Articles

The growing understanding that glaucoma is a neurodegenerative rather than ocular disease is to be the principal topic of discussion of the annual Glaucoma Research Foundation (GRF) benefit, to be held January 28 2009 in San Francisco, California, US.

STAAR Surgical has created the Collamer Accommodating Study Team (CAST), a group of seven ophthalmologists who will investigate the accommodative properties of STAAR's Collamer intraocular lens (IOL).

The Phase IIb trial assessing the safety and efficacy of microplasmin in patients, showed complete resolution of vitreomacular traction or macular hole without need for vitrectomy surgery, according to a statement from the trial sponsor, ThromboGenics NV.

Contact anaesthesia is just as safe and effective as peribulbar application for combined cataract and glaucoma surgery, according to study results published online ahead of print by Ophthalmologica.

Performing selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) in patients with pseudoexfoliative glaucoma (PEXG) may in fact cause a rise in intraocular pressure (IOP), according to results published in the October issue of BMC Ophthalmology.

Ellex's 2RT, a Retina Regeneration Therapy, is safe and effective in the treatment of macular oedema (ME) secondary to diabetic retinopathy (DR), according to study results presented at this year's American Academy of Ophthalmology meeting.

Following limited reports of adverse events encountered by US physicians using a particular batch of Healon D viscoelastic, AMO has recalled the remaining products in the batch.

Shunt reimbursement amended

The level of reimbursement of Optonol's Ex-PRESS Mini Glaucoma Shunt has been increased by the US Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS), according to an announcement made by Optonol at the Glaucoma Subspecialty Day of this year's meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

A Phase I trial of POT-4, a complement inhibitor in development for the treatment of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), have demonstrated that the agent is safe and well tolerated. The results were presented by Potentia Pharmaceuticals during the Retina Subspecialty Day at the meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

The Latanoprost punctal plug drug delivery system (L-PPDS) has performed well in its Phase II CORE trial, according to study data released by the manufacturer, QLT Plug Delivery Inc.

The introduction of anti-glaucoma medications has reduced the need for filtration surgery, according to study results published online ahead of print by Eye.

The Implantable Miniature Telescope (IMT) from VisionCare for end-stage age-related macular degeneration (AMD) maintains best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) improvements to two years, according to results published in the November edition of the American Journal of Ophthalmology.

Long-term use of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) drugs should be treated with caution, as endogenous VEGF plays an important role in the maintenance of retina neuronal cells, according to study results published by PLoS ONE on November 3.

Following the conclusion of the five-year extension of their agreement, Carl Zeiss Meditech has acquired all manufacturing assets from Welch Allyn of their glaucoma diagnostic products, including the Humphrey FDT Visual Field Instrument.

The Premium Experience Network (PEN), a membership programme designed to enhance the professional competitiveness of refractive surgeons? practices, has been launched by Shareef Mahdavi of SM2 Strategic.

The TearLab Osmolarity System and Osmolarity Test Card have been submitted to the FDA for premarket authorization in the US, according to an announcement from the manufacturer of TearLab, Occulogix.

A greater number of mast cells are present in the conjunctiva of glaucoma patients who have undergone ocular surgery, possibly leading to increased scarring, according to study results published online ahead of print by Eye.

Sensitivity analysis could determine the rate of human error in strabismus surgery and reduce the need for repeated operations, according to results published online ahead of print by Graefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology.