Bepotastine besilate ophthalmic solution 1.5% clears the hurdle for allergic ocular itching
July 1st 2009The FDA Dermatologic and Ophthalmic Drugs Advisory Committee has recommended the approval of bepotastine besilate ophthalmic solution 1.5% (Bepreve, ISTA Pharmaceuticals) for treating ocular itching associated with allergic conjunctivitis.
Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography enables clinical assessment of photoreceptor integrity
July 1st 2009New spectral-domain optical coherence tomography technology allows visualization of the junction of the inner and outer segments of the photoreceptors. Assessment of the photoreceptor integrity line in eyes with and without disorders of the outer retina indicates it is a useful biomarker for photoreceptor impairment.
Besifloxacin ophthalmic suspension 0.6% is approved for bacterial conjunctivitis
July 1st 2009Besifloxacin ophthalmic suspension 0.6% (Besivance, Bausch & Lomb) was approved recently by the FDA for the treatment of bacterial conjunctivitis. Besifloxacin suspension is able to fight bacteria that are growing resistant to older anti-infectives.
Maui Jim, Unite for Sight join forces for charity
July 1st 2009Every online purchase of any new pair of Maui Jim sunglasses from www.mauijim.com through July 31 will result in the donation of a pair of new Maui Jim sunglasses to Unite for Sight, a non-profit group that has as its goal improving eye health and eliminating preventable blindness among severely impoverished people.
Dry eye could be aided by tear osmolarity device
July 1st 2009A new device (TearLab Osmolarity System, TearLab Corp.) that measures the osmolarity of tears to aid in the diagnosis of dry eye disease has been given FDA 501(k) clearance and also has received a silver 2009 Medical Design Excellence Award (MDEA).
Glaucoma tomograph creates maps of disease
July 1st 2009Incorporating a system for the assessment, diagnosis, and management of glaucoma (Heidelberg Retina Tomograph 3, Heidelberg Engineering) in a clinical glaucoma and retinal practice enables the clinician to make better-informed decisions about what therapy to start or maintain to treat patients with either disease.
Sports vision services afford patients 'good game'
June 1st 2009All optometrists should consider tapping into the market of sports vision optimization. The opportunities and interest in this niche market are great. Add to this fact the relative ease of launching a sports vision component in your practice and you have a win-win situation for practices and patients.
Benchmarking: Having good information is the key to making good business decisions
June 1st 2009A doctor-owner needs timely and accurate information about business activity in his or her practice. The doctor-owner must capture and incorporate those data to effectively implement improvements in the practice.