Happy New Year! Thank you for your support this year. We started in April '09 and now have over 900 "visits" per 30 days. I write for other blogs to bring attention to ours. I tell my patients and doctors. It is working very well. The concept of creating a credible source of health information is slowly catching. My goals for this year are to continue to … [Read more...]
Neither/Nor, Either/Or… AMD and/or DR
December 30, 2009 By Leave a Comment
This site is for patients with macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy. I should really use proper grammar to say that this web site is for patients with either macular degeneration or diabetic retinopathy. A subtle difference. Patients usually have one of these diseases or the other, but not both. I do not believe that this is well documented. Most … [Read more...]
The Risks of Eye Injections
December 29, 2009 By 3 Comments
The risks and complications of injections into the eye are low. The most dreaded complication of intravitreal injections is infection inside the eye (aka endophthalmitis). The risk of endophthalmitis is reported to be about 0.09%. Endophthalmitis can cause blindness. As more and more intravitreal injections are delivered for the treatment of diabetic retinopathy … [Read more...]
Iluvien® For Diabetic Macular Edema Has Eyes on FDA
December 28, 2009 By Leave a Comment
™Alimera Sciences' "Iluvien®" moves closer to FDA approval for the treatment of diabetic macular edema. Iluvien is an extended release drug delivery system designed for direct intravitreal injection to the eye. Iluvien will release a steroid, fluocinolone acetonide, for up to 36 months to treat retinal swelling. The company has announced pivotal results in the … [Read more...]
New Macular Degeneration Drug on the Horizon
December 23, 2009 By Leave a Comment
A company, Ophthotech, recently announced their drug is now funded to enter Phase II FDA trials for testing. Their new drug, E10030, is an aptamer (similar to an antibody) targeted against "Platelet Derived Growth Factor." The aptamer is designed to specifically bind to PDGF and prevent "plugging-in" to its receptor. The drug is novel for two reasons; 1) it is … [Read more...]
A “Toy Story”…………Stories that Blind
December 21, 2009 By 2 Comments
Most retina specialists are also surgeons. We operate on retinal detachments, advanced diabetic retinopathy.............and trauma. Trauma includes careless accidents involving projectiles...........like toys. This holiday season, think about eye safety. Paintball - I hate this one. A compact canister fired at a high rate of speed. The fancier the gun, the … [Read more...]
“Cross My Heart, Hope to Die, Stick a Needle in My…”
December 18, 2009 By 21 Comments
I give intravitreal eye injections everyday! It is one of the most rewarding things I do! And they come back for more! My patients love it because anti-VEGF injections usually work really well, especially if the wet form of macular degeneration is caught early. Suspicion Confirmed When I examine a patient and suspect that a patient has wet macular degeneration, … [Read more...]
Avastin Steals The Show: Treatment for Wet Macular Degeneration
December 17, 2009 By 4 Comments
Avastin, in many areas is the preferred treatment for wet macular degeneration. Avastin's generic name is bevacizumab. It is the predecessor to Lucentis and both are made by the same company (Genentech/Roche). Avastin is the third intraocular injection and is also anti-VEGF. Avastin; is NOT FDA approved for the treatment of macular degeneration is the … [Read more...]
Lucentis: Another Shot in the Eye, Effective TX for ARMD
December 16, 2009 By 1 Comment
Lucentis™ is the second intraocular, anti-VEGF injection FDA approved for the treatment of wet macular degeneration. It was approved in 2006. It fast became the mainstay of the treatment for wet macular degeneration. It is still popular today among retina specialists for treatment of wet macular degeneration. Facts About Lucentis FDA approved for the … [Read more...]
