News

Las Vegas-The lack of highly effective treatments for macular edema associated with central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) and branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO), coupled with conflicting studies on the safety and effectiveness of treatment with triamcinolone acetonide (Kenalog, Bristol-Myers), highlight the need for a definitive clinical study. Such a study is under way, with an enrollment of nearly 500 patients at more than 80 sites, said Ingrid U. Scott, MD, MPH.

Las Vegas-Off-axis ablations are rare with wavefront-guided LASIK procedures but still occur with conventional treatment. Although the consequences can be severe, good results eventually can be achieved through appropriate management strategies, said Robert K. Maloney, MD, speaking here during Refractive Surgery Subspecialty Day at the American Academy of Ophthalmology annual meeting.

Monrovia, CA-Approval of its toric phakic implantable lens (Visian TICL) is unlikely to occur in 2007 as formerly anticipated, STAAR Surgical Co. has announced.

Durham, NC-Inspire Pharmaceuticals plans to commercialize InSite Vision Inc.’s 1% azithromycin topical anti-infective product (AzaSite) in the United States and Canada under the terms of a licensing agreement signed by the two companies. The product is under new device application review by the FDA for the treatment of bacterial conjunctivitis.

San Francisco-The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) is calling for Medicare and other insurers to emphasize preventive care after a study recently published in the AAO journal Ophthalmology (2007;114:238-245) found that poor vision is costing Medicare more than $2 billion annually in non-eye-related maladies and health-care needs.

Las Vegas-A pilot study of ranibizumab (Lucentis, Genentech), a vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) antagonist, showed that the drug has a biological effect in diabetic macular edema (DME), reported Peter Campochiaro, MD, who spoke at the American Academy of Ophthalmology annual meeting.

Las Vegas-A pilot study of ranibizumab (Lucentis, Genentech), a vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) antagonist, showed that the drug has a biological effect in diabetic macular edema (DME), reported Peter Campochiaro, MD, who spoke at the American Academy of Ophthalmology annual meeting.

Amarillo, TX-The introduction of a photocoagulator (Pascal [PAttern SCAn Laser Photocoagulator], OptiMedica) has had a positive impact on the speed and precision of the laser procedure, has increased patient comfort, and has changed the treatment approaches to laser photocoagulation, according to J. Edward Ysasaga, MD.

Upgrades to specific confocal laser scanning systems (Heidelberg Retina Tomograph [HRT] and Heidelberg Retina Angiograph 2 [HRA 2], Heidelberg Engineering) should increase the utility of the devices, according to two physicians who have evaluated the new technology.

At month 24, 65.7% of patients treated with PDT, 90.0% of those treated with 0.3 mg ranibizumab, and 89.9% of those treated with 0.5 mg ranibizumab lost fewer than 15 letters compared with baseline. These results were very similar to the 12-month results.

Las Vegas-Patients with recurrent noninfectious posterior uveitis fared well in a European trial of an implant of fluocinolone acetonide (Bausch & Lomb) compared with the standard of care-systemic therapy.

Las Vegas-Spectral domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) offers major advantages to the clinician in providing high-resolution, cross-sectional images of the retina. These newly developed instruments can acquire three-dimensional (3-D) scans at a high speed and provide excellent point-to-point registration, explained Yale L. Fisher, MD, during the Retina Subspecialty Day at the American Academy of Ophthalmology annual meeting.

Las Vegas-Ruboxistaurin mesylate (Arxxant, Eli Lilly) may be a useful new tool to prevent visual loss from diabetic retinopathy based on the results of the protein kinase C (PKC)-DRS2 Study. The study showed a reduction in sustained vision loss compared with placebo, reported Lloyd P. Aiello, MD, PhD, during the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

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-Implantation of a keratoprosthesis for pediatric corneal opacity seems to be a promising option for optical rehabilitation. One keratoprosthesis (Boston KPro, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary) is well tolerated in children and may offer an alternative to penetrating keratoplasty (PKP), which is associated with several potential complications, Matthew D. Gearinger, MD, said at the American Academy of Ophthalmology annual meeting.

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.