A recent research study is getting a lot of attention because it showed a statistical link between daily aspirin use and wet macular degeneration.  As usual with these news stories, it's important to look deeper than the headline.  One irresponsible headline actually stated, "Aspirin Causes Blindness" - which is definitely untrue.

Remember that many seniors take a daily aspirin for their circulation and heart health - often prescribed by their cardiologists or other doctors.  For this purpose, aspirin is taken because it is a blood thinner.

Dry Macular Degeneration was on the agenda at the Retina Days of the American Academy of Ophthalmology annual conference last week.

People with dry AMD make up the vast majority of those who have macular degeneration (85-90%) but there is no medical treatment for this form of the disease. That may be changing.  In the meantime, more is being learned about vitamin supplementation and its role in slowing progression.

Direct from the Retina Subspecialty Days

Annual Conference of the American Academy of Ophthalmology 2011

Lucentis or Avastin?

Dr. Frederick L. Ferris, who headed the National Eye Institute's Age-Related Eye Disease Study, talked about interpreting the results of clinical trials.  This is important to you because sometimes the news media publishes the most dramatic results without explaining the bigger picture.  For instance, the CATT study (Comparison of AMD Treatment Trial) looked at Lucentis and Avastin to determine if:  Avastin was "non-inferior" to Lucentis (worked about them same) and monthly dosing was better than as needed treatment (called PRN).  In essence, the one year data showed that Lucentis and Avastin are comparable in effect and safety and the monthly dosing is statistically better than PRN treatment.

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The drug, which Regeneron tested in clinical trials under the name VEGF Trap-Eye, was given a fast-track approval process.  The FDA Advisory Committee recommended approval, which had been expected this month.

Share The implantable miniature telescope (IMT) was approved by the FDA in 2010 (see our article). Now, the way has been cleared, by Medicare at least, to cover this procedure in outpatient facilities.  The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CNS) has established a billing code, effective October 1, 2011.  Outpatient facilities will be able to be reimbursed for the cost of providing the service.

Share A Phase II clinical trial is underway in Austria to determine if Rescula eye drops might help dry AMD by improving ocular blood flow.  Rescula (unoprostone isopropyl) has been approved in the U.S. for glaucoma and ocular hypertension.

There is evidence that problems with the blood flow in the retina can contribute to the development of drusen and dry macular degeneration.

Reporting directly from the Retina Subspecialty Days at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology conference in Orlando, Florida.

The second group of reports includes Internal Radiation for AMD and an overview of a wide range of upcoming therapies, as well as an update on artificial vision.

Share A topical drug, Xibrom (bromfenac), when used with Lucentis, may improve results, according to a Phase II clinical trial in patients with wet macular degeneration. The clinical trial is very small (30 patients with new or recurrent wet AMD), so more research is needed.  The developer, Ista Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is planning additional studies to validate the results.

Share The miniature implantable telescope (IMT) was approved by the FDA one year ago. Since then, researchers have continued to track the use of the device.  After two years of study, they have concluded that in appropriate patients, it improves vision, improves quality of life and, though expensive, appears to be worth the investment.

Share The first question asked in clinical trials, even before, "does it work?", would be the important, "is it safe?".  After years of use and thousands of injections, the treatment for wet macular degeneration (Lucentis or Avastin) is generally safe.  But an infection developed during treatment could be disastrous. The most frightening possibility for any intravitreal eye injection is a severe infection called endophthalmitis.  If bacteria is introduced within the eye, it can cause major complications, including blindness or loss of the eye.