CHMP gives Ganfort thumbs

CHMP gives Ganfort thumbs up

The Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) has recommended that Ganfort, Allergan's combination product for the treatment of glaucoma, be approved by the European Commission.

Ganfort (bimatoprost/timolol ophthalmic solution) has been developed to reduce intraocular pressure in patients suffering with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension who are not responsive to treatment with topical beta-blockers or prostaglandin analogues.

No other IOL matches Crystalens, according to researchers

The findings of three independent clinical studies of the accommodating intraocular lens (IOL) crystalens (eyeonics, California, US), presented at the 2006 American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, concluded that it is a highly effective IOL.

Richard Lindstrom, MD, founder of the Minnesota Eye Institute, US, gave a presentation entitled: "Alternative Options to Provide Full-Spectrum Vision" which outlined his findings of a survey of all premium IOLs currently available. The crystalens provided 20/40 vision or better in 100% of patients and J3 vision in 98%. No other IOL was able to match these results, according to Lindstrom, leading him to conclude that crystalens is at present the best IOL for blended vision.

In another presentation, Steven J. Dell, MD, Medical Director of Dell Laser Consultants, Texas, US, examined why some patients using crystalens have better near vision than should be expected for their diopter power. He concluded that optic tilt or flexure may participate in near acuity and that this increases depth of focus.

The final presentation was provided by Kevin Waltz, MD, who detailed his findings from Tracey wavefront analysis of accommodative arching or optic flexure. Similar patterns were discovered between wavefront tracings for near and distance vision for the natural lens and the crstalens leading Waltz to conclude that crystalens works in much the same way as the eye's natural lens.

Cystalens is designed to allow the lens to move within the eye in a similar manner to the natural lens. By using the eye's muscle to move the lens back and forward, patients can focus through a continuous range of vision.

Lymphoma drug may cause loss of vision

Ligand Pharmaceuticals and the FDA have informed healthcare professionals of changes to the product labeling for Ontak, warning of new post-marketing adverse events.

Ontak (denileukin diftitox) is indicated for the treatment of persistent or recurrent T-cell lymphoma. Unfortunately, loss of visual acuity, usually with loss of colour vision, has been reported following treatment with the agent. There have been some instances of recovery in the affected patients but most have reported continuing visual impairment.

Following the discovery of this, Ligand has added new information to the package insert describing the symptoms that have been reported.

Evizon improves even the poorest of vision

Michael J. Gast, MD, Senior Vice President of Genaera's Clinical Research and Development programme, reviewed new analysis of fellow affected eyes from Study 207, an 18 patient, multicentre, open-label, pharmacokinetic trial and from the larger Study 209 which enrolled 108 patients in a randomized, masked, controlled trial.