Author: Healio ophthalmology
Intraoperative anterior segment OCT accurately predicts IOL position after surgery
Femtosecond laser cataract surgery enhances performance of light-adjustable lens
Second-generation micro-bypass stent significantly lowers IOP, medication intake
WARSAW, Poland — Results of the Micro-Invasive Glaucoma Surgery Study Group with the second-generation trabecular micro-bypass iStent inject implanted with a single-use injector showed a significant decrease in IOP and number of medications with a favorable safety outcome.The iStent inject (Glaukos) is single-piece, miniature, collar button-shaped heparin-coated titanium stent, implanted ab interno into Schlemm’s canal. Multiple lateral lumens are designed to provide an exit route for the aqueous from the anterior chamber, Manfred Tetz, MD, explained at the winter meeting of the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons. “Results are significantly better compared with the previous-generation iStent,” he said.
iCam fundus camera gains 510(k) clearance
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has cleared the iCam non-mydriatic compact fundus camera from Optovue, according to a company news release.The device, which offers joystick control, image review and electronic medical record communications, can produce 45° color fundus images of the eye and external structures.
AAO: Study backs recommendation against routine genetic testing for AMD
Certain gene variants may predict whether a person will develop age-related macular degeneration, but they do not predict how that person would respond to anti-VEGF therapy, a study found. The American Academy of Ophthalmology said this reinforces its recommendation against routine genetic testing for AMD. “The Academy advises against routine genetic testing for AMD and other complex eye disorders until specific treatment or monitoring strategies have been shown in clinical trials to be of benefit to people with specific, risk-linked genotypes,” the AAO said in a press release.
Allergan launches preservative-free lubricant eye drops for dry eye
Allergan is expanding its dry eye treatment line with a preservative-free lubricant formulation of the Refresh Optive Advanced brand, according to a company news release.
FDA approves Argus II Retinal Prosthesis System
The Argus II Retinal Prosthesis System from Second Sight Medical Products has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.The system, designed to treat adults with advanced retinitis pigmentosa, includes an external small video camera, video processing unit and transmitter fixed to eyeglasses, along with electrodes implanted internally onto the patient’s retina, according to an FDA press release.
Quarterly revenue increases for Carl Zeiss Meditec
Carl Zeiss Meditec reported €219 million in revenue for the first quarter of the financial year, up 4% from €210.3 million in the same quarter of the previous year, according to a company news release.Earnings before interest and taxes increased 10.2% to €31.2 million from €28.3 million.
Durability of anti-VEGF regimen may increase with low-voltage X-ray irradiation
MIAMI — In previously treated wet age-related macular degeneration, low-voltage X-ray irradiation may increase the durability of a ranibizumab treatment regimen, a speaker said here.In a study led by Darius M. Moshfeghi, MD, 19 patients were given a single treatment of noninvasive, externally delivered low-voltage X-ray irradiation. The 24-Gy dose was administered to patients with neovascular AMD who had been previously treated with intravitreal Lucentis (ranibizumab, Genentech).
New anti-VEGF may improve vision in some patients initially treated with other agents
MIAMI — Some patients currently being treated with bevacizumab or ranibizumab may experience an improvement in visual acuity if their treatment regimen is switched to aflibercept, a speaker said here. Presenting four patient cases, Jason S. Slakter, MD, said Eylea (aflibercept, Regeneron) may create a “marked improvement” in the eye’s anatomy.
Victus femtosecond laser platform cleared for arcuate incisions
The Victus femtosecond laser platform has received 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the creation of penetrating arcuate incisions, according to a news release from Bausch + Lomb Technolas.The clearance covers use of the d…
Retinal degenerative diseases may be inhibited with tetracyclines
MIAMI — Tetracyclines may inhibit the molecular pathways that contribute to retinal degenerative diseases, specifically retinitis pigmentosa and macular degeneration, a speaker said here.According to Elias Reichel, MD, the TOGA study, a phase 3 study evaluating treatment with Oracea (doxycycline, Galderma) in geographic atrophy, will compare doxycycline with placebo in reducing the rate of change in area of geographic atrophy.
Subretinal injection of human adult stem cells yields favorable results in atrophic AMD
MIAMI — Patients who experience vision loss due to geographic atrophy may respond favorably to a subretinal injection of human adult stem cell therapy, a speaker said here.Allen C. Ho, MD, OSN Retina/Vitreous Board Member, said at Angiogenesis, Exudation, and Degeneration 2013 that stem cell therapy for atrophic age-related macular degeneration holds a promising future in ophthalmology.
Retinal sensitivity in DME improves with anti-VEGF
MIAMI — Aflibercept improves retinal sensitivity better than laser photocoagulation in patients with diabetic macular edema, a speaker said here.According to Diana V. Do, MD, Eylea (aflibercept, Regeneron) was shown to improve retinal sensitivity in a substudy of the DA VINCI trial.
CBO lowers estimate for 10-year freeze of payments under the SGR
The Congressional Budget Office recently released its Budget and Economic Outlook: Fiscal Years 2013 to 2023, which lowered the estimate to hold current payment rates under the sustainable growth rate for 10 years from $243.7 billion to $138 billion. “We welcome the news from the [Congressional Budget Office] CBO that the cost of permanently replacing the flawed Medicare physician payment formula, known as [sustainable growth rate] SGR, has decreased dramatically,” AMA President Jeremy A. Lazarus, MD, stated in an AMA press release. “The new cost of freezing payments for 10 years is $138 billion, more than $100 billion less than the previous projection. The rate of Medicare spending growth declined compared to historical trends, and spending for physician services affected by the SGR is projected to be far less than previously estimated.”
Survival rate of corneal transplants for keratoconus high 20 years postop
Corneal allografts for keratoconus failed frequently after 2 years, but the likelihood of failure decreased by 20 years after surgery, according to a study.The retrospective case series included 219 eyes of 184 patients who underwent corneal transplant…
Outcomes of trabeculectomy with MMC unaffected by prior clear corneal phaco
Initial trabeculectomy with mitomycin C in patients who had prior clear corneal phacoemulsification yielded comparable outcomes in managing IOP to phakic eyes that underwent the same surgery, according to a study.The study included 39 pseudophakic eyes…
pSivida reports quarterly net loss of $2.6 million
pSivida reported a net loss of $2.6 million for its second quarter ended Dec. 31, compared with a $17.5 million net loss in the same quarter of the previous year, according to a company news release.For the 6 months ended Dec. 31, there was a net loss …
Two IOL calculation formulas added to Lenstar optical biometer
The Lenstar LS900 optical biometer from Haag-Streit now includes the Masket and Modified Masket IOL calculation formulas following software update version 5.0, according to a company news release.The new formulas are recommended for patients who had la…