From the editors of Review of Ophthalmology and Retina Specialist
THE LATEST PUBLISHED RESEARCH
WELCOME to Review of Ophthalmology's Retina Online newsletter. Each month, Medical Editor Philip Rosenfeld, MD, PhD, and our editors provide you with this timely and easily accessible report to keep you up to date on important information affecting the care of patients with vitreoretinal disease.
Intralesional Macular Atrophy in Anti-VEGF Therapy for AMD in IVAN Trial
Researchers reported on the development and progression of macular atrophy and its relationship with morphologic and functional measures in the Inhibition of Vascular endothelial growth factor in Age-related choroidal Neovascularization (IVAN) trial. They performed a reading center analysis of data from the randomized controlled trial.
Participants included individuals with previously untreated neovascular age-related macular degeneration. Color, fluorescein angiography and OCT images acquired at baseline and during two-year follow-up were graded systematically for MA presence. Researchers used regression models to assess relationships between MA and lesion morphology, and vision measures (best-corrected distance and near acuity, reading speed and index, and contrast sensitivity).
The primary outcome was development of intralesional MA (≥175 μm as greatest linear dimension of choroidal vessels seen on FA and/or color with OCT) within the maximum footprint of the neovascular lesion.
• In 594 participants, 57 individuals (9.6 percent) showed intralesional MA at baseline.
• Incident intralesional MA occurred in 24.4 percent of individuals, and extralesional MA occurred in 1.54 percent by the final visit.
• A total of 248 fellow eyes had an established nAMD lesion at baseline, of whom 42 (16.9 percent) showed intralesional MA at baseline and 32 (12.9 percent) developed incident intralesional MA.
• The odds of incident intralesional MA by the final visit were lower in eyes that had ≥50 percent classic CNV at baseline (OR, 0.39; CI, 0.19 to 0.80; p=0.010), subretinal fluid at final visit (OR, 0.41; CI, 0.25 to 0.76; p=0.004) or pigment epithelial detachment at final visit (OR, 0.40; CI, 0.21 to 0.74; p=0.004).
• Secondary analyses of incident or progressed intralesional MA supported the initial findings, with odds increasing if the fellow eye had baseline intralesional MA (OR, 2.43; CI, 1.09 to 5.44; p=0.030).
• No significant associations were observed between development of intralesional MA and other morphologic or visual function measures.
Researchers determined that macular atrophy frequently developed within nAMD lesions in eyes receiving anti-VEGF therapy over two years. They detected no associations between incident MA and drug or treatment frequency, or visual function; however, they added that longer-term effects remained unknown.
SOURCE: Bailey C, Scott LJ, Rogers CA, et al. Intralesional macular atrophy in anti–vascular endothelial growth factor therapy for age-related macular degeneration in the IVAN Trial. Ophthalmology 2018; Oct 6. [Epub ahead of print].
Bevacizumab Dosing Every Two Weeks for Recalcitrant nAMD
Investigators evaluated intravitreal bevacizumab administered every two weeks in refractory neovascular age-related macular degeneration as part of a retrospective study of consecutive individuals with nAMD unresponsive to monthly intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor switched to three to four biweekly injections.
Twenty-seven eyes of individuals ages 82.08 ±6.85 were included. Prior to the two-week interval bevacizumab injections, 74.1 percent (n=20) were treated with bevacizumab and ranibizumab, 11.1 percent (three eyes) also received aflibercept and 14.8 percent (four eyes) had prior treatment of monthly bevacizumab (average number of injections 21.5 ±6.7).
• Best-corrected visual acuity remained stable between baseline (logMAR 0.72 ±0.60) and follow-up (0.76 ±0.66) (p=0.41).
• Mean central macular thickness and macular volume didn’t change significantly between baseline (p=0.35) and follow-up (p=0.60).
• Six eyes (22.2 percent) showed morphologic anatomic improvements, while 19 eyes (70.4 percent) were stable and two eyes (7.4 percent) deteriorated from baseline.
