Category Archives: Eye Care

8-year follow up results revealed for the ELIOS® Excimer Laser Trabeculostomy procedure combined with cataract surgery

LOS ANGELES, CA, United States, 17-Feb-2022 — /EPR HEALTHCARE NEWS/ — Elios Vision Inc. announced today 8-year follow up results of its novel ELIOS® Excimer Laser Trabeculostomy procedure combined with cataract surgery.

Key study findings:

  • 161 eyes of 128 patients with glaucoma or ocular hypertension and cataract received Phaco-ELIOS, and were followed over an 8-year period
  • Significant mean IOP reduction from 19.3 mmHg at baseline to 15.4 mmHg after 8 years of follow-up (p=0.0040)
  • Significant reduction in medication requirements
  • Only 3.7% of patients required secondary surgical glaucoma intervention during the 8-year follow-up period
  • No serious intra- or post-operative events were observed

“This large cohort study provides encouraging evidence that the ‘implant free’ Phaco-ELIOS procedure causes minimal trauma, appears to show lasting IOP control with no serious intra- or post-operative complications, and low rate of incisional secondary surgical intervention over a period of at least 8 years,” said Thomas W. Samuelson, MD, founding partner of Minnesota Eye Consultants and an Adjunct Professor of Ophthalmology at the University of Minnesota. Dr Samuelson added that, “it is encouraging for patients that the number of topical medications required to control IOP was reduced significantly up to 4 years and remained below baseline levels across the entire 8-year follow-up period.”

About the ELIOS procedure:

  • The ELIOS procedure creates ten ‘microchannels (210µm)’ in the trabecular meshwork using an excimer laser.
  • The microchannels facilitate aqueous outflow into Schlemm’s canal, the eyes natural outflow pathway, reducing IOP2 and preserving the integrity, structure, and function of the trabecular meshwork.
  • Combining ELIOS with phacoemulsification is an ‘implant free’ minimally invasive glaucoma procedure with a rapid learning curve for ophthalmic surgeons.
  • The ELIOS procedure is approved in Europe for use in adults with glaucoma, with or without cataract, and is undergoing clinical trials in the US under an investigational device exemption (IDE).
  • Data on the ELIOS procedure has been published in 12 clinical studies2 with over 850 eyes treated showing an IOP reduction of 20-40% from baseline, a significant reduction of medication for up to 4 years, and up to 81% of patients ‘medication free’ at 1 year,3 and a favorable safety profile.

Over the past decade minimally invasive glaucoma surgeries (MIGS) have transformed the treatment of mild to moderate glaucoma and are an attractive alternative to more invasive incisional procedures such as trabeculectomy and tube shunts. Despite the growing popularity of MIGS, combining cataract and glaucoma surgery is not yet the preferred choice by most surgeons.

This clinical study shows that the ELIOS procedure is attractive to all ophthalmic surgeons for patients with glaucoma that are not controlled by medications or SLT because it reduces IOP to mid-teens for at least 8 years, minimizes postop inflammation, avoids intraocular implants, has a favorable safety profile, with or without cataract surgery.

Why are these findings relevant?

  • In 2022 it is estimated that around 29 million people globally will undergo cataract removal and around 20% also have glaucoma or ocular hypertension4.
  • These findings demonstrate a sustained reduction of IOP that is longer than any other currently available MIGS procedure.
  • Routinely combining cataract and glaucoma treatment is appealing since it can reduce the undesirable burden and side effects of drops and it can avoid patients undergoing two separate surgical procedures which also is more efficient for healthcare systems.

SOURCE: EuropaWire

Experimentica Ltd. licenses Akimba mouse model for diabetic retinopathy from Lions Eye Institute, Australia

Kuopio, Finland, December 18, 2014 — /EPR HEALTHCARE NEWS/ — The Lions Eye Institute (LEI) and Experimentica Ltd., a global ophthalmic contract research organization (CRO) announced today that they have entered into an exclusive license agreement for the Akimba mouse model for diabetic retinopathy for contract research. The license agreement was facilitated by Bio-Link Australia, a life sciences commercialisation company.

About Lions Eye Institute

The Lions Eye Institute (LEI) is the leading ophthalmic research institute in Australia. LEI employs scientists, clinicians and support staff to conduct first class scientific research into blindness and incorporates one of Australia’s largest ophthalmic practices. The Department of Molecular Ophthalmology (DMO) was founded by Professor Rakoczy in 1989 with the aim of using technological breakthroughs for the treatment of blindness. The Kimba mouse model have been successfully used in preclinical trials for a DMO developed gene therapy based treatment for wet-AMD that reached Phase I/II stage (www.lei.org.au;www.avalanchebiotech.com).

About Experimentica Ltd.

Experimentica Ltd. is a preclinical contract research organization (CRO) dedicated to develop and provide ocular disease models. Experimentica Ltd. is a global company and the largest ophthalmic CRO in Northern Europe, striving to provide scientific excellence by relying entirely on in-house expertise. Experimentica Ltd. is headquartered in Kuopio, Finland with offices in Tampere, Finland and Kansas City, MO, USA. For more information, visit www.experimentica.com.

About Bio-Link
Bio-Link Australia Pty. Ltd. is a life sciences commercialisation company which facilitates partnerships in the biopharma, medical device and diagnostic industries. Bio-Link has offices in Sydney and Melbourne, Australia, and clients including leading Australian and international biotechnology and medical device companies and medical research institutions. For more information, visit www.bio-link.com.

