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Abbott acquires AMO
Advanced Medical Optics (AMO) is to be acquired by Abbott, a global pharmaceutical and medical device company, the companies have announced in a statement. 

Tecnis multifocal approved by FDA
The Tecnis multifocal intraocular lens (IOL) has been approved by the FDA, according to an announcement made by AMO, the manufacturer of the lens. 

Alcon announces new CEO
As of March 31st this year, Cary Rayment will retire as president and chief executive officer of Alcon, Inc; he will be replaced on April 1st by Kevin Buehler. 

Glaucoma fixed combination approved by EMEA
Azarga (brinzolamide 10 mg/ml and timolol 5 mg/ml fixed combination) has been approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMEA) for decreasing intraocular pressure (IOP) in adult patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension after failure of monotherapy. 

Triple therapy AMD trial to continue
The Phase II RADICAL study (Reduced Fluence Visudyne Anti-VEGF-Dexamethasone In Combination for AMD Lesions) is to continue as planned, following promising interim results and the positive recommendations of the independent Data and Safety Monitoring Committee. 

RP collaboration funding announced
The National Neurovision Research Institute (NNRI) in the US and Adeona Pharmaceuticals Inc. have announced a collaboration to investigate the oral drug flupirtine in the treatment of retinitis pigmentosa (RP). 

VEGF concentration correlates to foveal thickness
The concentration of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the vitreous is associated with the mean thickness of the fovea as measured by optical coherence tomography (OCT), according to study results published online ahead of print by Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science. 

News in brief…

Microplasmin hits Phase III
Following promising Phase II trial results, ThromboGenics NV has initiated the Phase III trial of microplasmin, its non-sugical intravitreal treatment for back-of-eye disease. Results are expected by the end of 2010.

Botox for strabismus
Long-term use of botulinum toxin injections as a treatment for strabismus is effective, does not increase the rate of complications and reduces the rate of injections required over time, according to study results.

Overuse of cataract surgery
Although the rate of cataract surgeries performed in the UK has increased four-fold over the last 20 years, Professor Nick Black of the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine has gathered evidence that the surgery is appropriate in only 70% of all cases.

Latisse given FDA thumbs up
Latisse (bimatoprost solution 0.03%; Allergan) has been approved by the FDA as a treatment for hypertrichosis of the eyelashes, making it the first ever agent to be approved for such an indication. Latisse was developed from Allergan’s Lumigan, approved in 2001 for the treatment of glaucoma.

Steroid implant for dry AMD
A pilot study using Iluvien (an intravitreal insert delivering fluocinolone acetonide) to treat geographic atrophy secondary to age-related macular degeneration (AMD) has begun enrolling patients, according to a statement from Alimera Sciences Inc, the developer of Iluvien.

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