JUL 19, 2019
By Anni Delfaro
Comprehensive Ophthalmology, Cornea/External Disease, Neuro-Ophthalmology/Orbit, Retina/Vitreous
A weekly roundup of ophthalmic news from around the web.
An inexpensive, FDA-approved enzyme may be just the thing to heal the cornea after a chemical burn, according to a new report in Nature Communications. Studies in rabbit and donor corneas suggest an enzyme called collagenase softens corneal tissue and encourages existing stem cells to repair the damage and restore sight. Collagenase has already been approved for other uses in Europe and the United States; soon, researchers from Newcastle University and the LV Prasad Eye Institute will test the therapy in 30 human patients with acid burns. Newcastle University
Celebrity interior designer Nate Berkus and Novartis are teaming up to offer home style and safety tips for people with AMD. Their free kit, called My Home in Sight Kit, provides both a written and audio guide to home lighting, furniture and décor. Tips include placing dark pillows at either end of a neutral-colored sofa, placing a dark armchair in a light room and designating a lamp to every seat in the room. According to this story in Hunker, the Macular Degeneration Association and Prevent Blindness also contributed to the project. Good Morning America, Hunker
Allergan’s biodegradable, sustained-release implant for IOP control is nearing FDA approval, it seems. The agency accepted Allergan’s new drug application for bimatoprost sustained-release. The application is based on encouraging results from the phase 3 ARTEMIS trials in 1,122 patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. After 3 doses, more than 80% of patients remained treatment free for at least 12 months. Allergan
A Kentucky electrical worker felt something in his eye after chopping down a tree. He assumed it was sawdust—until he heard a “little popping sound” as the doctor pulled a deer tick from his cornea. There’s a video! CNN