Contact details:
Experimentica Ltd/Giedrius Kalesnykas,
Microkatu 1, P.O.Box 1188,
70211 Kuopio, Finland.
E-mail: info@experimentica.com,
www.experimentica.com

Media enquiries:

For Experimentica:
Giedrius Kalesnykas, Ph.D.
Phone: +358 (50) 379-0275
US Toll Free: +1 (844) 393-4393
Email: gk@experimentica.com


For the Lions Eye Institute:

Francesca Robb
Communications and Media Officer
Phone: (+61 4) 09 102 556
francescarobb@lei.org.au

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Maine Ophthalmologists Encourage Greater Knowledge of Glaucoma Risks

“As patients enter their 40’s, 50’s, and 60’s and beyond it is important for them to become aware of glaucoma risk factors that might be relevant to their individual situation,” commented Glaucoma Specialist Robert Daly, M.D. of Eyecare Medical Group in Portland.

“There is strong correlation between age and the likelihood of developing glaucoma. We know that your risk increases considerably after the age of 40. And if you are over 60 years of age-even if you have no other family or medical history that is significant-you are six times more likely to get glaucoma. A family history of glaucoma-especially among your brothers and sisters-can increase your risk to 4-9 times that of the average population,” noted Dr. Daly.

“Patients should take note of some recent research that suggests additional glaucoma risk factors may include long term use of oral contraceptive birth control pills, early natural menopause and obstructive sleep apnea,” shared Glaucoma Specialist Samuel Solish, M.D. “This is important for patients to know about. First, researchers reporting on the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), administered by the Centers for Disease Control, indicated that woman who had used birth control pills for long periods of time were twice as likely to develop glaucoma. Further, researchers reporting in the American Journal of Epidemiology found that those women who entered natural menopause at an early age were more likely to develop glaucoma. And finally, it appears that having sleep apnea exposes patients to significant risk of glaucoma. All three of these risk factors should prompt patients to seek routine eye exams with glaucoma evaluation in order to have early detection, diagnosis and treatment is necessary. In this way we are more able to help patients prevent vision loss from glaucoma,” stressed Dr. Solish.

Eyecare Medical Group is a leading ophthalmology practice in Portland, Maine staffed by a team of eye care specialists including eye doctors who are fellowship trained glaucoma specialists, retina specialists, cornea specialists and cataract and lens implant specialists-all board certified Ophthalmologists-as well as Optometrists, Opticians, technical and administrative staff who provide eye examinations for adults and children, cataract surgery and intraocular lens implants, (IOL), laser vision correction such as LASIK, diagnosis and treatment of cornea disease including cornea transplants, care for diseases of the retina including diabetes and age related macular degeneration and diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma.

To learn more about Eyecare Medical Group in Portland Maine you may visit http://www.eyecaremed.com, on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/eyecaremedicalgroup or follow our eye care blog at http://eyecaremed-maine.blogspot.com.

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Minion Mayhem at Scrivens Opticians

Scrivens Opticians has teamed up with the stars of the Despicable Me 2 film, the mischievous Minions – famous for their goggle specs – to encourage parents to take their children for regular eye tests.

To celebrate the release of the hilarious animated adventure on DVD and Blu-ray (25th November), youngsters who take the Minion approved eye test at their local Scrivens branch will receive a special certificate and, if they need glasses, can choose from a range officially approved by the goggle-wearing characters.

The new campaign has been launched after figures from the Health & Social Care Information Centre* showed eye examination rates among under 15s had fallen to a 10 year low. If unchecked, poor eyesight can affect children’s education as well as their overall development, so the Minions have been enlisted to help raise awareness of the importance of regular check-ups.

Scrivens Opticians optometrist Paul Sidhu said: “We’re very excited to be working with the mischievous little Minions from Despicable Me 2, who are favourites with all the family. We want to create an adventure in store which children will remember and take away with them. Ultimately, we’re encouraging kids and parents alike to have an enjoyable experience that will inspire them to return and have regular eye checks, to help keep their eyes healthy for life.”

The initiative runs until Christmas and to encourage the whole family to look after their eyesight, any parent who brings their child for a Minion approved test will receive 50% off their own standard eye test.

By booking a Minion approved eye test customers can enter a prize draw to win a UK family adventure break** where the kids will train to be secret agents like Gru and Lucy in Despicable Me 2, or a copy of the film on 3D Blu-rayâ„¢.

Scrivens Opticians & Hearing Care was established 75 years ago and remains a family run business today with 146 high street branches nationwide. For more information, visitwww.scrivensopticians.com

ENDS

Issued on behalf of Scrivens Opticians & Hearing Care by
Limegreen Communications
For further information please contact:
Lorna Bishop / lorna@limegreencommunications.com / 07851 314294
Jo Mathers / jo@limegreencommunications.com / 07799 662389

Photo Opportunity: If you would like to arrange a photograph at the branch of a child having his / her eyes checked and receiving a Minion authorised certificate then please contact Lorna or Jo

*Source: Health & Social Care Information Centre
• Only 19% of children under 15 years old have NHS eye examinations, a drop from 23.6% since 2002/3
• Students 16-18, fell from 4.9% to 4.4%
• However, the number of overall sight tests has risen from 9.7m to 12.3m
• 70% of youngsters have dental checks

** Prize package
The prize package is for a family of 4 and includes:
• 2 nights at a 4 star hotel in Cambridge in a family room (room only)
• 1 hour 20 spy school experience (children only), including:
o Train to become a secret agent, just like Gru!
o Hack enemy computers to thwart enemy attacks
o Sneak past laser triggers & through an enemy base
o Disarm fiendish weapons & escape the enemy base without being detected!
• Secret agent adventure day (children only), including:
o Surfing lesson at an indoor wave machine
o 20 minute high speed racing on a race car simulator
o 20 minute indoor rock climbing session, with expert instruction & safety equipment
• £200 towards food, drinks, tips, travel & spending money

Terms & Conditions
• Participants must be between the ages of 5 and 16 years old on date oftravel
• Participants must be 107cm tall for body boarding & 132cm tall for stand up riding.
• Participants must bring swimming costumes & towels in order to participate in surf lessons

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20 cm Long Worm In The Human Eye, First Ever Recorded On Video

Can you believe that a 20 cm worm can house itself in the human eye? But one has to believe one’s eyes.

