Retina

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.

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) in England produced its first Appraisal Consultation Document (ACD) regarding the use of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) drugs for the treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) recently. Essentially, the document recommended that the new anti-VEGF inhibitor Lucentis (ranibizumab; Novartis Ophthalmics) may be used only to treat predominantly classic subfoveal choroidal neovascularization (CNV) which shows evidence of progression in the second affected eye, provided the visual acuity is between 6/12 and 6/96.1 After considering feedback from formal consultees, the Appraisal Committee will prepare a Final Assessment Document (FAD) for submission to NICE who will then issue guidance.

Ninety percent achieved the efficacy endpoint, and, furthermore, over two-thirds of patients improved by at least three lines and one-quarter improved by at least five lines in distance vision

QLT has announced that the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) will recommend to the European Commission that the occult indication for Visudyne be removed from the product's European label.

Neurotech Pharmaceuticals has begun enrolment for two Phase II/III clinical trials of NT-501; it's lead Encapsulated Cell Technology (ECT) product for the treatment for retinitis pigmentosa (RP).

Alimera Sciences has announced that enrolment for its Phase III global clinical trial, FAME (Fluocinolone Acetonide in Diabetic Macular Edema), has exceeded 50%.

CoMentis (formerly Athenagen) has initiated a Phase II trial of ATG3, a topical eye drop therapy for the treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a useful tool for determining when re-treatments with ranibizumab are required in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is an effective screening tool for wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Patients who are repeatedly treated with bevacizumab (Avastin) for choroidal neovascularization (CNV) experience visual improvements similar to patients who received their first treatment with the drug.

The introduction of anti-VEGF therapy has revolutionized the treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD); the main cause of blindness in the industrialized world. Large numbers of previously untreatable patients will now be eligible for treatment which, in itself, represents an overwhelming challenge to healthcare providers. Discussion and careful planning is needed to ensure that the manpower and funds are in place to deal with this new era in ophthalmic care.

A review of the various studies that have investigated the best way to treat macular oedema secondary to CRVO.

Pilot study, which examines the benefits of combining photodynamic therapy (PDT) with bevacizumab (Avastin) in AMD patients, yields promising results.

OCT a good AMD screening tool

Quantitative analysis of the impact of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) on the UK population has led a team of researchers to call for urgent, early access to the new class of drug therapies for the disease.

There may be an association between Alzheimer's disease and the onset of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), according to a report presented at the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) meeting held in Fort Lauderdale, USA during May of this year.

Drivers with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) who used a small, spectacle-mounted bioptic telescope reported fewer self-imposed driving restrictions when compared with drivers with AMD who did not use the telescope. Alex R. Bowers, PhD, MCOptom, of the Schepens Eye Research Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, noted that drivers with AMD who used the telescope drove greater distances and to more paces and reported fewer difficulties in potentially challenging situations, such as night driving, heavy traffic, or rain.

Long-term daily supplementation with folic acid and vitamins B6 and B12 may reduce the risk of developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in women with established cardiovascular disease (CVD) or CVD risk factors, said William G. Christen, ScD, DO, associate professor in medicine, Harvard Medical School, and associate epidemiologist, Division of Preventive Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston.

Identifying the bottlenecks that are preventing effective management of neovascular AMD.

Potentia Pharmaceuticals has announced that it is entering the clinical phase of development for POT-4, its lead drug candidate for the treatment of age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Digital imaging technology, used during primary care visits, can significantly improve screening rates for diabetic retinopathy, according to a report published in the March issue of Diabetes Care.