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A revolutionary, needle-free technology that has been designed to deliver retina therapies non-invasively, to the back of the eye, has been launched.

Surgical therapy for age-related macular degeneration in the form of macular translocation, injection of tissue plasminogen activator, and gas tamponade provides some improvements in visual acuity for patients whose conditions do not respond to the anti-vascular endothelial growth factor drugs.

Fundus autofluorescence imaging, one of the modes available in a new instrument (Spectralis HRA+OCT, Heidelberg Engineering), enhances its utility as a diagnostic device and a tool for monitoring therapy of patients with retinal and macular diseases.

Trivaris (triamcinolone acetonide injectable suspension; Allergan), a synthetic glucocorticoid corticosteroid, has been approved by the FDA for the treatment of inflammatory ophthalmic conditions.

Animals undergoing lens removal surgery were treated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs pre- and postoperatively. On the first day after surgery, aqueous humor samples were taken at times corresponding to trough drug levels. The mean aqueous prostaglandin E2 concentration was significantly lower in animals being treated with ketorolac 0.4% (Acular LS, Allergan) compared with those receiving bromfenac 0.09% (Xibrom, ISTA Pharmaceuticals).

Few well-designed studies evaluate endophthalmitis prophylaxis. Available evidence suggests a role for intracameral cefuroxime. The benefit must be weighed against the potential risk of errors in formulation, however.

In a point-counterpoint debate at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, one clinician contended that the rate of post-LASIK ectasia is declining and that, with careful screening and other preparatory steps, the rate of ectasia can be kept very low. The counter-argument by another clinician suggested that the multifactorial basis of ectasia as well as unknown risk factors make it impossible to prevent a certain percentage of cases from developing.

In a prospective, randomized, contralateral study of 75 adults, eyes in which an aspheric IOL (AcrySof IQ model SN60WF, Alcon Laboratories) had been implanted demonstrated better mesopic contrast sensitivity, significantly less spherical aberration, and significantly less total higher-order aberrations compared with eyes in which a standard spherical IOL (AcrySof model SA60AT, Alcon Laboratories) had been implanted. Cumulative uncorrected visual acuity and best-corrected visual acuity were equivalent between both groups.

A new study shows that costs associated with glaucoma will more than double by 2025.

OT134, a laser therapy for the reduction of intraocular pressure, has completed the follow-up period of its first human clinical study.

The EyeRoute Image Management System, which provides a remote view of a Spectral Domain OCT system, has been introduced by Topcon Medical Systems.

A new model can predict the percentage of people who will develop advanced age-related macular degeneration (AMD) at various ages. The model, which is based on well-established risk factors for the disease such as age, smoking, and genetics, considers high-risk, intermediate-risk, and low-risk genotypes. Genotypes are more predictive of the risk of developing advanced AMD than is age.

Scientists who produced a visual prosthesis giving rudimentary sight to the blind are to receive the Joseph von Fraunhofer Prize 2008 in recognition of their achievement.

A research project developing new technologies for laser treatments for the retina has been launched by the German Federal Ministry for Education and Research.

Eating a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids seems to correlate with a low incidence of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), according to a study published in the June 2008 issue of the Archives of Ophthalmology.

Peeling the internal limiting membrane (ILM) may reduce the rate of premacular fibrosis (PMF) formation, according to a study published in the June 2008 issue of Retina.

The Verteporfin Intravitreal Triamcinolone Acetonide Study (VERITAS) of intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide (Kenalog, Bristol-Myers Squibb) or pegaptanib (Macugen, Pfizer) in combination with photodynamic therapy (PDT) with verteporfin (Visudyne, Novartis Pharmaceuticals) was underpowered to reach definitive conclusions about the therapies.

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The higher level of advanced glycation end products (AGE) in senile diabetic patients may correlate to a higher rate of cataract development, according to a study published in the May?June 2008 issue of the Journal of Diabetes and its Complications.

Ophthalmology organizations voice concerns to FDA on contact lens safety.

Further study is needed to establish the role of multifocal IOLs in eyes with glaucomatous damage, according to Ike Ahmed, MD, who was speaking during the glaucoma subspecialty day at the annual meeting of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery.

Following positive clinical trial results, Allergan, the makers of bimatoprost, are submitting a new drug application (NDA) to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), seeking a new indication for the prostaglandin analogue as an eyelash growth stimulant.

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is an independent risk factor for heart failure (HF), according to a study published in the April 22 2008 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

Absence of a specific RNase III endonuclease in the retina causes no immediate structural abnormalities but does prompt total retinal inactivity, according to a study published in the May 7 2008 issue of the Journal of Neuroscience.

Eric Greve, one of the founding members of the European Glaucoma Society (EGS), has been honoured during a lunchtime ceremony at its quadrennial International Congress, held June 1–6 in Berlin, Germany.

Although fluorescein angiography (FA) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) are both effective ways to detect macular oedema (ME), when used in isolation they may miss subtle manifestations of the condition, according to a study published in the April 2008 issue of Retina.

A bimatoprost and timolol fixed combination (Ganfort; Allergan) is more effective at lowering intraocular pressure (IOP) over 12 weeks than latanoprost (Xalacom; Pfizer), according to results presented at the meeting of the European Glaucoma Society (EGS), held June 1–6 in Berlin.

Intravitreal injections of bevacizumab (Avastin; Genentech) stabilize vision and decrease retinal detachment in patients with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV), according to a study published in the May 2008 issue of the British Journal of Ophthalmology.

The European Glaucoma Society (EGS) has officially unveiled the updated edition of its "Terminology and Guidelines for Glaucoma" at its 8th International Congress, held June 1?6 in Berlin.

Depression in retinitis pigmentosa (RP) patients worsens vision-related function even where visual acuity is not compromised, according to a study published in the May 2008 issue of the British Journal of Ophthalmology.