In January 2017, Ophthotech Corporation (now known as Iveric), announced that the first patient had been dosed in a Phase 2/3 clinical study of Zimura® (avacincaptad pegol sodium) for treatment of advanced dry macular degeneration (aka geographic atrophy). Zimura® inhibits complement factor C5, which is believed to be involved in the development of AMD. On Oct. 28, […]
As reported here in 2017, a drug called RGX-314 is being tested as a one-time sub-retinal injection for wet age-related macular degeneration (wAMD). A preliminary study showed that patients with wAMD had long-term vision stabilization and anatomic improvement following a single treatment with the investigational gene therapy. Now, in a subgroup of patients with the […]
Genentech has reported end-of-trial results examining the use of their unique alternative to intravitreal injections, the Port Delivery System (PDS). As reported previously here, the PDS is a tiny refillable implant that provides patients affected by wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) with continuous delivery of Lucentis (ranibizumab) as necessary. Presented by Carl Regillo, MD, at […]
Allergan and Molecular Partners has announced two-year data from their clinical studies of Abicipar in patients with wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD). In the second year of the studies, four injections of Abicipar given 12 weeks apart resulted in maintenance of visual gains comparable to monthly ranibizumab. “We are pleased to see a sustained response at two-years […]
A Phase 2 study has found that a new drug could be a safe and effective treatment for improving vision in patients with dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD). On October 13, 2019, David Boyer, MD (Retina-Vitreous Associates Medical Group), presented results from a study of risuteganib intravitreal injection to members of the American Academy of […]
Novartis announced on October 8, 2019 that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved BEOVU® (brolucizumab-dbll) injection for the treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD). This is the fourth anti-VEGF drug treatment to be approved for wet AMD, the others being Lucentis (Genentech), Eylea (Regeneron), and off-label Avastin (Genentech). Similar to its […]
We have known for more than a decade that chocolate is a good antioxidant and, therefore, healthy for the eyes. A 2003 study by scientists at Cornell University in New York and Seoul National University in Korea showed that cocoa has almost twice the antioxidant power of wine, 2-3 times that of green tea, and […]
Aerie Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Aerie), has begun patient dosing in their first human clinical trial of a sustained release implant in patients with wet macular degeneration or diabetic macular edema. The polymer implant provides controlled release of AR-13503, an injectable drug that inhibits blood vessel growth in the retina, while potentially reducing the treatment burden associated […]
People who have progressed to central vision loss from any one of a number of retinal dystrophies have probably noticed a tiny spot of healthier sight in the very center of the macula (the fovea). Over time, the fovea becomes surrounded by a growing band of blindness, first appearing as individual spots, then coalescing to […]
The pronouncements are familiar. Every adult over age 40 should have a comprehensive dilated eye exam at least every three years. Every senior adult over age 65 should plan on at least every two years. But if a person has a particular condition which can affect eye health, exams should be undergone more often as […]