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 polled our audience with the following question from September 26, 2022 to October 10, 2022:​ Will you use biosimilars in your ophthalmic practice?

 and was promoted in our e-newsletters during this time. Results show a majority of ophthalmologists plan to use biosimilars in their practice.

37 responses were recorded, in total. Of these:

23% responded, "Yes, I plan to use biosimilars in my practice."

14% responded, "No, I do not plan to use biosimilars in my practice."

Poll

Results from our recent poll indicate that many ophthalmologists (63%) plan to use biosimilars in their clinical practice.

Poll results: Will you use biosimilars in your ophthalmic practice?

Eyenuk today announced it has secured $26 million in a Series A financing round, bringing the Company’s total funding to over $43 million. The capital raise was led by AXA IM Alts and was joined by new and existing investors including T&W Medical A/S, A&C Foelsgaard Alternativer ApS, Kendall Capital Partners, and KOFA Healthcare.

According to a news release, Eyenuk will use the capital to expand its AI product platform with additional disease indications and advanced care coordination, and to accelerate the platform’s global commercialization and adoption.

“We are thrilled that AXA IM Alts, T&W Medical A/S, A&C Foelsgaard Alternativer ApS, Kendall Capital Partners, and our other new and existing investors have joined us in furthering our mission of using AI to screen every eye in the world to help eliminate preventable vision loss and transition the world to predictive and preventative healthcare,” Eyenuk CEO and Founder Kaushal Solanki, PhD, said in a statement. “Our Series A fundraise validates the strong market performance of the EyeArt system and provides us with critical resources as we expand our platform capabilities this year to include solutions for detecting additional diseases.”

 found that the EyeArt AI system is far more sensitive in identifying referable diabetic retinopathy than dilated eye exams by ophthalmologists and retina specialists.

The company also noted in its release that it is using the power of AI to eliminate preventable blindness globally, through its digital health platform that enables automated AI diagnosis and coordination of care.

Since its FDA clearance in 2020, the EyeArt system has been used in over 200 locations in 18 countries, including 14 U.S. states, to screen over 60,000 patients and counting. It is the first and only technology to be cleared by the FDA for autonomous detection of both referable and vision-threatening diabetic retinopathy without any eye care specialist involvement.

The EyeArt system is reimbursed by Medicare in the US, and has regulatory approvals globally, including CE Marking, Health Canada license, and approvals in multiple markets in Latin America and the Middle East.

AXA IM Alts, a global leader in alternative investments with c. €184 billion of assets under management, invested in Eyenuk through its impact investing strategy, aiming to generate through its investments measurable and intentional social outcomes, while delivering long-term competitive financial returns.

“We continue to be very impressed with the Eyenuk team’s accomplishments in developing and broadly commercializing a cost-effective solution to one of the world’s most pressing healthcare concerns—the enormous global burden of preventable vision loss that progresses without any symptoms,” said Zina Affas Besse, PhD, deputy head of Healthcare Private Equity for AXA IM Alts. “Our partnership is the perfect example of our aim to deliver tangible impact via our investments around the world alongside long-term financial returns.”

The Series A capital raise of $26 million includes the conversion to Series A securities of approximately $6.2 million in convertible notes previously raised.

1. Jennifr Lim, MD; Carl D. Regillio, MD; SriniVas R. Sadda, MD; Chaithanya Ramachandra, PhD; Kaushai Solanki, PhD; et.al. Artificial Intelligence Detection of Diabetic Retinopathy: Subgroup Comparison of the EyeArt System with Ophthalmologists’ Dilated Exams. Ophthalmol.Sci. Published Sept. 29, 2022. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xops.2022.100228.

Articles

Eyenuk secures $26 Million Series A funding to accelerate global access to AI-powered eye-screening technology

Led by the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB), the theme for this year’s World Sight Day on October 13 is #LoveYourEyes. 

Each year, the global awareness day expands in reach, and this year is no different. IAPB's network of almost 200 members organizations are uniting and inspiring millions of people to help tell the world how important it is to Love Your Eyes.

World Sight Day is an opportunity to focus the world’s attention on the importance of eye care. This year, IAPB is leading the call for people to prioritize their eye health and asking the world’s leaders to ensure eye care is accessible, available, and affordable to everyone everywhere.

IAPB is asking people to participate in World Sight Day 2022 through various activities, such as:

Alongside vision screenings happening at Parliaments around the world including Capitol Hill, Washington, New Zealand Parliament, Wellington, and the Belize Cabinet, Belmopan, IAPB is joining its members to hold a special vision screening at the United Nations Headquarters, New York.

IAPB is also hosting the first ever ‘Love Your Eyes Voices’ event. Hosted at the Japan Society in New York, this series of short, inspiring talks followed by a reception will be the first in-person opportunity to celebrate the landmark UN Resolution on Vision for Everyone and its impact on progress toward available, affordable and accessible eye care globally. 

