Author: Healio ophthalmology

Alimera reports net loss of $1.1 million for third quarter

Alimera has reported a net loss of $1.1 million attributable to common shareholders for the third quarter of 2013, compared to a $5.4 million net loss reported in the third quarter of 2012, according to a company press release.The net earnings for the third quarter of 2013 did, however, benefit from a decrease in the fair value of Alimera’s derivative warrant liability, which resulted in non-cash income of approximately $6.2 million and a non-cash unrealized foreign currency gain of $508,000, the release said.

BLOG: ‘Porthole’ technique helps align toric IOLs

Read more from Priya Narang, MS.Toric IOLs comprise a very important part of cataract surgery and are the most preferred method to meet the dual demands of correcting astigmatism with cataract and providing the potential for better uncorrected visual acuity. Constantly meeting the demands of patients is often taxing to the surgeon and accentuated when a surgeon detects postoperative rotation of the toric IOL. Surgical realignment is often needed to realign the IOL in the correct meridian.

Advanced diagnostic test for Sjögren’s syndrome launched

Nicox today announced the US launch of an advanced diagnostic test for the earlier detection of Sjögren’s syndrome.Sjö, a proprietary laboratory test developed by Immco Diagnostics, combines traditional markers with three novel biomarkers that allows for earlier diagnosis of Sjögren’s syndrome, according to a press release. Under an agreement signed with Immco, Nicox is promoting the product in select markets to eye care professionals, who are in a position to identify dry eye as a significant and early symptom of the condition. The agreement also includes marketing rights in Canada, (Read more...)

Increase in amount of patching for residual amblyopia improves visual acuity

An increase to 6 hours of daily patching for residual amblyopia yielded greater improvement in visual acuity than continuing with 2 hours of daily patching.A prospective, randomized, multicenter study included 169 children between the ages of 3 years up to 8 years with stable residual amblyopia after 12 weeks of 2-hour daily patching.Patients were randomly selected to either continue 2 hours of daily patching or increase patching to 6 hours daily.

FDA proposal could speed safety information updates on generic drugs

A proposal would allow faster dissemination of new safety information about generic drugs to health professionals and patients, according to a press release from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Currently, generic manufacturers must wait to update product safety information until the corresponding brand-name product has received approval to update its safety information. Under the proposed rule, generic drug manufacturers would be able to independently update product labeling with newly acquired safety information before the FDA’s review of the change, similar to the current process for brand-name drugs, the release said.

Medicare payments for glaucoma care per person declined between 2002 and 2009

The annual per-patient cost of glaucoma care among Medicare beneficiaries decreased in constant dollars between 2002 and 2009, according to a study.However, cataract and retina eye care for patients with glaucoma outstripped the cost of glaucoma care, the study authors said.Investigators used data from a 5% random sample of Medicare billing information from 2002 to 2009. Data included elderly patients older than 65 years with Medicare Parts A and B coverage who underwent glaucoma care. Claims were categorized as glaucoma, other eye care or other medical care.

Focal/grid laser for DME has localized effect on macular vessel diameter

Focal/grid laser photocoagulation for diabetic macular edema significantly narrowed macular arterioles and venules but had an insignificant effect on central retinal vessels around the optic disc, according to a study.The study included 69 eyes of 46 patients who underwent focal/grid laser photocoagulation for DME. Median patient age was 60 years, and overall duration of diabetes was 13 years. Matched untreated eyes served as controls.Investigators obtained retinal photographs 6 months before and 2 months and 12 months after laser treatment. They measured the diameters of retinal vessels around the macula and optic (Read more...)

Aerpio completes phase 1b/2a study of novel DME agent

Aerpio Therapeutics has completed a phase 1b/2a study of a novel drug for diabetic macular edema, according to a press release.AKB-9778 is an inhibitor of human protein tyrosine phosphatase beta that works to activate Tie2, a receptor on vascular endothelial cells that stabilizes blood vessels, preventing abnormal blood vessel growth and vascular leak, the release said.

