LAS VEGAS — At the American Academy of Ophthalmology annual meeting, Pravin Dugel, MD, discusses pilot study data in which vision improved in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration who were treatment resistant to anti-VEGF therapy and were then pretreated with Fovista (pegpleranib, Ophthotech).
Author: Healio ophthalmology
VIDEO: Subretinal fluid seen as ‘protective’ against development of macular atrophy
LAS VEGAS — At the American Academy of Ophthalmology annual meeting, Brandon G. Busbee, MD, reports on risk factors associated with development of macular atrophy as determined by 2-year ad hoc findings from the HARBOR trial, in which the presence of subretinal fluid in the baseline population “seemed to be protective” against development of macular atrophy.
Single dose of bimatoprost ocular insert demonstrates IOP reduction in glaucoma, ocular hypertension
LAS VEGAS — A single dose of a novel topical bimatoprost ocular insert demonstrated sustained IOP reduction in patients with glaucoma and ocular hypertension at 6 months, according to phase 2 study results presented here. “Despite highly effective topical treatments, half of our patients stop using their drops by 1 year, and among those who do continue to use their drops, many of them have difficulty using them properly. … There is a pressing need for sustained patient behavior independent delivery of glaucoma medications to prevent blindness,” James D. Brandt, (Read more...)
Spark Therapeutics reports $16.9 million net loss in third quarter
Spark Therapeutics reported a net loss of $16.9 million, or $0.70 per basic and diluted share, in the third quarter compared with a net loss of $6.8 million, or $1.22 per basic and diluted share, in the same quarter of 2014, according to a press releas…
VIDEO: Surgeon’s experience — Toric lenses improve astigmatism correction
LAS VEGAS — At the American Academy of Ophthalmology annual meeting, Rex Hamilton, MD, MS, FACS, discusses how the availability of Tecnis toric lenses (Abbott Medical Optics) and the Callisto system (Carl Zeiss Meditec) has helped him improve astigmatism correction in his patients.
AAO launches effort to rebrand itself as vanguard of eye care
The American Academy of Ophthalmology is embarking on an initiative to rebrand itself and foster an understanding of the specialty’s impact on society, a speaker said at the AAO annual meeting in Las Vegas.AAO CEO David W. Parke II, MD, described the rebranding effort during a press briefing. Although the initiative will involve changes to the AAO’s logo, tagline, design of products and website, it is mainly designed to enhance the public’s understanding of the goals and contributions of ophthalmology, Parke said.
AGTC receives orphan drug designation for gene therapy to treat achromatopsia
The FDA has granted orphan drug designation to AGTC’s gene therapy product candidate for the treatment of achromatopsia caused by mutations in the CNGA3 gene, AGTC announced in a press release. “Receiving U.S. orphan drug designation is another significant milestone as we continue to advance our pipeline of novel gene therapies to treat rare inherited eye disorders,” Sue Washer, president and CEO of AGTC, said in the release.
VIDEO: Shire VP gives company business update
LAS VEGAS — At the American Academy of Ophthalmology annual meeting, Robert Dempsey, vice president and head of the ophthalmic business unit of Shire, discusses the company’s increased presence and emergence into the ophthalmic industry.
Intravitreal sirolimus resolves vitreous haze in SAKURA study 1
LAS VEGAS — Intravitreal sirolimus may significantly resolve vitreous haze in patients with no anterior segment involvement, according to a presentation here. Pravin U. Dugel, MD, presented double-masked data of vitreous haze scores and steroid tapering success results of 347 patients with noninfectious uveitis of the posterior segment from month 5 of the SAKURA study 1 post hoc analysis at the American Academy of Ophthalmology annual meeting.
Speaker presents keys to avoid complications with femtosecond laser cataract surgery
LAS VEGAS — There are a variety of ways for surgeons to avoid complications with femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery, according to a presentation here. H. Burkhard Dick, MD, presented his tips, pearls and hints in preventing complications with femtosecond cataract surgery at the American Academy of Ophthalmology annual meeting.
OCT improves diagnosis, monitoring of neuro-ophthalmic diseases
LAS VEGAS — OCT is increasingly useful in diagnosing disorders that affect optical pathways to the brain, a speaker told colleagues.“[OCT technology] is really affecting the way that we approach patients and diagnose their problems. Some of them can be life-threatening in neuro-ophthalmology,” Randy H. Kardon, MD, PhD, said during a press briefing on “Innovations in vision: Nanotech, nearsightedness and neuro-ophthalmology imaging.”
Pfizer, Allergan to combine in $160 billion deal
Pfizer and Allergan announced today that their boards of directors have approved a definitive merger agreement in which Pfizer will combine with Allergan.The merger has a stock transaction currently valued at $363.63 per Allergan share, for a total value of approximately $160 billion, based on the closing price of Pfizer common stock of $32.18 on Nov. 20, according to a press release from both companies. Under the proposal, the businesses of Pfizer and Allergan will be combined under Allergan plc, which will be renamed Pfizer plc.
VIDEO: Glaucoma specialist discusses SLT as preferred treatment for managing glaucoma
LAS VEGAS — At the American Academy of Ophthalmology annual meeting, Nathan M. Radcliffe, MD, discusses how selective laser trabeculoplasty can be a solution to managing glaucoma, both as a primary therapy and as a replacement therapy for eye drops.
VIDEO: RPE detachments respond to ranibizumab in HARBOR trial
LAS VEGAS — At the American Academy of Ophthalmology annual meeting, David A. Eichenbaum, MD, discusses the relationship between macular atrophy, retinal pigment epithelial detachment and response to treatment with ranibizumab in the HARBOR trial.
VIDEO: Surgeon introduces new accommodating IOL technology
LAS VEGAS — At the American Academy of Ophthalmology annual meeting, Uday Devgan, MD, discusses the advantages of a new accommodating IOL technology from LensGen.
Amniotic membrane transplantation may prevent ocular sequelae in Stevens-Johnson syndrome
LAS VEGAS — Ocular sequelae from Stevens-Johnson syndrome may be prevented with amniotic membrane transplantation when applied within the first 6 days after symptom onset, according to a paper presentation here. “Medical management is appropriate for patients who have more mild ocular manifestations, and this often includes various combinations of antibiotics, topical steroids, as well as cyclosporine and lubrication,” Amy Marie Cherof, MD, said at the American Academy of Ophthalmology annual meeting. “In addition, amniotic membrane transplantation has been shown in many studies, including those of our own, to decrease (Read more...)
Glaukos submits IND to study iDose travoprost implant
Glaukos submitted an investigational new drug application to the FDA for a travoprost intraocular implant with the iDose delivery system, according to a press release.The system is designed to reduce IOP in patients with glaucoma.
AMA votes in favor of ban on direct prescription drug advertising
The AMA is calling for a ban on direct-to-consumer advertising of prescription drugs, according to a press release from the organization.Physicians at the Interim Meeting of the AMA voted in favor of the advertising ban, citing concerns that the advert…
Researchers embark on study of viral vector to treat choroideremia
A team of researchers at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute has begun a phase 2 clinical trial of a novel gene therapy designed to treat choroideremia, according to press releases from Bascom Palmer and NightstaRx.AAV2-REP1 comprises a viral vector adeno-asso…
VIDEO: Growing lesions in patients with geographic atrophy may result in slower reading speed
LAS VEGAS — At the American Academy of Ophthalmology annual meeting, Rohit Varma, MD, MPH, discusses a study that found patients with faster growing geographic atrophy lesions associated with dry age-related macular degeneration were at greater risk for experiencing a decline in reading speed.