NIH-funded clinical trial marks first major advance in therapy in 40 years A clinical trial funded by the National Institutes of Health has found that the drug ranibizumab (Lucentis) is highly effective in treating proliferative diabetic retinopathy. The trial, conducted by the Diabetic Retinopathy Clinical Research Network (DRCR.net) compared Lucentis with a type of laser [Read More]
Category: Therapies, Treatments, and Procedures
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]