Ahead of World Sight Day Peter Holland CEO of IAPB said, “I’d like to thank the entire sight sector for once again uniting behind World Sight Day. It is incredible to see people from around the world getting involved.

“So many eye health organizations, professionals and individuals have already pledged their sight tests. Our sights are set on a target of 5 million pledges this year. I encourage everyone to take a moment to prioritize their eye health by making a pledge today at 

“World Sight Day is always an important opportunity to raise awareness for eye health on a global scale. It serves as a reminder to take care of our own eyes and helps inform the world that there are still over a billion people on this planet who cannot get the eye care they need.”

Hear how ophthalmologists and optometrists in the United States are recognizing the importance of this year's awareness day.

Celebrating World Sight Day 2022

The abnormal subretinal drusenoid deposits (SDDs) are the multiple, gray, conical lesions (yellow arrows) sitting on top of the bright white band known as the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). They are pushing and penetrating the thin white retinal layer above them. All the other retinal layers further above are normal. The eye’s blood supply, seen below the RPE and known as the choroid, is abnormally thin because the weakened heart is not pumping enough blood to the eye.

Patients with a specific form of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a leading cause of blindness in the United States, are also highly likely to have either underlying heart damage from heart failure and heart attacks, or advanced heart valve disease, or carotid artery disease associated with certain types of strokes, according to a new study from New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai.

According to a news release, this research, published November 17 in 

, is the first to identify which types of high-risk cardiovascular and carotid artery disease are linked to the eye disorder. The findings could prompt increased screening to save vision, diagnose undetected heart disease, and prevent adverse cardiovascular events.

“For the first time, we have been able to connect these specific high-risk cardiovascular diseases to a specific form of AMD, the one with subretinal drusenoid deposits (SDDs),” lead author R. Theodore Smith, MD, PhD, a professor of Ophthalmology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, said in a news release.

Smith noted that the study is the first strong link between the leading cause of blindness, AMD, and heart disease, the leading cause of death worldwide.

“Furthermore, we also have strong evidence for what actually happens: the blood supply to the eye is directly diminished by these diseases, either by heart damage that diminishes blood supply throughout the body, or from a blocked carotid artery that directly impedes blood flow to the eye,” he said in the news release. “A poor blood supply can cause damage to any part of the body, and with these specific diseases, the destroyed retina and leftover SDDs are that damage. Retinal damage means vision loss, and can lead to blindness.”

According to the news release, AMD is the leading cause of visual impairment and blindness in people over 65 and is the result of damage to the central area of the retina called the macula, which is responsible for reading and driving vision. One major form of early AMD consists of small yellow cholesterol deposits called drusen, which form under a part of the retina called the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). They can deprive the retina of blood and oxygen, leading to vision loss.

Drusen formation can be slowed by appropriate vitamin supplementation. The other major form of early AMD, subretinal drusenoid deposits (SDDs), are less well-known, and require high-tech retinal imaging to detect. These deposits contain a different form of cholesterol, and form above the RPE, and just beneath the light-sensitive retina cells, where the damage occurs and vision is lost. There is no known treatment for SDDs. Dr. Smith and a team of Mount Sinai researchers initially found that patients with cardiovascular disease or stroke were more likely to have SDDs. That first-of-its-kind research was published in the July issue of 

 This new study expands on that previous work, looking at a larger patient population, and identifies the specific severe forms of heart disease and carotid artery disease that caused the SDDs of AMD.

Researchers analyzed the eyes of 200 AMD patients with retinal imaging to determine which patients had SDDs. Patients answered a questionnaire about their history of cardiovascular disease. Of the 200 patients, 97 had SDDs and 103 had drusen only. Forty-seven of the 200 had severe heart disease (19 had heart damage from heart failure or heart attack, 17 serious valve disease, and 11 stroke stemming from the carotid artery). Forty of the 47 (86 percent) had SDDs. By contrast, of the 153 AMD patients who did not have these severe diseases, 57 had SDDs (43 percent). The researchers concluded that AMD patients with these severe cardiovascular diseases and stroke were nine times more likely to have SDDs than those without them.

“This work demonstrates the fact that ophthalmologists may be the first physicians to detect systemic disease, especially in asymptomatic patients,” says co-investigator Richard B. Rosen, MD,cChief of the Retina Service for the Mount Sinai Health System. “Detecting SDDs in the retina should trigger a referral to the individual’s primary care provider, especially if no previous cardiologist has been involved. It could prevent a life-threatening cardiac event.”

The next step is for researchers to focus on patients in cardiology and neurology clinics to further examine varying degrees of cardiovascular and carotid disease and assess that possible relationship of disease severity to AMD with SDD.

This study was funded by a Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Investigator-Initiated Study, Research to Prevent Blindness Challenge Grant, the Macula Foundation, a Bayer-Global Ophthalmology Award, and the International Council of Ophthalmology-Alcon Fellowship.

Mount Sinai study is the first to identify that heart attack, stroke and heart failure are linked to a specific type of age-related macular degeneration.

