|  |
| Retina 2007
| Take a look at what happened in the Retina field in 2007 and what exciting developments are round the corner in 2008. | | | Daily supplements could reduce AMD risk
| | Randomized data from a large cohort of women with cardiovascular disease or at a high risk of it indicate that seven years of daily supplementation with folic acid, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12 may reduce the risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), according to William G. Christen, ScD, PhD. | | | AMD: innovation in the fast lane
| | The field of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) research continues to experience exciting and fascinating times, with the recent launches of new therapeutics and several others on the horizon giving hope to more patients than ever before. Coupled with advances in imaging and diagnostic technology, retina specialists now face AMD with fresh optimism — treatments and technologies are available that will help them to delay or maybe even halt disease progression in their patients. | | | Experience with Avastin in a UK clinic
| | A UK team reports how they achieved significant reductions in macular thickness by using intravitreal bevacizumab. | | | NICE decision disappoints AMD sufferers in the UK
| | The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) in England produced its first Appraisal Consultation Document (ACD) regarding the use of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) drugs for the treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) recently. Essentially, the document recommended that the new anti-VEGF inhibitor Lucentis (ranibizumab; Novartis Ophthalmics) may be used only to treat predominantly classic subfoveal choroidal neovascularization (CNV) which shows evidence of progression in the second affected eye, provided the visual acuity is between 6/12 and 6/96.1 After considering feedback from formal consultees, the Appraisal Committee will prepare a Final Assessment Document (FAD) for submission to NICE who will then issue guidance. | | | AMD: combining therapies = combined synergies?
| | Pilot study, which examines the benefits of combining photodynamic therapy (PDT) with bevacizumab (Avastin) in AMD patients, yields promising results. | | | Introducing anti-VEGF therapy in practice: a Danish perspective
| | The introduction of anti-VEGF therapy has revolutionized the treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD); the main cause of blindness in the industrialized world. Large numbers of previously untreatable patients will now be eligible for treatment which, in itself, represents an overwhelming challenge to healthcare providers. Discussion and careful planning is needed to ensure that the manpower and funds are in place to deal with this new era in ophthalmic care. | | | VEGF: it's role in the eye and beyond
| | The economical cost [of blindness] to society is extremely significant, with the annual financial cost estimated at €1.5 billion in France, €3.3 billion in Germany, €0.7 billion in Spain and €1 billion in the UK | | | Avastin: all it's cracked up to be?
| | Last year, Philip Rosenfeld of the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in Miami, USA, announced some findings that made the ophthalmology community stand to attention. He claimed that intravitreal administration of the cancer agent, Avastin (bevacizumab), in wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) patients yielded very positive results. Since then, industry journals have been inundated with reports of the benefits of this agent in an ophthalmic setting. | |  MORE ARTICLES
|
| |
| Needle-free retina drug delivery device launched
| | A revolutionary, needle-free technology that has been designed to deliver retina therapies non-invasively, to the back of the eye, has been launched. | | | Office safer than the operating theatre for intravitreal injections
| | The incidence of endophthalmitis following injections of anti-VEGF drugs is lower when the injections are given in an office setting than the rates reported from clinical trials, which require a more extensive pre-injection regimen. | | | New protein offers hope to AMD sufferers
| | A protein, called Robo4, has been identified which appears to play an important role in the development of stable, working blood vessels. | | | Fewer Lucentis injections with new regimen
