News

A study reported in the July issue of Ophthalmology, the journal of the American Academy of Ophthalmology correlates the incidence of silent cerebral infarcts (SCI) and visual field loss in patients with normal-tension glaucoma.

A further study in the July issue of Ophthalmology, the journal of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, investigated inflammation biomarkers in relation to corneal transplant rejection in herpes simplex patients. Its results have shown that inflammation thwarts corneal transplants.

High molecular weight increases blink rate and helps eye drops retain moisture on the ocular surface according to Professor Giancarlo Montani an optometrist FIACLE and a professor of optometry at the Universita del Salento in Italy.

New fluidics concept

Oertli has developed a new phaco tip, easyTip2.2mm, based on the design of the CO-MICS 2. It uses a new fluidics concept with a high vacuum setting and a wide infusion path, creating a strong axially directed flow.

Nerve damage associated ocular dryness improved dramatically with hyaluronic acid-based lubricating eye drops explains Claes Feinbaum M.Sc. Professor Emeritus Optometry, Vision4You, Lund, Sweden.

Gene therapies

Ocular applications of gene therapies are increasing, as is our understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of glaucoma.

A biological marker for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) has been discovered by a team of researchers from the University of Kentucky.

Dr Jayakrishna Ambati, professor and vice chairman of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at the University of Kentucky, has been chosen to receive the 2010 Cogan Award from The Association for Research in Vision and Opthalmology (ARVO).

The twelve-month primary analysis results from the Novartis sponsored Phase II MONT BLANC study investigating the efficacy and safety of combining Visudyne (Novartis Pharma AG) and Lucentis (Novartis Pharma AG, Genentech Inc.) have been released and so far are showing no significant differences.

Producing 3D human corneal tissue using corneal limbal stem cells with a view to developing and commercialising novel technology has potential to transform drug discovery and regenerative medicine.

Journal watch

Biometric and corneal topographic characteristics in patients with Weill-Marchesani syndrome

A study by the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) on the prevalence and costs of sight loss estimates that 1.8 million people with partial sight and blindness lived in the UK in 2008.

Positive twelve-month primary analysis results from the Phase II RADICAL study (Reduced Fluence Visudyne Anti-VEGF-Dexamethasone In Combination for AMD Lesions) in patients with wet age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD) have been announced by QLT Inc.

The global initiative Vision2020: Right to Sight has received a major boost following the endorsement of the WHO Action Plan for the Prevention of Avoidable Blindness and Visual Impairment by the 62nd World Health Assembly, the WHO governing body.