Eyeworld

EW NEWS & OPINION 11 S iddhartha Mukherjee, M.D., Ph.D., wrote what has become one of the 10 best and best-selling books of 2010. Sid, as he is known, had the ambition to write a definitive history of how cancer has been understood, treated, feared, and politicized throughout all of recorded human history. The Em- peror of All Maladies: A Biography of Cancer has received an avalanche of acclaim by literary critics, science writers, and journalists alike. During the lecture, part of the ASCRS•ASOA Symposium and Con- gress, March 25-29, San Diego, Dr. Mukherjee will discuss his cancer "biography" in an unusual way. In- stead of the usual solo presentation, Dr. Mukherjee will make an initial presentation and then engage in a lively discussion with program mod- erator Douglas Koch, M.D., former editor of the Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, and Joseph "Jay" Noreika, M.D., an ophthalmologist and cancer survivor. Dr. Mukherjee is a cancer physi- cian and researcher. He is an assis- tant professor of medicine at Columbia University and a staff can- cer physician at Columbia Univer- sity Medical Center. A Rhodes scholar, he graduated from Stanford University, University of Oxford, and Harvard Medical School. He has published articles in Nature, The New England Journal of Medicine, The New York Times, and The New Republic. The ASCRS Lecture on Science and Medicine is the Sunday General Session, scheduled for Sunday, March 27, 10-11 a.m., in Hall E of the San Diego Convention Center. First time! ASORN approves CEUs for ASOA Congress The American Society of Oph- thalmic Registered Nurses (ASORN) has approved Continuing Education February 2011 Evaluation of hydrophilic acrylic toric IOL Molham Entabi, F.R.C.S.Ed., Francesca Harman, F.R.C.Ophth., Nicholas Lee, F.R.C.Ophth., Philip A. Bloom, F.R.C.Ophth. In this cohort study of consecutive patients with more than 2 D of pre-existing astigmatism, the aim was to determine how the new in- jectable one-piece toric IOL fared. Evaluated here were 33 eyes of 25 patients. Pre-op, eyes had a mean refraction of 3.35 D with mean astigmatism of 3.98 D. By the 4-month post-op mark, however, pa- tients saw their uncorrected distance visual acuity improve to a mean of 0.28 D and their corrected distance visual acuity jump to 0.19 D. When it came to mean astigmatism, this was down to 0.95 D with a mean reduction in refractive astigmatism of 2.94 D. There was a 3.44-degree difference found between the intended and the final IOL cylinder axis. Investigators concluded that following cataract surgery use of the toric IOL helped to stem astigmatism and increase spectacle independence. Comparison of Scheimpflug and automated keratometry Richard J. Symes, B.Sc., M.R.C.Ophth., Paul G. Ursell, M.D., F.R.C.Ophth. Investigators evaluated how mean pre-op keratometry readings for cataract surgery compared with a conventional automated ker- atometer (IOLMaster, Carl Zeiss Meditec, Dublin, Calif.) versus a Scheimpflug keratometer (Pentacam, Oculus, Lynnwood, Wash.). They determined that at 1-4 mm corneal diameters, the mean con- ventional K readings were significantly greater than those for the Scheimpflug K for true net power and for equivalent K. Meanwhile, at the 5-7 mm marks for corneal diameter, mean conventional K readings were significantly less than equivalent Scheimpflug K read- ings. The 4.5-mm mark was determined to be the one at which there was the smallest mean difference between the two technologies for mean K readings. Differences in limits of agreement between the two technologies were smallest at 4.5-mm and 5-mm marks. Investi- gators concluded that the closest match for conventional and Scheimpflug K readings were at the 4.5-mm mark. Variability be- tween the devices was lowest at 4.5 and 5.0 mms, but would still be large enough to confound lens power selection. Review/update: Surface ablation techniques Suphi Taneri, M.D., Michael Weisberg, M.D., Dimitri T. Azar, M.D. Surface ablation as well as laser in situ keratomileusis have grown out of a need for a simple yet safe, effective, minimally invasive sur- gical technique for refractive correction. As part of this review, in- vestigators looked back at the history of surface ablation and considerded the different patient-related factors to be weighed, vary- ing surface techniques, and outcomes and complications with these. Investigators compared results with techniques such as photorefrac- tive keratectomy, laser sub-epithelial keratectomy, and epithelial laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis. They concluded that outcomes may be enhanced going forward as ablation profiles and laser tech- nology continue to improve. In the journal … February 2011 by John Ciccone ASCRS Director of Communications The Emperor of All Maladies author to headline ASCRS Lecture on Science and Medicine Units (CEUs) for the Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC) Forum to be presented at the 2011 Congress of the American Society of Ophthalmic Administrators (ASOA), March 25- 29, at the San Diego Marriott and Marina. "This is the first time ASOA has offered ASORN-approved CEUs at our Congress," said Regina Boore, R.N., B.S.N., the program chair for the ASC Forum. Now nurses, along with administrators, opticians, tech- nicians, and MDs, can earn continu- ing education credit at the ASCRS• ASOA Symposium and Congress. RNs can earn 18.5 hours of credit at- tending the forum. The ASORN ap- proval number is 1008. "The last year and a half has brought sweeping changes to the ASC industry," Ms. Boore said. "Ex- panded regulation, increased scrutiny and enforcement, continu- ing downward pressure on reim- bursement, and political uncertainty have made it more challenging than ever to succeed in this business. The ASC Forum has been developed to help practices meet this challenge. "Attendees will be able to learn from industry leaders and experts about what to do to assure facility compliance with the CMS ASC Con- ditions for Coverage and Life Safety Code. Specific sessions in Quality As- sessment and Performance Improve- ment and Infection Control will give ASC managers accurate information and practical tools to meet surveyor expectations without breaking the bank. Risk management issues, benchmarking, effective leadership strategies, and more will round out the ASC Forum," said Ms. Boore. For more information on the ASC Forum and ASOA program of- ferings at the ASCRS•ASOA Sympo- sium and Congress, go to www.asoaforums.org.

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