Articles

The LISA lens

A genetic link between cats and humans for two forms of retinitis pigmentosa (RP) have been identified by a University of Missouri researcher.

A study by the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) on the prevalence and costs of sight loss estimates that 1.8 million people with partial sight and blindness lived in the UK in 2008.

Positive twelve-month primary analysis results from the Phase II RADICAL study (Reduced Fluence Visudyne Anti-VEGF-Dexamethasone In Combination for AMD Lesions) in patients with wet age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD) have been announced by QLT Inc.

Researchers at the University of Sydney have reported findings that support evidence of an association between retinal microvascular signs and stroke.

In a dry eye Phase II clinical trial EyeGate Pharma reports that EGP-437, a corticosteroid solution administered by a non-invasive ocular drug delivery system, improved signs and symptoms in patients with dry eye syndrome (DES).

The global initiative Vision2020: Right to Sight has received a major boost following the endorsement of the WHO Action Plan for the Prevention of Avoidable Blindness and Visual Impairment by the 62nd World Health Assembly, the WHO governing body.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned that doctors promoting LASIK may not be informing consumers correctly about potential risks involved.

Alcon's first 330,000 sq. ft. ophthalmic pharmaceutical manufacturing plant in Singapore is now under construction and is targeted for completion in 2012.

Colum Honan is to be Bausch & Lomb's general manager with responsibility for its Waterford plant which manufactures contact lenses and other eye health products.

Stem cells, extracted from bone marrow can restore damaged retinal tissue through new cell generation, according to a recent discovery by researchers at the University of Louisville.

Diets low in trans-unsaturated fat and rich in omega-3 fatty acids and olive oil may reduce the risk of AMD, according to a study by Chong et al., published in The Archives of Ophthalmology.

Harvested stem cells from patients' own eyes to rehabilitate damaged cornea in just ten days may prove to be a world-first breakthrough in restoring sight.

The International Glaucoma Association (IGA) is urging people not to cut back on eye tests due to the recession.

Can topical bevacizumab be used to treat corneal neovascularisation.

Implanting toric IOLs during phacoemulsification.

Sutureless transconjunctival 20 g ppv is, according to this study, an ideal technique for all vitreoretinal surgeries.

Examing endoscopic cyclophotocoagulation as a treatment for ultra-refractory glaucoma patients.

Examining why wavefront guided ablation provides the best optical results in the majority of patients.

Does transient IOP elevation prevent doctors from submitting patients to refractive procedures?

A comparison of two silicone lenses; the Staar KS3-Ai pre-loaded and the Tecnis Z9002

Some of SLT's leading proponents share their short- and long-term findings with us and discuss the future potential of this treatment.

Looking at OCT as a sensitive diagnostic test for glaucomatous progression.

Researchers comparing the fetal development of the eye of the owl monkey with that of the capuchin monkey have found that only a minor difference in the timing of cell proliferation can explain the multiple anatomical differences in the two kinds of eyes.

During the recent ARVO congress, Sylentis provided an update on recent advances made by the company in the development a product for ocular pain associated with dry eye syndrome that addresses TRPV1 receptor, a nociceptor able to transmit stimuli.

Our congratulations go to Dr Martin Breimer who was the winner of Ophthalmology Times Europe's prize draw at Eurentin 2009.

Kuldev Singh, MD, Professor of ophthalmology, has been appointed chairman of the Glaucoma Research Foundation (GRF).

According to The Financial Times, the retinal imaging company, Optos plc has reported a $4.86 million loss and reduced its headcount by 20%.

The Technical Board of Appeal of the European Patent Office has postponed its final decision on two appeals lodged by two competitors against an earlier decision to maintain the European patent for VisionBlue.

New research indicates that patients with diabetic retinopathy (DR) should also be screened for obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA).