|
Ophthalmology and Optometry
|
|
Thursday, 31 May 2007 |
Research conducted in Japan has found that during spring, summer, and fall, ultraviolet (UV) exposure to the eye is approximately double during mid-morning and mid-afternoon hours than the hours clustered around noon that are commonly thought of as peak sun exposure times.
At mid-morning and mid-afternoon the sun is somewhat lower in the sky than at noon. Using a specially designed model to measure and record the amount of UV-B entering the eye between sunrise and sunset, researchers at Kanazawa Medical University concluded that eyes are at greater risk of UV exposure at times that many individuals may not be taking proper steps to protect their eyes.
Findings from the study were presented at the 111th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Ophthalmological Society in Osaka. Commenting on the study, Cristina Schnider, OD, director of Medical Affairs at Vistakon noted that this study demonstrates the need for all-day UV protection for the eyes.
Source: Optical Dispensing News
|
|
Current Affairs
|
|
Wednesday, 30 May 2007 |
In response to information received on the 25th of May from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) regarding eye infections from Acanthamoeba, a naturally occurring water-borne organism which can contribute to serious corneal infections, Advanced Medical Optics (AMO) (NYSE:EYE) is immediately and voluntarily recalling its Complete(R) MoisturePlus(TM) contact lens solutions. CDC data was made available to AMO on the 25th of May showing that it had completed interviews with 46 patients who had developed Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) since January 2005. A total of 39 of these patients were soft contact lens wearers, 21 of whom reported using Complete(R) MoisturePlus(TM) products. The CDC estimates a risk of at least seven times greater for those who used Complete(R) MoisturePLUS(TM) solution versus those who did not.
While AMO continues to work with the CDC and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to further assess the data, it is acting with an abundance of caution to voluntarily recall Complete(R) MoisturePlus(TM) from the market. There is no evidence to suggest that today's voluntary recall is related to a product contamination issue and this does not impact any of AMO's other contact lens care products, including our family of hydrogen peroxide disinfecting solutions. As patient safety is paramount to AMO, the company is taking decisive action to stop shipments, recall product from the marketplace, and encourage consumers to discontinue the use of AMO Complete(R) MoisturePlus(TM) until further information is available. Given the potential seriousness of the reported Acanthamoeba infections, AMO is working in close partnership with the CDC, the FDA and others to make sure consumers are aware of the need for proper contact lens disinfection and proper lens handling.
Acanthamoeba is a microorganism commonly found in water, soil, sewage systems, cooling towers, and heating/ventilation/air conditioning (HVAC) systems. Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) is a rare, but serious, infection of the cornea. AK is usually found among individuals who improperly store/handle/disinfect their lenses (e.g., use tap water or homemade solutions for cleaning), swim/use hot tubs/shower while wearing lenses, come in contact with contaminated water, have minor damage to their corneas, or have previous corneal trauma. The incidence of AK in the United States has been estimated by CDC at approximately one to two cases per million contact lens users.
Contact lens wearers should consult with their eye doctor if they have any of the following symptoms: eye pain, eye redness, blurred vision, sensitivity to light, sensation of something in the eye, and excessive tearing. The symptoms, which can last several weeks to months, are not the same for everybody. Early in the infection, the symptoms of AK can be very similar to the symptoms of other more common eye infections but AK may eventually cause severe pain and possible vision loss with some patients requiring a corneal transplant if untreated.
Consumers who believe they are in possession of the recalled product should discontinue use immediately and call 1-888-899-9183. The company is currently contacting retailers, customers and distributors regarding return and replacement instructions. Reply cards and mailing slips are being provided for return of product. Retailers may also call 1-888-899-9183 for more information.
Please report any adverse reactions experienced with the use of this product and/or quality problems to AMO by calling 1-800-347-5005 and to the FDA's MedWatch Program by phone at 1-800-FDA-1088, by fax at 1-800-FDA-0178, by mail at MedWatch, HF-2, FDA, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20852-9787, or on the MedWatch Web site at www.fda.gov/medwatch.
Source: Advanced Medical Optics
|
|
|
Ophthalmology and Optometry
|
|
Tuesday, 29 May 2007 |
In a study by R. Campbell, S. Coupland, R. Buhrmann and P. Kertes, ten healthy right eyes underwent multiple macular OCT centered at fixation. To model the effect of eccentric or inconsistent fixation, OCT was repeated with scan centers precisely shifted by 0.50, 1.00, and 1.50 mm in each of 4 directions. At each scan location, retinal volumes within a series of radii of the scan center, as well as central foveal thickness, were calculated. The main outcome measure was the percentage effect of decentered scanning on each OCT-based variable.
Central foveal thickness was the variable most affected in this model of eccentric and inconsistent fixation. This variable demonstrated changes from baseline-centered scans of up to 69.4%. Retinal volumes within a radii of the scan center measuring 1.11 mm or greater were least affected by decentered scanning, demonstrating maximum changes from baseline-centered scans of only 15.7% (P<.001 vs foveal thickness).
The study concludes that optical coherence tomography–based retinal volume quantification provides a more stable measure than foveal thickness in the setting of eccentric or inconsistent fixation as may occur in the setting of macular pathologic conditions.
Source: Arch Ophthalmol
|
|
Companies
|
|
Monday, 28 May 2007 |
Advanced Medical Optics, Inc. (AMO) (NYSE: EYE), a global leader in ophthalmic surgical devices and eye care products, issued on 24 May the following statement in response to media reports regarding the company's interest in entering Bausch & Lomb's (NYSE: BOL) "go shop" process:
"We believe it is only logical to explore this opportunity given the highly complementary nature of our two businesses. Consideration of this potential transaction is consistent with our existing strategy to provide a full range of products that address vision care needs of people of all ages. We believe that the current transaction with Warburg Pincus undervalues Bausch & Lomb, and we plan to enter the go-shop process with the intention of exploring a superior offer for the company. Of course, we will only proceed with a transaction if after conducting thorough due diligence, our Board of Directors determines it is in the best interest of AMO stockholders."
Source: Advanced Medical Optics
|
|
