Retinopathy News and Research

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AAO-MEACO Meeting highlights data on glaucoma risk in people with migraine, innovative uses of digital technology

Data on glaucoma risk in people with migraine and on innovative uses of mobile, digital technology are featured in today's Scientific Program, to be presented at the 2010 American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) - Middle East-Africa Council of Ophthalmology (MEACO) Joint Meeting.

18 Oct 2010

Researchers report progress on two eye disease challenges at AAO-MEACO 2010 Joint Meeting

At the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) Middle East-Africa Council of Ophthalmology (MEACO) Joint Meeting today, researchers report progress on two top eye disease challenges treating advanced "dry" age-related macular degeneration, and preventing blindness in people with diabetes.

18 Oct 2010

Childrens Hospital Los Angeles receives $1M NCI grant for eye port clinical trial to treat retinoblastoma in children

The Vision Center at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles has been awarded a $1 million grant from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) to conduct a clinical trial on a new drug delivery system to treat young children diagnosed with retinoblastoma. The device is designed to deliver chemotherapy through a tiny silicone cup sealed to the outer surface (sclera) of the eye, which can more directly target cancer cells and greatly reduce the side effects caused by current chemotherapy treatments.

14 Oct 2010

Medicare recipients receiving treatment for retinal condition increases with shifts in procedure

The number of Medicare recipients undergoing treatment for retinal conditions nearly doubled between 1997 and 2007, with significant shifts in the types of procedures most commonly performed, according to a report in the October issue of Archives of Ophthalmology, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

12 Oct 2010

MingSight acquires worldwide rights from Pfizer to develop new chemical entities for human diseases

MingSight Pharmaceuticals announced today that it has acquired the exclusive worldwide rights from Pfizer to develop, manufacture, and commercialize two preclinical stage new chemical entities for the prevention and treatment of human diseases.

11 Oct 2010

IRIDEX announces commercial availability of extended EndoProbe laser delivery device family in Japan

IRIDEX Corporation today announced approval and commercial availability in Japan for its extended family of EndoProbe laser delivery devices. The EndoProbe is an intraocular laser delivery device used during vitreoretinal surgery for the treatment of multiple disorders including: diabetic retinopathy, retinal detachments and vitreous hemorrhage. IRIDEX distributes products in Japan through their partner, TOMEY Corporation.

5 Oct 2010

Feeding infants before examination for retinopathy of prematurity reduces stress

Premature infants are often examined for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). This exam can be quite stressful for the neonate, causing changes in heart rate, blood pressure and oxygen saturation, and increased crying. In a recent study published in the Journal of AAPOS, the Official Publication of the American Association of Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus, researchers found that feeding infants one hour before the examination unexpectedly reduced stress but did not increase vomiting or gastric aspirates.

30 Sep 2010

ChemoCentryx presents CCX140 clinical data at EASD

ChemoCentryx, Inc., today announced that it reported positive preclinical and Phase I study results at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD). CCX140, a novel, orally bioavailable small molecule antagonist of the chemokine receptor CCR2, improved metabolic function while significantly reducing inflammatory macrophages found in adipose tissue in an animal model, and was well tolerated in Phase I clinical trials.

21 Sep 2010

Six3 gene safeguards future retina

New research led by St. Jude Children's Research Hospital investigators adds to evidence that the Six3 gene functions like a doorman in the developing brain and visual system, safeguarding the future retina by keeping the region where the eye is forming free of a signaling protein capable of disrupting the process.

21 Sep 2010

AstraZeneca, UCL collaborate to identify new therapeutic tools to modulate regenerative capacity of stem cells

AstraZeneca and UCL (University College London) today announced that they have entered into a collaboration to develop regenerative medicines for diabetic retinopathy (DR).

13 Sep 2010

Multispectral imaging of ocular fundus using new LED Illumination system

A new imaging system using six different wavelengths to illuminate the interior of the eyeball (ocular fundus) may pave the way for doctors to easily screen patients for common diseases of the eye, such as age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy. The system is described in the journal Review of Scientific Instruments, which is published by the American Institute of Physics.

2 Sep 2010

Study identifies four genetic variants associated with ESRD disease in Chinese diabetic patients

Examination of a gene involved in cell signaling finds that four common variants of this gene are associated with the development of end-stage renal disease in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes, according to a study in the August 25 issue of JAMA.

25 Aug 2010

USPTO grants IRIDEX patent for MicroPulse technology in laser eye surgery

IRIDEX Corporation today announced the receipt of issuance of U.S. Patent No. 7,771,417, titled "Laser System with Short Pulse Characteristics And Its Method Of Use." This patent applies to the company's MicroPulse™ technology which provides the ophthalmologist with fine dose control of laser energy during eye surgery. Ophthalmologists are using MicroPulse technology to treat patients suffering from diabetic retinopathy and other sight-threatening retinal and glaucoma disorders.

18 Aug 2010

Alimera Sciences second-quarter net loss decreases to $4.8 million

Alimera Sciences, Inc., today announced financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2010 and provided an update on progress toward achieving its 2010 goals.

13 Aug 2010

Survey finds prevalence of diabetic retinopathy high among U.S. adults

Nearly 30 percent of U.S. adults with diabetes over the age of 40 are estimated to have diabetic retinopathy, with about 4 percent of this population having vision-threatening retinopathy, according to a study in the August 11 issue of JAMA.

11 Aug 2010

Scientific paper explains impact of visual cycle modulation in neurovascular retinopathy

Acucela, a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing new treatments for blinding eye diseases, announced today that a scientific paper co-authored by Ryo Kubota, M.D., Ph.D., chairman, president and chief executive officer of Acucela, has been published in Experimental Eye Research. The paper, "Visual Cycle Modulation in Neurovascular Retinopathy" was also co-authored by scientists from Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School in Boston and demonstrates for the first time the impact of treatment with a visual cycle modulator (VCM) on retinopathy in an immature eye.

10 Aug 2010

Benefits of childhood screening for vision disorders in preschool children

In his article in the current issue of Deutsches -rzteblatt International (Dtsch Arztebl Int 2010; 107[28-29]: 495-9), Wolf A. Lagr-ze examines whether or not childhood screening for vision disorders in preschool children is worthwhile.

5 Aug 2010

Ampio finalizes negotiations to acquire DMI BioSciences

Ampio Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced it has finalized negotiations with the directors of DMI BioSciences, Inc. (DMI) to acquire DMI BioSciences, Inc. This acquisition will give Ampio access to all rights, royalties and patents associated with DMI's major assets, drugs for male sexual dysfunction including premature ejaculation (PE) and combination drugs to treat premature ejaculation and erectile dysfunction (ED).

27 Jul 2010

Study identifies treatment strategies that can slow progression of eye disease associated with diabetes

The VA Maryland Health Care System participated in a landmark national study of more than 10,251 high-risk diabetic adults across the nation, testing if three complementary treatment strategies can reduce the high rate of heart disease and stroke associated with type 2 diabetes and if these treatment strategies can also slow the progression of eye disease associated with diabetes, the leading cause of blindness in working-age Americans.

22 Jul 2010

Ampio Pharmaceuticals commences Optina Phase II clinical trial for diabetic macular edema

Ampio Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced the initiation of a Phase II clinical trial of Optina™ for the treatment of diabetic macular edema, an early stage of diabetic retinopathy. Diabetic macular edema is responsible for most vision loss in patients with diabetes mellitus.