Retina

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.

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals and Bayer Healthcare have announced positive preliminary data from a Phase II randomized study of the VEGF Trap-Eye treatment for wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Statins may have protective effects on the development of both cataract and age-related macular degeneration (AMD), according to a report published in the April issue of the American Journal of Ophthalmology.

An increased level of white blood cells can predict the risk of developing early age-related macular degeneration (AMD), according to findings published recently in the American Journal of Epidemiology.

In persistent macular oedema, a single dexamethasone drug delivery system (DDS) treatment can significantly improve best corrected visual acuity (BCVA).