News

Tarrytown, NY—Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. will begin a phase I trial to evaluate the safety and tolerability of its "VEGF Trap" on patients with the wet form of age-related macular deneration.

Midway through a conference call on July 28 with investors regarding its second-quarter financial results, STAAR Surgical's President and Chief Executive Officer David Bailey interrupted with surprising news: the FDA's Office of Device Evaluation (ODE) had issued an "approvable letter" for its myopic Visian implantable collamer lens (ICL).

Montr?al—Intravitreal injection with the anti-VEGF antibody ranibizumab [(formerly RhuFab) Lucentis, Genentech] has been associated with impressive results in the treatment of minimally classic and occult choroidal neovascularization (CNV) secondary to age-related macular degeneration (AMD), according to the 1-year outcomes of a phase III trial.

Selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) is a new treatment option for glaucoma that has significant advantages over argon laser trabeculoplasty (ALT) with equal or better outcomes. Although studies are still under way, SLT may have important implications for primary glaucoma therapy.

New Orleans—Results of a retrospective study evaluating outcomes in eyes with an Ahmed Glaucoma Valve (AGV, New World Medical) implanted indicate that the FP7 model with its silicone flexible plate affords better IOP control than the S2 model featuring a rigid polypropylene plate.

Burlington, VT—Early appropriate intervention can make a substantial difference in preventing permanent visual loss or diplopia when faced with a patient who has an orbital compartment syndrome or a white-eyed blowout fracture.

Rockford, IL—A glaucoma shunt that is relatively new to the market is getting very good results in patients whose IOP is uncontrolled despite multiple medications and glaucoma filtering surgeries. The Express Mini-Glaucoma Shunt (Optonol Ltd.) has thus far exceeded the expectations of Edward Yavitz, MD, who said that device is his shunt of choice.

Selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) is a new treatment option for glaucoma that has significant advantages over argon laser trabeculoplasty (ALT) with equal or better outcomes. Although studies are still under way, SLT may have important implications for primary glaucoma therapy.

Fort Lauderdale, FL—Latanoprost (Xalatan, Pfizer Ophthalmics) reduces IOP significantly more than does timolol gel-forming solution (GFS), results of a randomized, crossover clinical trial demonstrated.

Indianapolis—The Baerveldt Glaucoma Implant (AMO) overcomes the first hurdle with glaucoma drainage devices by allowing easy placement in the eye in a single quadrant and covers a sufficiently large surface area to obtain safe IOP levels—a good combination in this type of device, according to Louis Cantor, MD.

Philadelphia—The recently approved topical formulation of timolol maleate ophthalmic solution 0.5% (Istalol, Ista Pharmaceuticals) is a noteworthy addition to glaucoma specialists' armamentarium. The ocular penetration of the medication has increased as a result of the addition of potassium sorbate. The increased penetration, in turn, allows for once-daily dosing, a real boon for patient compliance.

The shunt is also novel because it allows surgeon control of the amount of fluid that flows from one area to another, a feat made possible in part by the selection of gold for its construction.

New Orleans—Results of a retrospective study evaluating outcomes in eyes with an Ahmed Glaucoma Valve (AGV, New World Medical) implanted indicate that the FP7 model with its silicone flexible plate affords better IOP control than the S2 model featuring a rigid polypropylene plate.

Fort Lauderdale, FL—In a comparison of prostaglandin analogs in normal-tension glaucoma (NTG), bimatoprost 0.03% (Lumigan, Allergan) lowered IOP significantly more than latanoprost 0.005% (Xalatan, Pfizer Ophthalmics), although both medications significantly reduced IOP from baseline.

Endoscopic cyclophotocoagulation (ECP)—the selective destruction of ciliary processes to decrease the amount of aqueous produced and subsequently lower the IOP—produces reliable, long-term IOP reduction and can also reduce a patient's dependence on glaucoma medications, according to Martin Uram, MD, MPH.

Fort Lauderdale, FL—The fixed combination of dorzolamide hydrochloride-timolol maleate (Cosopt, Merck) and the unfixed combination of latanoprost (Xalatan, Pfizer Ophthalmics) and timolol (Timop-tic, Merck) reduce IOP to a similar degree in patients with glaucoma, according to a small clinical study reported at the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO).

Fort Lauderdale, FL—Different strategies have been investigated in retinal ganglion cell (RGC) repair, replacement, and regeneration as therapies for glaucoma; some are promising, others less so. Keith R.G. Martin, MD, MRCP, FRCOphth, described what is happening in this field and some of the new treatments at the annual meeting of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology.

Boston—Aqueous shunts can offer a very effective modality for controlling IOP in challenging glaucoma cases, and their therapeutic index has improved thanks to innovations in technique and technology introduced based on clinical experience.

Boston—The surprising outcomes of the European Glaucoma Prevention Study (EGPS) can be accounted for by a number of explanations and should not be interpreted as meaning that lowering IOP has no benefit for glaucoma, said Harry A. Quigley, MD.

Cincinnati, OH—The latest edition of the quarterly Video Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery features videos demonstrating complication management and other surgical highlights from around the world.

Rockville, MD—Two members of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) have been elected to its board of trustees.

Monrovia, CA—STAAR Surgical Co. has received approval from the Canadian Therapeutic Products Directorate to market its Visian Toric lens (TICL) in Canada.

Minneapolis, MN—Two "all natural" dietary supplements sold as a possible treatment for cataracts and allergy symptoms are not sterile and could be contaminated with bacteria that can cause serious injury when applied to the eyes—including blindness— warn the FDA and manufacturer.

New York—Eyetech Pharmaceuticals reassured investors in late June that pegaptanib sodium injection (Macugen), its drug for treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD), is a commercial success since its launch last January. The company revised its 2005 sales projections and expects the anti-VEGF aptamer to generate between $175 and $190 million—approximately $40 million more than earlier estimates.

Objectives remain the same, as surgical techniques continue to evolve.

Fort Lauderdale, FL—The effects of glaucoma treatment may not be a major long-term factor in patient quality of life. More work is needed to determine if early glaucoma has clinically important effects that are not now readily apparent.

Burlington, VT—Early appropriate intervention can make a substantial difference in preventing permanent visual loss or diplopia when faced with a patient who has an orbital compartment syndrome or a white-eyed blowout fracture.

Seeking adventure and freedom of the waters has always been a thrill for Lee Peterson, MD, of Portland, OR. With the companionship of his wife, Adrianne, and his charts clearly plotted, Dr. Peterson begins each journey in anticipation of what the day will bring.

Washington, DC—Accruing experience with the AlphaCor (Argus Biomedical) synthetic keratoprosthesis has led to the identification of risk factors for complications along with the development of protective procedures that are enabling better outcomes, said R. Doyle Stulting, MD, PhD, at the annual meeting of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery.

Seeking adventure and freedom of the waters has always been a thrill for Lee Peterson, MD, of Portland, OR. With the companionship of his wife, Adrianne, and his charts clearly plotted, Dr. Peterson begins each journey in anticipation of what the day will bring.