Accommodating lens implanted in first patient

Ocumetics announced that it implanted its first-in-human Ocumetics Lens, an investigational accommodating IOL that is designed, according to the company’s website, to use the “natural kinetics in the eye ciliary muscles and zonules.” Its design includes “a replaceable device that serves secondarily as a docking station for customized optics and evolving nanotechnologies.”

Back to top

First patient dosed in Phase 2 trial investigating treatment for normal tension glaucoma

Qlaris Bio announced the first patient has been dosed in its Phase 2 trial evaluating QLS-111 for treatment of normal tension glaucoma. This is the company’s third Phase 2 trial for QLS-111, which it described as a “first-in-class ATP-sensitive potassium channel modulator.” It is designed to lower IOP by reducing episcleral venous pressure.

Back to top

Primary endpoint met in Phase 3 trial for glaucoma drop

Nicox announced positive results from its Phase 3 trial evaluating once daily NCX 470 0.1%. This novel nitric oxide-donating bimatoprost drop met its primary endpoint, which was non-inferiority in IOP lowering compared to latanoprost 0.005%. The trial included 696 patients with POAG or ocular hypertension. The IOP lowering with NCX 470 was 7.9–10 mm Hg compared to 7.1–9.8 mm Hg in the latanoprost group. The company also noted that in secondary efficacy analysis of time-matched change from baseline IOP, the NCX 470 group had “numerically greater” IOP reductions than latanoprost at 5 of the 6 timepoints, which was statistically significant at 3 of the 6 timepoints (overall statistical superiority was not achieved). These results, along with the first Phase 3 trial, “confirm the efficacy profile required for regulatory submissions in the U.S. and China,” according to the company.

Back to top

CE mark approvals

• Ciliatech announced that its Intercil Uveal Spacer was awarded the CE mark for commercial use in the E.U. The device, according to the company’s press release, is a new class in glaucoma surgical procedures, designed to lower IOP by increasing uveoscleral outflow without penetrating the anterior chamber. The company stated that the device uses a “no-bleb-no-cleft approach,” with external placement in the supraciliary space. In clinical trials, the device, which now has 3 years of follow-up, demonstrated “highly positive results in robust IOP-lowering coupled with a high safety profile,” according to the company.
• ZEISS Medical Technology announced that its CIRRUS PathFinder received the CE mark. This tool uses fully integrated artificial intelligence to automate interpretation of OCT B-scans.

Back to top

Regenerative Medicine Advanced Therapy designation granted to investigational gene therapy for Stargardt disease

VeonGen Therapeutics announced that it received a Regenerative Medicine Advanced Therapy designation from the FDA for VG801, a gene therapy for Stargardt disease and other retinal dystrophies associated with ABCA4 mutations. VG801 also holds Rare Pediatric Disease and Orphan Drug designations. VG801 is designed to provide full-length, functional ABCA4 expression. It is currently in a Phase 1/2 clinical trial.

Back to top

ASCRS news and events

• Business of Refractive Cataract Surgery (BRiCS) Summit: This course, taking place October 3–5, in Chicago, Illinois, along with its extensive, take-home Resource Library, will help practices gain the navigational tools needed to increase premium IOL adoption and lead patients effectively on their refractive surgery journey. Learn more.
• ASCRS Live!: This educational dinner series is heading to several cities across the U.S. in 2025. Registration is open for the next event in Philadelphia on September 11.
• 2026 ASCRS Annual Meeting: Hotel room blocks are open for the 2026 ASCRS Annual Meeting, taking place in Washington, D.C., April 10–13, 2026. The call for submissions is also ongoing until September 18. Submit an abstract and get involved in the 2026 ASCRS Annual Meeting.

Back to top

Research highlights

• A single-center, prospective, randomized controlled study sought to evaluate whether FLACS in patients with primary angle-closure disease (PACD) was safe and if the predicted IOP rise could have long-term effects. Patients enrolled in the study had stable PACD and prior laser peripheral iridotomy. They were randomized to receive FLACS, using a specific protocol, or conventional phacoemulsification cataract surgery. Both groups had a similar mean IOP before and after speculum placement; mean preop visual field mean deviation was similar for both groups as well. The authors noted that the eyes treated with FLACS had a mean IOP of 78.67 mm Hg during suction and 16.92 mm Hg 1 minute after suction release. The investigators reported that visual field mean deviation improved at 1 year from −5.07±3.17 at baseline to −4.15±5.49 in the FLACS group and −5.68±4.77 at baseline to −2.25±6.08 in the control group. In the FLACS group, retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness went from 73.2±25.1 preoperatively to 87.9±9.9 postop. RNFL in the control group was 81.9±21.4 preop and 81.5±20.8 postop. With this, the authors concluded that the “transient increase in IOP induced by FLACS did not increase glaucomatous damage in PACD eyes after 1 year.” The study is published in the Journal of Cataract & Refractive Surgery.
• Alterations to tears and the ocular surface after DMEK surgery were evaluated in a study published in Clinical Ophthalmology, offering possible insights for clinical intervention in the postop period. The study included 84 eyes of 84 patients who had DMEK and were evaluated preop and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postop; 31 patients were followed up for 24+ months. Lipid layer thickness, blink counts, partial blink rate, density of epithelial wing cells, leukocytes, subbasal dendritic cells, and endothelial cells of the patients at these timepoints were compared to 21 normal controls who did not have DMEK. The authors observed a decrease in lipid layer thickness at 6 months compared to normal controls. Total blink counts were higher in the 36 months after DMEK, and lipid layer thickness continued to be significantly lower. The investigators also observed that the immune reaction in the cornea was still active 6 months after DMEK.

Back to top

---