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A look at the VISION 2020 Gender Discussion Group

The MECTIZAN donation programme to fight river blindness

Forty five millon people are blind worldwide, yet 80% of blindness is avoidable

According to a report in the August issue of Archives of Ophthalmology, there are eight factors that may predict whether a choroidal nevus-a benign, flat, pigmented growth inside the eye and beneath the retina-may develop into melanoma.

Allergan Inc. expects its ketorolac tromethamine ophthalmic solution 0.45% (Acuvail) to be available in the United States in September. The preservative-free formulation of ketorolac, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), is indicated for the treatment of pain and inflammation after cataract surgery and received FDA approval at the end of July, the company announced.

Results from the Omeros Corporation for the Phase I/Phase II clinical trial of OMS302, a proprietary combination of an anti-inflammatory agent and an agent that causes pupil dilation (mydriasis) are said to be promising.

Researchers in Cleveland have discovered the first gene associated with the formation of age-related cataracts. EphA2 encodes an enzyme that plays a role in the repair of proteins in the lens of the eye after they become damaged and clump together, according to the investigators.

Partial sections of vision were recently restored to a blind woman's retina through the use of gene therapy.

NicOx S.A. has signed an agreement with Pfizer Inc to reacquire the full development and commercialization rights to PF-03187207, which has completed two phase II studies in patients with primary open angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension. As part of this agreement, Pfizer has granted NicOx the right to access and use certain proprietary Xalatan (latanoprost) data.

OcumatRx, an early stage company that is developing a medical device that represents a new concept for the permanent treatment of patients with glaucoma, has announced the successful completion of clinical trials for their first device with favourable preliminary safety and tolerability.

According to the J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus 2009;46:238-240 optic disc oedema is a clinical conundrum which has potential to delay diagnosis and therefore treatment of idiopathic intracranial hypertension.

This month's Ophthalmology, the journal of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, reports on use of bevacizumab (Avastin), to benefit diabetic patients with macular oedema as well as people who develop cystoid macular oedema after cataract surgery.

ACUVAIL (Allergan), the ketorolac tromethamine ophthalmic solution, which acts as a treatment for inflammation and pain after cataract surgery has been approved by the FDA.

Alcon Inc. announced it has discontinued development of anecortave acetate for the reduction of IOP associated with glaucoma.

Dr Mustafa Guzey and colleagues have found topical cyclosporine A to be effective in treating severe trachomatous dry eye in a recent study published in Clinical & Experimental Ophthalmology.

The Egyptian Group of Paediatric Eye Surgery (EGPES) will be hosting the 4th International Symposium of Paediatric Ophthalmology, from 4th to 6th of November 2009, in Alexandria, Egypt.

Ronald Pitts Crick, the ophthalmologist who was behind the development of the operating microscope, has died aged 92.

The use of implantable collamer lenses (ICLs) to correct moderate to high myopia can offer predictable and stable results over a long period of time, according to a report published in the July issue of Archives of Ophthalmology.

Professor Shahina Pardhan has been appointed director of Anglia Ruskin University's new Vision and Eye Research Unit (VERU).

Residual myopic errors can be successfully corrected postoperatively by using light-adjustable lens technology (LAL) in cataract patients, concludes a study published online by Ophthalmology.

A study by Italian researchers, the results of which have been published online by Eye, has found that both excimer laser trabeculotomy (ELT) and selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) are both equally effective treatment options for primary open angle glaucoma.

The results of a study published in the July issue of Ophthalmology has discovered that people in the early stages of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) are at a higher risk of developing coronary heart disease (CHD), offering further support to the theory that AMD is associated with underlying systemic vascular disease.

Spanish researchers have used the induction of neuronal degeneration of intense light exposure in mice retina in an experimental model of retinitis pigmentosa.

Prevalence and incidence of advanced AMD can be catergorized as 'nature' or 'nurture' using a prediction model, based on genetic, environmental and demographic variables.

Microplasmin, the drug aimed at patients with focal vitreomacular adhesion, is to be trialled at Southampton General Hospital. Injected directly into the eye earlier clinical studies have indicated that it has potential to be effective without the risks associated with surgery.

Ocular Therapeutics has signed non-disclosure agreements with two of the largest pharmaceutical firms in the world. The unnamed companies are interested in a new treatment approach in the largest of the ophthalmic markets.

Foresight Biotherapeutics, Inc. has announced data from a pre-clinical study designed to assess the safety and efficacy of the topical administration of FST-100 in a highly regarded Ad5 NZW rabbit model of adenoviral conjunctivitis.

CSO, which has a background in measuring and analysing the anterior corneal surface has extended its research to the posterior surface with its new device SIRIUS.

Stemedica Cell Technologies, Inc., (Stemedica),a manufacturer and developer of clinical grade allogeneic adult stem cell technology, has discovered a significant breakthrough in the use of human stem cells and stem cell factors for the potential treatment of degenerations of the retina and retinal pigmented epithelium.

Alcon has discontinued development of anecortave acetate for the reduction of intraocular pressure (IOP) associated with glaucoma.