White Papers

The North America Clinical Development and Medical Affairs organization has authored publications on a variety of therapeutic and diagnostic topics.

These publications are intended to inform and educate eye care practitioners about ophthalmic medical disease states and technologies.

Please see a list of publications below.

The Advantages of Color Optimization For Retinal Surgery

George F. Castillo, MD*; Alan Franklin, MD, PhD**; Lu Yin, PhD*

This white paper addresses how the advantages of customizable color channel optimization unique to the NGENUITY 3D Visualization System can aid visualization during challenging retinal and macular surgery.

* Alcon Vision, LLC
**Diagnostic and Medical Clinic; Mobile, AL
Dr. Alan Franklin is a paid consultant for Alcon Vision, LLC

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Evolution of Systane® Artificial Tears

Thao N. Yeh, OD, PhD, MPH, FAAO*; Howard A. Ketelson, PHD**

Systane lubricating drops have a long history of innovation, including a variety of non-lipid-based, lipid-based, and preservative-free formulations. This white paper reviews the history and the significance of each new product in the portfolio, specifically how the inactive ingredients enhance each generation of Systane drops.

*Alcon Medical Affairs, North America, Fort Worth, TX
**Alcon Ideation, Dry Eye Care, Fort Worth, TX

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Technical Advancements of Surgical Vitrectomy Probes

George F. Castillo, MD*"; "SK Steven Houston III, MD**

This white paper describes the technological evolution of vitrectomy probes and how these technological advancements incorporated into the latest vitrectomy probes allow safer, more efficient vitreoretinal surgery.

*Alcon Vision, LLC
**Florida Retina Institute
Dr. Steven Houston is a paid consultant for Alcon Vision, LLC

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Optical Principles of Extended Depth of Focus IOLs

Jim Schwiegerling, PhD*; Xiaolin Gu, MD, PhD**; Xin Hong, PhD, MBA**; Jessie Lemp-Hull, DrPH**; Mohinder Merchea, OD, PhD, MBA**

Numerous optical designs have been applied to extend the depth of focus in presbyopia mitigating IOLs. This white paper provides an overview of these approaches, including Alcon’s new non-diffractive X-WaveTM technology, to illustrate their potential and differences.

* Wyant College of Optical Sciences, The University of Arizona
** Alcon Vision, LLC
Jim Schwiegerling is a paid Alcon consultant.

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Pataday® Dual-Action Ophthalmic Drops for Ocular Allergies

Thao Yeh, OD, PhD, MPH, FAAO Alcon Medical Affairs, North America

This white paper provides background on the prevalence of ocular allergies, type I ocular hypersensitivity mechanism of action, common over-the-counter therapeutic agents for ocular allergy itch, and the key characteristics, including efficacy and safety profile, of the complete Pataday portfolio.

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Digitally Assisted Anterior Segment Surgery

Eric Rosenberg, DO, MSE*; Mohinder Merchea, OD, PhD, MBA**

This whitepaper discusses the advantages of Ngenuity(R) with DataFusionTM for digitally assisted anterior segment surgery over analogue microscopes with respect to improved visualization under high magnification, extended depth of field, and improved patient comfort due to reduced surgical field illumination intensity.

*Weill Cornell Medicine
**Alcon Vision, LLC
Eric Rosenberg is a paid consultant

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Thermal Pulsation Systems and Topical Immunomodulators for Managing Meibomian Gland Dysfunction

Lyndon Jones, PhD, FCAHS, FCOptom, FAAO*; William Ngo, OD, PhD, FAAO**; Thao Yeh, OD, PhD, MPH, FAAO***

It has been suggested that topical immunomodulators (Restasis, Xiidra) can be effective at treating meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), but eyelid heating and expression continue to be the mainstay therapy for MGD. This white paper reviews consensus diagnosis and treatment recommendations for MGD and the efficacy data for thermal pulsation systems and topical immunomodulators.

*Professor / Director / University Research Chair, Centre for Ocular Research & Education, School of Optometry & Vision Science, University of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
**Head of Biosciences, Centre for Ocular Research & Education, School of Optometry & Vision Science, University of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
***Alcon Medical Affairs, North America, Fort Worth, TX

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Wavefront Optomized versus Topography Guided Corneal Ablations with WaveLight® Platform: A Summary of Visual Outcomes

Jessica Mathew, OD, PhD, FAAO*, Karl Stonecipher, MD**

A comparison of wavefront optimized and topography guided ablation treatments along with visual outcome evidence for each.

*Alcon Medical Affairs, North America, Fort Worth, TX
**TLC Laser Eye Centers Greensboro, NC

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SYSTANE® HYDRATION PF’s Dual-Polymer Technology: Hydroxypropyl-Guar and Sodium Hyaluronate

Lyndon Jones, PhD, FCAHS, FCOptom, FAAO*; William Ngo, OD, PhD, FAAO**; Thao Yeh, OD, PhD, MPH, FAAO***

SYSTANE HYDRATION PF is a unique preservative-free, dual-demulcent (PG and PEG 400), dual-polymer (HP-Guar and HA) formulation. This white paper discusses the technology behind the formulation and how it can provide enhanced and prolonged lubrication of the ocular surface.