| | Preliminary results of a study using the NSAID Xibrom (bromfenac ophthalmic solution 0.09%; ISTA Pharmaceuticals) therapy in combination with Lucentis (ranibizumab; Novartis) in patients with wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD), suggests that it may result in fewer injections being required. | | | Side effects of Avastin are minimal
| | The side effects and complications associated with intravitreal bevacizumab (Avastin) are minimal and can be prevented, in most cases, by careful injection and good patient selection. | | | High affinity VEGF binder could be CNV treatment of the future
| | A single intravitreal injection of the fusion protein KH902 can effectively inhibit leakage and growth of choroidal neovascularization in rhesus monkeys. | | | Genentech backs down under pressure from US ophthalmologists
| | Genentech has resolved its dispute with American ophthalmologists over the off-label use of its anti-VEGF drug Avastin, and will now allow physicians to purchase the drug directly from authorized wholesale distributors. | | | Triple therapy viable option for anti-VEGF non-responders
| | Triple therapy for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) can stabilize vision and reduce the re-treatment rate in patients who do not respond to initial anti-VEGF therapy. | | | Angiogenesis pioneer dies
| | Judah Folkman, MD, the pioneer of angiogenesis research, died on January 15th 2008. | | | MORE ARTICLES
|
| |
| Study evaluates safety of intracameral moxifloxacin
| | The safety of intracameral moxifloxacin (Vigamox, Alcon Laboratories) for post cataract surgery endophthalmitis prophylaxis was investigated in a prospective, randomized, controlled study. Statistical analyses of multiple postoperative outcome measures demonstrated no significant differences between patients who received intracameral moxifloxacin and controls treated with intracameral balanced salt solution. | | | Ophthalmologists' priorities are changing
| | A 2006/2007 survey gauged the opinions and practice styles of 1 093 ophthalmologists in France. Here are the results. | | | Arsenal of strategies enables safe surgery in IFIS eyes
| | Cases of intraoperative floppy iris syndrome (IFIS) encompass a wide spectrum of severity, so it is important for surgeons to master several different strategies to increase the likelihood of achieving a safe outcome in these eyes. | |
| | We have microincisions & now we have a suitable IOL
| | I have been so impressed with the aspheric optics and good centration of the Akreos MI60 that I use it as my first choice for implantation; including in patients with visual-critical occupations such as aviators and air traffic controllers | | | Microincision IOLs go head-to-head
| | Nowadays, cataract surgery not only has a therapeutic purpose, which is to substitute an opaque lens with a transparent IOL, but it also has a refractive aim; to correct previous refractive defects in order to eliminate the use of spectacles. The need for a good postoperative visual acuity and a fast functional recovery has lead cataract surgery to become more and more micro-invasive in nature so that surgical trauma is reduced, a faster recovery and good, time-stable visual results are achieved.1 The achievement of this goal has been realized, thanks to the improvement of surgical techniques, in the form of microcoaxial phacoemulsification and bimanual microphacoemulsification,2 which now allow the almost complete reduction of surgically induced astigmatism. | | | ESCRS study has little impact on US practice
| | Results of the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (ESCRS) study of endophthalmitis prophylaxis do not appear to have had a significant impact on the practices of US cataract surgeons, according to the findings of an online survey conducted by the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) Cataract Clinical Committee.1 The survey results were reported by David F. Chang, MD, at the Spotlight on Cataracts 2007 symposium held during the annual meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. | | | MICS: no need to compromise on lenses
| | Modern cataract surgery requires the implantation of a lens with design features that ensure stability, excellent biocompatibility and minimal posterior capsule opacification (PCO), using an injector which is safe and predictable, through an incision that is as small as possible. Is this possible without compromising standards? I would argue that it is. | | | Have we found the perfect MICS solution?
