Month: November 2013

No positive association found between AMD and Alzheimer’s disease, dementia

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No positive association was found between age-related macular degeneration and Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, according to a study.Researchers examined English National Health Service hospital episode statistics from Jan. 1, 1999, to Feb. 28, 2011, which comprised 65,894 patients with AMD and 168,092 patients with dementia; more than 7.7 million people were in a reference cohort.Subjects were analyzed for risk of Alzheimer’s disease or dementia after diagnosis of AMD and risk of AMD after diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease or dementia.

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BLOG: Optical performance guidelines, indices and pearls

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In the typical $1 million revenue general ophthalmology practice without dispensing, adding an optical will add $150,000 to $250,000 to the top-line revenue of the practice. With full-cost allocation for space, administration, staffing and marketing, it’s reasonable for an in-house optical in the typical setting to enjoy a 25% to 30% profit margin. COGS stands for cost of goods sold, which is the largest single cost of running an optical dispensary. A reasonable COGS rate in the typical office is 30% to 40% of optical collections. A higher figure should (Read more...)

FDA warns genetic testing service to halt sales, seek formal approval

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The FDA has order genetic testing services company 23andMe Inc. to immediately discontinue marketing its Saliva Collection Kit and Personal Genome Service without agency clearance.In a letter to company founder and chief executive Anne Wojcicki dated Nov. 22 and made public today, the FDA said most of the intended uses for the service are “medical device uses … that require premarket approval or de novo classification, as the FDA has explained to you on numerous occasions.”The warning letter points out that the agency has been “diligently working” to help 23andMe (Read more...)

Donor age does not affect most penetrating keratoplasties for endothelial disease

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Donor age did not have a significant impact on the long-term success rates of most penetrating keratoplasty procedures for endothelial disease, according to the Cornea Donor Study.The multicenter, prospective, double-masked study comprised 1,090 patients who underwent PK at 80 sites; 62% had Fuchs’ dystrophy, 34% had pseudophakic/aphakic corneal edema and 4% had another corneal endothelial disorder. Patients were followed for up to 12 years.Corneas were provided by 43 eye banks from donors aged 12 years to 75 years.

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InSite reports quarterly revenue of $5.3 million

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InSite Vision reported revenue of $5.3 million in the third quarter compared with $12.1 million for the same period a year ago, according to a press release.Royalties from Merck on net sales of AzaSite (azithromycin ophthalmic solution) included an additional $3.7 million and $9.3 million in the third quarters of 2013 and 2012, respectively. The decrease in minimum royalty payments was attributed to an amendment in August 2012 to the Merck license regarding payment terms.

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