All articles tagged with #ophthalmology
A BMJ Case Reports study documents a young man who developed multiple retinal tears and retinal detachment after using a percussion massage gun on and around his eyes for months. Laser treatment repaired the damage, highlighting the eye injury risks and the lack of clear safety guidelines for ocular use of these devices.
Ollin Biosciences raised $330 million in a Series B to push its eye-disease therapy into Phase 3 trials for diabetic macular edema and wet age-related macular degeneration, with lead investors including TCGX and ARCH Venture Partners and participation from a pension fund and crossover investors, in one of biotech’s largest Series B rounds in years.
Life Biosciences dosed the first patient in a human trial of ER-100, a cellular reprogramming therapy designed to make aging cells act younger; the injection targeted the eye for glaucoma and uses three of the Yamanaka factors with a doxycycline switch to control activity. If safe and effective, it could open the door to systemic anti-aging therapies, but cancer risk remains a concern. The study will monitor safety over six months with up to about 20 participants enrolled across multiple cities.
Two people were shot at Kaiser medical offices in San Jose (5755 Cottle Rd), suffering life-threatening injuries and transported to local hospitals. Police say the incident appears isolated and they are investigating with a large police presence in the area; the ophthalmology facility involved is separate from the Kaiser hospital and has no emergency services.
Researchers are testing electromechanical reshaping (EMR) to temporarily soften and reshape the cornea with a mild electric current, potentially offering a cheaper, less invasive alternative to LASIK; early rabbit-eye experiments show improved focusing power with preserved cell viability, and the approach could address myopia and other refractive errors, but it is still experimental and must undergo extensive animal and clinical testing.
Repeated injections of a cheap clear surgical gel (hydroxypropyl methylcellulose) re-inflated eyes collapsed by chronically low pressure and restored usable vision in seven of eight patients at Moorfields Eye Hospital. The gel’s transparency lets clinicians monitor the retina, offering a potential, less risky alternative to silicone oil. Side effects included inflammation and transient vision loss in some cases but were reversible; larger trials are needed to confirm safety and how long the benefits last.
A Yale-led study of 595 adults with long COVID found that new eye symptoms after infection (blurred vision, dry eyes, floaters) are linked to a more severe disease profile, including worse overall health, higher autonomic symptoms (POTS, dizziness, tremors), more GI issues and migraines, and greater financial/housing instability; authors say ocular symptoms may indicate more-severe long COVID and call for more research, though limitations include self-reported data and a predominantly female/White sample.
Ocular Therapeutix reported that Axpaxli met a key endpoint in a Phase 3 wet AMD trial by maintaining patients’ vision with fewer injections than the standard treatment. At 9 and 12 months after a single injection, 74% and 66% of Axpaxli patients maintained vision versus 56% and 44% for low-dose Eylea. While the primary goal was achieved, the durability advantage over Eylea was smaller than investors expected, which could influence the drug’s commercial potential as the company pursues FDA approval.
A 39-year-old Brooklyn woman with six weeks of eye irritation developed floppy eyelids that rolled inside-out, a condition linked to obstructive sleep apnea and obesity. A sleep study showed moderate OSA (27 events per hour). After CPAP treatment, along with eye lubrication/patches and weight loss, her eyelids stopped flipping within two weeks and her sleep improved. The syndrome is often managed non-surgically, though some cases may require surgery.
A study by the Centre for Eye Research Australia has found that moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which causes low oxygen levels at night, is linked to an increased risk of developing wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The research suggests that nocturnal hypoxia may damage the retina, which requires high oxygen levels at night, potentially making OSA a modifiable risk factor for wet AMD. The study involved 225 participants and indicates that treating OSA could reduce the risk of AMD progression.
An overlooked symptom of diabetes, diabetic retinopathy, can lead to blindness if untreated, warns ophthalmologist Cindy Cai. This condition, caused by high blood sugar damaging the retina's blood vessels, highlights the importance of regular eye exams and lifestyle changes to manage blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol. Early detection and treatment are crucial to prevent vision loss, especially for those with long-term diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol.
A new personalized laser eye surgery, performed for the first time in the UK, uses 3D digital clones of patients' eyes to achieve 'super-vision' better than 20/20. The technology, called 'Eyevatar', allows surgeons to perfect the procedure virtually before actual surgery, resulting in improved vision outcomes. Trials show a 100% success rate for achieving 20/20 vision, with some patients reaching 20/12.5 or even 20/10 vision. This innovative approach could become the standard for corrective eye surgery, offering enhanced night vision and reducing the need for glasses.
A study published in PLOS Pathogens reveals that COVID-19 can infect the retina and cause significant eye damage, even if the virus does not enter through the eyes. Researchers at the University of Missouri found that the virus can breach the blood-retinal barrier, inducing a hyperinflammatory response and causing cell death. This discovery highlights the potential long-term visual complications of COVID-19, especially for immunocompromised individuals or those with pre-existing conditions like hypertension or diabetes. The study emphasizes the need for further research and monitoring of retinal health in COVID-19 patients.
Merck is set to acquire EyeBio, an ophthalmology-focused biotech company, for up to $3 billion, including an upfront payment of $1.3 billion and potential milestone payments. The acquisition includes EyeBio's lead candidate, Restoret™, which targets diabetic macular edema and neovascular age-related macular degeneration, and is expected to enter pivotal trials in late 2024. This move aims to expand Merck's pipeline and presence in ophthalmology.
Merck is re-entering the ophthalmology drug market with a $1.3 billion upfront cash acquisition of EyeBio, marking its return to the lucrative eye disease sector after a decade-long absence.