Ophthalmology

At least 40 new treatments for inherited retinal diseases are being developed, but only two are currently commercially available, according to the authors of a new review.

A comparison of small-gauge instrumentation reveals some subtle differences in surgical technique.

Data show that the combination of navigated laser and anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) compares favorably with anti-VEGF monotherapy.

A modified vitreous cutter blade design has been found to allow surgeons a much higher flow while doubling cute rate.

Central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) has been linked to a higher risk of undiagnosed cardiovascular problems than previously believed, according to a recent German study.

The safety and feasibility of intravitreal autologous CD34+ bone marrow cells as a potential therapy for retinal disease were evaluated in a pilot study. Preliminary findings demonstrated the treatment was feasible and researchers intend to pursue a larger, prospective study with longer follow-up.

European retinal surgeons have been shifting to the use of pars plana vitrectomy for the repair of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, but scleral buckle surgery is still a viable choice in young and uncomplicated cases.

In this article, the authors present their recent study results. The study findings demonstrated, for the first time, that in vivo structural changes in ISel band and RPE are associated with increased plasma nitrosative and oxidative stress.

Retinal disease has been given a new face thanks to increased details of the adaptive optics scanning laser ophthalmoscope (AO-SLO), according to Mina Chung, MD.

Results of a 6-month phase I/II clinical trial of suprachoroidal injection of triamcinolone for noninfectious uveitis showed the treatment was safe and well tolerated.

One center’s initial post-marketing experience with the fluocinolone acetonide intravitreal implant 0.19 mg demonstrates favorable outcomes and good patient acceptance.

Retina surgeons look forward to the future potential that optical coherence tomography holds for the clinical setting.

A novel ophthalmic micropump system, implanted through minimally invasive surgery, is able to deliver the appropriate amount of drug needed at determined intervals, according to Mark S. Humayun, MD, PhD.

Earlier detection of new choroidal neovascularization using a home monitoring device may identify progression faster than when relying on standard care alone, suggests a recent study.

Based on findings from a series of clinical trials in recent years, pharmacotherapy has supplanted both laser photocoagulation and a watchful waiting approach as the first-line therapy for retinal vein occlusion.

“Retinoblastoma is a remarkable ophthalmology success story in which the efforts of ophthalmologists, ophthalmic pathologists, and research scientists have led to understanding of the basic mechanisms of cancer and targeted therapies that are able to cure a once incurable tumor,” said Hans E. Grossniklaus, MD, MBA. He was honored as the recipient of the 71st Jackson Memorial Lecture Award in the opening session of the annual meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

The advent of a retinal prosthesis system offers a second chance at sight for patients with vision loss from retinitis pigmentosa.

Regular ophthalmic examination and functional testing of the retina are key to identifying early retinal toxicity and preventing future progression.

Nanomedicine that targets activated microglia and neuro-inflammation may one day be a potential therapy for age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic retinopathy, and other eye diseases, said Rangaramanujam Kannan, PhD.

ALG-1001 is the first of a new class of drugs, integrin peptide therapy, now going through clinical trials for patients with age-related macular degeneration, diabetic macular edema, and vitreomacular traction.

NIDEK’s optical coherence tomography system-the RS-3000 Advance-has received FDA clearance.

Ongoing research at the University of Washington-St. Louis suggests that degeneration of the vitreous is implicated, not only in retinal conditions, but in cataract and glaucoma as well.

Integration of devices and instrumentation yields greater surgical efficiency

Year unfolds availability of innovative devices; ushers new era of patient care

Medical advances run gamut from AMD to symptomatic vitreomacular adhesion

For some patients with diabetic macular edema, treatment with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor agents may not be enough. Clinicians need to consider other options, including dexamethasone implants.

The FDA has approved changes to the drug label of the anti-seizure drug ezogabine (Potiga), underscoring risks of abnormalities to the retina in the eye, potential vision loss, and skin discoloration-all of which may become permanent.

Researchers at John Hopkins Medicine have announced they have identified a gene that guides the separation of two types of motion-sensing cells, offering insight into how cellular layering develops in the retina, with possible implications for the brain’s cerebral cortex.

New study results show using genetic testing and phenotypic evaluations together in patients with drusen can increase the likelihood of determining who may develop advanced AMD.