BALTIMORE ― At the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology meeting here, Davinder S. Grover, MD, MPH, discusses an FDA-approved, prospective, open-label study of the Allergan Xen implant for the treatment of refractory glaucoma. The study looks at a less-invasive “real-world” ab interno technique than the one approved in the FDA clinical trial.
Author: Healio ophthalmology
AMA urges Senate to sustain insurance coverage
AMA recently penned a letter to Senate leaders advocating protection for patients at risk of losing health insurance coverage as the Senate begins considering health system reform, according to a press release.“Significant changes to the [Affordable Care Act] or Medicaid program potentially threaten the ability for millions of Americans to obtain and retain coverage,” James L. Madara, MD, CEO of AMA, wrote in the letter. “It is these citizens, constituents and patients who should be at the center of this debate.”
New toric IOL shows stability, safety and efficacy
LOS ANGELES — The new Bausch + Lomb enVista toric IOL met all safety and efficacy endpoints in a pivotal FDA trial, according to a presentation here. “Premarket approval application to the FDA is underway,” Richard Hope, MD, said at the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery meeting.
VIDEO: Review shows anti-VEGFs improve visual, anatomic results in retinal vein occlusion cases
BALTIMORE ― At the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology meeting here, Nikolas J.S. London, MD, discusses a large, cross-sectional, retrospective analysis of anti-VEGF treatments for both branch retinal vein occlusion and central retinal vein occlusion. The study shows a close similarity to results seen in the SCORE2 trial presented here regarding both visual acuity gains as well as reduction of central retinal thickness on OCT.
Topical treatment for presbyopia improves binocular near acuity
LOS ANGELES — A first-in-class topical treatment for presbyopia was well tolerated and safely improved binocular near acuity in a phase 1/2 trial, according to a speaker.EV06 ophthalmic solution (lipoic acid choline ester, 1.5%; Encore Vision/Novartis) improved bilateral distance-corrected near vision compared with placebo in the 3-month, prospective, randomized, double-masked multicenter study.
Study examines growth trends of anterior segment anatomy
BALTIMORE — Anterior segment anatomy and structural changes with eye growth show logarithmic growth trends, with maximal growth rates in the first year of life, according to “hot topic” designated research at the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology annual meeting.Researchers utilized ultrasound biomicroscopy imaging to determine ocular growth trends for normal pediatric anterior segment anatomy and structural changes with eye growth in normal infants, children and young adults to create a baseline for comparison to eyes with primary congenital and juvenile glaucoma.
AMA: Termination of Anthem-Cigna merger a ‘clear victory’
After the Delaware Court of Chancery denied Anthem’s motion for a preliminary injunction to stop Cigna from ceasing the deal, the health insurer terminated its merger agreement with Cigna, according to a press release. AMA called the termination a “clear victory.” Since the deal was announced in July 2015, AMA and the American Hospital Association, as well as many other health and medical associations and regulators have vigorously opposed and widely advocated against the merger, condemning it as harmful to patients and the nation’s health system.
Points to consider when publicly disclosing research or discoveries prior to filing a patent application
Welcome to the inaugural Intellectual Property Update. On a monthly basis, Intellectual Property Update will provide content related to an intellectual property topic of interest to physicians, health care professionals and companies in the medical pro…
FDA accepts NDA for Rhopressa
The FDA has accepted a new drug application for Rhopressa and set a PDUFA goal date of Feb. 28, 2018, according to a press release from Aerie Pharmaceuticals.Rhopressa (netarsudil ophthalmic solution 0.02%) is a once-daily eye drop designed to lower IO…
Mistrial declared in James Mazzo insider trading case
A mistrial was declared in the insider trading case against James V. Mazzo, global president ophthalmic devices at Carl Zeiss Meditec, while two others were found guilty of multiple charges, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. Mazzo, CEO of Advanced Medical Optics from 2002 to 2009, was indicted in 2014 on insider trading charges for his role in providing former professional baseball player Douglas V. DeCinces with confidential information in advance of Abbott’s 2009 acquisition of Advanced Medical Optics.
