AAO Issues Eyelash Extension Warning

■ A word of advice you may want to share with patients: When it comes to eyelash extensions, the price of beauty may be too steep—at least, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology’s (AAO) warning. The warning was issued after a Consumer Reports investigation revealing infections and allergic reactions connected to formaldehyde-based adhesives used with eyelash extensions. The Consumer Reports article goes on to say even the solvents designed to used to remove the extensions can cause allergic reactions or lead to conjunctivitis.

The AAO says consumers need to be aware of the dangers of the cosmetic items and the adhesives used to apply them.

Risks include:

■ Infection of the cornea■ Infection of the eyelid■ Swelling of the eyelid■ Permanent or temporary loss of eyelashes.

The College of Optometrists in England has also issued a warning that the extensions could lead to hair loss. “Repeated use of eyelash extensions can cause traction alopecia, a condition where the hair falls out due to excessive tension placed on the hair shaft. As a result, this can damage the hair follicle, which can slow down and even cease production of hair,” according to its statement published in the Consumer Reports article. The college has released its own list of safety tips for patients not ready to write the lashes off altogether:

■ Don’t apply glue directly to the eyelid. ■ Don’t sleep in false lashes. ■ Don’t share false lashes. ■ Don’t use heated curlers with false lashes.

The AAO is urging consumers to inspect eyelash adhesive ingredients and ensure their aesthetician is certified and is practicing adequate hygiene.

For more information see:

Consumer Reports: www.consumerreports.org/cro/2013/05/eyelash-extensions-can-pose-health-risks/index.htm

SWIMMING POOLS CITED AS MAJOR RISK FACTOR

Eye Injuries for Children Highest in Summertime

■ The leading cause of eye injury in children 15 and younger is sports, according to researcher Gerald McGwin Jr., Ph. D., specifically swimming. Although the number of eye injuries in youths is declining in the United States, according to Dr. McGwin, there are still a few pointers patients may want to keep in mind concerning their children’s summertime activities. For starters, chemicals used in pools cause many eye injuries.

“Ensuring a pool’s pH levels are within normal range is one way to reduce these injuries,” Dr. McGwin says in a university news release. Other factors include being hit with water toys or rogue elbows. It may be worthwhile to advise patients with young children to invest in a pair of goggles or other eye protection.

Summer is also a time for fireworks, firecrackers and sparklers, Dr. McGwin points out, all of which can pose serious risk to children’s eyes.

LAWMAKERS SEEK TO BALANCE CMS REIMBURSEMENTS BETWEEN ASCs AND HOPDs

The ASC Quality and Access Act Introduced to Protect ASCs

By Jerry Helzner, Contributing Editor

■ Hospital outpatient departments (HOPDs) receive as much as 42% higher reimbursement for performing the same routine procedures performed in ASCs. Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Mike Crapo (R-ID) have introduced legislation to change that. The ASC Quality and Access Act is expected to be introduced in the US House of Representatives soon and has the support of the Ambulatory Surgery Center Association.

“The ASC Quality and Access Act is critical to the viability of ASCs and would ensure that Medicare saves more than $2.6 billion every year,” ASCA CEO William Prentice says. “The current reimbursement structure is illogical and unsustainable. While ASCs and hospital outpatient departments provide identical outpatient surgical care, ASCs are reimbursed by Medicare at a significantly lower rate than HOPDs and this payment disparity is on track to continue to increase.”

The bill would change the current law that allows CMS to use different measures of inflation for ASCs and HOPDs when setting reimbursement rates, penalizing what has proven to be the lower cost provider.

In addition, the legislation would require implementation of a value-based purchasing program to encourage collaboration between ASCs and the government while simultaneously generating additional savings for the Medicare system.

IN BRIEF

Argus “bionic eye” entering market

Retinal implant begins launch in a dozen cities.

■ The Argus II Retinal Prosthesis System will be offered in 12 major markets across the country to treat patients with late-stage retinitis pigmentosa. The “bionic eye” was approved by the FDA in February.

ASORN offers Instrument Preparation Guides

■ The American Society of Ophthalmic Registered Nurses (ASORN) has a variety of resources available for information addressing surgical instrument selection and care. These print resources are designed to help fulfill ASORN’s mission “to foster excellence in ophthalmic patient care while supporting the ophthalmic team through individual development, education and evidence based practice,” says ASORN president Mary Nehra Waldo, BSN, RN, CRNO. The publications are available on the group’s Web site asorn.org or through the AAO’s bookstore. The titles include:

● Care and Handling of Ophthalmic Surgical Instruments 3rd Edition - 2011

● Ophthalmic Procedures in the Office and Clinic 3rd edition - 2011

● Ophthalmic Procedures in the Operating Room and Ambulatory Surgery Center 3rd Edition - 2010.

OCT in Space

■ The Heidelberg Spectralis SD-OCT has been launched to the International Space Station, according to the company. The mission: The crew will image their own anterior segments as part of a high-priority NASA program studying the etiology of ocular changes following space flight and to mitigate potential threats to astronauts’ sight.

Haag-Streit USA Surgical Division

■ Haag-Streit USA signed an agreement with VisionSouth naming them an independent sales company serving Tennessee, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama for Haag-Streit USA’s new Surgical Division, which markets a line of surgical microscopes. Haag-Streit also announced an agreement with independent sales company BuyMD.net to distribute the microscopes. More information is available at www.haag-streit-usa.com, or by calling (800) 787-5426.