EXAM EQUIPMENT
Enhanced Retinal Tomographer


The Heidelberg Retina Tomograph 3 (HRT3) from Heidelberg Engineering GmbH is a newly-enhanced version of the companys flagship product, the HRT, for the evaluation, diagnosis and management of glaucoma. Like earlier versions, the HRT3 employs laser technology to generate a topographic image of the optic nerve. The HRT3 allows you to objectively analyze the cup, rim and retinal nerve fiber layer and compare baseline images with those from follow-up exams. It also highlights areas of statistically significant glaucoma progression.

The HRT3 offers two new features: (1) the Fast Check Glaucoma Probability Score, which provides a statistical probability of glaucoma using ethnic-specific databases, and (2) real-time feedback to help you capture a quality image. Theres no need for contour line drawings or reference planes. The HRT3 is a portable, laptop-based system that you can store within a compact carrying case.

Heidelberg Engineering says the HRT3 will be available in the last quarter of this year. Call 1-800-931-2230, or go to www.heidelbergengineering.com.

COMANAGEMENT
Intraocular Lens Upgrade


The Crystalens SE system from Eyeonics Inc. is an upgraded version of the companys Crystalens intraocular lens. The new lens offers a 360 square edge to facilitate capsular bag stability. Also, there is no need for cycloplegia, the company says.

The Crystalens SE system can be used with the Staar Indigo Injector System (Staar Surgical USA). This delivery device enables surgeons to use a smaller sub-3mm incision. It also allows for sterile insertion because the surgeon does not handle the lens directly.

Call, 1-866-393-6642, or go to www.eyeonics.com.

WHAT"S NEW ON THE WEB
Interactive Eye Health and E-Commerce Web Site


Eyehealthnetwork.com from EyeHealth Network Inc. offers you and your patients an interactive place to find local eye care practitioners, order ophthalmic products, read the latest news about eye care and more.

To use the site, you must enroll as a preferred member and agree to offer service and advice as needed. Membership benefits include:

A customized/personal Web page that includes a profile of your practice.

 The ability to sell products on eyehealthnetwork.com or via a customized web portal.

 Discounts on Web hosting, including e-commerce with the EyeHealth Network.

 Preferential listing on the Doctor Locator section with a link to your practice and profile.

 Admission to buy and sell equipment online in the EyeHealth Network doctor classified section.

 Access and free posting on the EyeHealth Network employment board.

 Discounts on products and services from network vendors.

Call 1-888-384-3937, or go to www.eyehealthnetwork.com.

THERAPEUTICS
Post-Cataract Surgery Drug Gets FDA Nod


The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved Nevanac (nepafenac ophthalmic suspension 0.1%, Alcon), a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory prodrug, for treating pain and inflammation following cataract surgery. Two multi-center, placebo-controlled studies that involved more than 680 subjects showed that:

 Patients who used Nevanac had significantly less ocular pain and inflammation in the early postoperative period through the end of treatment when compared with the placebo group. 

More than 80% of patients treated with Nevanac reported no pain the day after surgery vs. less than 50% of patients in the placebo group. 

Some 95% of patients treated with Nevanac were pain free after two weeks of treatment vs. 45% in the placebo group.

 Some 91% of patients treated with Nevanac had no clinically significant inflammation two weeks after the surgery vs. 47% of patients in the placebo group.

A total of 5% to 10% of patients treated with Nev-anac experienced capsular opacity, decreased visual acuity, foreign-body sensation, increased intraocular pressure and a sticky sensation. There was a similar incidence of adverse events in the placebo group, and these events may be the result of the cataract surgery itself, Alcon says.

Call 1-800-451-3937, or go to www.alconinc.com.

Optimized Ophthalmic Solution Gets FDA OK
The FDA has approved Alphagan P (brimonidine tartrate 0.1%, Allergan), an optimized formulation of Alphagan (brimonidine tartrate 0.2%, Allergan), for lowering intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients who have open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. Allergan says it developed this new version to further minimize drug exposure while maintaining the drugs favorable efficacy profile.

In a clinical trial, the 1% Alphagan P had the same IOP-lowering efficacy (2mm Hg to 6mm Hg) as its predecessor in patients who have open-angle glaucoma and who have ocular hypertension.

Alphagan P is contraindicated in patients who take a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI). The most frequently reported adverse events include ocular pruritis, conjunctival hyperemia and allergic conjunctivitis. Call 1-800-377-7790, or go to www.allergan.com.

