As a followup to the stem cells in ophthalmology table recently published, here is one tabulating the participants using gene therapy in ophthalmology.When I first wrote about gene therapy in ophthalmology (Gene Therapy for RP and Dry AMD) in November …
Category: Blogs
Still No Iluvien
Alimera Sciences suffers set back with Iluvien. In a complete response letter to the company, the FDA did not approve the device for diabetic retinopathy citing concerns over safety.
Stem Cells in Ophthalmology Update 12: Updated Table of Company Participants
When I first wrote about stem cells in ophthalmology (Primer) in September 2010, I was able to identify six companies participating. Since then, and with the help of a few friends, I can now identify eleven companies using stem cells to treat ophthalmi…
Iluvien Update 4: FDA Turns Down Alimera’s NDA for Approval of Iluvien Again
Alimera again received bad news from the FDA on its application for approval of Iluvien. In a letter (a CRL or complete response letter), the FDA said that questions remained based on the data previously submitted, about the adverse reactions shown by …
Fighting Retinal Disease: The Promise of New Approaches
Dr. Stephen Rose, the Chief Research Officer of the Foundation Fighting Blindness has just written an article about emerging treatments for retinal diseases, including the use of stem cells, gene therapy and new pharmaceutical approaches. I feel it is …
Back from the AAO
We just got back from the AAO in Florida. As co-founders of our new company, we were validated beyond our expectations. We told the story of how this website has changed the way I practice.
Gene Therapy in Ophthalmology Update 3: Genetic Testing of RP Patients Necessary in Order to Direct Treatment
Selected Reviews of AAO 2011 Retina SubSpecialty Day PresentationsHere is another of the presentations made during the Retina SubSpecialty Day Meeting.Dr. Stephen Tsang presented on factors and the genetics of retinitis pigmentosa. His paper was based …
Gene Therapy in Ophthalmology Update 2: Foundation Fighting Blindness Funds Six New Gene Therapy Projects
In a news release that I found on the net, I learned that the FFB was going to put $8.25 million into six gene therapy projects, either already underway or about to start. The release contains good information about several projects that I knew about, …
Stem Cells in Ophthalmology Update 11: Catheter Delivered Stem Cells to Treat Geographic Atrophy in Dry AMD
Selected Reviews of AAO 2011 Retina SubSpecialty Day PresentationsFrom afar (my home), I reviewed the program for the Retina SubSpecialty Program and decided to write about several of the presentations on the program. I was able to obtain a copy of the…
October is the AAO Meeting
The American Academy of Ophthalmology starts this week. I will be going to learn about the latest in retinal disease, but also will be teaching…about marketing.
Gene Therapy Update 1: First Clinical Trial for a Form of Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) Approved to Begin
In an announcement today, Oxford BioMedica said that it had gained approval from the FDA to begin a Phase I/IIa Clinical Trial for a form of Usher’s Syndrome, Type 1B, which leads to progressive retinitis pigmentosa combined with a congenital hearing…
Avastin/Lucentis Update 51: And, the Dam Breaks!
After reporting on the news out of England earlier this week (Update 50), I have been waiting for the “other shoe” to drop – and it just has, as reported by InPharm this morning (as tweeted by RetinaToday). Here is the story found on the InPharm …
Avastin/Lucentis Update 50: A Possible Break in the Dam?
News has just come out of England that Novartis may discount the price of Lucentis to off-set the gains made by Avastin in the treatment of wet AMD. As Nick Smith of APM Health Europe wrote yesterday, Novartis is considering cutting the price of Lucent…
Floater Only Vitrectomy: No Different than Cataract Surgery
While floaters are common, large floaters can be very distracting and decrease vision. Vitrectomy surgery can remove floaters and improve your vision.
Stem Cells in Ophthalmology Update 10: ACT Expands Trials for Embryonic Stem Cells for Stargardt’s to the UK
In a news announcement today, Advanced Cell Technology said it had received approval to expand its stem cell treatment for Stargardt’s Macular Dystrophy to Moorfield’s Hospital in the UK.As reported by the Guardian, “The Massachusetts-based compa…
VEGF-Trap Beats Laser Again In Diabetic Macular Edema
Ophthalmology: Several injection protocols were tested against laser for diabetic retinopathy. The 2mg every four weeks protocol demonstrated the best results. All protocols beat laser. Again, it looks like for those who don’t reject injections (many of my patients shudder at the thought), VEGF-Trap is the way to go, and hopefully this formula will require […]
Ivantis Announces Results of Hydrus Implant Study
Last week, Ivantis announced the 6-month results from its multi-center, international Hydrus I study at the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery Meeting (ESCRS). The Hydrus(TM) Intracanalicular Implant, roughly the size of an eyelash, is placed through a minimally invasive, microsurgical procedure and is designed to reduce eye pressure by reestablishing the patient’s conventional […]
Avastin/Lucentis Update 49: A Follow-up on Infections from Intravitreal Injections
In my last posting (Avastin/Lucentis Update 48), I wrote about the problems with Avastin injections, that appeared to be caused by non-sterile/non-aseptic techniques during re-packaging Avastin from 4 ml bottles into much smaller doses (0.05ml) in tube…
Implantable Telescope is Available!
The first implantable telescope for patients with macular degeneration is now available for those eligible patients. Medicare will endorse as of October, 2011.
Avastin Does Not Cause Infection
The FDA issued an alert that 12 cases of intraocular infection were linked to Avastin. The infections; however, were linked to a single pharmacy and, perhaps, dirty syringes.