Breaking News Related to Macular Degeneration, Cataract, Glaucoma, Corneal Disease and Other Eye Conditions

Easy Way To Treat Conjunctivochalasis With Liquid Nitrogen

Dr. Ari Weitzner — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 09:48:35 +0000

OSN: Conjunctivochalasis is more common and symptomatic than we think, and there are many ways to treat conjunctivochalsis. Dr. Fraunfelder describes his method where he simply applies liquid nitrogen to the bulbar conjunctiva. This causes scarring and the conjunctiva binds firmly to the sclera and does not bunch up anymore at the margin. It’s easier than excising and applying amniotic membrane, though fibrin glue has really made this technique a lot quicker. It would be nice to see a head-to-head article which clarifies the best approach.

From the Lab- Improved Corneal Sensitivity Using Pigment Epithelial-Derived Factor

Dr. Ari Weitzner — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 09:36:15 +0000

Archives: Corneal nerve dysfunction plays a major role in maintaining the cornea’s clarity in many diseases like dry eye, Herpes etc. Scientists demonstrated recovery of corneal sensitivity, calcitonin gene-related peptide-positive nerves and increased would healing induced by pigment epithelial-derived factor plus docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). That’s a mouthful to be sure. Bottom line is that it will be nice if one day we can improve the corneal sensitivity by giving a drop.

Excellent DVD From Dr. Arbisser Regarding Unplanned Vitrectomy

Dr. Ari Weitzner — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 09:30:51 +0000

I received a DVD from Cataract and refractive Surgery Today. It’s about an hour of discussion and clip from Dr. Lisa Arbisser, a well-known surgeon, who goes into clear detail exactly what to do and not do when faced with posterior capsular rupture and vitreous presentation. The clips are also on Eyetube. I think this DVD should be required viewing from all surgeons, especially those early in their careers. Her advice can really make the difference in our patients’ vision.

Visualization of Drusen and RPE With New Software Application for Zeiss HD-OCT: A New Aid for Assessing Both Dry and Wet AMD

Irv Arons — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 14:35:34 +0000

In an announcement on January 20th, Carl Zeiss Meditec said that it had added new dry age-related macular degeneration (Dry AMD) and new glaucoma diagnostic tools for its Cirrus HD-OCT (High Definition Optical Coherence Tomography) device, and the new software, version 6.0, had received marketing clearance from the FDA.

As noted by both Drs. Phil Rosenfeld and Carmen Puliafito, who have used the new software, this new diagnostic tool will play an important role in assessing and speeding the development of new treatments for both dry and wet AMD, that are being researched and brought to the market.

To read the full story, please follow this link.

New Technique From Dr. Agarwal to Address Capsular Bag Weakness

Dr. Ari Weitzner — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 09:25:51 +0000

Dr. Agarwal describes a new technique for capsular bag weakness that builds on his “glued IOL” technique. It’s a hemi-ring segment made of haptic material that has a scroll that engages the capsule like the Malyugin ring does to the iris. It has a long segment that can be grasped with microforceps through a sclerotomy, and embedded in the sclera like the glued IOL. Check it out in January’s OSN.

First Clinical Results of Using Embryonic Stem Cells to Treat Eye Disease Published in The Lancet

Irv Arons — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 11:34:28 +0000

Two significant events were reported by Advanced Cell Technology concerning their use of stem cells to treat eye diseases.

First, the company said that a peer-reviewed publication of clinical results from its first patients treated at UCLA Jules Stein Eye Institute had been published online by the UK’s The Lancet. The study reported on the four-month results of a safety study initiated in human patients last July. In that study, one eye of a patient with Stargardt’s macular dystrophy (SMD), and another with the dry form of AMD were given doses of human embryonic stem cell-derived retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells. After four months, no safety problems had been observed and vision improvements were noted in both patients.

The second event was the announcement that the first patient had been treated with stem cells in the UK arm of the Stargardt’s study, at Moorfields Eye Hospital on January 20th.

For the whole story, please follow this link.

Will 2012 be the Year for Gene Therapy in Ophthalmology?

Irv Arons — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 16:00:16 +0000

Several recent events point to 2012 becoming a breakthrough year for the use of gene therapy to overcome genetic defects that cause several ophthalmic diseases.

I have put together a table in which I list the fourteen clinical trials that I know about in the use of gene therapy in treating ophthalmic disease. Half of the trials are aimed at treating Leber’s Congenital Amaurosis (LCA), while three are for treating the wet form of AMD; one is underway for treating Choroideremia; one for Stargardt’s Disease; and two are aimed at different forms of retinitis pigmentosa (Autosomal Recessive RP and Usher Syndrome 1b).

In addition, I show at least twenty four clinical trials in either the pre-clinical (animal study) mode, or a couple in the IND-preparation mode. That is close to forty clinical trials using gene therapy to treat ophthalmic diseases.

To read more about this important method for treating ophthalmic diseases, please follow this link.

A Complete List of Current Ophthalmic Stem Cell Trials

Irv Arons — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 14:18:07 +0000

There are now nine ongoing ophthalmic stem cell clinical trials, with another about to begin in a week or so. Advanced Cell Technology has two clinical trials addressing Stargardt’s Disease, one at UCLA/Jules Stein and the other at Moorfields Eye Hospital in London, and one trial for Dry AMD, also at UCLA/Jules Stein, with another about to start at Moorfields for the same application.

Cenecor (J&J) has an active trial for Dry AMD underway at both Retina Institute of CA and at Wills Eye.

There are several trials looking at the corneal surface – one by CellSeed France (being done in Germany); one by a Spanish Clinic at three hospitals in Spain; and two at Japanese University clinics. And finally, there is one trial underway looking at optic nerve atrophy in China.

To see the complete list please follow this link.

Capsule Membrane Suture Fixation

Dr. Ari Weitzner — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 09:17:12 +0000

January Archives: Dr. Gimbel describes a technique for suturing the haptic and capsule together to the sclera for dislocated IOL’s. The description is not so clear to me, and there is no accompanying video, so I am not exactly sure how it works. Anyway, he got good results with no cheese-wiring that one would expect when passing 10-0 suture through the capsule. I hope to see a video soon on Eyetube.

Bausch + Lomb Launches KeraSoft® IC Contact Lenses for Keratoconus and Other Irregular Corneas

Dr. Ari Weitzner — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 09:00:43 +0000

Earlier this week, Bausch + Lomb announced the availability of KeraSoft® IC silicone hydrogel contact lenses in the United States. KeraSoft IC lens technology allows for custom-made contact lenses by authorized laboratories for patients with irregular corneas, including keratoconus, Pellucid Marginal Degeneration, and other complex corneal irregularities, and those caused by complicated laser eye surgery.

Each KeraSoft IC lens is custom-made for a patient’s exact needs, and KeraSoft IC lenses can offer increased wear time and improved comfort for patients. KeraSoft IC lenses are a patented combination of the latest technologies in silicone hydrogel materials using geometries from complex mathematics to offer comfortable wear and excellent vision and have been recognized with the UK’s Queen’s Award for Enterprise and Innovation.

Click here to read the full press release.