• Subretinal fluid completely resolved in three eyes and improved in the other three eyes; in the latter eyes (22.2 percent) central macular thickness (326.2 ±101.4 vs. 297.5 ±97.2, p=0.002) and macular volume (8.69 ±1.69 vs. 8.22 ±1.43, p=0.03) were significantly reduced.
•No adverse events were observed in any treated eyes.
The study demonstrated that biweekly bevacizumab injections were effective in nearly one-quarter of nAMD non-responders, with no adverse events reported. Investigators found that switching earlier, rather than later, to the low-cost modality might be of benefit for some non-responders to conventional treatment.
SOURCE: Mimouni M, Meshi A, Vainer I, et al. Bevacizumab dosing every 2 weeks for neovascular age-related macular degeneration refractory to monthly dosing. JJO 2018; Sept. 29. [Epub ahead of print].
Long-term Low-dose Aspirin and nAMD
Researchers wrote that the association between long-term cardioprotective aspirin use and neovascular age-related macular degeneration is controversial. They performed a retrospective, population-based study using a nationwide cohort from clinics and hospitals in South Korea in an effort to estimate the risk of nAMD with long-term regular use of low-dose aspirin.
Researchers identified nonregular aspirin users and regular aspirin users under the country’s national health insurance, age ≥45 years, who were followed from 2010 through 2015. They estimated nAMD incidence per 10,000 person-years. Long-term regular use of low-dose aspirin was defined as sustained intake of ≤100 mg aspirin with ≥1,044 days-prescription between 2005 and 2009. Nonregular aspirin users included occasional users or nonusers. The analyses included: a propensity score-adjusted analysis in a large, randomly selected, unmatched whole cohort (n=482,613); propensity score-matched analysis in a matched cohort (n=74,196); and maximally adjusted analysis in the unmatched whole cohort (n=482,613). Main outcome measures included incidence of newly developed nAMD using the registration code for intractable disease under national health insurance.
The incidence of nAMD was 3.5 among nonregular aspirin users and 7.2 among regular aspirin users, per 10,000 person-years in the unmatched whole cohort. However, propensity score-adjusted analyses revealed no association between aspirin use and nAMD (adjusted HR, 0.98; CI, 0.73 to 1.30). Similarly, propensity score-matched analyses showed no association; incidences of nAMD were 7.5 among nonregular aspirin users and 7.1 among regular aspirin users (crude HR, 0.94; CI, 0.70 to 1.28). A maximally adjusted model—including age, sex, income, residential area and history of 100 randomly selected types of generic drugs— showed no association (adjusted HR, 0.95; CI, 0.71 to 1.28).
Researchers found no association between regular use of low-dose aspirin for five years and future incidence of nAMD. As such, their findings suggested that regular, long-term use of low-dose aspirin appeared to be safe with respect to the new development of nAMD.
SOURCE: Rim TH, Tae Keun Yoo, Jiyong Kwak, et al. Long-term regular use of low-dose aspirin and neovascular age-related macular degeneration: National sample cohort 2010–2015. Ophthalmology 2018; Sep 18. [Epub ahead of print].
Dark Adaptation as a Functional Outcome Measure for AMD
Researchers investigated the natural history of dark adaptation function, as measured by the change in rod intercept time (RIT) over four years, and correlated RIT changes with age-related macular degeneration severity, as part of a longitudinal, single-center, observational study.
Participants included 77 individuals ≥50 years of age with a range of AMD severities. Subjects were assigned to AMD severity groups based on fundus characteristics (drusen, pigmentary changes, late AMD and subretinal drusenoid deposits). Researchers assessed DA function in study eyes at baseline, three, six, 12, 18, 24, 36 and 48 months. They calculated mean change in DA function over time using the slope of linear regression fits of longitudinal RIT data. Subject-reported responses on a low-luminance questionnaire were obtained at baseline and yearly. Nonparametric statistical testing was performed on all comparisons.
Researchers monitored RIT—defined as the time taken following a photobleach for visual sensitivity to recover detection of a 5 cd/m2 x 10-3 cd/m2 stimulus (a decrease of 3 log units)—in study eyes over four years and computed the mean rate of change.
