News

The FDA has granted final approval for Hi-Tech Pharmacal Co. Inc.’s Abbreviated New Drug Application for its bromfenac ophthalmic solution, 0.09% (once-a-day).

The future of treating Fuchs’ endothelial dystrophy may be evolving, said Gerrit R.J. Melles, MD, PhD.

Rapid Pathogen Screening Inc. (RPS) has received a Medical Device License from Health Canada for its AdenoPlus, a point-of-care test to help quickly and accurately determine whether a conjunctivitis infection is caused by Adenovirus.

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals and Bayer HealthCare have announced an agreement to jointly develop an innovative antibody to the Platelet Derived Growth Factor Receptor Beta (PDGFR-beta) as a potential combination therapy with aflibercept (Eylea) for the treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

An international panel of ophthalmologists have developed a classification system of vitreomacular diseases, with the goals of objectivity based on optical coherence tomography (OCT) findings and ease of use.

OASIS Medical Inc. and Spain-based AJL Ophthalmic SA have announced an exclusive relationship for the sales and distribution of corneal implants (Intacs) for the treatment of keratoconus and the FDA-approved treatment of myopia.

Nicox Inc. has been granted the North American promotional rights to Sequenom Laboratories’ RetnaGene AMD laboratory-developed test for the evaluation of a patient’s risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) disease progression within 2, 5, and 10 years.

Numerous reports show that phacoemulsification lowers IOP, but further research is needed to understand what mediates the change, according to Douglas J. Rhee, MD.

Ocular Therapeutix has received approval from the FDA to commercialize its ReSure Sealant in the United States, with an indication for prevention of postoperative fluid egress from incisions with a demonstrated would leak following cataract surgery.

Carl Zeiss Meditec AG has acquired-through its subsidiary Carl Zeiss Meditic Inc.-100% of the shares in Aaren Scientific Inc., a US-based manufacturer of IOLs.

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals and Geisinger Health System have announced a major research collaboration focused on studying the genetic determinants of human disease.

Ophthalmologists cannot continue to neglect glaucoma internationally considering the numbers of individuals becoming blind, related Mildred Olivier, MD.

A subretinal implant has been developed that is designed to take the place of the photoreceptors in patients with retinal degenerations, such as retinitis pigmentosa.

Alimera Sciences Inc. has begun shipping initial orders of Iluvien to several United Kingdom National Health Service (NHS) facilities.

The combination of two microinvasive glaucoma surgeries with cataract surgery may address a patient’s cataract and glaucoma in one procedure.

One ophthalmologist explains how the search for a less invasive treatment to achieve significant IOP reduction led him to apply transscleral cyclophotocoagulation with a glaucoma device.

The design of a new accommodating IOL shows promise in reducing the capsular bag opacification that can occur following cataract surgery.

Deep wave trabeculoplasty reduced IOP by 26% in an initial clinical investigation and is being compared with sham and selective laser trabeculoplasty in a second clinical trial.

Medications used alone or in conjunction with prostaglandin have substantial IOP-lowering effects

Treatment with the fixed combination of brinzolamide 1%-brimonidine 0.2% (Simbrinza, Alcon Laboratories) was associated with significantly greater IOP-lowering than either brinzolamide or brimonidine monotherapy.

Although generic medications approved by the FDA are identical to the innovator in their active and inactive ingredients, prescribers must be cognizant about sources of problems associated with the use of ophthalmic generic drugs.

The advancement of AR-13324 into phase III represents a major step toward the goal of adding an effective and well-tolerated trabecular outflow drug to the glaucoma armamentarium.

Two-year results on the first ab interno micro-stent designed to drain into the suprachoroidal space show good efficacy and safety profiles.

Glaucoma medications should be used judiciously in women of childbearing age as they may pose risks to the infants of pregnant or nursing patients.

The RETAIN Study of the effect of retinal vein occlusion (RVO) treated with ranibizumab injections found good visual acuity results in patients with branch RVO.

Collections include new frame types, colors, and various new features.

Ellex Medical Lasers Ltd. has acquired the canaloplasty business of US-based iScience Interventional Inc., which comprises the iTrack 250 catheter and suture device for the treatment of mild-moderate glaucoma.

ThromboGenics’ ocriplasmin (Jetrea) has received a positive Common Drug Review (CDR) in Canada.

Kala Pharmaceuticals Inc. has submitted an Investigational New Drug (IND) application to the FDA to initiate a phase III clinical program with its mucus-penetrating particle (MPP) technology-formulated loteprednol etabonate ophthalmic nano-suspension product (LE-MPP).