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Ocular Surface Disease: Impact on Pre-Surgical Biometry and Symptoms in Refractive and Cataract Surgery

Thao Yeh, OD, PhD, MPH, FAAO Alcon Medical Affairs, North America

This white paper discusses the various technological advancements behind the SYSTANE family of artificial tears and the importance of selecting the right ocular lubricant to optimally treat each subtype of dry eye disease.

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Critical Preoperative Assessment to Improve the Outcome of Cataract Surgery

Xiaolin Gu, MD, PhD*; Li Wang, MD, PhD**

This white paper focus on the critical steps during preoperative assessment of cataract surgery that help surgeons to provide better visual outcomes and patient satisfaction.

*Alcon Medical Affairs, North America; Fort Worth, TX

**Cullen Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Baylor College of Medicine

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Effectiveness of Multipurpose Contact Lens Solutions Against Acanthamoeba Trophozoites

Jessica Mathew, OD, PhD, FAAO Alcon Medical Affairs; Monica Crary, PhD Alcon R&D Microbiology

This white paper discusses the risks of Acanthabmoeba and the effectiveness of contact lens multipurpose solutions against Acanthamoeba trophozoites.

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Exposure of the Eye to Ultraviolet Light

Jessica Mathew, OD, PhD, FAAO Alcon Medical Affairs, North America

An overview on how ultraviolet (UV) light exposure affects the inner and outer eye and ways to protect the eye against UVA and UVB exposure.

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The Landscape of Presbyopia Correction with IOLs

Elizabeth Yeu, MD*; Andrea Petznick, Diplom-AO (FH), PhD**; Xiaolin Gu, MD, PhD***

This white paper provides an overview of the various PCIOL technology options currently available. Understanding the different types of PCIOLs and their different mechanisms of action is important to ensure proper patient selection and postoperative patient satisfaction.

* Virginia Eye Consultants, Norfolk, VA; Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA
** Formerly of Alcon Medical Affairs, North America, Ft. Worth, TX
*** Alcon Medical Affairs, Fort Worth, TX
Elizabeth Yeu is a paid consultant to Alcon.

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Refractive and Diffractive Principles in Presbyopia-Correcting IOLs — An Optical Lesson

Jim Schwiegerling, BS, MS, PhD*; Andrea Petznick, Diplom-AO (FH), PhD**

This white paper discusses how multifocality in IOLs is achieved through refractive or diffractive optical approaches.

*College of Optical Sciences, The University of Arizona

**Alcon Medical Affairs, North America

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IOL Lens Constant Optimization

Xiaolin Gu, MD, PhD; Li Wang MD, PhD; Michael Breen, OD; Mohinder Merchea, OD, PhD, MBA

This white paper shows how utilizing accurate Lens Constants for specific IOL models and employing an appropriate new generation IOL formula can improve the refractive outcome of a cataract procedure.

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Precision1® Contact Lenses With Smartsurface® Technology: Material Properties, Surface Wettability and Clinical Performance

Jessica Mathew, OD, PhD, FAAO, Alcon Medical Affairs, North America

PRECISION1® (verofilcon A) daily disposable contact lenses are Alcon’s latest lens innovation and feature a unique water surface technology that creates a highly wettable and lubricious lens surface.

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A Current Treatment for Meibomian Gland Dysfunction

Mohinder Merchea, OD, PhD, MBA; Jim Owen, OD, MBA

This white paper describes how the iLux® System uses eyelid thermal pulsation to offer optometrists and ophthalmologists a unique and customizable treatment of the signs and symptoms of dry eye associated with Meibomian gland dysfunction.

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Using ORA SYSTEM Technology with AnalyzOR Technology to Optimize Refractive Cataract Outcomes: Normal to Complex Cases, Simultaneous Innovations

Alvin Relucio, M.D.

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Pupil Size Independence with Multifocal Contact Lenses: Fact or Fiction?

Jessica Mathew, OD, PhD, FAAO; Mohinder Merchea, OD, PhD, MBA, FAAO, FBCLA

The Multifocal (MF) contact lenses are designed to provide functional vision to presbyopic patients of different ages, refractive errors and pupil sizes

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Blue Light Filtering IOLs and Ocular Health

Anna Katarzyna Talaga, PhD; Xiaolin Gu, MD, PhD

Our current lifestyle exposes us to an abundance of blue light in our daily lives in the form of laptops, cell phones and tablets. This white paper summarizes the experimental and clinical data on blue light hazard in addition to clinical evidence on blue-light filtering IOLS and circadian rhythms, functional visual outcomes, visual performance under glare conditions and macular health.

