News

Othera Pharmaceuticals Inc. has begun dosing in a phase I/II multicenter, investigator-masked clinical trial of the safety and efficacy of a topical drug (OT-730) in reducing IOP in subjects with ocular hypertension or open-angle glaucoma

Acucela Inc. and Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. have entered into agreements to co-develop Otsuka?s proprietary compound for the treatment of dry eye.

Merck & Co. Inc. will pay SurModics Inc. $9 million after deciding to end the license and research collaboration agreement the companies signed in June 2007, according to SurModics.

Alcon Inc. broke ground on an expansion of its medical device manufacturing facility in Huntington, WV, Sept. 19.

All patients presenting with open-globe injuries should be treated as aggressively as possible, but a recent study shows that the presence of an afferent pupillary defect is the best indicator of permanent visual loss in these patients.

Drugs are under development and in clinical trials that can complement anti-vascular endothelial growth factor drugs (VEGF) and attack age-related macular degeneration in ways that differ from the anti-VEGF approach. If these prove successful, many more patients can benefit from therapy for AMD.

A retrospective study including 45 eyes that underwent Descemet's stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) found an average refractive change of +0.88 D after surgery. That hyperopic shift after DSAEK has implications for management of patients undergoing cataract surgery simultaneously with or after DSAEK and for anticipating refractive outcomes in pseudophakic patients undergoing DSAEK.

In response to a complaint filed in July by Johnson & Johnson Vision Care Inc., a U.S. district court in New York has ordered Ocular Insight Inc. to discontinue permanently stating or communicating in its advertising, promotional materials, or activities for the company's contact lenses (Clear 58) in the United States any of the following claims:

In today's podcast, Rudy M.M.A. Nuijts, MD, PhD, compares DSEK with PK and discusses the future of therapeutic corneal surgery. Also, James McCulley, MD, discusses the newest generation of a fully pre-loaded IOL delivery system, and Günther Grabner, talks about whether the differences in femtosecond lasers have any clinical significance.

Oertli proudly showcased their new product that enables coaxial microincision cataract surgery through 1.6 mm: the CO-MICS 2 tip is fully compatible with the firm's existing OS3, SwissTech and CataRhex platforms.

Volk Optical has launched the H-R Wide Field Laser Lens, a pan-retinal lens intended for diagnosis and PRP laser treatment.

Dr Rudi Nujits, presented new research on femtosecond laser assisted Descemet Stripping Endothelial Keratoplasty (FS-DSEK) at a session on the femtosecond laser and therapeutic corneal surgery.

The search for a presbyopic treatment that is universally effective and universally applicable is viewed in the industry and the profession as the holy grail because of the number of people in the presbyopic age group today.

The "One" range of single-use ophthalmic instruments has been introduced by Moria. The range comprises instruments commonly used during cataract surgery; instruments are available individually, or as part of a custom pack.

The age of microkeratomes is coming to an end as femtosecond lasers come of age. That's the chief conclusion drawn by Dr Gunther Grabner, professor of ophthalmology at the Paracelsus University of Salzburg, in a survey on the advantages and limitations of femtosecond lasers.

Femtosecond lasers provide a safe and effective way to create corneal flaps and tunnels, explained Professor Ionannis Pallikaris.

Recent acquisitions, division restructuring, and management changes prove that Carl Zeiss Meditec is very much committed to change. Ophthalmology Times Europe spoke with CEO, Dr Michael Kaschke about the challenges that he faces in an ever evolving market.

OcuSense has marked the official commercial launch of its TearLab Osmolarity System, a system that measures and monitors tear osmolarity to diagnose dry eye disease.

Detecting a macular hole or photoreceptor detachment is critical for obtaining good surgical results in patients with myopic foveoschisis.

OcuSense, makers of the innovative TearLab Osmolarity System for the diagnosis of dry eye, announced the signing of multi-year agreements with four distributors in five EU countries, for the exclusive distribution of the TearLab system.

An ocular trauma center is likely to have better patient outcomes than a facility providing a lower level of care.

Results of a review of patients dissatisfied with LASIK who presented for consultation to a tertiary care center suggest that ophthalmologists should obtain a thorough medical history before surgery, particularly in regard to dry eye.

A 54-year-old male pre­sented to the Bascom Palmer Emergency Room complaining of pain, double vision, and increasing proptosis of his right eye over the past 4 to 6 weeks.

Nearly 100 top-tier frame vendors are in the marketplace, vying for your frame dollars. Consider 10 key traits before collaborating with a frame vendor and its representative; you’ll increase the odds for a long-term, prosperous business relationship.

A new device ensures flap orientation during pterygium removals (Sabet Pterygium Flap Maintainer, Rhein Medical).

Transitions Optical and the PGA Tour have entered into a global 4-year marketing partnership designating Transitions lenses as the official eyewear of the PGA Tour, Champions Tour, and Nationwide Tour.

The annual meeting of the Optical Laboratories Association (OLA), The OLA 2008, will be held Nov. 6 to 8 at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel and Convention Center in Nashville.

Vistakon, Division of Johnson & Johnson Vision Care Inc. and maker of Acuvue brand contact lenses, has launched its Acuminder Facebook application, www.acuminder.com/facebook.