Generic drops can differ from brand drops and it may be necessary to monitor patients more closely after switching

Tip of the month

Generic drops can differ from brand drops and it may be necessary to monitor patients more closely after switching

The Science behind the Tip In order to be approved for general use, a generic drug has to show the criterion of essential similarity when compared...

October 31, 2013

The measurement of retinal nerve fibre thickness is helpful in determining which patients with ocular hypertension will develop glaucoma

Tip of the month

The measurement of retinal nerve fibre thickness is helpful in determining which patients with ocular hypertension will develop glaucoma

The Science behind the Tip In patients with ocular hypertension, moderate to severe retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) atrophy at baseline has been...

September 30, 2013

Post-traumatic angle-recession glaucoma is difficult to manage and surgical intervention is often required

Tip of the month

Post-traumatic angle-recession glaucoma is difficult to manage and surgical intervention is often required

The Science behind the Tip Anterior chamber angle recession is the commonest physical sign of previous blunt trauma to the eye. Raised intraocular...

June 30, 2013

The use of Ginkgo biloba may increase the risk of bleeding

Tip of the month

The use of Ginkgo biloba may increase the risk of bleeding

The Science behind the Tip Extracts of the leaves of the Asiatic tree Ginkgo biloba (GBE) provide protection against mitochondrial oxidative damage...

May 31, 2013

If surgery is required to control IOP in a patient with nanophthalmos, phacoemulsification with IOL implantation is a good option, but the complication rate is high

Tip of the month

If surgery is required to control IOP in a patient with nanophthalmos, phacoemulsification with IOL implantation is a good option, but the complication rate is high

The Science behind the Tip Nanophthalmos, small eye-big trouble, is a form of microophthalmos which is not accompanied by other congenital...

April 30, 2013

Indefinite use of cycloplegics can be the last resort when surgery for malignant glaucoma has failed

Tip of the month

Indefinite use of cycloplegics can be the last resort when surgery for malignant glaucoma has failed

The Science behind the Tip Malignant glaucoma or aqueous misdirection is a rare but feared complication of anterior segment surgery. It occurs in...

March 31, 2013

Young men of European ancestry with angle-closure require thorough investigation

Tip of the month

Young men of European ancestry with angle-closure require thorough investigation

The Science behind the Tip Primary angle closure glaucoma is rare in younger white adults, with an estimated age specific prevalence of 0.02% for...

February 28, 2013

Intravitreal steroids should be used with caution in patients with glaucoma

Tip of the month

Intravitreal steroids should be used with caution in patients with glaucoma

The Science behind the Tip In recent years it has become common practice to inject steroids into the vitreous to reduce macular oedema or ocular...

December 31, 2012

Long-term application of benzalkonium chloride increases the risk of filtration surgery failure

Tip of the month

Long-term application of benzalkonium chloride increases the risk of filtration surgery failure

The Science behind the Tip Glaucoma medication solutions usually contain the preservative benzalkonium chloride (BAK) in concentrations varying...

November 30, 2012

In patients with pseudoexfoliation glaucoma, phacoemulsification with IOL implantation can result in a late, sustained reduction in intraocular pressure

Tip of the month

In patients with pseudoexfoliation glaucoma, phacoemulsification with IOL implantation can result in a late, sustained reduction in intraocular pressure

The Science behind the Tip Raised intraocular pressure (IOP) in an eye with pseudoexfoliation syndrome results from pigment and exfoliation...

October 31, 2012

Topical carbonic anhydrase inhibitors can cause damage in corneas with severe endothelial dysfunction

Tip of the month

Topical carbonic anhydrase inhibitors can cause damage in corneas with severe endothelial dysfunction

The Science behind the Tip The enzyme carbonic anhydrase is present in the corneal endothelium where it is involved in fluid transport (1). It thus...

September 30, 2012

In patients with progressive normal tension glaucoma, the use of topical brimonidine may help to preserve visual function

Tip of the month

In patients with progressive normal tension glaucoma, the use of topical brimonidine may help to preserve visual function

The Science behind the Tip A recent study has shown that visual function is more likely to be preserved with brimonidine 2% than with timolol 0.5%...

June 30, 2012

A dry eye can hamper visual field test interpretation

Tip of the month

A dry eye can hamper visual field test interpretation

The Science behind the Tip During visual field (VF) testing the cornea of patients with severe dry eye condition can get dry to such an extent as...