VIDEO: Sirolimus reduces vitreous haze in patients with posterior uveitis
BALTIMORE – Phase 3 studies of intravitreal sirolimus demonstrated reduced vitreous haze in patients with noninfectious posterior uveitis, Peter K. Kaiser, MD, reported at the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology meeting here. The drug is under FDA review.
VIDEO: Speaker raises question of earlier alternative strategies for patients with persistent edema
BALTIMORE – A retrospective analysis of DRCR.net Protocol I data showed patients with persistent edema treated with ranibizumab demonstrated less visual gain in the long-term compared with patients who did not have persistent edema, SriniVas R. Sadda, MD, said at the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology meeting here. This opens the question of whether or not alternative treatment strategies should be discussed earlier in a patient’s care, according to Sadda.
Allergan reports 5% increase in Q1 net revenues
Allergan reported its first quarter 2017 continuing operations performance, including total net revenues of $3.6 billion, a 5% increase compared with the prior year quarter.The increase was driven by higher revenues in facial aesthetics, Botox Therapeu…
Cell-based approaches advancing to meet challenges of corneal regeneration
LOS ANGELES — Tissue engineering-based therapy holds great promise for the future of corneal regeneration and reconstruction.“Replacing live with live” is the goal, Damien Harkin, MD, said at Cornea Subspecialty Day preceding the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery meeting.
Merit-based Incentive Payment System letters in the mail, says AAFP
According to CMS, an online tool — qpp.cms.gov — also lets health care professionals ascertain their participation status in MIPS for 2017 by entering their 10-digit National Provider Identifier.A blog on AAFP’s website encouraged eligible practices and members who receive a letter to review it and determine if they will report as individuals or as a group. The blog also advised clinicians practicing under multiple tax identification numbers to verify their participation status with each practice.
Micropulse transscleral cyclophotocoagulation reduces IOP in advanced primary open angle glaucoma
LOS ANGELES — Micropulse transscleral diode laser cyclophotocoagulation is a safe and promising IOP-lowering treatment for patients with advanced primary open angle glaucoma, according to a speaker at the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery meeting. To demonstrate safety and clinical efficacy of this method, Thomas John, MD, and colleagues conducted a retrospective review of 49 eyes of 35 patients with unilateral and bilateral advanced POAG.
Topical non-preserved steroid may help relieve symptoms of preservative-related punctal congestion
BALTIMORE — Treatment of preservative-related punctal congestion consists of removing all preservative exposure, and a topical non-preserved steroid may help improve symptoms by decreasing conjunctival inflammation and punctal congestion during preservative toxicity washout, according to a study presented here.Ninety patients with epiphora and punctal stenosis were identified, and 13 (14%) had preservative-related punctal congestion.
Topical non-preserved steroid may help relieve symptoms of preservative-related punctal congestion
BALTIMORE — Treatment of preservative-related punctal congestion consists of removing all preservative exposure, and a topical non-preserved steroid may help improve symptoms by decreasing conjunctival inflammation and punctal congestion during preservative toxicity washout, according to a study presented here.Ninety patients with epiphora and punctal stenosis were identified, and 13 (14%) had preservative-related punctal congestion.
Is a day 1 postop review necessary after pars plana vitrectomy?
PointIn my opinion, the answer is a resounding, absolute yes. The first and most important data point necessary to reduce risk in any intraocular surgical procedure is an accurate IOP measurement within 24 ± 10 hours postoperative. Failure to detect and treat a high pressure could lead to permanent vision loss. Hypotony detection will likely lead to a very different series of instructions. Next, the patient’s pain is an important variable to actively manage and seems to peak during this interval. There are other issues that may be unexpected and (Read more...)
Wearable sensor system may help surgeons obtain individual vision-related behavior
A simple, wearable sensor system engineered by IROC Science in Zurich, Switzerland, provides real-life measurable data on patients’ use of vision and objective criteria to select IOLs, inlays and progressive spectacles.“We have very sophisticated solutions today for IOLs and other refractive implants, but not an equally sophisticated technology to assess what a patient needs. This is only assessed in a short interview, with no scientific evidence of vision-related behavior,” Arthur Cummings, MD, said.