DRY EYE
Three-Month Punctal Plug


ProLong, an absorbable punctal plug from FCI Ophthalmics, can be used for up to three months. The plug is ideal for managing postoperative dry eye following LASIK and for transient dry eye symptoms that often follow other ophthalmic surgeries, the company says.

ProLong is made of an absorbable copolymer material. It is 2mm in length and comes in 0.3mm, 0.4mm and 0.5mm diameters.

The plugs are available in packages of one size or in a variety pack that contains all three sizes. There are two plugs per package and 10 packages per box. Call 1-800-932-4202, or go to www.fci-ophthalmics.com.

LAB EQUIPMENT
New Lensmeter


The LM-1200 automatic lensmeter from Marco can read 108 points on a lens and instantly determine the add power of a progressive lens, the company says. Automatic lens type detection enables the LM-1200 to detect whether the lens is single vision or progressive and switch to the correct mode.

Additional features include prism lens measurement of 20.00D, a prism layout screen for blocking an uncut lens to include prism, automatic pupil distance measurement, and the ability to measure channel width and corridor length measurement of progressive lenses. UV measurement is graphically displayed at four levels that you can save for comparison purposes.

The lensmeter also has an adjustable color monitor for easy viewing while you are sitting or standing, a high-speed printer and newly designed ink for easier lens marking on lenses that have water-repellent coating. Call 1-800-874-5274, or go to www.marco.com.

LOW VISION
New Line of Prism Products


Correct-a-Prizm and Correct-a-Prizmbar from Gulden Ophthalmics can help you diagnose, correct and prescribe treatment for your low vision patients. Both are based on Comprisms, a new class of prisms that have a composite design with optical components.

Correct-a-Prizm converts existing prisms to Comprisms when you place a 37mm square prism within it. It can also correct non-standard prisms or prisms within spectacles and improve the performance of press-on and rigid Fresnel prisms, Gulden Ophthalmics says.

Correct-a-Prizmbar converts a standard prism bar into a Comprism bar. The device attaches to any type of standard prism bar without tools.

Both devices are designed to correct acrylic prism powers higher than 20.00PD and add 2.00PD to each prism power. They can improve patients visual acuity by two to four Snellen lines, depending on the prism power, the company says. Removable light yellow filters are available for low vision patients or patients who experience blue-glare sensitivity. Call (215) 884-8105, or go to www.guldenindustries.com.

OFFICE DESIGN


The Mission Collection from Eye Designs is based on Shaker-style furniture and the Arts and Crafts movement. The collection features halogen lighting and is available in an array of wood finishes. Call 1-800-346-8890, or go to www.eyedesigns.com.

OPHTHALMIC LENSES
Sunwear Options from Essilor
Essilor introduces four prescription choices: 

PhysioTints, which offer true and natural color perception. PhysioTints come with Crizal Alize anti-reflective (AR) coating, which also make the lenses scratch-resistant, durable and easy to clean, Essilor says. The lenses come in brown, gray, gray-green and black tint grades 0-3, making them suitable for light-sensitive patients, the company says. The company tints the lens itself, not just the lens coat, which means that PhysioTints will not crack, fade or peel, Essilor says. These lenses are only available in polycarbonate, so there are no range, power or base curve limitations. 

Flashback Mirrors, which have a flash mirror treatment on the front of the lens to provide comfort and protection for light-sensitive individuals. The lens also features a super hydrophobic topcoat on both sides to repel water, dirt, oil and smudges; TD2 scratch protection for diamond-hard scratch resistance on both sides; and Backside Crizal Alize AR. The lenses come in brown and black tints and gold and silver flash mirror colors and multiple tint grades. The Flashback Mirrors are available in single vision, bi- and trifocals and PAL. A two-year warranty is included.

 1.67 Tints, which are high-index lenses that combine Crizal and Crizal Alize AR. These lenses are suited for patients who want a thinner, flatter, no-glare lens that can be warn outside. A slow dye tint process ensures consistent color and tint intensity, while eliminating fading and peeling, Essilor says. These lenses are available in gray and brown in all grades of tint intensity. The 1.67 Tints are available in the companys Thin & Lite 1.67 lens designs (single vision and PAL) in all power ranges and base curves of Thin & Lite 1.67.

Solaire, which resembles a flash mirror lens and features TD2 and backside AR coating. The lenses are available in titanium gray and chromium brown and in +6.00 to 5.00 total sphere power and a cylinder up to 4.00D.

All four lenses offer 100% UVA and UVB protection. Call 1-800-377-4567, or go to www.essilor.com.

Vol. No: 142:10Issue: 10/15/2005