Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in Ophthalmology for August 2015. 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.
Outcomes Up for Femtosecond Laser-Assisted Cataract Sx
MONDAY, Aug. 31, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery (FLACS) is associated with improved outcomes compared with conventional cataract surgery, according to a study published online Aug. 27 in Lasers in Surgery and Medicine.
Parents More Likely to Use Abx for ‘Pink Eye’ vs ‘Eye Infection’
FRIDAY, Aug. 28, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Use of the label “pink eye” versus “eye infection” is associated with increased parent intent to use antibiotics despite parents being informed about antibiotics’ ineffectiveness for treating symptoms, according to a study published online Aug. 20 in Clinical Pediatrics.
AMA: Ruling Makes It Easier for Insurers to Terminate Doctors
FRIDAY, Aug. 28, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The outcome of a recent case regarding the termination of physicians by an insurance company following a dispute over the necessity of medical services provided has serious implications for physicians and their patients, according to a report published by the American Medical Association (AMA).
Too Few Blacks, Hispanics Pursuing Careers As Physicians
TUESDAY, Aug. 25, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Too few members of certain minority groups are pursuing careers in U.S. medicine, resulting in a serious lack of diversity among general practitioners and specialists, according to a research letter published online Aug. 24 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
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CDC: Most Contact Lens Wearers Admit Risky Eye Care Behaviors
FRIDAY, Aug. 21, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The majority of Americans who use contact lenses admit they engage in at least one type of risky behavior that can lead to eye infections, according to survey results published in the Aug. 21 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
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Low Vitamin D Tied to Dry Eye Syndromes
FRIDAY, Aug. 21, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Patients with vitamin D deficiency should be evaluated for dry eye syndromes, according to a study published online Aug. 13 in the International Journal of Rheumatic Diseases.
Patient, Family Advisors Can Play Key Role in Practices
FRIDAY, Aug. 21, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Practices can employ patient and family advisors in order to help them focus on patient-centered care needs, according to a report published by the American Medical Association (AMA).
Report Highlights Ways to Improve Physician Resilience
THURSDAY, Aug. 20, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Strategies can be adopted for improving physician resilience and the ability to handle the challenges presented by patient care, according to a report published by the American Medical Association (AMA).
Mandatory Eyewear Cuts Injuries in Girls’ Field Hockey
MONDAY, Aug. 17, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Among female high school field hockey players, implementation of a national mandate for protective eyewear (MPE) reduced the incidence of eye/orbital injuries and severe eye/orbital and head/face injuries, according to a study published online Aug. 17 in Pediatrics.
Study: No Higher Eye Infection Risk With Bevacizumab
FRIDAY, Aug. 14, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Concerns that eye injections of the drug bevacizumab increase the risk of endophthalmitis may be unfounded, a new study suggests. The U.S. National Institutes of Health funded the study, which was published online Aug. 13 in JAMA Ophthalmology.
More Physicians Reporting Dissatisfaction With EHR Systems
THURSDAY, Aug. 13, 2015 (HealthDay News) — More physicians report being dissatisfied or very dissatisfied with their electronic health record (EHR) system, compared with five years ago, according to a report published by the AmericanEHR Partners and the American Medical Association.
Globe Injury Reported While Wearing Protective Eye Goggles
TUESDAY, Aug. 11, 2015 (HealthDay News) — A case of globe rupture has been described in a motocross rider who was wearing specifically designed protective eye goggles. The case report was published in the July issue of Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology.
HAC Reduction Program Penalty Kicks in for FY2015
TUESDAY, Aug. 11, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The latest Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) effort to reduce hospital-acquired conditions (HACs) is the HAC Reduction Program, according to an Aug. 6 health policy brief published in Health Affairs.
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CDC: Younger Adults With Diabetes Lag in Seeking Eye Care
MONDAY, Aug. 10, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Younger adults with diabetes are less likely to seek regular eye care, regardless of how long it has been since they were first diagnosed, according to a report published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics.
In-Person Staff Meetings Are Valuable for Health Care Teams
MONDAY, Aug. 10, 2015 (HealthDay News) — In-person staff meetings, which are not too short or too long and are held frequently, are valuable for health care team operation, according to an article published in Medical Economics.
Many Hospitals Being Penalized for 30-Day Readmissions
FRIDAY, Aug. 7, 2015 (HealthDay News) — About half of the nation’s hospitals are being penalized by Medicare for having patients return within a month of discharge, losing a combined $420 million, according to a report published by Kaiser Health.
Body Levels of Trace Metals Linked to Odds of Glaucoma
FRIDAY, Aug. 7, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Blood manganese and mercury levels are negatively and positively associated with glaucoma, respectively, according to a study published online Aug. 6 in JAMA Ophthalmology.
Bacterial Biofilms Identified in Ocular Prosthesis
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 5, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Bacterial biofilms are associated with ocular prostheses, according to a letter to the editor published in the August issue of Clinical & Experimental Ophthalmology.
Case Report Highlights Dangers of Eyeball Tattooing
TUESDAY, Aug. 4, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Eyeball tattooing can lead to ocular penetration, intraocular pigment deposition, and associated complications, and public awareness of the risks must increase, according to a letter to the editor published in the August issue of Clinical & Experimental Ophthalmology.
Review: mHealth Text Messages Promote Medication Adherence
MONDAY, Aug. 3, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Mobile health (mHealth) short message service text messages can improve medication adherence, according to a review published online July 27 in the Journal of Clinical Nursing.
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