ISTA Pharmaceuticals Inc. has announced the preliminary analysis of a late-stage trial in Xibrom QD. Xibrom is a topical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory compound for the treatment of ocular inflammation and pain following cataract surgery. The result shows to have achieved statistical significance in meeting the primary efficacy endpoint of absence of ocular inflammation 15 days following surgery. The company recently completed Phase III clinical program of Xibrom QD. The program enrolled 282 patients who underwent cataract surgery in two U.S. multi-center, parallel-group, vehicle-controlled studies to evaluate Xibrom 0.09% dosed once daily to vehicle (placebo).

ARVO Researchers used a new imaging technique to take high quality color photographs of the clinical stages of ocular inflammation in mice, and the technology could help in the monitoring and treatment of diseases of the eye that may cause blindness. It featured the use of Topical Endoscopic Fundal Imaging (TEFI), a technique that uses an endoscope with parallel illumination and observation channels connected to a digital camera. The study was published in the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology journal Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science.

In a first research of its kind, the Swiss-based Peschke Meditrade GmbH has initiated a investigation to study the benefits of corneal collagen cross-linking (CXL) in subjects with progressive keratoconus and corneal ectasia after prior refractive surgery. Presently keratoconus is treated through eyeglasses, hard contact lenses, and a newer treatment, INTACS plastic rings inserted into the mid layer of the cornea to flatten it, changing the shape and location of the cone. In 15-20% of the cases, cornea transplant surgery is necessary.