As the population continues to age, vision loss will become an increasingly important public health problem, the National Eye Institute has said.¹ Blindness or low vision already affects some 3.3 million Americans ages 40 and olderthats one in 28and is expected to affect 5.5 million by 2020.¹ The most common causes of vision loss: age-related macular degeneration (AMD), glaucoma, cataract and diabetic retinopathy.

Fortunately, researchers continue to gain ground against these and other diseases, as evidenced by the volume of posters and papers presented at this years Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) meeting that took place in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., earlier this month. While the amount of information presented seems overwhelming, our clinical editors have culled through the abstracts, reviewed the conclusions and data, and now present those studies that may affect your everyday practice.

Here is a rundown of what you will find on the following pages:

Cornea. Associate Clinical Editor Joseph P. Shovlin, O.D., reports the latest findings on fourth-generation fluoroquinolones, comparing their effectiveness against different organisms to that of earlier-generation agents, as well as findings on emerging resistance.

Other abstracts look at promising new treatments for corneal neovascularization and inflammation, shed new light on gender differences and dry eye, and compare adverse events of silicone hydrogel contact lenses vs. traditional low Dk/t hydrogel lenses. And, new data from patients participating in the Collaborative Longitudinal Evaluation of Keratoconus (CLEK) Study offer information about predicting reduced visual acuity and changes in corneal curvature in keratoconus patients, and discuss quality-of-life issues. 

  Glaucoma. Once again, researchers pay careful attention to central corneal thickness, showing the impact of CCT on the progression of glaucoma and the role of CCT in assessing structural damage in the initial evaluation of patients who have normal-tension glaucoma.

This years abstracts also include several comparisons among diagnostic tools, including tonometers, visual field tests and ocular imaging tools; a preview of a new diagnostic device; and studies on glaucoma medications. (I was responsible for this years picks.) 

Retina. Researchers continue to make progress in treating patients with AMD, reports Mark Dunbar, O.D., contributing editor of Review of Optometry and author of the Retina Quiz column. Several studies show how photodynamic therapy, especially when combined with other agents, could treat choroidal neovascularization (CNV) and preserve vision in AMD patients. Other studies provide updates on new drugs that target vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which is involved in the early development of CNV.

Dr. Dunbar also looks at the latest research on using triamcinolone acetonide to treat diabetic macular edema (DME). He also reports on research that suggests Macugen as a possible treatment for DME.

Cataract and Refractive. Intraocular lens technology continues to evolve, with IOLs that can deliver drugs and correct higher-order aberrations. Contributing Editor Paul M. Karpecki, author of Review of Optometrys Research Review column, looks at these and other findings that can lead to improved outcomes for pediatric and diabetic patients who undergo cataract surgery.

Dr. Karpecki also reports on using refractive technology for non-refractive procedures and the latest information on using wavefront technology.

1. Congdon N, OColmain B, Klaver CC, et al. Causes and prevalence of visual impairment among adults in the United States. Arch Ophthalmol 2004 Apr;122(4):477-85.