Retina

The pioneering stem cell therapy, developed by British researchers to tackle AMD, has received the financial backing of pharma giant, Pfizer Inc., which is expected to pump in £50 million over the next three to five years.

Interim analysis of Phase II trials for fenretinide and its use in the treatment of geographic atrophy (GA) are looking positive, according to Sirion Therapeutics, Inc.

Positive interim data results from the Phase II trial of OT-551 to treat geographic atrophy (GA), an advanced form of AMD, have been announced by Othera Pharmaceuticals Inc.

1.25 million neurons view the world through receptive fields, which operate like a multi-layered jigsaw puzzle. Researchers at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies imply that the nervous system operates with higher precision than previously appreciated, and that apparent irregularities in individual cells may actually be coordinated and more finely tuned.

The Schepens Eye Research Institute has found that retinal dysfunction may be caused by blocking the growth factor TGF-beta. The research may have an important impact on the prevention and treatment of diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration.

"When treating patients with DME, ophthalmologists should consider the role of the glitazone class of drugs," warn the authors of a study published in the April issue of the American Journal of Ophthalmology.

The premarket application for VisionCare Ophthalmic Technologies Inc's implantable telescope for end-stage AMD has been approved, with conditions, by the FDA in the US.

Ciliary epithelial cells inside the eye, previously proposed as retinal cell stems, have now been established as being normal adult cells. The misidentification was uncovered by Michael Dyer, PhD and researchers at the St Jude Department of Developmental Neurobiology.

Researchers at the Moran Eye Centre are using transmission electron microscopes (TEMs) to develop TEM-compatible molecular probes with software that will tag cells with a molecular signature, creating 'colour' TEM imaging.

Dr José Luis Menezo looks at improving the visual acuity of patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) using an IOL-Vip system.

Biologists at the Florida State University, USA, have discovered a gene mutation in Zebrafish that determines if the cells develop as rods or as cones.

A single procedure may be as effective as repeated anti-VEGF injections claims Timothy L. Jackson.

Blindness in millions of people with diseases that starve eye tissue and nerves of oxygen might be averted with a procedure being developed by researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, the University of Southern California and the University of Tennessee.

According to Eye Research Australia researchers at the University of Melbourne, a high intake of fresh and processed red meat is positively associated with early AMD, the leading cause of blindness among older people. Diet has often been postulated to alter the risk of AMD.

The CABERNET (CNV Secondary to AMD Treated with Beta RadiatioN Epiretinal Therapy) clinical trial is pivotal to establishing the safety and effectiveness of a beta radiation based focal epimacular brachytherapy device. Its development in bringing a paradigm shift in the way retina specialists treat wet AMD patients moved a step closer as Neovista Inc. secured more than $18 million in its Series D private venture funding round.

In infants with birth weights of 1250 g, haemangiomas are associated with the development of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), according to study data published in the March 2009 issue of Pediatrics.

The eyecare nutritional supplement market is worth $43.4 million and is projected to grow to $87.4 million within five years, according to research by Frost & Sullivan.

The Iluvien fluocinolone acetonide intravitreal insert (Alimera Sciences, Inc) is safe and effective in the management of diabetic macular oedema (DME) at twelve months, according to study results released by Alimera.

Scientists studying a neural retina in a salamander have found Müller cells in the promoted cone-specific pigment regeneration and dark adaptation that are independent of the pigment epithelium.

Laser burn to the retina of a single eye can compromise the immune privilege of the fellow eye.

The retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cell mosaic has been imaged for the first time in a living retina using an adaptive optics scanning laser ophthalmoscope (AOSLO), according to a report published in the March issue of Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science.

The recommendations for 'the use of single use instruments where possible' when performing 'high-risk' surgical procedures, has not only led to a growth in the single use market segment, but has stimulated massive reform in decontamination procedures, creating increased demand globally for reusable instruments due to new processes and longer lead times.

Ocular nutraceutical company, EyeScience Labs, LLC, has launched www.EyeScience.com that aims to meet the need for comprehensive information and education on age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in a watch-and-learn video format.

An electromagnetic deformable mirror reduces the impact of ocular aberrations on imaging for clearer results, according to Gisele Soubrane.

Paul Sternberg assesses the new approaches and exciting pipeline of potential dry AMD treatments.

Sirion Therapeutics Inc and Advanced Vision Research Inc (AVR) have agreed to co-promote AVR's MacuTrition (a nutritional supplement promoting retinal health) and NutiDox Convenience Kit (a meibomian gland therapy) in the US.

Novartis Pharmaceuticals UK Ltd, supported by the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB), has launched "Be AMD Aware", a campaign to raise awareness of the risk factors for and symptoms of age-related macular generation (AMD) among those aged 55 and over in the UK.

Consumption of antioxidants may enable retinal degeneration patients to preserve vision even while vascular abnormalities continue to exist, concluded a study published online ahead of print by the Journal of Clinical Investigation.

Metrics other than visual acuity (VA) and visual field (VF) may be useful for assessing retinitis pigmentosa (RP), according to study results published in the February issue of Eye.

It is not necessary for patients to remain face-down for more than 24 hours to ensure successful macular hole closure, according to study results published online ahead of print by the British Journal of Ophthalmology.