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.

OXiGENE signs definitive agreement to sell Common Stock

OXiGENE, Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel therapeutics to treat cancer and eye diseases, today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement with certain institutional investors to sell 6,578,945 shares of its Common Stock and separate series of warrants to purchase Common Stock in a private placement.

12 Mar 2010

Age-related macular degeneration affects central vision in older Americans

Indianapolis resident Harry Traugott was an active retiree, participating in community events, driving and even teaching English as a second language at two community centers. He’d been diagnosed with age-related macular degeneration (AMD), but the disease had not caused significant vision loss. It wasn’t until he had trouble seeing while driving, watching television

11 Mar 2010

StemCells reports net loss of $5.23M for fourth-quarter fiscal 2009

StemCells, Inc. today reported financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2009. The Company's results include the operations of Stem Cell Sciences Plc (SCS) since April 1, 2009.

11 Mar 2010

Pharmaceutical Institute announces the release of Therapeutic Area Essentials

Pharmaceutical Institute, a leading provider of specialized training solutions for the pharmaceutical and biotech industry and a subsidiary of Campbell Alliance, today announced the release of Therapeutic Area Essentials™, a comprehensive suite of more than 155 therapeutic area e-courses covering diagnosis, cause, and treatment for over 40 disease states.

9 Mar 2010

Clinical and scientific advances made in the field of neuro-oncology

Many important clinical and basic scientific advances have been made in the past five years in the field of neuro-oncology, according to an editorial and several articles in the March issue of Archives of Neurology, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

9 Mar 2010

Some anti-depressant drugs associated with increased chance of developing cataracts: Study

Some anti-depressant drugs are associated with an increased chance of developing cataracts, according to a new statistical study by researchers at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute and McGill University.

9 Mar 2010

Crowding essentially 'blends' nearby objects together and makes the world appear more regular

As you read this, you may notice that the word directly in front of you is clear, but all the surrounding words are hard to make out. For most people, this effect - known as 'crowding' - is not a problem. However, for the millions of people worldwide who have lost their central vision through eye disease such as macular degeneration, it can make everyday tasks such as reading or recognising friends a challenge.

5 Mar 2010

Gene therapy for LCA clears another hurdle: Study

Gene therapy for a severe inherited blindness, which produced dramatic improvements last year in 12 children and young adults who received the treatment in a clinical trial, has cleared another hurdle. The same research team that conducted the human trial now reports that a study in animals has shown that a second injection of genes into the opposite, previously untreated eye is safe and effective, with no signs of interference from unwanted immune reactions following the earlier injection.

4 Mar 2010

AGN-209323 small molecule for neuropathic pain: Bristol-Myers Squibb, Allergan announce global agreement

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company and Allergan, Inc. today announced a global agreement for the development and commercialization of AGN-209323, a Phase II-ready, orally administered small molecule in clinical development for neuropathic pain.

3 Mar 2010

Allergan celebrates 20th anniversary of BOTOX in Canada

Twenty years ago, the first approved use of BOTOX(R) (botulinum toxin type A), a neurotoxin widely used to treat several life altering medical conditions, was granted in Canada. As part of the 20th anniversary celebrations, healthcare professionals from coast to coast reflect upon the discovery, science and evolution of a therapy that has impacted the lives of millions of patients worldwide.

3 Mar 2010

Corneal transplant surgery: DSAEK leads to greater cell loss overall than PKP

One year post-surgery, patients who underwent Descemet's stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) experienced greater cell loss overall compared to those who underwent penetrating keratoplasty (PKP), according to a new analysis of data collected from the Cornea Donor Study (CDS) Investigator Group's 2008 Specular Microscopy Ancillary Study (SMAS). However, the study, published in the March issue of Ophthalmology, showed that cell loss in DSAEK patients plateaued more quickly than in those who underwent PKP.

2 Mar 2010

Article describing novel biological properties of Thymosin beta 4 peptide fragments published

REGENERX BIOPHARMACEUTICALS, INC. announced today that a university research team has published an article ahead of print in FASEB Journal, a high-impact scientific journal, describing novel biological properties of several Thymosin beta 4 (Tβ4) peptide fragments.

27 Feb 2010

University of Michigan Health System opens new facility for eye care, diabetes research

On March 1, the first eye patients will enter an innovative new $132 million facility that expands the University of Michigan Health System's capacity for eye care, research and education, and unites diabetes researchers as they work to accelerate the search for a cure and prevention of diabetes.

27 Feb 2010

ONA: Cutting 300,000 hours of RN care per year may affect quality of patient care

Ontario Nurses' Association President Linda Haslam-Stroud, RN is expressing deep concerns about the quality of patient care at The Ottawa Hospital following word that the facility is cutting approximately 300,000 hours of RN care per year.

27 Feb 2010

Notch-blocking drug effective against brain cancer stem cells, but more than one targeted attack needed

Working with mice, Johns Hopkins scientists who tested drugs intended to halt growth of brain cancer stem cells - a small population of cells within tumors that perpetuate cancer growth - conclude that blocking these cells may be somewhat effective, but more than one targeted drug attack may be needed to get the job done.

26 Feb 2010

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

Ophthalmology News and Research

Further Reading

OXiGENE signs definitive agreement to sell Common Stock

Age-related macular degeneration affects central vision in older Americans

StemCells reports net loss of $5.23M for fourth-quarter fiscal 2009

Pharmaceutical Institute announces the release of Therapeutic Area Essentials

Clinical and scientific advances made in the field of neuro-oncology

Some anti-depressant drugs associated with increased chance of developing cataracts: Study

Crowding essentially 'blends' nearby objects together and makes the world appear more regular

Gene therapy for LCA clears another hurdle: Study

AGN-209323 small molecule for neuropathic pain: Bristol-Myers Squibb, Allergan announce global agreement

Allergan celebrates 20th anniversary of BOTOX in Canada

Corneal transplant surgery: DSAEK leads to greater cell loss overall than PKP

Article describing novel biological properties of Thymosin beta 4 peptide fragments published

University of Michigan Health System opens new facility for eye care, diabetes research

ONA: Cutting 300,000 hours of RN care per year may affect quality of patient care

Notch-blocking drug effective against brain cancer stem cells, but more than one targeted attack needed

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

Achieving and maintaining ISO/IEC 27001 and BS 10012 certifications

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

Examining how pain could play a direct protective role in the gut

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