Sucampo Pharmaceuticals, Inc. has confirmed that its partner, R-Tech Ueno, Ltd. (”RTU”) has reported the results of its recently completed phase 2 clinical trial of UF-021 in retinitis pigmentosa patients. The results showed improvement in visual function dose-dependently in both visual field test and subjective findings. Furthermore, although there was an irritation upon instillation, there were no severe adverse effects.

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NeoVista, Inc. has announced that the company’s revolutionary new surgical device is now available in the UK and offers fresh hope to 250,000 patients with wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) –- a debilitating and aggressive eye condition that can lead to blindness within 3 months if left untreated. The VIDION® Anti NeoVascular (ANV®) Therapy System has recently received a CE mark certifying that it has met the EU’s Medical Device Directive.

The Gordon & Weiss Vision Institute is launching a new website to educate visitors on the many treatments available that can improve their vision and slow the progression of debilitating eye diseases. The new website is also designed to be a virtual portal into the practice itself, offering overviews of the facility, its doctors, and their philosophy of care. The new website features detailed descriptions of the procedures that the practice offers.

Sirion Therapeutics has received the US FDA has approved its NDA for Zirgan(TM) (ganciclovir ophthalmic gel) 0.15% as a treatment for acute herpetic keratitis (dendritic ulcers). The FDA approval was based on the results of clinical trials conducted by Laboratoires Thea of France in Europe, Asia and Africa that compared the efficacy and tolerability of Zirgan to acyclovir ophthalmic ointment 3% in patients with herpetic keratitis.

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.

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.

arGentis Pharmaceuticals LLCannounced that the company has licensed a third treatment for Dry Eye Syndrome (DES) now designated ARG103. This is a continuance of arGentis’ licensing partnership with the Southern College of Optometry (SCO) and ARG103 becomes the third prospective therapy for DES that utilizes the transdermal delivery of an active pharmaceutical ingredient to affected glands via application of a cream or gel to the outer, upper and lower eyelids. ARG103 will broaden the reach of arGentis’ transdermal ocular technology, which includes ARG101 for use in menopausal women and ARG102, a progesterone-based formulation that treats DES in younger women and men.

SynergEyes Inc. has recently launched a revolutionary hybrid contact lens designed for people who need further vision correction after undergoing refractive vision surgery, such as LASIK. SynergEyes(R) PS (post-surgical) is also designed for patients who have experienced some type of corneal trauma or suffer from certain degenerative vision conditions. Approved for marketing by the FDA, SynergEyes PS hybrid contact lenses bond a “hard” and “soft” contact lens together resulting in a one-of-a-kind vision correction option that provides crisp, clear vision for surgically altered corneas in a comfortable, healthy contact lens.