Phase 2 Stem Cell Trial To Be Initiated

Ocata Therapeutics, Inc. (now owned by Acucela) announced on March 31, 2015 that the company has completed dosing of its Phase 1/2 studies for dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and Stargardt’s Macular Degeneration (SMD). A total of 38 patients have been safely dosed. The 200,000 cell cohort, the highest level planned, was successfully completed, paving [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]

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]

Experimental Therapies for CSR

by Dan Roberts April 2014 Updated August 18, 2018 Research has shown that corticosteroids produced by the body (endogenous) and administered externally (exogenous) can raise adrenaline levels, which can harm the central retina. Some people have high levels of endogenous steroids that can lead to a condition called central serous retinopathy (CSR), aka central serous [Read More]

U-M Kellogg Eye Center performs first two retinal prosthesis implants in U.S. since FDA approval

Kellogg retina surgeons implant Argus II Retinal Prosthesis, or ‘bionic eye,’ for two patients with end-stage retinitis pigmentosa ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Retina surgeons at the University of Michigan Kellogg Eye Center have performed the first – and second – surgeries in the United States to implant an artificial retina, or “bionic eye,” since the U.S. Food and [Read More]