Week in review: Gene therapy for AMD, remote patient visits, ARVO awards

A weekly roundup of ophthalmic news from around the web.

Tarsier Pharma launches educational website about uveitic glaucoma during Glaucoma Awareness Month. “As a result of uveitis alone being a rare ocular disease, the familiarity with one of its main and most devastating complications, uveitic glaucoma, is low, even among the general ophthalmology community and stakeholders,” said Dr. Stephen Foster, principal investigator in the Phase III clinical trial TRS4VISION of patients with uveitis and uveitic glaucoma. “Consequently, it is important to shed some light about its unique complexity, worse prognosis, and great challenges in treatment.” Tarsier Pharma, PR Newswire

Young investigators in translational research receive ARVO award. The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) awarded the 2022 Pfizer Ophthalmics Carl Camras Translational Research Award to Drs. Jee Myung Yang of South Korea and PremNandhini Satgunam of India. “This award is a first for a Korean ophthalmologist. As a physician scientist, this prestigious award encourages me to remain in the research field,” said Dr. Yang. The award is granted annually to younger investigators working in areas of translational research, and each recipient is given $12,000. Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, Newswise

Intravitreal triamcinolone as midterm treatment for diabetic macular edema (DME) can improve vision, according to a team at the Ospedale Maggiore in Bologna, Italy. Forty-nine patients were given injectable intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide (IVTA) and followed for 6 months. Median best-corrected visual acuity significantly improved with IVTA treatment over time. The investigators concluded that IVTA “can be effective, well-tolerated and rather inexpensive as mid-term treatment (4–6 months) against ME caused by diabetes.” Ophthalmology Times, PLoS One

Remote ophthalmic consultations are popular with patients. A team from the corneal service at the Mid-Cheshire NHHS hospital in the United Kingdom surveyed patients following their telephone or video consultations via remote ophthalmic clinic prior to undergoing routine care. More than 82% of patients were very happy with their initial virtual appointment, and 65% of patients preferred remote consultations over face-to-face appointments. Therefore, while restrictions and lockdowns around the COVID-19 pandemic continue, remote consultations remain an acceptable option. Clinical Ophthalmology

Second Phase III pivotal trial for RGX-314 has begun enrollment. REGENXBIO, in collaboration with AbbVie, has begun to enroll patients in the ASCENT trial of the gene therapy RGX-314 vs. intravitreal aflibercept for the treatment of wet AMD. Expected enrollment is approximately 465 patients; the first Phase III trial, ATMOSPHERE, is ongoing. Approval for RGX-314 is expected to be sought in 2024. Ophthalmology Times