Novartis announced on October 8, 2019 that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved BEOVU® (brolucizumab-dbll) injection for the treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD). This is the fourth anti-VEGF drug treatment to be approved for wet AMD, the others being Lucentis (Genentech), Eylea (Regeneron), and off-label Avastin (Genentech). Similar to its [Read More]
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Milk Chocolate vs. Dark Chocolate: Which Is Better?
We have known for more than a decade that chocolate is a good antioxidant and, therefore, healthy for the eyes. A 2003 study by scientists at Cornell University in New York and Seoul National University in Korea showed that cocoa has almost twice the antioxidant power of wine, 2-3 times that of green tea, and [Read More]
New Sustained Release Drug Enters Trials
Aerie Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Aerie), has begun patient dosing in their first human clinical trial of a sustained release implant in patients with wet macular degeneration or diabetic macular edema. The polymer implant provides controlled release of AR-13503, an injectable drug that inhibits blood vessel growth in the retina, while potentially reducing the treatment burden associated [Read More]
What Causes Foveal Sparing?
People who have progressed to central vision loss from any one of a number of retinal dystrophies have probably noticed a tiny spot of healthier sight in the very center of the macula (the fovea). Over time, the fovea becomes surrounded by a growing band of blindness, first appearing as individual spots, then coalescing to [Read More]
Eye Exams Are Not Only For The Eyes
The pronouncements are familiar. Every adult over age 40 should have a comprehensive dilated eye exam at least every three years. Every senior adult over age 65 should plan on at least every two years. But if a person has a particular condition which can affect eye health, exams should be undergone more often as [Read More]