Rhein Medical has introduced the new Statum 7000 Autoclave. The autoclave is available with a printer (02-7100), or without (02-7101). Rhein says the benefits include a 12-minute unwrapped cycle time; a 15-minute wrapped cycle time; it operates on simple tap water and sterilizes up to 110 pouched packages; it's easily serviced; and it has a removable water reservoir. Contact Rhein Medical at (813) 885-5050 for more information.

 

Study Says Intacs May Delay Transplants for Keratoconus Patients

Addition Technology, maker of Intacs corneal implants for the treatment of keratoconus and myopia and the AlphaCor artificial cornea, report that Intacs corneal implants may delay a corneal transplant for keratoconus patients 93 percent of the time, based on a company survey. The company surveyed 76 U.S. refractive ophthalmic surgeons who performed 2,136 Intacs surgeries between August 2004 and April 2008, of which 584 were specifically identified as keratoconus. Intacs are approved for the reduction of myopia and astigmatism in patients who suffer from keratoconus, who are contact lens intolerant, have clear corneas and where a corneal transplant is imminent and may be potentially deferred.

The survey also asked surgeons the reason for performing a transplant following the removal of Intacs. In less than 1 percent of all cases performed, the patients didn't receive a satisfactory visual effect after Intacs. Surgeons indicated that they didn't envision any difficulties with performing a corneal transplant post Intacs removal.

According to Eye Bank Association of America data, there are approximately 4,700 to 4,800 corneal transplants performed in the United States annually for keratoconus. Prior to Intacs, a corneal transplant was the only option for contact lens intolerant keratoconus patients. Visit IntacsForKeratoconus.com or AlphaCor-ati.com for more information.

 

Device Offers a Better Option for Home Monitoring of Dry AMD

ForeseeHome, a device for in-home monitoring of dry age-related macular degeneration, demonstrated 30 percent greater sensitivity than the Amsler grid when used to test patients previously diagnosed with choroidal neovascularization, according to research that will be presented at the upcoming American Society of Retina Specialists meeting. ForeseeHome is a version of the clinic-based Foresee PHP Preferential Hyperacuity Perimeter.

Researchers at Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center in Israel examined 31 patients with intermediate dry AMD, as well as 26 newly diagnosed CNV patients, all with an initial visual acuity of 20/200 or better. Prior to treatment or routine ophthalmic examination, each participant underwent an Amsler grid examination as well as a ForeseeHome examination. Patients performed an unsupervised test with the Amsler grid, and were thereafter classified as Amsler positive if they reported visual field abnormalities, or Amsler negative if no abnormalities were present. This was followed by a self-administered ForeseeHome test, and the result, negative or positive, was noted.

The results of the study found that among the 26 CNV patients, 23 were found to be positive with the ForeseeHome, compared to only 15 patients found positive with the Amsler grid. This data yields a sensitivity of 88.4 percent for the ForeseeHome, versus 57.6 percent for the Amsler grid. Additionally, the ForeseeHome indicated no false positives among the group of 31 intermediate AMD patients.

ForeseeHome will be distributed in the United States by Sightpath Medical, and is expected to be available in late 2009. Call Sightpath Medical at 1 (800)728-9615 or email info@sightpath medical.com.

 

ReStor Aspheric Launches Abroad

Alcon announced the commercial launch outside the United States of the new +3.0 Add Power AcrySof ReSTOR Aspheric intraocular lens. Clinical trial results demonstrated that the IOL optimally manages light energy delivered to the retina regardless of the lighting situation to provide patients with high resolution image quality and minimal visual disturbances, Alcon says. At the three-month follow-up exam, 95 percent of patients had combined distance corrected visual acuities (near, intermediate and distance) of 20/40 or better. The +3.0 Add Power AcrySof ReSTOR Aspheric IOL  is now available in most major markets outside the United States. The company filed a pre-market application for the lens in June 2008 with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, where it is currently under review.