Author: Healio ophthalmology

OCT-guided femtosecond laser increases safety, accuracy of Kamra inlay

Real-time optical coherence tomography-guided femtosecond laser technology increased safety and accuracy of the Kamra corneal inlay in patients with history of LASIK, according to a study.“An important advantage is that femtosecond laser pulse can be placed individually at different locations   within the cornea, allowing accurate cuts and adjustment of individual cut patterns, more stable corneal and visual outcomes, and better surgical safety,” the authors wrote in the study.

Eye health action plan focuses on improvement strategies, progress monitoring, effective cooperation

The World Health Organization 2014 to 2019 Global Action Plan for the prevention of avoidable visual impairment, endorsed by the World Health Assembly in May 2013, is being translated into workable programs and practical commitments.“Our team has met with representatives of the ministries of health in the WHO region of the Americas, Eastern Mediterranean region, in the African region and Western Pacific, and will be shortly in Southeast Asia. In Europe we have been involved in several clinical meetings including the action plan in the agenda,” Ivo Kocur, MD, WHO (Read more...)

Telemedicine may be optimal for screening retinopathy of prematurity

New data support the validity of remote evaluation by trained nonphysicians for infants at risk of developing retinopathy of prematurity compared with standard diagnostic examinations, according to researchers.“This study provides validation for a telemedicine approach to ROP screening and could help save thousands of infants from going blind,” lead author Graham E. Quinn, MD, a professor of ophthalmology at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, said in a press release issued by the National Institutes of Health about the study.  

Corneal tissue linked to fewer tube shunt exposures than pericardium

Glycerol-preserved corneal tissue delayed exposure of glaucoma drainage shunts significantly longer than pericardium patch grafts, according to a study.“[This study] indicates that [glaucoma drainage implant] coverage with glycerol preserved corneal tissue compared with pericardium may significantly decrease the rate of an exposure event and provide a longer time to initial exposure event. Functional advantages, such as the ability to perform laser suture lysis, and improved cosmesis are further advantages in using corneal tissue,” the study authors wrote.

Bascom Palmer Eye Institute researchers receive $2.82 million grant

The National Institutes of Health’s National Eye Institute has granted three vision researchers from the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute of the University Of Miami Miller School Of Medicine a 5-year, $2.82 million grant to study retinitis pigmentosa, according to a press release.The recipients of the grant include Rong Wen, MD, PhD, and Byron Lam, MD, professors of ophthalmology at Bascom Eye Institute, along with Ziqiang Guan, PhD, a research associate from Duke University Medical School.

Ampio stops OptimEyes Study enrollment, cites early benefits

Ampio Pharmaceuticals announced it will halt enrollment to the OptimEyes Study with fewer participants than originally intended, citing early positive responses to ultra–low-dose danazol for the treatment of diabetic macular edema, according to a company press release.The Transplant and Ophthalmology Division of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has been notified of the changes, which will reduce enrollment from 450 patients powered at 95% to the present enrollment of more than 355 patients, providing a power of 88%, according to the press release.

Ultra-widefield imaging improved diabetic retinopathy detection

SAN FRANCISCO — Ultra-widefield imaging with or without fluorescein angiography could have significant implications for identifying and treating diabetic retinopathy, according to data presented at the American Diabetes Association’s 74th Scientific Sessions.“Ultra-widefield imaging with or without fluorescein angiography can help select patients for more-intensive monitoring for potentially earlier target treatments to minimize loss of visual field due to laser treatments,” Belinda A. Brooks, NP, CDE, MSc, PhD, of the Sydney Diabetes Centre, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, said during a presentation here. “Ultra-widefield imaging is easier and faster to perform. It (Read more...)

Poor patient safety, record keeping common violations in clinical trials

Failure to protect patient safety and maintain documentation were among the most common violations US regulators cited in warning letters regarding the conduct of clinical trials, according to new data.“All research stakeholders have a fundamental responsibility to conduct ethical clinical trials following the principles of good clinical practice,” researchers wrote in the Journal of Medical Ethics.

BLOG: Is the FDA finally moving forward on novel IOLs?

For many years now, a forlorn expression has crossed the faces of American doctors when a non-United States speaker approaches the podium to describe IOL designs available only in their countries.Presbyopia-correcting IOL (PC-IOL) technologies available here are beyond 10 years old and, except for Crystalens (Bausch + Lomb), we still don’t have toric PC-IOLs. And what of promising implants like the dual-optic Synchrony IOL?

Iluvien receives marketing authorization in Italy for chronic DME treatment

Alimera Sciences announced it has received marketing authorization from the Italian Medicines Agency for Iluvien for the treatment of vision impairment associated with chronic diabetic macular edema, according to a company press release.“Iluvien has now been granted marketing authorizations in all seven EU countries in which we initially applied,” Dan Myers, Alimera’s president and CEO, said in the press release. “Additionally, we are engaged in a Repeat Use Procedure through Mutual Recognition to obtain a positive opinion for approval from another 10 EU countries.”

Ohr announces positive interim clinical results from Phase 2 wet AMD treatment study

Ohr Pharmaceuticals has announced that its phase 2 study of Squalamine eye drops for the treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration has produced positive top-line interim results, according to a company press release.“The data further validate not only the clinical utility of noninvasive topical eye drop therapies for macular and retinal disorders, but also the soundness of our company’s drug development science and our proprietary formulation technologies that enable topical dosing to achieve positive therapeutic effects in back-of-the-eye disorders,” Irach B. Taraporewala, Ohr president and CEO, said in the release. 

Microaneurysms shed light on diabetic retinopathy

SAN FRANCISCO — The identification of microaneurysm wall features have been correlated with anatomic and functional outcomes in the eyes of diabetes patients, according to data presented at the American Diabetes Association’s 74th Scientific Sessions.“We have classically graded hallmark vascular lesions, allowing staging of diabetic retinopathy severity and risk for diabetic retinopathy progression, but we are generally unable to assess new microaneurysm vessels and other pathology at the cellular level in vivo in human eyes,” Jennifer K. Sun, MD, said during a presentation here.

Tecnis Symfony IOL granted CE mark in Europe

Abbott has received CE mark in Europe for its Tecnis Symfony Extended Range of Vision IOL, indicated for cataract patients with presbyopia, according to a company press release.“With the available advances in IOL technology, many patients are not satisfied with having to wear reading glasses after cataract surgery, which is often the result when using conventional monofocal IOLs,” Gerd U. Auffarth, MD, professor and chairman of the department of ophthalmology at Ruprecht-Karls University of Heidelberg, Germany, said in the press release. “The Tecnis Symfony Extended Range of Vision IOL enables (Read more...)

RETeval device a viable option for diabetic retinopathy screening

SAN FRANCISCO — The RETeval device may be a promising new screening tool for diabetic retinopathy due to its ease of use and low failure rates, according to late-breaking data presented at the American Diabetes Association’s 74th Scientific Sessions.“These data are clinically relevant for ophthalmologists and endocrinologists for the treatment of diabetic retinopathy because the RETeval machine (LKC Technologies) is a new tool for screening patients with diabetes for eye disease that can be performed by the primary care physician,” April Y. Maa, MD, of the Atlanta VAMC/Emory Eye Center, (Read more...)