EyeWorld is the official news magazine of the American Society of Cataract & Refractive Surgery.
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March 2012 Visit us at ASCRS Booth 1100 However, he said, it's important to keep in mind that the laser may have equivalent efficacy as a single eye drop. "It wouldn't be equal to multiple eye drops," Dr. Brown said. He also said it is closer to the effi- cacy of a beta blocker than a prostaglandin. Dr. Brown said his clinic gener- ally uses a laser after putting patients on one or two drops. He tries to use it a little more frequently. "I will start a patient on an eye drop," he said. "If that is not adequate I will do a laser as step two. I'm not telling physicians that's what they should do. The key is to talk to patients about the laser and introduce it as a safe and effective treatment that is just one more option." Meanwhile, Kate Hunt, corpo- rate communications manager, Ellex, Adelaide, Australia, a maker of SLT systems, said the company has installed more than 1,000 SLT systems, predominantly in Europe. Even then, she said the com- pany has had to help re-educate doctors and glaucoma patients on the SLT option compared to drops. "Initially, we had to rewire cus- tomers," she said. "The concept of a laser was frightening to patients. Patient education has improved as they understand the benefits of once-off treatment." With laser solutions becoming more popular in ophthalmology— including femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery—this patient popu- lation may be more willing to accept laser treatment than ever before, she said. She also mentioned the com- pany is focused on providing SLT so- lutions for patients starting from 50 years of age—much younger than the Medicare group Mr. Corcoran is able to track. "Laser trabeculoplasty is a rea- sonable initial glaucoma treatment option," said Steven Vold, M.D., glaucoma specialist, BoozmanHof Eye Clinic, Rogers, Ark., who pre- sented on laser trabeculoplasty at the 2011 ASCRS•ASOA Symposium & Congress in San Diego. "It's a kinder, gentler laser that is poten- tially repeatable." EW Editors' note: Drs. Brown and Vold have no financial interests related to this article. Mr. Corcoran has no finan- cial interests related to this article. Ms. Hunt is the corporate communications manager for Ellex. Contact information Brown: 404-252-1194, reaymary@comcast.net Corcoran: 800-399-6565, kcorcoran@corcoranccg.com Hunt: +61 8 8104 5214, khunt@ellex.com Vold: 479-246-1700, svold@cox.net • Stab • Crescent SELF-DEFENSE Safety Doesn't Happen By Accident Introducing The Safety Knife Series* From Surgistar Lindstrom receives Glaucoma Research Foundation's Catalyst Award Richard L. Lindstrom, M.D., founder and attend- ing surgeon, Minnesota Eye Consultants, and adjunct professor emeritus, ophthalmology department, University of Minnesota, Minneapo- lis, received the 2012 Catalyst Award from the Glaucoma Research Foundation at its annual gala this February. Although he is internationally recognized as a leader in corneal, cataract, refractive, and laser surgery, Dr. Lindstrom was also a Heed Fellow in Glaucoma at the University Hospital in Salt Lake City and continues to con- tribute to the field of glaucoma research. He is currently serving as a member of the scientific advisory board for Glaukos (Laguna Hills, Calif.). When asked about the award, Dr. Lindstrom told EyeWorld, "It is a humbling honor to receive the Catalyst Award from the Glaucoma Foundation. My special interest is the cataract patient with associated glaucoma, and I am pleased if this award shines more light on this important category of glaucoma patients." Customer Service: Phone: +1.865.671.4300 Fax: +1.865.671.4302 Email: customerservice@surgistar.com *US Patent D642,682 S • Phaco Slit • MVR/Sideport ^^^ Z\YNPZ[HY JVT COMING SOON: LRI SAFETY KNIVES Call Customer Service for your evaluation Today!