According to findings published in Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science, drug-releasing contact lenses may provide correct and consistent dosages of medication for patients. The artificial lens delivers a constant dose of the medication, which increases the effectiveness of the treatment, according to researchers. This ability is particularly important for glaucoma patients, who on average administer drops accurately at rates between 41% and 76%, they said.

A tiny glass telescope of the size of a pea has been successfully implanted in the eyes of people with severely damaged retinas, helping them to read and watch television. The new device by VisionCare Ophthalmic Technologies is for people with an irreversible, advanced form of macular degeneration in which a blind spot develops in the central vision of both eyes. The device, which has received unanimous recommendation from the FDA advisory panel, may receive FDA approval by the end of the year.

An intraocular lens can correct myopia within 0.5 D of the target in 79% of eyes and caused no vision-threatening complications. This was reported by Japanese investigators from the University of Kitasato in the July issue of Archives of Ophthalmology. “Our long-term results indicate that [implantable collamer lens (ICL)] implantation is safe and effective and provides predictable and stable refractive results in the correction of moderate to high myopia throughout a four-year observation,” the authors said. These findings suggest that ICL implantation may be a good alternative for the treatment of moderate to high myopia.

Researchers at EyeVis Eye and Vision Research Institute have reported positive results from the first year clinical trial. The trial is testing whether specialized contact lenses in the non-surgical overnight corneal reshaping process can slow or halt the progression of near sightedness in children. The specially designed contact lenses, when worn overnight in sleep, can change the shape of the cornea. The induced flatter curvature of the cornea results in clear vision, reducing or eliminating the dependence on contact lenses or glasses during waking hours.

EyeIC announced that the FDA has approved its MatchedFlicker software that monitors the advent and progression of glaucoma through retinal photography. The technology enables eye-care professionals to compare two retinal images taken from the same patient at different visits—from nearly any source—and see change as motion. Users can mark the changes on the software and on the images. The software also translates markings made on any image in one project to the appropriate location on all other images in the same project. All images and annotations are saved in an electronic format and can be printed.