Retina

Interest in complement factor inhibition in the treatment of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) continues to gain momentum with two developers making separate announcements on progress with their AMD therapy hopefuls.

Dr Didier Ducournau explains how the technique he invented based on a mistaken assumption has been refined over the last 21 years.

The SERPING1 gene code influences the likelihood of developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD), according to study results published online ahead of print by The Lancet.

Dr Claus Eckardt discusses the alternative to anti-VEGF drugs, to be employed when other measures have failed.

A broad expression of the normally selectively-expressed photosensitive protein melanopsin in retinal ganglion cells can restore vision in mice with photoreceptor degeneration, as reported in a study published in the October 14 issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Vitrectomy should only be used for patients with diabetic macular oedema (DME) who also display signs of vitreomacular traction, according to study results published in the October issue of Eye.

iSONEP (sonepcizumab), Lpath, Inc's drug candidate for treating age-related macular degeneration (AMD), has been administered to the first patients in its Phase I trial.

QLT091001 (QLT Inc), a synthetic retinoid, has begun a Phase I safety study. The orally administered compound is designed to replace 11-cis-retinal, a part of the retinoid-rhodopsin cycle that is essential for visual function, in Leber's Congenital Amaurosis (LCA) sufferers.

Bevacizumab injections can improve vision in patients with diabetic macular oedema, according to study results published in the October 2008 issue of the journal Retina.

Visual acuity (VA) in age-related macular degeneration (AMD) patients may vary significantly between measurement sessions, according to study results published in the October 2008 issue of Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences.

Combined vitrectomy and phacoemulsification with foldable intraocular lens (IOL) implantation is safe but should only be recommended in selected patients, according to study results published online ahead of print by Acta Ophthalmologica.

Consuming dark-coloured fruits and vegetables increases the levels of macular pigment (MP) and is associated with improved vision in age-related macular degeneration (AMD) sufferers, according to study results published in the New Straits Times Online on September 22.

VEGF Trap-Eye, Regeneron's treatment for wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD), has demonstrated improved visual acuity (VA) and reduced biological markers of neovascular disease at one year of follow-up, according to final Phase II results presented at this year's Scientific Meeting of the Retina Society, held September 26–28 in Scottsdale, Arizona, US.

NeoVista's epiretinal brachytherapy for wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) increases the visual acuity of eyes treated with bevacizumab (Avastin) at 18 months, according to Phase II study results announced on September 29th at this year's Scientific Meeting of the Retina Society in Scotsdale, Arizona, US.

Red wavelength should not be forgotten, Professor Michael Stur advises.

John Morrow discusses the potential applications of stem cell therapy in retina disease treatment

The UK's medical reimbursement governing body, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE), is to reimburse Lucentis (ranibizumab; Novartis) jointly with Novartis under a dose-capping scheme, reversing NICE's earlier, much derided, decision not to reimburse the drug.

The discovery of the first gene known to be associated with dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) has significant implications for the prevention and treatment of the condition, according to a study published in the October 2, 2008 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.

Intravenous administration of IPLEX, Insmed Inc's rhIGF-I/rhIGFBP-3 complex, is well-tolerated and efficacious in significantly premature infants, according to Phase I study results announced at this year's European Society for Paediatric Endocrinology meeting, held 20?23 September in Istanbul, Turkey.

iCo-007, the experimental intravitreal injection for the treatment of diabetic macular oedema (DME), has produced pleasing interim trial results and been approved to progress to the third stage of the Phase I study, according to a statement released by the drug's licence holder, iCo Therapeutics Inc.

The two Phase III trials of Iluvien (fluocinolone acetonide; Alimera Sciences Inc) in diabetic macular oedema (DME) have been assessed for safety and efficacy by an independent Data Safety Monitoring Board and are to progress without change.

Visual loss in subjects with diabetic retinopathy (DR) is caused by factors other than the disease, according to study results published in the September issue of Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science.

NT-501, a Ciliary Neurotrophic Factor (CNTF)-releasing polymer indicated for the treatment of visual loss in retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD), has been granted a Fast Track designation by the FDA, Neurotech Pharmaceuticals Inc, the compound's manufacturer, has announced.

Markus Schill, PhD and Clemens Wagner, PhD of VRMagic GmbH have received the European VitreoRetinal Society's annual Relja Zivojnovic Award for outstanding contributions to the field of vitreoretinal surgery.

According to a report published in the September 5th issue of the Journal of Biological Chemistry, two processes in the retina, which in combination contribute to age-related macular degeneration (AMD), can be disrupted by antioxidants.