Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in Ophthalmology for December 2017. 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.
Higher ω-3 Fatty Acid Intake Tied to Lower Glaucoma Risk
TUESDAY, Dec. 26, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Increased daily intake of ω-3 fatty acids is associated with lower odds of glaucoma, but higher levels of total polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) intake are associated with higher odds of developing glaucoma, according to a study published online Dec. 21 in JAMA Ophthalmology.
Swelling, Infection Most Common Side Effects of Injectable Fillers
THURSDAY, Dec. 21, 2017 (HealthDay News) — The most common adverse events associated with injectable fillers are swelling and infection, according to a study published online Dec. 21 in JAMA Facial Plastic Surgery.
Femtosecond Laser Safer for Post-Vitrectomy Cataract Surgery
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 20, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery demonstrates comparable visual outcomes to conventional phacoemulsification, with a trend toward better intraoperative and postoperative safety, according to a study published online Dec. 14 in Clinical & Experimental Ophthalmology.
Male U.S. Doctors Receive Higher Values of Industry Payments
MONDAY, Dec. 18, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Male physicians in the United States received higher values of general payments from industry than females in 2015, according to a research letter published online Dec. 18 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
Year One Results Out for Value-Based Payment Modifier Program
MONDAY, Dec. 18, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Almost 30 percent of eligible practices failed to register and report data in the first year of the Physician Value-Based Payment Modifier program, according to a report published in the December issue of Health Affairs.
Doctors Must Report on at Least 1 Patient, 1 Measure for MACRA
FRIDAY, Dec. 15, 2017 (HealthDay News) — In order to meet the 2017 Medicare and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA) participation reporting deadline and avoid a Medicare payment penalty in 2019, physicians must report on at least one patient and one measure by Dec. 31, and submit to Medicare no later than Feb. 28, 2018, according to a report from the American Medical Association (AMA).
Functional Limitations Ongoing With Congenital Zika
FRIDAY, Dec. 15, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Severe functional limitations are reported among children with microcephaly and laboratory evidence of Zika virus infection in infancy, according to research published in the Dec. 15 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
Hot Tea Consumption Tied to Lower Odds of Glaucoma
FRIDAY, Dec. 15, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Individuals who consume hot tea daily may have a lower risk of developing glaucoma, according to a study published online Dec. 14 in the British Journal of Ophthalmology.
Making Insurers Participate in Marketplace Could Cut Volatility
THURSDAY, Dec. 14, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Requiring insurers that participate in Medicare or Medicaid to also participate in Marketplaces in the same geographic area could improve access to insurance, according to a study published in the December issue of Health Affairs.
Ocular Safety Profile of Novel Oral Antithrombotics Explored
THURSDAY, Dec. 14, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Prasugrel carries no increased ocular risk compared with clopidogrel, and dabigatran and rivaroxaban may reduce risk compared with warfarin, according to a study published online Dec. 14 in JAMA Ophthalmology.
Amount of Opioids Prescribed After Hospital Discharge Varies
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 13, 2017 (HealthDay News) — For postoperative patients there is considerable variation in the amount of opioids prescribed at hospital discharge, according to research published online Dec. 13 in JAMA Surgery.
Artificial Intelligence Promising for CA, Retinopathy Diagnoses
TUESDAY, Dec. 12, 2017 (HealthDay News) — A deep learning algorithm can detect metastases in sections of lymph nodes from women with breast cancer; and a deep learning system (DLS) has high sensitivity and specificity for identifying diabetic retinopathy, according to two studies published online Dec. 12 in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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Few Patients, Providers Discuss Costs of Glaucoma Medications
MONDAY, Dec. 11, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Few patients have conversations with providers about the cost of glaucoma medications, according to research published in the December issue of Optometry and Vision Science.
Deceleration in Health Care Spending Growth in 2016
MONDAY, Dec. 11, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Health care spending growth slowed in 2016 following faster growth in 2014 and 2015, according to research published online Dec. 6 in Health Affairs.
Structural Findings of Acute Solar Retinopathy Described
FRIDAY, Dec. 8, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Acute solar retinopathy can result in localized foveal cone photoreceptor injury and dysfunction, according to a new case study published online Dec. 7 in JAMA Ophthalmology.
Alternative Diagnosis for Many Referred for Optic Neuritis
FRIDAY, Dec. 8, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Almost 60 percent of patients referred for acute optic neuritis have an alternative diagnosis, according to a study published online Dec. 7 in JAMA Ophthalmology.
CVS-Aetna Merger Has Implications for Doctors’ Offices
TUESDAY, Dec. 5, 2017 (HealthDay News) — CVS Health’s planned purchase of insurance giant Aetna, a $69 billion deal, was announced Sunday.
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Relevant Health Care Price Info Hard to Find Online
MONDAY, Dec. 4, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Overall, 17 percent of websites provide geographically relevant health care price estimates relating to specific interventions, according to a research letter published online Dec. 4 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
Older Ophthalmologists Less Likely to Have Patient Complaints
FRIDAY, Dec. 1, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Older ophthalmologists are less likely than younger ones to receive unsolicited patient complaints (UPCs), according to a study published online Nov. 30 in JAMA Ophthalmology.
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