| | The loss of confidence in bimanual microincision surgery over the years has caused many surgeons to seek an alternative approach that balances the advantages of minimally invasive cataract surgery with the safety of a sleeved tip. The hunt is also still on for a multifocal lens that offers good vision across all distances, coupled with a low incidence of side effects. | | | Calculating the age of an IOL
| | Modern intraocular lenses (IOLs) transmit only a part of the spectrum, just like natural lenses, but the transmission of the natural lens changes with age. With increasing age, the lens becomes far less transparent in the violet/blue part of the visible spectrum. Can the transmission of an IOL, therefore, be compared to that of the natural lens at a certain age? In other words, can we assign a virtual age to an IOL? The answer is yes and such an age is far easier to interpret than the complicated transmission curves provided by industry. | | | MORE ARTICLES
|
| |
| Oertli launches next generation microincision instruments
| | Oertli has launched new instruments to be used in microincision surgery for the anterior and the posterior segments. | | | Fourth-generation accommodating IOL gets FDA ok
| | The fourth-generation Crystalens HD (Bausch & Lomb) accommodating intraocular lens (IOL) has received FDA marketing approval, five years after the lens was initially launched on the market. | | | Alcon and AMO to cross-license IOL patents
| | Alcon and Advanced Medical Optics (AMO) are to share proprietary information on their designs for intraocular lenses (IOL). | | | Postoperative pain steroid approved
| | Durezol (difluprednate ophthalmic emulsion; Sirion Therapeutics) 0.05%, a topical steroid, has received US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for the treatment of postoperative ocular inflammation and pain. | | | NSAID activity at trough drug levels
| | Animals undergoing lens removal surgery were treated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs pre- and postoperatively. On the first day after surgery, aqueous humor samples were taken at times corresponding to trough drug levels. The mean aqueous prostaglandin E2 concentration was significantly lower in animals being treated with ketorolac 0.4% (Acular LS, Allergan) compared with those receiving bromfenac 0.09% (Xibrom, ISTA Pharmaceuticals). | | | Endophthalmitis prophylaxis: limited evidence fuels controversy
| | Few well-designed studies evaluate endophthalmitis prophylaxis. Available evidence suggests a role for intracameral cefuroxime. The benefit must be weighed against the potential risk of errors in formulation, however. | | | Multifocal IOLs in glaucoma patients
| | Further study is needed to establish the role of multifocal IOLs in eyes with glaucomatous damage, according to Ike Ahmed, MD, who was speaking during the glaucoma subspecialty day at the annual meeting of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery. | | | Advanced glycation in diabetic patients leads to cataracts
| | The higher level of advanced glycation end products (AGE) in senile diabetic patients may correlate to a higher rate of cataract development, according to a study published in the May?June 2008 issue of the Journal of Diabetes and its Complications. | | | B&L to stay private for 5 years or more
| | Bausch & Lomb (B&L) bought by Warburg Pincus last October has a long-term growth plan and will not return to the public market any time soon, said Gerry Ostrov, chief executive officer, B&L. | | | MORE ARTICLES
|
| |
| Persistent epithelial defects in repeated corneal transplants
| | In instances of repeated corneal transplantation, ulcers and persistent epithelial defects are relatively commonplace, according to a study published in the August 2008 issue of Graefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology. | | | Fourth-generation accommodating IOL gets FDA ok
| | The fourth-generation Crystalens HD (Bausch & Lomb) accommodating intraocular lens (IOL) has received FDA marketing approval, five years after the lens was initially launched on the market. | | | Older corneas "just as good" for transplant
| | Corneas from donors up to the age of 75 are suitable for transplantation, according to a study published in the April 2008 issue of Ophthalmology. | | | Corneal grafts from cancer patients more likely to cause infection
| | Corneal grafts obtained from cancer patients may be associated with an increased risk of infection for the recipient, according to a study published in the February issue of Archives of Ophthalmology. | | | Identifying early ectatic disease accurately
| | Sreening for early ectatic disease is essential in the evaluation of the refractive surgical candidate. There have, however, been many cases of severe post-LASIK ectasia without evidence of preoperative risk factors. Improving preoperative screening with better detection of subtle corneal topographic abnormalities may therefore help eliminate these rare but devastating cases. | |
| | Using OCT to assess anterior chamber inflammation
| | The clinical assessment of an anterior chamber inflammatory reaction may be difficult to determine in eyes where corneal clarity is reduced by corneal oedema. Slit lamp examination is currently the gold standard method to assess inflammation1-3 but in conditions such as poor corneal clarity, the clinician routinely encounters difficulties. | | | New diagnostics: making surgery easier and safer
| | New developments in diagnostic technology should enable better screening and follow-up of refractive surgery patients, said Dan Z. Reinstein, MD, delivering a keynote address during the refractive surgery subspecialty day preceding the annual meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology in November 2007. | | | Half-top-hat wound configuration ideal
| | A half-top-hat wound configuration is a valid option for penetrating keratoplasty (PK) as it offers better apposition of donor and recipient corneas, improved tectonic strength and the possibility of early suture removal. | | | Anti-angiogenic found in tears
| | Pigment-epithelium-derived factor (PEDF), which is known for its importance in the prevention of neovascularization of the retina, can be found in measurable amounts in the human tear fluid of healthy subjects. It may therefore be important in the regulation of corneal vascularization. | | | MORE ARTICLES
|
| |
| Debate continues on role of incision type in endophthalmitis risk
| | Cataract surgeons agree that proper incision construction is paramount for achieving good postoperative stability that will reduce the risk for endophthalmitis. The safety of the clear cornea incision technique versus use of other incision types remains controversial, however. | | | Glaucoma gene discovery by UI researchers
| | The gene sFRPI plays a key role in glaucoma development, and researchers from the University of Iowa (UI) have found that an over-expression of the gene raises fluid pressure in the eyes. | | | Advantages of surface ablation debated
| | The pros and cons of surface ablation procedures were reviewed at the opening session of the refractive surgery subspecialty day at the American Academy of Ophthalmology annual meeting. | | | MORE ARTICLES
|
| |
| What do you want to see in OTE in 2009?
