A new drug called VUITY™ (pilocarpine hydrochloride ophthalmic solution) has recently gained attention as an eye drop that can improve near (close up) vision in individuals over 40. It does not, however, change the condition of the retina. The drug, made by Allergan, works as advertised, but it should not be expected to treat age-related […]
Apellis Pharmaceuticals has announced long term results from their Phase 3 DERBY and OAKS clinical studies, testing the efficacy and safety of APL-2 (now called intravitreal pegcetacoplan), as a treatment for geographic atrophy (GA). GA is also known as advanced dry age-related macular degeneration. In an analysis conducted at month 18 of the clinical studies, treatment […]
The FDA has approved Genentech’s Vabysmo (first announced here as faricimab), the only injectable eye medicine approved simultaneously in the U.S. for wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and diabetic macular edema (DME). Vabysmo will be administered using flexible dosing regimens based on patient need. The medication targets and inhibits two disease pathways by neutralizing angiopoietin-2 […]
Researchers at Kaiser Permanente Washington have found strong evidence that cataract surgery can lower the risk of developing dementia for up to 10 years in senior adults. The news was reported in the December 6, 2021 issue of JAMA Internal Medicine. The Adult Changes in Thought (ACT) study of more than 5,000 senior adults showed […]
Prevent Blindness has launched its first-ever Geographic Atrophy (GA) Awareness Week from December 6-12, 2021. GA is an advanced form of dry age-related macular degeneration (commonly referred to as AMD) which leads to vision loss in the center of one’s vision. Geographic atrophy results in areas of damaged tissue causing central blind spots. It is […]
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Byooviz (ranibizumab-nuna) as the first biosimilar to Lucentis (ranibizumab injection) for the treatment of wet AMD. Byooviz is also approved to treat macular edema and myopic choroidal neovascularization, a vision-threatening complication of myopia (nearsightedness). The drug is administered by intravitreal injection (delivered into the vitreous humor […]
Susvimo, previously called Port Delivery System with ranibizumab, is the first wet AMD treatment in 15 years to provide an alternative to standard-of-care eye injections needed as often as once a month. By continuously delivering medicine into the eye through a refillable implant, Susvimo may help people with wet AMD maintain their vision with as […]
Frequent Eye Injections May Soon Be History Genentech Pharmaceuticals has announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is giving priority review for the company’s Port Delivery System for the treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD). If approved, PDS will be a first-of-its-kind therapeutic approach, offering people living with wet AMD an alternative […]
Prevalence of all forms of depression during the COVID19 pandemic was found to be 20% in a study population of 113,285 individuals.(1) Not unexpectedly, this is higher than the pre-pandemic rate. Compounded with already high levels of depression among those who are socially isolated due to visual impairment (2), this gives cause for increased concern […]
Several studies have identified specific nutrients and healthy behaviors as effective in delaying the development and slowing the progression of age-related diseases like macular degeneration. It has been said that the best cure for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is to simply stop growing older. Now a pilot study of 43 men ages 50 to 72 […]
Sometimes it seems that retina research moves at a snail’s pace, but science is steadily moving toward those treatments and cures that will keep our eyes healthy. This is an update on four therapeutics just around the corner for treatment of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Of the hundreds of ongoing clinical trials for both wet […]
Neovascularization, or new blood vessel growth, is a restorative function of the body that assists in healing. When it occurs in the retina, however, it can lead to vision loss. In age-related macular degeneration (AMD) the photoreceptor cells weaken over time. In about 10 to 15 percent of AMD patients, the inflammatory system sends new […]
AMD Central.org provides access to resources for patients and caregivers in one location The American Macular Degeneration Foundation, BrightFocus Foundation, MD Support, Prevent Blindness and The SupportSight Foundation have launched AMD Central, an online resource that curates trusted information and tools from leading advocacy organizations to support the age-related macular degeneration (AMD) patient and caregiver community. […]
So your sight is slowly diminishing, and your ophthalmologist told you that nothing could be done. They said that the cells in the very center of your retina (the macula) are degenerating, and gradual loss of clear eyesight is to be expected. Still, they want to see you at least once a year unless you […]
The Vision Loss Expert Group (VLEG) has published new findings about four areas of interest to the blind and low vision community. The report provides timely updates on acuity measurement standards, prevalence of global cases, and prevalence of types of blindness and vision impairment. For those who are interested in statistics, here are summaries of […]
