DR. JOSEPH DELLO RUSSO

A new survey conducted by the New England Eye Institute (Boston) and Transitions Optical (Pinellas Park, Fla.) has found that only 5% of consumers are aware that ultraviolet (UV) exposure can cause damage to their eyes, the two organizations reported jointly in a press release. The study also found that more than half (57%) of respondents said they do not wear protective eyewear when in the sun for extended periods. Those surveyed said they spend about 3.5 hours outdoors daily, which represents an average of 1,000 of unprotected UV exposure per year. A total of 80% of respondents were aware of the risk of skin cancer associated with UV exposure, the organizations said.

President Bush vetoed H.R. 6331, the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008, last week. The House and Senate immediately voted to override the veto. The legislation provides for an 18 month “fix” by stopping the 10.6% reduction that was effective on July 1, 2008 and the 5.4% cut scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2009. It extends the June 2008 rates through December 31, 2008 and provides for an additional 1.1% update in 2009.

Editor’s note: A welcome relief for doctors and hospitals who find it difficult as of now to even meet their overhead. Cutting doctor fees will effect patient care, except congress does not realize this.

LASIK monovision is a viable and increasingly accepted method for correcting presbyopic and pre-presbyopic refractive surgery candidates, according to results from a recent study. In addition, crossed monovision, in which the dominant eye is corrected for near vision, may be applied successfully in suitable candidates.

“Although the overall success of monovision was good, patient selection is extremely important, as not every patient can adapt to monovision,” the study authors said. “Patients selecting monovision should also be aware that the reliance on one eye for distance vision makes an enhancement procedure more likely than if bilateral distance vision is chosen.”

Roger F. Steinert, MD, and colleagues retrospectively analyzed the preoperative characteristics and postoperative outcomes of 284 patients 45 years or older who elected to undergo LASIK to correct myopia or hyperopia. Subsequently, refractive success, functional success and patient enhancement rates were evaluated for patients treated with monovision correction. Of 284 total LASIK patients, 188 (67%) elected to undergo monovision correction and 96 (34%) chose bilateral distance correction.Editor’s note by Dr. Dello Russo: Monovision is the preferred choice if one can get adjusted. The only way to determine this before lasik is a trial with lenses prior to lasik. People with certain personalities, occupations and lifestyles are better candidates than others. If you see ads for “getting rid of reading glasses”, monovision is what it’s all about. I have mono myself.