Open-angle glaucoma was associated with an increase in stroke risk, according to findings from a 10-year retrospective study.In the propensity score-matched cohort study, researchers selected 1,520 individuals from the Korean National Health Insurance …
Author: Healio ophthalmology
ASCRS to celebrate National Sight Week in October
National Sight Week will be observed from Oct. 15 to 21, the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery Foundation announced. The weeklong celebration of volunteerism is meant to encourage members of the ASCRS Foundation’s Operation Sight network to contribute one or more cataract surgeries to assist uninsured or underinsured patients, according to an ASCRS Foundation press release.
PUBLICATION EXCLUSIVE: Premium surgeons still turning to femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery
When femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery, or FLACS, came to the United States earlier this decade, a host of new clinical and financial challenges were brought upon the premier refractive cataract surgeon. The philosophy of FLACS has changed ov…
Omeros reports $14.4 million loss in second quarter
Omeros reported a $14.4 million net loss, or $0.33 per share, in the second quarter of 2017 compared with a net loss of $12.6 million, or $0.32 per share, in 2016’s second quarter.Total revenues increased from $10 million a year ago to $17.2 million, all related to sales of Omidria, according to a company press release. Omidria revenue increased 40% on a sequential quarter-over-quarter basis.
Stellaris Elite for retina surgery released
Bausch + Lomb has launched its Stellaris Elite system for retina surgery in the United States, according to a company press release. The Stellaris Elite offers vitrectomy cutters operating up to 7,500 cuts per minute and features a 27-gauge BiBlade vit…
AGTC files investigational NDA for X-linked retinitis pigmentosa gene therapy
Applied Genetic Technologies Corporation has filed an investigational new drug application with the FDA to begin a phase 1/2 clinical trial of its gene therapy candidate for X-linked retinitis pigmentosa, according to a company press release.X-linked retinitis pigmentosa, caused by mutations in the RPGR gene, is an inherited condition that causes progressive vision loss. In preclinical data, AGTC’s investigational gene therapy has slowed the loss of visual function in canines with X-linked retinitis pigmentosa, according to the release.
Esotropia, ductions worsened in patients undergoing decompression surgery
Decompression surgery yielded worsening of both esotropia and ductions, according to a study.The retrospective cohort study aimed to describe post-decompression changes that might affect staging of surgical rehabilitation of thyroid orbitopathy. The an…
Staring at eclipse may cause solar retinopathy
Remember when you were a kid and you used a magnifying glass to concentrate the sun’s energy to burn paper? Solar retinopathy is like that except it is the fovea that is getting burned, according to one expert.“Solar retinopathy occurs when a person looks at the sun for a prolonged period of time, with the light rays focused on the macula,” Sunir J. Garg, MD, told Healio.com/OSN of the effects of sun gazing. “That causes light-related damage to the photoreceptors and retinal pigment epithelium.”
FDA clears Optovue’s epi-mapping software
Optovue’s epithelial thickness mapping software has become the first to be cleared by the FDA for quantitative measurements of the epithelial and stromal layers of the cornea, according to a company press release. Aiding in the diagnosis, documentation and management of ocular health and diseases, epi-mapping provides epithelial thickness information in a fast, non-contact exam, the release said. It is available through the iVue and iFusion OCT systems.
Partial Medicaid expansions under ACA pose ‘big consequences’
Just shy of 7 months into President Donald J. Trump’s presidency, there have been repeated failures to fulfill his major campaign promise to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. The most recent debate ended in the rejection of the “skinny bill” and Republicans in the House and Senate seem prepared to move on to other issues.“By comparison with the GOP’s dystopian health care vision, Obamacare has never looked better,” Jonathan Oberlander, PhD, from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, wrote in a perspective published in The New England (Read more...)
Luminate meets primary endpoint in phase 2b trial for DME
Allegro Ophthalmics’ phase n2b stage 2 DEL MAR study of Luminate for diabetic macular edema has met its primary endpoint, according to a company press release.The double-masked, placebo-controlled, randomized, multicenter clinical trial had five arms and evaluated Luminate, a first-in-class integrin peptide therapy, as a sequential therapy or in combination with anti-VEGF in 80 patients, the release said.
Ocugen’s treatment for ocular graft-versus-host disease gets orphan drug designation
The FDA has granted orphan drug designation for OCU300 to treat ocular graft-versus-host disease, according to a press release from Ocugen. Ocular graft-versus-host disease affects 40% to 60% of patients who have undergone allergenic hematological stem…
Iridex reports $10 million in quarterly revenue
Iridex reported revenue of $10 million in the second quarter of 2017 compared with $11.9 million in the same time period last year, according to a company press release. The decrease was attributed to lower revenue for medical retina products.
Trump administration committed to battling opioid crisis
Today in Bedminster, New Jersey, President Donald J. Trump held a “major briefing” with the HHS on the current opioid epidemic in the United States and the department’s strategy to fight it.During a separate press briefing, HHS Secretary Tom Price, MD, emphasized the president’s absolute commitment to “turning this tide in the right direction” and ensuring that the number of overdose deaths and individuals addicted to medication decrease.
Carl Zeiss Meditec reports 8.3% increase in 9-month revenue
In the first 9 months of its 2016-2017 fiscal year, Carl Zeiss Meditec reported an 8.3% increase in revenue to 864.7 million, or 1.10 per share, compared with 798.6 million, or 0.83 per share, a year ago. Revenue in the ophthalmic devices business unit…
Medical schools evolve to prepare for opioid crisis, still ‘a long way to go’
The Commission on Combating Drug Addiction and the Opioid Crisis recently issued a recommendation to President Donald J. Trump to declare a national emergency to combat the growing opioid epidemic. “Your declaration would empower your cabinet to take bold steps and would force Congress to focus on funding,” New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and bipartisan committee members wrote. “It would also awaken every American to this simple fact: if this scourge has not found you or your family yet, without bold action by everyone, it soon will.”
Correlations between risk factors and haze after PRK identified
A large cohort study investigating factors associated with the development of haze after PRK found significant correlations with hyperopia, high myopia and high astigmatism. Longer mitomycin C application and laser removal of the epithelium rather than…
Clearside completes enrollment in trial of noninfectious uveitis treatment
Patient enrollment in the phase 3 PEACHTREE trial of a treatment for macular edema associated with noninfectious uveitis has been completed, according to a press release from Clearside Biomedical. The randomized, masked, sham-controlled clinical trial …
Bascom Palmer named best in ophthalmology again
Bascom Palmer Eye Institute has topped U.S. News & World Report’s annual list of best hospitals for ophthalmology for the 14th consecutive year.This marks the 16th time the University of Miami-based institution was named at the top of the list since the publication first began its rankings 28 years ago.
Glaukos reports $3.3 million net loss in second quarter
Glaukos reported a net loss of $3.3 million, or $0.10 per diluted share, in the second quarter of 2017 compared with a net income of $2.3 million, or $0.06 per diluted share, in the second quarter of 2016. Net sales increased from $28.6 million a year …