News

Employing a therapeutic approach consisting of pan-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) blockers such as ranibizumab (Lucentis, Genentech) and/or bevacizumab (Avastin, Genentech) as an induction therapy, followed by a selective VEGF blocker such as pegaptanib (Macugen, OSI/Eyetech) as a maintenance therapy, appears to be effective in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration, according to the interim results of the LEVEL study. This approach may be preferred for many patients from the standpoint of systemic safety.

The treatment of diabetic retinopathy seems to be managed well with the use of the diode laser. According to one expert, the micropulsed diode laser is particularly effective in treatment of this disease, offering patients a safe and painless treatment solution.

A new surgical platform (Constellation Vision System, Alcon Laboratories) incorporates advanced design features for improved surgical efficiency and safety. Vitrectomy probes (Ultravit, Alcon) facilitate high-speed cutting and control of the duty cycle.

Antagonists of vascular endothelial growth factor provide a benefit for choroidal neovascularization and are promising for other retinal diseases, but they represent only the beginning of a transformation in the treatment of certain eye diseases, according to one ophthalmologist.

Disconnecting from the worldwide electronic ophthalmic community and living in the moment, although a scary concept, can be done. And it can be enjoyable, especially with the right company.

The FDA approved a multifocal IOL (Tecnis, Advanced Medical Optics) for implantation in patients with cataract and presbyopia.

When Kevin Buehler takes the reins as chief executive officer of Alcon Inc. after the March 31 retirement of Cary Rayment, one of his goals will be to increase the pace of innovation at the company, to drive growth, he tells Ophthalmology Times in an exclusive interview.

Advanced Medical Optics Inc., the Allergan spin-off that went on to become one of the leading publicly traded companies in ophthalmology, will become part of Abbott Laboratories Inc. in a $2.8 billion deal expected to close before the end of the first quarter.

Amid adding partners, opening new offices, and managing unprecedented growth, Mid Atlantic Retina turned to a consulting firm (Advantage Administration Inc.) to develop a strategic plan for the ensuing years.

To increase the safety and effectiveness of contact lenses and lens-care products for consumers, the American Optometric Association cosponsored a workshop with the FDA's Center for Devices and Radiological Health.

A new drug application (NDA) has been accepted for review by the FDA for the approval of a treatment (ganciclovir, Sirion Therapeutics) for herpetic keratitis.

A clinical trial has begun that will assess the safety and efficacy of a glaucoma shunt (Aquashunt, Opko Health) designed to lower IOP in patients with refractory open-angle glaucoma.

Bausch & Lomb announced the appointment of a new president, Peter Valenti, to oversee the company's North America vision care division.

During their 31st anniversary benefit Jan. 28, the Glaucoma Research Foundation will honor two physicians for their contributions to glaucoma research.

The Vision Care for Kids Act of 2009 was introduced with bipartisan support in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, according to prepared statements by The Vision Council and the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), two supporters of the legislation.

The FDA Dermatologic and Ophthalmic Drugs Advisory Committee has unanimously voted to recommend approval of Bausch & Lomb's besifloxacin ophthalmic suspension 0.6%, according to prepared statements by Bausch & Lomb and InSite Vision.

Topcon Medical Systems has received FDA clearance for its enhanced 3D optical coherence tomography measurement software (OCT-1000 TrueMap) as an addition to its previously cleared OCT system (3D OCT-1000), according to a prepared statement.

ISTA Pharmaceuticals' new drug application for bepotastine ophthalmic solution (Bepreve) has been accepted for review by the FDA, the company announced in a prepared statement.

Researchers are studying the use of a NASA device to reveal the development of cataracts before a patient's vision clouds over.

Advanced Medical Optics has received FDA approval for a multifocal IOL (Tecnis) for patients with cataracts.

A clinical trial will be conducted by Johns Hopkins University's Wilmer Eye Institute on patient adherence and clinical outcomes for people with glaucoma using technology (Memotext).

The FDA has recalled one lot of an ophthalmic viscosurgical device ([OVD] Healon D, Advanced Medical Optics [AMO]) following a voluntary recall by the manufacturer. The lot number, UD30654, is displayed on the side panel of each unit.

If polled, a majority of optical eye-care professionals (ECPs) likely would report that in addition to their primary pair of eyeglasses, they also own prescription sunwear or quality plano sunwear. Patients also should enjoy the lifestyle and protection that additional sunwear provides. The percentage of prescription sunwear actually dispensed, however, is drastically lower than those worn by ECPs.

Carl Zeiss Vision announces a new strategy for the development, production, and promotion of customized lenses for 2009.

Live Eyewear, a privately held corporation that manufactures OveRx (designed to be worn over prescription) sunglasses, was purchased by the company's president, Kieran Hardy.

A scanning laser polarimetry device, which examines the retinal nerve fiber layer, is a beneficial diagnostic tool for glaucoma suspects because it targets the area where the earliest damage from glaucoma is likely to be seen. It also is valuable in monitoring stability or progression in patients with established disease.

Safety data from a multicenter, double-masked, randomized clinical trial comparing the three commercially available prostaglandin analogue IOP-lowering medications containing benzalkonium chloride (BAK) were analyzed to investigate a possible relationship between BAK content and incidence of ocular adverse events. Latanoprost 0.005% (Xalatan, Pfizer), which exposes patients to the highest daily BAK dose, was associated with significantly lower rates of both ocular adverse events and study medication-related adverse events compared with bimatoprost 0.03% (Lumigan, Allergan) and travoprost 0.004% (Travatan, Alcon Laboratories).

The fixed combination of brimonidine and timolol (Combigan, Allergan) provided greater overall patient comfort, and IOP decreased significantly, compared with the fixed combination of dorzolamide and timolol (Cosopt, Merck & Co.) in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma.