Evaluation of Screening for Retinopathy of Prematurity by ROPtool

Posted on December 10, 2015December 10, 2015 by RetinaGlobal

This study, published in Ophthalmology, was to determine if (1) tortuosity assessment by a computer program (ROPtool, developed at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, and Duke University, and licensed by FocusROP) that traces retinal blood vessels and (2) assessment by a lay reader are comparable with assessment by a panel of 3 retinopathy

RPE65 is most frequently mutated gene in Leber Congenital Amaurosis in Denmark

Posted on December 2, 2015December 2, 2015 by RetinaGlobal

Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA) represents the most severe form of inherited retinal dystrophies with an onset during the first year of life. Currently, 21 genes are known to be associated with LCA and recurrent mutations have been observed in AIPL1, CEP290, CRB1 and GUCY2D. In addition, sequence analysis of LRAT and RPE65 may be important

Fluorescence microscopy: Human retinal ganglion cells at day 50.

Researchers Grow Retinal Nerve Cells in the Lab

Posted on December 1, 2015December 1, 2015 by RetinaGlobal

Researchers have developed a method to efficiently turn human stem cells into retinal ganglion cells. Death and dysfunction of these cells cause vision loss in conditions like glaucoma and multiple sclerosis.

Ranibizumab Found Effective Against Diabetic Retinopathy

Posted on November 19, 2015November 19, 2015 by RetinaGlobal

In a randomized clinical trial conducted by DRCR.net of more than 300 participants, researchers have found that ranibizumab is an effective alternative to Panretinal photocoagulation (PRP) (laser therapy for treating diabetic retinopathy). Results also show that the drug therapy carries fewer side effects than the currently used laser treatment.

Less than Half of US Adults Understand Their Risk for Vision Loss from Diabetes

Posted on November 5, 2015November 5, 2015 by RetinaGlobal

A new survey at the start of Diabetes Awareness Month (by Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc.) has found that less than half of recently surveyed U.S. adults with diabetes recognize their risk for vision loss. The survey also found that less than one-fifth (18%) of respondents were familiar with diabetic macular edema (DME). The survey found that nearly one

Visit to Cochabamba, Bolivia

Posted on November 4, 2015November 7, 2015 by RetinaGlobal

This visit was supported by a grant from Alcon Foundation. As part of our outreach into South America, we visited Cochabamba in Bolivia the week of Oct 26, 2015. We are collaborating with the Fundación Boliviana de Oftalmología to help develop retinal services in the country. Dr Oscar Cortex and his son, Dr Rodrigo Cortes, manage this

Ocular treatment likely to become first Gene Therapy approved in U.S.

Posted on October 5, 2015October 5, 2015 by RetinaGlobal

Spark Therapeutics has announced positive results from the Phase 3 pivotal trial of its lead gene therapy product candidate, SPK-RPE65, for the treatment of RPE65-mediated inherited retinal dystrophies (IRDs). These results represent the first successful randomized, controlled Phase 3 trial ever completed in gene therapy for a genetic disease.

Hydroxychloroquine screening lacks adherence to recommended guidelines

Posted on October 4, 2015October 4, 2015 by RetinaGlobal

Of patients presenting for hydroxychloroquine screening at a large multispecialty ophthalmic practice, almost half of the patients on hydroxychoroquine did not receive appropriate evaluation, indicating lack of adherence to guidelines. Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD OCT) and 10-2 Humphrey visual field (HVF) were found to be the preferred screening modalities, with others being fundus autofluorescence (FAF)

Gene therapy for neovascular age-related macular degeneration safe at 1 year

Posted on September 30, 2015September 30, 2015 by RetinaGlobal

Results from a single-center, phase 1, randomized controlled clinical trial show that ocular gene therapy with recombinant adeno-associated vectors for neovascular age-related macular degeneration was found to be safe and well tolerated. The study enrolled patients with wet age-related macular degeneration at the Lions Eye Institute and the Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital in Nedlands, WA, Australia. Eligible

Study Finds Anti-VEGF Therapy Safer Before Steroids for Retinal Vein Occlusion

Posted on September 30, 2015September 30, 2015 by RetinaGlobal

In results from a new study that was presented at EURETINA, Aflibercept and ranibizumab were found to be safer than dexamethasone intravitreal implants for the treatment of central retinal vein occlusion.