Longitudinal analysis of 65 study eyes followed on the standard testing protocol (mean age: 71 ±9.3 years; 49 percent female) revealed that higher rates of RIT prolongation were correlated with AMD severity group assignment at baseline (p=0.026) and at year four (p=0.0011). Study eyes that developed subretinal drusenoid deposits during follow-up demonstrated higher rates of RIT prolongation than those that didn’t (p<0.0001). Overall, higher rates of RIT prolongation were significantly correlated with greater four-year decreases in low-luminance questionnaire scores (total mean score, p=0.0032).
Researchers determined that longitudinal decline in DA function, which correlated with subject-reported functional deficits, was accelerated in eyes with greater AMD severity and in those with subretinal drusenoid deposits at baseline and four years.
SOURCE: Chen KG, Alvarez JA, Yazdanie M, et al. Longitudinal study of dark adaptation as a functional outcome measure for age-related macular degeneration. Ophthalmology 2018; Sep 29. [Epub ahead of print].
Mediterranean Diet Prevents Leading Cause of Blindness
Researchers from the European Union investigating the connection between genes and lifestyle on development of age-related macular degeneration found that people who adhered to a Mediterranean diet (abbreviated as MeDi in the study) can cut their risk of late-stage AMD significantly.
The study was a prospective cohort study of 4,446 participants age 55 and older in the Rotterdam Study-I and 550 adults over age 72 from the Antioxidants, Lipides Essentiels, Nutrition et Maladies Oculaires (ALIENOR) study. The researchers examined Rotterdam Study patients every five years for 21 years and ALIENOR patients every two years over just a four-year period. Adherence to the MeDi was evaluated using a nine-component score based on intake of vegetables, fruits, legumes, cereals, fish, meat, dairy products, alcohol, and the monounsaturated-to-saturated fatty acids ratio.
Among the 4,996 participants, 155 developed advanced incident AMD (117 from the RS-I and 38 from the ALIENOR). The mean follow-up time was 9.9 years in the RS-I and 4.1 years in the ALIENOR study. Pooling data for both the RS-I and ALIENOR, participants with a high (range: 6–9) MeDi score showed a significantly reduced risk for incident advanced AMD compared with participants with a low (range, 0–3) MeDi score. Specifically, a higher adherence to the MeDi was associated with a 41 percent reduced risk of advanced AMD.
SOURCE: Merle BM, Colijn JM, Cougnard-Gregoire A, et al, for the EYE-RISK Consortium. Mediterranean diet and incidence of advanced age-related macular degeneration. Ophthalmology 2018 (in press). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ophtha.2018.08.006
Changes in DR Severity When Treating DME With Ranibizumab: DRCR.net Protocol
Investigators assessed five-year changes from baseline in diabetic retinopathy severity among eyes treated with ranibizumab for diabetic macular edema. They looked at DR severity from study visits and annual fundus photographs among participants in Protocol I (DRCR.net), and estimated the proportion of eyes that improved at annual exams and the cumulative probability of worsening through five years. Here are some of the investigators’ findings:
• Among 235 participants with nonproliferative DR at baseline, the following percentage of eyes had retinopathy improvement: 29 percent at one year, 28 percent at three years and 32 percent at five years.
• Among 111 participants with proliferative DR, improvement percentages were 38 percent at one year, 35 percent at three years and 23 at five years.
• The five-year cumulative probability of worsening was 18 percent (CI, 14 to 25 percent) among NPDR eyes and 31 percent (CI: 23 to 42 percent) among PDR eyes (p=0.01).
• In year one, the mean number of ranibizumab injections was 8.1 ±2.5 for NPDR eyes and 9 ±2.8 for PDR eyes; in year three, it was 2.2 ±2.6 for NPDR eyes and 2.3 ±2.9 for PDR eyes; and in year five, the mean was 1.8 ±2.6 for NPDR eyes, and 1.7 ±2.6 for PDR eyes.
Investigators concluded that individuals receiving ranibizumab therapy for DME might have favorable changes in DR severity during a five-year period concomitant with sequential reduction in anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy.
