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.

Ranibizumab injections keep those with AMD driving longer

The advanced neovascular, or “wet,” form of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), left untreated, is the most common cause of vision loss among the elderly and a leading reason for their loss of driving privileges. But results of a new study, published in the online version of the journal Ophthalmology, suggest that monthly injections of ranibizumab improve eye chart test results required for a driver’s license, build driver confidence and keep those with AMD driving longer.

3 Oct 2012

FDA panel recommends U.S. approval for Second Sight’s Argus II bionic eye

On Friday September 28th, a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Ophthalmic Devices Advisory Panel unanimously voted 19-0 that the probable benefit of the Argus II Retinal Prosthesis System outweighs the risks to health, an important step toward the FDA market approval of this product manufactured by Second Sight Medical Products, Inc.

3 Oct 2012

Experimental stem cell treatment improves vision in blind mice

An experimental treatment for blindness, developed from a patient's skin cells, improved the vision of blind mice in a study conducted by Columbia ophthalmologists and stem cell researchers.

3 Oct 2012

Statins linked to reduced glaucoma risk

Cholesterol-lowering medications in the statin class could significantly reduce the risk for developing open-angle glaucoma, show data for more than 500,000 older-age US individuals with hyperlipidemia.

2 Oct 2012

Statins may protect against glaucoma

People who take statins to reduce their risk of cardiovascular disease are less likely to be diagnosed with the most common form of glaucoma, according to a nationwide study of more than 300,000 patients.

2 Oct 2012

Level of vision, not gain in letters seen, marks success of AMD treatment

The number of patients with a particular level of vision may be a better mark of the success of treatment for neovascular age-related macular degeneration than the gain or loss of letters able to be seen in logMAR chart testing, suggest researchers.

1 Oct 2012

CIB2 genetic mutation responsible for deafness associated with Usher syndrome type 1

Researchers at the University of Cincinnati (UC) and Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center have found a new genetic mutation responsible for deafness and hearing loss associated with Usher syndrome type 1.

1 Oct 2012

Amakem commences AMA0076 Phase 2a study in glaucoma and ocular hypertension

Amakem NV, a kinase platform company focusing on ophthalmology, today announces that it has initiated a Phase 2a proof of concept study of its novel Rho Kinase (ROCK) inhibitor, AMA0076, in patients with glaucoma and ocular hypertension.

27 Sep 2012

Cost of glaucoma revealed

The first 6 months after an open-angle glaucoma diagnosis are the most costly within the first 2 years of having the condition, report US researchers.

26 Sep 2012

STAAR Surgical to participate in 88th Congress of the Society of Spanish Ophthalmologists

STAAR Surgical Company, a leading developer, manufacturer and marketer of minimally invasive ophthalmic products, today announced that it will be participating in the 88th Congress of the Society of Spanish Ophthalmologists being held in Barcelona from September 26 to 29.

26 Sep 2012

pSivida reports revenues of $699,000 for fourth quarter 2012

pSivida Corp., a leader in developing sustained release, drug delivery products for treatment of back-of-the-eye diseases, today announced financial results for its fourth quarter and fiscal year ended June 30, 2012.

25 Sep 2012

Ohr commences Phase II clinical trial of Squalamine for wet-AMD

Ohr Pharmaceutical today announced the initiation of a Phase II clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Squalamine Eye Drops for the treatment of the wet form of age-related macular degeneration.

24 Sep 2012

Valeant purchases QLT’s Visudyne

Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc. announced today that it has acquired Visudyne, used to treat abnormal growth of leaky blood vessels in the eye caused by wet age-related macular degeneration, from QLT Inc.

24 Sep 2012

Structure and function combined is best for detecting, discriminating glaucoma

An index that combines structure and function measurements can detect perimetric and preperimetric glaucoma more accurately, and can differentiate early, moderate, and advanced disease more successfully than systems that consider either variable alone, report researchers.

21 Sep 2012

Weill Cornell to purchase innovative equipment to help detect and treat diabetic retinopathy

Weill Cornell Medical College's ophthalmology services for diabetic patients received a boost last month, courtesy of a grant from the New York City Council secured by Councilwoman Jessica Lappin.

21 Sep 2012

Mathematical modeling can help treat several diseases

Mathematical modeling being tested by researchers at the School of Science at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) and the IU School of Medicine has the potential to impact the knowledge and treatment of several diseases that continue to challenge scientists across the world.

21 Sep 2012

Small subset of patients with OAG accounts for large proportion of all glaucoma-related charges

A small subset of patients with open-angle glaucoma (OAG) account for a large proportion of all glaucoma-related charges in the United States, according to new data published by researchers at the University of Michigan Kellogg Eye Center and Washington University, St. Louis.

20 Sep 2012

University of Rochester faculty member to receive Ant-nio Champalimaud Vision Award

David Williams, a faculty member of the University of Rochester's Institute of Optics, director of its Center for Visual Science, and dean for research in Arts, Science, and Engineering, will receive the Ant-nio Champalimaud Vision Award at a ceremony today in Lisbon, Portugal.

15 Sep 2012

Factors predictive of successful DME treatment revealed

The pretreatment central subfield thickness in the eyes of patients with diabetic macular edema is the strongest predictor of outcome after one year of treatment with ranibizumab, with a reduction linked to better visual acuity outcomes, report researchers.

14 Sep 2012

Readily available index provides practical landmarks for glaucoma patients

The mean deviation index, a widely understood metric for summarizing damage to an individuals’ visual field, could help physicians estimate practical landmarks in patients with glaucoma such as fitness to drive, report UK researchers.

12 Sep 2012