Silicone oil is used for recurrent retinal detachments or complicated retinal detachments including PVR (proliferative vitreoretinopathy). It can be a valuable tool to prevent blindness. Most retinal detachments are caused by a retinal tear, or hole, in the retina. In either case, this allows for communication between the vitreous cavity and the potential space underneath the retina. … [Read more...]
Iluvien Treatment for Diabetic Macular Edema
July 1, 2010 By 9 Comments
Iluvien gets closer to FDA approval for treatment of diabetic macular edema. Earlier this week, I wrote about emerging treatments for diabetic retinopathy. Of the group, Iluvien is now the most likely to be available. Alimera Sciences has filed for NDA (New Drug Application) for Iluvien. In March, the company announced the favorable results in their clinical trials for the FDA. The NDA … [Read more...]
New Treatment for Diabetic Eye Disease
April 30, 2010 By 2 Comments
A combination of intravitreal injection of Lucentis (ranibizumab) plus laser has just been proven to be a new and more effective treatment for diabetic macular edema. For the past 25 years, laser photocoagulation (aka laser treatment) has been the mainstay for this most common complication of diabetic retinopathy. The new treatment involves Lucentis, the anti-VEGF drug also used to treat … [Read more...]
Sustained Release; Ozurdex Now Treats Diabetic Macular Edema?
April 7, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Ozurdex, a sustained release drug delivery system, may soon be used to treat diabetic macular edema. The sustained release intravitreal implant has been tested, with favorable results, for possible use in treating the common retinal swelling caused by diabetes. Results were published recently in the March issue of the Archives of Ophthalmology. Ozurdex was FDA approved for the treatment of … [Read more...]
Drusen Not Associated with Macular Degeneration
March 18, 2010 By 99 Comments
Drusen are associated with macular degeneration but are not diagnostic of the disease. Too many feel that these "spots" are indicative of ARMD, but they can, and often are, normal. What Are These White Lesions? Drusen are white spots, or lesions, seen within the layers of the retina. There are two types; hard and soft. The differences between the two are somewhat subtle. Hard drusen … [Read more...]
Iluvien: New Drug for Diabetic Macular Edema
March 17, 2010 By 2 Comments
Iluvien™, a new drug for the treatment of diabetic macular edema, draws one step closer to FDA approval. Alimera Sciences/pSivida announced that Iluvien showed favorable results in two Phase 3 clinical trials. The company has announced they will file for a New Drug Application (NDA) based on the favorable results. Iluvien is a Sustained Release Drug Delivery System Iluvien releases … [Read more...]
It’s Not What You Look At, It’s What You Look For
March 11, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Making a diagnosis can be difficult. Diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration are easy to diagnose, but you have to know to look for it to see it. The diagnosis then becomes pretty obvious. Knowing what to look for is essential to making a correct medical diagnosis. Retinal disease, such as ARMD and diabetic retinopathy, is easy to diagnose as we can also "see" the eye. I just … [Read more...]