Blinding eye disease linked with forms of cardiovascular disease 

Nidek Co. Ltd. today launched its NT-1p non-contact tono/pachymeter.

The NT-1p is a device that fully automates reliable non-contact tonometry and pachymetry. By placing the chin on the chinrest, the NT-1p automatically detects the position of the eyes and begins measurement without pressing any buttons. Voice guidance (available in 9 languages) facilitates smooth measurement for any operator.

According to the company, a newly incorporated air-nozzle contact sensor ensures safety while performing fully-automatic measurements. The nozzle design is optimized for comfort, reducing the patient’s perception of physical pressure.

The company also noted that continuous range of tilt and swivel of the screen allows the NT-1p to be placed anywhere in an examination room; installation against a wall or in a corner is now possible. The conventional face-to-face position is available, and is designed to provide excellent patient comfort. The flexible layout and space-saving design contribute to improved productivity and efficiency.

Moreover, several options allow greater flexibility based on usage. Models are available with or without a joystick. The 4-direction button of the newly-designed joystick allows smooth movement of the measuring unit. The addition of a hand-held control and tablet control software allow for remote operation.

“Design innovations of the NT-1p provide high-performance, efficient measurement while also prioritizing patient comfort in various situations.” Motoki Ozawa, president and CEO of Nidek, said in a news release. “We will continue to deliver differentiated technologies that improve practice workflow for better operator and patient satisfaction.”

By placing the chin on the chinrest, Nidek’s NT-1p automatically detects the position of the eyes and begins measurement without pressing any buttons.

 Company launches the NT-1p non-contact tono/pachymeter 

Horizon also announced results from a 2018 U.S. survey of endocrinologist and ophthalmologists comparing the impact of shorter versus longer duration TED in patients with a high Clinical Activity Score.

Horizon Therapeutics plc has announced new data from a real-world analysis of teprotumumab-trbw (Tepezza) presented at the 91st annual Meeting of the American Thyroid Association.

According to the company, teprotumumab-trbw is the first and only medicine approved by the FDA for the treatment of thyroid eye disease (TED) – a serious, progressive and potentially vision-threatening rare autoimmune disease.

Evidence has indicated that due to the progressive nature of TED, the disease may reactivate, or flare. In a retrospective chart review, up to 15% of patients experienced a TED flare, regardless of treatment regimen. While many causes for reactivation are unknown, some triggers include pregnancy, stress and surgery.

The real-world analysis assessed deidentified claims data from people living with TED who completed a full, uninterrupted course of teprotumumab-trbw (8 infusions) in 2020 and then subsequently were prescribed a second course of treatment prior to July 2022. During this two-year period, 4.9% (286/5,845) of patients were prescribed a second course of teprotumumab-trb. 1.9% (110/5,845) of the total patients went on to initiate treatment by the end of the two-year period, with a mean time of 12 months between courses.

“Treating an autoimmune condition like Thyroid Eye Disease that may worsen or flare over time is challenging,” said Shoaib Ugradar, MD, The Jules Stein Eye Institute at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). “These data indicate that the need is low for additional treatment with Tepezza for those living with thyroid eye disease who have completed an initial course. With continued analysis and research, we hope to come closer to identifying specific causes and indicators for additional treatment in order to better manage this debilitating, life-long condition.”

Horizon also announced results from a 2018 U.S. survey of endocrinologist and ophthalmologists comparing the impact of shorter versus longer duration TED in patients with a high Clinical Activity Score (CAS). The analysis looked at those with a CAS ≥ 3, who had lived with TED for less than or equal to three years (n = 192) versus over three years (n = 115). Both shorter and longer duration groups reported comparable overall negative mental health impact (38.5% vs. 35.7%, respectively) and experience with anxiety and depression. They both also reported a similar negative effect of TED on their quality of life, as measured by a seven-point Likert scale, including social and daily activities.

“Thyroid eye disease, regardless of years since diagnosis, can significantly impact a person’s ability to look and feel like themselves and may affect daily tasks from reading to driving a car,” Jeffrey W. Sherman, MD, FACP, executive vice president, chief medical officer, Horizon, said in the news release. “These survey results emphasize the burden of disease for those living with thyroid eye disease and underscore the need for appropriate care with treatment as soon as possible.”

Barrio-Barrio J, et al. Graves' Ophthalmopathy: VISA versus EUGOGO Classification, Assessment, and Management. 

Patel P, et al. Recurrent Thyroid Eye Disease. 

Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

Smith TJ, et al. Evaluation of United States Thyroid Eye Disease Patients Receiving an Additional Course of Teprotumumab Treatment over 2 years. Poster session presented at: Annual Conference of American Thyroid Association (ATA); 2022 October 19-23; Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

Smith TJ, et al. Sequalae of Shorter versus Longer Duration Inflammatory Thyroid Eye Disease. Poster session presented at: Annual Conference of American Thyroid Association (ATA); 2022 October 19-23; Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

Teprotumumab-trbw is the first and only medicine approved by the FDA for the treatment of thyroid eye disease. 