KY's OD's & MD's Brawl.

“The Senate approved a bill Friday to allow optometrists to perform some surgical procedures on the eye and eyelid, brushing aside warnings from medical doctors who said optometrists are not qualified and could harm surgical patients,” according to Kentucky's Lexington Herald-Leader.

Custom Raid Nets $2.6 Millilon--not in Drugs, in Eyewear

“Customs has seized millions of dollars worth of fake sunglasses and reading glasses arriving from China,” according to a post on KABC Television's website. “ US Customs and Border Protection, also known as the CBP, seized nearly 10,000 pairs of counterfeit Givenchy sunglasses and 3,600 Giorgio Armani reading glasses at the Port of Los Angeles Feb. 2.” Those 13,600 pieces were valued at $2.6 million. The news show reported that “counterfeit glasses could be a danger to customers since they can shatter, cause eye injury, and may fail to provide UV protection.”

What Were Ophthalmologists Reading in 2010?

Medscape analyzed its website to find out what ophthalmologists were reading (and therefore thinking about) during the past year. It's always good to know what all ECPs are thinking. Here's its list of the top 10 articles:

1. Retinal Vein Occlusions: Could Recent Developments Be Practice-Changing?
A commentary on retinal vein occlusion treatment includes recent clinical trial data and newly approved drug devices.

2. Antiviral Treatment Thwarts Recurring Eye Problems From Herpes Simplex
Oral antiviral prophylaxis appeared to protect against recurrence of ocular herpes simplex virus.

3. FDA Clears Laser System for Use in Cataract Surgery
The FDA approved a laser system for anterior capsulotomy during cataract surgery.

A related article on this subject is also of interest: Femtosecond Laser Technology Applied to Lens-Based Surgery.

4. FDA Panel Recommends Premarket Approval for Ocular Stent
A stent for reduction in intraocular pressure was reviewed for use in mild-to-moderate open-angle glaucoma.

5. Does Anti-VEGF Therapy Cause Glaucoma?
Reports suggest that patients may experience increased IOP following anti-VEGF therapy.

6. Perforating Eyelid Injury Extending to the Brain Stem in a 17-Year-Old Woman: A Case Report
An apparently superficial eye injury turns out to be far more severe than initial presentation would indicate.

7. A 61-Year-Old Woman With Swelling of the Lower Eyelid
A 61-year-old woman presents with painful swelling of the left lower eyelid. What is your diagnosis?

8. The Next Wave in Cataract Surgery: Intraoperative Measurement of Sphere, Cylinder, and Aberrations
We are beginning to envision a future where refractive cataract surgery can achieve LASIK-like outcomes.

9. Incidence and Management of Acute Endophthalmitis After Intravitreal Bevacizumab (Avastin) Injection
What's the risk of acute endophthalmitis after intravitreal bevacizumab injection, and what can be done to lower the risk?

10. Healthcare Reform Resource Center
The evolving debate was chronicled by Medscape throughout 2010. Bookmark this page so that you'll have access to the latest information as it becomes available.