Articles

The 23-gauge system for pars plana vitrectomy offers greater postoperative comfort for the patient than does the standard 20-gauge system, according to a study published online ahead of print by the British Journal of Ophthalmology.

Multiple-use packs of preservative-free artificial tears are susceptible to contamination, according to study results published in the November issue of the British Journal of Ophthalmology.

Contrary to accepted wisdom, cataract surgery decreases mortality rates, according to results published online ahead of print by the British Journal of Ophthalmology.

Interest in complement factor inhibition in the treatment of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) continues to gain momentum with two developers making separate announcements on progress with their AMD therapy hopefuls.

Members of the European Ophthalmology forum debate the usefulness of congresses to the ophthalmology community.

As part of its crackdown on the use of unapproved drugs in the US, the FDA is warning all but two makers of balanced salt solution (BSS) to discontinue its manufacture and sale.

A standardized language of trauma classification can have value for prognosis as well as description, according to Dr Dante Pieramici.

A young woman is suffering from a condition that leaves her blind, but only for half the time. For the last four years, Natalie Adler's eyes have regularly clamped shut for three days every week, and then reopened for the next three days.

A broad expression of the normally selectively-expressed photosensitive protein melanopsin in retinal ganglion cells can restore vision in mice with photoreceptor degeneration, as reported in a study published in the October 14 issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Vitrectomy should only be used for patients with diabetic macular oedema (DME) who also display signs of vitreomacular traction, according to study results published in the October issue of Eye.

The iSpheric Model YA-60BB intraocular lens (IOL) (Hoya) has received FDA approval.

Those suffering from thyroid disorders may also be at increased risk of glaucoma, according to study results published online ahead of print by the British Journal of Ophthalmology.

On World Sight Day, Windows to Health, the Pfizer UK initiative to promote regular eye test attendance, unveiled results of the All Eyes on Glaucoma survey, which highlighted the UK's ignorance around glaucoma and its prevention.

iSONEP (sonepcizumab), Lpath, Inc's drug candidate for treating age-related macular degeneration (AMD), has been administered to the first patients in its Phase I trial.

The fixed combination of brimonidine/timolol is more cost effective than dorzolamide/timolol, according to a study published in the September/October issue of the European Journal of Ophthalmology.

The PARK 1 (Pachymeter/Autorefractor/Keratometer) imaging device (Oculus) has received premarket approval from the FDA.

INS117548, a solution designed to treat glaucoma, has entered Phase I clinical trials, according to an announcement from Inspire Pharmaceuticals Inc.

The intellectual property dispute between Carl Zeiss Meditec and Optovue has been resolved by the companies, ahead of the legal case reaching court.

Alcon is continuing to invest heavily in its future drug portfolio by forging links with GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) for the global ophthalmic rights to cilomilast, a phosphodiesterase IV inhibitor, and by expanding an existing alliance with Origenis GmbH for the discovery and development of small molecules.

QLT091001 (QLT Inc), a synthetic retinoid, has begun a Phase I safety study. The orally administered compound is designed to replace 11-cis-retinal, a part of the retinoid-rhodopsin cycle that is essential for visual function, in Leber's Congenital Amaurosis (LCA) sufferers.

Akten Ophthalmic Gel 3.5%, a topical anaesthetic for the eye, has become the first new ocular anaesthetic to receive FDA approval in 40 years, according to a statement released by Akorn, Inc, the maker of Akten.

Sirion has announced the preliminary results of the clinical trial comparing the safety and efficacy of Durezol (difluprednate ophthalmic emulsion; Sirion) with that of Pred Forte (prednisolone acetate ophthalmic suspension; Allergan) for the treatment of anterior segment uveitis.

Bevacizumab injections can improve vision in patients with diabetic macular oedema, according to study results published in the October 2008 issue of the journal Retina.

Visual acuity (VA) in age-related macular degeneration (AMD) patients may vary significantly between measurement sessions, according to study results published in the October 2008 issue of Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences.

The Reichert 7, a seventh-generation non-contact tonometer (NCT) with integrated one-touch measurement system, has been launched by Reichert Inc.

Azarga (brinzolamide 1%/timolol 0.5% ophthalmic suspension; Alcon Laboratories) has received a positive opinion from the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP), which recommends Azarga be granted marketing authorization from the European Medicines Agency (EMEA).

Combined vitrectomy and phacoemulsification with foldable intraocular lens (IOL) implantation is safe but should only be recommended in selected patients, according to study results published online ahead of print by Acta Ophthalmologica.

Healon D latex-free viscoelastic (AMO) has been granted premarket approval by the FDA. The clear dispersive ophthalmic viscosurgical device (OVD) is designed to be used during phacoemulsification, intraocular lens (IOL) implantation, keratoplasty and glaucoma filtration surgery.

Durezol 0.05% (difluprednate ophthalmic emulsion; Sirion Therapeutics Inc), a topical corticosteroid to treat postoperative ocular inflammation and pain, is now commercially available, following FDA approval in June 2008.

Immunosupressants are an effective in controlling ocular inflammation caused by severe or steroid-resistant autoimmune disease, according to study results published online ahead of print by Acta Ophthalmologica.