French pharmaceutical firm Nicox unveiled positive topline Phase 3 results for its glaucoma drug and said, if approved by regulators, the product could reach peak annual sales of over $1 billion worldwide. Reuters Health Information
Tag: Ophthalmology
Immediate Sequential Cataract Surgery Reduces Revenue
Lower current reimbursement rates for immediate sequential cataract surgery (ISCS) compared with delayed sequential cataract surgery (DSCS) result in lower revenue for ophthalmologists, according to a new cost analysis. Reuters Health Information
Diagnosing the Severity of Dry Eye
A new scoring algorithm may be a useful tool in determining the severity of dry eye disease. The British Journal of Ophthalmology
EBS Technologies Electro-Optical Stimulation System Restores Vision Lost Due to Neurological Conditions (VIDEO)
Many people affected by certain types of glaucoma, stroke, traumatic brain injury, and some other diseases lose a great deal of their vision due to neuropathy rather than from damage to the optical components of the eye. The nerve rich areas that can be affected are either in the brain’s regions that deal with vision or within the neuronal structures in the optic nerve. Turns out that a bit of electrical stimulation can get nerve cells that were otherwise dormant, but that survived the injury, to activate and become productive members of their community of cells.
EBS Technologies, a German firm, developed technology that takes advantage of this effect and it’s now going to become available for the first time at the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf. The company’s NEXT WAVE system consists of an EEG cap, special goggles that provide both optical and electrical stimulation, and an EEG amplifier that talks to the goggles. The idea is to stimulate the retina while energizing the optic nerve to send signals to the brain. The EEG cap is used to monitor and adjust the effect of the therapy via a Supervisor Unit used by the therapist.
Limit Ranibizumab Injections in Macular Degeneration
Investigators have identified an optimum number of injections of the vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitor for wet age-related macular degeneration in the first year of treatment. Medscape Medical News
Risk Factors for Geographic Atrophy in the CATT Trial
The CATT results are discussed — will they help ophthalmologists choose either bevacizumab or ranibizumab? Medscape Ophthalmology
Vitamin E, Selenium: No Effect on Cataract Risk in Men
Selenium and vitamin E had no significant effect on cataract risk in older men. Medscape Medical News
VEGF Inhibitors Work Equally Well in Diabetic Macular Edema
The controversial result from a cross-trial comparison suggests treatment gains are similar across therapeutic options and occur early in patients with diabetes treated for macular edema. Medscape Medical News
In Search for Beauty, Some Find Vision Loss
Patients injected with subcutaneous dermal fillers may be at risk for occlusion of ocular arteries leading to transient or potentially permanent vision loss. Medscape Medical News
2014 Compensation Report Finds Ophthalmologists Doing Well
Despite earning more than most doctors, many ophthalmologists are dissatisfied with their situation, echoing beefs by colleagues in other specialties, Medscape’s latest Compensation Report finds. Medscape Business of Medicine
Alternative Endothelial Keratoplasty Technique Appears Feasible
Hemi-Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (hemi-DMEK) may prove to be effective for corneal endothelial dysfunction while using less donor tissue, researchers from The Netherlands report. Reuters Health Information
Self-Testing for Macular Degeneration Falls Short
Direct-to-consumer DNA tests for age-related macular degeneration produce conflicting, unreliable results, investigators warn. Medscape Medical News
Alcon’s DT1 Water Gradient Contact Lens (Interview & Review)
Alcon is looking to make a splash in the soft contacts arena with their new Dailies Total 1 (DT1) Water Gradient Contact Lenses. I had a chance to speak with Dr. Carla Mack, Alcon’s Director of Professional and Clinical Support, about how material science is changing the playing field for contact lens technology and to try out the new lenses on my own eyes. Dr. Mack brings a comprehensive background to her work with clinical, academic, research, and commercial experience including her former role as a Global Director at Bausch & Lomb.
Michael Batista, Medgadget: What are the unmet needs that Alcon set out to address with this new line of contact lenses?
Guidelines for the Management of Neovascular AMD
What are the best approaches to diagnosing and treating neovascular AMD? Find out with the latest recommendations from EURETINA. The British Journal of Ophthalmology
Subretinal Device Restores Measure of Sight
A third of patients who received a subretinal prosthesis reported having ‘very good’ or ‘useful’ visual experiences. Medscape Medical News
Helping Patients Conquer Low-Vision Depression
A first-of-its-kind study seeks to ameliorate depression related to loss of vision in age-related macular degeneration. Wills Eye Hospital
Pharmacists Overturn ‘One Vial, One Patient’ Eyedrop Directive
Pharmacists at a Utah medical center successfully appealed a Joint Commission directive that would have ‘dramatically’ increased health care costs at the facility. Reuters Health Information
Amniotic Membrane or Mitomycin-C Trabeculectomy?
Could amniotic membrane therapy take the place of mitomycin-C in trabeculectomy surgery? Medscape Ophthalmology
Retinal Artery Occlusion May Increase Risk for ACS
Patients with retinal artery occlusion (RAO) may be at increased risk for acute coronary syndrome (ACS), new research from Taiwan suggests. Reuters Health Information
What’s Happening to My Eyesight?
A woman finds that her vision isn’t as good as it once was. What’s going on? Medscape Ophthalmology