News

NeoVista's epiretinal brachytherapy for wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) increases the visual acuity of eyes treated with bevacizumab (Avastin) at 18 months, according to Phase II study results announced on September 29th at this year's Scientific Meeting of the Retina Society in Scotsdale, Arizona, US.

Erratum

An article authored by Josef Reiter, MD, titled "My way to Epi-LASIK", which appeared in the July/August issue of Ophthalmology Times Europe, contained an error on page 20.

European Ophthalmology, the social networking group for European ophthalmologists created and moderated by Ophthalmology Times Europe, has recently launched its new discussion forum.

Bausch & Lomb and Schwind are following the latest industry trend by forming strategic alliances with femtosecond laser manufacturers 20/10 Perfect Vision and Ziemer Ophthalmic Systems, respectively.

Daily treatment with pirenzepine gel can slow the rate of progressive myopia in children, according to a study published in the August issue of the Journal of the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus.

David Bailey, president of international operations at Staar Surgical, makers of the Visian ICL & TICL, says ICL technology allows surgeons to differentiate themselves in the slowing LASIK marketplace. Mr Bailey was speaking at a media briefing during this year's congress of the ESCRS in Berlin, Germany.

A camera the size and shape of a human eye could have a diverse range of applications, including being used as a retinal implant and in brain monitoring and cardiac stimulation, according to research published in Nature.

Can vaccines save sight?

Vaccines may have a role to play against corneal and external ocular disease, because of their success in preventing systemic diseases, according to a presentation given during Cornea Day at the annual meeting of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery earlier this year.

US documentary film director Joseph Lovett discusses his latest film project, which he hopes will change public and ophthalmologists' perception of blindness.

A drug that has traditionally been used to treat cardiovascular conditions has shown promise in the treatment and prevention of diabetic retinopathy. The claim was based on data from a large-scale programme assessing the effect of an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) on the incidence and progression of diabetic eye disease. Findings from the study will be published in The Lancet.

ORBIS International's Flying Eye Hospital has completed an intensive two-week training programme for approximately 40 ophthalmology residents in Harbin, China.

The UK's medical reimbursement governing body, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE), is to reimburse Lucentis (ranibizumab; Novartis) jointly with Novartis under a dose-capping scheme, reversing NICE's earlier, much derided, decision not to reimburse the drug.

Dry AMD gene found

The discovery of the first gene known to be associated with dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) has significant implications for the prevention and treatment of the condition, according to a study published in the October 2, 2008 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.

Intravenous administration of IPLEX, Insmed Inc's rhIGF-I/rhIGFBP-3 complex, is well-tolerated and efficacious in significantly premature infants, according to Phase I study results announced at this year's European Society for Paediatric Endocrinology meeting, held 20?23 September in Istanbul, Turkey.