Articles

Allergan, Inc and ExonHit Therapeutics have expanded their current drug discovery collaboration until December 2011. The current agreement, focused on finding drug treatments for neurodegenerative diseases and pain as well as ophthalmic targets, was established in 2003 and, following two previous extensions due to success, was due to expire in December 2009.

Eyes treated with peripheral retinal cryotherapy lose accommodative amplitude after surgery, according to results of a study published in the January 2009 issue of the American Journal of Ophthalmology.

Using a risk calculator might impact ocular hypertension treatment options, concluded a study published in the December 2008 issue of the Journal of Ophthalmology.

The Scottish Braille Printing Press, the leading provider of Braille books in the UK, has launched an appeal to raise GBP 2 million (approximately E2.1 million).

NeoVista's epiretinal brachytherapy has been granted a compassionate waiver by the FDA to treat advanced wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in a patient who was not eligible for inclusion in NeoVista's current trials of the product.

Latisse (bimatoprost solution 0.03%) (Allergan, Inc) has been recommended for FDA approval as a treatment for hypertrichosis of the eyelashes.

A pilot study using Iluvien (an intravitreal insert delivering fluocinolone acetonide) to treat geographic atrophy secondary to age-related macular degeneration (AMD) has begun enrolling patients, according to a statement from Alimera Sciences Inc, the developer of Iluvien.

Patients with type 1 diabetes who have been treated with intensive therapy have significantly lower incidences of retinopathy progression up to ten years, according to study results published in the December issue of the Archives of Ophthalmology.

Besifloxacin ophthalmic suspension 0.6% (Bausch & Lomb) has been recommended by the FDA for the treatment of bacterial conjunctivitis.

Gingko biloba extract (GBE) has an application in preventing steroid-induced ocular hypertension, according to study results published in the December issue of the Archives of Ophthalmology.

New imaging techniques are allowing more objective quantification of glaucoma diagnosis and progression, according to study results published online ahead of print by the British Journal of Ophthalmology.

Rolf Schwind, CEO of Schwind Eye Tech Solutions, has been presented with the Gusi Peace Prize 2008 in a ceremony held on November 24th in Manila, the Philippines.

Religiously-motivated fasting may affect glaucoma medication compliance rates, according to study results presented at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO).

Topical Endoscopic Fundal Imaging (TEFI) offers a rapid, comprehensive and non-invasive method of monitoring retinal disease progression, according to a study published in the December issue of Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science.

Azarga (brinzolamide 10mg/ml and timolol 5mg/ml fixed combination) has been approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMEA) for decreasing intraocular pressure (IOP) in adult patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension after failure of monotherapy, according to an announcement from Alcon, Azarga's manufacturer.

Xibrom (bromfenac sodium ophthalmic solution) 0.09% (ISTA Pharmaceuticals, Inc.) achieved the primary endpoint of its Phase III trial: absence of ocular inflammation 15 days postoperatively.

Avastin (bevacizumab; Genentech) increases the ease of vitrectomy in severe proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR), according to a study published in the July issue of Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology.

The lack of experience with evidence-based guidelines may be the reason for excessive follow-up after screening for hydroxychloroquine retinopathy, according to study results published in the December issue of the British Journal of Ophthalmology.

The BD range of Atomic Edge Limbal Relaxing Incision (LRI) knives for surgical correction of astigmatism has been launched by BD Medical. The knives, which feature a retractable safety shield, use single-crystal silicon, offering high performance at low cost.

The Pascal dynamic contour tonometer (DCT) and Reichert ocular response analyser (ORA) are the best tools for measuring corneal-compensated intraocular pressure (IOPcc) in patients with keratoconus (KC), according to study results published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology, December.

When using bevacizumab to treat choroidal neovascularization (CNV) secondary to age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a loading dose (LD) of bevacizumab is more effective than an as-needed (PRN) dosing schedule, according to study results published in the December issue of the British Journal of Ophthalmology.

Biaxial microincision cataract surgery (B-MICS) is more successful than traditional cataract surgery in improving optical performance and reducing higher order aberrations, according to study results published in the December issue of the British Journal of Ophthalmology.

Pegaptanib sodium therapy is safe in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (NV-AMD) up to three years, according to study results published in the December issue of the British Journal of Ophthalmology.

Paediatric strabismus, particularly exotropia, increases the likelihood of psychiatric disease in later life, according to study results published in the November issue of Pediatrics.

A multimedia campaign may be the best way to raise glaucoma awareness in the UK, according to study results published in the December issue of the British Journal of Ophthalmology.

It is possible to administer verteporfin and ranibizumab on the same day without adverse events, according to study results published in the December issue of the British Journal of Ophthalmology.

The most recent featured discussion on the European Ophthalmology forum was on the topic of patient numbers

Professor Gerd U. Auffarth petitions the European Parliament for the introduction of co-pay schemes for cataract patients in the EU

OTE's Victoria Farrell interviews Cambodian paediatric ophthalmologist Phara Khauv to find out how an ORBIS initiative has impacted his practice in a vastly underserved country.

A series of debates on the most relevant, and most controversial, topics in ophthalmology, in which today's most eminent ophthalmologists argue for the validity of their differing opinions and practices.