Retina

The results of the PrONTO Study, an exploratory open-label trial, indicated that intravitreal injection of ranibizumab (Lucentis, Genentech) produces rapid improvements in visual acuity and findings on optical coherence tomography (OCT) in patients treated for neovascular age-related macular degeneration.

VEGF Trap (Regeneron Pharmaceuticals) has been seen in two studies (CLEAR-IT AMD 1 and CLEAR-IT AMD 2) to be safe, bioefficacious, and tolerated in the eyes of patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration.

New extended delivery methods are under development and in the future should facilitate more effective administration of numerous types of ocular agents.

Spectral (fourier domain) optical coherence tomography (SOCT) represents a significant development in the field of retinal imaging.

Alimera Sciences and pSivida have completed enrolment for the FAME (Fluocinolone Acetonide in diabetic Macular Edema) study of Medidur.

Randomized data from a large cohort of women with cardiovascular disease or at a high risk of it indicate that seven years of daily supplementation with folic acid, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12 may reduce the risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), according to William G. Christen, ScD, PhD.

A variant form of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has been discovered to be responsible for the inflammation and altered retinal vascularization that occurs in conditions such as diabetic retinopathy.

25-gauge pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) appears to be safe and effective for the treatment of epiretinal membranes.

The majority of vitreoretinal surgeons use dyes to stain the internal limiting membrane (ILM) and/or epiretinal membranes.1Dyes are mostly used to assist surgeons during macular hole and pucker surgery, with the gold standard for such procedures being indocyanine green (ICG).

The field of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) research continues to experience exciting and fascinating times, with the recent launches of new therapeutics and several others on the horizon giving hope to more patients than ever before. Coupled with advances in imaging and diagnostic technology, retina specialists now face AMD with fresh optimism - treatments and technologies are available that will help them to delay or maybe even halt disease progression in their patients.

Retinal detachment is still the most common serious complication of macular surgery.

Alcon has received an approvable letter from the FDA for RETAANE 15 mg (anecortave acetate depot suspension) for the treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD), however the letter advised that an additional clinical study would be required before approval is given.

A UK team reports how they achieved significant reductions in macular thickness by using intravitreal bevacizumab.

Performing 25-gauge pars plana vitrectomy with oblique parallel incisions rather than with standard straight incisions, may allow for more complete postoperative wound sealing.

Genentech is seeking to restrict the use of its anti-VEGF drug Avastin by ophthalmologists in the US.

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).