Here is the video clip of a 20 cm long worm being removed from a human eye through surgical procedure. It is the first time ever that such a long worm growing in the eye has been recorded. The video has evoked great interest among medical students as well as the general public.

http://www.indiavideo.org/health/loa-loa-worm-removing-surgery-8857.php 

Dr. Ashley Thomas Mulamoottil, the doctor who recorded this unique surgery says that this is the seventh worm that he has removed in the last one decade and it is also the longest.

The worm Loa Loa was originally found in Africa and has now reached Asia. The mangrove fly or deer fly is believed to be the carrier of this worm. The eggs of the worm enter the human body through small wounds inflicted by the fly. The death of the worm inside the body could be fatal as it could contaminate the blood. The disease is known as microfilariasis or Loa Loa infestation (Loiasis).

The video portal www.indiavideo.org and the Indian language portal www.oneindia.in are taking the video to the world. According to Mr. M.R. Hari, Executive Editor of India Video, the process recorded by Dr. Ashley fetched 2 million views on Facebook in three days and this persuaded them to make a short movie with supporting information to make it useful. Loa Loa disease could be a major health problem in future and hence an awareness campaign is the need of the hour. ‘We take up that mission now’ says

Mr. Sriram Hebbar, CEO of One India.

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Early Detection & Eye Exams Needed to Prevent Macular Degeneration Vision Loss

“As Prevent Blindness America has designated February as National Age Related Macular Degeneration Awareness Month, on behalf of the eye doctors at D’Ambrosio Eye Care we want to stress the need for regular eye exams to ensure early detection of macular degeneration as the key to preventing vision loss,” shared Massachusetts Ophthalmologist Francis D’Ambrosio Jr., M.D. “Patients-especially those 50 and over-need to know that age related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of visual impairment and blindness in Americans older than 50,” explained Dr. D’Ambrosio Jr. “While it is not possible to actually cure AMD, our clinical experience demonstrates that with early detection, diagnosis and treatment when necessary we can be quite effective in helping patients prevent vision loss and in many instances we can help recover some lost vision.”

It is advisable for everyone older than 50 to have a comprehensive, dilated eye examination every one to two years to ensure that AMD is detected as early as possible. If anyone in your family has macular degeneration it is critical to be seen even earlier and more often. “We want to be as certain as possible that if you are at risk for macular degeneration or show any signs of “Wet” AMD such as the growth of unwanted blood vessels under the retina-we make sure you have access to treatment with Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) inhibitor injections such as Lucentis® as soon as possible. By learning the symptoms to watch for, bringing to our attention and getting treatment as quickly as possible we can stop the blood vessel growth, reverse it and at a minimum prevent further vision loss and often actually improve vision,” explained Dr. D’Ambrosio Jr.

Patients can also help to decrease their risk of developing age related macular degeneration (AMD) by not smoking, moderating alcohol consumption to less than 15g per day, eating a heart-healthy diet rich in fish, fruit and green leafy vegetables, avoiding foods with trans fats, exercising and controlling blood pressure and weight.

D’Ambrosio Eye Care is a leading practice serving the greater Boston and central Massachusetts area including Acton, Athol, Berlin, Bolton, Boylston, Boxborough, Chelmsford, Clinton, Concord, Fitchburg, Gardner, Greenfield, Groton, Harvard, Hudson, Lancaster, Leominster, Lexington, Littleton, Lowell, Lunenburg, Marlborough, Milford, Shelburne Falls, Shirley, Sterling, Stow, Sudbury, Templeton, Westminster, Westborough, Winchendon and Worcester, Massachusetts.

Staffed by a team of Ophthalmologists, Optometrists, Opticians, technical and administrative staff who provide eye examinations for adults and children, cataract surgery and intraocular lens implants (IOL), laser vision correction such as LASIK, diagnosis and treatment of cornea disease including cornea transplants, care for diseases of the retina including diabetes and age related macular degeneration and diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma as well as contact lenses, eyeglasses, eyewear and optical services.

To learn more about D’Ambrosio Eye Care you may visit
http://www.dambrosioeyecare.com or http://www.facebook.com/dambrosioeyecare or
follow our eye care blog at http://dambrosioeyecare.blogspot.com.

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Alabama Eye & Cataract Center and Michelson Laser Vision Welcome Corneal Specialist Tyler Hall, M.D.

Marc Michelson, M.D., Medical Director of Alabama Eye & Cataract Center and Michelson Laser Vision is pleased to announce that Corneal Specialist Tyler Hall, M.D. has joined the ophthalmology staff at their practice. Dr. Michelson commented, “With Dr. Hall joining our practice we are able to expand upon our tradition of providing world class diagnosis and treatment of corneal disease, including advanced corneal transplantation procedures such as DSEK and DALK for Fuch’s Dystrophy and Keratoconus, to our community. Further, his experience in Laser Eye Surgery such as Bladeless LASIK will be a welcome addition in helping to meet the patient demand for Laser Vision Correction in Birmingham.”

Tyler Hall, M.D. is a Corneal Specialist who is a Cataract and Refractive Surgeon at Alabama Eye & Cataract Center and Michelson Laser Vision where he performs all types of Laser Eye Surgery for the Laser Vision Correction of nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism including All Laser Bladeless LASIK, Custom Wavefront Optimized LASIK, monovision LASIK and PRK. In addition, Dr. Hall provides his patients with the most modern Cataract Surgery in Birmingham that requires only a very tiny incision, no patches and only eye drops for anesthesia so that his patients can benefit from very quick visual recovery times, with minimal interruption in their daily routines. Dr. Hall is committed to helping patients with Cataracts achieve greater independence and possibly eliminate the need for eyeglasses, reading glasses or bifocals after Cataract Surgery through the use of astigmatism correcting toric lens implants. For those patients with significant amounts of astigmatism, near vision multifocal and accommodating presbyopia correcting lens implants, such as the Crystalens® Accommodating Lens Implant, the AcrySof® ReSTOR® Multifocal Lens Implant and the Tecnisâ„¢ Multifocal Lens Implant, are used to have their distance, arm’s length and near vision corrected after Cataract Surgery without eyeglasses, bifocals or reading glasses.

