Study clarifies anterior chamber fluidic events during phaco
January 15th 2011A high-powered examination of the effect of an ultrasound probe in the eye during phacoemulsification found among other things that irrigation streams during phaco add a weak repulsive force and that streaming during high-powered longitudinal phaco may also contribute to the phaco effect.
Technique enables surgical success in intrao;perative iris floppy system
January 15th 2011The combination of 1.8-mm coaxial microincision cataract surgery, proper wound construction, and attention to other elements of a surgical technique aiming to maintain chamber stability allows safe and effective cataract surgery in eyes with IFIS without the need for pupil expansion.
Successful intraocular lens implantation depends on posterior capsule opacification prevention
January 15th 2011Results of a recent study examining adult autopsy globes show that implants fabricated from hydrophobic acrylic material are associated with a much higher rate of posterior capsule opacification than previously thought.
PanOptica licenses VEGF inhibitor
January 12th 2011PanOptica Inc. has raised $30 million in financing, coinciding with the company?s successful licensing of exclusive worldwide ophthalmic rights to a selective inhibitor of vascular endothelial growth factor (PAN-90806, OSI Pharmaceuticals) in exchange for up-front cash, equity interest in PanOptica, and potential future milestones and royalties.
Pfizer obtains antibody option for retinal disease from Lpath
January 12th 2011Pfizer has obtained an exclusive option for a worldwide license to develop and commercialize Lpath Inc.?s lead monoclonal antibody product candidate (iSONEP), which is being evaluated for the treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration and other eye disorders.
Alcon, Novartis merger expected to be complete mid-year
January 12th 2011The merger of Alcon Inc. and Novartis AG is expected to be completed during the first half of this year after it was announced that the companies have entered into an agreement whereby Novartis will pay $168 per share for the Alcon shares it currently does not own.
FDA requests more data for DME insert NDA from Alimera
January 12th 2011The FDA has requested additional information to aid in its decision of whether to approve a new drug application for an investigational fluocinolone acetonide intravitreal insert (Iluvien, Alimera Sciences) for the treatment of diabetic macular edema.
Data: Toxicity, therapeutics studied
January 1st 2011Results of an in vitro study of the potentially adverse effects of different topical glaucoma medications and preservatives showed that the preservatives polyquad and sofZia had much less toxicity when used in place of benzalkonium chloride in prostaglandin analogue formulations.
Trial compares glaucoma implants
January 1st 2011A multicenter, randomized clinical trial comparing the efficacy of the Ahmed valve implant with the B?rveldt implant for treating refractory glaucoma found that 1 year after surgery, the IOP, number of glaucoma medications, and rate of failure were lower in patients who received the B?rveldt implant.