Author: Healio ophthalmology

Johnson & Johnson Vision launches iDESIGN Refractive Studio

Johnson & Johnson Vision has launched its iDESIGN Refractive Studio, which received FDA approval in June, the company announced in a press release.
The personalized LASIK treatment system, the only one to use topography-integrated, wavefront-guided technology, allows doctors to take precise measurements of the eye, the release said. The system is approved for myopia, hyperopia and mixed astigmatism.
“Johnson & Johnson Vision’s new iDESIGN Refractive Studio allows surgeons to measure the entire visual pathway and the cornea curvature to create an optical fingerprint unique to

Here we go again: 20 early recession-proofing actions to take now to help your practice

“The business cycle … is the downward and upward movement of gross domestic product around its long-term growth trend. The length of a business cycle is the period of time containing a single boom and contraction in sequence. These fluctuations typically involve shifts between periods of relatively rapid economic growth (expansions or booms) and periods of relative stagnation or decline (contractions or recessions.)” – Wikipedia
The business cycle is the rhythmic rise and fall of economic growth that occurs over time. This cycle is a useful tool for understanding the

Femtosecond laser assists implantation of miniature telescope

Age-related macular degeneration affects central vision and can result in significant visual acuity deterioration, thus negatively affecting a patient’s overall lifestyle, driving privileges and job and often leading to depression and increased dependence on caregivers, family members and friends. It has been estimated that about 1.8 million individuals in the U.S. are afflicted by advanced AMD. The yearly incidence of bilateral late AMD in the U.S. has been estimated to be in the range of 60,000 to 80,000. Geographic atrophy, disciform scar or both result in bilateral central scotomas

Can neurostimulation really help dry eye patients?

TrueTear, officially launched just months ago at the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery meeting, is the first-ever neurostimulation device in eye care, offering a drug-free, drop-free option to temporarily increase tear production during neurostimulation in adult patients. It has become an important addition to our armamentarium at our Dry Eye Center of Excellence. TrueTear provides small pulses to stimulate production of patients’ own natural tears. It is Bluetooth enabled and features a connected application, making it the first “smart” device in eye care.

Automated capsulotomy system offers affordable advantages for premium procedures

The Zepto capsulotomy system offers surgeons the opportunity to perform consistent, precise, safe capsulotomies at an accessible cost. It also is easy to use and helps surgeons safely address difficult cases.
“Our site was involved in the FDA trial for approval of the device. I had the chance to see it in action through the trial and to see it adopted soon after in our practice. I have personally performed close to 50 cases, and our group altogether has performed over 1,000,” Russell Swan, MD, told Ocular Surgery News.
There (Read more...)

Pixium Vision reports 2018 first half financial results

Pixium Vision reported a net loss of 2.99 million euros, or 0.20 euros per share, in the first half of 2018 compared with a net loss of 6.44 million euros, or 0.50 euros per share, in 2017’s first half.
General and administrative costs decreased from 2.13 million euros in 2017’s first half to 1.32 million euros in the current year, which the company attributed to a drop in rental costs for facilities and the chairman of the board’s decision to forgo cash compensation, according to a press release.
Research and (Read more...)

EyePoint receives C-code and pass-through payment status for Dexycu

The CMS approved transitional pass-through status and reimbursement through a C-code for Dexycu, an FDA-approved treatment of postoperative inflammation after ocular surgery, EyePoint Pharmaceuticals announced.
Dexycu (dexamethasone intraocular suspension), a dropless therapeutic designed to treat inflammation associated with cataract surgery, is administered as a single intraocular dose. The code, C9034, will become effective Oct. 1, according to a company press release.
“The receipt of pass-through status and the assignment of a C-code from CMS marks another important step forward in

Champalimaud Vision Award goes to gene therapy researchers

The 2018 António Champalimaud Vision Award of 1 million Euros will be shared by seven researchers who have worked to develop gene therapy to treat Leber congenital amaurosis, according to a press release.
Team leaders Jean Bennett, MD, PhD, Albert Maguire, MD, Robin Ali, PhD, James Bainbridge, MD, PhD, Samuel Jacobson, MD, PhD, and William Hauswirth, PhD, will be recognized, along with T. Michael Redmond, PhD, who cloned the RPE65 gene and discovered the genetic cause of Leber congenital amaurosis.
The research being rewarded led to the development of Luxturna (Read more...)

EyeGate randomizes first patients in punctate epitheliopathies study

EyeGate Pharmaceuticals has randomized the first three patients in a study of its Ocular Bandage Gel to reduce corneal staining in punctate epitheliopathies, the company announced in a press release.
Thirty-four subjects are currently in the qualification stage before randomization; subjects are still being enrolled in the study because 30 patients are needed for the treatment stage.
The Ocular Bandage Gel is also being studied in patients with large corneal defects due to PRK surgery, the release said. That study is more than 80% enrolled.
“As we continue to advance (Read more...)

ProQR’s LCA10 treatment demonstrates positive phase 1/2 interim results

QR-110, an RNA-based oligonucleotide treatment candidate for Leber’s congenital amaurosis 10, showed rapid and sustained improvement in vision in a phase 1/2 clinical trial, according to a press release from ProQR.
An interim analysis of the trial, in which 10 patients with Leber’s congenital amaurosis 10 (LCA10) were dosed with either 80 µg or 160 µg of QR-110 in one eye, found 60% of subjects had a clinically meaningful response in visual acuity and mobility course endpoints at 3 months of treatment, the release said.
An overall improvement in best (Read more...)

Alimera posts quarterly net loss

Alimera Sciences reported a net loss of $4 million in the second quarter of 2018 compared with a net loss of $2.8 million in the previous year’s second quarter.
Net revenues in the United States decreased to $8 million from $8.1 million in 2017, while international revenues increased by 26% from $2.3 million to $2.9 million, according to a press release.
General and administrative expenses for the quarter went up 7% from $3 million to $3.2 million, research, development and medical affairs expenses increased by 27% from $2.2 million to (Read more...)

ThromboGenics changes name to Oxurion

ThromboGenics announced its shareholders approved a new name for the company, Oxurion, at an extraordinary general meeting.
The name will be implemented in the coming days and weeks. The stock ticker symbol will change from “THR” to “OXUR,” according to a company press release.
“The new name, Oxurion, is designed to better reflect our ambition to deliver best-in-class therapies for back of the eye disorders. The renaming comes at a moment when we have delivered important clinical milestones and are accelerating the development of our unique pipeline of

FDA approves devices, drugs and dosing regimens

In August, the FDA approved devices, drugs and dosing regimens to treat a range of ocular indications, including glaucoma, dry eye, age-related macular degeneration, postoperative pain and inflammation, and neurotrophic keratitis.
 
FDA approves Inveltys for treatment of inflammation, pain after ocular surgery
The FDA has approved Inveltys, a twice-daily ocular corticosteroid, for the treatment of postoperative inflammation and pain after ocular surgery according to Kala Pharmaceuticals. Read more.
 
FDA approves Oxervate, the first drug to treat neurotrophic keratitis
The FDA has