| | New world of generics brings medical challenges
| | New medications for treating glaucoma may be on the horizon, but in 2012, prostaglandin analogues are still the leading class for lowering IOP and generics are taking on a more prominent role, said Andrew G. Iwach, MD. | |  |
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| Glaucoma: Latest brimonidine formulation shows improved safety, tolerability
| Results based on meta-analysis, including data from two 12-month trials, says physician
| | Ophthalmology Times | | A meta-analysis based on data from 12-month trials including patients treated with brimonidine 0.1% with a preservative (Alphagan P 0.1% with Purite, Allergan) and patients using brimonidine 0.15% (Alphagan P 0.15%, Allergan) showed better systemic safety and tolerability with the lower-concentration product. |
| | Glaucoma: Bimatoprost tolerability appears to be enhanced with switching strategy
| Initial therapy with latanoprost associated with reduced risk of hyperemia, study finds
| | Ophthalmology Times | | The efficacy and tolerability of continuing latanoprost 0.005% (Xalatan, Pfizer) after 6 weeks of latanoprost monotherapy versus switching to bimatoprost 0.03% (Lumigan, Allergan) was investigated in an investigator-masked, randomized, parallel-group trial. The results showed good efficacy and tolerability in patients whose therapy was switched to bimatoprost and suggest that bimatoprost may be tolerated better after latanoprost pre-treatment. |
| | Canaloplasty may be alternative to trabeculectomy
| Non-penetrating procedure found safe, effective, with similar side effects, no hypotony
| | Ophthalmology Times | | Non-penetrating Schlemm's canaloplasty may be a safe and effective alternative to standard trabeculectomy. A retrospective comparison study found no statistically significant differences in IOP reduction or medication usage at up to 1 year of follow-up. Adjunctive procedures and complications were similar in the two groups of patients, although no long-term hypotony was seen in the canaloplasty group. |
| | Prostaglandin analogue monotherapy's long duration may be associated with lower costs
| Those taking newer travoprost had highest median number of days until starting adjunctive medication
| | Ophthalmology Times | | Longer duration of use of monotherapy with prostaglandin analogues may be associated with lower annual costs of glaucoma treatment because adjunctive therapy is one of the primary factors affecting the cost of care, suggest findings of a retrospective analysis of a pharmacy claims database. |
| | Glaucoma: Hyperemia a common cause for medication changes
| Choosing appropriate initial therapy could lead to lower costs, increased adherence
| | Ophthalmology Times | | Hyperemia is one of the main reasons why patients with glaucoma do not adhere to or persist with their topical therapeutic regimen. Patients end up switching to another possibly more tolerable medication, and the changing of medications has significant financial implications. Latanoprost has the lowest incidence of hyperemia among the prostaglandin analogs. Patient adherence is crucial in a chronic progressive disease such as glaucoma, where non-adherence can lead to visual loss and decline in quality of life, creating societal health and economic burdens. |
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| World Sight Day set for Oct. 8
| | Ophthalmology Times E-News | | Three hundred events in more than 50 countries will mark this year's World Sight Day, Oct. 8. |
| | Aton expands programs for preservative-free timolol
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| Ophthalmology Times E-News | | Aton Pharma has launched new education, distribution, sampling, and reimbursement programs for its preservative-free formulation of timolol maleate (Timoptic in Ocudose), which according to the company is the only preservative-free medication for glaucoma available in the United States. |
| | NicOx and Pfizer sign agreement for PF-03187207
| | Ophthalmology Times E-News | | NicOx has signed an agreement with Pfizer to reacquire the full development and commercialization rights to PF-03187207, which has completed two phase II studies in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension, according to a prepared statement. |
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