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WASHINGTON — In the clinician-scientist lecture at the American Glaucoma Society meeting here, Janey L. Wiggs, MD, PhD, delineated two different approaches to using genetics in glaucoma research, depending on whether the disease occurs early or late. “If you can find genes that cause glaucoma and understand what the protein products of those genes do, you can define the molecular events that are responsible for the disease,” Wiggs said. That is the first step in developing treatment targeted at the molecular events responsible for the disease, ideally treatments that could (Read more...)

WASHINGTON — The Ologen collagen matrix implant may offer a safer alternative to mitomycin C in glaucoma filtration surgery, studies and surgical experience are showing, according to a speaker here. At the American Glaucoma Society meeting, Steven R. Sarkisian, MD, discussed the results of several recent studies that show the comparative safety and efficacy of the Ologen implant (Aeon Astron) in trabeculectomy procedures against MMC. “Ologen offers an opportunity for wound modulation while avoiding the most dreaded late complications we see with MMC,” he said.

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WASHINGTON — The National Eye Institute has specified one of its “audacious” research goals is to focus on photoreceptor loss and ganglion cell injury, according to NEI Director Paul A. Sieving, MD, PhD. This latest initiative further hones the NEI’s goal to “regenerate neurons and neural connections in the eye and visual system,” one of the audacious goals Sieving launched last year. Other high-priority research areas are molecular therapy for eye diseases and intersection of aging and biological mechanisms of eye diseases.

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