Dr. Ira Jacobson, the Vincent Astor Distinguished Professor of Clinical Medicine, was an invited expert speaker by the Hepatitis B Foundation for the Congressional briefing on chronic viral hepatitis in Washington, D.C. The briefing, held on May 19 in recognition of World Hepatitis Day and May as National Hepatitis Awareness Month, aimed to raise awareness of chronic viral hepatitis as an enormous health problem that impacts 6 million Americans (and 600 million people worldwide) and results in end-stage liver disease and fatal liver cancer.
Dr. Harvey Lincoff, professor of ophthalmology and The Newhouse Clinical Scholar, gave the featured lecture and received the European Society of Retina Specialists (Euretina) Award at their meeting in Nice, France, held May 14-17. He was cited for his many scientific contributions to the field of retina which included the development of cryotherapy, silicone sponges, balloons, perfluorocarbon gases and other innovations for retinal surgery which improved the treatment of retinal disorders around the world. Dr. Lincoff delivered his lecture "Minimal Surgery for Retinal Detachment Emanating from Retinoschisis" and summarized his recent featured publication in Acta Ophthalmologica (May issue). In the lecture he presented proof that the mechanism of the detachment emanating from schisis is entirely intraretinal, and unlike other retinal detachments, the vitreous plays no part; the vitrectomy operation frequently employed is an inappropriate treatment. The detachment emanating from schisis responds to the simple external procedures including double patching. Excellent visual results are to be expected.
June 8, 2009
