Eyecare

Toku Wins FDA Breakthrough Status for Kidney Disease Detection

Toku's AI system, MyKidneyAI, just received FDA Breakthrough Device designation. This revolutionary tech analyzes routine eye exams for early signs of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in people with diabetes. This could change the game for CKD, often undetected until it's too late for simple treatments. Read More.

UV Light Is Not a Toy-Recreational Use and Eye Harm

Recreational UV light use can lead to photokeratitis, a painful inflammation of the cornea. Symptoms may include intense pain, sensitivity to light, redness, and tearing. While often temporary, this eye injury highlights the need for better safety awareness regarding UV light exposure. Read More.

Bausch + Lomb's LUMIFY Now Preservative-Free, FDA Approved

Bausch + Lomb (NYSE/TSX: BLCO) receives FDA approval for LUMIFY Preservative Free eye drops – ideal for those with sensitivities. This new option maintains LUMIFY's fast-acting redness relief, offering up to eight hours of clearer, brighter eyes. Read More.

Digital Strain, Insurance Gaps, and Shopping Trends

Digital device use is straining eyes, says a CooperVision study, urging eye care professionals to address the issue. A separate report finds vision and dental insurance undervalued by consumers, highlighting a need for better education. Despite online shopping trends, most eyewear purchases still happen in-store, though contact lenses see higher online sales rates. Read More.

Kopin Unveils Vision Tech for Warfighters

Kopin Corporation will showcase advanced head-up displays (HUDs) for Special Operations Forces (SOF). These innovative displays offer superior readability in all lighting conditions, enhancing warfighter capabilities and situational awareness. Read More.

Meta Boosts AR Ecosystem with Alliance Partnership

Meta has joined the augmented reality (AR) Alliance as a founding member, signaling their commitment to advancing augmented reality technology. This collaboration aims to accelerate innovation and create meaningful AR experiences for users worldwide. Read More.

Walmart Health Centers to Close

Walmart has announced the closure of its Health Centers and Virtual Care, citing a challenging healthcare market. The company will refocus on its core Pharmacy and Vision Center services to offer affordable, accessible healthcare options in communities nationwide. Read More.

Eye Pain – What it Means & What to Do

Eye pain can signal conditions ranging from mild to serious. Causes include injuries, infections, dry eyes, and more. Here's a breakdown:

Types of pain: Sharp, burning, aching, or a "foreign body" sensation. May be accompanied by redness, blurry vision, or light sensitivity.

What to do: See an eye doctor right away, especially if the pain is severe, follows an injury, or if you've had eye surgery. Prompt treatment is crucial to prevent vision loss. Read More.

New Product Launch

Portable AI Detects Diabetic Blindness Risk

AEYE Health receives FDA clearance for its autonomous artificial intelligence (AI) system. This groundbreaking technology, used with a handheld camera, can screen for diabetic retinopathy anywhere, offering a major step in preventing a leading cause of blindness. Read More.

Scottish Eye Practices: Get Compliant!

The AOP introduces a free toolkit to streamline your practice's NHS compliance. It simplifies essential policies and checklists, easing the administrative burden for busy practice owners. Read More.

Tech News

RetiSpec and Topcon Partner for Early Alzheimer's Detection

RetiSpec, an innovator in brain health diagnostics, is teaming up with medical device leader Topcon Healthcare. Their goal: bring a revolutionary eye-based AI tool to market for early Alzheimer's detection. This powerful technology could transform how we diagnose and manage this devastating disease. Read More.

Research

Home Vision Tests Fall Short for AMD Detection

A recent study found that home-based vision tests cannot reliably detect active neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD). This suggests these tests are not yet ready to replace regular eye clinic visits for monitoring this sight-threatening condition. Read More.

Corneal Graft Complication After 20 Years

A middle-aged patient experienced corneal edema despite a successful corneal transplant two decades earlier. This case highlights the importance of long-term monitoring even after seemingly successful eye surgeries. Read More.

LASIK Patients: Computer Use May Worsen Dry Eye

A new study finds that individuals who have undergone LASIK surgery may experience exacerbated dry eye symptoms after computer use. Artificial tears before screen time could offer protection. Read More.

AMD Risk Factors and Treatment Outcomes

A new study identifies smoking and high BMI as factors linked to earlier AMD onset. Patients with intraretinal fluid (IRF) at baseline may experience faster disease progression and require longer treatment. Interestingly, IRF was associated with an increased risk of subretinal drusenoid deposits and retinal atrophy. Read More.

New Database Helps Advance Eye Disease Research

Researchers at the Medical College of Georgia have created the Aqueous Humor Proteome Database, a valuable tool for understanding eye diseases. This database compiles protein data from human eye fluid, offering insights into conditions like cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration. Read More.

AI Eyes: Limited Success in Diagnosing Eye Disease

Cutting-edge AI tools based on images and language can help doctors, but their ability to detect complex eye diseases appears limited at this stage. In a recent study, an AI model correctly diagnosed only about a third of eye disease cases and accurately suggested treatment half of the time. Read More.

Clinical Trial

Aurion Biotech Announces Completion of Enrollment In Phase 1 / 2 Clinical Trial

Aurion Biotech announces the completion of its clinical trial for AURN001, a groundbreaking treatment for corneal edema. This minimally invasive cell therapy could address the limitations of corneal transplants and offer new hope to millions affected by vision loss. Read More.

Emmecell completes final cell therapy dosing in U.S. clinical trial for corneal edema

Emmecell completes dosing in its breakthrough cell therapy trial for corneal edema. This innovative treatment could transform care for those with vision loss, potentially replacing the need for corneal transplants in many cases. Read More.

