Volume 20, Number 27Monday, June 22, 2020JUNE IS FIREWORKS EYE SAFETY & CATARACT AWARENESS MONTH
In this issue: (click heading to view article)Findings from The EYE-RISK ConsortiumAs part of a case-control association analysis, researchers aimed to identify metabolites associated with age-related macular degeneration. In addition, they looked at the effect of AMD-associated genetic variants on metabolite levels, and investigated associations between identified metabolites and activity of the complement system—one of the main AMD-associated disease pathways. A total of 2,267 AMD cases and 4,266 controls from five European cohorts were included. Researchers used a high-throughput H-NMR metabolomics platform to quantifiy 146 metabolite measurements and 79 derivative values. They used univariate logistic regression analyses to study metabolome-AMD associations and linear regression to study the effect of 52 AMD-associated genetic variants on identified metabolites. And they used linear regression to evaluate associations between identified metabolites and activity of the complement pathway (defined by the C3d/C3 ratio). Main outcome measures included metabolites associated with AMD. Here were some of the findings:
Researchers found that lipoprotein levels were associated with AMD-associated genetic variants, with strong associations between most of the AMD-associated metabolites and systemic complement activation levels, independent of AMD status. They suggested this finding may indicate biological interactions between the main AMD disease pathways and that multiple pathways may need to be targeted simultaneously for successful treatment of AMD. SOURCE: Acar IE, Lores-Motta L, Colijn JM, MD MSc, et al. Integrating metabolomics, genomics and disease pathways in age-related macular degeneration: The EYE-RISK Consortium. Ophthalmology 2020; June 13. [Epub ahead of print].
Citicoline Eyedrops for GlaucomaInvestigators assessed whether additional therapy with citicoline eyedrops to intraocular pressure-lowering treatment could slow glaucoma progression in patients with worsening of damage and IOP 18 mmHg or less, as part of a randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled, multicenter three-year study. Main outcome measures were differences in visual field (MD of 24-2; MD of 10-2) rates of progression and differences in retinal nerve fiber layer thickness changes between the two study groups at three years. Patients with mild to moderate open-angle glaucoma showing damage progression of at least -0.5 dB/y in the two years before enrollment despite IOP ≤18 mmHg were randomized to receive citicoline eyedrops or placebo three times daily for three years. Patients were followed every three months and underwent visual field exams with 24-2 and 10-2 strategies and RNFL assessment. ANOVA and linear models were used to test the differences between groups. Eighty patients were randomized in the trial. Here were some of the findings:
Investigators concluded that adding treatment with citicoline eye drops to IOP-lowering treatment might reduce disease progression in individuals with progressing glaucoma despite IOP ≤18 mmHg. SOURCE: Rossetti L, Iester M, Tranchina L, et al. Can treatment with citicoline eyedrops reduce progression in glaucoma? The results of a randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial. J Glaucoma 2020; June 11. [Epub ahead of print]. Intravitreal Anti-VEGF Cost Savings with Increased Bevacizumab Reimbursement & UtilizationScientists modeled Medicare Part B and patient savings associated with increased bevacizumab payment and utilization for intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy, as part of a cost analysis. They used Medicare claims and IRIS Registry data to calculate Medicare Part B expenditures and patient co-pays for anti-VEGF agents with increasing reimbursement and utilization of bevacizumab relative to ranibizumab and aflibercept. Main outcome measures included Medicare Part B costs and patient co-pays for anti-VEGF agents in the Medicare fee-for-service population. The scientists found that increasing bevacizumab reimbursement to $125.78—equalizing the dollar margin with aflibercept—would result in Medicare Part B savings of $468 million and patient savings of $119 million, with a 10 percent increase in bevacizumab market share. The scientists reported that increased utilization of bevacizumab, achievable with increased reimbursement to eliminate the financial disincentive to its use, would result in substantial savings to the Medicare Part B program and to patients receiving anti-VEGF intravitreal injections. SOURCE: Glasser DB, Parikh R, Flora Lum F, et al. Intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor cost savings achievable with increased bevacizumab reimbursement and utilization. Ophthalmology 2020; June 13. [Epub ahead of print]. Baseline Findings from the Retrospective Digital Computer Analysis of Keratoconus Evolution (REDCAKE) ProjectResearchers presented baseline data for a large cohort of keratoconus patients enrolled in the Retrospective Digital Computer Analysis of Keratoconus Evolution (REDCAKE) study. Eight centers contributed Scheimpflug tomographical data for 906 patients with keratoconus, 743 measured with a Pentacam and 163 with a Galilei. Researchers analyzed the stage of keratoconus at baseline, location of the reference points, minimum pachymetry (Pmin) and maximum keratometry (Kmax). They evaluated intereye asymmetry for Kmax (anterior and posterior), Pmin and keratoconus stage. They calculated average maps and elevation profiles for each degree of keratoconus. Here were some of the findings:
Researchers found that the staging map set could be used as a graphical guidance to classify keratoconus stage. They added that keratoconus presented asymmetrically, and generally the posterior surface was more affected than the anterior surface or thickness. Researchers noted that asymmetry played a role in KC detection, and although Pmin was almost invariably located inferotemporally, Kmax location showed higher variability and distance from the apex. SOURCE: Jiménez-García M, Ní Dhubhghaill S, Koppen C, et al. Baseline findings in the Retrospective Digital Computer Analysis of Keratoconus Evolution (REDCAKE) project. Cornea 2020; June 10. [Epub ahead of print]. BRIEFLY Tarsus Announces Results from Mars Study FDA Approves Updated Novartis Beovu Label IVERIC Announces Zimura 18-month Data Santen and Orbis Offer Telemedicine Training Hilco Vision Acquires Suppleyes Study with Patient-operated Home OCT Begins Review of Ophthalmology® Online is published by the Review Group, a Division of Jobson Medical Information LLC (JMI), 11 Campus Boulevard, Newtown Square, PA 19073. |