Ophthalmology News and Research

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Ophthalmology is the specialized field of medicine that focuses on the health of the eye. It includes the anatomy, physiology and diseases that may affect the eye. Historically, the science of ophthalmology encompassed all aspects of visual function, both in health and in illness. Additionally, ophthalmology also includes animal eyes as ocular function and optic diseases are similar among humans and animals.

Retinitis Pigmentosa: Embryonic stem cells for replacement of diseased retinal cells and restoration of sight

An international research team led by Columbia University Medical Center successfully used mouse embryonic stem cells to replace diseased retinal cells and restore sight in a mouse model of retinitis pigmentosa. This strategy could potentially become a new treatment for retinitis pigmentosa, a leading cause of blindness that affects approximately one in 3,000 to 4,000 people, or 1.5 million people worldwide.

25 Feb 2010

ExonHit Therapeutics includes proprietary lead compounds into collaboration with Allergan

ExonHit Therapeutics today announced the inclusion of proprietary lead compounds, which were derived from one of its internal medicinal chemistry programs, into its productive and long-running strategic collaboration with Allergan.

23 Feb 2010

Head and neck tumors in close proximity to sensitive areas may lead to brain injury, visionary risk or hearing loss

When head and neck tumors - from sinus tumors to acoustic neuromas attached to the hearing and balance nerve at the base of the skull - are located in close proximity to such sensitive areas such as the brain and eyes, they are particularly dangerous due to possible brain injury, visionary risk or hearing loss.

23 Feb 2010

DSAEK cornea transplant offers potential long-term benefits

One year post-surgery, patients who underwent Descemet's stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty experienced greater cell loss overall compared to those who underwent penetrating keratoplasty, according to a new analysis of data collected from the Cornea Donor Study Investigator Group's 2008 Specular Microscopy Ancillary Study.

23 Feb 2010

OPKO Health acquires Pharmacos Exakta

OPKO Health, Inc. today announced that it has completed the acquisition of Pharmacos Exakta, S.A. de C.V. (“Pharmacos Exakta”), a privately-owned Mexican pharmaceutical company engaged in the manufacture, marketing and distribution of ophthalmic and other pharmaceutical products for government and private markets since 1957. OPKO acquired Pharmacos Exakta, including a manufacturing facility owned by an affiliate, for cash and shares of OPKO Common Stock.

18 Feb 2010

Phase 2 study results: VEGF Trap-Eye improves vision in patients with DME

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Bayer HealthCare AG announced that VEGF Trap-Eye showed positive results in a Phase 2 study in patients with diabetic macular edema (DME).

18 Feb 2010

International Stem Cell's human cornea technology: Clinical-commercial opportunities in Asia and Europe

International Stem Cell Corporation, announced today that multiple international meetings taking place between ISCO’s executive management and researchers and clinicians from commercial entities in both Asia and Europe revealed significant clinical-commercial opportunities for the company’s stem cell-derived human cornea technology in those regions.

17 Feb 2010

Merck announces global sales of $27.4 billion for full-year 2009

Merck & Co., Inc. today announced financial results for the fourth quarter and the full year of 2009 which include the results of legacy Schering-Plough operations from the close of the merger on Nov. 3, 2009 through Dec. 31, 2009.

16 Feb 2010

Scientists discover molecular pathway to regenerate damaged kidney tissues

Scientists have discovered a molecular pathway that works through the immune system to regenerate damaged kidney tissues and may lead to new therapies for repairing injury in a number of organs.

16 Feb 2010

Calcium waves could be relevant for understanding the origin of Alzheimer's disease

New insights on what causes Alzheimer's disease could arise from a recent discovery made by bioengineers from the University of California, San Diego. The finding concerns the infamous amyloid beta peptides (Aβ)-fragments of which form plaques thought to play a role in Alzheimer's disease.

15 Feb 2010

Diabetic retinopathy: 5.3M U.S adults suffer

Despite major progress in diagnosis and treatment, diabetic retinopathy remains the major cause of blindness in adults under 60 in the U.S., said Thomas C. Lee, director, Retina Institute in The Vision Center at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, associate professor of clinical ophthalmology at the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California and attending physician at Doheny Eye Institute.

