Retina

In order to minimize the toxic effect of indocyanine green (ICG) dye on the retina, concentrations should be kept as low as possible and repeat injections should be avoided.

ThromboGenics, a biotechnology company focused on vascular diseases, has completed patient enrolment for a Phase IIa trial designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of microplasmin for the treatment of vitreomacular traction, including macular holes.

A thermosensitive glue for retinal implants provides an effective in vitro retinal adhesion that is completely reversible by lowering the temperature.

Patients at risk of advanced age-related macular degeneration (AMD) progression may benefit from consuming a smaller amount of refined carbohydrates.

People with high blood levels of C-reactive protein may be at higher risk of developing age-related macular degeneration.

Patients with central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) who are treated early with intravitreal bevacizumab experience a dramatic improvement in visual acuity (VA) and clinical fundus appearance, without collateral vessel formation.

MacuSight has announced positive interim data from a Phase I study of its proprietary formulation of sirolimus (originally known as rapamycin) for the treatment of chronic, clinically significant diabetic macular oedema (DME).

Persistent placoid maculopathy has features resembling macular serpiginous choroiditis but differs in its clinical course and effect on visual acuity.

Repeat intravitreal injections of bevacizumab (off-label Avastin) for diseases such as proliferative diabetic retinopathy (DR), diabetic macular oedema (DME), retinal vein occlusions and choroidal neovascularization (CNV) appear to be safe and well tolerated.

Every other year screening for diabetic eye disease appears to be both safe and effective in patients with diabetes without retinopathy.

The presence of a complete posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) may be associated with an increased likelihood for primary anatomic success following retinal detachment surgery in phakic eyes.

Intravitreal bevacizumab can reduce diabetic macular oedema (DME) in some eyes, but a Phase III trial is required to determine whether the treatment is beneficial in the long-term.

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals has received a $20 million milestone payment from Bayer HealthCare following dosing of the first patient in a Phase III study of the VEGF Trap-Eye for the treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Alimera Sciences and pSivida have announced that enrolment has begun for the first human pharmacokinetic study of fluocinolone acetonide (FA) in Medidur, the companies' product for the treatment of diabetic macular oedema (DME).

Ophthotech Corporation has announced deals with two companies to obtain the rights to treatments for age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

The decline in quality of life (Qol) and the increased need for daily living assistance in patients with wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) substantiates the need for new treatments that can halt disease progression, according to a multi-country study published in the September issue of Archives of Ophthalmology.

Intravitreal injections for the treatment of retinal diseases, such as neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD), could be replaced by a non-invasive gel formulation, applied under the eyelid, according to a presentation made at this month's meeting of the British Royal Pharmaceutical Society in Manchester, UK.

TareGen has initiated a multicentre Phase II clinical trial for the topically applied TG100801 in patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Opko Health has initiated the Phase III COBALT (Combining Bevasiranib And Lucentis Therapy) clinical trial of bevasiranib for the treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals and Bayer HealthCare have initiated a Phase III study of the VEGF Trap-Eye for the treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

The National Institute for health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) in England is to delay issuing guidance on Lucentis and Macugen after an unprecedented patient outcry over its decision to block access to them.

The gene, complement C3, has been identified as playing an important role in the pathogenesis of age-related macular degeneration.

Optos has launched a new version of its proprietary retinal imaging software, V2 Vantage.

Results from Phase II continuation studies of pegaptanib sodium (Macugen) for the treatment of diabetic retinopathy (DR) and Central Retinal Vein Occlusion (CRVO), found that the relative benefits of the treatment were maintained throughout the continuation period with no new safety signals to report.

A potential new treatment approach for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) may be possible now that insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3 (IGFBP-3) has been found to play an important role in promoting the development of retinal blood vessels.

Researchers from University College London (UCL), Moorfields Eye Hospital and the University of Sheffield, UK are launching a pioneering project that plans to use stem cells to cure blindness resulting from age-related macular degeneration.

Fluorescein angiography (FA) remains a valuable tool for monitoring anti-VEGF drugs after intravitreal injections, however, optical coherence tomography (OCT) is becoming and increasingly popular method.

Intravitreal injection of up to 4 mg of a fusion protein that is an anti-vascular endothelial growth factor agent (VEGF Trap-Eye, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc.) is well tolerated and yields no evidence of ocular inflammation. The agent appears to produce rapid and durable clinical increases in best-corrected visual acuity, along with improvements in anatomic features, in patients with neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration.

Interim results of a study of pegaptanib sodium as maintenance therapy for age-related macular degeneration show that patients previously treated successfully with other agents maintain visual and anatomic stability.

Decision to reimburse Avastin in Italy sparks controversy.