Retinal changes, schizophrenia linked
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Tracking changes in the eye's retina may help physicians provide more effective treatment for people with schizophrenia, according to a meta-analysis of published research. More than 60% of adult patients with schizophrenia experience visual distortions involving form, motion or color, researchers at Rutgers University and Mount Sinai's New York Eye and Ear Infirmary said in a press release.
Both current schizophrenia patients and those at high risk for the disorder have a "widening of small blood vessels in the eyes," possibly caused by chronic low oxygen supply to the brain, which could explain vision changes and signal disease risk and progression, the researchers said. These patients also had a thinning of the retinal nerve fiber layer (which is already associated with the onset of hallucinations and visual acuity problems in patients with Parkinson's disease).
One past study also found that poorer visual acuity at age 4 predicted a diagnosis of schizophrenia in adulthood, and another that children who later develop schizophrenia have elevated rates of strabismus compared to the general population, the groups said. The meta-analysis found no reports of schizophrenia in those with congenital blindness, suggesting congenital blindness may be protective against developing schizophrenia.
In addition, the research found abnormal electrical responses by retinal cells exposed to light (as measured by electroretinography), suggesting possible cellular-level differences in the eyes of schizophrenia patients.
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Enrollment underway for phase 2 dry AMD study
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A phase 2 study on atrophic age-related macular degeneration (AMD) has enrolled its first patient, developer Ocata Therapeutics (Marlborough, Mass.) said in a press release. The study will include up to 3 cohorts of up to 20 subjects each to evaluate safety and explore efficacy of the stem cell transplants. Each of the cohorts will receive 1 week of immune suppressive therapy prior to surgery and then different immune suppression regimens following transplantation of retinal pigment epithelial cells to determine the safety and tolerability of 0, 6 and 12 weeks of post-transplant systemic immune suppression. Untreated patients will receive placebo treatment similar in appearance and administration to those who have received cellular transplants.
The purpose of the trial is to evaluate safety and explore efficacy as compared to a parallel control group. Interim top-line results from the first cohort are expected in the second quarter of 2016, and the interim read-out on the second two cohorts is expected by the end of 2016. |
Novartis to start Google lens studies next year
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Novartis (Basel, Switzerland) will begin the first human studies of Google's "smart contact lens" in 2016, according to a news report from Reuters. A Swiss newspaper reported the lens is being developed as a smart lens for accommodative vision correction in people with presbyopia. Novartis will also develop smart contact lenses to monitor glucose levels in people with diabetes.
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Aerie Pharmaceuticals announces licensing agreement
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Bedminster, N.J.-based Aerie Pharmaceuticals announced it has started a research collaboration and license agreement for a preclinical anti-beta amyloid small molecule product candidate for neuroprotection and dry age-related macular degeneration with Ramot at Tel Aviv University Ltd., Tel Aviv University's technology transfer company.
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RESEARCH BRIEFS
- In Singapore, sustained drug delivery for the medical treatment of glaucoma is an acceptable alternative to daily eye drop administration, according to a study from H.H. Chan and colleagues. They enrolled 250 Chinese patients to assess beliefs about medicines, eye drops, illness perception, medication adherence, and health literacy, and the acceptance and attitudes of 3 drug delivery routes (subconjunctival, intracameral, and punctal). The subconjunctival (acceptance: 61.6%, n=154), intracameral (acceptance: 57.2%, n=143), and punctal (acceptance: 63.2%, n=158) routes were willing to be accepted by the majority of the interviewed patients. Among those, 78.6%, 79.1%, and 78.5% were willing to pay an equal or higher cost compared with their current eye drops for the subconjunctival, intracameral, and punctal plug routes, respectively. A total of 120 (48.0%) patients ranked punctal plug placement as the preferred route for sustained drug delivery followed by subconjunctival (n=76, 30.4%) and intracameral (n=54, 21.6%) routes. Male patients, nonsubsidized patients, and those with bilateral glaucoma were independently associated with preference of these 3 alternative routes of administration. The study is published in the Journal of Glaucoma.
- Certain baseline characteristics have predictive value for visual prognosis and treatment frequency in ranibizumab-treated patients with wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD), according to Carl D. Regillo, MD, and colleagues on behalf of the HARBOR study group. The randomized, multicenter study enrolled patients aged ≥50 years with subfoveal wet AMD who had best corrected VA (BCVA) values measured at baseline and month 12. Baseline predictors of BCVA change from baseline at month 12 and/or percentage of 3-line gainers included lower BCVA, younger age, smaller total choroidal neovascularization (CNV) leakage area, smaller area of occult CNV, and presence of subretinal fluid (SRF). Baseline predictors of ≥20/40 vision at month 12 included higher BCVA, smaller total CNV leakage area, and presence of SRF. An SRF thickness >118.25 μm at baseline predicted requiring more ranibizumab injections in the first 12 months of treatment. The study is published online ahead of print in the American Journal of Ophthalmology.
