Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in Ophthalmology for February 2016. This roundup includes the latest research news from journal articles, as well as the FDA approvals and regulatory changes that are the most likely to affect clinical practice.
Vitiligo Patients Often Exhibit Abnormal Ocular Findings
MONDAY, Feb. 29, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Patients with vitiligo have significant differences in terms of Schirmer test results, lens, and fundus findings, versus controls without systemic disease, according to a study published in the March issue of the International Journal of Dermatology.
Addition of Amphotericin B to Optisol-GS Needs Further Study
MONDAY, Feb. 29, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Further investigation of the addition of amphotericin B to Optisol-GS, the most commonly used corneal storage medium in the United States, is warranted, according to research published online Feb. 25 in JAMA Ophthalmology.
Topical Dorzolamide-Timolol Beneficial in Neovascular AMD
FRIDAY, Feb. 26, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Topical dorzolamide hydrochloride-timolol appears to reduce central subfield thickness and subretinal fluid in eyes of patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and incomplete response to anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy, according to a study published online Feb. 25 in JAMA Ophthalmology.
Suggestions for Optimizing Practice Feedback Effectiveness
THURSDAY, Feb. 25, 2016 (HealthDay News) — In an article published online Feb. 23 in the Annals of Internal Medicine, 15 suggestions are presented to optimize the effectiveness of practice feedback.
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Many Med Schools Appear Unwelcoming Regarding Disability
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 17, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Most medical schools need to post, update, or clarify technical standards (TSs), required under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), that detail what a school will do to accommodate a student with a disability, according to a study published online Jan. 19 in Academic Medicine.
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
CDC: Number of Uninsured Persons in U.S. Down Since 2013
FRIDAY, Feb. 12, 2016 (HealthDay News) — The percentage of uninsured persons is decreasing in the United States, according to a report published by the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS).
Physicians Concerned By Increasing Cost of Generics
THURSDAY, Feb. 11, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Pennsylvania physicians have called for state- and national-level medical associations to take an active role in addressing the issue of increasing generic drug prices, according to an article published by the Pennsylvania Medical Society.
Fat Repositioning in Lower Blepharoplasty Effective
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 10, 2016 (HealthDay News) — The fat repositioning technique in lower blepharoplasty improves pseudofat herniation and adds volume to the lower periorbital and cheek areas, according to research published online Feb. 4 in JAMA Facial Plastic Surgery.
Low Vitamin D Linked to Dry Eye Syndromes
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 10, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Vitamin D deficiency is associated with dry eye and impaired tear function, according to a study published in the January issue of the International Journal of Rheumatic Diseases.
Ocular Issues Seen in Some Born With Zika-Linked Microcephaly
TUESDAY, Feb. 9, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Ocular abnormalities may occur in infants born with microcephaly that seems to be linked to infection with the mosquito-borne Zika virus, according to research published online Feb. 9 in JAMA Ophthalmology.
AMA Highlights Issues Relating to Medical Liability Reform
MONDAY, Feb. 8, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Medical liability reforms are likely to be advanced and challenged in 2016, according to a report published by the American Medical Association (AMA).
PCPs Have Important Role to Play in Senior Visual Health
MONDAY, Feb. 8, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Primary care physicians (PCPs) can play an important role in preserving visual health and maximizing quality of life (QOL) for elderly patients with visual loss, according to a review published online Jan. 30 in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
Central Retinal Vein Occlusion ID’d After Phendimetrazine Use
MONDAY, Feb. 8, 2016 (HealthDay News) — A case of central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) two days after phendimetrazine use has been documented and published online Feb. 4 in JAMA Ophthalmology.
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Doctors Offer Suggestions for Electronic Health Records
FRIDAY, Feb. 5, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Physicians recently met in Seattle to discuss the difficulties and benefits associated with electronic health records (EHRs) in a third town hall meeting on the subject, according to a report published by the American Medical Association.
High-Dose Statins Benefit Some Cases of Macular Degeneration
FRIDAY, Feb. 5, 2016 (HealthDay News) — High doses of statin medications may benefit age-related macular degeneration (AMD), according to research to be published in EBioMedicine.
Seven Tips Provided for Optimizing Practice Revenue
THURSDAY, Feb. 4, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Business operations data represent a relatively untapped resource for optimizing practice revenue, and can indicate areas of strength and opportunities for improvement, according to a report published in Medical Economics.
Video Games Offer Educational Methods for Med Students
THURSDAY, Feb. 4, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Video games can play a role in medical education, offering new methods for teaching medical students, according to a report published by the American Medical Association (AMA).
Patient-Centered System Recommended for Medical Billing
THURSDAY, Feb. 4, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Simplification, consolidation, and real time point-of-care information could address the inefficiencies in the medical billing system, according to an Ideas and Opinions piece published online Feb. 2 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Tips Presented for Encouraging Treatment Adherence
TUESDAY, Feb. 2, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Tips for increasing patient adherence to treatment plans include patient engagement and addressing barriers to adherence, according to an article published in Medical Economics.
Patients and Families Highlight Value of Nurse Practitioners
MONDAY, Feb. 1, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Patients and their families believe that teams in acute and primary care are more effective when they include nurse practitioners, according to research published online Jan. 27 in the Journal of Clinical Nursing.
Copyright © 2016 ScoutNews, LLC. All rights reserved.
