by Dan Roberts For several years, eye doctors have been debating the value of tinted intraocular lenses (IOLs) in eyes that have undergone cataract surgery. Those in favor of them argue that they reduce the retina’s exposure to potentially hazardous ultraviolet and blue light. The main argument against them is that they cause a decrease [Read More]
Author: droberts
Stem Cell Trial Yields Surprising Results
by Dan Roberts Advanced Cell Technology, Inc. (now owned by Astellas) has been conducting promising safety trials for stem cell treatment of macular degeneration, but a six-month follow up has yielded even better news than expected. ACT announced that Phase 1/2 clinical data treatment of Stargardt’s macular degeneration (SMD) and dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Surprising even [Read More]
FDA Grants Priority Review for Lucentis in Diabetic Retinopathy
Genentech has announced that the FDA has granted its submission for Priority Review of Lucentis® (ranibizumab injection) for the treatment of diabetic retinopathy, an eye disease that impacts nearly 7.7 million Americans. The FDA confirmed action date is February 6, 2015. If approved, Lucentis could be the first eye medicine available for diabetic retinopathy patients. Lucentis [Read More]
FDA Approves Two Extended-Release Drug Therapies For DME
By Dan Roberts Implants devised by two different companies for treatment of diabetic macular edema (DME) have been approved by the FDA for use in the United States. The companies are Allergan and Alimera, and the new drugs are Ozurdex and Iluvien respectively. Both drugs are corticosteroids that have demonstrated effectiveness in the treatment of [Read More]
Final Stargardt Patient Treated In Initial Stem Cell Trial
Advanced Cell Technology (ACT) has treated the final patient in the UK-based Phase 1 clinical trial evaluating the safety and tolerability of the company’s stem cell therapy for Stargardt’s disease. To date, no adverse events have been reported. The company is working with U.S. and European regulators to commence a Phase 2 trial to assess [Read More]