November 2013

Achieving Consensus on the Treatment of DME with ILUVIEN®

The UK body that performs health technology appraisals (NICE) has approved ILUVIEN® for the treatment of chronic DME-associated vision impairment that is considered insufficiently responsive to available therapies. Who, exactly, should receive it?

The Lore of Levofloxacin

Experts from the four corners of the world shared their experiences at a recent symposium* on the prevention and treatment of ocular infections. Their unanimous view is that levofloxacin continues to be a logical and attractive choice for topical prevention of endophthalmitis following cataract surgery, and for the treatment of bacterial keratitis.

Technological Highlights and First Clinical Results

Results indicate that safety, efficiency, predictability and postoperative visual quality are extremely high with the new AMARIS excimer laser

When Physics is Your Friend

Does the Patient Know Who You Are?

Clearing up “image discrepancies” maximizes health care delivery and can save time and money.

DIY Market Research

A patient (customer) satisfaction survey is the most valuable, and easiest, marketing tool that you can put in place. Unfortunately, it is also the most expensive.

Treating Macular Edema Following RVO

Intravitreal steroid implants and anti-VEGF therapies have transformed the treatment of macular edema following retinal vein occlusion. There is, however, still room for improvement…

Predicting Anti-VEGF Treatment Outcomes

Anti-VEGF therapy is the standard of care for neovascular age-related macular degeneration. Patients in clinical trials have certain outcomes; why might they be different in real life?

Stem Cell Clinical Trials

Despite decades of research, stem cell therapies have yet to be licensed for ophthalmic use. Where does the field currently stand? We present a graphical representation of all currently ongoing clinical trials in this therapeutic area.

Loss of Traction

Focal adhesion of the vitreous to the macula carries the risk of traction-mediated damage and often requires surgical intervention. Now, a single injection of an enzyme called ocriplasmin – which cuts the ties between the vitreous and macula – will spare some from an unpleasant surgical procedure.

Myopia Dystopia

Five questions that must be answered on the causes and consequences of near-sightedness

Gazing into the MYRROR

Bayer and Regeneron have presented the phase III trial data for aflibercept treatment of myopic choroidal neovascularization

Big Pharma Loves Ophtho Even More

Yet more ophthalmology acquisitions and licensing deals were announced this month…

Do Something, Diabetics!

The American Academy of Ophthalmology urge patients with diabetes to take some simple steps to prevent vision loss. The most important: visit your ophthalmologist

Smart(phone) Ophthalmoscopy

An iPhone, an app, and a 20 D lens, along with a bit of practice, will get you fundus photographs in a pinch

The Pill and Glaucoma

Two studies have found a link between long-term usage of contraceptive pills and glaucoma

Blindingly Obvious Progress

Analysis of a rich long-term epidemiological dataset reveals that interventions have significantly reduced the probability of open-angle glaucoma-related blindness

Improvement and Innovation

For ophthalmology to progress, we need to take care of both.