Dr. Hall earned his Medical Degree at the Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio where he was elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society. He then completed his Residency in Ophthalmology at the University of Alabama (UAB)-Birmingham where he served as Chief Resident followed by a Fellowship in Cornea, External Disease and Refractive Surgery at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia where he obtained specialized training and experience in all types of Refractive Surgery including LASIK Surgery and advanced Lens Implants for Vision Correction. Dr. Hall is certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology and is a member of The Cornea Society, American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS).

Michelson Laser Vision and Alabama Eye & Cataract Center are leading Alabama vision and eye care centers in Birmingham, staffed by a team of specialists including eye doctors who are fellowship trained cornea specialists and cataract and lens implant specialists-all board certified Ophthalmologists. The staff includes Optometrists, Opticians, technical and administrative staff who provide eye examinations for adults and children, cataract surgery and intraocular lens implants (IOL), laser eye surgery such as LASIK for laser vision correction, diagnosis and treatment of cornea disease including cornea transplants, care for diseases of the retina including diabetes and age related macular degeneration and diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma.

To learn more about Alabama Eye & Cataract Center visit http://www.michelsonvision.com or visit us at http://www.facebook.com/michelsonlaservision

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Jensen Beach Optometrist Sponsors Local Rugby Team as Part of Treasure Coast Vision Project

Dr. Dan Durante, an optometrist serving the Jensen Beach, Florida area has launched the Treasure Coast Vision Project to help local residents and visitors see the spirited fun, beauty and value of the Treasure Coast. The first local sponsorship is for a local rugby team, The Treasure Coast Pirates.

Dr. Durante’s vision practice is located in Treasure Coast Square Mall inside Cohen’s Fashion Optical. The business attracts clients from Jensen Beach as well as neighboring Stuart and Port St. Lucie. Established in 1989, Dr. Durante has performed over 150,000 eye exams greatly contributing to the eye health of the Jensen Beach community.

Dr. Durante marketing manager, Mitch Rockwell, is a rugby fan and became aware of the team’s need for new jerseys. “I believe that if you see a need, you meet a need, said Rockwell. “We feel that we can improve community spirit by donating funds locally. Our vision is that a spirit of local investment and local pride is contagious.”

“Our business is about helping people see,” said Durante. “It’s a natural fit for us to help people see the best features and amazing people all around the Treasure Coast.”

Dr. Durante provides eye exams and contact lens exams for adults and children inside Cohen’s Fashion Optical which offers a wide variety of eye glasses and sunglasses in the latest styles from brands like Coach, Ray-Ban and Versace. For the latest information on the Treasure Coast Vision Campaign or to tell Dr. Durante about unmet needs in the Treasure Coast area, please see Dr. Durante’s Blog or follow them on Dr. Durante’s Facebook page.

Dr. Durante is an experienced optometrist in the Jensen Beach, FL area who offers eye care for the entire family. The practice is known for their $20.00 comprehensive eye exams. They also accept most vision insurance plans.

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Doctor & Associates Highlights Connecticut Glaucoma Awareness

“As we begin 2012, we are making raising awareness about glaucoma a priority’” stated Connecticut Ophthalmologist Leslie Doctor, M.D. of Doctor & Associates with offices located in Westport, Norwalk and Wilton. “We feel that taking a moment to put in a little extra effort to remind patients and their families about the need for regular eye exams with glaucoma screenings is really worthwhile,” said Leslie Doctor, M.D.

Prevent Blindness America has designated January as National Glaucoma Awareness Month. Patients should be particularly sensitive to the fact that in African-American and Hispanic populations, glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness. Additional glaucoma risk factors include any family history-especially among siblings-of glaucoma, certain diseases such as diabetes and an increase is risk as patients transcend through their 40’s, 50’s and 60’s.

“The key step in preventing vision loss from glaucoma is early detection, diagnosis and treatment,” said Dr. Leslie Doctor. “This is why we want raise awareness about the importance of regular eye examinations to preserve vision especially for our aging population. We strongly recommend that siblings of glaucoma patients be screened each and every year as their risk of developing glaucoma is some 5 times higher than the typical population.”

Doctor & Associates is a leading Connecticut eye care practice providing eye examinations for adults and children, cataract surgery and intraocular lens implants (IOL), laser vision correction such as LASIK, diagnosis and treatment of cornea disease including cornea transplants, diagnosis and management of diseases of the retina including diabetes and age related macular degeneration and diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma as well as contact lenses, eyeglasses and optical services. For those patients in need of eye surgery, as a founding member of the Wilton Surgery Center, Doctor & Associates eye surgeons are able to provide eye surgery in a convenient, close to home and cost effective ambulatory surgery center.

To learn more about Doctor & Associates you may visit
http://www.doctor-and-associates.com or http://www.facebook.com/doctorandassociates.

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Glaucoma Diagnosis and Treatment Advances Mark Awareness in Maine

“At Eyecare Medical Group in Portland, Maine, January represents the time we pay particular attention to getting the word out reminding patients to take advantage of the advances in the diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma as this sight stealing eye disease is a leading cause of preventable blindness,” commented Clement Berry, Chief Executive Officer of Eyecare Medical Group.

