Eyeworld

3 EW NEWS & OPINION T wo sessions at the upcom- ing World Cornea Congress VII will provide cornea specialists with the latest in the diagnosis and treatment of corneal diseases. The "Infections and Inflammation" session will focus on the most prevalent corneal infections, and the "Ocular Surface Disease" session will highlight both common and specialized ocular sur- face disorders. The meeting will take place in San Diego, April 15–17. Infections and inflammation Christopher J. Rapuano, MD, Wills Eye Hospital, Philadelphia, will moderate the "Infections and Inflammation" session, which will focus primarily on the most com- mon and important infections affecting the front of the eye. Elisabeth Cohen, MD, professor of ophthalmology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, will deliver the keynote presentation, "Man- agement and Prevention of Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus," where she will discuss prevention of herpes zoster infection, complications of the disease, and the need to study new treatments. Herpes zoster ophthalmicus is a common and severe disease threat- ening vision, quality of life, and possibly causing death, Dr. Cohen said. In addition to 30 years of expe- rience treating patients and training residents and fellows at Wills Eye Hospital, Dr. Cohen had a more personal experience with herpes zoster ophthalmicus—she devel- oped it at age 58 and has undergone several surgeries because of ongoing complications. The take-home message of her talk, Dr. Cohen said, is that everyone age 50 and older without impaired cellular immunity should get the herpes zoster vaccine, and ophthalmologists should encourage their patients to do so. "Many eye doctors are not aware that most of their patients have not received the shingles vac- cine and encouraging them to do so is something the doctor could and should do right away," Dr. Rapuano said. Penny Asbell, MD, will present "Advanced Techniques in Diagnos- ing Infectious Conjunctivitis and Keratitis," which will feature new technologies that help diagnose corneal and conjunctival infections, including rapid tests done in the office. Speakers will also discuss the 4 most common types of corneal infections—bacterial, fungal, Acanthamoeba, and herpes simplex virus. Francis Mah, MD, will present "What's New in the Treat- ment of Bacterial Keratitis?" and Namperumalsamy Venkatesh, FRCS, will present "Fungal Kerati- tis—MUTT Trials and Tribulations." "While there is only 1 commer- cially available anti-fungal drop, sev- eral others are commonly obtained from compounding pharmacies," Dr. Rapuano said. "We typically think newer is better, but a recent study that will be discussed demonstrated that topical natamycin is better than compounded voriconazole for Fusarium infections." Elmer Tu, MD, will present "Management of Acanthamoeba and Other Parasitic Keratitis," and Marc Labetouille, MD, PhD, will present "Update on Management of Herpes Simplex Virus Keratitis." The session will close with 2 presentations focusing on inflamma- tion. Vishal Jhanji, MD, will present "Special Considerations in Man- aging Keratitis in Children," and Vincent de Luise, MD, FACS, will present "Management of Anterior Uveitis and Scleritis for the Anterior Segment Specialist." "Many of us cringe when we see a patient with episcleritis or scleritis, as we just aren't sure how to differ- entiate the 2, and they are treated differently. We will learn just how to do that," Dr. Rapuano said. Ocular surface disease W. Barry Lee, MD, Eye Consultants of Atlanta, will moderate the "Ocular Surface Disease" session. "I think this session will be important for any ophthalmologist seeing patients with ocular surface diseases, and this falls under all sub- specialty fields," Dr. Lee said. "We will cover the gamut of ocular sur- face disease, from the very common conditions, such as dry eye disease, to the more specialized forms of ocular surface disease involving surgery to treat limbal stem cell defi- ciency. In addition, common eyelid disorders and systemic diseases can have a major impact on the ocular surface." Edward Holland, MD, director of cornea services, Cincinnati Eye Institute, and professor of ophthal- mology, University of Cincinnati, will deliver the keynote presenta- tion, "Limbal Stem Cell Deficien- cy: A Historical Perspective—Past, Present, and Future." Dr. Holland has been treating patients with limbal stem cell defi- ciency since the late 1980s and feels they are some of the most challeng- ing patients in ophthalmology. He will give attendees an over- view of how physicians began to understand and treat the disease and hopes to educate cornea specialists on the various surgical techniques that are available, such as ocular surface stem cell transplant and keratoprosthesis. "With new surgical techniques and anti-rejection medications, we can help a lot of patients we couldn't help 10 or 15 years ago," Dr. Holland said. "We're able to pro- vide sight to some of these patients who were blind for many years." Jose Gomes, MD, PhD, will continue the topic of stem cell issues Management of infections, inflammation, and ocular surface disease by Lauren Lipuma EyeWorld Staff Writer January 2015 World Cornea Congress preview with "Challenges and Advances for Ocular Surface Reconstruction in Bi- lateral Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency." The topic will shift to eyelid and conjunctival issues with Minas Coroneo, MD, presenting "Restor- ing Glamour in Pterygium Surgery," and Wendy Lee, MD, PhD, present- ing "Protecting the Corneal Realm: Eyelid Disorders and the Cornea." The session will also feature presentations on new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for ocular surface diseases. "All fields of ophthalmology should understand some of the new diagnostic strategies for aqueous deficiency and evaporative dry eye disease as a number of devices have hit the market in the last few years for both diagnosis and treatment," Dr. Lee said. Richard Davidson, MD, will present "New Diagnostic Approach- es for Ocular Surface Disease," and Beatrice Cochener, MD, PhD, will present "New Therapeutic Strategies for Tear-Deficient and Evaporative Dry Eye Disease." Carol Karp, MD, will present "Ocular Surface Squa- mous Neoplasia: Novel Diagnostic/ Treatment Options." Mark Mannis, MD, will close the session with a focus on the broader implications of ocular disorders in "Systemic Features of Ocular Surface Disease." "The World Cornea Congress will be the most amazing anterior segment meeting we have ever had as so many advancements have been made in the subspecialty of cornea and anterior segment diseases," Dr. Lee said. "Our session will highlight some of the groundbreaking science and research that makes this field so exciting. You do not want to miss it." EW Editors' note: Drs. Cohen, Holland, Lee, and Rapuano have no financial interests related to their comments. Contact information Cohen: Elisabeth.Cohen@nyumc.org Holland: Eholland@holprovision.com Lee: lee0003@aol.com Rapuano: cjrapuano@willseye.org

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