EyePoint Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced on January 28, 2021 that the first patient has been dosed in their Phase 1 clinical trial of EYP-1901. EYP-1901 is a potential twice-yearly sustained delivery intravitreal anti-VEGF treatment for wet age-related macular degeneration (wAMD). It is the newest of several sustained delivery drugs under study, this one promising to extend […]
Genentech has announced positive topline results from its Phase III studies, TENAYA and LUCERNE, evaluating its new drug faricimab, for people with wet (neovascular) age-related macular degeneration (nAMD). Both studies have shown that people receiving faricimab injections at fixed intervals of up to every 16 weeks achieved visual acuity outcomes as effective as those receiving […]
Even the most optimistic person will admit that 2020 was a 365-day slog through dangers, disasters, and disappointments. In a year that offered little relief, considering that its famous number might have been expected to boost our spirits with good news about vision. And that’s why it might help us to look ahead at some […]
Some people are confusing the eye conditions called “dry eye disease” and “dry age-related macular degeneration” (dry AMD). The confusion is understandable, but the two conditions are nothing alike. Dry eye disease occurs when tears are not sufficient enough to provide necessary lubrication for the eyes. This problem can lead to inflammation and damage of […]
Since the outbreak of COVID-19 disease, consumers’ interest in ultraviolet-C (UVC) lamps has increased for use in disinfecting surfaces in the home or similar spaces. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has received reports of skin and eye burns resulting from improper use or installation of UVC lamps. Such lamps fall into four categories: […]
How can you tell if you are adapting as well as possible to the most important facets of your everyday life? A new self-survey is helping visually impaired and blind individuals score how well they are adapting. It is similar to a needs assessment questionnaire used by rehabilitation specialists, but it is designed for self- […]
Samsung Bioepis is reporting first year results from their phase 3 study of a proposed lucentis biosimilar (SB11). A biosimilar is a biological product (derived from a living organism) that shows no clinically meaningful differences from another biologic (eg. Lucentis). This study has shown that, at 52 weeks, primary end points were met for visual […]
Observational studies have suggested that higher intake or blood levels of vitamin D and marine omega-3 fatty acids may be associated with lower risks of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). A recent large randomized trial (VITAL), however, has concluded that supplementation with vitamin D3 and marine omega-3 fatty acids actually had no significant overall effect on […]
It has long been known that cigarette smoking reduces levels of plasma antioxidant, which protects retinal cells. It is also suspected as a contributor to cataract formation, restriction of night vision, and amblyopia (“lazy eye”). As reported in the September 2020 issue of the journal, Retina, a research team has confirmed the effect of smoking […]
Patients receiving continuous injections of anti-VEGF drugs for treatment of wet age related macular degeneration (wAMD) can take comfort in knowing that they are keeping their initial visual acuity long term. As reported in the September 29 issue of Ophthalmology Retina, the LATAR study found that 293 eyes not only maintained their original visual acuity, […]
Investigators have determined that treating patients with the early wet form of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) with levodopa, stabilized and improved their vision. Levodopa is a safe and readily available drug commonly used to treat Parkinson’s disease, The drug reduced the number of treatments necessary to maintain vision, and as such, will potentially reduce the […]
It has been said, “Just because you have the measles doesn’t mean you can’t catch chicken pox”. Many people affected by macular degeneration and other diseases of the eye have learned that glaucoma is often a secondary condition with which they must also deal. “Today, there are more than an estimated 3.2 million Americans that […]
IVERIC bio, Inc. has announced positive Phase 3 results from its GATHER1 clinical trial with Zimura® (avacincaptad pegol). As published in the September issue of Ophthalmology®, Zimura® met its pre-specified primary efficacy endpoint at 12 months and reached statistical significance in GATHER1, an international, multicenter, randomized, double masked, sham controlled clinical trial. Zimura® inhibits complement […]
An article published here in August 2020 announced that positive results were obtained from a study of photobiomodulation (PBM)–also known as “red light therapy”– as a treatment for eye diseases such as AMD, retinopathy of prematurity, and diabetic macular edema. The American Academy of Ophthalmology has simultaneously posted cautionary remarks about recent PBM research. In […]
