Breaking News Related to Macular Degeneration, Cataract, Glaucoma, Corneal Disease and Other Eye Conditions » Cornea

Visualization of Drusen and RPE With New Software Application for Zeiss HD-OCT: A New Aid for Assessing Both Dry and Wet AMD

Irv Arons — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 14:35:34 +0000

In an announcement on January 20th, Carl Zeiss Meditec said that it had added new dry age-related macular degeneration (Dry AMD) and new glaucoma diagnostic tools for its Cirrus HD-OCT (High Definition Optical Coherence Tomography) device, and the new software, version 6.0, had received marketing clearance from the FDA.

As noted by both Drs. Phil Rosenfeld and Carmen Puliafito, who have used the new software, this new diagnostic tool will play an important role in assessing and speeding the development of new treatments for both dry and wet AMD, that are being researched and brought to the market.

To read the full story, please follow this link.

A Complete List of Current Ophthalmic Stem Cell Trials

Irv Arons — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 14:18:07 +0000

There are now nine ongoing ophthalmic stem cell clinical trials, with another about to begin in a week or so. Advanced Cell Technology has two clinical trials addressing Stargardt’s Disease, one at UCLA/Jules Stein and the other at Moorfields Eye Hospital in London, and one trial for Dry AMD, also at UCLA/Jules Stein, with another about to start at Moorfields for the same application.

Cenecor (J&J) has an active trial for Dry AMD underway at both Retina Institute of CA and at Wills Eye.

There are several trials looking at the corneal surface – one by CellSeed France (being done in Germany); one by a Spanish Clinic at three hospitals in Spain; and two at Japanese University clinics. And finally, there is one trial underway looking at optic nerve atrophy in China.

To see the complete list please follow this link.

Bausch + Lomb Launches KeraSoft® IC Contact Lenses for Keratoconus and Other Irregular Corneas

Dr. Ari Weitzner — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 09:00:43 +0000

Earlier this week, Bausch + Lomb announced the availability of KeraSoft® IC silicone hydrogel contact lenses in the United States. KeraSoft IC lens technology allows for custom-made contact lenses by authorized laboratories for patients with irregular corneas, including keratoconus, Pellucid Marginal Degeneration, and other complex corneal irregularities, and those caused by complicated laser eye surgery.

Each KeraSoft IC lens is custom-made for a patient’s exact needs, and KeraSoft IC lenses can offer increased wear time and improved comfort for patients. KeraSoft IC lenses are a patented combination of the latest technologies in silicone hydrogel materials using geometries from complex mathematics to offer comfortable wear and excellent vision and have been recognized with the UK’s Queen’s Award for Enterprise and Innovation.

Click here to read the full press release.

Is DMEK Superior to DSAEK for Corneal Surgery?

Dr. Ari Weitzner — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 09:38:49 +0000

December Archives: A study analyzed DMEK (DMEK involves only Descemet’s and endothelium with no stroma at all). The researchers found that a higher proportion of patients reached 20/25 or better (80%) than that reported in the literature for DSAEK. This makes sense, as the lack of stroma would seem to create a smoother interface. This surgery looks pretty hard, and is still not performed by too many cornea surgeons, but I suspect this will change as younger cornea fellows graduate.

DSEK Can Work After PK

Dr. Ari Weitzner — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 15:17:31 +0000

Ophthalmology: Instead of a repeat corneal transplant, surgeon performed DSEK. Overall graft survival was quite high (74% after 4 years), but was lower if there was pre-existing glaucoma with a shunt ( 96% vs. 22% at four years). When the steep learning curve can be overcome, and this procedure becomes more widely available, and considering the good progress in artifical corneas, it would seem the days of PK are almost over.

Omega 3 for Anterior Basement Membrane Dystrophy?

Patient Letter to the Editor — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 09:41:22 +0000

I have anterior basement membrane dystrophy.

Drops are not really helping any more. I also have slight cataract problems too.

I am now starting to take 3 capsules of Omega 3s and was wondering if this could help?

I would sure like to get back to my art work and also reading again.

Descemet’s Stripping Automated Endothelial Keratoplasty (DSAEK) or Penetrating Keratoplasty (PKP) for Damaged Cornea?

Patient Letter to the Editor — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 16:35:25 +0000

Twenty years ago I had a spontaneous detached retina in my left eye which detached three times in three months. A scleral buckle now holds the retina in place.

Three years ago I had a DSAEK surgery in the same eye which is now failing as the endothelial cells are dying once again.

In the meantime, my right eye has been diagnosed with Fuchs Dystrophy. Is it possible that the Fuchs in my right eye is causing the endothelial cells in my left eye to die? In other words, is Fuchs a bi-lateral disease? I now have to make a decision as to the type of surgery I have in my left eye….repeat the DSAEK or PKP.

I have increasing edema, descemet’s folds and deteriorating vision.

Corneal Transplant Saves Eyesight of Baby Girl With Peter’s Anomaly

Dr. Ari Weitzner — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 09:55:10 +0000

Earlier this month, Texas Childrens’ Hospital reported the case of Georgia Kate, a baby girl who was born blind due to Peter’s Anomaly, a rare disease that clouded her eyes.

Dr. Bowes Hamill performed a corneal transplant on Georgia Kate when she was 9 days old, and now she can see.

Doctors discussing the case stressed that in such circumstances, it is critical to perform the transplant surgery as early as possible – before the baby’s eyes and brain start forming neural connections.

Click here to read more.

Interferon Injections Helpful In Surface Squamous Neoplasia

Dr. Ari Weitzner — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 09:44:22 +0000

I have used Mitomycin drops for superficial neoplasia with great results, although the patients were not too happy with the irritation. Researchers have now tried interferon subconjunctival injections (only once a week) in 15 patients and reported only one relapse, which was successfully tretaed with topical Mitomycin. It seems the standard of care is slowly leaning towards these drops and injections instead of going straight to surgery, reserving surgery for recalcitrant cases.

VibeX™ Riboflavin/KXL™ System for the Treatment of Keratoconus Granted Orphan Drug Designation

Dr. Ari Weitzner — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 14:35:17 +0000

Last week, Avedro, Inc. announced that the FDA had granted orphan drug designation to the company’s VibeX (0.1.% riboflavin ophthalmic solution) for use with its KXL System (UVA irradiation) for Corneal Cross-linking to treat Keratoconus.

Orphan-drug designation is granted by the FDA Office of Orphan Products Development to promote the development of new therapies for rare diseases and disorders affecting fewer than 200,000 individuals in the United States. Orphan drug designation may entitle Avedro to seven years of U.S. marketing exclusivity upon regulatory approval.

Click here to read the full press release.