InSite Vision Incorporated has announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Dermatologic and Ophthalmic Drugs Advisory Committee has voted unanimously to recommend approval of Bausch & Lomb’s besifloxacin ophthalmic suspension, 0.6%, for the treatment of bacterial conjunctivitis, a product that utilizes InSite Vision’s DuraSite® patented drug delivery system. DuraSite is a synthetic polymer of cross-linked polyacrylic acid that stabilizes small molecules in an aqueous matrix, allowing for targeted and sustained administration. DuraSite enables a less frequent dosing schedule, increased patient compliance, and increased efficacy.

Bausch & Lomb has announced that its pink eye drug besifloxacin is currently is likely to get recommended by the FDA. Its Dermatologic and Ophthalmic Drugs Advisory Committee voted to recommend approval for besifloxacin 0.6. The drug is required for treatment of bacterial conjunctivitis. Bausch & Lomb plans to start marketing besifloxacin in the U.S. in 2009, pending FDA approval. It can be added that Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the conjunctiva most commonly due to an allergic reaction or an infection.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Bausch & Lomb to commercially launch the Akreos™ Advanced Optics Aspheric Lens  (model AO60) (model AO60) in the market of United States. A foldable acrylic IOL, the lens is implanted with Bausch & Lomb’s single-use AI-28 inserter. This enables single-handed insertion through an un-enlarged standard phaco incision. The lens delivers quality vision, and enhanced contrast sensitivity. Its unique properties make Akreos lens a pathway to micro-incision cataract surgery. This will enable novel lens technologies that can be inserted through smaller incisions.

Bausch & Lomb, the manufacturer of the crystalens intraocular lens (IOL) for cataracts, has decided to donate 100 pairs of these lenses, which are generally not covered by private insurance or Medicare. This is the only intraocular lens that uses the eye muscles to focus in much the same way as the natural lens does.