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Real-world outcomes with aflibercept better in treatment-naïve patients
July 1st 2017After 12 months of treatment with intravitreal aflibercept injections, both treatment-naïve and pre-treated patients demonstrated visual acuity gains. Visual acuity improvement was higher in treatment-naïve patients.
Multifunctional OCT system approval simplifies imaging
July 1st 2017A newly approved system (3D OCT-1 Maestro, Topcon) combines a high-resolution, color, non-mydriatric retinal camera with the latest spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) technology, and stands out for its versatility as well as its quality and ease of use.
Sirolimus shows promise for posterior segment non-infectious uveitis
July 1st 2017Intravitreal sirolimus 400 mcg (Ospiria, Santen) demonstrated positive results in pivotal trials investigating it as a treatment for non-infectious uveitis of the posterior segment. A New Drug Application is under FDA review.
Anti-PDGF inhibitor development continues despite negative results
June 23rd 2017Despite the failure of 2 clinical trials involving a combination therapy of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) inhibitor and anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) therapy, a third phase III study continues.
5-year CATT analysis finds anti-VEGF drugs a long-term AMD therapy
June 23rd 2017After 5 years of follow-up in the Comparison of Age-Related Macular Degeneration Treatments Trials (CATT), the visual acuity gains achieved during the first 2 years of anti-VEGF treatment were not maintained, the choroidal neovascular lesions continued to evolve with evidence of persistent activity in some eyes, and there was increased retinal thinning and geographic atrophy (GA).
New and different therapies emerging through uveitis pipeline
June 12th 2017Local therapy plays a significant role in the treatment of uveitis, either as monotherapy or in combination therapy. Alongside a number of pharmacotherapeutic agents, new products and technologies are in development that could expand clinicians’ options and improve outcomes.
NICE recommends dexamethasone adalimumab for uveitis
June 8th 2017The UK’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has given preliminary approval to dexamethasone 0.7 mg intravitreal implant (Ozurdex, Allergan) and adalimumab (Humira, AbbVie) for sight-threatening non-infectious posterior uveitis.
Data clearly demonstrates bevacizumab’s inferiority for DME
June 7th 2017All three anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) agents that are commercially available have demonstrated efficacy for the treatment of diabetic macular edema (DME). However, it is clear from the results of clinical trials that outcomes with bevacizumab are not as good as those obtained using ranibizumab or aflibercept, according to Jean-François Korobelnik, MD.
Vitrectomy beats scleral buckling in rhegmatogenous retinal detachment study
June 7th 2017Eyes operated on with pars plana vitrectomy needed fewer reoperations over 180 days than eyes subjected to scleral buckling (SB) in a retrospective comparison of patients with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD).
Retina surgeon’s AMD regimen at center of Medicare fraud case
May 25th 2017Earlier this month, a jury convicted West Palm Beach retina surgeon Solomon Melgen, MD, on 67 counts of Medicare fraud. This high-profile case hit very close to home, as myself and another retina specialist from my own community were on opposing sides of the case.
Treating ROP: Laser associated with high success rate for retinopathy of prematurity
May 23rd 2017Laser photocoagulation is a time-tested, well-defined, and effective treatment for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) with requirements for follow-up that are much more manageable compared with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) therapy, argued David K. Wallace, MD, MPH.
Treating ROP: Substantial benefits make anti-VEGF preferred for Zone I disease
May 23rd 2017Anti-VEGF therapy for Zone I retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is associated with better structural and functional outcomes than laser therapy, but also a longer recurrence risk period, said Helen A. Mintz-Hittner, MD.
Genetic testing initiative for inherited retinal diseases shows great promise
May 20th 2017I have been encouraged as a retinal specialist with all the excitement and promising new treatments in gene therapy. Given that there are several retinal diseases with known inherited patterns and confirmed genetic loci responsible for the clinical manifestations, our field is primed to benefit from the expansion of knowledge in this arena.
New molecule enhances effect of anti-VEGF therapy for DME
May 10th 2017Activation of Tie2–as a result of subcutaneous administration of AKB-9778 (Aerpio Therapeutics) in combination with an anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) therapy–enhances the effect of an anti-VEGF drug on diabetic macular edema (DME).
Insights from anti-VEGF pivotal DME trials
May 10th 2017Analyses of data collected in the RISE/RIDE and VIVID/VISTA clinical trials provide important messages about the efficacy and safety of ranibizumab (Lucentis, Genentech) and aflibercept (Eylea, Regeneron) for treatment of diabetic macular edema (DME).
SAKURA program reinforces efficacy, safety of intravitreal sirolimus
April 15th 2017Results from the Study Assessing double-masKed Uveitis tREAtrement (SAKURA) program support the efficacy and safety of intravitreal sirolimus 440 mcg (Opsiria, Santen) for treating noninfectious uveitis of the posterior segment, said Pauline T. Merrill, MD.