Eye Health News and Research

Latest Eye Health News and Research

LensAR closes $24 million private financing

LensAR Inc., a developer of the next generation of laser systems for cataract surgery, announced the closing of a $24 million private financing which included investments from Aisling Capital and Florida Growth Fund (FGF).

12 Mar 2012

Over 71% of all rogue online pharmacies clustered with just ten Registrars

In the wake of news regarding counterfeit Avastin hitting the US market, a new analysis released by LegitScript.com estimates that out of roughly 450 companies with ICANN accreditations to sell domain names, over 71% of all rogue online pharmacies are clustered with just ten Registrars, with over 50% of all rogue online pharmacies at just two Registrars.

12 Mar 2012

Sientra’s breast implant approved by the U.S. FDA

The implant, manufactured by Santa Barbara-based Sientra, can be used for breast tissue reconstruction for women of any age and for breast augmentation in women 22 or older. The approval resulted from three years of clinical studies on almost 1,800 patients. Tightening of the area around the implant, re-operation, implant removal, uneven appearance and infection were some of the complications experienced during the study. Sientra is required to continue studies on the implant's long-term safety, effectiveness and risks of rare diseases under the approval.

12 Mar 2012

Epidemic bacteria can damage mucins to enter and infect a body part

Boston, MA- Scientists from the Schepens Eye Research Institute, a subsidiary of Mass. Eye and Ear and affiliate of Harvard Medical School, have found for the first time that a bacterial pathogen can literally mow down protective molecules, known as mucins, on mucus membranes to enter and infect a part of the body.

12 Mar 2012

Methylphenidate may affect learning and memory in children with ADHD

New research with monkeys sheds light on how the drug methylphenidate may affect learning and memory in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

11 Mar 2012

Unknown 'root' extension in hair cells of the inner ear

The hair cells of the inner ear have a previously unknown "root" extension that may allow them to communicate with nerve cells and the brain to regulate sensitivity to sound vibrations and head position, researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine have discovered. Their finding is reported online in advance of print in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

10 Mar 2012

Blood vessels that form within brain cancers predominantly not made up of cancer cells

Johns Hopkins scientists have published laboratory data refuting studies that suggest blood vessels that form within brain cancers are largely made up of cancer cells. The theory of cancer-based blood vessels calls into question the use and value of anticancer drugs that target these blood vessels, including bevacizumab (Avastin).

10 Mar 2012

On the campaign trail, Santorum hits Romney on Mass. health law

GOP Presidential hopeful Rick Santorum continued to press the parallels between the state law signed by his rival, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, and the federal measure, as well as to question Romney's explanation of his positions. Meanwhile, news outlets report on how the gender gap and social issues like contraception are playing in this election cycle.

9 Mar 2012

Infrared optical head tracker can help diagnose ocular torticollis

Wii remotes are not all about fun and games. Scientists can use them to assess and diagnose children with an abnormal head position caused by eye diseases. As described in a recent Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science article, researchers developed a low-cost digital head posture measuring device with Nintendo Wiimotes to help diagnose this condition, medically called ocular torticollis.

9 Mar 2012

Genetically modified pig may hold keys to develop treatments for RP

A newly developed, genetically modified pig may hold the keys to the development of improved treatments and possibly even a cure for retinitis pigmentosa (RP), the most common inherited retinal disease in the United States.

9 Mar 2012

Biologists identify how and where the brain processes FM sweeps

In both animals and humans, vocal signals used for communication contain a wide array of different sounds that are determined by the vibrational frequencies of vocal cords. For example, the pitch of someone's voice, and how it changes as they are speaking, depends on a complex series of varying frequencies. Knowing how the brain sorts out these different frequencies-which are called frequency-modulated (FM) sweeps-is believed to be essential to understanding many hearing-related behaviors, like speech.

9 Mar 2012

Avedro submits VibeX/KXL System NDA with FDA to treat keratoconus, corneal ectasia

Avedro, Inc. announced today that the Company submitted a New Drug Application (NDA) to the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its VibeX (riboflavin ophthalmic solution) /KXL System for the treatment of keratoconus and corneal ectasia following refractive surgery.

9 Mar 2012

Get ready for Be Medicinewise Week 2012

Building on the success of last year’s inaugural event, the week will urge all Australians to stop, think and learn more about the medicines they are using and encourage them to seek information to make better decisions about their health.

8 Mar 2012

Cancer-based blood vessel theory questioned

8 Mar 2012

Australian TGA approves Bayer's EYLEA for treatment of wet AMD

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Bayer HealthCare today announced that Bayer HealthCare has received approval from the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) for EYLEA (aflibercept) Injection for the treatment of patients with neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD) at a recommended dose of 2 milligrams (mg) via intravitreal injection per month for three consecutive months, followed by 2 milligrams via intravitreal injection every two months.

8 Mar 2012

Children with autism look away from faces when thinking

Children with autism look away from faces when thinking, especially about challenging material, according to new research from Northumbria University.

8 Mar 2012

Some top researchers no longer think of glaucoma solely as an eye disease

A new paradigm to explain glaucoma is rapidly emerging, and it is generating brain-based treatment advances that may ultimately vanquish the disease known as the "sneak thief of sight." A review now available in Ophthalmology, the journal of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, reports that some top researchers no longer think of glaucoma solely as an eye disease.

8 Mar 2012

Fera introduces Sulfacetamide Ointment for conjunctivitis

Fera Pharmaceuticals is pleased to announce the launch of Sulfacetamide Sodium Ophthalmic Ointment USP, 10%.

7 Mar 2012

Intellect Neurosciences receives U.S. patent allowance for ANTISENILIN to treat AD

Intellect Neurosciences, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company engaged in the discovery and development of disease-modifying therapeutic agents for the treatment of Alzheimer's and other neurological diseases announced today that it received a Notice of Allowance from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) for patent claims covering the company's ANTISENILIN monoclonal antibody platform technology for the treatment and prevention of Alzheimer's disease.

7 Mar 2012

Blocking Plexin B1 protein can prevent formation of breast cancer metastases

In particularly aggressive forms of breast cancer, cancer cells can settle in other organs and form metastases there. Once such metastases form, complete recovery is rare. Consequently, it is enormously important to prevent the metastasisation of the breast cancer cells. The success, however, achieved by using existing forms of therapy is limited.

6 Mar 2012