According to an article in the August 6, 2020 edition of Ophthalmology Times, a procedure called photobiomodulation (PBM) has had recent success in treating eye diseases such as AMD, retinopathy of prematurity, and diabetic macular edema. PBM, or low-level light therapy, is the application of monochromatic light to a part of the body with the […]
We reported here in March 2019 that Google had created a new Android app called Lookout to help the visually impaired. Similar to Microsoft’s Seeing AI for Apple devices, the application uses artificial intelligence (AI) combined with Talk Back to identify objects, read text, scan barcodes, and identify currencies. At that time, Lookout was available only for Google’s […]
(Updated 12/11/2020) REGENXBIO, Inc. has reported positive one year data from patients in Cohorts 4 and 5 of the Phase I/IIa trial of RGX-314 for the treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD). As reported here in June 2017, RGX-314 is being developed as a one-time sub-retinal injection for wet AMD. It would be […]
The human’s natural immune system (called complement) has been found to be associated with the severity of COVID disease in people with age-related macular degeneration (AMD), according to a new study published in Nature Medicine. A hyperactive complement system is known to be directly related to development of AMD. In a retrospective observational study of […]
Beovu (brolucizumab) for wet AMD is the newest anti-VEGF drug on the market. It has been shown to be an effective and long-lasting inhibitor of blood vessel development (neovascularization) in the retina. The drug’s manufacturer has, however, been recently investigating incidences of severe intraocular inflammation (vasculitis) and retinal artery occlusion that were reported after their product […]
Since 2004, anti-VEGF drug injections have been shown to be highly effective in suppressing choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in the retinas of people with wet age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy. They have also been shown to suppress further CNV for as long as 12 weeks, depending upon the drug being used and the disease state […]
A survey of 2,000 adults in the U.S. has shown that 42% have used telehealth services in place of their regular in-person visits to eye clinics since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020. Telehealth is a service made available by way of telecommunication devices like computers and smart phones. Using this recent […]
Lineage Cell Therapeutics (originally BioTime, Inc.) has announced positive results with its experimental OpRegen® therapy for geographic atrophy (GA), the advanced stage of dry macular degeneration. The company began enrolling and treating U.S.-based patients in 2017 under David S. Boyer, M.D. (Retina-Vitreous Associates Medical Group, Los Angeles) and H. Richard McDonald, M.D., (West Coast Retina […]
A procedure reported here in March 2018 has been shown to continue being a safe and effective method for introducing stem cells into the retina. Eye researcher Professor Pete Coffey, who founded the London Project over a decade ago, has confirmed that two study patients have maintained improvements in their vision five years after surgery. […]
People with severe vision loss can less accurately judge the distance of nearby sounds, potentially putting them more at risk of injury, according to new research published in the journal Scientific Reports. Researchers from Anglia Ruskin University’s Vision and Eye Research Institute (VERI) tested participants with different levels of vision loss, presenting them with speech, music […]
A article in the journal Nature has reported that scientists from Hong Kong and the U.S. have taken a big step toward development of a true bionic eye, more precisely called a “biomimetic electrochemical eye”. Attempts that set it apart from other such efforts, such as the Argus 2 device, are its similarity to many of […]
Reprinted from Prevent Blindness For everyone’s health and safety, ophthalmologists, optometrists, and other doctors are being urged to see patients only for urgent or emergent problems during the coronavirus pandemic. This is important for two reasons: To limit contact between patients and staff in offices, waiting rooms, exams rooms, and surgical facilities to reduce the […]
In March, we posted an article which suggested ways to keep busy in spite of low vision. As we continue through another month of mass quarantine, here are more suggestions contributed by an especially thoughtful reader in response to that article. Learn a language. Duolingo, a method used in the school system, can be downloaded […]
Photoreceptors are cells in the retina which convert light into nerve impulses. Because of them, we can see the world around us. The two types of photoreceptors are rod cells and cone cells. Rod cells are responsible for peripheral and night vision, and cone cells are responsible for central and color vision under bright conditions. […]
Pixium Vision reports that follow-up from 18 to 24 months after implantation showed that their PRIMA Bionic Vision System sustainably elicited light perception in all four dry AMD patients with favorable safety profile. Moreover, the second-generation transparent glasses, enabling to combine natural peripheral vision and prosthetic vision, greatly benefited patients and their visual acuity by 3 […]
