Eyeworld

EW CATARACT 35 October 2017 branded NSAID or to get an NSAID through their insurance instead of the LessDrops formulation," he said. Those who opt to forgo the injection get the choice between using the LessDrops formulation four times a day for 1 week, followed by twice a day for 3 weeks, or going with traditional drops that their insurance would cover. "But many times, that's more expensive than the LessDrops formulation," Dr. Berdahl said. "For our high-risk patients, we keep them on an NSAID for 3 months," he said, adding these include patients with diabetes and epiretinal membranes. With the intravitreal approach, there can be concerns about retinal detachments. Keeping this in mind, in those who have had prior retinal surgery or who have peripheral retinal pathology, he won't do the injection intravitreally, but may inject into the anterior chamber and sub-Tenon's. The only hurdle to the intraocular injection is cost because there is no way to reimburse the surgery center for the injection. The center must absorb the $25 to $30 cost. Still, the benefits make this worthwhile. "I think we're at a high- er likelihood of preventing endoph- thalmitis because the data supports that and I don't have to worry about patients missing their drops," he said, adding that this also lowers the cost to patients. Dr. Yeu thinks drug delivery will look very different in the next 3–5 years. "I think there will be more compounding and a way that there can be greater collaboration between big pharma and compounding phar- macies," she said, adding that this will be necessary because it's going to be difficult to get intracamerals approved by the FDA. Perioperative- ly, Dr. Yeu thinks that things like iontophoresis or gel or punctal pel- lets will prevail. "There's going to be a very different approach and that may only be in 5 years," she said. EW Editors' note: Dr. Berdahl has finan- cial interests with Allergan (Dublin, Ireland), Bausch + Lomb (Bridgewater, New Jersey), Imprimis Pharmaceuticals, and Novartis. Dr. Yeu has financial in- terests with Alcon (Fort Worth, Texas), Bausch + Lomb, and Ocular Science (Manhattan Beach, California). Dr. Gills and Dr. Patterson have no finan- cial interests related to their comments. Contact information Berdahl: john.berdahl@vancethompsonvision.com Gills: pit@stlukeseye.com Patterson: michaelp@ecotn.com Yeu: eyeulin@gmail.com A safe and effective solution for intraoperative small pupil expansion • Gentle on iris and other intraocular tissue • Iris quickly returns to natural shape post surgery • Easy insertion and removal Eric Donnenfeld, MD Ophthalmic Consultants of Long Island, NY "I particularly like the I-Ring because I fi nd it does not distort the pupil or tear the sphincter." Visitec ® I-Ring ® Pupil Expander 1-866-906-8080 beaver-visitec.com Visit us at AAO Booth 830 BVI welcomes Malosa Medical and Vitreq to its family of products.

• Blank Page
• Blank Page (1)