Articles

Genentech has resolved its dispute with American ophthalmologists over the off-label use of its anti-VEGF drug Avastin, and will now allow physicians to purchase the drug directly from authorized wholesale distributors.

Topical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs often are administered for off-label purposes to patients who are undergoing cataract surgery, but surgeons should consider the cost, the risks, and the evidence available to support such use.

The Simplified Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) Severity Scale has been shown to be predictive of vision loss.

Microincision cataract surgery (MICS) does not degrade the optical quality of the cornea or induce a modification in corneal astigmatism.

Triple therapy for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) can stabilize vision and reduce the re-treatment rate in patients who do not respond to initial anti-VEGF therapy.

A half-top-hat wound configuration is a valid option for penetrating keratoplasty (PK) as it offers better apposition of donor and recipient corneas, improved tectonic strength and the possibility of early suture removal.

LASIK for myopia over -10 D is both safe and effective in the long-term.

Pigment-epithelium-derived factor (PEDF), which is known for its importance in the prevention of neovascularization of the retina, can be found in measurable amounts in the human tear fluid of healthy subjects. It may therefore be important in the regulation of corneal vascularization.

Glaucomatous patients can safely obtain self-tonometry measurements after applying a topical anaesthetic to their eye.

Cells at the back of the eyes of profoundly blind people monitor light levels and use them to set the body's clock to either day or night.

Two transporters that deliver alternative energy sources to the eye may help delay the retinal damage that occurs in diabetes.

Conductive keratoplasty (CK) is an effective long-term treatment for near-plano presbyopia.

Escalating treatment for glaucoma patients who have undergone penetrating keratoplasty (PK) significantly increases the risk of graft failure and poor visual outcomes.

People with low vision can improve their ability to watch television with a new technique that allows them to enhance the contrast of images of people and objects of interest on their digital televisions.

Judah Folkman, MD, the pioneer of angiogenesis research, died on January 15th 2008.

The US ophthalmic market will embrace the use of premium intraocular lenses (IOLs) rapidly, whereas less flexible reimbursement programmes in Europe and Japan will delay their adoption in those markets.

A gene, which also behaves as a cancer precursor, has also been found to play a central role in the coordination of retinal proliferation and eye growth during foetal development.

Novagali Pharma's Investigational New Drug Application (IND) to conduct Phase I clinical trials of its Nova63035, for the treatment of diabetic macular oedema (DME), has been granted by the FDA.

Bausch & Lomb has entered into an agreement to purchase eyeonics, the maker of the Crystalens accommodating IOL.

A day in the life

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A day in the life

A day in the life of a retinal specialist

A day in the life

By 2012 the market for optical coherence tomography (OCT) is predicted to hit the $800 million mark.

Prostaglandin analogues preserved with benzalkonium chloride (BAK) can cause more extensive loss of goblet cells and a breakdown of cell-cell adhesions, which could increase the risk of ocular surface disease, according to findings from a pair of studies conducted in rabbits.

The American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Society of Retina Specialists (ASRS) are pleased to report that a solution has been found that addresses Genentech's decision to no longer allow compounding pharmacies to purchase Avastin (bevacizumab) directly from authorized wholesale distributors.

Ophthotech, Biogen and PDL BioPharma have entered into an exclusive worldwide licensing agreement for an anti-angiogenesis antibody to treat age-related macular degeneration.

Fovea Pharmaceuticals has received designation as Orphan Medicinal Product from the European Commission for rh-RdCVF, its treatment for retinitis pigmentosa (RP).

Performing cataract surgery using a fluid-based method of phacoemulsification results in less corneal endothelial cell loss compared with conventional ultrasound phacoemulsification.