Spring 2003: News From the Spring Conferences
Spring 2003: News From the Spring Conferences
At Medscape Ophthalmology, we continue to offer our bimonthly Case Study Series and monthly Journal Scan, as well as our in-depth conference coverage. In addition, we have launched a news CME program, where you can gain partial CME credit from our news stories, and a new and improved discussion forum, where you can communicate directly with the worldwide community of ophthalmologists. These new programs, as well as the findings from this spring's conferences, are discussed here.
The annual meetings of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) and the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) were held this past spring in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and San Francisco, California, respectively. As usual, Medscape was there, and we have recently posted our coverage of the highlights of each meeting.
A greater understanding of retinal diseases is leading to a number of new treatment strategies. Lee M. Jampol, MD, highlighted some of the latest findings that were presented at ARVO. For example, an understanding of the role of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) in inflammation has resulted in the use of an antibody that binds to TNF in the treatment of uveitis. Data so far look promising. Similarly, approaches to age-related macular degeneration (AMD) that view it as an inflammatory disease have led to research into the benefits of corticosteroid therapy, while an antiangiogenic approach has opened up the field to a number of new treatment possibilities. New data were also presented on photodynamic therapy with verteporfin, suggesting benefits for a broader range of eyes than previously thought.
C. Stephen Foster, MD, provided an overview of the new biologic research that is ongoing in cornea research. While treatments may be several years away in many cases, a refined understanding of biology should help to develop effective ones. For example, research is beginning to shed light on the role of growth factors in ocular wound healing and angiogenesis in corneal neovascularization -- suggesting ways to tackle the problems. Dr. Foster also discussed in some detail stem cell therapy, both how it can be used in ocular wound healing and the current state of research into locating and isolating corneal epithelial stem cell lines.
Technology was at the forefront of the ASCRS meeting, with wavefront technology dominating several sessions. Developed from the work of astrophysicists -- who were tackling the problem of distortion when light travels through the atmosphere and enters an optical telescope -- wavefront technology appears to effectively map the complexities of the eye. It is being used in conjunction with LASIK surgery on the theory that it can guide the laser on the best path through the cornea, and promising 6-month data were presented. It is also being studied for the use of measuring higher order and more complicated aberrations, as well as for cataracts to help in developing improved intraocular lenses.
At Medscape Ophthalmology, we continue to offer our bimonthly Case Study Series and monthly Journal Scan, as well as our in-depth conference coverage. In addition, we have launched a news CME program, where you can gain partial CME credit from our news stories, and a new and improved discussion forum, where you can communicate directly with the worldwide community of ophthalmologists. These new programs, as well as the findings from this spring's conferences, are discussed here.
The annual meetings of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) and the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) were held this past spring in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and San Francisco, California, respectively. As usual, Medscape was there, and we have recently posted our coverage of the highlights of each meeting.
A greater understanding of retinal diseases is leading to a number of new treatment strategies. Lee M. Jampol, MD, highlighted some of the latest findings that were presented at ARVO. For example, an understanding of the role of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) in inflammation has resulted in the use of an antibody that binds to TNF in the treatment of uveitis. Data so far look promising. Similarly, approaches to age-related macular degeneration (AMD) that view it as an inflammatory disease have led to research into the benefits of corticosteroid therapy, while an antiangiogenic approach has opened up the field to a number of new treatment possibilities. New data were also presented on photodynamic therapy with verteporfin, suggesting benefits for a broader range of eyes than previously thought.
C. Stephen Foster, MD, provided an overview of the new biologic research that is ongoing in cornea research. While treatments may be several years away in many cases, a refined understanding of biology should help to develop effective ones. For example, research is beginning to shed light on the role of growth factors in ocular wound healing and angiogenesis in corneal neovascularization -- suggesting ways to tackle the problems. Dr. Foster also discussed in some detail stem cell therapy, both how it can be used in ocular wound healing and the current state of research into locating and isolating corneal epithelial stem cell lines.
Technology was at the forefront of the ASCRS meeting, with wavefront technology dominating several sessions. Developed from the work of astrophysicists -- who were tackling the problem of distortion when light travels through the atmosphere and enters an optical telescope -- wavefront technology appears to effectively map the complexities of the eye. It is being used in conjunction with LASIK surgery on the theory that it can guide the laser on the best path through the cornea, and promising 6-month data were presented. It is also being studied for the use of measuring higher order and more complicated aberrations, as well as for cataracts to help in developing improved intraocular lenses.
Source...