May 31, 2012

Laser peripheral iridotomy can reduce the intraocular pressure in pigment dispersion syndrome, but may not prevent glaucoma

Tip of the month

Laser peripheral iridotomy can reduce the intraocular pressure in pigment dispersion syndrome, but may not prevent glaucoma

The Science behind the Tip Nd-YAG laser peripheral iridotomy (PI) eliminates the reverse pressure gradient and intermittent posterior bowing of the...

April 30, 2012

Gonioscopy should be performed using the minimal possible levels of illumination in order to reliably detect appositional angle closure

Tip of the month

Gonioscopy should be performed using the minimal possible levels of illumination in order to reliably detect appositional angle closure

The Science behind the Tip Anterior chamber angle width varies dramatically with illumination (figure and video in ref. 1) (1,2). Visible...

March 31, 2012

Laser peripheral iridotomy does not usually result in long-term intraocular pressure control in patients with chronic angle-closure glaucoma

Tip of the month

Laser peripheral iridotomy does not usually result in long-term intraocular pressure control in patients with chronic angle-closure glaucoma

The Science behind the Tip The initial treatment of chronic angle-closure glaucoma is to undertake a laser peripheral iridotomy (PI) to prevent...

February 29, 2012

Trial lens artifacts can be easily distinguished from glaucomatous field defects

Tip of the month

Trial lens artifacts can be easily distinguished from glaucomatous field defects

The Science behind the Tip False depressions due to a misaligned trial lens or a lens holder which was placed too far from the patient's eye are...

January 31, 2012

In neovascular glaucoma, the immediate injection of intravitreal bevacizumab (Avastin®) usually results in rapid regression of iris new vessels and pain relief

Tip of the month

In neovascular glaucoma, the immediate injection of intravitreal bevacizumab (Avastin®) usually results in rapid regression of iris new vessels and pain relief

The Science behind the Tip Neovascular glaucoma is a devastating consequence of diseases like proliferative diabetic retinopathy and ischaemic...

December 31, 2011

Washout periods vary significantly between glaucoma medications

Tip of the month

Washout periods vary significantly between glaucoma medications

The Science behind the Tip Knowledge of the washout periods for topical medications is crucial for the evaluation of the effects of their...

November 30, 2011

To prevent early hypotony with a non-valved aqeous shunt, always occlude the tube with a suture

Tip of the month

To prevent early hypotony with a non-valved aqeous shunt, always occlude the tube with a suture

The Science behind the Tip The safe use of non-valved aqueous shunt implants, such as the Baerveldt (Advanced Medical Optics, Inc., Irvine,...

October 31, 2011

Prostaglandin analogues should be avoided in patients with a history of herpes keratitis

Tip of the month

Prostaglandin analogues should be avoided in patients with a history of herpes keratitis

The Science behind the Tip Topical prostaglandins are commonly used as first-line and second-line therapy in patients with ocular hypertension and...

September 30, 2011

Rim/disc ratio is a more sensitive parameter than cup/disc ratio

Tip of the month

Rim/disc ratio is a more sensitive parameter than cup/disc ratio

The Science behind the Tip Routine fundus observation of the optic disc is helpful in the diagnosis of early glaucoma and it is often key in the...

June 30, 2011

In patients with juvenile-onset chronic open-angle glaucoma, trabeculectomy with mitomycin C is usually required to prevent progressive visual loss

Tip of the month

In patients with juvenile-onset chronic open-angle glaucoma, trabeculectomy with mitomycin C is usually required to prevent progressive visual loss

The Science behind the Tip Juvenile-onset chronic open-angle glaucoma is inherited in an autosomal dominant fashion with high penetrance....

May 31, 2011

The advantage of adding a 3rd or 4th drug may be negligible

Tip of the month

The advantage of adding a 3rd or 4th drug may be negligible

The Science behind the Tip With the arrival of combination products, our threshold for prescribing multiple glaucoma medications has significantly...

April 30, 2011

The most effective treatment of glaucoma associated with epithelial downgrowth is to insert a drainage implant

Tip of the month

The most effective treatment of glaucoma associated with epithelial downgrowth is to insert a drainage implant

The Science behind the Tip Epithelial downgrowth into the anterior chamber is an extremely rare cause of glaucoma after anterior segment incisional...

March 31, 2011