SOURCE: Bressler SB, Odia I, Glassman AR, et al. Changes in diabetic retinopathy severity when treating diabetic macular edema with ranibizumab: DRCR.net protocol i 5-year report. Retina 2018; Sept. 18. [Epub ahead of print].
Outcomes of 27- & 25-Gauge Vitrectomy for PDR
Scientists compared postoperative outcomes of 27-gauge and 25-ga. vitrectomy for proliferative diabetic retinopathy. They analyzed 185 consecutive individuals with PDR (185 eyes) who underwent primary vitrectomy (27-ga. in 64 eyes, 25-ga. in 121 eyes).
Here are some of the scientists’ findings:
• The 27-ga. and 25-ga. groups didn’t differ significantly in preoperative Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study score, age or preoperative intraocular pressure.
• The proportions of simultaneous cataract surgery (27-ga. vs. 25-ga.: 59.4 percent vs. 62.4 percent) and air-filled eyes (76.6 percent vs. 85.1 percent) weren’t significantly different.
• Both groups showed significant improvement in ETDRS score at postoperative one, three and six months (all, p<0.0001).
• Mean gain in ETDRS score from baseline was apparently better in 27-ga. than in 25-ga. groups at one, three and six months, but no significant differences were found (one month: 20.3 vs. 13.1 letters, p=0.0703; three months: 22.9 vs. 17.5 letters, p=0.1561; six months: 24.3 vs. 19.3 letters, p=0.3313).
• Operation time was apparently longer for 27-ga. vitrectomy, but no significant differences were found (54 vs. 51.1 minutes, p=0.3676).
• IOP at postoperative day one was 19.7 mmHg for 27-ga. vitrectomy vs. 18.1 mmHg for 25-ga., p=0.1353.
• Incidence of postoperative retinal detachment (1.6 percent vs. 0.8 percent) and reoperation due to vitreous hemorrhage (6.3 percent vs. 6.6 percent) wasn’t different between the two groups.
Scientists concluded that the 27-ga. system was as safe and useful as the 25-ga. system when used for PDR and could be expected to achieve earlier recovery of postoperative visual acuity.
SOURCE Naruse Z, Shimada H, Mori R, et al. Surgical outcomes of 27-gauge and 25-gauge vitrectomy day surgery for proliferative diabetic retinopathy.
Int Ophthalmol 2018; Oct 4. [Epub ahead of print].
DRIL & VA Response to Anti-VEGF Therapy for ME Secondary to RVP
Investigators wrote that disorganization of retinal inner layers (DRIL) has demonstrated significant correlations with visual acuity in center-involved diabetic macular edema. They hypothesized that DRIL might be a useful biomarker in determining VA outcomes in individuals with retinal vein occlusion and secondary macular edema. As such, they examined whether DRIL at baseline and after treatment was associated with VA in RVO.
Investigators conducted a retrospective records review of 147 individuals, 18 years or older, who presented to a tertiary ophthalmic center from Dec. 1, 2010, to Jan. 1, 2016. The patients suffered from treatment-naive branch RVO, central RVO or hemispheric RVO, and had a minimum of 12 months of follow-up. Exclusion criteria included active confounding retinal or ocular disease, history of pars plana vitrectomy or prior intravitreal injections. Two masked graders calculated a DRIL score based on DRIL presence in three predefined regions on spectral-domain optical coherence tomography at baseline, six months and 12 months. A third masked grader was used for discrepancies.
Exposures included anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy (ranibizumab, aflibercept or bevacizumab) determined by the treating physician. Main outcomes and measures included DRIL scores at baseline to determine VA outcomes and correlation with changes in DRIL burden as a result of AVF therapy.
• In the 147 participants (mean [SD] age, 68.9 [13.1] years; 75 [51 percent] female), baseline DRIL was seen in 91 eyes (61.9 percent).
• In the BRVO group, baseline DRIL was associated with lower baseline Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study score (score of 66.7 for no DRIL vs. 54.6 for DRIL; p=0.002).
