News

The Glaucoma Foundation in the US has created an award scheme for innovation and excellence in glaucoma, recognizing the contribution of individuals who have "played a unique and significant role in promoting the medicine and science of glaucoma".

Novartis has completed the first stage of its purchase of 74 million shares of common stock of Alcon. This step maintains Nestle as the majority shareholder of Alcon, with 52% of the company's issued capital, and establishes Novartis as a minority shareholder, holding 24.85% of Alcon's shares.

Performing LASIK in patients with glaucoma should be carefully considered before making the commitment because of changes in the eye that might result in lower IOP measurements, according to two ophthalmologists. PRK, however, might be a better option for this subgroup of patients, suggests one surgeon.

In instances of repeated corneal transplantation, ulcers and persistent epithelial defects are relatively commonplace, according to a study published in the August 2008 issue of Graefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology.

Timolol, latanoprost, and the fixed combinations of latanoprost/timolol (Xalcom; Pfizer) and dorzolamide/timolol (Cosopt; Merck) have equal efficacy and tolerability as well as equal levels of patient satisfaction, according to a study published online, ahead of print, by Graefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology.

Longevinex (Resveratrol), a nutraceutical matrix, can remove lipofuscin deposits from the retina to improve visual acuity and night vision, according to research presented at this year's meeting of the American Academy of Optometry in Seattle, US.

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is not the leading cause of ocular co-morbidity in diabetic subjects, according to a study published in the June 2008 issue of the British Journal of Ophthalmology.

Current screening of patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) does not sufficiently identify those patients most at risk of wet AMD and hence is unable to prevent its development, according to a report published in the June 2008 issue of Eye.

Photoablation increases the refractive index of the stroma following laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) surgery, according to a study published in the July 2008 issue of the Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery.

EyeSite, a free, interactive, self-service vision screening booth developed by Bart Foster of SoloHealth, has been launched, with the first kiosk taking residence in a Wal-Mart store in Georgia, US.

INO-8875, an Adenosine 1 agonist in Phase I testing for the treatment of glaucoma, has begun patient enrolment.

The fourth-generation Crystalens HD (Bausch & Lomb) accommodating intraocular lens (IOL) has received FDA marketing approval, five years after the lens was initially launched on the market.

A survey, released by the global campaign, All Eyes on Glaucoma, has revealed that more than 8.4 million people in Asia will be blinded by glaucoma by 2010 if they do not undergo treatment.

You are invited to join Ophthalmology Times Europe's European Ophthalmology Group on LinkedIn, the professional networking site.

Low doses of Alimera Sciences' Medidur FA provide visual acuity improvements and reduce the risk of ocular side effects commonly associated with corticosteroids, when administered to diabetic macular oedema (DME) patients, according to the three-month interim results of the first human pharmacokinetic (PK) study.

ThromboGenics' experimental enzyme therapy, microplasmin, has been shown to induce a posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) in over 30% of patients in the high dose group, without the need for surgical intervention, according to the results of the Phase IIb MIVI III (Microplasmin for Vitreous Injection) trial.

Pfizer is to fund research into the application of stem cells in degenerative retinal disease through a $3 million investment in EyeCyte, a company based in California, US.

Oertli has launched new instruments to be used in microincision surgery for the anterior and the posterior segments.

Although we have always received a steady stream of feedback from readers, contributors and industry, never have we been bombarded by so many compliments in such a short space of time as at two recent conferences.

Erythropoietin (EPO), ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF), and wolfberry seem to provide neuroprotection of retinal ganglion cells in a rat model of ocular hypertension.

Dr Van Lansingh & Andrea Zin describe initiatives that are being put into place to reduce the rate of retinopathy of prematurity in Latin America; a disease that is unnecessarily robbing 24% of the region's children of their sight

The importance of treating dry eye disease was the subject of "Advances in dry eye: disease perspectives, treatment options, and post-surgical management," a symposium held in conjunction with the World Ophthalmology Congress (WOC).

Ophthalmologists should assess disease progression in patients with established and suspected glaucoma, should confirm with repeat testing any visual function loss that is seen, should remember that structural measurements have variability, and should consider using structural and functional testing together to detect disease progression.

OTE and Dr Jorge Alió provide a glimpse of some of the scientific sessions and courses not to be missed at this year’s congress of the ESCRS. We also provide you with some tips on how to make the most out of your stay in Berlin.

With diabetes cases worldwide expected to double in the first 30 years of the 21st century, telemedicine might be a pathway to ensuring that more patients receive care, and thus, prevent complications from retinopathy.

News In Focus for July and August 2008

Dr John Nolan discusses the crucial role of the macular carotenoids in the prevention of this blinding disease.

New investigative drugs for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) may complement the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) agents, improve the visual results, and require fewer injections. Various routes of administration are under investigation and combination treatments are likely to provide more favourable results.

Assistant Professor Alexis Tsorbatzoglou and Professor Andras Berta discuss the various theories presented to define the mechanism of accommodation.

Achieving the proper IOL power for patients who have had a refractive procedure such as LASIK, PRK, or RK can be challenging, and taking more measurements leads to greater accuracy.