GLG News by Physicians who Treat Dry Eye (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. 

Steve RubinsteinOptometristSound Shore Vision Care

July 2010...B+L Voluntarily Recalls ReNu Multi-Purpose Solution

July 10, 2010

Analysis of:B+L Voluntarily Recalls Certain ReNu Multi-Purpose Solution and ReNu MultiPlus Multi-Purpose Solution in Europe and Middle East | www.visionmonday.com

No this is not 2007! A new problem has occurred in the manufacturing of Baucsh & Lomb's current signature contact lens disinfecting product, ReNu. Bausch has just released BioTrue, the next best product in Contact Lens care about 2 weeks ago.

Mark VandewalkerAllergy Specialist and PartnerAllergy & Asthma Consultants Of The Ozarks Ltd

Will Merck's New Asthma Drug Make the Big Time?

July 6, 2010

Analysis of:FDA Approves Merck's DULERA® Inhalation Aerosol | www.reuters.com

The FDA recently approved Merck's Dulera, inhaled corticosteroid/long-acting beta-agonist (ICS/LABA) combination, for moderate to severe asthma control. This agent is the third combo inhaler, after Advair and Symbicort; thus it starts with an immediate disadvantage in the market. Furthermore, timing seems most inauspicious in light of the FDA's current phobia with the entire class of LABA agents. Any potential profits may be negated by the expense of conducting mandatory long-term safety trials.

Darcy RyanOptometristHertzog Eye Associates

Will Ocutec's PEG-based Contact Lens Material Replace Silicone Hydrogel?

July 2, 2010

Analysis of:Ocutec Receives Additional GBP0.5 Million Equity Funding Round | findarticles.com

Ocutec Ltd. announced recently that is has obtained CE Mark approval (Europe's equivalent to the U.S.'s FDA approval) for developing its first poly(ethylene) glycol (PEG) hydrogel-based contact lens product. Testing so far shows that this new contact lens material has similar health benefits and comfort as silicone hydrogels, but can be produced much less expensively. This new class of contact lens material could be the next generation, taking over silicone hydrogel as the material of choice.

Steve RubinsteinOptometristSound Shore Vision Care

Abbott back in contact lens solution game

June 12, 2010

Analysis of:Abbott back in contact lens solution game | www.chicagobreakingbusiness.com

There are new regulations and new contact lens solutions being announced almost weekly. Both Abbott and Bausch & Lomb have released new information on contact lens solutions. The industry leader Alcon's OptiFree with almost 33% of the retail US market should announce a new solution soon.

Steve RubinsteinOptometristSound Shore Vision Care

New Contact Lens Products in the Pipeline From J&J (JNJ)

June 4, 2010

Analysis of:UPDATE 3-J&J sees fast-growing device market | www.reuters.com

At the 2nd qtr reports for Johnson & Johnson Vision (JNJ) products a new announcement for allergy sufferers can lead to a new vehicle for introduction of medications in the eye, and the whole body.

Darcy RyanOptometristHertzog Eye Associates

Releasing Prescriptions Means Losing Some Control Over Patient Care & Revenue

June 1, 2010

Analysis of:Consumers have a right to their prescriptions | www.baltimoresun.com

This is a very touchy subject for a lot of Optometrists/Ophthalmologists, or Eye Care Professionals (ECPs). I think the reason why the topic is sensitive is that when we release spectacle and contact lens prescriptions to our patients, it inherently means we must also release a couple very important things: some control over their care, and some revenue. And though neither of these are things over which we want to lose control, we must adapt to the new rules that govern the way we practice.

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.

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