ANCHOR, MARINA and HORIZON trials show mixed visual outcomes at 7 years

One-third of patients who participated in the ANCHOR and MARINA trials had good visual outcomes and one-third had poor visual outcomes at about 7 years, according to a study.The Seven-Year Observational Update of Macular Degeneration Patients Post-MARINA/ANCHOR and HORIZON Trials (SEVEN-UP study) included 65 patients with exudative age-related macular degeneration who underwent intensive Lucentis (ranibizumab, Genentech) therapy in one of the trials.Investigators assessed Snellen best corrected visual acuity, change in letter scores and anatomic outcomes.

Liquid corneal bandage outperforms suture, standard hydration after cataract surgery

A liquid adhesive ocular bandage was associated with less surgically induced astigmatism and foreign body sensation than sutures or hydration after cataract surgery, according to a study.The prospective study included 90 eyes that underwent phacoemulsification with a clear corneal incision; 29 eyes were sutured and 30 eyes received the OcuSeal liquid adhesive ocular bandage (Beaver-Visitec International). A control group comprised 31 eyes that underwent standard stromal hydration. Patients were evaluated at 1, 3, 5, 7 and 14 days postoperatively.

Akorn reports consolidated revenue of $81.9 million for third quarter

Akorn reported consolidated revenue of $81.9 million for the third quarter, up 18% from the same quarter in 2012, according to a press release. The increase in revenue was attributed to the sales of new products launched late in 2012, along with increases in sales volume for existing products.Non-GAAP adjusted net income for the third quarter was $16.7 million, or $0.15 per diluted share, compared with $16 million, or $0.14 per diluted share, reported in the third quarter of last year, the release said.

Sandoz files appeal in patent infringement lawsuit

Sandoz has filed an appeal of a recent court judgment that upheld the patents protecting AzaSite, according to a press release from InSite Vision.The appeal was filed in the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.In 2011, Sandoz filed an abbreviated new drug application with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to market a generic version of AzaSite (azithromycin 1% ophthalmic solution, InSite) before expiration of the patents that cover AzaSite and its use, the release said.

Multifocal IOL improves uncorrected and corrected near, distance vision

A refractive segmented multifocal IOL provided good visual outcomes, high patient satisfaction and a satisfactory complication rate, according to a large study.The retrospective analysis included 9,366 eyes of 4,683 presbyopic ametropic patients who underwent bilateral phacoemulsification and implantation of the Lentis Mplus (Oculentis), an aspheric nonrotational symmetric multifocal IOL.LogMAR uncorrected distance visual acuity, corrected distance visual acuity, uncorrected near visual acuity, refraction and keratometry were assessed at 1 day, 1 week, and 1, 3 and 6 months after surgery. Patients completed a computer-based questionnaire on satisfaction at the 3-month follow-up.

BLOG: Should we be in or out of optical?

Roughly half of the nation’s ophthalmologists now dispense glasses, and this figure is rising, as the wisest providers in the right settings realize the benefits of dispensing: There is an added margin of business security that comes with diversification. Profits are augmented. In the typical setting, a dispensary can boost global profits 10% or more. Those surgeons who dispense today have been able to at least partially offset falling surgical fees.

Can-Fite granted patent for IOP-reducing drug candidate

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has granted Can-Fite BioPharma U.S. patent No. 8,557,790 for an A3 adenosine receptor agonist to reduce IOP, according to a press release. The patent relates to the use of the drug candidate CF101, an orally bioavailable A3 adenosine receptor agonist drug.CF101 has demonstrated efficacy and safety in phase 2 clinical studies and is being developed by Can-Fite for dry eye syndrome (phase 3), glaucoma (phase 2) and uveitis (initiating phase 2), according to the release.

Cellceutix developing antibiotic compound for ocular infection

Cellceutix announced that it is currently conducting experiments on brilacidin, an antibiotic compound for the treatment of ophthalmic infections, including keratitis and conjunctivitis, according to a press release.Prior studies have demonstrated the safety, tolerability and broad activity of brilacidin against gram-positive and gram-negative pathogens, including drug-sensitive and drug-resistant clinical isolate strains of ocular infections.