EW Weekly, May 22, 2020

- Phase 2 results from SKYGGN study for inflammation and pain after cataract surgery
- Phase 3 results for ranibizumab biosimilar candidate
- TECNIS Multifocal Toric II launched
- BVI acquires new OVD portfolio
- ASCRS and IJCAHPO Technicians & Nurses Program virtual broadcast
- ASOA webinar series continues
- COVID-19: News You Can Use
- Research highlight
- Product news
- Retinal texture could be an early biomarker for Alzheimer’s disease, according to research published in the journal Scientific Reports. Ge Song, a PhD student, and coresearchers obtained depth-resolved light scattering measurements in triple transgenic Alzheimer’s disease mice compared to wild type, age-matched control mice using angle-resolved low-coherence interferometry and OCT. Angle-resolved light-scattering measurements were taken of the nerve fiber layer, outer plexiform layer, and retinal pigmented epithelium. While it had previously been shown that there is retinal thinning associated with Alzheimer’s disease, this paper also shows there is a change in structural texture of the nerve fiber layer of the inner retina in the Alzheimer’s disease mouse model.
- Findings from a new study could shorten the length of clinical trials for wet and dry AMD by years. The research by Susan Vitale, PhD, and coinvestigators evaluated whether 2-year progression along the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) age-related macular degeneration scale could be used to estimate risk of progressing to late-stage disease or loss of visual acuity. The research found a significant association in 2-year progression of AMD score to late AMD and ≥2-line or ≥3-line loss. “… this finding demonstrates the viability of the AREDS AMD scale in describing AMD progression,” Vitale et al. concluded. The research was published in JAMA Ophthalmology.
- A recent study demonstrated the value of video education for patients as part of the cataract consultation. The study was a prospective survey of patients who were randomly assigned to watch an educational video or not; 101 patients were surveyed, 58 of whom watched the video. According to the study with first author C. Ellis Wisely, MD, patients who viewed the video scored higher on cataract surgery educational assessments (83% compared to 76% who didn’t view the video). Ninety-three percent of patients who watched the video were likely to think their surgeon provided quality explanations compared to 74% of those who didn’t watch. Those who watched the video also trended toward having a greater perception of the surgeon spending enough time with them during the consult, though video education did not affect the face-to-face time between the surgeon and the patients, according to the research. Video education also did not impact choices for multifocal IOLs, toric IOLs, or FLACS. The research is published in the journal Clinical Ophthalmology.
- Ocutrx Vision Technologies unveiled its Ocutrx OR-Bot Surgery Visualization Theatre at the ASCRS Virtual Annual Meeting, with its ORLenz augmented reality surgery headset featuring three visualization options for surgeons.
- Avellino Lab announced its A.C.T.S. (Active Coronavirus Testing & Safety) Program for ophthalmology and other practices performing elective surgery, specifically noting its AvellinoCoV2 FDA-approved SARS-Cov-2/COVID-19 test. Tests are processed in 1–3 hours with most results available within 24 hours.
- CooperVision’s Biofinity toric multifocal contact lens is now available in the U.S.
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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