| | Fill in OTE's online readership survey for the chance to win €500 Marriott hotel vouchers. | | | The industry's evolving, so are we
| | Sometimes I sit back and think about how this magazine has evolved over the years and, on a more regular basis, I think about where we can go from here. | | | Micro innovations
| | In technological terms, when a word is prefixed by 'micro' you come to expect that word to signify some form of technological innovation or advance. In ophthalmology, the word 'microincision' represents significant advancement, particularly in the fields of cataract and vitreoretinal surgery. | | | World Glaucoma Day 2008: uniting to make a difference
| | The lack of public knowledge about glaucoma surprises me. Although pretty much everybody has heard of it, little is generally known other than the fact that it affects the eye. | | | LASIK: some still in the dark
| | I recently attended a party where I was drawn into a conversation by some people who had one thing in common – LASIK. Somebody amongst the group had undergone the procedure six years ago (incidentally, that was my sister) whilst another underwent wavefront-guided LASIK just weeks prior. Each of the four people had a story to tell about their experience with the procedure but, overall, each claimed they were happy with the end result. | | | Tempted by a free trip for two?
| | Tempted? | | | We invite you to have your say
| | When we launched Ophthalmology Times Europe (OTE) two years ago, our aim was always to provide a forum for ophthalmologists to communicate their knowledge, discoveries, experience and opinions. This aim has not changed. However, with the industry evolving at such a dramatic rate, it is difficult to convey the views and opinions of everyone who wants to be heard in our print publication. Help is at hand. | | | It's our birthday
| | Welcome to the October issue of OTE and the second anniversary edition of our magazine. Two years ago this month saw the first issue of OTE hit desks across Europe. | | | DNA leading the way
| | Gene therapy is not a new concept; scientists have worked tirelessly over the years to try and identify genes that encode particular diseases, with a view to designing therapies that could, one day, eradicate certain debilitating or even fatal conditions. | | | MORE ARTICLES
|
| |
| LASIK: specialists debate the flap about glaucoma
| | Performing LASIK in patients with glaucoma should be carefully considered before making the commitment because of changes in the eye that might result in lower IOP measurements, according to two ophthalmologists. PRK, however, might be a better option for this subgroup of patients, suggests one surgeon. | | | Europe burdened by glaucoma but situation can be changed
| | The World Glaucoma Day inspired glaucoma specialists around the world to rally local support in order to undertake an enormous task: to reduce the number of people who are unnecessarily going blind from a treatable condition. | | | Success at one year with miniature glaucoma shunt
| | A proprietary miniature glaucoma device (Ex-PRESS; Optonol Ltd.) implanted under a partial-thickness scleral flap achieves significant decreases in intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with glaucoma, according to Peter A. Netland, MD, PhD, reporting at the 2007 meeting of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology. | | | Can a dosing aid affect patient compliance?
