From the launch of a new cloud-based lens design system, to a combined POAG diagnostic approach, these are the news stories and studies that caught our attention this week…
Arise available. Bausch + Lomb’s cloud-based orthokeratology lens design system, Arise, is now available in the UK, Europe, and US. The company reports that Arise uses advanced algorithms to “seamlessly sync directly with topographers to create precise lens designs in seconds to treat myopia.” Link
VEVYE Access for All program. Pharmaceutical company Harrow (Nashville, TN, USA) has launched its VEVYE Access for All program. The program enables physicians to prescribe VEVYE (cyclosporine ophthalmic solution) 0.1 percent without prior authorization, and is delivered to patients through its national mail-order pharmacy partner, PhilRx. Link
Expanded indication for ILUVIEN. ANI Pharmaceuticals (Baudette, MN, USA) has announced that ILUVIEN (fluocinolone acetonide intravitreal implant) has received US FDA approval for the treatment of chronic on-infectious uveitis of the posterior segment (NIU-PS) in addition to its current indication for diabetic macular edema (DME). Link
Two-pronged POAG approach. An Ophthalmic Research study has introduced a new diagnostic approach for early primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) based on steady-state pattern electroretinogram (ssPERG) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) parameters. The study found that PERGratio (a measure from ssPERG), combined with the 7 o’clock circumpapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (cpRNFL) thickness from OCT, provided the highest diagnostic accuracy, improving early detection of retinal ganglion cell (RGC) dysfunction. Supporting the dysfunction-preceding-death hypothesis, the findings suggest this dual-modality approach could allow for earlier glaucoma diagnosis, though implementation challenges remain due to logistic regression complexities. Link
Pig’s eye platform. A US-Canada research team has developed a method to generate retinal organoids (ROs) from porcine stem cells (piPSCs), providing a preclinical model for studying retinal degenerative diseases (RDDs). As the pig retina closely resembles the human retina, these photoreceptor-rich organoids can mimic human retinal development at the molecular level, offering a more reliable testing platform for future transplantation research, according to the authors. Link
Major disparities in POAG monitoring. A Northwestern University and University of Michigan Kellogg Eye Center study has revealed significant disparities in glaucoma care, showing that race, income, and geographic location impact adherence to optic nerve monitoring guidelines for primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). To address these disparities, the researchers recommend expanding teleophthalmology, increasing access to home-based monitoring, and implementing targeted screening programs to ensure equitable glaucoma care across the US. Link
