News

Key Biscayne, FL—In a small, phase II clinical trial of squalamine lactate (Evizon, Genaera Corp.), a systemically delivered drug for the treatment of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) associated with age-related macular degeneration (AMD), all patients who received a 40-mg dose had preserved or improved vision through a 4-month study period, reported Carl Regillo, MD, FACS.

In the world of eye care, therapy for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) presents as an urgent medical need both now and for future generations. Neovascular AMD accounts for 20% of total AMD cases, but 90% of the severe loss of vision that is associated with the disease, and there are more than 200,000 new cases of neovascular AMD each year.

Who gets VKH disease, and what are the historical and clinical clues that help make the diagnosis? Can VKH disease occur without serous retinal detachments? Does it always have to be granulomatous?

The world of electronic medical records (EMRs) may seem daunting as ophthalmologists try to determine the best way to apply emerging technology to medicine.

Salt Lake City—Transient monocular visual loss, amaurosis fugax, is a common complaint that ophthalmologists encounter. The challenge for the ophthalmologist is to determine if the cause is benign or of a more serious vascular origin. Kathleen Digre, MD, described the step-by-step approach to discovering the answer.

New York—Some cerebrovascular events, such as arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) and aneurysms of the brain, occur far less often than migraines and strokes but nevertheless may present in the ophthalmologist's office. With this type of pathology that has ocular manifestations, the ophthalmologist may be one of the first specialists to examine the patient, and knowing what to look for is of paramount importance.

As physicians, my wife and I spent 2 weeks in Zambia with a group of 20 other professionals from the United States and United Kingdom. The expertise included banking, foundation management, real estate development, teaching, communications, and medicine.

Salt Lake City—Toxic anterior segment syndrome (TASS) is an acute noninfectious inflammatory event that usually occurs within 12 to 24 hours following cataract/ anterior segment surgery. Surgeons need to differentiate between TASS and endophthalmitis and carefully determine the cause of the syndrome, according to Nick Mamalis, MD.

Minimally invasive, sutureless, 25-gauge vitrectomy has been an option for only a few years but appears to be gaining converts, although with widespread acknowledgment that the system has limitations when compared with the well-established 20-gauge technology.

Key Biscayne, FL—Preliminary analyses from a phase II study demonstrate the feasibility of dye-enhanced photocoagulation (DEP) feeder vessel treatment (FVT) in eyes with minimally classic choroidal neovascularization (CNV) associated with age-related macular degeneration (AMD). This new technique may have benefits compared with laser photocoagulation FVT alone for both increasing the efficiency of the procedure and allowing for treatment of larger diameter vessels, said Giovanni Staurenghi, MD, at the annual meeting of the Macula Society.

Baltimore—Results from the Group H Submacular Surgery Trial (SST), sponsored by the National Eye Institute of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), support consideration of surgical removal of subfoveal choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in eyes with poorer vision as measured in the SST and vessel growth that is idiopathic or associated with the ocular histoplasmosis syndrome, said Neil M. Bressler, MD, at the Current Concepts in Ophthalmology meeting.

Tucson, AZ—Use of a counter-pressure device (CPD) during the posterior juxtascleral administration of anecortave acetate for depot suspension (Retaane, Alcon Laboratories) effectively eliminates reflux to ensure consistent drug delivery, according to the results of a clinical pharmacokinetics study.

Eyes treated with TTT lost on average two lines of visual acuity, while sham-treated eyes lost four lines.

Key Biscayne, FL—In a small, phase II clinical trial of squalamine lactate (Evizon, Genaera Corp.), a systemically delivered drug for the treatment of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) associated with age-related macular degeneration (AMD), all patients who received a 40-mg dose had preserved or improved vision through a 4-month study period, reported Carl Regillo, MD, FACS.

Philadelphia—The outcomes when macular retinoblastomas are treated with both chemoreduction and thermotherapy are a bit better than when they are treated with chemoreduction alone, reported Carol L. Shields, MD.

Key Biscayne, FL—Early results from the Systemic Avastin for Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration (SANA) Study showed that bevacizumab (Avastin, Genentech) improved vision and substantially reduced leakage from abnormal blood vessels in eyes of patients with neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration (AMD), said Philip Rosenfeld, MD, PhD.

On Dec. 17, 2004, the FDA approved pegaptanib sodium (Macugen, Eyetech Pharmaceuticals) for the treatment of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) associated with age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

New York—Intravitreal steroid injections are gaining credence for their utility in a variety of eye diseases, but they also carry risks that have not yet been fully investigated, said Richard F. Spaide, MD.

The investigators concluded that the original appearance described as mild was actually protective against the formation of macular holes.

Santa Ana, CA—Almost 6 months after it surprised the ophthalmic investment community with its decision to acquire VISX Inc., Advanced Medical Optics Inc. (AMO) has announced it plans to acquire Quest Vision Technologies Inc.

Ligonier, PA—The International Myopia Prevention Association is petitioning the FDA to require eye-care professionals to advise parents of children with initial myopia that distance lenses worsen myopia.

Fort Worth, TX—Alcon Inc. has launched what it calls the first and only IOL to use apodized diffractive technology to provide good vision range to cataract patients with and without presbyopia.

Aptamers are a new class of molecules, like antibodies in small molecules, that provide distinct advantages for new therapies in ophthalmology.

For senior executives at Eyetech Pharmaceuticals, New York, the 24 mm that encompass the eye—and in particular the back of the eye—is a vast frontier waiting to be explored. The small biotech company sees it as an opportunity to deliver medical solutions for the betterment of patients who suffer from blinding eye diseases. This is the direction that Eyetech is taking its future.

On April 11, Bausch & Lomb announced that it had received FDA approval to market its intravitreal fluocinolone acetonide implant 0.59 mg (Retisert) for the treatment of chronic noninfectious uveitis affecting the posterior segment of the eye.

Washington, DC—Cataract surgery has improved in terms of safety and efficacy with the introduction of phaco, foldable IOLs, and the use of smaller incisions. With a better understanding of fluidics —infusion and aspiration—surgeons will continue to improve the safety and efficacy of phaco.

With regard to the Implantable Contact Lens, STAAR Surgical hopes the success it has enjoyed abroad will bode well for its future domestically.

General ophthalmologists today can provide a variety of refractive surgery options to their patients who expect to see well without glasses or contact lenses.

Miami—Anti-inflammatory treatment using loteprednol etabonate suspension 0.2% (Alrex, Bausch & Lomb) appears to offer a safe and useful option for symptomatic relief in patients with dry eye, according to Roberto Beraja, MD.

Contact lens dispensing is an important addition to any dispensary. In fact, in today's general ophthalmology practice, dispensing all eyewear, including contact lenses, is practically a necessity. With excellent planning and efficient office procedures, the contact lens dispensing can be a profitable venture that enhances patient experiences, reminding them of the excellent medical care they are given at the office.