Retina

Eating a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids seems to correlate with a low incidence of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), according to a study published in the June 2008 issue of the Archives of Ophthalmology.

Peeling the internal limiting membrane (ILM) may reduce the rate of premacular fibrosis (PMF) formation, according to a study published in the June 2008 issue of Retina.

The Verteporfin Intravitreal Triamcinolone Acetonide Study (VERITAS) of intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide (Kenalog, Bristol-Myers Squibb) or pegaptanib (Macugen, Pfizer) in combination with photodynamic therapy (PDT) with verteporfin (Visudyne, Novartis Pharmaceuticals) was underpowered to reach definitive conclusions about the therapies.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

V2 Vantage DX, a new generation of retinal imaging software, has been released by Optos plc, UK.

The use of green gold nanoparticles may have a place in the therapy of cancer and ophthalmic diseases, according to a study presented at this year's meeting of the Association for Research in Vision & Ophthalmology (ARVO).

The incidence of suspected endophthalmitis in patients who have received intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) treatments in a community setting is very low, according to a study published in the May 2008 issue of the American Journal of Ophthalmology.

Diabetes-induced changes to 37 separate proteins of the vitreous may be the key to understanding the mechanisms of diabetic retinopathy (DR), according to a study to be published in the June issue of the Journal of Proteome Research.

Clinical doses of Avastin (bevacizumab; Genentech) and Lucentis (ranibizumab; Novartis) are equally effective in neutralizing vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), while Macugen (pegaptanib; Pfizer) has no effect, according to a study published online ahead of print by the Journal of Investigative Ophthalmology.

The European Commission and the European Patent Office (EPO) have named Optos plc as European Inventor of the Year in the SME and Research category.

VIEW 2, a Phase III trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of VEGF Trap (afilbercept; Regeneron) versus Lucentis (ranibizumab; Novartis) administered by intravitreal injection for the treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD), has dosed its first patient.

A pilot study evaluating the safety and efficacy of Medidur FA (fluocinolone acetonide; Alimera) with Lucentis (ranibizumab; Novartis) against exudative age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD) has begun patient enrolment.

Gene therapy has been used successfully to improve visual function in a patient with a genetic disorder of the retina, Leber's congenital amaurosis (LCA), as reported in a study published online ahead of print by the New England Journal of Medicine.

VEGF Trap (Regeneron) maintains a significant improvement in the visual acuity of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD) patients up to 32 weeks, according to a study presented at this year's Annual Meeting of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO).

Xibrom (bromfenac 0.09 mg ophthalmic solution; ISTA Pharmaceuticals) significantly improves visual acuity outcomes and lowers retreatment rates when administered as an adjuvant to Lucentis (ranibizumab; Novartis) therapy in neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) patients, when compared with Lucentis monotherapy, according to a poster presented at this year's Annual Meeting of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO).

All of the excitement surrounding anti-VEGF therapy has been countered slightly by one major issue: the regular treatment and follow-up regimen associated with the new class of treatments.

The authors undertook a study based on their own patient records to elucidate whether Avastin does have a viable role to play in the treatment of neovascular glaucoma associated with retinal ischaemic disease.

At present, there is no effective early-stage treatment for AMD or for arresting its progression in the early phases.

Besides external magnifying glasses, certain intraocular lenses and devices have been proposed as feasible visual aids for AMD patients.

Providing patients with renewed hope and the chance of halting and maybe even reversing vision loss, the launch of this anti-VEGF therapy has signalled a permanent change in the way this debilitating disorder is treated worldwide.