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October's Features Ophthalmology's New Century: Genetics and Eye Disease
Ophthalmology's New Century: Genetics and Eye Disease Elias I. Traboulsi, MD This past summer, the world’s news media heralded a scientific development that some have called more significant than the 1969 lunar landing. The completion of the first phase of the Human Genome Project places medicine, and all of human society, at the threshold of a new era in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of major diseases. To be sure, many years of research and significant obstacles lie ahead. This article, a continuation of the series, “Ophthalmology’s New Century,” highlights some of the research that’s going on today, and where some those efforts may lead in the coming decades. 10 Ways to Communicate Better with Patients Judith Lee, Contributing Editor As you
struggle with declining reimbursements and feel pressured to see more patients,
there’s little time to acknowledge—much less
improve—doctor-patient communication. Vitamin Supplementation: What Do You Tell Your Patients? Michael Beirne, Associate Editor Definitive answers remain elusive on the benefits of supplementation. Patients will still look to you for advice.
Glaucoma Medications: How to Spot The Side Effects Avinash S. Patil and Peter A. Netland, MD, PhD Glaucoma medications are widely used, and sometimes multiple drugs are given to manage the disease. Glaucoma is common in the elderly, who often have concomitant diseases and side effects from other medications. Factors such as age, concomitant diseases and medications, or the patient’s hesitance to complain all make identifying the side effects of glaucoma medications difficult. This article will help pinpoint the side effects caused by glaucoma medications. A New Option for Glaucoma Patients Peter Netland, MD, PhD Clinical trials have shown that Rescula is a safe and effective new drug for glaucoma patients. Mapping The Cornea Leslie Sabbagh, Consulting EditorWith its colorful, explicit detail of the eye’s anterior surface, corneal topography’s power to entrance is undeniable. From its relatively simple start, the technology has grown to include multiple products that map the complexities of the cornea in refined detail. This article reviews the current technologies and offers clinical pearls on putting the devices to their best use. Read the Article When and How to Treat Central Serous Chorioretinopathy Edward B. Feinberg, MD, MPH, and Vito R. LaRocca, MD, MPH Though clinicians and researchers share uncertainty regarding the etiology of central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC), we still have substantial empiric information for evaluating and treating these patients. In this article, we’ll discuss how you can use this information to rapidly diagnose and effectively treat the condition. Read the Article Treating Intermediate And Posterior Uveitis Sharon D. Solomon, MD and Emmett T. Cunningham Jr., MD, PhD, MPH Some forms of uveitis can be especially challenging for the clinician. Because they’re seen infrequently, intermediate and posterior uveitis treatment may benefit from a team approach. This article describes the condition and offers options for treatment. Read the Article Is Prophylactic PRP in Ischemic CRVO a Good Idea? Yes, It's Worth it in Some Cases Gary Brown, MD, MBA, Melissa Brown, MD, MN, MBA A cost-utility analysis of prophylactic PRP for ischemic CRVO reveals that the clinical trial’s results may only be half of the picture. No, It May Do More Harm than Good John Clarkson, MD A randomized clinical trial found no benefit to prophylactic laser treatment, and that should guide our therapy, says this physician. Read the Article Cataract Surgery and The Patient with Uveitis Nick Mamalis, MD The second of two articles focusing on the effective prevention and management of postoperative inflammation. Read the Article Update on Pediatric Cataract Surgery David B. Granet, MD This article will highlight these recent advances in the field of pediatric cataracts, as well as several directions for future pursuit. Read the Article Child Abuse Primer For Ophthalmologists Richard J. Olson, MD All physicians are responsible to recognize and report signs of child abuse, and ophthalmologists have a uniquely important role in diagnosing Shaken Baby Syndrome. More than 1,000 abused children die yearly in the United States, and abuse is reported at the astonishing rate of 44 per 1000 children annually.3,11 It is estimated that 4 percent of child abuse cases present first to an ophthalmologist,2,6 yet many of us are uncomfortable reporting abuse or unsure of the components of an appropriate retinal examination for SBS. This review will focus on the forms of physical abuse ophthalmologists are most likely to see, though all types of abuse should be reported if suspected. Read the Article Repairing The Iris Michael E. Snyder, MD In the age of modern anterior segment surgery, we have the skills for more sophisticated iris repair. Read the Article |