| | The medical treatment of glaucoma is limited by patient adherence to medications. By the end of a year, approximately half of patients are not refilling their medications as directed, and physicians are not able to tell those who are from those who are not. | | | World Glaucoma Day 2008
| | Organizers of the first-ever World Glaucoma Day are calling the international effort a success, with "amazing achievements" that helped raise awareness about the dangers of glaucoma and the need for screenings and treatment. | | | Improving outflow in glaucoma patients
| | Attempts to control IOP through medical therapy tend to be first-line treatment although patient compliance and ocular surface integrity remain a concern | | | SLT vs ALT at five years
| | Studies have demonstrated that SLT is a safe and effective means of treatment, and comparable in these respects to ALT, but how does SLT fare against ALT in the long-term? It was our mission to establish this. | | | Measuring true IOP: factors that confuse GAT readings
| | The current gold standard for measuring intraocular pressure (IOP), the Goldmann tonometer (GAT), has considerable flaws. Dr Goldmann designed his tonometer to provide accurate measurements in eyes with average corneas, but we now know that many corneas vary significantly from the "average". | | | SLT vs ALT at five years
| | Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT) has been used for over 10 years to lower intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with open angle glaucoma (OAG) as well as ocular hypertension (OHT). Studies have demonstrated that SLT is a safe and effective means of treatment, and comparable in these respects to Argon Laser Trabeculoplasty (ALT), but how does SLT fare against ALT in the long-term? It was our mission to establish this. | | | MORE ARTICLES
|
| |
| Drainage device implantation riskier than trabeculectomy
| | The risk of adverse events following implantation of a glaucoma drainage device (GDD) is higher than the risk following either primary trabeculectomy (PT) or trabeculectomy with scarring (TS), according to results of a study published in the July 2008 issue of Ophthalmology. | | | Glaucoma Foundation launches annual innovation award
| | The Glaucoma Foundation in the US has created an award scheme for innovation and excellence in glaucoma, recognizing the contribution of individuals who have "played a unique and significant role in promoting the medicine and science of glaucoma". | | | Patients equally happy with mono- and combination therapy
| | Timolol, latanoprost, and the fixed combinations of latanoprost/timolol (Xalcom; Pfizer) and dorzolamide/timolol (Cosopt; Merck) have equal efficacy and tolerability as well as equal levels of patient satisfaction, according to a study published online, ahead of print, by Graefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology. | | | More than 8 million Asians to be blinded by glaucoma in 2 years
| | A survey, released by the global campaign, All Eyes on Glaucoma, has revealed that more than 8.4 million people in Asia will be blinded by glaucoma by 2010 if they do not undergo treatment. | | | New therapy enters trials
| | INO-8875, an Adenosine 1 agonist in Phase I testing for the treatment of glaucoma, has begun patient enrolment. | | | Caffeine increases POAG risk
| | High caffeine intake is associated with an increased risk of high-tension primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) in subjects with a positive family history of glaucoma, according to a study published in the May 2008 issue of Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science. | | | Oxidative stress ups POAG risk
| | Oxidative stress may play a role in the pathogenesis of primary open angle glaucoma (POAG), according to a study published in the June/July 2008 issue of the Journal of Glaucoma. | | | Laser therapy completes initial patient follow-up
| | OT134, a laser therapy for the reduction of intraocular pressure, has completed the follow-up period of its first human clinical study. | | | Topcon launches internet OCT image viewer
| | The EyeRoute Image Management System, which provides a remote view of a Spectral Domain OCT system, has been introduced by Topcon Medical Systems. | | | MORE ARTICLES
|
| |
| Partnering multifocal IOLs with LASIK to achieve perfect vision
| | Without performing LASIK, 85-90% of [multifocal IOL] patients may achieve spectacle independence. However, with LASIK success rates are about 99% | | | IOL implantation in children
| | The desired refractive outcome is approximately 2 D by age two and 1 to 2 D by age three, reflecting the fact that the majority of growth of the eye has occurred by this age | | | Can a MICS IOL also be a Toric IOL?
| | MICS is no longer just a more modern and innovative therapeutic option for cataract; it is also the best choice when offering refractive solutions. | | | Mix & match your way to better vision
| | By mixing and matching diffractive and refractive IOLs, patients can achieve much better all round visual results. | | | Vivarte IOL: good refractive results but withdrawn over safety concerns
| | Correction of very high myopia, i.e. above –9.00 D, remains a controversial topic and new designs of phakic IOLs have spurred great interest in the past five years. Presently, long-term results are becoming available and some interesting conclusions can be drawn, explained Matteo Piovella, MD, who reported his four-year results with one of these lenses at the XXIV Congress of the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons in London. | |
|
|
| 
