The FDA has approved Abbott’s Star S4 IR excimer laser system and iDesign Advanced WaveScan Studio System for use in LASIK patients with mixed astigmatism, according to Abbott correspondence.The unequal curvature of the cornea in mixed astigmatism can cause one meridian of the eye to be farsighted while a second is nearsighted, the correspondence said. With the iDesign system, physicians can map the entire visual path to find the most beneficial treatment plan.
Author: Healio ophthalmology
Mount Sinai creates eye and vision research institute
The Mount Sinai Health System has created a new eye and vision research institute, according to a press release.The Mount Sinai/New York Eye and Ear Eye and Vision Research Institute will focus on finding treatments and cures for eye conditions and dis…
Nikon, Verily partner to diagnose diabetic retinopathy sooner
Nikon Corp. and its subsidiary Optos Plc announced an alliance with Verily Life Science LLC in the field of machine learning-enabled retinal imaging, according to a press release. The companies will collaborate on creating technology and solutions for …
VIDEO: Screening for ocular surface disease, set reasonable expectations before implanting premium IOLs
At OSN New York, Kendall E. Donaldson, MD, MS, discusses how to deal with dissatisfied patients after premium IOL implantation. She emphasized setting reasonable expectations, treating residual refractive error and screening for pre-existing ocular sur…
HHS: ‘We face serious consequences’ if ACA repealed
In her last public speech on the Affordable Care Act, outgoing HHS Secretary Sylvia Mathews Burwell touted progress made under the legislation, but warned of what could happen if Republicans succeed in repealing it.Although health care has undergone bits and pieces of reform throughout history, Burwell said, “by the time President Obama took office, the need for reform was overwhelming.”
ACP, specialists examine the future of the Affordable Care Act
As inauguration day for President-elect Donald J. Trump looms, the future status of the Affordable Care Act remains uncertain. The ACP and several specialists offer insight on what would happen to the nation’s health care if the Trump administration’s plan to repeal and replace the current law is carried out. In a recent letter to the House of Representatives and the Senate, the ACP urged Congress to preserve protections established by the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and to determine the impact of proposed changes to the ACA on coverage, access (Read more...)
FDA grants Hemera’s dry AMD gene therapy safe to proceed status
Hemera Biosciences’ investigative new drug application for HMR59 has been granted safe to proceed status from the FDA, the company announced in a press release.HMR59, an AAV2 gene therapy, blocks complement overactivity by inhibiting membrane attack complex, the release said.
Aerie to manufacture Rhopressa, Roclatan in Ireland
Aerie Pharmaceuticals plans to commercially produce its product candidates Rhopressa and Roclatan in Ireland following the signing of a lease agreement with Ireland’s Industrial Development Agency, the company announced in a press release.Aerie will begin work on the interior of the already built 30,000-square-foot building shell in Athlone, Ireland, immediately. The project is expected to cost about $25 million, the release said.
Aerie to manufacture Rhopressa, Roclatan in Ireland
Aerie Pharmaceuticals plans to commercially produce its product candidates Rhopressa and Roclatan in Ireland following the signing of a lease agreement with Ireland’s Industrial Development Agency, the company announced in a press release.Aerie will begin work on the interior of the already built 30,000-square-foot building shell in Athlone, Ireland, immediately. The project is expected to cost about $25 million, the release said.
New biomechanical index may help detect keratoconus
More than 98% of cases were correctly classified as being healthy or keratoconic using the Corvis Biomechanical Index, a new tool to help diagnose keratoconus, a study found.The multicenter retrospective study included 329 patients from the Vincieye Cl…
VIDEO: Surgeon recounts enhancement options for residual astigmatism
At OSN New York, Eric D. Donnenfeld, MD, shares his approach to addressing residual astigmatism after cataract surgery. Among options are limbal relaxing incisions, LASIK, photorefractive keratectomy and toric IOL rotation.
VIDEO: Measure, treat, track, fix: A four-step approach to successful toric IOL outcomes
At OSN New York, Denise M. Visco, MD, outlines her four-step approach to successful toric IOL outcomes: measuring, marking, tracking and fixing. Taking steps to ensure accurate measurements, choosing an appropriate nomogram and marking method, tracking…
VIDEO: Measure, treat, track, fix: A four-step approach to successful toric IOL outcomes
At OSN New York, Denise M. Visco, MD, outlines her four-step approach to successful toric IOL outcomes: measuring, marking, tracking and fixing. Taking steps to ensure accurate measurements, choosing an appropriate nomogram and marking method, tracking…
VIDEO: Better cataract surgery outcomes breed greater patient expectations
At OSN New York, Mitchell P. Weikert, MD, recalls two-and-a-half decades of progress in cataract surgery, including enhanced technologies, new techniques and a widening array of IOLs. As surgical outcomes have improved, so, too, have patient expectatio…
Emixustat from Acucela granted orphan drug designation for Stargardt disease
The FDA has granted orphan drug designation to a drug candidate for the treatment of Stargardt disease, Acucela announced in a press release.Acucela, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Kubota Pharmaceutical Holdings, has been developing emixustat hy…
Trefoil Therapeutics secures $5.2 million in financing
Trefoil Therapeutics has raised $5.2 million in Series 1 financing, led by Hatteras Venture Partners, according to a company press release. The funding, along with a collaborative research agreement with the National Institutes of Health National Cente…
Obama warns of ‘reckless’ plan to repeal ACA without a replacement
President Barack Obama, JD, said it would be “reckless” for Republicans to repeal the Affordable Care Act without having a suitable replacement ready to go.Two weeks from his final day in office, Obama continued to push back against a plan to terminate his signature health care legislation with another scholarly writing urging Republicans to rethink their approach.
Lucentis receives FDA approval to treat myopic choroidal neovascularization
Genentech announced the FDA approved Lucentis for the treatment of myopic choroidal neovascularization, the fifth FDA-approved indication for the drug. In the phase 3 RADIANCE study, Lucentis (ranibizumab) provided an average visual acuity gain of more…
VIDEO: Re-treatment in failed flap cases can yield successful visual outcomes
At OSN New York, Priyanka Sood, MD, shares results of a retrospective chart review of corrective procedures performed in patients whose LASIK flap complications had previously led to an aborted procedure. Excellent visual outcomes were achieved when re-treatment was done over aborted microkeratome-created flaps as well as when surface ablation was done over aborted femtosecond laser-created flaps, she said.
Novaliq’s dry eye treatment yields positive topline results
A preservative free cyclosporine A solution consistently reduced corneal fluorescein staining in a phase 2 clinical trial evaluating the treatment for moderate to severe dry eye disease, according to a press release from the manufacturer Novaliq GmbH.T…