Prevent Blindness America has designated January as National Glaucoma Awareness Month. In African-American and Hispanic populations, Glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness. “The advances in our ability to diagnose Glaucoma with the high technology imaging instrumentation we have brought to Maine has certainly given our patients access to better glaucoma screening and diagnosis methods and thus earlier detection-a key to maintaining eye health and vision,” stated Glaucoma Specialist Samuel Solish, M.D. of Eyecare Medical Group. “Earlier detection and diagnosis gives patients the best range of glaucoma treatment options whether it be using eye drops, laser treatment or if necessary even glaucoma surgery,” said Glaucoma Specialist Robert Daly, M.D. “Our goal for 2012 is to really raise awareness about the importance of regular eye examinations to preserve vision especially for our aging population. We especially recommend that siblings of Glaucoma patients and Glaucoma suspects be screened for Glaucoma, each and every year,” said Dr. Solish.

Eyecare Medical Group is a leading ophthalmology practice in Portland, Maine staffed by a team of eye care specialists including eye doctors who are fellowship trained glaucoma specialists, retina specialists, cornea specialists and cataract and lens implant specialists-all board certified Ophthalmologists-as well as Optometrists, Opticians, technical and administrative staff who provide eye examinations for adults and children, cataract surgery and intraocular lens implants, (IOL), laser vision correction such as LASIK, diagnosis and treatment of cornea disease including cornea transplants, care for diseases of the retina including diabetes and age related macular degeneration and diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma.

To learn more about Eyecare Medical Group in Portland Maine you may visit http://www.eyecaremed.com or http://www.facebook.com/eyecaremedicalgroup.

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Kraff Eye Institute First In Illinois To Offer Laser Cataract Surgery

The most commonly performed surgical procedure in the United States, cataract removal, is now being performed at the Kraff Eye Institute using the latest technological advancement; the Alcon LenSx® femtosecond bladeless laser. This latest advancement, which provides unprecedented precision to cataract surgery, is offered at Kraff Eye Institute. With the use of a multifocal lens or the correction of astigmatism there is NO additional cost to the patient for the use of the Alcon LenSx femtosecond laser.

The FIRST laser of its kind in Illinois and the only laser approved by the FDA for cataract surgery, the LenSx bladeless laser arrived in August of this year at the Harlem location of the Kraff Eye Institute.

LenSx utilizes a femtosecond laser which has been used to perform Lasik surgery since its FDA approval in 2001. By using this latest advancement of ophthalmic lasers, the surgeon and patient have an alternative to the mechanical cuts used in traditional cataract surgery while ensuring the highest-precision surgical incisions. This technology brings both safety and precision to the surgeon and the patient. (See Fact Sheet for additional details.)

Dr. Manus Kraff, the founder of the Kraff Eye Institute, has been performing cataract surgeries since the 1970’s. He now offers the LenSx laser procedure to cataract patients who meet specific criteria for the surgery. Since August of this year, Dr. Kraff has performed numerous successful cataract surgical procedures with the aid of the revolutionary Alcon LenSx femtosecond Laser.

“We are proud to offer the most advanced eye care technology in Illinois and the world to our cataract patients,” states Dr. Manus Kraff. “By adding computer control to the three steps of cataract surgery, the LenSx Laser ensures the highest-precision surgical incisions. The LenSx Laser is unquestionably the most technologically advanced option for cataract patients.

“We are thrilled to have this new technology available to us. Prior to this, cataract surgery was performed by hand with blades or needles,” he explains. “With the LenSx Laser, we are able to perform surgeries to more exacting, individualized specifications not attainable with other surgical methods. Most importantly, patients recover quickly and have great satisfaction with the outcome,” concludes Dr. Kraff.

– MORE –

KRAFF EYE INSTITUTE … Add One

Established in the 70’s, the Kraff Eye Institute has been one of the foremost authorities in ophthalmic eye care. Drs. Manus and Colman Kraff have pioneered surgical procedures like phacoemulsification, intraocular lens implantation, Lasik vision correction and now the LenSx Laser cataract removal. Both Dr. Kraffs have spoken at major universities and conferences worldwide on cataract and laser refractive surgery, served on numerous medical advisory panels and boards with Dr. Manus Kraff having served on the medical advisory board of the LenSx Laser Corporation since its inception.

With two offices in the city, the Kraff Eye Institute has been bringing the very best in eye care to Chicago for over 35 years. For more information about the LenSx procedure or to schedule a consultation, call: 773-777-4444. Visit kraffeye.com.

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Eye Care Practices Use Social Media To Connect With Patients

Medical Management Services Group, L.L.C. has expanded its Internet development and management consulting services through the formation of a new digital group-iMeme Digital®-to assist eye care and surgery practices to connect with patients through social media vehicles like blogs and Facebook. “We have been active in providing content and developing practice and patient education web sites for some time. The use of social media to help practices and patients stay connected on thoughts about eye care topics like LASIK and cataract surgery offers all involved a useful vehicle for engagement and sharing,” said Katherine Carlisle, Managing Member.

Members of the iMeme Digital® group have been active in the development of internet marketing strategy and implementation since 1999. This includes the development of practice web sites, development and management of LASIK and cataract surgery patient education and surgeon directory sites, direct e-mail campaign and database targeting and development, search engine optimization (SEO) and the full scope of search engine marketing for clients. After evaluating “best practices” and using our experience and resources to formulate a systematic set of solutions for practices wishing to build social media presence through creativity, thoughtfulness and integration into social media, iMeme Digital® is able to offer ophthalmology practices access to the “know how” and “management oversight” necessary to get started in a comprehensive but reasonable format.

“Given the very rapid growth of social media it will become more and more important for eye care and surgery practices to adopt this method of connectivity to patients. Even for those ophthalmology practices that feel they have a solid foundation in internet marketing, participating in social media can be overwhelming and intimidating. It can also be a time consuming, ineffective and resource wasting effort,” said Ms. Carlisle. “The need to blend Internet strategy, brand strategy, patient acquisition strategy and media strategy into a coherent action plan-AND do it in the context of a medical practice with regard to content sensitivities, privacy and security, is not trivial.”