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A More Effective Approach to Internal Limiting Membrane Peeling: FINESSE® SHARKSKIN™ ILM Forceps

Mikhail Boukhny, Ph.D.*#; Alvin Relucio, M.D.**; Anna Katarzyna Talaga, Ph.D.**

This white paper discusses internal limiting membrane peeling with the SHARKSKIN™ ILM Forceps.

*Alcon Research and Development, Fort Worth, TX;

**Alcon Medical Affairs, North America, Fort Worth, TX;

#No longer employed by Alcon Laboratories, Inc.

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An Overview of the Current Consensus, Clinical Impact and Management of Dry Eye

Priya Ramamoorthy, PhD, FAAO Alcon Medical Affairs, North America

This paper discusses the etiology of dry eye, impact on clinical diagnosis and management and treatment options, including artificial tear solutions.

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Improved Refractive Outcomes in Femtosecond Laser Assisted Cataract Surgery (FLACS)

Elizabeth Yeu, MD*,** Albert Cheung, MD* Stephen Scoper, MD* Mohinder Merchea, OD, PhD, MBA***

This white paper discusses how Femtosecond Laser Assisted Cataract Surgery (FLACS) improves clinical outcomes versus manual surgery.

*Virginia Eye Consultants, Norfolk, VA

**Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA

***Alcon Medical Affairs, North America, Ft. Worth, TX

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Importance of Rotational Stability and Tear Film Stability in Toric Contact Lens Wearers

Jessica Mathew, OD, PhD, FAAO Alcon Medical Affairs, North America

This paper discusses the factors contributing to toric contact lens stability, including rotational stability and tear film stability.

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Topography-Guided Laser Assisted In-Situ Keratomileusis vs Small-Incision Lenticule Extraction Refractive Surgery: A Summary of Clinical Outcomes

Andrea Petznick, Diplom-AO (FH), PhD*; Victor Higuera, OD**

This paper summarizes the clinical outcomes for topography-guided LASIK and Small-Incision Lenticule Extraction (SMILE) for refractive surgeries.

*Alcon Medical Affairs, North America

** Alcon Global Training Manager for Surgical Lasers

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Femtosecond-Laser Assisted Cataract Surgery – A Clinical Perspective

Andrea Petznick, Diplom-AO (FH), PhD, Alcon Medical Affairs, North America

This white paper discusses femtosecond-laser assisted cataract surgery with imaging guidance. Femtosecond laser cataract surgery is a modern technique that meets the technical and workflow needs for cataract surgery today; its integrated imaging capabilities enable the surgeon to visualize key anatomical landmarks to plan for a customized treatment with greater efficiency during surgery.

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The Advantages of Color Optimization For Retinal Surgery

Evolution of Systane® Artificial Tears

Technical Advancements of Surgical Vitrectomy Probes

Optical Principles of Extended Depth of Focus IOLs

Pataday® Dual-Action Ophthalmic Drops for Ocular Allergies

Digitally Assisted Anterior Segment Surgery

Thermal Pulsation Systems and Topical Immunomodulators for Managing Meibomian Gland Dysfunction

Wavefront Optomized versus Topography Guided Corneal Ablations with WaveLight® Platform: A Summary of Visual Outcomes

SYSTANE® HYDRATION PF’s Dual-Polymer Technology: Hydroxypropyl-Guar and Sodium Hyaluronate

Ocular Surface Disease: Impact on Pre-Surgical Biometry and Symptoms in Refractive and Cataract Surgery

Critical Preoperative Assessment to Improve the Outcome of Cataract Surgery

Effectiveness of Multipurpose Contact Lens Solutions Against Acanthamoeba Trophozoites

Exposure of the Eye to Ultraviolet Light

The Landscape of Presbyopia Correction with IOLs

Refractive and Diffractive Principles in Presbyopia-Correcting IOLs — An Optical Lesson

IOL Lens Constant Optimization

Precision1® Contact Lenses With Smartsurface® Technology: Material Properties, Surface Wettability and Clinical Performance

A Current Treatment for Meibomian Gland Dysfunction

Using ORA SYSTEM Technology with AnalyzOR Technology to Optimize Refractive Cataract Outcomes: Normal to Complex Cases, Simultaneous Innovations

Pupil Size Independence with Multifocal Contact Lenses: Fact or Fiction?

Blue Light Filtering IOLs and Ocular Health

A More Effective Approach to Internal Limiting Membrane Peeling: FINESSE® SHARKSKIN™ ILM Forceps

An Overview of the Current Consensus, Clinical Impact and Management of Dry Eye

Improved Refractive Outcomes in Femtosecond Laser Assisted Cataract Surgery (FLACS)

Importance of Rotational Stability and Tear Film Stability in Toric Contact Lens Wearers

Topography-Guided Laser Assisted In-Situ Keratomileusis vs Small-Incision Lenticule Extraction Refractive Surgery: A Summary of Clinical Outcomes

Femtosecond-Laser Assisted Cataract Surgery – A Clinical Perspective

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