• Absence of DRIL at baseline in the CRVO/HRVO group correlated with greater VA gains at six months, adjusting for baseline VA (score change of 19.50 for no DRIL vs. 12.72 for DRIL; p=0.04).
• During 12 months, DRIL presence in BRVO was associated with less VA gain up to six months (score change of 6.2 for the increase group vs. 18.6 for the decrease group and 2.9 for the stable group; p=0.02).
• Increased DRIL scores in CRVO/HRVO were associated with reduced VA improvement at six months (score change: -0.12 for the increase group vs. 16.90 for the decrease group and 8.45 for the stable group; p=0.002) and 12 months (score change: -1.91 for the increase group vs. 17.83 for the decrease group and 6.97 for the stable group; p<0.001).
Investigators wrote that baseline DRIL presence and burden change with AVF therapy for macular edema secondary to RVO might be useful biomarkers of ETDRS score improvements.
SOURCE: Babiuch AS, Han M, Conti FF, et al. Association of disorganization of retinal inner layers with visual acuity response to anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy for macular edema secondary to retinal vein occlusion. JAMA Ophthalmol 2018; Oct 4. [Epub ahead of print].
Ocular Hypertension After Intravitreal Injection of 2-mg Triamcinolone
Investigators reported the incidence and course of ocular hypertension after intravitreal injections of 2 mg triamcinolone acetonide, as part of a retrospective, consecutive series.
All individuals receiving 2 mg IVT at a single institution between March 1, 2012, and March 1, 2017, with a minimum of three-month follow-up were reviewed. Ocular hypertension was defined as intraocular pressure measurements over 24 mmHg at any follow-up visit after IVT. Individuals receiving topical, periocular or intravitreal corticosteroids other than 2 mg IVT were excluded.
A total of 106 eyes in 100 individuals receiving at least one injection of 2 mg IVT were included. Eyes received an average of 2.9 injections (range: one to 17), and average follow-up was 15.1 months (range: 3 to 52.5 months).
• A total of 14 eyes (13.2 percent) in 14 individuals developed ocular hypertension after a median of 1.5 injections (range: one to nine) with an average peak IOP of 29 mmHg (range: 25 to 38 mmHg).
• Overall, 11 eyes (10.4 percent) had an IOP elevation ≥10 mmHg above baseline at any point after the first IVT.
• In all cases of ocular hypertension, IOP was successfully managed with observation or topical IOP-lowering medication alone; no individuals required surgical intervention.
Investigators found that ocular hypertension developed in 13.2 percent of eyes receiving intravitreal injection of 2 mg triamcinolone acetonide. They wrote that incidence of ocular hypertension after 2 mg IVT compared favorably with other intravitreally administered corticosteroids.
SOURCE: Storey PP, Obeid A, Pancholy M, et al. Ocular hypertension after intravitreal injection of 2-mg triamcinolone. Retina 2018; Oct.9. [Epub ahead of print].
Patterns of Ultrasonographically Flat Choroidal Nevi on EDI-OCT
Researchers characterized the enhanced-depth imaging optical coherence tomography features of ultrasonographically flat choroidal nevi, as part of a retrospective, observational study.
Individuals with ultrasonographically flat choroidal nevi were identified over a three-year period, and comprehensive eye exams and multimodal imaging were performed every six to 12 months. Main outcome measures included lesion thickness and features, and EDI-OCT findings. A total of 102 nevi (98 individuals) were included. Median follow-up was nine months (range: 0 to 144 months), and one to eight OCTs were performed (mean: 2.1).
On OCT, nevi were classified into five subtypes:
• “Not visible”: 3.2 percent
• “Hyperreflectivity confined within normal choroidal thickness”: 37.2 percent
• “Characteristic anteriorly bowed hyperreflectivity with ’discrete‘ borders and cascading edges”: 16 percent
• “Flat with posterior bowing”: 14.9 percent
• “Elevated”: 28.7 percent.
One nevus, which was of the “elevated” type, demonstrated clinically insignificant growth (<10 percent in thickness) after 22 months of follow-up.
Researchers determined five distinct EDI-OCT patterns of choroidal nevi that appeared flat on ultrasonography; many demonstrated thickness and elevation not measurable on B-scan. They concluded that lesion thickness could be measured using EDI-OCT.