Early adopters of the iMeme Digital® program and services include Baltimore Washington Eye Center in Glen Burnie, Maryland; D’Ambrosio Eye Care in Lancaster Massachusetts; Eyecare Medical Group in Portland, Maine; Doctor & Associates in Westport, Connecticut and Michelson Laser Vision in Birmingham, Alabama.

“We knew that we had to start building a presence for our practice in the social media like Facebook but we just kept getting stuck and didn’t seem to quite get it together,” said Philip Harrington, Practice Administrator at Baltimore Washington Eye Center. “We were pleased to have the guidance, development resources and executional support to get this going.”

“After creating the consistent brand identity across platforms we work to integrate them into a viral network and most importantly assist in the creation of ongoing digital content for ophthalmology practices-that they can be assured helps to reinforce the brand by demonstrating authority, building trust and being social,” stressed Ms. Carlisle. “We take advantage of our collective 70 years of experience in ophthalmology and couple it with media and Internet know how to assist practices in their efforts.”

“At Eyecare Medical Group we had set up a Facebook page that looked just like everyone else’s and thought we were getting somewhere. Then we watched as our pages got transformed and how it projected our brand and identity,” said Clement Berry, Chief Executive Officer of Eyecare Medical Group.

Like Us At: http://www.facebook.com/seewithlasik
Like Us At: http://www.facebook.com/cataracteyesurgery
Visit Us At: http://www.seewithlasik.com
Visit Us At: http://www.aboutcataractsurgery.com
Follow Us At: http://blog.seewithlasik.com
Follow Us At: http://cataract-surgery-information.blogspot.com

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Ardeo Healthâ„¢ Licenses New Dry Eye Therapy From Novagali Pharma

Ardeo Health, LLC, a biopharmaceutical development and licensing company, announced today that it has reached an agreement with Novagali Pharma S.A. of Evry, France to license Novagali’s novel Nova23041 dry eye therapy for sale in the United States and Canada. The product will be marketed and distributed as Retaine® MGD™ Ophthalmic Emulsion under a brand license from OCuSOFT®, Inc., of Richmond, TX, USA. OCuSOFT, Inc. will also serve as the exclusive distributor under a multiyear agreement between Ardeo and OCuSOFT. Retaine MGD will target those individuals suffering from Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD) and Evaporative Dry Eye.

Retaine MGD will be a preservative-free oil-in-water emulsion resulting from Novagali’s patented Novasorb® technology whose efficiency and tolerance in treating dry eyesymptoms have been proven during a number of clinical trials carried out in Europe and Southeast Asia. Successfully marketed since 2008 under the brand name Cationorm®, a brand that belongs to Novagali Pharma, the product is already recommended by ophthalmologists in numerous countries throughout Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia.

Based on the electrostatic attraction between the positively charged Nova23041 eye drop and the negatively charged corneal epithelium of the ocular surface, Novasorb’s technological platform enables the product to be spread in an optimal, uniform and comfortable way across the entire ocular surface, improves retention time and thus reduces the number of drops required each day by MGD and dry eye sufferers due to its increased efficiency and optimal compliance and tolerance.

“Everyone at Ardeo Health is excited to see this newest technology brought to North America. Patients suffering from moderate to severe Dry Eye will now have an alternative to expensive prescription (Rx) therapies”, states Robert “Bob” Sykora, RPh, President & CEO of Ardeo Health. “With these partnerships, Ardeo has the best of both worlds—the science of Novagali coupled with the brand recognition and distribution channels of OCuSOFT”.

Cynthia Barratt, President of OCuSOFT comments, “OCuSOFT has been searching for a truly unique proprietary Dry Eye therapy which also combined a long-term partnership—and we have found that with Ardeo Health and Novagali. I believe Retaine® MGD™ will become the standard of care for those suffering with Meibomian Gland deficiencies and Evaporative Dry Eye symptoms”.

Jérôme Martinez, Chairman of Novagali Pharma, concludes: “We are very pleased to be able to announce, today, the signing of this agreement involving two major American ophthalmology players. Given their proven expertise on the North American ophthalmology market, the Ardeo and OCuSOFT teams will no doubt make Nova23041’s launch in the United States and Canada a success that will enable us to extend the distribution of our unique formulation for treating dry eye symptoms around the world. This agreement confirms the growing reputation of the products and technologies developed by Novagali Pharma in the United States.”

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Cataract Awareness Month in Greater Boston at D’Ambrosio Eye Care

D’Ambrosio Eye Care wishes to announce that Prevent Blindness America has designated June as National Cataract Awareness Month.

“Cataracts are the leading cause of blindness worldwide. About 20.5 million Americans age 40 and older have cataracts and more than half of all Americans develop cataracts by age 80,” commented Francis A. D’Ambrosio, Jr., M.D., a Boston area eye physician and surgeon and Medical Director of D’Ambrosio Eye Care.

Many patients do not actually know that a cataract is a clouding of the crystalline lens of the eye preventing light rays from passing through it easily. This results in a clouding and blurring of vision. Patients should understand that cataracts are not a growth or a film over the eye. For many patients cataracts start out slowly and have little effect on vision at first. But, as the cataract becomes denser, so does the impact on vision. The most common symptoms that bother patients with cataracts include:

• blurring of vision
• sensitivity to light and glare
• double vision in one eye
• poor night vision
• fading or yellowing of colors
• frequent changes in glasses or contact lens prescriptions.

