Inotek Pharmaceuticals intends to begin a phase 3 clinical trial of its leading glaucoma drug candidate, trabodenoson, in the fourth quarter of 2015, the company announced in a press release.The phase 3 clinical trial design incorporates feedback from …
Author: Healio ophthalmology
Publication Exclusive: Cataract surgery can be complicated by presence of loose zonules
Loose zonules complicate cataract surgery because their laxity makes removal of the nucleus and cortex challenging and limits stability of the IOL. In some patients we are able to detect zonular laxity during the preoperative consultation. Severe laxit…
Hospitalization, death, cost drop among older Medicare beneficiaries
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Novel cornea transplant technique approved for first-in-man trial in India
A novel transplant technique that delivers tissue to scarred cornea via synthetic biodegradable membrane has been approved for a first-in-man safety trial by the Indian Regulatory Authority, according to a press release from the University of Sheffield…
Corticosteroids may alleviate low-humidity effects in dry eye patients
The use of corticosteroid eye drop therapy may lessen the acute adverse effects of low-humidity environment stress for dry eye disease patients, according to a study.The single-group crossover clinical trial evaluated 20 patients with aqueous deficient…
BLOG: Pre-Descemet’s endothelial keratoplasty live surgery
This blog demonstrates a live PDEK surgery that was performed at the Indian Intraocular Implant and Refractive Society meeting in Chennai, India, by Amar Agarwal, MS, FRCS, FRCOphth. Friends and eminent surgeons from the United States and across the wo…
Publication Exclusive: Girl initially presents with open globe injury
The ophthalmology service was consulted for an otherwise healthy 6-year-old girl who was hit in the right eye by her brother with a pen 3 days before presenting to the emergency room. The patient’s mother thought her daughter seemed fine immediately after the event. However, over the next few days, the child complained of increasing irritation in her right eye. The mother took a closer look and was alarmed when she saw a “brown bubble” on the right eye.
EyeGate receives notice of allowance for EGP-437
EyeGate Pharmaceuticals received a notice of allowance from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for EGP-47, a dexamethasone phosphate formulation, as a method of treating eye conditions, according to a company press release.EGP-437 is delivered into t…
Sodium chloride pretreatment may decrease risk of epithelial disruption during LASIK
Pretreatment with a hyperosmotic agent before LASIK may lower the incidence of epithelial disturbances and decrease postoperative complications for high-risk patients, according to a study.The comparative case series evaluated 248 patients who had bila…
Allergan divests global generics business to Teva Pharma
Allergan announced that Teva Pharmaceuticals Industries Ltd. will acquire Allergan’s global generic pharmaceutical business for $40.5 billion. Allergan will receive $33.75 billion in cash and $6.75 billion in Teva stock.
Reporting of serious AEs to FDA often delayed by drug companies
Nearly 10% of adverse events are not reported to the FDA within the 15-day period drug companies have to disclose the events, according to recently published data. “Our analysis provided evidence that drug manufacturers delay reporting of serious [adverse events] to the FDA. Strikingly, [adverse events] with patient death were more likely to be delayed,” Paul Ma, PhD, Carlson School of Management, University of Minnesota, and colleagues wrote.
Publication Exclusive: Surgeon — Give up the surgical limbus and use clear cornea instead
Femtosecond laser entry into the cataract surgery arena had a positive influence on the key steps of cataract surgery, namely anterior capsulotomy, softening of the lens nucleus, lens fragmentation and self-sealing corneal incisions. A full-thickness c…
VIDEO: Defining and treating astigmatism
At the Kiawah Eye 2015 meeting, John A. Hovanesian, MD, FACS, discusses how treating astigmatism in patients will increase patient satisfaction.
VIDEO: Discussion on hot topics in cornea at Kiawah Eye 2015
At the Kiawah Eye 2015 meeting, ophthalmologists gathered to debate and discuss hot topics in the management of cornea. Terry Kim, MD, and David T. Vroman, MD, moderated the session. The panelists included Derek W. DelMonte, MD, Keith A. Walter, MD, Do…
Quick exposure to hand-held laser device may lead to full-thickness macular hole
Momentary exposure to high-powered hand-held blue-light laser devices was associated with retinal injuries such as full-thickness macular hole, according to a study.“While spontaneous closure may occur in rare cases, most cases require early surgical intervention. Vitrectomy may be successful in closing the macular hole with visual acuity improvement in most of the cases,” the study authors said.
Bausch + Lomb submits NDA for Vesneo
Bausch + Lomb has submitted a new drug application for Vesneo to the FDA, Nicox announced in a press release. Vesneo (latanoprostene bunod ophthalmic solution 0.024%) is a once-daily IOP-lowering single-agent eye drop for patients with open-angle glauc…
Publication Exclusive: Innovative technique variations offer options in difficult cases
Amar Agarwal, MS, FRCS, FRCOphth, is an amazingly innovative surgeon and a prolific writer and educator. He has popularized the so-called “glued posterior chamber IOL technique.” In this technique, the haptics a of a posterior chamber IOL are placed in scleral tunnels under a scleral flap. The flap is glued in place with temporary fibrin glue under conjunctiva as well. It is really an intrascleral fixation of the posterior chamber IOL, and the glue is not critical. One could close the scleral flaps with sutures as an alternative because fibrin (Read more...)
Electronic health records may improve financial returns, workflow efficiency
The use of electronic health records may result in significant financial returns and workflow efficiency for practices, according to a report.The prospective financial analysis evaluated data that affected cash flows relevant to the implementation of E…
Abbott reports $5.2 billion in second quarter worldwide sales
Abbott reported worldwide sales of $5.2 billion in the second quarter of 2015, a 10.8% increase on an operational basis and a 2.2% increase on a reported basis compared with the second quarter of 2014, according to a press release.Diluted earnings per …
Valeant announces Q2 revenue growth
Valeant Pharmaceuticals reported total revenue of $2.7 billion for the second quarter of 2015, a 34% increase over the same period a year before, according to a press release.“We once again exceeded our guidance and delivered our fourth consecutive quarter of greater than 15% organic growth,” J. Michael Pearson, chairman and CEO, said in the release. “[The results] were driven by outperformance in our U.S. businesses, strong results in certain emerging markets and outstanding starts to both the Salix and Dendron acquisitions. In addition, we have signed eight new transactions (Read more...)