- The increasing number of late in-the-bag IOL dislocations cannot be explained by the growing pseudophakic population only, but is due primarily to the longer duration of pseudophakia in the population and to a greater dislocation risk with recent cataract surgery, according to Kinga Dabrowska-Kloda, MD, and colleagues. Medical records of 123 eyes operated on for late in-the-bag IOL dislocation between 1992 and 2012 were reviewed. The annual incidence varied between 0.00% and 0.08%. An increasing trend was found (P<.001). The cumulative risk 5, 10, 15, and 20 years after cataract extraction was 0.09%, 0.55%, 1.00%, and 1.00%, respectively, and was significantly higher (P<.001) in eyes that had cataract surgery between 2002 and 2012 than in those operated on between 1992 and 2001 (0.89% versus 0.39% at 10 years postoperatively; P<.001). Calendar time (date) of dislocation was positively correlated with the duration of preceding pseudophakia (P=.005). Phacoemulsification time was longer in eyes with dislocation than in control eyes (P<.001). Other identified risk factors were pseudoexfoliation, zonular dehiscence, pseudophacodonesis, and increased axial length. The article is published in the Journal of Cataract & Refractive Surgery.
NEW PRODUCT BRIEFS
- Volk Optical (Mentor, Ohio) expanded the capabilities of its Volk Eye Check portable ophthalmic exam tool to include a Best Fit Analysis Report to its Contact Lens Mode. The Best Fit Analysis generates a patient-specific report, recommending the most appropriate lenses by brand and type, the company said.
- Iridex (Mountain View, Calif.) added Icare's tonometer to its line of glaucoma products, the company announced. The tonometer includes a disposable device that measures intraocular pressure.
- Alphaeon Corp. (Irvine, Calif.) released ShoutMD 3.0, "a unique professional and social network that allows board-certified physician specialists to share insights, start discussions, and collaborate with their peers with the goal of improving patient experiences and outcomes," the company announced.
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Important Safety Information about PROLENSA®
- PROLENSA® contains sodium sulfite, a sulfite that may cause allergic type reactions including anaphylactic symptoms and life-threatening or less severe asthmatic episodes in certain susceptible people. The overall prevalence of sulfite sensitivity in the general population is unknown and probably low. Sulfite sensitivity is seen more frequently in asthmatic than in nonasthmatic people.
- All topical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including bromfenac, may slow or delay healing. Concomitant use of topical NSAIDs and topical steroids may increase the potential for healing problems.
- There is the potential for cross-sensitivity to acetylsalicylic acid, phenylacetic acid derivatives, and other NSAIDs, including bromfenac. Use with caution in patients who have previously exhibited sensitivities to these drugs.
- There have been reports that ocularly applied NSAIDs may cause increased bleeding of ocular tissues (including hyphemas) in conjunction with ocular surgery. Use with caution in patients with known bleeding tendencies or who are receiving other medications which may prolong bleeding time.
- Use of topical NSAIDs may result in keratitis. Patients with evidence of corneal epithelial breakdown should immediately discontinue use of topical NSAIDs, including bromfenac, and should be closely monitored for corneal health. Patients with complicated ocular surgeries, corneal denervation, corneal epithelial defects, diabetes mellitus, ocular surface diseases (e.g., dry eye syndrome), rheumatoid arthritis, or repeat ocular surgeries within a short period of time may be at increased risk for corneal adverse events which may become sight threatening. Topical NSAIDs should be used with caution in these patients. Post-marketing experience with topical NSAIDs suggests that use more than 24 hours prior to surgery or use beyond 14 days post-surgery may increase patient risk for the occurrence and severity of corneal adverse events.
- PROLENSA® should not be instilled while wearing contact lenses. The preservative in PROLENSA®, benzalkonium chloride, may be absorbed by soft contact lenses. Lenses may be reinserted after 10 minutes following administration of PROLENSA®.
- The most commonly reported adverse reactions in 3%-8% of patients were anterior chamber inflammation, foreign body sensation, eye pain, photophobia, and blurred vision.
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EyeWorld Weekly Update is edited by Stacy Jablonski and Michelle Dalton.
EyeWorld Weekly Update (ISSN 1089-0319), a digital publication of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery and the American Society of Ophthalmic Administrators, is published every Friday, distributed by email, and posted live on Friday.
Medical Editors: Eric D. Donnenfeld, MD, chief medical editor; Rosa Braga-Mele, MD, cataract editor; Clara C. Chan, MD, cornea editor; Reay H. Brown, MD, glaucoma editor; Steven C. Schallhorn, MD, refractive editor; and John A. Vukich, MD, international editor
For sponsorship opportunities or membership information, contact: ASCRS*ASOA * 4000 Legato Rd. * Suite 700 * Fairfax, VA 22033 * Phone: 703-591-2220 * Fax: 703-591-0614 * Email: ASCRS
Opinions expressed in EyeWorld Weekly Update do not necessarily reflect those of ASCRS*ASOA. Mention of products or services does not constitute an endorsement by ASCRS*ASOA. |
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