Encapsulated Cell Technology Could Replace Injections in Wet AMD Patients

Neurotech Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced on March 30, 2015 that the FDA has approved a Phase 2 clinical study of NT-503 Encapsulated Cell Therapy (ECT) for the treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD). ECT is an intravitreal implant that is genetically engineered to produce the biologic anti-VEGF drug NT-503 for at least 2 years. ECT, therefore, acts like [Read More]

What They Really Mean . . .

Sometimes, it’s wise to read news items in reverse. by Dan Roberts The latest magnifying technology, a switchable telescopic contact lens, has been receiving wide media attention this past week. If you read the news from the top down, and you anxiously call your eye care specialist before reading all the way to the bottom, [Read More]

Notal Vision Device Shows 94% Success at Early Detection of Age-Related Macular Degeneration

A National Eye Institute study has reported an impressive success rate at early detection of wet (neovascular) age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The study compared two groups of dry AMD patients and compared the proportion within each group for patients presenting with 20/40 acuity or better when their wet AMD was detected. An experimental group used [Read More]

FDA approves Lucentis to treat diabetic retinopathy in patients with diabetic macular edema

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced today that they have expanded the approved use for Lucentis 0.3 mg (Genentech) to treat diabetic retinopathy in patients with diabetic macular edema. The FDA previously had approved Lucentis to treat DME and macular edema secondary to retinal vein occlusions, both of which cause fluid to leak into [Read More]

Does Calcium Cause AMD?

New research may be misconstrued by Dan Roberts A recent press release from the University of Maryland School of Medicine has found that tiny spherules of calcium phosphate known as hydroxyapatite, or HAP) may be an important “triggering factor” for age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The report appeared in the latest issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of [Read More]