Ophthalmology Times

Amanda Zong, BS, and Anne Barmettler, MD, from the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Montefiore Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, reported that cannabis users had a significantly increased risk for thyroid eye disease (TED) outcomes. They published their study in Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. They conducted this study to identify an association between TED and cannabis use in patients who were diagnosed with autoimmune hyperthyroidism. The investigators pointed out that while the association between cigarette smoking and TED has been well established, an association between TED and cannabis use has not been determined. Read More: https://ow.ly/9bgX50Vnjc8

Opthea announced results from COAST, its phase 3 clinical trial in patients with wet age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD). COAST (Combination OPT-302 with Aflibercept Study) evaluated sozinibercept (2 mg) every 4 or 8 weeks in combination with aflibercept (2 mg), as per label, every 8 weeks after a loading phase for the treatment of wet AMD. According to the company, the trial did not meet its primary endpoint of mean change in best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) from baseline to week 52. Read More: https://hubs.li/Q03d9mPP0

The Glauoma Research Foundation has announced the 9 recipients of the Shaffer Research Grants for innovative glaucoma research. The grant honors Robert N. Shaffer, MD, who launched the Glaucoma Research Foundation, and provides $55,000 in seed money for collaborative projects that target one or more of the foundation’s strategic research goals. Read More: https://ow.ly/gYfO50Vnj3f

Angiogenesis is the growth of blood vessels from the existing vasculature. The process occurs throughout life in both health and disease, beginning in utero and continuing on through old age. It is essential for normal growth and wound healing. No metabolically active tissue in the body is more than a few hundred micrometers from a blood capillary, which is formed by the process of angiogenesis Read More: https://ow.ly/yHQQ50VniPb

Kalaris Therapeutics and AlloVir Inc. have officially completed a previously announced merger of the 2 companies. The combined companies will operate under the name Kalaris Therapeutics, Inc. and will trade on Nasdaq Global Market under the ticker symbol KLRS. The company will be led by Andrew Oxtoby, CEO of Kalaris, and other members of Kalaris management. Read More: https://ow.ly/A8gK50VniLo

A large study performed by researchers in China and Australia found substantial increases in the prevalence and severity of refractive and corneal astigmatism, independent of myopia, in children after the COVID-19 pandemic, reported first author Ka Wai Kam, MSc. He is affiliated with the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, and the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Prince of Wales Hospital, both in Hong Kong. Previous studies reported a surge in the prevalence of myopia associated with the pandemic, but the association between COVID-19 and childhood astigmatism remains unclear, the research team explained. Read More: https://ow.ly/1efp50VniIp

Iantrek Corporation has announced positive 2-year results from its prospective clinical study of a bio-interventional platform for uveoscleral outflow enhancement in open-angle glaucoma (OAG) patients undergoing combined cataract surgery. According to the company, results demonstrated the durability of intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction and uveoscleral outflow enhancement provided by Iantrek’s cyclodialysis procedure with bio-reinforcement. Read More: https://ow.ly/NUpf50Vmb4J

Jasmine S. Brown and colleagues found that there are gender differences in ophthalmologist communication patterns, and the COVID-19 pandemic impacted these differences. Female physicians sent longer response communications to patients and more responses per patient compared with male physicians. Effective patient-centered communication is critical for ophthalmic patients because it can convey the importance of the treatment plan and enhance adherence. Gender differences in communication have increasing relevance in ophthalmology given the rising representation of women within the specialty over the past 50 years (from 4% in 1969 to 27% in 2019), according to the authors, who published their results in the American Journal of Ophthalmology. Read More: https://ow.ly/8v1s50VmaZG

Australian investigators identified a potential misdiagnosis rate of geographic atrophy (GA) of 1.9%. While this is low, they advised clinicians of the potential for dystrophies that mimic age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and other atrophic macular pathologies to be incorrectly diagnosed. Incorrect diagnosis can lead to inappropriate treatment. Read More: https://ow.ly/5IlH50VlLqB

Formosa Pharmaceuticals and Cipla Limited have entered into an exclusive licensing agreement for the commercialization of clobetasol propionate ophthalmic suspension, 0.05% (APP13007) for post-operative inflammation and pain following ocular surgery. Under the terms of the agreement, Cipla has exclusive rights to market APP13007 across 11 countries: India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Myanmar, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Argentina, and Colombia. Read More: https://ow.ly/SHKU50VlLoW