November 2007

Setting Our Sights On 2008

Alan B. Guralnick, Publisher

Genentech to Halt Avastin Sales to Compounding Pharmacies

The company said it continues to actively listen to physicians' concerns and will try to address them in a productive fashion.

Conni Bergmann Koury, Editor-in-Chief and Leah D. Farr, Associate Editor

Early Detection of AMD Is Crucial to Preserve Vision

Even with better treatment options, early detection is key to preserving vision and maintaining quality of life.

Anat Loewenstein, MD

Vitreoretinal Surgeons Pick up Endoscopes

The endoscope has become a key tool in modern microincisional and minimally invasive diagnostic and therapeutic modalities.

Christopher D. Riemann, MD

OCT After Intravitreal Anti-VEGF Therapies for AMD

A quantitative comparison of intravitreal ranibizumab, bevacizumab, and pegaptanib.

SriniVas R. Sadda, MD, Christopher D. Riemann, MD

Intravitreal Dexamethasone as an Adjunct in the Treatment of Neovascular AMD

Our preliminary work suggests that intravitreal dexamethasone may be a safe adjunctive treatment when used in combination with PDT and anti-VEGF agents.

Subhransu Ray, MD, PhD

NEI VFQ-25 Useful Tool for Determining Patients' Vision-Related Function

The NEI VFQ-25 measures the dimensions of self-reported vision-targeted health status that are most important for individuals who have chronic eye diseases.

Gregg T. Kokame, MD, MMM

Positive Primary Endpoint Results Reported in Phase 2 VEGF Trap-Eye

Retinal thickness was reduced, and vision was improved in patients with neovascular AMD.

Jeffrey S. Heier, MD

Higher-Dose VEGF Trap-Eye May Enhance Results in Neovascular AMD

Intravitreal injection of up to 4 mg of VEGF Trap-Eye was well tolerated, and no evidence of ocular inflammation was detected.

Quan Dong Nguyen, MD, MSc

Detection of Subclinical Exudative AMD With a Clinical Challenge Test

Patients' visual acuity will be better the earlier they can receive treatment.

Tongalp H. Tezel, MD

Asymptomatic Patients With Increased ART May Have Underlying Occlusive Disease

The average ART is 12 to 15 seconds. There are numerous potential causes for ART delay, including myocardial and pulmonary disease.

Joseph I. Maguire, MD; Richard Scartozzi, MD; and Robert C. Sergott, MD

Adult Retinal Stem Cell Spheres Hold Potential for DR Treatment

RSC sphere cells may prevent or slow down the vascular damage and neovascularization in diabetic retinopathy, as well as provide new retinal cells to replenish those retinal neurons lost to disease.

Beatrix Kovacs, PhD, Mathew W. MacCumber, MD, PhD, and Shunbin Xu, MD, PhD

Quality of Life and Treatment of AMD

Jointly sponsored by The Dulaney Foundation and Retina Today. Release Date: November 1, 2007. Expiration Date: December, 31, 2008. This continuing medical education activity is supported by an educational grant from Genentech.

Tom S. Chang, MD

In Tribute: Charles L. Schepens, MD

The 40th Annual Retina Society Scientific Meeting, held this year in Boston, honored the late Charles L. Schepens, MD, long considered a leader in retinal detachment surgery. In this issue, Retina Today has dedicated this page to Dr. Schepens, a pioneering ophthalmologist.