Weekly Ophthalmic Newsletter

1. FDA Warns 8 Companies for Marketing Unapproved Eye Products

On September 11, the FDA took action by sending warning letters to several companies, including CVS and Walgreens, due to concerns regarding the manufacturing and marketing of unapproved eye products.

According to the FDA, these products are being marketed illegally for the treatment of various eye conditions, such as conjunctivitis , glaucoma , and cataracts . Additionally, some of the warnings issued by the FDA pointed out sterility issues associated with these products.

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2. Researchers’ Groundbreaking AI System Set to Transform Eye Care

Researchers from Moorfields Eye Hospital, London and the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology have achieved a major milestone in artificial intelligence (AI) development. Their groundbreaking AI system, known as RETFound, not only excels in identifying sight-threatening eye diseases but also demonstrates the potential to predict broader health conditions like heart attacks, stroke, and Parkinson's disease.

Senior author Professor Pearse Keane, affiliated with the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology and Moorfields Eye Hospital, expressed the significance of this achievement: "This is another significant stride in leveraging AI to revolutionize 21st-century eye examinations, both in the U.K. and on a global scale. While we highlight several exemplary applications for RETFound, its potential extends to hundreds of other sight-threatening eye conditions that remain unexplored."

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3. Novartis to Cease Development of GA Gene Therapy

After observing discouraging phase 2 clinical data, 诺华 decided to terminate the clinical advancement of its geographic atrophy gene therapy candidate GT005, a product it acquired through the acquisition of Gyroscope Therapeutics.

GT005 was designed as a one-time investigational gene therapy using AAV2 to treat geographic atrophy (GA) secondary to age-related macular degeneration (AMD), with delivery taking place under the retina. Novartis' decision to discontinue its development stemmed from a recommendation by the Independent Data Monitoring Committee, which assessed that the overall data obtained from the leading phase 2 HORIZON study did not warrant the continuation of the development program.

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4. Best Eye Drops for Dry Eyes

Dry eyes can be a real nuisance, causing discomfort and irritation. Thankfully, there's a wide range of eye drops available to help alleviate these symptoms. In this article, we'll explore some of the top options on the market, discussing various eye drops without any particular order.

● Refresh Tears Lubricant Eye Drops by Allergan

● Systane Ultra Lubricant Eye Drops by Alcon

● Biotrue Hydration Boost Eye Drops by 博士伦

● Oasis Tears Plus Preservative-Free Eye Drops by OASIS Medical

● Soothe Preservative-Free Lubricant Eye Drops by 博士伦

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5. Breakthrough Trial Offers Hope for Late Amblyopia Treatment

In 2010, neuroscientist Takao Hensch, Ph.D., working at the F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center at Boston Children's Hospital , published a study in the journal Science indicating that drugs like donepezil (commonly known as Aricept), primarily used to treat Alzheimer's disease, were able to reverse amblyopia in a mouse model, even after the typical visual critical period had passed.

This discovery inspired a small open-label clinical trial conducted at Boston Children's Hospital, which has raised hopes for restoring lost vision in older children and adults with amblyopia. While the observed improvements in vision were not uniform and relatively modest, they remained stable over time. This promising outcome opens the door to further research, including larger, placebo-controlled trials, which may explore the efficacy of different drugs and the potential benefits of combined visual stimulation techniques.

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