SOURCE: Jonna G, Daniels AB, et al. Enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography of ultrasonographically flat choroidal nevi demonstrates 5 distinct patterns.
Ophthalmology Retina 2018; Oct. 8. [Epub ahead of print].
FDA Approves EyePoint’s YUTIQ (fluocinolone acetonide intravitreal implant) 0.18 mg
EyePoint Pharmaceuticals announced that the FDA approved YUTIQ (fluocinolone acetonide intravitreal implant) for the treatment of chronic non-infectious uveitis affecting the posterior segment of the eye. YUTIQ is a non-bioerodible intravitreal microinsert in a drug delivery system containing 0.18 mg fluocinolone acetonide, designed to release consistently over 36 months. The implant is supplied in a sterile, single-dose preloaded applicator that can be administered in the physician's office. In clinical trials, YUTIQ significantly reduced the rate of recurrent uveitis flares vs. sham, and the most common adverse reactions reported were cataract development and an increase in intraocular pressure. Read more.
Topcon Introduces Cloud Backup & Archive Solution
Topcon Healthcare Solutions released Topcon Cloud, an add-on module for Topcon devices with the IMAGEnet 6 software. The system is intended for the secure backup and archiving of exam data in the cloud and enables native integration with Topcon devices, eliminating the need for manual backups. It was designed to be easy to install, configure,set up and scale. Read more.
Novartis Reveals Positive Phase III Brolucizumab (RTH258) Data; Files for Lucentis (Ranibizumab) Indication in ROP
Novartis announced a data analysis showing that retinal fluid was detected less often in individuals treated with brolucizumab (RTH258) 6 mg vs. aflibercept over four visits between weeks 36 to 48. The data, from pre-specified secondary endpoints of the Phase III HAWK and HARRIER trials, were presented at EURETINA 2018 as a follow-up to data presented in November 2017. The 36- to 48-week analysis provided insight into the effect of maintenance treatment, a clinical focus for neovascular age-related macular degeneration. Additionally, it accounted for dosing interval differences between the two medicines. Read more.
In addition, based on results from a Phase III study of Lucentis (ranibizumab) vs. laser surgery at EURETINA 2018 in premature infants with retinopathy of prematurity, the company plans to file for a new indication for Lucentis for treatment of ROP in this patient population. Read more.
Source: Novartis, September 2018
GENENTECH/ROCHE INITIATE PHASE III TRIALS FOR NOVEL WET AMD & DME TREATMENTS
Genentech and Roche initiated three large Phase III clinical trials investigating the Port Delivery System with ranibizumab in wet age-related macular degeneration and faricimab (formerly RG7716) in diabetic macular edema. The PDS is a first-of-its-kind refillable eye implant designed to continuously release a special formulation of ranibizumab over a period of months. Faricimab is the first bispecific antibody designed for the treatment of retinal eye diseases that simultaneously binds to and inactivates vascular endothelial growth factor A and Angiopoietin-2. By targeting both VEGF-A and Ang-2, faricimab may lead to improved outcomes and/or reduced treatment burden.
Source: Genentech, October 2018
KONAN MEDICAL GETS FDA 510(K) NOD FOR OBJECTIVEFIELD PERIMETER
The objectiveField is a novel, FDA-cleared device designed to assess the human visual field in an objective and non-contact manner, without the need for manual patient input, says Konan Medical. Using a patented multifocal pupil objective perimetry method (mfPOP), the perimeter tests both eyes simultaneously in a few minutes. Clinically researched in Australia for more than 12 years with more than 16,000 exams across glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and other neuro-visual conditions, objectiveField was acquired from the Australian National University and includes novel features licensed from Seeing Machines. The technology will debut at the American Academy of Ophthalmology Annual Meeting in Chicago, Oct. 26 to 30, at the Konan Medical Booth (#2515), and will be showcased at the American Academy of Optometry in San Antonio, Nov. 7 to 9. Read more.
