CMS has come under criticism today for the release of its first batch of Open Payments System data. According to some medical societies, the data are inaccurate and incomplete, and the American Medical Association has asked the media to consider the data carefully before passing judgment about physicians’ and teaching hospitals’ relationships with industry.“[The] AMA has strongly urged the federal government to adopt sensible measures to ensure that the information released is accurate,” AMA’s leadership wrote in a press release. “Unfortunately, the CMS’ Open Payments program has, to-date, been plagued (Read more...)
Month: September 2014
ILUVIEN Eye Implant for Diabetic Macular Edema Finally FDA Approved (VIDEOS)
The FDA, finally, after three rejections, has given approval to pSivida‘s (Watertown, MA) ILUVIEN drug eluting eye implant for treating diabetic macular edema (DME). The device, about the length of, but much narrower than, a grain of rice (3.5 mm x 0.37 mm), is injected intravitreally using a syringe-like device. Once deployed, the device slo (Read more...)
Allergan issues statement on Valeant offer, investor JSP voices concerns
Following various reporting and market speculation, including a letter from Allergan investor Jackson Square Partners, Allergan issued a statement from its board of directors reiterating its stance on the offer by Valeant Pharmaceuticals.“Our conclusion that Valeant’s offer is grossly inadequate and substantially undervalues Allergan remains unchanged,” the company wrote in the statement.
Corneal Microscopy Detects Diabetic Autonomic Neuropathy
A study shows close correlation of corneal-nerve parameters with standard measures of diabetic autonomic neuropathy, yielding good sensitivity and specificity for making the diagnosis. Medscape Medical News
Dr. Agarwal’s Eye Hospital opens in Cambodia
Cambodia’s Deputy Prime Minister, Yim Chhay Ly, inaugurated the newest Dr. Agarwal’s Eye Hospital in the capital city of Phnom Penh on Sept. 28. The hospital began operations on Sept. 1.“We now have approximately 60 hospitals globally, including 11 in Africa and 40-plus in India. Now, for the first time, we have opened in Far East Asia in Cambodia,” Amar Agarwal, MS, FRCS, FRCOphth, chairman and managing director, and OSN APAO Edition Board Member, told Ocular Surgery News. “What we are trying to do is create a global group of eye hospitals to (Read more...)
Boston K-Pro retention in Stevens-Johnson syndrome can be improved
The most common indication for the Boston type 1 keratoprosthesis (Boston K-Pro) in most published series is repeat corneal transplant failure. Although the Boston K-Pro has been used for a wide variety of indications, some, such as Stevens-Johnson syn…
Bausch + Lomb’s sub-micron loteprednol etabonate ophthalmic gel meets primary endpoint
Bausch + Lomb, a wholly owned subsidiary of Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc. (NYSE: VRX and TSX: VRX), today announced that its next generation sub-micron gel formulation of loteprednol etabonate was statistically superior to placebo (vehicl…
Proposition 46 under fire: Experts call for better approach to physician drug testing
In two editorials published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, three physicians are speaking out against California’s Proposition 46, which would require mandatory drug testing of physicians — either randomly or after an “unexpected death or serious injury” — among other provisions.According to the proposed legislation, physicians who test positive on drug or alcohol tests would be temporarily suspended, pending an investigation. The measure also requires physicians prescribing schedule II or schedule III controlled substances for the first time to consult the state’s Controlled Substance Utilization Review and Evaluation System (Read more...)
Protein Content in Compounded Bevacizumab Varies Considerably
The protein concentration of bevacizumab prepared by U.S. compounding pharmacies for intravitreal injection shows significant variations, according to New York-based researchers. Reuters Health Information
Eye Implant Iluvien for Diabetic Macular Edema Clears FDA
The FDA has approved eye implant Iluvien, from Alimera Sciences and pSivida Corp, for treatment of diabetic macular edema (DME) in patients who have been previously treated with a course of corticosteroids and did not have a clinically significant rise…
Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) Use in Glaucoma
What is the view of complementary and alternative therapies for glaucoma? A new survey provides some insight. Journal of Glaucoma
FDA approves expanded indication for Ozurdex implant
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved Ozurdex for the general patient population being treated for diabetic macular edema, Allergan announced in a press release.In June, the FDA approved Ozurdex (dexamethasone intravitreal implant 0.7 mg) …
UPDATE: Mazzo placed on administrative leave following indictment
Versant Ventures has confirmed that James V. Mazzo, former CEO of Advanced Medical Optics, has been placed on administrative leave following a grand jury indictment on insider trading charges.“Upon learning of the indictment of Mr. Mazzo, Versant and Mr. Mazzo have mutually agreed that he will suspend any activities as a Versant operating partner until he has resolved the legal matters. We have no other comment,” William J. Link, PhD, Managing Director of Versant Ventures, wrote in an email to Ocular Surgery News.
FDA approves Iluvien for treatment of DME
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved Iluvien for the treatment of diabetic macular edema in patients previously treated with corticosteroids who did not have a significant increase in IOP, Alimera Sciences announced in a press release.Ilu…
NIH-funded clinical trial aims to restore vision in people who have lost vision due to IIH
In an NIH-funded clinical trial, led at Saint Louis University by professor of ophthalmology Sophia Chung, M.D., researchers aim to bring sight back to those who have lost vision due to idiopathic intracranial hypertension.
Corneal inlay pocket implant technique produces good visual results
LONDON – At the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons meeting here, Wolfgang Riha, MD, discusses the visual results he is getting in patients implanted with the Kamra corneal inlay using femtosecond laser pocket software.
Genes related to pediatric glaucoma contribute to future stroke
Every year in Canada about 50,000 people suffer from a stroke, caused either by the interruption of blood flow or uncontrolled bleeding in the brain.
Phase 2/3 Dose-Ranging Study of the Safety and Efficacy of OTX-101 in the Treatment of Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca
Status: Recruiting,
Condition Summary: Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca; Dry Eye Disease
Top 5 ophthalmology news stories from September
In September, a variety of news articles culled from ophthalmic meetings, peer-reviewed journals and breaking industry announcements were the most frequently viewed Ocular Surgery News items published on Healio.com. These timely topics from the America…
MicroPulse laser treatments efficacious in treating DME
LONDON – The subthreshold MicroPulse laser is a viable option for treating diabetic macular edema, especially in patients with initial thickening of the central retina, according to Stela Vujosevic, MD.In a video perspective at the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons meeting here, Vujosevic discusses best methods for treating DME with the micropulse laser.