Archive for the ‘Drugs & Treatments’ Category
The Future Has Arrived - Artificial (not animal) corneal transplants restores vision
08.30.2010
By inserting an artificial collagen implant into the eye, scientists have developed a way for a person’s own natural corneal cells to regrow and thus restore vision. This is a revolutionary step toward developing an alternative to standard cornea transplants which aren’t widely available in some parts of the world due to a shortage of donated cadaver corneas.
The cornea is the clear film-like covering of the surface of the eye. The cornea helps the eye focus light and is delicate and easily harmed by infection or injury. Annually, around 42,000 people in the United States receive corneal transplants. The United States has an adequate supply of donated corneas but transplants do bring a risk of rejection and require steroid eyedrops, sometimes indefinitely.
Scientists took human collagen grown in yeast and then molded it into a contact lens-looking shape for a cornea. This bioartificial cornea was then placed in 10 patients with severe vision loss from damage to a corneal layer. The damaged tissue was removed in one eye and replaced with the bioartificial cornea. Scientists then noted that cells that normally line a healthy cornea began to grow in the collagen, tear production resumed and corneal nerves began to grow. Unlike a standard corneal transplant, no immune-suppressing medication was needed and there was no rejection of the implant.
While researchers are excited about this new technology, larger studies are needed and the therapy can hopefully be extended to include a wider range of vision loss. Full-thickness damage to the endothelial cells of the cornea are harder to treat than upper-layer corneal problems.*
Andrea Schumann
Staff Writer
Sugar junkies more likely to get macular degeneration
07.12.2010The admonition that “we are what we eat” has been repeated down through the years. What we eat can protect us from age-related macular degeneration (AMD) as well. A recent study finds that a regular diet of both protective nutrients and foods with a low-glycemic index can prevent AMD.
The powerhouse nutrients which were found to provide the most protection are vitamins C and E, zinc, lutein, zeaxanthin, and DHA. These nutrients in combination with the “slow carb” diet seemed to lower the risk of developing AMD in those who participated in the study.
Researchers examined the diet and other data of more than 4,000 women and men, aged 55 to 80 who were participants in the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS). The intake of several nutrients was ranked and then a compound score was calculated to estimate their dietary effect on AMD. Associations between individual and combined dietary nutrients were evaluated through the scoring system as well.*
Andrea Schumann
Staff Writer
The latest retinal eye treatment is a TRAP!
05.04.2010A new treatment for eye disease is designed to bind all forms of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor-A (VEGF-A) and Placental Growth Factor (PLGF) proteins which play a part in the abnormal growth of new blood vessels.
VEGF Trap-Eye
This new treatment, VEGF Trap-Eye is being developed by Regeneron and Bayer HealthCare. Two trials are under way to compare treatment of wet Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) with VEGF Trap-Eye and Lucentis®. In addition, VEGF Trap-Eye is being evaluated as a treatment for Central Retinal Vein Occlusion (CRVO) and Diabetic Macular Edema (DME).
VEGF Trap-Eye is administered locally and is specifically purified and formulated for intravitreal administration. It is hoped that by counteracting the effects of VEGF-A and PLGF, VEGF-Trap Eye will prove to be a beneficial therapy for those suffering from these eye disorders.*
Andrea Schumann
Staff Writer
Eye test in development that may provide early diagnosis of glaucoma and Alzheimer’s
01.22.2010The eyes may be more than the windows to the soul. They may allow doctors to diagnose neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s years before the onset of symptoms.
An eye test in early development may transform doctors’ ability to detect and treat diseases such as glaucoma and Alzheimer’s.
The technology behind the eye test is based upon the knowledge that nerve cell death is the key element in all degenerative brain disorders. Until now, there has been no way to measure brain cell death.
The new test uses a special camera and fluorescent markers that attach to retinal cells in various stages of death. This provides a real-time measurement of brain cell death by taking advantage of the fact that the eye is basically an exposed part of the brain. When brain cells are dying then retinal cells die as well. A large number of dead retinal cells would point to a neurological disorder.
While it is still to early to determine if the simple eye test will be an effective diagnostic tool in humans, researchers remain hopeful that the test will be available within the next few years.
Andrea Schumann
Staff Writer
Risk of endophthalmitis associated with injections for wet AMD
01.18.2010Patients are frequently concerned about the benefits and risks of medical procedures. And the standard of care for the treatment of wet macular degeneration is injections of a drug into the vitreous cavity of the eye, where it hopefully causes atrophy and elimination of abnormal blood vessels that leak blood and fluid into the retina.
One of the questions is what are the risks of infection with such treatments?
A study published in the February 2009 issue of the scientific journal, Eye, links injections of Lucentis or Avastin that are used to treat wet age-related macular degeneration with endophthalmitis.
Researchers determined there is a 1 in 1000 incidence of endophthalmitis which is an infection of the inner eye tissues in patients who receive the injections as treatment for wet AMD.
Three eyes of three patients who were identified as being diagnosed with endophthalmitis following their injections were studied. All three patients improved by the end of their follow-up period.
Researchers determined that endophthalmitis is still a potential complication of Lucentis or Avastin injections despite taking all precautions to ensure maximum sterilization techniques. The infection occurs rapidly and it is imperative that the signs of infection be recognized and treated early to prevent any vision loss.
Andrea Schumann
Staff Writer