Source: Konan Medical, October 2018
Diopsys Introduces Screener to Help Identify Retinal Dysfunction
Diopsys released the Chromatic Flash Vision Screener, a screening protocol designed to detect early retinal function changes in individuals with diabetic eye disease. The test helps address the need for early recognition of retinal function changes related to diabetic retinopathy with an in-office screening test. Using red-on-blue flash electroretinography, the screener records the electrical potential of the retina to provide quantitative measurements of retinal function. Results are analyzed against healthy reference range data to help the clinician gauge the probability of an individual developing retinopathy. Read more.
Source: Diopsys, October 2018
Ophthotech Completes Patient Recruitment for Phase IIb Trial of Zimura Monotherapy
Ophthotech finalized patient recruitment for its Phase IIb clinical trial of Zimura (avacincaptad pegol), a complement factor C5 inhibitor monotherapy in individuals with geographic atrophy secondary to dry age-related macular degeneration. Complement factor C5 is a central component of the complement cascade and is believed to be involved in the development and progression of AMD. The trial is designed to assess the safety and efficacy of various Zimura dosing regimens over 12 months. Patients will continue to be treated and monitored until month 18. Read more.
Source: Ophthotech, October 2018
Eyenuk With EyeArt AI Eye Screening for DR Expands Into Germany
Eyenuk expanded into Germany with the adoption of EyeArt artificial intelligence technology for the screening of diabetic retinopathy at Diabetes Center Mergentheim in Bad Mergentheim, Germany. The AI system autonomously reads retinal images and screens for diabetic retinopathy in under 60 seconds. In the United States, the EyeArt system is limited to investigational use only. Read more.
Source: Eyenuk, October 2018
Alcon Forceps Designed to Improve Precision & Reduce Trauma During Retinal Surgery
Alcon launched new Finesse Sharkskin ILM Forceps at EURETINA 2018. The next-generation tool is designed to provide increased surgical precision and enhance retina surgery outcomes. The new forceps have a large grasping platform and a texturized tip surface, enabling surgeons to more easily grasp and peel the internal limiting membrane and minimize trauma to the retina in the process, Alcon says. The forceps will be commercially available in Europe in the fourth quarter of 2018. Read more.
Source: Alcon, September 2018
OCULIS APPOINTS DUGEL
Oculis appointed Pravin U. Dugel, MD, as chairman of its scientific advisory board. Dr. Dugel is managing partner of Retinal Consultants of Arizona, a founding member of the Spectra Eye Institute and clinical professor at the department of ophthalmology at the Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California. Dr. Dugel serves on the Orbis International board of directors and on scientific advisory boards for MacuSight, Alcon Surgical, Genentech and Novartis. Read more.
Source: Oculis, September 2018
NEW OCULUS PERIMETER
Oculus recently released the Smartfield perimeter, optimized for exams for functional impairment of the central visual field and suited for peripheral measurements. The device performs standard automated perimetry using an ultra-high luminance LCD display, and offers various measurement procedures for diagnostic and follow-up exams. The perimeter requires little set-up space and can be operated in rooms with normal lighting conditions, the company says. A translucent lateral eye shield eliminates the need for an eye patch, saving time to prepare for the exam. Learn more.
Source: Oculus, October 2018
Ionis Collaborates to Develop IONIS-FB-L Rx
Ionis Pharmaceuticals announced a collaboration with Roche to develop IONIS-FB-LRx for the treatment of complement-mediated diseases. This initiative makes use of Ionis' experience in RNA-targeted therapeutics to develop IONIS-FB-LRx, which targets Factor B for a range of diseases. The first indication will be for the treatment of geographic atrophy. A Phase II study in individuals with GA is planned for early 2019. Read more.
Source: Ionis Pharmaceuticals, October 2018
MacuLogix Launches AdaptDx in Europe at EURETINA
MacuLogix launched the AdaptDx in Europe during its debut at EURETINA 2018. The AdaptDx is the first commercially available dark adaptometer that can be used in clinical practice to detect AMD at a subclinical stage, before structural changes in the retina become visible, the company says. Read more.
Source: MacuLogix, September 2018
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