Ophthalmology News CME/CE

• Noncorrectable Visual Problems Linked to Lower Survival in Older Adults CME Noncorrectable visual problems were associated with increased risk for death among persons aged 49 to 74 years, and all visual impairments were associated with the risk for death in older adults.
  Medscape Medical News CME, October 2009
• Herpes Zoster Attacks Increase Stroke Risk By 30% CME A new epidemiologic study shows that the risk for stroke increases after a zoster attack (shingles) by 30% and by up to 4-fold when the attack involves the eye.
  Medscape Medical News CME, October 2009
• Guidelines Issued for Hearing Assessment in Infants, Children Beyond Neonatal Screening CME An American Academy of Pediatrics clinical report describes an algorithm to help pediatricians determine the course of treatment when hearing screening indicates hearing loss in children.
  Medscape Medical News CME, October 2009
• FDA Approvals: Zirgan, Prism HIV, Valturna CME/CE The FDA has approved ganciclovir ophthalmic gel to treat herpetic keratitis, a screening test for HIV types 1 and 2, and a single-pill combination of aliskiren and valsartan to treat hypertension.
  Medscape Medical News CME, October 2009
• Intravitreal Triamcinolone Injection May Improve Vision in Retinal Vein Occlusion CME Two randomized trials suggest that 1-milligram triamcinolone may be helpful for central retinal vein occlusion, whereas existing laser therapies may be better for smaller-branch occlusion.
  Medscape Medical News CME, September 2009
• FDA Approvals: Bepreve, Metozolv ODT, Zevalin CME/CE The FDA has approved bepotastine besilate, metoclopramide 5- and 10-mg orally disintegrating tablets, and an expanded indication for ibritumomab tiuxetan intravenous infusion.
  Medscape Medical News CME, September 2009
• Treatment of Acne Rosacea Reviewed CME/CE Topical metronidazole, sulfacetamide/sulfur, and azelaic acid are generally effective for mild rosacea; combination therapy is the first-line choice for moderate papulopustular rosacea.
  Medscape Medical News CME, September 2009
• FDA Approvals: Acuvail and Forteo CME/CE The FDA has approved ketorolac for the treatment of pain and inflammation after cataract surgery and an indication for teriparatide for the treatment of osteoporosis associated with glucocorticoid use.
  Medscape Medical News CME, July 2009
• Visual Acuity Screening May Not Improve Outcomes in Older Adults CME The US Preventive Services Task Force concludes that current evidence is insufficient to determine the benefits and harms of visual acuity screening for the improvement of outcomes in older adults.
  Medscape Medical News CME, July 2009
• Enalapril, Losartan May Have Retinal, but Not Renal, Benefits in Type 1 Diabetes CME In a controlled trial, early blockade of the renin-angiotensin system did not slow the progression of nephropathy but slowed the progression of retinopathy in patients with type 1 diabetes.
  Medscape Medical News CME, July 2009
• FDA Safety Changes: Minipress, Letairis, Coly-Mycin M Parenteral CME/CE The FDA has approved safety labeling revisions for prazosin HCl capsules (Minipress), ambrisentan tablets (Letairis), and colistimethate injection (Coly-Mycin M Parenteral).
  Medscape Medical News CME, June 2009
• Omega-3 Fatty Acids May Lower Risk for Age-Related Macular Degeneration CME Two reports show that regular consumption of fish, nuts, and olive oil and avoidance of trans fats appear to be associated with a lower risk for age-related macular degeneration.
  Medscape Medical News CME, June 2009
• Macular Degeneration Linked to Cognitive Decline CME/CE New research may have an impact on future treatment approaches in elderly patients who are at risk for both age-related macular degeneration and cognitive difficulties.
  Medscape Medical News, May 2009
• Tamsulosin Use Linked to Serious Ophthalmic Adverse Events After Cataract Surgery CME Use of tamsulosin within 14 days of cataract surgery, but not of other alpha-blocker medications used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia, was significantly associated with serious postoperative ophthalmic adverse events.
  Medscape Medical News, May 2009
• Tadalafil or Sildenafil Not Linked to Visual Effects With 6 Months of Daily Use CME In a randomized trial of medications for erectile dysfunction, no abnormalities in electroretinography or visual function and no treatment-related findings suggestive of drug toxicity were observed.
  Medscape Medical News, April 2009
• Postnatal Weight Gain May Predict Retinopathy in Preterm Infants CME A screening algorithm including weight detected 100% of infants who developed retinopathy of prematurity requiring treatment and correctly predicted most of the children who did not need treatment.
  Medscape Medical News, April 2009
• Diet High in Red Meat Tied to Early Age-Related Macular Degeneration CME In an Australian study, red meat intake was positively linked with early age-related macular degeneration, and high intake of chicken was inversely linked with late age-related-macular degeneration.
  Reuters Health Information, March 2009
• FDA Safety Changes: Combivent, Qualaquin, Sucraid CME/CE The FDA has approved revisions to the safety labeling for ipratropium bromide and albuterol sulfate inhalation aerosol, quinine sulfate capsules, and sacrosidase oral solution.
  Medscape Medical News, March 2009
• Folic Acid, B Vitamins May Reduce Risk for Age-Related Macular Degeneration in Women CME Daily supplementation with folic acid, pyridoxine, and cyanocobalamin appeared to lower the risk for age-related macular degeneration in women at high risk for cardiovascular disease.
  Medscape Medical News, February 2009
• Ranibizumab Improves Vision-Related Function in Wet AMD CME Patients with age-related macular degeneration who received ranibizumab were more likely to report improvements in visual function vs patients who were treated with verteporfin photodynamic therapy.
  Reuters Health Information, January 2009