“When cataracts do begin to interfere with daily activities or with patient comfort and safety, they can be treated surgically. Cataract surgery is one of the safest and most frequently performed surgeries in the United States. Today, we have a full range of Intraocular Lens Implants (IOL) available that allow us to correct near vision as well as distance vision without requiring bifocals or reading glasses for the vast majority of patients”, said Dr. D’Ambrosio, Jr.

D’Ambrosio Eye Care is a leading Massachusetts eye care practice with offices in Lancaster, Acton and Gardner, staffed by a team of Ophthalmologists, Optometrists, Opticians, technical and administrative staff who provide eye examinations for adults and children, cataract surgery and Intraocular Lens Implants (IOL), laser vision correction such as LASIK, diagnosis and treatment of cornea disease including cornea transplants, management of eye inflammation, ocular inflammatory disease and uveitis and diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the retina including diabetes and age related macular degeneration, diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma as well as contact lenses, eyeglasses and optical services.

Francis A. D’Ambrosio, Jr., M.D. is a founding member of the LASIK Eye Surgery Patient Information and LASIK Surgeon Directory at http://www.seewithlasik.com and the Cataract Surgery, Intraocular Lens Implant (IOL) and Cataract Surgeon Directory at http://www.aboutcataractsurgery.com.

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LASIK Eye Surgery Information & Surgeon Directory Appoints 2011 Editorial Advisors

The LASIK laser eye surgery information and LASIK surgeon directory website seewithlasik.com is pleased to announce that three additional cornea and LASIK surgeons have been appointed as 2011 Editorial Advisors.

“We are extremely grateful to the members of the 2010 seewithlasik.com Editorial Advisory Board who were so helpful in guiding us in providing insight and guidance into the selection of new topics and new information to present to patients regarding Laser Eye Surgery for Laser Vision Correction such as LASIK. For our 2011 advisor selection we identified the possibility of broadening our clinical scope by reaching out for the assistance of eye surgeons Leslie Doctor, M.D., Ravi Shah, M.D. and JoAnn Chang, M.D, all fellowship trained cornea and refractive surgeons,” said Katherine Carlisle, Managing Partner of seewithlasik.com.

Leslie Doctor, M.D. is a Cornea, Cataract & LASIK Surgeon in Fairfield County, Connecticut. Dr. Leslie Doctor received her medical degree with honors from The Ohio State University School of Medicine followed by a residency in ophthalmology and a Fellowship in Cornea and Refractive Surgery at The Ohio State University Medical Center. She continues her dedication to the education of eye physicians and surgeons through her appointment as a Clinical Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology at the Yale University School of Medicine in New Haven, Connecticut where she teaches advanced techniques of cataract surgery & intraocular lens implantation (IOL) to new eye surgeons. To view Dr. Doctor’s biography, please visit doctor-cataract-lasik-connecticut.com.

Ravi Shah, M.D. is a Cornea, Refractive & LASIK Surgeon in Portland, Maine at Eyecare Medical Group. Dr. Shah is a corneal specialist specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of corneal disease, corneal transplantation using traditional cornea surgery and transplant techniques as well as advanced techniques such as DSAEK (Decement’s Stripping Automated Endothelial Keratoplasty), and laser eye surgery for laser vision correction such as LASIK. Dr. Shah received his medical degree and completed a residency in ophthalmology at the University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ) followed by a Fellowship in Cornea and Refractive Surgery at the Cleveland Clinic Cole Eye Institute. To view Dr. Shah’s biography, please visit  eyecaremed.com.

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Eye Care – The Next Big Thing In Kerala’s Medical Travel Industry

Medical travel industry in Kerala is all set to broaden its scope through micro cataract surgery and support services for cataract patients. It is considered as the next big thing after Ayurveda and dentistry in the domain of medical travel in Kerala. Micro Cataract Surgery is gaining the attention of cataract patients. Apart from its efficiency, after 24 hours of this surgery, patients are able to return to their normal life. And what more; this quick recovery period inspires many to opt for holidays in God’s Own Country.

Interestingly, Mulamoottil Eye Hospital (MEH), one of the pioneers in eye care is offering micro cataract surgery at Asia’s lowest cost – INR 30,000 (US $700). Besides the affordable cost of the surgery, MEH offers free accommodation for two days.

“Unlike conventional cataract surgery, the advanced micro cataract surgery at Mulamoottil Eye Hospital uses 0.9 mm tip inside the eye. Patients enjoy full recovery after 24 hours, enabling them to take head bath, go for office work, drive car, apply medicine on their own and even take a flight,” says Dr. Ashley Thomas Jacob, Medical Director of MEH, which has a tradition of 125 years in eye care.

Mulamoottil Eye Hospital is the largest eye hospital in Kerala and is located at Kozhencherry, a small town in the Pathanamthitta district of Kerala, India. MEH is also the pioneers in Customized Cataract Surgery. The hospital also offers precise surgeries for presbyopia, myopia (short-sight) diabetic eye disease etc. with shortest post-surgical recovery period. It also conducts research and training activities in ophthalmology.

By virtue of its location, Mulamoottil Eye Hospital is close to some of the captivating travel destinations in Kerala that include Kumarakom, Alappuzha, Fort Kochi, Munnar, Periyar etc. And this makes patients from outside Kerala and non-resident Indians to club holidaying in Kerala, popular as ‘God’s Own Country’ with their visit for eye treatment; especially after undergoing micro cataract and customized cataract surgeries.

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Non-corneal Tonometry Glaucoma Eye Test Independent of Central Corneal Thickness (CCT) and Biometric Properties Featured at ESCRS, Paris France

Unique non-corneal Tonometer Diaton, which allows to measure intraocular pressure (IOP) through the eyelid and sclera, unlike others that obtain IOP through cornea was featured at The European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons ESCRS meeting in Paris, France.

Unique non-corneal Tonometer Diaton, which allows to measure intraocular pressure (IOP) through the eyelid and sclera, unlike others that obtain IOP through cornea was featured at The European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons ESCRS.

