News

Las Vegas-The 1-year results of a study that evaluated the effects of pegaptanib sodium (Macugen, Eyetech Pharmaceuticals) on diabetic macular edema indicates that the drug might provide some patients with improved visual acuity and reduced central retinal thickness compared with no treatment with short follow-up (36 weeks).

Las Vegas-Two-year results of a study of a visual prosthetic device (Implantable Miniature Telescope [IMT], developed by Isaac Lipshitz, MD, VisionCare Ophthalmic Technologies Inc.) indicate that the device improves visual acuity and the quality of life in patients with end-stage age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Few retinal complications were associated with the implantation of this device, according to Paul Sternberg Jr., MD, who spoke here at the American Academy of Ophthalmology annual meeting.

Las Vegas-The 25-gauge vitrectomy seems to be associated with a higher incidence of endophthalmitis compared with 20-gauge vitrectomy. The difference in the rates of endophthalmitis between the two procedures could be due to factors such as the unsutured wounds at the end of the 25-gauge procedure, postoperative hypotony, and lower infusion rates, according to Derek Y. Kunimoto, MD, JD.

Las Vegas-A trial is under way to evaluate the role of anecortave acetate (Retaane, Alcon Laboratories) in risk reduction for age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Jason S. Slakter, MD, provided an update on the status of the C-02-60 Anecortave Acetate Risk Reduction Trial (AART) and the rationale for the use of anecortave acetate in preventing progression of non-exudative AMD to exudative AMD. He spoke on behalf of the Anecortave Acetate Clinical Study Group at the American Academy of Ophthalmology annual meeting.

An international phase III study is well under way evaluating the efficacy and safety of an innovative intravitreal insert of fluocinolone acetonide (Medidur, Alimera Sciences and Psivida Inc.) for the treatment of diabetic macular edema (DME).

Preferential hyperacuity perimetry (PHP; Foresee PHP, Notal Vision/ MSS) is innovative diagnostic technology uniquely able to detect the progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) from the intermediate stage to neovascular disease, according to Michael Elman, MD.

Las Vegas-Laser treatment as applied in the Complications of Age-Related Macular Degeneration Prevention Trial (CAPT) proved to be neither beneficial nor harmful after 5 years of follow-up when compared with eyes that were observed for that period, Stuart Fine, MD, reported at the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) annual meeting.

Kaihai, HI-An intraocular epiretinal radiotherapy system (NeoVista Inc.) used during partial vitrectomy has provided encouraging results from a feasibility study of radiation to treat age-related macular degeneration (AMD), said Andrew P. Schachat, MD, here at the Royal Hawaiian Eye Meeting.

Las Vegas-Early results from the ongoing prospective Advanced Imaging for Glaucoma Study (AIGS; see www.AIGStudy.net) indicate that Fourier-domain optical coherence tomography (FD-OCT; also called spectral-domain OCT) is a valuable addition for glaucoma diagnosis, according to research presented here at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

Las Vegas-Combined phacoemulsifi-cation with endocyclophotocoagulation (phaco-ECP) can be beneficial for patients with medically controlled glaucoma who are undergoing cataract surgery, according to long-term follow-up results, said Stanley J. Berke, MD, FACS, at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

Baltimore-Results from the Amblyopia Treatment Study 3 (ATS3) support offering amblyopia treatment to children aged 7 to 12 years and considering it as well for children aged as many as 17 years who have not been treated previously, reported Michael X. Repka, MD, at the Current Concepts in Ophthalmology meeting here.

Las Vegas-Combined phacoemulsification with endocyclophotocoagulation (phaco-ECP) can be beneficial for patients with medically controlled glaucoma who are undergoing cataract surgery, according to long-term follow-up results, said Stanley J. Berke, MD, FACS, at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

Baltimore-Results from the Amblyopia Treatment Study 3 (ATS3) support offering amblyopia treatment to children aged 7 to 12 years and considering it as well for children aged as many as 17 years who have not been treated previously, reported Michael X. Repka, MD, at the Current Concepts in Ophthalmology meeting here.

Philadelphia-William S. Tasman, MD, is preparing to step down from his positions as ophthalmologist-in-chief at the Wills Eye Institute and chairman of the Department of Ophthalmology at Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University here.

Tampa-Sirion Therapeutics Inc. has made an exclusive licensing agreement with Laboratoires Thea of France for U.S. rights to develop and market a topical ophthalmic gel containing ganciclovir for treating certain viral and superficial eye infections.

Jersey City, NJ-The FDA has granted orphan drug designation to two investigational therapeutics of Lux Biosciences, a privately held biotechnical company specializing in treatments for ophthalmic diseases.

Rochester, NY-Bausch & Lomb has made an equity investment in-and secured an exclusive option to purchase-AcuFocus Inc., a developer of corneal inlay technology for treating presbyopia.

Las Vegas-Refractive surgeons may be able to reduce the incidence of corneal ectasia through careful screening for probable and possible risk factors, the use of microkeratomes producing predictable flap thickness, and increased communication with their colleagues, said R. Doyle Stulting, MD, PhD, here at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

Plymouth Meeting, PA-Genaera Corp. has decided to terminate its clinical development program for squalamine lactate (Evizon) for the treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) after a comprehensive review of its portfolio and market conditions.

Irvine, CA-Allergan Inc. is continuing to evaluate a clinical study of its brimonidine tartrate/timolol maleate ophthalmic solution 0.2%/0.5% (Combigan) in an effort to address FDA questions prior to final marketing approval.

Washington, DC-A bipartisan group of federal legislators has introduced a bill in the House and Senate designed to provide follow-up care for children with identified potential vision problems.

San Diego-Farzad Yaghouti, MD, chief refractive surgeon at Global Laser Vision San Diego, won the 2006

Las Vegas-Ophthalmologists have made great headway in the past year to ensure that surgery remains with surgeons, specifically in Oklahoma, where optometrists' efforts have been thwarted. Ophthalmologists, however, must continue this vigilance. One way to do so is by contributing to the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) Surgical Scope Fund, according to Randolph Johnston, MD, the AAO's senior secretary for advocacy.

Milan, Italy-A comparison of custom and conventional LASIK ablations showed that both procedures provided very good results in terms of the uncorrected and best-corrected visual acuities (UCVA, BCVA) and refractive outcomes. Patients expressed greater quality of vision, however, with the results of the custom treatment, likely because of the better higher-order aberration values in that group, reported Luca Vigo, MD.

London-The visual outcomes of patients with keratoconus were improved when using a femtosecond laser (IntraLase, Advanced Medical Optics Inc.) to create the channels for implantation of intrastromal corneal implants (Intacs, Addition Technology Inc.), according to Sheraz Daya, MD, FACS.

Las Vegas-A small intracorneal inlay (PresbyLens, ReVision Optics) may be an option for LASIK patients who have developed presbyopia, said Roger F. Steinert, MD, during a spotlight session on the management of presbyopia here at the American Academy of Ophthalmology annual meeting.

Las Vegas-Modern adjustable suture techniques in strabismus surgery are a significant improvement over those that were used when the technique was first described more than half a century ago, and any of the extraocular muscles now can be adjusted, said David L. Guyton, MD, in a presentation during the American Academy of Ophthalmology annual meeting.

As more and more ophthalmologists choose to provide full-service patient care, including eyewear dispensing, the relevant and growing complexities to the choice between an in-office edging lab approach versus an off-site, wholesale finishing lab solution have become increasingly important.