GLG News by Ophthalmologists (US)

Alcon has had recent problems with its LadarVision device.  Surgeons not previously exposed to the Alegretto machine have been pleasantly surprised.  The Alegretto is easy to use, fast and accurate.  While Alcon will initially compete with itself, marketing two devices, it will keep surgeons...

I have been working on a cell transfer device designed to optimize wound healing after PRK laser vision correction. Essentially, we plan to coat a silicone hydrogel contact lens with a thin dissolvable layer of collagen on the concave surface. Cultured epithelial cells would be seeded onto the collagen...

This article reports on experimental research that involves procuring stem cells from the cornea, growing them outside the eye, and then transplanting them to the diseased eye. Although this is exciting, it is quite early in the experimental stages and its application is limited to certain corneal diseases....

Alcon has suffered with its LADARVision system recalls and lawsuits, and has looked particularly troubled following AMO's acquisition of VISX.  Although AMO/VISX remains the market leader for refractive correction, the Allegretto represents new technology with potential advantages in terms of accuracy...

This article describes a new drug that has a potential to address pathophysiology of wet macular degeneration on broader basis than treatments we use currently. This drug inhibits not only angiogenesis but also fibrosis formation and inflammation which remain a significant problem even with successful...

Current understanding of AMD recognizes 3 causative factors: angiogenesis, some inflammation and fibrosis. Both  PDT and ranibizumab address the same problem of inhibiting of new vessels growth. Ranibizumab has been shown significantly superior to PDT. Its ability to stop new vessels and reduce...

This article reports that the FDA approved an Investigative New Drug application for an anti-integrin (JSM 6427) in the treatment of age-related macular degeneration (AMD).  This would allow testing in preclinical trials of this compound for neovascular AMD.  This could be another medication...

The new drug addresses two key points     The first is a sustained administration to prolong the effects of the treatment.   The second is to use an alternative pathway inhibition as an adjunct to antiVEGF therapy .           ...

The FDA has just approved a "bifocal LASIK" technique from Advanced Medical Optics using their CustomVue Excimer laser platform.   It has been approved as " a new device". In actuality, it is neither a new device nor does it provide bifocal vision.

The FDA recently approved a CustomVue Monovision LASIK surgery (AMO; EYE) for the treatment of presbyopia. The premise is to treat one eye for distance and allow the other (partially treated) for near vision reducing the need for spectacles.  This is nothing new and has been used for years as ...