Revolutionary new X-ray treatment that could save the sight of thousands

An X-ray treatment that could save the sight of thousands is being  trialled on the NHS.

The 15-minute procedure has been shown to halt wet age-related macular degeneration, one of the most common forms of blindness in the elderly.

Around 250,000 suffer from this  debilitating condition which, if not treated, can cause loss of sight in just three months.

But early trials of the new procedure in Mexico and the UK have shown that it could halt the progression of the condition immediately, saving the UK NHS £300million  a year.

The trials on 60 people in Mexico showed that half did not need any more treatment while the remainder needed infrequent injections – only a few each year.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1365194/Revolutionary-new-X-ray-treatment-save-sight-thousands.html#ixzz1GP5h0xYB

Bayer and Regeneron Say VEGF Trap-Eye Improves Treatment of Wet AMD

Bayer HealthCare and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals say that two Phase III studies testing VEGF Trap-Eye (aflibercept ophthalmic solution) in wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) met the primary endpoint of statistical noninferiority in the proportion of patients who maintained (or improved) vision over 52 weeks compared to ranibizumab (Lucentis).

The goal of these studies was to demonstrate that VEGF Trap-Eye could improve vision and maintain this improvement over time with a more convenient every-other-month dose. Patients receiving VEGF Trap-Eye 2 mg monthly achieved a statistically significant greater mean improvement in visual acuity at week 52 versus baseline (secondary endpoint) compared to ranibizumab (Lucentis) 0.5 mg monthly.

Further results will be presented at the Angiogenesis Conference in February 2011. Bayer and Regeneron are planning to submit regulatory applications in Europe and the U.S. in the first half of 2011 based on the positive results of these two trials.

http://www.genengnews.com/gen-news-highlights/bayer-and-regeneron-say-vegf-trap-eye-improves-treatment-of-wet-amd/81244280/

http://www.winknews.com/Local-Florida/2011-01-21/New-Macular-Degeneration-study-helps-Fort-Myers-woman-see

Retinal Disease Treatments for Elders Doubled Over 10 Years

MONDAY, Oct. 11, 2010 (HealthDay News) — The number of older Americans undergoing treatment for retinal conditions such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and diabetic retinopathy nearly doubled between 1997 and 2007, with a significant shift in the types of procedures being performed, a new study has found.

The largest increase in volume was seen in treatments for neovascular, or “wet,” AMD. New treatments for this condition include intravitreal therapy — drug injections directly into the eye — of antibodies that block the formation of new blood vessels. Between 1997 and 2001, fewer than 5,000 such injections were performed each year, but rates more than doubled each year through 2006. In 2007, there were 812,413 such injections, the study authors noted in a news release from the journal’s publisher.

The use of photodynamic therapy — a laser treatment for neovascular AMD — peaked at 133,565 procedures in 2004 and then decreased 83 percent to 22,675 procedures in 2007. Laser treatment of potentially cancerous eye tumors and the “wet” form of AMD decreased from a peak of 82,089 in 1999 to 13,821 in 2007 (another 83 percent decrease), the researchers found.

Among the other findings:

• Use of vitrectomy — surgery to remove the gel inside the eye in order to treat retinal detachment — increased 72 percent between 1997 and 2007.
• The use of scleral buckling — placement of a silicon buckle around the eye — to treat retinal detachment decreased 69 percent between 1997 and 2007.

http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=120747

 

 

Potential Treatments for Macular Degeneration

Many potential treatments for macular degeneration are being investigated in laboratories and tested in human clinical trials.

• Acupuncture
• Alprostadil
• ARC1905
• AREDS2
• Avastin
• Bevasiranib
• Copaxone
• Cortical Implants
• Diet & Vitamins
• Eculizumab
• Fenretinide
• Macular Translocation
• Micro-Electrical Stimulation
• NT-501
• Photobiomodulation
• Radiation Therapy
• Retaane
• Retinal Implants
• Retinal Transplantation
• Rheopheresis
• RN6G
• RPE Transplantation
• Stem Cell Transplantation
• Submacular Surgery

See the cited website for details.

http://www.ahaf.org/macular/treatment/potential/

New Topical Eye Drop for the Treatment of Wet Macular Degeneration

Pazopanib, an investigational topical therapy for wet macular degeneration, shows positive beneficial results in clinical studies, Says Dr. Ilan Cohen, a New York City Ophthalmologist.

There are currently two drugs available for the treatment of Macular Degeneration: Lucentis, and Avastin. These drugs have been found effective both in preventing the progression of the disease and in improving overall visual acuity; however, both of these medications need to be injected into the eye with a needle every month, indefinitely, in order to prevent progression of the disease. In addition to the pain and the discomfort of receiving an injection into the eye each month, the patients are also exposed to the risk of a catastrophic eye infection due to a needle penetrating the eye. Moreover, the very high cost of the medication along with its administration by an Ophthalmologist can become a large burden on the healthcare budget and patients without insurance may not be able to afford it.

