Researchers used retinal imaging to examine the eyes of 200 people with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) to see who had subretinal drusenoid deposits (SDDs). Patients were asked to fill out a questionnaire about their family history of cardiovascular disease. There were 97 SDDs and 103 drusen only among the 200 patients. 47 of the 200 patients had severe heart disease, and 40 of the 47 (86%) had SDDs. In comparison, 57 (43%) of the 153 AMD patients who did not have these severe diseases had SDDs. According to the researchers, AMD patients who had these severe cardiovascular diseases and strokes were nine times more likely to have SDDs than those who did not.

This technique for placing an IOL without capsular support has a steep learning curve, but once mastered, it should take only 15 to 20 minutes to complete. The most difficult aspects of this technique are measuring for needle insertion sites and lacing the trailing haptic into the needle lumen. Lacing the trailing haptic is probably the most difficult intraocular maneuver. This is a difficult task, but with the right approach and equipment, unnecessary complications can be avoided.

This physician’s surgical video demonstrating the management of a symptomatic dislocated posterior chamber intraocular lens (IOL) with a Siepser slipknot suture technique is an oldie but a goodie, as many eye care specialists have commented.

Change is difficult, and it usually necessitates effort, struggle, and the challenge of those who are dragging their feet around us. Annual reflection is a good way to stay current, push the boundaries, and provide better patient care. Try these tips to help your practice thrive, whether you have a long-standing specialty contact lens practice or are looking to expand into more specialty areas.

With the time-consuming requirements of managed care, it can be difficult to personally provide the education needed to set patients up for success in managing their retinal diseases. With that in mind, here are some suggestions for efficiently providing this necessary education.

Should COVID continue to be treated differently than other respiratory viruses? CDC and ID physicians note that COVID is more highly transmissible than other URIs we have more history with, and the outcomes of severe illness and long COVID are important differences as well. And the US is still seeing some 300 deaths per day from COVID.