GLG News by Corneal and Refractive Ophthalmic Surgeons (US)

Andrew DahlPresident Ophthalmology Consultants

Medicare is not a free lunch

June 1, 2011

Analysis of:Democrats Say Win in New York U.S. House Race Sends Message on Medicare | www.bloomberg.com

The New York 26th district congressional election results last week are being portrayed as a victory for those opposing the Ryan plan to provide varying (based on income)  amount of dollars to Medicare recipients for them to purchase health insurance under a competitive system within the insurance industry.  This plan would be voluntary for the next ten years, so that anyone 55 or older at present could remain in traditional Medicare for the rest of their lives..

Rahul KhuranaClinical Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA - CC

CATT Study Results will NOT Drastically affect Lucentis (Genentech, Roche) Usage

May 9, 2011

Analysis of:Ranibizumab and Bevacizumab for Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration | www.nejm.org

The much anticipated CATT study revealed equal efficacy of both Lucentis and Avastin in the management of Age-related Macular Degeneration at one year.  Despite the dramatic cost differences in medications (40x fold), prescribing patterns for both Lucentis and Avastin are set and will not dramatically change.  Other developments this year may influence practice patterns more.

Mark PackerClinical Associate Professor of OphthalmologyOREGON HEALTH & SCIENCE UNIVERSITY - CC

FDA Panel votes for safety, effectiveness for the Glaukos iStent.

December 11, 2010

Analysis of:FDA Ophthalmic Device Panel Meeting, July 30, 2010 | www.fdalive.com

On July 30, 2010, the Ophthalmic Devices Panel reviewed data for the iStent, a trabecular micro-bypass shunt from Glaukos Corporation.  The Panel voted 7 – 1 that there is a reasonable assurance of safety, 6 – 2 that there is a reasonable assurance of effectiveness, and 7 – 1 that there is a favorable risk/benefit ratio. At the end of the day, it was the perspective of two glaucoma subspecialists sitting on the Panel, Eve Higginbotham and Anne Coleman, that carried the greatest weight. 

Rahul KhuranaClinical Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA - CC

Laser with Anti-VEGF Therapy maybe the New Standard for Diabetic Macular Edema.

May 3, 2010

Analysis of:Diabetic Macular Edema: Ranibizumab Injections Plus Laser Therapy Results in Dramatic Visual Improvement | www.sciencedaily.com

This large study by the National Eye Institute shows that combination laser therapy with Ranibizumab (Genentech, Roche) results in dramatic improvements in visual acuity in comparison to the gold standard treatment (laser alone) for diabetic macular edema (DME).  The bar has been raised for DME; and this could affect future therapies involving steroids that are in the pipeline for DME.

Rahul KhuranaClinical Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA - CC

Microplasmin may be a Less Invasive Therapeutic for Vitreoretinal Disorders.

April 21, 2010

Analysis of:ThromboGenics Announces that Microplasmin Meets Primary Endpoint in Phase III Trial for the Non-Surgical Treatment of Symptomatic Vitreomacular Adhesion | www.thrombogenics.com

ThromboGenics released Phase III Results showing that Microplasmin reached its primary endpoints of non-surgical resolution of focal vitreomacular adhesion.  This novel non-surgical therapeutic could be an alternative to the more invasive vitrectomy to treat a variety of retinal diseases from macular holes to diabetic retinopathy.

Mark PackerClinical Associate Professor of OphthalmologyOREGON HEALTH & SCIENCE UNIVERSITY - CC

Femtosecond Lasers Come to Cataract Surgery

March 26, 2010

Analysis of:Femtosecond laser cataract surgery | bmctoday.net

Cataract surgeons are impelled by their inward drive towards perfection to love the possibilities that femtosecond phaco creates. This technology changes everything. The pioneers of phaco, and the surgical techniques they developed that are still in use today, are coming to appear as the devices of medieval artisans relative to the streamlined accuracy of a nascent industrial era. 

Mark PackerClinical Associate Professor of OphthalmologyOREGON HEALTH & SCIENCE UNIVERSITY - CC

Digital 3D HD Imaging Gains Traction in the Ophthalmic OR

February 21, 2010

Analysis of:TrueVision Systems Releases First Ever 3D Visualization and Guidance Platform for Microsurgery | www.microscopy-news.com

There are tremendous applications for 3D HD surgery in ophthalmology, from education to archiving to enhancing surgical outcomes. As this technology moves forward through incision marking and toric intraocular lens placement with the Ophthalmic Tool Set, the capabilities of 3D surgery will surpass what we have in the standard microscope.

Andrew DahlPresident Ophthalmology Consultants

VEGF TRAP shows equal efficacy to Lucentis with longer duration of effect in DME

February 19, 2010

Analysis of:VEGF Trap-Eye Shows Positive Results in Phase II Study in Patients with Diabetic Macular Edema | www.pipelinereview.com

Interim six month data from the DAVINCI clinical trial showed that monthly injections of intravitreal VEGF TRAP in patients with diabetic macular edema produced approximately a 10 letter increase in visual acuity. Patients dosed with 3 initial monthly injections followed as needed injections achieved a similar result. In this latter group, average number of injections in the second three months was 1.4.Injections were well tolerated without serious side effects. The study is continuing

Rahul KhuranaClinical Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA - CC

Iluvien (PSDV) could be a Novel Treatment for Diabetic Macular Edema.

January 15, 2010

Analysis of:pSivida (PSDV) Reports Positive Iluvien FAME Phase III Results | www.streetinsider.com

Iluvien (pSivida) is a novel drug delivery technology which delivers an intraocular steroid to the back of the eye for up to three years.  The Phase III data show that at 24 months Iluvien is an effective treatment in the management of diabetic macular edema.  In addition to focal laser, Iluvien could be the next therapeutic for diabetic macular edema.

Rahul KhuranaClinical Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA - CC

Ozurdex (AGN) may be a Big Loser for Vein Occlusion Management.

January 13, 2010

Analysis of:FDA Approval of Ozurdex Introduces a New Generation of Drug Delivery Therapy | www.drugs.com

Ozurdex (Allergan) was approved last summer as the first treatment for macular edema for central retinal vein occlusions.  It utilized a novel drug delivery technology to prolong delivery of a steroid.  However, recent results of the SCORE study and initial results from the CRUISE and BRAVO Trials (Genentech) are more impressive.  The SCORE Study shows similiar efficacy at a fraction of the cost while the BRAVO and CRUISE Trials results are significantly better.

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