Inflammasome Begins Trial for Novel GA Treatment

Inflammasome Therapeutics has initiated a Phase 1 trial of Kamuvudine-8, a potential breakthrough therapy for geographic atrophy (GA). This unique drug targets the inflammasome, a key player in GA progression, and is delivered directly to the eye via a sustained-release implant. Read More.

XLRS Gene Therapy Shows Early Promise

Atsena Therapeutics reports positive initial data for ATSN-201, a gene therapy for X-Linked Retinoschisis (XLRS). Significant improvement in retinal structure was observed, and the treatment demonstrated spread beyond the injection site, a key advantage for this condition. Read More.

Gildeuretinol Shows Promise for Stargardt Disease

Alkeus Pharmaceuticals announces encouraging data from its TEASE-3 trial of gildeuretinol for early-stage Stargardt disease. This breakthrough-designated therapy demonstrated the potential to slow disease progression. Presentations will be featured at the ARVO 2024 Annual Meeting. Read More.

What Else to Skim

Medicare Advantage Transparency Improves

Medicare Advantage plans will now provide mid-year updates on unused vision, dental, and other supplemental benefits. This change, spurred by advocacy from the American Optometric Association (AOA), aims to increase plan clarity and help patients better utilize their coverage. Read More.

Vision Restoration Breakthrough

In a world-first, NYU Langone surgeons have successfully transplanted a whole eye and partial face. While vision restoration is still uncertain, the patient, Aaron James, has regained vital functions and a renewed sense of hope after a devastating electrical accident. Read More.

FDA Reviews Multi-Target DME Therapy

Eluminex Biosciences announces FDA acceptance of its IND application for EB-105, a novel antibody designed to combat diabetic macular edema (DME). This groundbreaking drug targets multiple pathways involved in DME, potentially offering improved outcomes for patients. Read More.

Aldeyra Shares Pipeline Advancements

Aldeyra Therapeutics has released promising preclinical data for RASP modulators in obesity, atopic dermatitis, pain, and alcoholic hepatitis. The company also announced a planned pivotal trial for ADX-2191 in retinitis pigmentosa, offering new hope for this sight-threatening condition. Read More.

Coave Advances Ocular Gene Therapy Delivery

Coave Therapeutics has developed novel conjugated AAV (coAAV) vectors that demonstrate superior performance for gene therapy delivery to the back of the eye. This breakthrough technology could improve treatment options for retinal diseases, potentially avoiding the need for invasive procedures. Read More.

Euretina President Ramin Tadayoni, MD, PhD, Dies at 54

Renowned retina specialist Ramin Tadayoni, MD, PhD, passed away at 54. As the head of ophthalmology at several prestigious institutions in Paris, he was hailed as a visionary in the field. His legacy includes advocating for stronger connections between medical professionals, regulatory bodies, and patients for better retina care. Read More.

Business

Sight Sciences Wins $34M in Patent Battle

Sight Sciences has secured a $34 million victory in its patent infringement case against Alcon. A jury found Alcon willfully infringed on Sight Sciences' patents related to glaucoma surgery technology. This win highlights Sight Sciences' dedication to innovation and protecting its intellectual property. Read More.

Global Vision Leaders Join Forces

L.V. Prasad Eye Institute (LVPEI) and the Centre for Ocular Research & Education (CORE) have partnered to accelerate breakthroughs in eye health. This collaboration unites top institutions, promising new treatments and improved care worldwide. Read More.

PolyU, ZEISS Join Forces to Fight Myopia

Hong Kong Polytechnic University and ZEISS Vision Care have formed a global partnership to bring groundbreaking myopia control technology to market. This collaboration aims to accelerate research and expand the reach of innovative solutions to combat this growing global health concern. Read More.

Qlaris Secures Funding for Glaucoma Breakthrough

Qlaris Bio has raised $24 million to advance QLS-111, a groundbreaking drug targeting a key factor in glaucoma, intraocular pressure (IOP). This funding will support clinical trials, including a study for normal tension glaucoma, where current treatments are lacking. Read More.

Glaukos Reports Strong Q1, Raises Outlook

Glaukos (NYSE: GKOS) delivered record Q1 sales of $85.6 million, a 16% year-over-year increase. The strong performance prompted the company to raise its 2024 revenue guidance, reflecting optimism about its innovative glaucoma and corneal health technologies. Read More.

Ora and SERI Partner for Ophthalmology Breakthroughs

Ora and the Singapore Eye Research Institute (SERI) announce a strategic alliance to accelerate the development of innovative eye therapies. This collaboration offers cutting-edge preclinical expertise, ensuring faster, more robust research for ophthalmic drug development. Read More.

Clearside Biomedical Announces Q1 Results

Clearside Biomedical will release its first-quarter financial results and provide a company update on May 9th. A webcast and conference call will follow to discuss the highlights. Read More.

Akari-Peak Merger Shifts Focus to ADC and GA Therapy

Following a portfolio review, the combined Akari-Peak entity will prioritize two key programs: Peak's innovative ADC (antibody-drug conjugate) cancer platform and Akari's PAS-nomacopan therapy for Geographic Atrophy (GA), a sight-threatening eye disease. Read More.

Adaptilens Secures Funding for Vision Restoring Technology

Adaptilens announces $17.5 million in Series A funding to advance its groundbreaking Accommodating Intraocular Lens (A-IOL). This unique technology mimics the natural human lens, potentially restoring youthful vision for millions of cataract surgery patients. Read More.

And for a laugh...

“Why should you never play poker at the zoo? Too many cheetahs, and those giraffes can see right over your cards”

“Once, my father came home and found me in front of a roaring fire. That made my father very mad, as we didn't have a fireplace.”

Hope you enjoyed.

More news is coming your way next week! 😄