EyeWorld Weekly, May 20, 2022

EyeWorld Weekly, May 20, 2022

EyeWorld Weekly

May 20, 2022 • Volume 28, Number 20

Phase 4 results evaluating intravitreal implant 

Alimera Sciences announced Phase 4 results from its PALADIN study, which confirmed the benefit of using a corticosteroid prior to inserting ILUVIEN (fluocinolone acetonide intravitreal implant) for DME. The steroid, the company’s press release stated, mitigates uncontrolled IOP events that were observed in the earlier Phase 3 trial, though eyes that did experience an IOP-related event did not have long-term visual acuity impacts. The study enrolled 202 eyes (159 patients) with DME who were treated with a corticosteroid. These eyes were then treated with ILUVIEN and followed for 36 months.

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Interim results for X-linked retinitis pigmentosa treatment

Applied Genetic Technologies Corporation announced the 3-month interim results from its ongoing Phase 2 Skyline trial for AGTC-501, a recombinant AAV-based gene therapy targeting the RPGR gene in patients with X-linked retinitis pigmentosa. According to the company’s press release, there were improvements in visual sensitivity (the primary efficacy endpoint). There was a 62.5% response rate at 3 months in the Group B dose and 25% response rate in Group A dose. The responders in the trial improved by at least 7 decibels in between 9–17 loci. Mean visual sensitivity of the entire macula also increased. The safety and efficacy data were consistent with what was seen in the Phase 1/2 trial.

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New non-contact glaucoma laser treatment receives CE mark

Belkin Vision announced that its Eagle device received the CE mark, which the company stated makes it the first automated, non-contact glaucoma laser treatment available in Europe. It will begin rollout of the laser in Europe in the second half of 2022. The company’s press release stated that typically laser treatments are manual and have contact with the eye. Belkin’s Eagle laser, being automated and non-contact, reduces the need for specialized training. 

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Companies collaborate for regenerative dry eye therapy

BRIM Biotechnology and Ora entered into a collaborative agreement to develop BRM421. This drug candidate with multiple indications is based on stem cell regenerative pigment epithelium-derived factor, which the company stated in a press release can speed up corneal repair through stimulation of corneal stem cell proliferation and differentiation, in addition to meibomian gland recovery and having anti-inflammatory properties. The companies plan to begin a Phase 3 trial by the end of this year. 

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Complimentary MIGS video series

Season 1 of MIGS Success Surgical Secrets, a complimentary video series on YouTube created by Constance Okeke, MD, is now complete. This series reviews common MIGS-related intraoperative challenges and solutions, featuring various MIGS options. Season 2 will start soon. 

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ASCRS news and events

  • ASCRS Summer Meeting: Register for the ASCRS Summer Meeting and get a “Taste of ASCRS” over a long weekend, August 19–21, 2022, in Nashville, Tennessee. 
  • Meet the ASCRS app: Experience ASCRS content in a whole new way with the ASCRS app. Learn more here. 
  • ASCRS Grand Rounds: ASCRS Grand Rounds, presented by NYU Langone Department of Ophthalmology, is available on demand. 
  • Ophthalmology Quicksand Chronicles: Watch the latest episode of this popular ASCRS podcast hosted by Nicole Fram, MD, and Elizabeth Yeu, MD, with guest Amar Agarwal, MD.

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Research highlights

  • A quality improvement study published in JAMA Ophthalmology evaluated the proportion of U.S. ophthalmology residency program websites that have diversity or inclusion information posted. This information, the authors reported, could be of value to prospective applicants as they consider applying to a particular program. The authors evaluated residency program websites (n=121) between May 1–June 2, 2021, and found that 24% had at least one of six predetermined criteria that indicated diversity/inclusion information. The authors wrote that programs with more than 12 residents and those ranked within the top 20 best hospitals for ophthalmology were more likely to have at least one of these criteria. The authors do not claim that this investigation determines how residency programs’ websites reflect diversity and inclusion within the programs; they stated that the “findings suggest that there is a gap in the information that prospective applicants can collect when evaluating ophthalmology residency program websites.” 
  • Research published in the journal Ophthalmology assessed secondary visual axis opacification that required surgical intervention after IOL implantation in a pediatric population. This single-center, retrospective analysis included children 1–14 years old (135 eyes of 95 patients) who had cataract surgery with an IOL implanted. Sixty-four eyes received a three-piece acrylic IOL, 51 an acrylic single-piece IOL, and 20 an acrylic single-piece, bag-in-lens IOL. Median follow-up was 19 months. There were 13 cases of visual axis opacification, occurring at a median of 10 months postop. One eye with this condition had a three-piece, in-the-bag IOL, 10 had single-piece in-the-bag IOLs, and two had bag-in-lens IOLs. The researchers stated that two eyes with the bag-in-lens surgery had iris capture. There was also one case of endophthalmitis. The authors concluded that children with secondary visual axis opacification who require a procedure to clear it present within 15 months, and opacification rates are lowest with a three-piece acrylic IOL.

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This issue of EyeWorld Weekly was edited by Stacy Jablonski and Liz Hillman.

EyeWorld Weekly (ISSN 1089-0319), a digital publication of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS), is published every Friday, distributed by email, and posted live on Friday.

Medical Editors: Sumit “Sam” Garg, MD, Chief Medical Editor; Rosa Braga-Mele, MD, Cataract Editor; Clara Chan, MD, Cornea Editor; Nathan Radcliffe, MD, Glaucoma Editor; and Vance Thompson, MD, Refractive Editor

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