The LensAR Laser System by LensAR, Inc., has received FDA clearance for anterior capsulotomy and lens fragmentation during cataract surgery. The system uses a proprietary 3D imaging technology called 3D-CSI (Confocal Structured Illumination) for precise imaging and easier cataract removal.
To date, the system has been used in more than 500 eyes outside of the United States. The first U.S. surgeon to use the system, Louis “Skip” Nichamin, MD, stated the process was “considerably more proficient and seamless” than conventional processes. With FDA clearance, the technology is a step closer to commercialization, according to the company.
A new study finds that people with metabolic syndrome have a higher risk for cataracts. According to the study, metabolic syndrome is having at least three of the following: a high level of bad cholesterol; a body mass index (BMI) of 25 or more; use of blood pressure medication or blood pressure of 130/85 or higher; and diabetes mellitus.
High blood pressure is associated with three cataract types, says study.
The researchers examined the association with three cataract types: nuclear, cortical and posterior subcapsular (PSC). They found that high blood pressure was linked to all three cataract types, and diabetes was associated with cortical and PSC cataracts.
Cortical cataracts were linked to high BMI, diabetes, high blood pressure and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Study participants with both diabetes and high blood pressure had a four times greater cataract risk.
The study was reported in January on the website for Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science.
Bausch & Lomb announced today that the “See Better and Save” rebate program will now run through March 31, 2011, two months later than the previous deadline. Patients who have the Crystalens accommodating intraocular lens implanted before the deadline can be eligible for a $250 rebate per eye.
Crystalens currently is the only FDA-approved accommodating intraocular lens. The lens provides sharper vision at multiple distances in addition to removing the cataract.
The company stated that the rebate program has been a success because it makes Crystalens a more accessible option for baby boomers. The rebate is available to patients regardless of physician, hospital or surgical center.
More information about Crystalens and the “See Better and Save” rebate program can be found at Crystalens.com.
In addition to improving vision and quality of life for seniors with cataracts, cataract surgery also appears to reduce the number of auto accidents involving older people, according to a new study.
Cataract surgery may improve safety on the road and reduce the risk of auto crashes.
At the 2010 Joint Meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) and Middle East-Africa Council of Ophthalmology (MEACO), Jonathan Ng, MD, presented the results of a study of auto accident rates among Australians with cataracts in both eyes before and after
cataract surgery on their first eye.
A total of 27,827 patients age 60 and older who had cataract surgery between 1997 and 2006 were included in the study.
Data from the Western Australian Road Injury Database was obtained for all patients in the study to identify those who had been involved in a motor vehicle accident up to 12 months prior to and 12 months following their cataract surgery.
“We found cataract surgery reduced the frequency of all crashes by 12.6 percent,” Dr. Ng said in a press release issued by the AAO. The study also revealed that a majority of patients involved in automobile accidents were males between the ages of 70 and 79 who lived in metropolitan areas.
The study authors noted that in Australia and other countries, patients often have to wait weeks or months after cataracts are diagnosed to undergo cataract surgery. This study suggests that significant delays in obtaining cataract surgery affect not only the patients’ quality of life, but individual and public safety as well, they say.
The authors also say that additional research is needed to compare auto accident rates before and after cataract surgery with intraocular lens implantation on the patients’ second eye.
