News

M&S Technologies has released a new software for its Smart System 2020 and PC-Plus visual acuity, contrast sensitivity and video media systems.

Neurotech Pharmaceuticals has begun enrolment for two Phase II/III clinical trials of NT-501; it's lead Encapsulated Cell Technology (ECT) product for the treatment for retinitis pigmentosa (RP).

Alimera Sciences has announced that enrolment for its Phase III global clinical trial, FAME (Fluocinolone Acetonide in Diabetic Macular Edema), has exceeded 50%.

CoMentis (formerly Athenagen) has initiated a Phase II trial of ATG3, a topical eye drop therapy for the treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

FDA deals ISTA a blow

ISTA Pharmaceuticals has received a not approvable letter from the FDA relating to its New Drug Application (NDA) for T-Pred (prednisolone acetate 1.0% and tobramycin 0.3% ophthalmic suspension).

Therapeutic interventions, in particular for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) offer a better degree of value than any other treatment right across the field of healthcare.

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a useful tool for determining when re-treatments with ranibizumab are required in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is an effective screening tool for wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

A Phase I/II clinical trial has been initiated to evaluate an innovative gene therapy in patients with progressive deterioration in vision caused by an abnormality in the RPE65 gene.

Patients who are repeatedly treated with bevacizumab (Avastin) for choroidal neovascularization (CNV) experience visual improvements similar to patients who received their first treatment with the drug.

The AcrySof angle-supported phakic refractive IOL (Alcon) continues to offer patients with high myopia stable and accurate refractive results with excellent visual acuity (VA), according to physicians speaking at the XXIV Congress of the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (ESCRS) in London last September.

The introduction of anti-VEGF therapy has revolutionized the treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD); the main cause of blindness in the industrialized world. Large numbers of previously untreatable patients will now be eligible for treatment which, in itself, represents an overwhelming challenge to healthcare providers. Discussion and careful planning is needed to ensure that the manpower and funds are in place to deal with this new era in ophthalmic care.

It is an accepted fact that people in the UK have one of the poorest diets in Europe; with the consumption of poor-quality, low-priced foods, along with lack of exercise fuelling the rise in obesity amongst many other diseases.

Correction of very high myopia, i.e. above –9.00 D, remains a controversial topic and new designs of phakic IOLs have spurred great interest in the past five years. Presently, long-term results are becoming available and some interesting conclusions can be drawn, explained Matteo Piovella, MD, who reported his four-year results with one of these lenses at the XXIV Congress of the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons in London.