Weekly Ophthalmic Newsletter

1. Oral Azithromycin Equivalent to Six Weeks of Doxycycline for MGD

A study published online in JAMA Ophthalmology found that treatment of severe?meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD)?with three weeks of oral azithromycin is equivalent to six weeks of doxycycline.

During the study, the researchers discovered that at weeks 6 and 8, the adjusted mean between-group difference of total meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) scores was -0.33 and 0.13, respectively. Additionally, at six and eight weeks, the adjusted mean between-group difference in Ocular Surface Disease Index score was -1.20 and -1.59, respectively.

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2. Horizon’s Tepezza Improves Proptosis in Patients With Chronic TED

Horizon Therapeutics has announced positive and statistically significant topline results from its randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled Phase 4 clinical trial evaluating TEPEZZA for the treatment of adults with chronic?thyroid eye disease (TED)?and low CAS, a measure of disease activity.

The clinical trial data supports the efficacy of TEPEZZA in a broad spectrum of TED patients, regardless of disease activity or duration, with a well-established safety profile. TEPEZZA is the first and only medicine approved by the FDA for the treatment of TED, a serious, progressive, debilitating, and potentially vision-threatening rare autoimmune disease.

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3. Water-Free Cyclosporine Eye Drop, 0.1 percent, Found Effective for Dry Eye

A water-free cyclosporine solution is proven effective for treating moderate-to-severe dry eye disease (DED), according a study published online in JAMA Ophthalmology.

The findings from the study revealed that patients treated with cyclosporine solution had greater improvement in total corneal fluorescein staining (tCFS) than the vehicle group (?4.0 versus ?3.6 grades) at day 29 (change [?], ?0.4; 95 percent confidence interval [CI], ?0.8 to 0; P = 0.03). Treatment benefits in the dryness score from baseline were seen in both groups: ?12.2 points for cyclosporine and ?13.6 points for vehicle (? = 1.4; 95 percent CI, ?1.8 to 4.6; P = 0.38).

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4. Whale Sharks Illuminate Genetic Basis of Night Blindness in Humans

The eyes of whale sharks, the largest fish in the world, possess a unique ability to see in complete darkness in the deep sea. This is due to a genetic mutation in their retinas, which interestingly causes?night blindness?in humans, according to a team of Japanese researchers.

The researchers from the National Institute of Genetics, Osaka Metropolitan University, Okinawa Churashima Foundation, and the Riken Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, have discovered that the genetic mutation in the eyes of whale sharks triggers the activation of visual pigments that are sensitive to blue light. This is significant as blue light is the only color that penetrates the deep sea based on temperature changes.

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5. Lumata Health and Prevent Blindness Join Forces for Vision Loss Support

Lumata Health and Prevent Blindness have announced a partnership to fight blindness and save sight. The organizations will collaborate on various initiatives aimed at overcoming care barriers for patients, with an initial emphasis on mental health resources.

As a starting point for their partnership, Lumata Health and Prevent Blindness are jointly implementing a training program for Lumata's certified eye care coordinators. The program emphasizes building capacity in mental health resources and support for individuals facing vision loss and blindness.

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