Articles

Pfizer is to fund research into the application of stem cells in degenerative retinal disease through a $3 million investment in EyeCyte, a company based in California, US.

Oertli has launched new instruments to be used in microincision surgery for the anterior and the posterior segments.

Although we have always received a steady stream of feedback from readers, contributors and industry, never have we been bombarded by so many compliments in such a short space of time as at two recent conferences.

Erythropoietin (EPO), ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF), and wolfberry seem to provide neuroprotection of retinal ganglion cells in a rat model of ocular hypertension.

Dr Van Lansingh & Andrea Zin describe initiatives that are being put into place to reduce the rate of retinopathy of prematurity in Latin America; a disease that is unnecessarily robbing 24% of the region's children of their sight

The importance of treating dry eye disease was the subject of "Advances in dry eye: disease perspectives, treatment options, and post-surgical management," a symposium held in conjunction with the World Ophthalmology Congress (WOC).

Ophthalmologists should assess disease progression in patients with established and suspected glaucoma, should confirm with repeat testing any visual function loss that is seen, should remember that structural measurements have variability, and should consider using structural and functional testing together to detect disease progression.

OTE and Dr Jorge Alió provide a glimpse of some of the scientific sessions and courses not to be missed at this year’s congress of the ESCRS. We also provide you with some tips on how to make the most out of your stay in Berlin.

With diabetes cases worldwide expected to double in the first 30 years of the 21st century, telemedicine might be a pathway to ensuring that more patients receive care, and thus, prevent complications from retinopathy.

News In Focus for July and August 2008

Dr John Nolan discusses the crucial role of the macular carotenoids in the prevention of this blinding disease.

New 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.

Assistant Professor Alexis Tsorbatzoglou and Professor Andras Berta discuss the various theories presented to define the mechanism of accommodation.

Achieving the proper IOL power for patients who have had a refractive procedure such as LASIK, PRK, or RK can be challenging, and taking more measurements leads to greater accuracy.

Using various types of IOLs in the same patient has been trumpeted as a way to achieve better vision correction than bilaterally implanting the same IOL. Yet, this concept of "mix and match" is not quite that simple.

Microneedles 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.

Following disappointing clinical trial results, Alcon has discontinued its plans to develop anecortave acetate for the prevention of choroidal neovascularization secondary to age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

WebAnywhere, a new web tool that allows the blind to surf the web "on the go", without any additional software or installation requirements, has been launched.

Dorairajan Balasubramanian, director of research, L.V. Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, India, reported on in vitro tests he has performed on cells and polyphenols such as epigallocatechin gallate (ECGC) and catechin, and their protective value against cytotoxic agents.

Dr Perry Binder discusses advances in femtosecond technology that are taking us a step closer to the ideal.

The rising demand for presbyopia-correcting IOLs has led to a rise in patient expectations, but can we please everyone? questions Professor Jay Pepose.

There is much to be learned about nocturnal-and, more importantly, sleeping-IOP if ophthalmologists are going to optimize glaucoma therapies, said Yaniv Barkana, MD, Department of Ophthalmology, Assaf Harofeh Medical Center, Israel.

A combination of procedures could be best option for some patients, claims Dr Volker Rasch.

Should glaucoma drainage devices still be viewed as the last resort? asks Professor Walter Konen.

This technique, using a femtosecond laser, has been shown to improve ?near vision in presbyopes, according to Dr Luis Antonio Ruiz.

Highlights from the World Ophthalmology Congress 2008.

Highlights from the 2008 WOC meeting, held June 28–July 2 in Hong Kong

Is there a place for traditional Chinese medicine in modern ophthalmology? Quite possibly, said Dennis Lam, MD, FRCS, Chinese University of Hong Kong.

Transplants 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.

Live 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).