Nano Retina has announced preliminary results for first-in-human implantation of its NR600 artificial retina device. The first two patients to receive the device in March 2020 reported visual effect. The NR600 mimics the natural physiological processes of the human eye and restores functional vision to persons blinded by retinal degenerative diseases, including age-related macular degeneration […]
A Summary of a Quarter-Century of Low Vision Research and Development Presented to the International Low Vision Support Groupby Dan Roberts, Director Macular Degeneration Support, the charitable parent corporation of our International Low Vision Support Group, is celebrating its 25th year as a leading resource for people affected by macular degeneration and similar diseases leading […]
Information from the National Eye Institute A protein that normally deposits mineralized calcium in tooth enamel may also be responsible for calcium deposits in the back of the eye in people with dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD), according to a study from researchers at the National Eye Institute (NEI). This protein, amelotin, may turn out […]
Patients who are undergoing anti-VEGF treatment with Beovu (brolucizumab) for wet AMD should be aware that the drug is currently being investigated by the drug’s manufacturer, Novartis, for potential adverse events in some patients. Beovu was approved for clinical use in October 2019, and it has since shown to be an effective and long-lasting inhibitor […]
A study concluded in 2019 suggests that some patients with wet AMD can retain good visual acuity with no treatment for at least 3 years after stopping anti-VEGF treatment. Researchers compared two groups from the 2008-2009 Comparison of Age-Related Macular Degeneration Treatments Trials (CATT). The first group was comprised of patients who had been released […]
RIBOMIC, Inc. has announced that the first patient has received injection in the phase 2 trial of RBM-007 for the treatment of exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in the United States. The first site started enrollment at the end of December 2019 and five sites are now active across the United States. Currently approved therapies […]
This is becoming a common question among people who have been treated for years with anti-VEGF drug therapy. These eye injections are the gold standard for treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration (wAMD), having been first used clinically in 2004. The news is good. A recent retrospective review in the U.K. has found that almost […]
Researchers have discovered a protein that might be related to the cause of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and thus provide insight into early diagnosis and treatment. The study, published in Nature Communications, was a collaboration of Queen Mary University of London, the University of Manchester, Cardiff University, and Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen. High levels […]
For over two decades, eye health organizations have worked diligently to increase awareness of the high risks of macular degeneration from tobacco smoking. Now, the recently-released 2020 Surgeon General’s report has revealed that the work of those organizations is paying off. Americans are doing better at making good choices when it comes to smoking. According […]
Macugen. Lucentis. Avastin. Eylea. Beovu. All of those are anti-VEGF drugs prescribed for treatment of wet AMD and other conditions involving growth and leakage of new blood vessels in the retina. Those brand names appear in articles and ads, but rarely in eye specialists’ notes and prescription orders. Such names are designed mainly for public […]
A National Eye Institute (NEI) study will test the safety of a stem cell treatment for the dry (atrophic) form of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The researchers will take a patient’s own blood cells, and in a lab, convert them into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) capable of becoming any type of cell in the […]
Investigators have found significant associations between lessened brain functions and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). 5604 people age 40+ who participated in the 2005-2008 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey have been found to experience increased memory problems and confusion, seemingly as a result of their AMD. The report was published in the December 2019 issue […]
(Updated 9/10/2020) 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 […]
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 […]
(Updated 10/12/19) Adverum Biotechnologies, Inc. has announced progress with yet another therapy designed to extend the time between anti-VEGF injections for treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration (wAMD). The company’s Investigational New Drug (IND) application has been approved for a multi-center study of ADVM-022, a novel gene therapy candidate for the treatment of wAMD. “We […]
by Dan Roberts Table of Contents About the Author I’m Visually Impaired, But . . . Twenty Things Eye Doctors Probably Don’t Tell You (But Would Like You To Know) Catching The Big One Correcting Misconceptions About AMD Detours Every Patient Can Be an Advocate Former Driver, Retired With Honor Hidden Disabilities: A Social Dilemma […]