product News
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- Cataract surgery increases melatonin secretion, and the use of clear IOLs versus yellow IOLs did not have differing results, reported T. Nishi and coresearchers. They focused on whether surgery would change melatonin secretion at 3 months postop in 169 adult patients. The parallel-group clinical trial randomized patients 1:1:1:1 to have cataract surgery using an artificial clear IOL or a yellow IOL. Group 1 had immediate surgery with a clear IOL, Group 2 had immediate surgery with a yellow IOL, Group 3 had delayed surgery with a clear IOL, and Group 4 had delayed surgery with a yellow IOL. Groups 1 and 2 were considered the intervention groups. Urinary melatonin excretion in the intervention group was measured at 3 months postop; in the control group, it was measured before delayed surgery. About 57% of the patients were men, and the mean age was 75.7 years. The mean urinary melatonin secretion was significantly higher in the control group (P=.007). When comparing Groups 1 and 3 (patients receiving clear IOLs), the concentration of urinary melatonin secretion was higher than the control group by creatine concentration. The difference between patients in Groups 2 and 4 (receiving the yellow IOL) was not significant. Melatonin secretion has been associated with depression, diabetes, cognitive impairment, and breast cancer, the researchers reported. The study is published in JAMA Ophthalmology.
- Fluid reservoirs that are part of tabletop steam autoclaves can easily develop polymicrobial biofilms that can harbor microbial pathogens, according to an observational case-control study and review of the literature from Andrew Sorenson, MD, and coresearchers. These inert molecular byproducts can cause diffuse lamellar keratitis (DLK) and toxic anterior shock syndrome when introduced to the eye by surgical instruments. The 1,115 eyes in the study were reviewed after LASIK over a 5-year period. There had been multiple changes to the surgical and OR protocols prompted by a cluster of DLK cases, and the autoclave reservoir chamber wall was cultured for microbial contamination. Among 395 eyes that had LASIK from Sept. 2, 2010, to June 11, 2012, 37.2% developed DLK. However, systemic changes in surgical protocols were not effective at ending the DLK cases until the STATIM 2000 autoclave (SciCan) was replaced with a new STATIM autoclave and a reservoir sterilization and surveillance protocol were implemented. In the 30 months after that, the incidence of DLK lowered to 2.2%. The older autoclave reservoir chamber wall cultures grew Pseudomonas aeruginosa and the Burkholderia cepacia complex. Stringent reservoir cleaning and maintenance may remove the biofilms, the researchers concluded. The study is published in the Journal of Cataract & Refractive Surgery.
- SYSTANE HYDRATION PF Lubricant Eye Drops (Alcon) is a new preservative-free option for those with dry eye who have sensitive eyes.
- The second generation of the MicroPulse P3 Glaucoma Device (Iridex) was introduced. Newer features include a recessed fiber tip with an added fluid channel, a reduced footplate size for easier placement in eyes, and an elongated stem to improve visualization of the treatment area.
This issue of EyeWorld Weekly was edited by Stacy Jablonski and Vanessa Caceres.
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
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