Articles

A laser-based surgical device has been shown during trials to provide a safe, non-penetrating method of reducing intraocular pressure (IOP), according to study results published by the developer of the device, IOPtima Ltd.

A single intravitreal injection of 4.0 mg vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) Trap-Eye is associated with bioactivity against diabetic macular oedema (DME), according to study results published in the January issue of the British Journal of Ophthalmology.

The TrueField Analyser, a glaucoma testing device, has been hailed by reseachers at the Australian National University as offering faster, more comprehensive and more accurate diagnoses than current methods.

Various imaging devices fail to identify localized retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) defects, according to a study published in the January issue of the British Journal of Ophthalmology.

CORM-3, a water-soluble carbon monoxide-releasing molecule, is associated with a intraocular pressure (IOP) lowering in animal models of ocular hypertension, concluded a study published in the January issue of the British Journal of Ophthalmology.

Deep sclerectomy with MMC is safer and more effective than trabeculectomy or tube surgery, according to Dr Nitin Anand.

Jay Dermott discusses complications that can ensue during microkeratome and femtosecond flap creation and considers how to apply lessons in clinical practice.

This month's topic: professional expenditure

Performing LASIK surgery that is customized for each eye can offer more pleasing outcomes in terms of both patient safety and comfort, claims Kerry K. Assil, MD.

Dr Richard Kaiser outlines the recommendations of the microsurgical safety task force.

ISTA Pharmaceuticals' dry eye candidate, ecabet sodium, has successfully completed Phase IIb testing and will soon be progressing to Phase III trials taking it a step closer to regulatory approval.

Lucentis (ranibizumab; Novartis) has been approved for the treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in Japan, Novartis has announced.

GlaucomaCheck, an online visual field test allowing for clinical grade at-home glaucoma screening, has been launched by VisionRx.

Former US President Jimmy Carter has dedicated a statue representing the "Gift of Sight" to the Lions Clubs International in Oak Brook, Illinois.

The Vision Care for Kids Bill of 2009, legislation to provide vision care to children without health insurance, has been introduced in the US after being approved both by the Senate and by the House of Representatives.

A team in the Philippines has defined criteria that need to be met in order to obtain an optimum tissue quality for corneal grafts.

ASP-440 - a protease, developed by ActiveSite Pharmaceuticals and an inhibitor of plase kallikrein - may provide an effective therapeutic treatment for diabetic retinopathy (DR), according to study results published in the February 2009 issue of Hypertension.

Iplex (mecasermin rinfabate), a complex of recombinant human insulin-like growth factor-I (rhIGF-I) and its predominant binding protein IGFBP-3 (rhIGFBP-3) developed for the treatment of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), has been granted orphan drug designation by the EMEA, according to a statement from Iplex developers Insmed Inc and Premacure AB.

Phacoemulsification can increase visual acuity in uveitis patients, concluded a study published in the January issue of the British Journal of Ophthalmology.

The Tecnis multifocal intraocular lens (IOL) has been approved by the FDA, according to an announcement made by AMO, the manufacturer of the lens.

MacuCLEAR and Mystic Pharmaceuticals are to collaborate on MacuCLEAR's upcoming Phase I/II trials of MC 1101 for the treatment and prevention of progression of dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

The FDA has accepted for review a New Drug Application for Bepreve (bepotastine ophthalmic solution; ISTA Pharmaceuticals) for the treatment of ocular itching associated with allergic conjunctivitis.

The use of mobile telephones does not increase the risk of uveal melanoma, according to a study published online ahead of print by the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

International Stem Cell Corporation has begun preclinical testing of a stem cell treatment for retinal disease including macular degeneration and retinitis pigmentosa.

A clinical trial assessing glaucoma treatment compliance of patients using text and telephone messaging technology has been launched by the Wilmer Eye Institute at Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, US.

Use of warfarin or clopidogrel is associated with a significant increase in non-sight-threatening complications during cataract surgery, concluded a study published in the January issue of Eye.

"The Big Eye Test", a programme to provide privately-funded eye examinations to the general public, has been launched in the UK.

The Investigational New Drug (IND) application for NVC-422, a molecule under investigation by NovaBay Pharmaceuticals for the treatment of eye infections, has been cleared by the FDA, triggering a development milestone payment from Alcon to NovaBay of $1 million.

A great variety of fungal agents may cause endophthalmitis, and accurate diagnosis is essential for effective treatment, according to a study published in the November/December 2008 issue of Retina.

The Phase III trial of microplasmin for the treatment of back of the eye disease has been initiated, according to a statement from ThromboGenics NV, the developer of microplasmin.