From Chinese approval for ZEISS’ updated femtosecond laser to a new stem cell transplant procedure, these are the news stories and studies that caught our attention this week…
China approval for VISUMAX 800. Last month saw the approval of ZEISS’ updated femtosecond laser – the VISUMAX 800 with SMILE pro software – by China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) for surgically treating nearsightedness with or without astigmatism. Link
Largest reference database in the US. Optical precision instrument manufacturer Optos has announced that its reference database is the largest available in the US. For eye care professionals using either Monaco or MonacoPro, the database comprises 879 eyes collected across nine clinical sites, offering a diverse and representative dataset to support clinical evaluations. Link
Stem cell success. Recently published results from a phase I/II clinical trial conducted by Mass Eye and Ear looking at a new stem cell transplant procedure reveals a 90+ percent rate of success after 18 months. The procedure, which uses stem cells from a patient’s healthy eye to create a graft ahead of transplantation into the same patient’s damaged eye, is the first human stem cell study to be funded by the National Eye Institute of the NIH. Link
Portable AI-based screening system for glaucoma. A research team based at Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan, have unveiled the AI-based Glaucoma Screening (AI-GS) network. Comprising six deep learning models, AI-GS can analyze fundus images to detect early structural signs associated with the disease, such as nerve fiber layer defects, hemorrhages, and optic disc cupping. Given AI-GS’ tunable detection parameters, portability, and low computational demands, the Tohoku University team predict that the network could introduce widespread glaucoma screening and an improved understanding of how the disease progresses. Link
Astrocyte Comparisons. An IOVS study has compared the morphology of astrocytes in the lamina cribrosa (LC) of large mammals with those in the glial lamina (GL) of mice. Using 3D imaging and morphometric analysis, the researchers found that LC astrocytes exhibit greater branching complexity, higher branch tortuosity, and distinct spatial interactions with collagen compared to GL astrocytes, while both share similar cell and branch spans. The findings suggest that LC astrocytes may have unique roles in glaucoma pathogenesis, warranting further investigation into their function. Link
