Articles

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is an independent risk factor for heart failure (HF), according to a study published in the April 22 2008 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

Absence of a specific RNase III endonuclease in the retina causes no immediate structural abnormalities but does prompt total retinal inactivity, according to a study published in the May 7 2008 issue of the Journal of Neuroscience.

Eric Greve, one of the founding members of the European Glaucoma Society (EGS), has been honoured during a lunchtime ceremony at its quadrennial International Congress, held June 1–6 in Berlin, Germany.

Although fluorescein angiography (FA) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) are both effective ways to detect macular oedema (ME), when used in isolation they may miss subtle manifestations of the condition, according to a study published in the April 2008 issue of Retina.

A bimatoprost and timolol fixed combination (Ganfort; Allergan) is more effective at lowering intraocular pressure (IOP) over 12 weeks than latanoprost (Xalacom; Pfizer), according to results presented at the meeting of the European Glaucoma Society (EGS), held June 1–6 in Berlin.

Intravitreal injections of bevacizumab (Avastin; Genentech) stabilize vision and decrease retinal detachment in patients with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV), according to a study published in the May 2008 issue of the British Journal of Ophthalmology.

The European Glaucoma Society (EGS) has officially unveiled the updated edition of its "Terminology and Guidelines for Glaucoma" at its 8th International Congress, held June 1?6 in Berlin.

Depression in retinitis pigmentosa (RP) patients worsens vision-related function even where visual acuity is not compromised, according to a study published in the May 2008 issue of the British Journal of Ophthalmology.

US firm Acucela Inc. has dosed the first patient in the Phase I trial of its lead candidate, ACU-02, an oral compound which is in development for dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Bevasiranib, a small interfering RNA (siRNA) compound targeting vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A), is distributed throughout the eye, including the retina, according to a study published on 28 May 2008 in Molecular Vision.

Santen Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. (Japan) and MacuSight Inc. (US) are to collaborate on developing MacuSight's sirolimus to treat ocular conditions including diabetic macular oedema (DME) and wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

The refractive errors of myopia and hyperopia are thought to be, by Gu Zhu, MD and colleagues, primarily inherited.

After hearing a variety of testimonies to discuss the post-market experience of LASIK, advisers to the FDA determined that lasers need improved patient labeling information. The advisers determined that the LASIK procedure itself is not the culprit; rather, it may be poor screening of possible candidates and misconstrued or insufficient information about the procedure relayed to patients. Ophthalmologists said that LASIK has a very high patient satisfaction rate and enumerated considerations for approaching studies of patient dissatisfaction.

Bausch & Lomb (B&L) bought by Warburg Pincus last October has a long-term growth plan and will not return to the public market any time soon, said Gerry Ostrov, chief executive officer, B&L.

Azarga (brinzolamide 1%/timolol 0.5% eye drops suspension; Alcon) and Cosopt (dorzolamide 2%/timolol 0.5% eye drops solution; Merck) are equally efficacious in IOP-lowering capacity, however, Azarga offers greater ocular comfort, according to a study presented at this week?s European Glaucoma Society congress in Berlin, Germany.

Increased fruit and vegetable consumption reduces the risk of glaucoma, according to a study reported in the June 2008 issue of the American Journal of Ophthalmology.

The diuretic agents, vasopressin-receptor antagonists, or vaptans, may have a use in the treatment of glaucoma, according to a study appearing in the 10 May, 2008 issue of The Lancet.

Avastin (bevacizumab) does not exert any toxic effects on the retina and its function, according to a study published in the January issue of Retina journal.

Delaying treatment in patients with subfoveal neovascular age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD) correlates to progressive and substantial loss of visual acuity (VA), according to a report published online ahead of print by Eye.

The OPTTX System (Novadaq Technologies) stabilizes or improves vision at one year in patients with wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD), many of who have failed previous therapies and have no other treatment alternatives, according to Professor Giovanni Staurenghi of Sacco Hospital, University of Milan, Italy, reporting at this year?s EURETINA congress in Vienna, Austria.

Anaesthesia administered by sharp needles carries a greater risk of serious complications than subtenons cannula administration, according to a study published online ahead of print in Eye.

Posterior keratocyte density measurements could be a means of following eyes with post-LASIK ectasia, according to study results presented at this year's meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO).

The month in which one is born may increase the likelihood of suffering severe myopia, according to a study published in the April 2008 issue of Ophthalmology.

It is widely accepted, anecdotally, that long-term exposure to television and computer screens causes a reaction in the eyes; namely, blurred vision, redness and dry eye symptoms. But is this a condition that is worthy of its own name?

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Corneas from donors up to the age of 75 are suitable for transplantation, according to a study published in the April 2008 issue of Ophthalmology.

Martine J. Jager, MD, PhD, outgoing president of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO), called for greater international expansion and involvement during her keynote speech at this year's meeting.

The inadequate refrigeration of chloramphenicol generics in India could be contributing to the evolution of resistant organisms and impacting the quality of Indian-made products available in Europe, according to a study published in the May 2008 issue of the British Journal of Ophthalmology.

Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT) has been used for over 10 years to lower intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with open angle glaucoma (OAG) as well as ocular hypertension (OHT). Studies have demonstrated that SLT is a safe and effective means of treatment, and comparable in these respects to Argon Laser Trabeculoplasty (ALT), but how does SLT fare against ALT in the long-term? It was our mission to establish this.

On April 28, a meeting of the FDA Ophthalmic Devices Panel confirmed that a study investigating patient satisfaction and quality of life post-LASIK is to be conducted in the US by a Joint LASIK Study Task Force.