Beyond the anti-VEGF inhibitors
July 1st 2008New investigative drugs for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) may complement the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) agents, improve the visual results, and require fewer injections. Various routes of administration are under investigation and combination treatments are likely to provide more favourable results.
Microneedles: minimal penetration, optimal delivery
July 1st 2008Microneedles offer a better method of ocular drug delivery than traditional methods, according to research presented during the Ophthalmic Drug Delivery symposium, held on June 30 at a meeting of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain.
Do retina transplants represent the future of retinal degeneration treatment?
July 1st 2008Transplants of foetal retinal cells are an effective treatment for retinal degeneration involving the destruction of photoreceptor cells, according to a report published in the August 2008 issue of the American Journal of Ophthalmology.
Substitute for live animal testing approved
July 1st 2008Live animal testing for ocular safety in the US is to be replaced with bovine corneal opacity and permeability (BCOP) and isolated chicken eye (ICE) assays, which do not involve the use of live animals. These alternative tests are scientifically valid and have acceptance as testing methods from regulatory agencies the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
Study evaluates safety of intracameral moxifloxacin
June 30th 2008The safety of intracameral moxifloxacin (Vigamox, Alcon Laboratories) for post cataract surgery endophthalmitis prophylaxis was investigated in a prospective, randomized, controlled study. Statistical analyses of multiple postoperative outcome measures demonstrated no significant differences between patients who received intracameral moxifloxacin and controls treated with intracameral balanced salt solution.
Surgery may help improve vision when anti-VEGF therapy ineffective
June 25th 2008Surgical therapy for age-related macular degeneration in the form of macular translocation, injection of tissue plasminogen activator, and gas tamponade provides some improvements in visual acuity for patients whose conditions do not respond to the anti-vascular endothelial growth factor drugs.
Fundus autofluorescence imaging betters armamentarium
June 25th 2008Fundus autofluorescence imaging, one of the modes available in a new instrument (Spectralis HRA+OCT, Heidelberg Engineering), enhances its utility as a diagnostic device and a tool for monitoring therapy of patients with retinal and macular diseases.
NSAID activity at trough drug levels
June 23rd 2008Animals undergoing lens removal surgery were treated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs pre- and postoperatively. On the first day after surgery, aqueous humor samples were taken at times corresponding to trough drug levels. The mean aqueous prostaglandin E2 concentration was significantly lower in animals being treated with ketorolac 0.4% (Acular LS, Allergan) compared with those receiving bromfenac 0.09% (Xibrom, ISTA Pharmaceuticals).
Ophthalmologists debate whether ectasia is preventable
June 23rd 2008In a point-counterpoint debate at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, one clinician contended that the rate of post-LASIK ectasia is declining and that, with careful screening and other preparatory steps, the rate of ectasia can be kept very low. The counter-argument by another clinician suggested that the multifactorial basis of ectasia as well as unknown risk factors make it impossible to prevent a certain percentage of cases from developing.