As many of you are aware, over the past couple of years, I’ve been tracking and reporting on the companies and institutions involved in research and clinical trials using both stem cells and gene therapy in ophthalmology. With the help of several ind…
Category: Blogs
Vitreous Cause Most Retinal Disease
The vitreous is the culprit in just about every surgical retinal disease. A PVD is sometimes dangerous, but may prevent many retinal diseases.
Part 2: Stem Cells to be Safe, Too
The recent report of two patients’ vision improving from stem cells is very exciting. Just as exciting is the technology used to do so…safely.
Stem Cells Reported to Improve Vision
UCLA researchers announce improvement in 2 patients receiving stem cell transplants for retinal eye diseases; macular degeneration and Stargardt’s Disease.
AMD Update 16: Visualization of Drusen and RPE With New Software Application for Zeiss HD-OCT: A New Aid for Assessing Both Dry and Wet AMD
As noted below, by both Drs. Rosenfeld and Puliafito, this new diagnostic tool will play an important role in assessing and speeding the development of new treatments for both dry and wet AMD that are being researched and brought to the market.In an a…
Stem Cells in Ophthalmology Update 16: Results of First Embryonic Stem Cells in Treatment of Eye Disease Reported in Peer-Reviewed Journal
Two significant events were reported today by Advanced Cell Technology. First, the company said that a peer-reviewed publication of clinical results from its first patients treated at UCLA Jules Stein Eye Institute had been placed online by the UK’s …
Retinal Detachment Surgery
Ever want to view retinal detachment surgery? My latest video shows both a scleral buckle and vitrectomy for a retinal detachment. Careful, it’s graphic!
Stem Cells in Ophthalmology Update 15: Wills Eye Joins ACT’s Clinical Trials for Dry AMD Using Embryonic Stem Cell-derived RPE
Advanced Cell Technology announced yesterday that the Wills Eye Institute in Philadelphia had received institutional review board (IRB) approval to become a site for the Phase I/II clinical trial for dry age-related macular degeneration (Dry AMD) using…
Gene Therapy in Ophthalmology Update 8: Promising Results in the Treatment of Leber’s Congenital Amaurosis (LCA)
As noted in the Gene Therapy in Ophthalmology by Application table shown in Update 7, there are seven clinical trials underway at various institutions aimed at the treatment of Leber’s Disease. Some of these trials have been underway for several year…
Gene Therapy in Ophthalmology Update 7: 2012 the Year for Gene Therapy?
While I have previously written about the progress being made in the use of stem cells in ophthalmology (see Stem Cell Update 13) and described the 9-10 clinical trials currently underway or about to start (see Stem Cell Update 14), recent events point…
Stem Cells in Ophthalmology Update 14: Current Stem Cell Clinical Trials
Thanks to new friend, Alexey Bersenev, and his stem cell blog, Hematopoiesis, I have been able to add several companies and medical institutions to my list of those involved in ophthalmic clinical trials using stem cells. Alexey recently posted a blog …
Stem Cells in Ophthalmology Update 13: Advanced Cell Technology Update
In the wake of the 60 Minutes expose of illegitimate stem cell activities, I thought I would bring you good news about a couple of legitimate, government approved clinical trials using stem cells.As part of the Biotech Showcase 2012 conference pr…
Happy New Year!
Dear Friends, This is my favorite week of the year. I love that my older two are back from school, we have no hockey scheduled, I take a few days off, etc. It’s a nice break from the routine. I wish you all a very Happy New Year! Stay well. Ran…
Gene Therapy in Ophthalmology Update 6: First-Ever Clinical Trial for the Autosomal Recessive Form of Retinitis Pigmentosa (arRP) is Underway
It has been difficult keeping up with the changing world of gene therapy in ophthalmology, but thanks to the Foundation Fighting Blindness, I learned yesterday about this new, and first clinical study for treating a rare form of retinitis pigmentosa, u…
Silicone Oil for Retinal Detachments
Silicone oil is often used to repair recurrent and complicated retinal detachments. Intraocular gas is often used primarily, but silicone oil is often very useful.
Retinal Tears and Vitreous Hemorrhage
A tear in the retina may cause a vitreous hemorrhage. A retinal tear can be treated with laser, but when too much blood obscures the retina, what to do?
Eylea As Good As Lucentis
The FDA approved Eylea as a new treatment for wet macular degeneration. Recent reports indicate the drug is similar to Lucentis after the initial year of treatment. Why is this bad news?
Gene Therapy in Ophthalmology Update 5: A Complement-Based Gene Therapy for AMD
Selected Reviews of AAO 2011 Retina SubSpecialty Day PresentationsHere is another overview of a presentation made during the Retina SubSpecialty Day Meeting. Dr. Elias Reichel, of Tufts University School of Medicine and a founder of Hemera Bioscie…
Happy Thanksgiving
I wish all of you (almost 10,00o uniques!) a very happy Thanksgiving!
For our international readers, I’m including you, too
Please enjoy your time with friends and family.
Randy
Randall V. Wong, M.D.
Ophthalmologist, Retin…
EYLEA (aflibercept): New Treatment for Wet ARMD Approved!
The FDA just approved yet another anti-VEGF treatment for wet macular degeneration. This one does not require monthly injections.