Eyeworld Daily News

Sunday, April 27, 2014 Meeting Reporter A SCRS launched the sec- ond year of its Clinical Survey here in Boston. The 2014 survey builds on the success of the first annual survey in 2013, in which more than 1,000 ASCRS member ophthalmologists participated. While many surveys provide important data for our profession, most are not used to drive specific educational efforts aimed at improv- ing the practice of medicine and assessing key clinical opinions. This is the objective behind the ASCRS Clinical Survey. Last year's survey generated 168 unique, measurable data elements on 10 different clinical areas and has been used to develop content for many of the symposia at this year's ASCRS•ASOA Symposium & Congress. For example, respondents in 2013 estimated that only about 21% of their cataract patients present be- fore surgery with signs or symptoms of level 2 dry eye, which requires treatment beyond just artificial tears. Based on published prevalence data and clinical experience, the ASCRS Cataract and Cornea Clinical Committees agreed that estimate was too low. In underestimating the prevalence of dry eye in the cataract population, surgeons may not be treating it appropriately before sur- gery, increasing the chances of inac- curate IOL power calculation, poor visual outcomes, or reduced patient satisfaction after cataract surgery. Additionally, more than half of respondents in 2013 said that tear film testing should be done on a case-by-case basis, following the physician exam. However, newer diagnostic tools that test the tear film for osmolarity and inflamma- tion need to be performed prior to drops, dilation, or exposure to bright lights in order to obtain the most accurate results, so it is not ideal to wait until after the exam. In addi- tion, it can delay diagnosis and/or affect practice efficiency if decisions and treatment are put off until test results become available. Several programs were designed to address these gaps between perception and reality. On Friday morning, physicians had an opportunity to attend a breakfast symposium on new developments in point-of-care diagnostic testing of the ocular surface that focused on how to integrate new diagnostic tools into one's practice and how to use the information generated by those tools to make therapeutic decisions. On Monday, a lunchtime symposium (11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the EyeWorld Theater, Hall C) will feature scientific findings about the role of the tear film in vision, the practical consequences of neglecting the tear film on surgical outcomes, and treatment protocols for supporting the ocular surface. As a result of these and similar program initiatives, one could ex- pect to see a shift in perceptions in 2014. Using last year's survey as a foundation, the 2014 survey adds questions in evolving clinical and technology areas and new specific questions targeted to young physi- cians. Information from the 2014 survey will be used to continue to drive these programs and discover new areas of education. How to participate The goal is to have ASCRS member ophthalmologists complete this sur- vey in 15 to 20 minutes during the annual meeting. The survey tool will permit members to identify their preferred category of questions (refractive, cataract, refractive IOLs, etc.). The survey will then include about 50 questions on various topics and can be completed in four differ- ent ways. • Take the survey at booth #683, near the ASCRS booth, while resting your feet, charging up your phone, and enjoying a FREE snack and drink. At this booth, represen- tatives will hand you an iPad to complete the survey, and there are areas to sit and enter your information. • Go to www.eyeworld.org/survey to take the survey at your conven- ience. • Scan the QR code to be directed to the survey website on your smartphone or tablet. • Look for the Clinical Survey iPad team roaming around the confer- ence and symposium rooms to participate. By completing the survey and filling in either your membership number or email address, respondents will be entered into a raffle to win one of 15 iPads at the conclusion of the con- ference. In addition, they will be emailed a summary of the data shortly after the conference. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, by completing the survey, they will be providing important data to help drive future education. If desired, respondents can choose to remain anonymous and still complete the survey providing ASCRS with important feedback. Contact Mr. Fundingsland at brad@tfgeducation.com for more information. EW by Brad Fundingsland © 2014 Novartis 2/14 VRN14003JAD-B PI IMPORTANT SAFET Y INFORMATION FOR THE VERION™ REFERENCE UNIT AND VERION™ DIGITAL MARKER CAUTION: Federal (USA) law restricts this device to sale by, or on the order of, a physician. INTENDED USES: The VERION ™ Reference Unit is a preoperative measurement device that captures and utilizes a high-resolution reference image of a patient's eye in order to determine the radii and corneal curvature of steep and at axes, limbal position and diameter, pupil position and diameter, and corneal reex position. In addition, the VERION ™ Reference Unit provides preoperative surgical planning functions that utilize the reference image and preoperative measurements to assist with planning cataract surgical procedures, including the number and location of incisions and the appropriate intraocular lens using existing formulas. The VERION ™ Reference Unit also supports the export of the high-resolution reference image, preoperative measurement data, and surgical plans for use with the VERION ™ Digital Marker and other compatible devices through the use of a USB memory stick. The VERION ™ Digital Marker links to compatible surgical microscopes to display concurrently the reference and microscope images, allowing the surgeon to account for lateral and rotational eye movements. In addition, the planned capsulorhexis position and radius, IOL positioning, and implantation axis from the VERION ™ Reference Unit surgical plan can be overlaid on a computer screen or the physician's microscope view. CONTRAINDICATIONS: The following conditions may aect the accuracy of surgical plans prepared with the VERION ™ Reference Unit: a pseudophakic eye, eye xation problems, a non-intact cornea, or an irregular cornea. In addition, patients should refrain from wearing contact lenses during the reference measurement as this may interfere with the accuracy of the measurements. Only trained personnel familiar with the process of IOL power calculation and astigmatism correction planning should use the VERION ™ Reference Unit. Poor quality or inadequate biometer measurements will aect the accuracy of surgical plans prepared with the VERION ™ Reference Unit. The following contraindications may aect the proper functioning of the VERION ™ Digital Marker: changes in a patient's eye between preoperative measurement and surgery, an irregular elliptic limbus (e.g., due to eye xation during surgery, and bleeding or bloated conjunctiva due to anesthesia). In addition, the use of eye drops that constrict sclera vessels before or during surgery should be avoided. WARNINGS: Only properly trained personnel should operate the VERION ™ Reference Unit and VERION ™ Digital Marker. Only use the provided medical power supplies and data communication cable. The power supplies for the VERION ™ Reference Unit and the VERION ™ Digital Marker must be uninterruptible. Do not use these devices in combination with an extension cord. Do not cover any of the component devices while turned on. Only use a VERION ™ USB stick to transfer data. The VERION ™ USB stick should only be connected to the VERION ™ Reference Unit, the VERION ™ Digital Marker, and other compatible devices. Do not disconnect the VERION ™ USB stick from the VERION ™ Reference Unit during shutdown of the system. The VERION ™ Reference Unit uses infrared light. Unless necessary, medical personnel and patients should avoid direct eye exposure to the emitted or reected beam. PRECAUTIONS: To ensure the accuracy of VERION ™ Reference Unit measurements, device calibration and the reference measurement should be conducted in dimmed ambient light conditions. Only use the VERION ™ Digital Marker in conjunction with compatible surgical microscopes. ATTENTION: Refer to the user manuals for the VERION ™ Reference Unit and the VERION ™ Digital Marker for a complete description of proper use and maintenance of these devices, as well as a complete list of contraindications, warnings and precautions. Attendees can take the survey at booth #683. Representatives will hand you an iPad to complete the survey, and there are areas to sit and enter your information. ASCRS membership survey will drive future education efforts

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