News

A Kaiser Permanents Southern California study published in this month?s Ophthalmology, the journal of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, compares ranibizumab (Lucentis) and bevacizumab (Avastin) and found them to be equally effective in halting vision loss.

Presbia , which develops and markets a surgical solution for presbyopia has appointed ophthalmic surgeons Dr Jorge L. Alio of Madrid, Spain (an OTEurope editorial advisory board member) and Dr Kerry K. Assil of California, have agreed to serve on its Medical Advisory Board.

Alcon is to buy the rights in the United States for two FDA-approved topical eye care products from Sirion Therapeutics, Inc Durezol, a marketed ophthalmic corticosteroid approved for the treatment of inflammation and pain associated with eye surgery, and Zirgan, a recently approved antiviral for the treatment of acute herpetic keratitis (corneal ulcers).

Research published in the journal Cell Death and Disease by University College of London scientists indicates that a simple eye test may, in future, be able to detect Alzheimer's, amongst other diseases.

The Glaucoma Research Foundation?s highest honour, the Catalyst Award, has been given to Jeffrey B. Kindler, chief executive officer and chairman of the Board of Pfizer Inc. The award recognizes outstanding accomplishments in research and education in support of those affected by glaucoma.

Alcon acquires Optonol

Alcon has entered into the surgical glaucoma market by acquiring Optonol, a manufacturer and marketer of novel minature surgical implants used to reduce IOP.

Alcon's formal response to Novartis' s proposal to acquire the minority publicly traded shares of Alcon. In a letter to the CEO of Novartis the Alcon Committee said that the terms proposed were “grossly inadequate.”

Zeiss to get new CEO

Carl Zeiss's current CEO, Dr Michael Kaschke, has resigned his position on the company?s Management Board.

Successful limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD) treatment in eight patients using their own stem cells without immunity suppression has been reported by scientists at the North East England Stem Cell Institute (NESCI).

Researchers in The Netherlands have concluded that dietary intake or plasma levels of vitamins C and E and magnesium do not seem to be associated with diabetic retinopathy.

)? Oraya Therapeutics, Inc., announced today that enrollment is now underway for the first ever masked and sham-controlled study to demonstrate the efficacy and safety of radiation therapy for the treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The groundbreaking clinical trial is being conducted at seven European sites, and will include a minimum of 150 patients, with approximately one third of those receiving a sham exposure and the remainder receiving radiation dosing of either 16 or 24 Gray (GY).

Novartis is to exercise its option to purchase the remaining shares in Alcon, Inc., owned by Nestle S.A. at a weighted average price of US$180 per share in cash following the agreement between Nestle and Novartis in April 2008.

A 13-year-old boy was referred because of visual deterioration in his right eye. The visual acuity was two metres of counting fingers. Indirect ophthalmoscopy and biomicroscopy revealed exudative macular oedema as well as tumour-like telangiectatic vessels and exudation in temporal periphery.

A comparative evaluation of local anaesthesia for cataract surgery, published in The Journal of Cataract & Refractive Surgery says that randomized clinical trials are needed to facilitate statistical methods of metaanalysis to establish convincingly the overall benefits and efficacy of the various local anesthesia procedures in cataract surgery.

The President of the Macular Disease Society (MDS), Gwyneth Dickinson, has been awarded the MBE in the UK's New Year's Honours. Mrs Dickinson, a former nurse, is honoured for her voluntary work as a trustee, Chairman and now President of the Society.

Let there be light

Dr Bobby Qureshi, the first surgeon in the UK to carry out implant surgery using light adjustable lenses, he talks to OTEurope about the procedure

The Endoscopic CycloPhotocoagulation (ECP) technique provides an option for surgical glaucoma management, addressing ciliary aqueous production without the deeply destructive effects of classic ablative procedures. Dr Liegner explains

Eyes front

2009 heralded more interesting developments for ophthalmology. OTEurope asked some of Europe's leading key opinion leaders for their thoughts on the news and developments that generated most excitement or had most significance in the Cataract & Refractive sector