AMD

Brimonidine Drug Delivery System (Brimo DDS) in an intravitreally administered, sustained-release implant (Allergan) shows promise as a treatment for geographic atrophy (GA), secondary to age-related macular degeneration in a phase IIa clinical trial.

Topline results from phase III studies investigating intravitreal brolucizumab (Novartis) for treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) support the potential of this novel anti-VEGF antibody to meet the real-world need for an alternative agent with a sustainable therapeutic regimen.

There is no doubt that inflammation is a component of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and yet the role of corticosteroid treatment in the management of eyes with AMD remains uncertain, said Marc de Smet, MD, PhD.

A new high-density OCT angiography system (AngioVueHD, OptoVue) provides exquisite views of the retinal microvasculature without the need for injection of fluorescein dye.

A recently released ultra-widefield fundus camera takes images in true color and captures high-resolution imagess rom the macula to the far periphery.

The importance of novel therapies for ocular disease is a given. However, as most novel therapies are financed by the private sector, it is fortunate that investors find ophthalmology a worthwhile investment.

After 12 months of treatment with intravitreal aflibercept injections, both treatment-naïve and pre-treated patients demonstrated visual acuity gains. Visual acuity improvement was higher in treatment-naïve patients.

Despite the failure of 2 clinical trials involving a combination therapy of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) inhibitor and anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) therapy, a third phase III study continues.

After 5 years of follow-up in the Comparison of Age-Related Macular Degeneration Treatments Trials (CATT), the visual acuity gains achieved during the first 2 years of anti-VEGF treatment were not maintained, the choroidal neovascular lesions continued to evolve with evidence of persistent activity in some eyes, and there was increased retinal thinning and geographic atrophy (GA).

A phase III study program investigating abicipar pegol (Allergan) for the treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) is underway based on promising efficacy and safety results in phase II studies.

Multimodal imaging, including traditional and newer techniques, is necessary for identifying the spectrum of retinal lesions associated with age-related macular degeneration (AMD), said David Sarraf, MD.

Earlier this month, a jury convicted West Palm Beach retina surgeon Solomon Melgen, MD, on 67 counts of Medicare fraud. This high-profile case hit very close to home, as myself and another retina specialist from my own community were on opposing sides of the case.

Nucleoside-reverse, transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) or their derivatives could one day be used to prevent or treat age-related macular degeneration (AMD), according to Jayakrishna Ambati, MD.

Ophthalmologists were asked what their plans were for using OCT angiography. You can participate in the survey and gain access to the full survey results by visiting www.practice-scope.com/#register.

Many investigational drugs under development for the treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nvAMD) have advanced into the clinical trial stage, including several that are being evaluated in pivotal trials, said Peter K. Kaiser, MD.

Patients with a history of frequent anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) injections for the treatment of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) may not be the best potential candidates for encapsulated cell technology (ECT).

Treat-and-extend approach for neovascular AMD leads to beneficial results in 2-year clinical trial.

In a placebo-controlled, dose-finding, proof-of-concept study conducted in patients with geographic atrophy secondary to age-related macular degeneration, an anti-amyloid β monoclonal antibody (GSK933776, GlaxoSmithKline) was safe and well-tolerated, but did not meet primary or secondary efficacy endpoints.

AIVITA Biomedical has successfully engineered a three-dimensional transplantable retina construct and demonstrated connectivity and conductivity in an animal model of retinal degeneration.

The recent FDA clearance of a swept-source optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT angiography (OCTA) platform (PLEX Elite 9000, Carl Zeiss Meditec) for posterior ocular structures enables fast, dense, wide, and deep imaging of the retina, choroid, and their associated microvasculature, said Philip J. Rosenfeld, MD, PhD.

Ophthalmology may be one step closer to the hope of providing artificial vision for individuals affected by virtually all forms of blindness.

Neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) is well-known as a heterogeneous disease with variable natural history and variable treatment response, said Carl D. Regillo, MD, FACS. Many patients do well without monthly treatment as noted in HARBOR PRN arms.

Treating neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) patients with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) ranibizumab (Lucentis, Genentech) on a monthly regimen has produced “great results” in clinical trials, said Prof. Mark C. Gillies, MBBS, PhD. “But what happens after that and what happens in real world practice?”

Analyzing data from the European Eye Study, Gareth J. McKay, PhD, of Queen’s University in Belfast, United Kingdom, and colleagues in 7 countries in Europe found no meaningful association between serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25(OH)D) and AMD. They published the finding in Ophthalmology.

The Comparison of Age-related Macular Degeneration Treatment Trial (CATT) follow-up study found that the initial gains in visual acuity achieved with two anti-vascular endothelial growth factor drugs were lower than those achieved at the end of the 2-year CATT study.

Oxidative stress stemming from a growing accumulation of visual cycle adducts may play an important role in the pathogenesis of AMD, suggest new findings.

Non-invasive photobiomodulation may help dry age-related macular degeneration by causing regression of drusen and improving retinal function with benefits in visual acuity and contrast sensitivity.

Nutritional supplements continue to be a viable prevention strategy for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD), said Emily Chew, MD.

A variety of newer drug delivery approaches may change how patients with age-related macular degeneration are treated.

The topics of special interest to retina specialists during 2015 include optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) and screening for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). Important research is taking place to determine the etiology of angiogenesis, possibly leading to targeting therapies in age-related macular degeneration (AMD), ROP, and diabetic retinopathy.