Diaton tonometry is a unique approach of measuring intraocular pressure without touching the surface of the eye, takes tonometry reading over the upper eyelid and over the sclera. This revolutionary tonometry method allows physicians to obtain intraocular pressure without influence of central corneal thickness (CCT) and other known and unknown biometric properties and parameters of the cornea.

Unlike Goldmann tonometry which is based on the Imbert–Fick law and is effected by CCT and other corneal parameters and corneal diseases, where small area of the membrane is flattened to measure pressure of the internal fluid. Evidence shows that variations in CCT may greatly influence Goldmann tonometry reading. Parameters such as membrane elasticity, rigidity and other biomechanical properties can influence the accuracy of the intraocular pressure readings.

Diaton tonometry solves most of the corneal issues by implementing Newton ‘s Second Law and a Ballistic principle to obtain IOP. Readings with Diaton Tonometer are taken over the upper eyelid, at the tarsus and over the sclera, not the cornea.

Recent clinical study “Comparison of Accuracy of Diaton Transpalpebral Tonometer Versus Goldmann Applanation Tonometer, Dynamic Contour Tonometer and Ocular Response Analyzer “ concluded: “Transpalpebral Tonometry is an accurate method of IOP measurement that is also independent from the biomechanical characteristics of cornea. It can be recommended for IOP measurements of patients diagnosed with glaucoma including those cases where cornea pathology or cornea characteristics have been altered”.

BiCOM Inc. ( New York , USA ) covers the full scope of customer service, which involves client training, follow ups, hotline support, sales support, etc. To get more information on the device or to make a purchase, visit the official website –http://www.TonometerDiaton.com, or call BiCOM at the toll free number 1-877-diatons (877-342-8667).

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Optical Express Store Opened By Daley Thompson Jumping Tape

Optical Express’ latest optical store in Bearsden has been opened by Olympic legend Daley Thompson taking an unconventional approach to its unveiling. The decathlete, double Olympic gold medallist, world and Commonwealth champion swapped the conventional silver scissors for the scissors jump as he leaped the red ribbon to launch the new Optical Express store.

The eye care specialist relocated after nine years in the town in order to be able to offer customers a larger, more modern, state of the art opticians in Glasgow, Bearsden, where clients will receive the most clinically advanced eye tests in Scotland and a new, exclusive range of designer frames.

The store will stock Jimmy Choo’s new range of designer prescription glasses – tipped to be as popular as the fashion label’s range of shoes and bags – following their international launch last month. Customers can also choose from the latest designer frames from top names such as Dior, Prada, Gucci, Patrick Cox, Tom Ford, Cavalli and Chloe.

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Bridgewater Hospital Launches Revamped Website

The Bridgewater Hospital has announced the launch of its new website, designed to better highlight the full range of services offered, as well as to communicate the hospital’s major points of difference.

Bridgewater Hospital Launches Revamped Website

One of the new features of the site is an interactive body map, whereby individuals can search for a treatment or condition by clicking on the relevant body part. Separate body maps are available for males and females.

The new site also includes a comprehensive database of treatments and other hospital offerings, profiles of the doctors and surgeons that work at the facility, and a forum, where patients and others can post questions for the hospital’s medical professionals to respond to.

The Bridgewater Hospital is located in central Manchester, and was acquired by the Optical Express Group in 2006. Renowned for its state of the art technology, the facility aims to provide the highest standard of patient care, offering treatments ranging f r o m cosmetic surgery, to orthopaedics, to pregnancy scans. Bridgewater also provides extensive diagnostic screening and is the surgery provider to a number of elite athletes, including Premiership and Championship Football Clubs, Premiership Rugby, and a variety of individuals preparing to compete in the 2012 Olympics.

Lesley Taylor, the executive director of the hospital, commented: “We’re incredibly excited about the launch of the new website. We feel that it more effectively communicates the wide range of offerings that Bridgewater has to offer, and provides patients with an informative, interactive, and professional resource.

“There are so many benefits of using a state of the art facility like ours, and we felt that our online presence should reflect these strengths. It is our hope that patients both embrace and engage with the new site.”

In addition to the treatments and services offered, the hospital also hosts regular information events. These events, covering topics ranging f r o m fertility, to teenage skin, to cosmetic surgery treatment options, are all free and open to the public. Information on upcoming events can be found on the hospital’s website.

Being part of the Optical Express Group, the hospital is also used to perform intraocular lens treatment (IOL), as well as other eye surgeries, though LASIK and LASEK are not performed on-site.

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Optical Express Invests $12 Million To Enhance Patient Care

Optical Express, the world leader in refractive surgery, has announced a $12 million investment in next generation laser eye surgery technology, enhancing patient care and improving vision beyond 20/20.

Optical Express Invests $12 Million To Enhance Patient Care

This latest investment will see all 44 Optical Express laser treatment clinics across the UK and Europe installing state-of-the-art iFS 150 femtosecond laser systems during 2010, reinforcing its dedication to developing the highest quality science-based products and services.

The equipment, designed to improve LASIK flap creation, will deliver a customised laser eye treatment for every individual patient that is safer, faster and will deliver improved outcomes.

Steve Schallhorn, Chief Medical Director for the Group said: “We remain at the forefront of technological innovation and through continuous investment we are dedicated to achieving the best clinical outcomes while leading the delivery of world class care.

“This latest investment further enhances our reputation as the world leader in laser eye surgery. I am delighted to be able to offer all our patients in the UK and Europe iFS(TM) 150 technology as I know that it the very best available in the world today.”

Group Chairman and CEO David Moulsdale said: “This level of investment is testament to our ongoing commitment to ensuring that our patients get the very best visual outcomes in the safest manner possible. As a result of the investment, we are able to confirm that even more of our patients will achieve better than 20/20 vision.”

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