Icon Bioscience, Inc. has announced that it has initiated its Phase 2/3 pivotal clinical trial to assess the safety and efficacy of IBI-10090 in patients undergoing cataract surgery. IBI-10090 is a novel anti-inflammatory drug product, based on IBI’s proprietary Verisome(TM) drug delivery platform technology, administered as a single injection into the anterior chamber of the eye that is designed to last approximately two to three weeks.

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Cataract surgery improved vision in patients with any stage–from mild to advanced– AMD in the first study to include an adequate number of advanced AMD patients. Data was obtained from the multicenter, prospective Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS), funded by the National Eye Institute (NEI), which was organized primarily to evaluate the effects of high-dose vitamin and mineral supplements on cataract and AMD.

Abbott Medical Optics conducted a 250-eye study of the Tecnis multifocal intraocular lens (IOL) and measured results at three days, 30 days, 90 days, 150 days and 210 days after cataract surgery. Most of the study participants achieved their best vision after 180 days, which the researchers called a neuroadaptation period. During the last checkup, 96.8 percent of eyes could read at 20/20 (J2) without correction, with 83.2 percent reading at 20/15 (J1).

Trusted LASIK Surgeons has announced that the LASIK Laser Cataract and vision correction experts at Baylor Vision of Houston have joined the Trusted LASIK Surgeons Directory, an informational resource for consumers seeking to improve their vision through laser eye surgery or other refractive surgery procedure and to find highly qualified refractive surgeon to perform their eye surgery. The Baylor Vision experts regularly treat patients seeking laser eye surgery, refractive procedures cataract surgery.

LenSar  has developed new laser therapy that can potentially remove cataract from people’s eyes more efficiently. The technology is being tested in clinical trials. It is commonly believed that cataract surgeries, which totaled at more than three million procedures in the U.S. last year, are already being done with a laser device. Few years ago, the company began to safely but partially treat human eyes with the laser in trials outside the U.S.

ISTA Pharmaceuticals is planning to ask the FDA to approve a change to the label of its bromfenac 0.09% ophthalmic solution. It has obtaining positive preliminary phase III results in a confirmatory clinical study of once-daily bromfenac (Xibrom QD) for the treatment of inflammation and pain after cataract surgery. The topical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory compound currently is labeled for twice-daily use beginning 24 hours after such surgeries.

Researchers have found that the cancer drug bevacizumab medication (sold as Avastin) may prove useful in improving vision loss in diabetic patients, as well as in those who have undergone cataract surgery. Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is the major threat to vision in working-age people. While laser treatment is usually able to reduce vision loss, widespread, diffuse DME  (DDME) is often resistant to laser and other standard treatments.

According to a study, the use of tamsulosin for the treatment of prostate enlargement and urinary symptoms may elevate the risk of complications after cataract surgery, whereas other alpha-blockers showed no increased risk. The findings showed that ophthalmologists should counsel older male patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia about the potential risks associated with tamsulosin use. Moreover, eye care specialists should prepare for intraoperative complications or refer difficult cases to more experienced surgeons.

Carl Zeiss Meditec has announced the newest innovations OPMI Lumera® i Surgical Microscope and VISULAS Trion™ Combi System. These new systems include diagnostic and surgical applications covering the entire spectrum of patient care and supporting all major segments of ophthalmology, including cataract/refractive, retina and glaucoma. These innovations are designed to provide the clinician with better diagnostic and treatment options while streamlining efficiency in the practice.  OPMI Lumera® i Surgical Microscope includes a touch-screen control panel, integrated camera control and an ergonomic foot pedal whereas VISULAS Trion™ Combi System is world’s first multi-color photocoagulator.