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"Researchers have discovered a technique for directly reprogramming skin cells into light-sensing rod photoreceptors used for vision. The lab-made rods enabled blind mice to detect light after the cells were transplanted into the animals' eyes. The work, funded by the National Eye Institute (NEI), published April 15 in Nature." (Click here to read rest of article) …

"Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) medications have a proven track record in treating diabetic macular edema (DME). However, researchers continue to investigate whether these medications can be made more efficient and cost-effective." "Both the RETAIN[1] and REACT[2] studies showed that treat-and-extend regimens for ranibizumab were efficacious for DME. Further support was …

"NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - New age-related macular degeneration (AMD) develops in about a quarter of fellow eyes to those treated for neovascular AMD with intravitreal anti-VEGF agents, according to a post hoc analysis of the VIEW 1 and VIEW 2 studies." "The high risk for fellow eye conversion in patients with neovascular AMD in one eye highlights the need to explore prophylactic treatments …

CHICAGO — Investigators searching for new ways to manage diabetic macular edema are targeting pathways beyond vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Phase 2 results from the BOULEVARD trial (NCT02699450), which is comparing faricimab, the first biologic to target both the Ang-2 and VEGF pathways, with ranibizumab, will be presented at the American Society of Retina Specialists (ASRS) 2019 …

"For patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD), a major cause of visual impairment worldwide,[1] the advent of anti–vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) intravitreal injections has been an undeniable breakthrough.  Anti-VEGF therapy allows for greater control of the exudative process, which can dramatically improve outcomes compared with observation alone." "Achieving …

Brolucizumab is noninferior to aflibercept and requires less-frequent injections for patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD), according to results from two phase-3 trials. Earlier this month, Novartis announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration accepted the company's brolucizumab application for the treatment of nAMD. Reductions in central subfield thickness …

"NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - In patients with unilateral neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD), certain drusen features are associated with conversion to neovascular AMD in the fellow eye, according to a secondary analysis of data from a clinical trial. Dr. Joelle A. Hallak of the University of Illinois at Chicago and colleagues used machine learning and explanatory model-building …

EyeCRO recently requested and conducted a pre-IND meeting with the US FDA to discuss the nonclinical and clinical development plans for CsA-MiDROPS™ to treat Dry Eye Disease. The agency was supportive of the project and agreed that the proposed nonclinical and CMC studies would allow entry into a phase II clinical trial. Also discussed was the potential and required clinical endpoints for …

EyeCRO LLC has been awarded full accreditation from AAALAC International for their facility in Oklahoma City, OK. EyeCRO joins the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma State University, and the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center as the fifth institution in Oklahoma to receive this prestigious endorsement. The award letter from AAALAC …

Ophthalmic distribution studies indicate significantly increased drug concentration with CsA-MiDROPS (Cyclosporine A microemulsion) compared with Restasis. CsA-MiDROPS is well tolerated with little toxicity in a 2-week tolerability study. In the DED model, both 0.05% and 0.1% CsA-MiDROPS conferred a significant effect and were more effective than Restasis for treating experimental DED when dosed …