Retina

The role of vitrectomy must be defined and compared with intravitreal triamcinolone and laser treatment, but vitrectomy may provide a more permanent solution for some eyes

In my hands, 23-gauge vitrectomy is the one procedure for 99% of my cases

In the new treatment era for exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD) heralded by the availability of locally administered anti-VEGF drugs, intravitreal monotherapy with triamcinolone injection may no longer be considered as a current therapy for this neovascular condition, said Jost Jonas, MD, at the World Ophthalmology Congress.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a common cause of vision loss worldwide, particularly in industrialized nations, where it is the main cause of blindness among people of 65 and older, explained Paul Mitchell, MD, at the World Ophthalmology Congress.

Novartis Ophthalmics' and Genentech's investigational treatment for AMD has again delighted its developers by meeting its one-year primary efficacy endpoint of maintaining vision in patients with wet AMD during the first year of the two-year ANCHOR study.

The 2005 annual meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) saw the event record the third highest attendance figures in its history.

Despite recent advances and the promise of new therapies for the treatment of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) resulting from age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD), key challenges remain. These include improving vision outcomes, reducing the numbers of treatments and proving efficacy in different lesion types. While treatment for wet AMD has traditionally centred on monotherapy regimens, the future standard of care may likely focus on combination strategies.

Combination treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) using verteporfin photodynamic therapy (Visudyne PDT, Novartis/QLT Inc.) plus intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide appears to improve visual outcomes and reduce the number of re-treatments necessary to achieve lesion regression compared with standard PDT alone, albeit with the recognized steroid-associated risks of cataract progression and IOP elevation, said Albert J. Augustin, MD, at the annual meeting of the American Society of Retina Specialists.

"Smoking increases your risk of developing blindness" is the shocking message being transmitted across the UK in a bid to raise awareness.

Investigators caused a stir at the 23rd Annual Meeting of the American Society of Retina Specialists (ASRS) in Montreal, Canada, when they hinted at a potential use of bevacizumab (Avastin) in neovascular age-related macular degeneration (neovascular AMD).