Pazopanib, on the other hand, can be administered as topical eye drops. The active molecule in Pazopanib works to prevent irregular blood vessels and subsequent bleeding under the macula. If this medication is proven effective in subsequent clinical studies and is approved by the FDA, patients with macular degeneration may be relieved of the nightmare of receiving monthly eye injections.

http://www.prweb.com/releases/2010/04/prweb3831544.htm

VEGF and AMD

The role of VEGF in macular degeneration seems to be a balancing act.

Lack Of VEGF Can Cause Defects Similar To Dry Macular Degeneration

ScienceDaily (Nov. 13, 2009) — Scientists at Schepens Eye Research Institute have found that when the eye is missing a diffusible form of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), i.e. one that when secreted can reach other cells at a distance, the retina shows defects similar to “dry” macular degeneration, also called geographic atrophy (GA).

VEGF is a protein that stimulates the growth of new blood vessels. The eye produces several different forms of VEGF that differ in their size and their ability to move away from the producing cell.

In wet AMD, a pathological overproduction of VEGF leads to the development of abnormal blood vessels, which leak and damage the retina. Wet AMD can be treated with some success with anti-VEGF drugs that block abnormal blood vessel growth and leakage. Dry macular degeneration develops less rapidly, and is related to an accumulation of debris under the retina that can advance to GA where RPE and underlying vessels are lost.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091102121506.htm

Another New Treatment for Wet AMD

BACKGROUND: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a disease that affects older adults and slowly destroys sharp central vision. Central vision is needed to see objects clearly and for tasks such as reading and driving. AMD affects the macula, the part of the eye that allows you to see fine detail. The macula is located in the center of the retina, the light sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. The retina converts light (or an image) into electrical impulses, and then sends these impulses to the brain. AMD causes no pain and in some cases progresses so slowly that people notice little change in their vision. On the other hand, the disease may progress rapidly and may lead to a loss of vision in both eyes.

CAUSES: AMD occurs in wet and dry types. In the dry type, the damage to the retina is due to the formation of small yellow deposits under the macula, known as drusen. This leads to a thinning and drying of the macula causing it to lose its function. Wet AMD occurs when abnormal blood vessels begin to grown underneath the retina. These vessels tend to be very fragile and can leak blood and fluid, which raise the macula from its normal place to the back of the eye. Vision loss from wet AMD is faster and more noticeable than the loss due to dry AMD. About 10 percent of patients with dry AMD later progress to wet AMD.

TREATMENTS: Currently there is no cure for AMD. High doses of certain nutritional supplements have been shown to help many people slow or avoid progression from dry to wet AMD, but once wet AMD has developed, it is important to receive medical treatment. The earlier wet AMD is diagnosed the better the patient’s chances of preserving some or much of their central vision. Because loss of vision is caused by the growth of new blood vessels, drugs that slow of stop this process can stabilize and often improve vision. Lucentis and Macugen are two drugs approved by the FDA for the treatment of wet AMD.

New Alternative BETA RADIATION THERAPY: Epiretinal Beta Radiation Therapy uses a common surgical technique to deliver a very precise dose of beta radiation directly to the area of the affected area by wet AMD. Beta radiation is thought to affect wet AMD by destroying existing abnormal vessels and discouraging the growth of new ones. Even though the dose of radiation is strong enough to affect the AMD lesion, its energy does not travel far, which means that surrounding tissues receive only slight exposure. The beta radiation procedure is done on an outpatient basis and usually takes less than an hour to perform, usually requiring only local anesthesia (SOURCE: Cabernet).

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

Kristi Gooden, Public Relations

Baptist Hospital

Nashville, TN

(615) 284-5446

Kristi.gooden@baptisthospital.com

www.baptisthospital.com

www.tnretina.com

Source http://www.connectmidmissouri.com/news/news_story.aspx?id=331810

New Treatment Being Developed for Wet AMD

A Roanoke company is in the early stages of new research to treat a debilitating eye disease.  OcuCure Therapeutics just finished 9 months of testing for a new eye drop,  that may eventually better treat Age Related Wet Macular Degeneration and Diabetic Retinopathy.

Without treatment, AMD only gets worse and can eventually cause blindness.  The eye drops are different from other treatments because they aren’t as toxic as some other medicines that are used to treat the condition.

http://www.wsls.com/sls/lifestyles/health_med_fit/article/new_eye_treatment_being_developed_in_roanoke/39092/

http://www.ocucure.com/