12 Feb 2010

MacSpeech Scribe Medical add-on component released

MacSpeech, Inc. today announced MacSpeech Scribe Medical, an add-on component that incorporates the world's most advanced personal transcription for the Macintosh with MacSpeech Dictate Medical, the medical professional's speech recognition solution for the Macintosh.

12 Feb 2010

LUHS nurses earn professional certifications

Several Loyola University Health System (LUHS) nurses have earned professional certifications in their clinical areas of expertise. This indicates that LUHS nurses meet strong professional development standards and competencies.

11 Feb 2010

sanofi-aventis reports 2009 fourth-quarter and full-year net earnings

Commenting on the Group's 2009 performance, sanofi-aventis Chief Executive Officer Christopher A. Viehbacher said, "2009 was the first year of implementation of our new strategy. Major steps have already been achieved in strengthening our growth platforms and reinforcing our R&D pipeline while delivering a double-digit EPS(1) growth".

10 Feb 2010

Vision of mountain climbers not adversely affected despite presence of edema at altitudes up to 6,300 meters

Swelling commonly occurs in the corneas of mountain climbers, but does not appear to affect vision at altitudes of up to 6,300 meters (about 20,670 feet), according to a report in the February issue of Archives of Ophthalmology, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

10 Feb 2010

Thrombogenics announces publication of positive microplasmin Phase II trial results

ThromboGenics NV, a biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of innovative treatments for eye disease, vascular disease and cancer, announces today that the positive microplasmin Phase II trial results, evaluating the product's efficacy and safety in patients who require vitrectomy, have been published in the prestigious American Academy of Ophthalmology's Journal, Ophthalmology, the leading journal for the vitreoretinal community.

9 Feb 2010

Glaucoma medications appear to reduce mortality risk

Glaucoma patients who take medication for the condition appear to have a reduced likelihood of death, according to a report in the February issue of Archives of Ophthalmology, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

9 Feb 2010

Virtual tool enhances cataract surgery training programs

The Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary Cataract Surgery Trainer, a virtual training tool which helps to train physicians to perform cataract surgery, has been shown to enhance teaching in cataract surgery when compared to traditional teaching methods.

3 Feb 2010

Congressional leader stresses the importance of annual dilated eye exam for diabetes patients

In recognition of Black History Month, House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn is urging African Americans with diabetes to get an annual diabetic eye exam during February.

1 Feb 2010

Researchers develop PEG-POD tool for gene therapy

Researchers at Tufts University School of Medicine and the Sackler School of Graduate Biomedical Sciences at Tufts have developed a new tool for gene therapy that significantly increases gene delivery to cells in the retina compared to other carriers and DNA alone, according to a study published in the January issue of The Journal of Gene Medicine.

28 Jan 2010

Ophthalmology News and Research

Further Reading

Retinitis Pigmentosa: Embryonic stem cells for replacement of diseased retinal cells and restoration of sight

ExonHit Therapeutics includes proprietary lead compounds into collaboration with Allergan

Head and neck tumors in close proximity to sensitive areas may lead to brain injury, visionary risk or hearing loss

DSAEK cornea transplant offers potential long-term benefits

OPKO Health acquires Pharmacos Exakta

Phase 2 study results: VEGF Trap-Eye improves vision in patients with DME

International Stem Cell's human cornea technology: Clinical-commercial opportunities in Asia and Europe

Merck announces global sales of $27.4 billion for full-year 2009

Scientists discover molecular pathway to regenerate damaged kidney tissues

Calcium waves could be relevant for understanding the origin of Alzheimer's disease

Diabetic retinopathy: 5.3M U.S adults suffer

MacSpeech Scribe Medical add-on component released

LUHS nurses earn professional certifications

sanofi-aventis reports 2009 fourth-quarter and full-year net earnings

Vision of mountain climbers not adversely affected despite presence of edema at altitudes up to 6,300 meters

Thrombogenics announces publication of positive microplasmin Phase II trial results

Glaucoma medications appear to reduce mortality risk

Virtual tool enhances cataract surgery training programs

Congressional leader stresses the importance of annual dilated eye exam for diabetes patients

Researchers develop PEG-POD tool for gene therapy

Sensing a Healthier Future

Achieving and maintaining ISO/IEC 27001 and BS 10012 certifications

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

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