News

Aqueous Pharma has received European Union approval for its three layered artificial tear formula for dry eye, FreshKote.

Triamcinolone acetonide injections for macular oedema associated with retinal vein occlusion have become a therapeutic mainstay, but conflicting data has emerged about the safety of these injections, and some reports indicate that visual stabilization rather than visual improvement is occurring, according to research presented at the 2006 meeting of the AAO in Las Vegas.

Foveal outer segment/pigment epithelial thickness (FOSPET) is significantly thinner in patients with retinitis pigmentosa (RP) than in normal eyes and also shows correlation in logMAR visual acuity (VA), indicating it may be a predictor of VA in RP, according to a study published in the December 2006 issue of the American Journal of Ophthalmology.

Greater central corneal thickness (CCT) measurements are observed in those with ocular hypertension than in those without, according to a report published online ahead of publication in Ophthalmology.

UVA induced collagen crosslinking (CCL) followed by surface excimer ablation shows promise as a safe and effective technique for visual rehabilitation in eyes with keratoconus or postLASIK ectasia, said A. John Kanellopoulos, MD, speaking at the 2006 AAO meeting in Las Vegas.

Patients with open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension with thinner corneas show significantly greater shallowing of the cup and smaller improvements of neuroretinal rim blood flow after intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction, according to a report in the November 2006 issue of Archives of Ophthalmology.

The Anecortave Acetate Risk Reduction Trial (AARRT) has met its patient enrollment requirement of almost 2,600 individuals who are at high risk for developing choroidal neovascularization (CNV) or advanced age-related macular degeneration (AMD) over time, reported Jason Slakter, MD, of the Vitreous-Retina-Macular Consultants of New York, USA at the 2006 meeting of the AAO in Las Vegas.

The US LASIK Vision Institute has re-launched its web site to provide consumers with more information about laser vision correction services and the qualifications of its independent doctors.

ISTA Pharmaceuticals has submitted an Investigational New Drug (IND) application to the FDA for its eye drop formulation of bepotastine for the treatment of allergic conjunctivitis.

iCo Therapeutics, an Isis Pharmaceuticals licensee, has filed an Investigational New Drug (IND) application with the FDA for iCo-007.

Patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) have a higher level of cardiovascular risk than in age-matched patients without glaucoma, according to a report published in a recent issue of Graefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology.

Intraocular injections of ranibizumab significantly reduces foveal thickness and improves visual acuity (VA), thereby demonstrating that vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is an important therapeutic target for diabetic macular oedema (DME), according to the results of a study published in the December 2006 issue of the American Journal of Ophthalmology.

Clear corneal phacoemulsification induces a small reduction in intraocular pressure (IOP), according to the results of a study published in the December 2006 issue of the Journal of Glaucoma.

Refinements in lens technology have probably acted as the greatest catalyst for the recent upsurge in interest that has been witnessed in multifocal intraocular lenses (MIOLs). Coupled with the CE and FDA approvals of several second generation MIOLs, the number of refractive lens exchange (RLE) procedures that have been conducted in individuals over the age of 45 years seeking spectacle independence, has soared.

Contact lenses are a major risk factor for the development of fungal keratitis, according to a study published in the December 2006 issue of Eye and Contact Lens.

Managing glaucoma: the full spectrum approach

More prospective studies are needed to evaluate the role of diurnal and long-term intraocular pressure (IOP) function in glaucoma development and progression, according to Felipe A. Medeiros, MD, PhD, assistant professor of ophthalmology, University of California at San Diego, USA, speaking at the glaucoma subspecialty session.

Neuroprotection, a strategy to slow or prevent the death of retinal ganglion cells, offers the possibility of slowing the rate of glaucomatous progression and preventing blindness. But although the underlying theory appears to be sound, much still needs to be learned through basic and clinical research before neuroprotection could become an integral part of glaucoma therapy.

Although presbyLASIK is still, by no means, perfect, it seems to present a good solution for certain cases, particularly in myopes and hyperopes.

At three months, 88% had monocular uncorrected near vision of J2 or better and 95% had J3 or better. A total of 84% were able to read newspaper-sized print without spectacles and 84% were satisfied or very satisfied with the results

I am not convinced that using two very different types of lenses in one patient is the best way to maximize the visual system

The femtosecond laser has the potential to be the ultimate corneal incision device - the possibilities are nearly limitless

Managing patient expectations, matching the lens and the right lens power to the right patient, showing the patient you care and keeping the patient fully informed are all key strategies to securing patient satisfaction.

Advanced Medical Optics (AMO) has voluntarily recalled certain lots of its 12 ounce COMPLETE MoisturePLUS multipurpose contact lens care solution and Active Packs, sold in the US.

Advanced Medical Optics (AMO) has announced its acquisition of Wavefront Sciences and its planned purchase of IntraLase.

Happy New Year to you all. I'm sure, by now, the memories of Christmas have faded and the New Year's resolutions have already been broken but I do hope you used the holiday season to recharge your batteries, ready to face whatever 2007 may bring.

We take a look at some interesting developments in the fast-moving area of presbyopia research and development.

A survey of British Ophthalmologists has found that there is a lower rate of serious complications after cataract surgery if sub–Tenon's, topical and topical–intracameral local anaesthesias are used rather than the "older" retrobulbar and peribulbar techniques.

Children born before week 35 of pregnancy have a greater risk of developing refractive errors than children born at full term, according to a report published in the November 2006 issue of Archives of Ophthalmology.

It is now possible, for the first time, to biopsy tissue from a living eye in order to determine which tumours possess high metastatic risk, according to a report in the November 2006 issue of Ophthalmology.