
Ophthalmology Overview: Novel Technology for Dry Eye Disease, Causes of Macular Degeneration, and More
Highlighting the latest ophthalmology-related news reported across MJH Life Sciences™.
Highlighting the latest
Novel Technology May Improve Outcomes in Patients With Dry Eye Disease
Although dry eye disease (DED) is known to affect up to 50% of the US population, there are no studies that have shown a safe and effective therapeutic biologic agent for the condition. However, according to research published in
Reported by
Compared with baseline scores, patients with DED reported significant improvements in symptom burden and quality of life, as measured by the
Study Suggests Toxic DNA Buildup May Cause Macular Degeneration
As reported by
In this newfound discovery, buildup of Alu cDNA uncovered in the cytoplasm of cells was shown to trigger harmful inflammation via inflammasomes that then lead to the death of key retinal cells, a known marker of geographic atrophy.
By identifying how Alu triggers the immune mechanism, researchers note that their finding may lead to further research on the investigation of therapies, particularly HIV drugs called nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, that could block the harmful inflammation and protect against retinal cell death in AMD.
Spotlighting Factors That Increase Risk of Complications in Cataract Surgery
Despite recent advances in cataract surgery that have led to positive safety and efficacy outcomes in most patients, an article by
- Small pupil
- Rigidity of the iris
- Sphincter fibrosis
- Level of zonular weakness
The author noted that these factors need to be managed effectively if the capsule is to remain intact at the completion of surgery. For such cases, a Malyugin Ring 2.0 alone or in combination with capsule retractors was recommended to help alleviate complexities.
Characteristics of the iris (eg, floppiness or stiffness of the stroma, sphincter fibrosis) were also mentioned to be vital for surgeons in deciding which instruments to use for small-pupil cataract surgery.
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