Amy and I got back from Orlando, last week. We attended the American Academy of Ophthalmology annual meeting, the world's largest gathering of ophthalmologists and those associated with our "industry." It's our huge trade show. For us, we got some national exposure for our new company. Telling a Story You may remember that we received a nice endorsement from the … [Read more...]
October is the AAO Meeting
October 18, 2011 By 7 Comments
We are leaving for Orlando, FL in a few days to attend the American Academy of Ophthalmology meeting. It is our industry's largest meeting of the year...worldwide. The meeting has become so large that only a certain cities can host the event; Atlanta, Dallas, Chicago, San Francisco, Las Vegas, New Orleans and Orlando. Literally tens of thousands of people will … [Read more...]
Avastin Does Not Cause Infection
September 8, 2011 By 9 Comments
One of the most feared complications of eye injections is blindness. This infection is called endophthalmitis. Last week the FDA issued an alert the 12 cases of endophthalmitis were caused by the injections. The cause of the infections is NOT Avastin. There is nothing wrong with the drug itself. Avastin Must Be RePackaged Upon further investigation, a common … [Read more...]
Thanksgiving 2010: My Eyesight Returns
November 30, 2010 By 12 Comments
Happy Thanksgiving! I had a great weekend and hope you did, too. This year, I am thankful for my friends and family ...and especially my eyesight. Turkey Day As with many of you, we had a marvelous feast. We celebrated with our parents, friends and the kids. Amy did a wonderful job with roasting a turkey, stuffing from scratch and her famous garlic mashed! I … [Read more...]
Parents’ Weekend and Your Eye Exams
October 12, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Your eye exams and parents' visits to college are similar. Both are necessary types of checkups, even when you don't suspect a problem. I have two kids in college and had simultaneous parents' weekends. We drove to southern Maryland (SMCM) on Saturday and I went to Pennsylvania (DelVal) solo on Sunday (our pee wee hockey players had games on Sunday). Parents' … [Read more...]
Happy Birthday Betty!
October 5, 2010 By 13 Comments
Betty O turns 80 this month and on Friday we celebrated her birthday. Betty is an operating room (OR) nurse and works with me at Woodburn Surgical Center in Fairfax, Virginia. Her specialty is Ophthalmology. She pioneered the development of the retina service at Fairfax hospital in the early 1970's. Who is Betty O Betty has been an OR nurse for 59 years. She … [Read more...]
Intraocular Drug Delivery Systems Gaining Momentum
September 30, 2010 By 6 Comments
The era of intraocular drug delivery has started. A year ago, Allergan began shipping Ozurdex to the private sector. As with most of these “injections,” Ozurdex is injected into the vitreous cavity. Ozurdex releases the steroid dexamethasone for 4-6 months. Ozurdex for Retinal Vein Occlusions and Uveitis The mainstay of treatment for retinal vein occlusions … [Read more...]
…and Often the Patient Wins
September 23, 2010 By 4 Comments
Many times our medical treatments and eye surgery work well and the patient "wins." Last post I wrote "Sometimes the Disease Wins" where I shared the disappointment and frustration of unexpected surgical results, highlighting the fact that surgical results are not guaranteed. A patient of mine, JF, just returned from Alaska (see pic). He and his wife spent 8 days … [Read more...]
Sometimes the Disease Wins
September 20, 2010 By 2 Comments
I have a patient, already blind in his right eye, who just suffered his third retinal detachment in the last 2 months in his remaining, left eye. I am operating, again, to try and prevent his going totally blind. I trained with a world famous and world class mentor, Steve Charles, M.D. of Memphis, TN. My fellowship lasted a year, where I learned my specialty, and … [Read more...]
Wong Turns 50!
September 7, 2010 By 9 Comments
I turned 50 this past Labor Day Weekend. It was a fun weekend of celebration. A couple parties Sunday and last night. I was able to celebrate with many people, those that live close and those that don't. I am probably younger than most of my readers (and followers). Retinal disease can hit all ages, but tends to concentrate more heavily on the > 50 age … [Read more...]
