Retina

Twenty-three gauge transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy is an effective surgical technique for the management of vitreoretinal diseases.

A blind person's sight has been restored by surgeons at the University Hospitals of Geneva (HUG) for the first time in Europe using American technology.

MacuSight has announced positive preliminary data from the Phase I study of its lead product candidate for wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD), sirolimus.

Systematic screening for diabetic retinopathy (DR) has been identified as a cost-effective use of health service resources,1-4 with national screening programmes based on digital photography being implemented across Europe. In Scotland, images are captured at local screening centres and sent electronically to one of nine regional grading centres, where they are manually graded using a three-level system (Figure 1).

New developments in diagnostic technology should enable better screening and follow-up of refractive surgery patients, said Dan Z. Reinstein, MD, delivering a keynote address during the refractive surgery subspecialty day preceding the annual meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology in November 2007.

Diabetic retinopathy (DR), particularly in the more advanced stages, is associated with an increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) incidence.

The side effects and complications associated with intravitreal bevacizumab (Avastin) are minimal and can be prevented, in most cases, by careful injection and good patient selection.

The da Vinci Surgical System (Intuitive Surgical) provides adequate dexterity for performing delicate intraocular manipulation, however, the kinematics of the robotic arms is insufficient for standard intraocular surgery.

A study published online ahead of print by Diabetes Care has found that plasma total homocysteine concentration may be a useful biomarker and/or a novel risk factor for increased risk of diabetic retinopathy (DR) in people with type 2 diabetes.

The rate of endophthalmitis after 25-gauge pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) is significantly higher than that after 20-gauge PPV.

Intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide (IVTA) for the treatment of steroid-responsive disorders of the posterior segment is associated with a low incidence of serious vision-threatening adverse events.

Progress in the diagnosis and treatment of retinoblastoma has been minimal over the past couple of decades, although improvements have been made, and new therapies are being studied, according to an ocular oncology expert.

A Danish study published in the January issue of Pediatrics has found that the incidence of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) treatment in Denmark has more than doubled during the past five years.

Intravitreal bevacizumab (Avastin; Genentech) appears to be a safe and effective treatment in the management of refractory inflammatory cystoid macular oedema.

Vitreous has a greater buffering capacity than sodium chloride (0.9% NaCl), suggesting that it is able to remain more stable when acidic or alkaline pharmaceuticals are injected in microlitre amounts.

A single intravitreal injection of the fusion protein KH902 can effectively inhibit leakage and growth of choroidal neovascularization in rhesus monkeys.

The persistence of intraocular pressure (IOP) elevation following treatment with intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide (IVTA) means that it should only be used after careful consideration.

Polarisation-sensitive optical coherence tomography (PS-OCT) is a promising new tool for diagnosis, disease follow-up and the evaluation of new treatment strategies in disease affecting the retinal pigment epithelium .

Genentech has resolved its dispute with American ophthalmologists over the off-label use of its anti-VEGF drug Avastin, and will now allow physicians to purchase the drug directly from authorized wholesale distributors.

The Simplified Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) Severity Scale has been shown to be predictive of vision loss.

Triple therapy for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) can stabilize vision and reduce the re-treatment rate in patients who do not respond to initial anti-VEGF therapy.

Two transporters that deliver alternative energy sources to the eye may help delay the retinal damage that occurs in diabetes.

Judah Folkman, MD, the pioneer of angiogenesis research, died on January 15th 2008.

A gene, which also behaves as a cancer precursor, has also been found to play a central role in the coordination of retinal proliferation and eye growth during foetal development.

Novagali Pharma's Investigational New Drug Application (IND) to conduct Phase I clinical trials of its Nova63035, for the treatment of diabetic macular oedema (DME), has been granted by the FDA.

The American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Society of Retina Specialists (ASRS) are pleased to report that a solution has been found that addresses Genentech's decision to no longer allow compounding pharmacies to purchase Avastin (bevacizumab) directly from authorized wholesale distributors.

Ophthotech, Biogen and PDL BioPharma have entered into an exclusive worldwide licensing agreement for an anti-angiogenesis antibody to treat age-related macular degeneration.

Fovea Pharmaceuticals has received designation as Orphan Medicinal Product from the European Commission for rh-RdCVF, its treatment for retinitis pigmentosa (RP).

A new online database of retinal topography maps has been launched by the Optometrists Association of Australia.

A research report published in the December issue of the FASEB Journal, describes a new experimental drug, endostatin, which can significantly reduce or eliminate abnormal blood vessel growth within the eye.