All GLG News Analyses Filed Under: Ophthalmology

The article points out that a small percentage of contact lenses and laser vision correction procedures, and cataract procedures deal with presbyopia. The field is wide open for improvement and exploitation. Numerous companies are looking for the "next best" idea.

Combigan is a glaucoma medication which combines a beta blocker and alpha agonist. Although combination drugs are great for glaucoma management, this will NOT be a first line medication in treating glaucoma.  The prostaglandins (PFE, ACL) are still the gold standard IOP lowering agents...

The market for eye drops for the treatment of open angle glaucoma is huge. Profit potential for pharmaceutical companies, however, is limited by the time period that they are afforded patent protection. Combigan, the just approved brimonidine/timolol combination therapy, affords Allergan new patent...

Patient compliance with glaucoma eyedrops is a key barrier in achieveing acceptable clinical outcomes. There is only one other product, Cosopt (by Merck) that offers a combination glaucoma medication. This medication may become a popular choice for glaucoma doctors to improve patient complian...

Even though Bausch & Lomb appears to be getting back on its feet in the contact lens and solution market, their lawsuit woes continue to pile up.  At 573 and counting, these lawsuits are expected to cost them over $1 billion.

In the two weeks since Genetech made its announcement that it would limit the availability of Avastin to ophthalmologists for use in treating wet macular degeneration the outcry from patients, ophthalmologists, politicians, and the American Academy of OPhthalmology has been so great that Genetech is...

IOL technology has improved dramatically over the past decade.  However, the current multifocal/accommodating lenses (i.e., ReSTOR, ReZoom, and Crystalens) each have their own strengths and weaknesses.  The topic of matching or mixing lenses has therefore become very important.

The American Academy of Ophthalmology said the recent decision by Genentech to limit availability of Avastin (bevacizumab) to compounding pharmacies could have a significant negative impact on the care of patients with age-related macular degeneration [AMD]. Dr. Charles Wilkinson, president of the AAO,...

While the data between avastin and lucentis is pending, it's interesting to see Genetch trying to defending profits at the expense of patients.   Genetech has impeded this trial, so that they could defend sales of Lucentis. Before lucentis was approved, avastin was used for macular degeneration...

Presbyopia correcting IOLs currently represent 5% of all IOLs implanted in the United States (about 3.5 million per year).  The products available in this category include the ReSTOR multifocal IOL (Alcon), the ReZoom multifocal IOL (AMO) and the cyrstalens accommodative IOL (eyeonics).  Although...