QLT Inc. today announced that QLT091001, an oral synthetic retinoid, has received positive opinions for two distinct Orphan Drug Designations by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) Committee for Orphan Medicinal Products (COMP) for the treatment of the inherited retinal degenerative…
Category: Retina
ASA: Strokes, Eye Disorder May Go Hand in Hand (CME/CE)
LOS ANGELES (MedPage Today) — Hemorrhagic stroke appears more likely with advanced age-related macular degeneration (AMD), perhaps because of common underlying risk factors, a population-based study showed.
Study Reveals How Omega 3’s Work In Preventing Several Forms Of Blindness
Omega-3 fatty acids – fats commonly found in fish oil – were shown several years ago to prevent retinopathy, a major form of blindness, in a mouse model of the disease. A follow-up study, from the same research team at Children’s Hospital Boston, now…
Who Gets Macular Degeneration?
Macular degeneration is not inherited in the usual sense of the word, say like height. Certain people are; however, at greater risk than others.
Advanced macular degeneration is associated with an increased risk of bleeding stroke, study finds
In the first study to examine stroke subtypes in age-related macular degeneration (AMD), older people with late-stage AMD appear to be at increased risk of bleeding stroke, but not a stroke caused by a blood clot in the brain. However the findings are …
Bio-Retina, An Artificial Minimally Invasive Retinal Prosthesis
CSEM (Centre Suisse d’Electronique et de Microtechnique) has joined Israel’s Rainbow Medical and Zyvex Labs in their Nano Retina joint venture to develope a retinal prosthesis. The tiny Bio-Retina would be implanted in a minimally invasive proc…
New Therapies for “Dry” Macular Degeneration Under Development Based on Enzyme and DNA Research
New research has elucidated that low levels of the DICER-1 enzyme causes the buildup of toxic Alu DNA, or “junk DNA,” which causes the retinal cell death seen in “dry” macular degeneration. Through this new understanding, novel therapies can be developed that aim to prevent the build-up of Alu DNA. Researchers from the University of Kentucky […]
NICE Consults On Dexamethasone Intravitreal Implant For The Treatment Of Macular Oedema Secondary To Retinal Vein Occlusion
In preliminary recommendations published today (8 February) NICE is asking Allergan for more information on its product dexamethasone (Ozurdex) intravitreal implant, for the treatment of macular oedema secondary to retinal vein occlusion (RVO). The m…
How to Diagnose Macular Degeneration
Making the diagnosis of macular degeneration is based upon your age, appearance and vision. It really doesn’t matter if your parents have it.
Microplasmin Effective in Two Phase 3 Trials
A single injection of microplasmin (ThromboGenics NV) was effective for the treatment of symptomatic vitreomacular adhesion (VMA), according to the pooled results of two phase 3 trials, TG-MV-006 and TG-MV-007. The findings of the trials, referred to…
Was Jack LaLanee Right?
What can we learn from Jack LaLanne and how we prevent macular degeneration ? Jack LaLanne, the pioneer of diet and exercise died this week. He was 96 years old. He was a chiropractor, fitness and diet expert, bodybuilder, weightlifter…
Does High Myopia Predict Failure in Macular Hole Surgery?
From the American Journal of Ophthalmology comes a study finding that axial length of 30mm and greater was associated with a macular hole repair success rate of zero (!) compared to 26-30 mm (92%). It was 73 % in 26mm…
What is the Evidence for Free Radical Effect on AMD and Cataracts?
A recent review in Opthalmic Research discusses the epidemiological evidence for the effect of free radicals on the progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and cataracts. Interest in this area stems from the “free radical theory” of aging, which purports…
Double Vision After Retinal Detachment Surgery
Decreased vision and double vision (aka diplopia) after retinal detachment surgery may occur, yet is not common. The perception of “double” is more common than actually seeing two of everything. There are several causes for really seeing two images following…
Why do some diabetics escape complications?
Much research has been carried out on why diabetics develop complications. Now researchers are asking the question the other way around. They want to know why some diabetic patients do not develop complications. What is it that protects them? The PROLO…
NeoVista Epi-Retinal Strontium 90 Treatment for AMD: Update 4
NeoVista just released an update, discussing the first commercial utilization of its Epimacular Brachytherapy device in Germany. The Epi-Rad device, now renamed as the VIDION ANV (Anti Neo Vascular Therapy System) has been commercialized in Europe since November 2009. The…
Anti-RPE Antibodies Found in Best’s Disease
Archives: Researchers have discovered a paraneoplastic autoimuune reaction against RPE which they feel is the cause of this rare disease. This is the first report to date linking a human RPE disease with anti-RPE antibodies. Full Story →
Macular Degeneration Declining in the U.S.
The rate of macular degeneration seems to be decreasing in the United States. This may be due to improved diets and decreased smoking.
Company Profile for Acucela Inc.
–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Acucela Inc. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on leveraging promising science in visual cycle modulation (VCM) to develop new methods for treating blinding eye diseases that affect tens of millions of people worldwid…
Enzyme Inhibition Or Removal May Prevent Or Treat Ischemic Retinopathy
The inhibition or removal of an enzyme may prevent or treat ischemic retinopathy by stalling growth of unwanted vessels in the retina, Medical College of Georgia researchers say. Ischemic retinopathy is characterized by uncontrolled formation of new …