The much-anticipated laser refractive cataract surgery technology is poised to launch this year and has unleashed a bloggers’ stream of pros and cons.
Click to read Expectations for Laser Refractive Cataract Surgery»
Posted by wfreeman on Monday 19 July, 2010 01:51 PM
IVT injections and vitrectomy volume increased in Q1-2010, as laser photocoaguation and PDT declined.
Click to read Market for Retina Products Increasingly Complex»
Posted by daveharmon on Monday 19 July, 2010 01:51 PM
Alcon has announced purchase plans for LenSx Lasers and its femtosecond LRCS technology.
Click to read Alcon to Acquire LenSx Lasers»
Posted by wfreeman on Monday 19 July, 2010 01:51 PM
After a long wait, the device for end-stage AMD gains pre-market clearance.
Posted by daveharmon on Monday 19 July, 2010 01:51 PM
Greater health care access in the developing world and the new LRCS technology will spur market growth.
Posted by wfreeman on Monday 19 July, 2010 01:51 PM
Demographic shifts as well as economic pressures may be affecting the LASIK market .
Click to read LASIK Patient Demographics Are Shifting»
Posted by daveharmon on Monday 19 July, 2010 01:51 PM
Alcon’s independent directors get a war chest and a favorable Swiss legal opinion.
Click to read Alcon's Independent Directors Could Foil Terms of Novartis' Merger Plan»
Posted by druthomas on Monday 19 July, 2010 01:51 PM
This month's news briefs include news from the US Congress, Genentech, pSivida Corp., Alimera Sciences, and Glaukos.
Click to read July 2010 News Briefs»
Posted by All on Monday 19 July, 2010 01:51 PM
US IOL procedures volume rose a significant 4.6 percent in Q1-2010 over Q1-2009's total.
Click to read Q1-2010 US IOL Procedures Climb 4.6 Percent»
Posted by daveanddru on Tuesday 22 June, 2010 12:31 PM
RoundTable Healthcare will acquire BD Ophthalmic Systems and several product platforms from Becton Dickinson.
Click to read RoundTable Healthcare Partners to Acquire BD Ophthalmic Systems»
Posted by wfreeman on Tuesday 22 June, 2010 12:31 PM
Bausch & Lomb launches a new combo phaco and vitrectomy system.
Click to read Bausch & Lomb Launches Stellaris PC Vision Enhancement System»
Posted by wfreeman on Tuesday 22 June, 2010 12:31 PM
Femtosecond lasers have become the standard of care for LASIK in the US, while their use expands elsewhere in the world and new applications are found.
Click to read Femtosecond Lasers Evolve to Standard of Care for LASIK in the US»
Posted by daveanddru on Tuesday 22 June, 2010 12:31 PM
New competitors in the US IOL market are likely to challenge the market leaders in the years ahead.
Click to read Newcomers to US IOL Market Pose a Future Challenge to Market Leaders’ Dominance»
Posted by wfreeman on Tuesday 22 June, 2010 12:31 PM
We expect IOL unit sales to reach about 19.3 million worldwide in 2010, generating revenues of about $2.27 billion.
Click to read Annual Global IOL Market Growth of 8.1 Percent Forecast Through 2015»
Posted by wfreeman on Tuesday 22 June, 2010 12:31 PM
This month's news briefs include news from LensAR, Bausch & Lomb, Sirion Therapeutics, QLT, Thrombogenics, and TLC Vision.
Click to read June 2010 News Briefs»
Posted by All on Tuesday 22 June, 2010 12:31 PM
US laser refractive surgery volume declined 0.9 percent from Q1-2009 to Q1-2010, a much smaller decline than in the previous eight quarters and an early sign that recovery may be beginning.
Click to read Q1-2010 Refractive Surgery Slips Only 1.5 Percent»
Posted by daveanddru on Tuesday 18 May, 2010 12:40 PM
ARVO’s 2010 annual meeting returned to Fort Lauderdale, FL earlier this month. In this edition, we report on a selection of presentations at this international meeting that highlights scientific research into vision and ophthalmic disease. See also several short online articles from ARVO accompanying this coverage.
Posted by druthomas on Tuesday 18 May, 2010 12:40 PM
Researchers found a significant association between nicotine use and a failure to respond to VEGF inhibition.
Click to read 2010 ARVO Meeting: Nicotine and Anti-VEGF Therapy»
Posted by druthomas on Tuesday 18 May, 2010 12:40 PM
During the ARVO meeting, two-year results were announced for the DRCR Network's DME clinical trial evaluating treatment with Lucentis, Triamcinolone, and laser photocoaguation.
Click to read 2010 ARVO Meeting: Laser/Lucentis/Triamcinolone Clinical Trial for DME»
Posted by druthomas on Tuesday 18 May, 2010 12:40 PM
Glaucoma was a topic of many ARVO sessions. Two of the many approaches to treatment discussed at the meeting were Rho-kinase inhibition and early animal studies in optic nerve regeneration.
Click to read 2010 ARVO Meeting: Research on Glaucoma Therapies»
Posted by druthomas on Tuesday 18 May, 2010 12:40 PM
US Congressional actions challenge Medicare pay for doctors in these difficult times.
Click to read Another Short-Term Reprieve Extends US Medicare Uncertainty»
Posted by daveanddru on Tuesday 18 May, 2010 12:40 PM
Newer retinal surgical device technologies to drive global market growth at a CAGR of more than 8 percent over the next five years.
Click to read Newer Retinal Surgical Devices Will Drive Future Revenue Growth»
Posted by wfreeman on Tuesday 18 May, 2010 12:40 PM
Ophthalmologists and industry participants from all over the world are expected to attend the 32nd World Ophthalmology Congress (WOC) in Berlin on June 5 thru 9.
Click to read 2010 World Ophthalmology Congress (WOC) Meets Next Month in Berlin»
Posted by wfreeman on Tuesday 18 May, 2010 12:40 PM
This month's issue includes the latest news from Alcon, TLC Vision and Genentech Roche.
Click to read May 2010 News Briefs»
Posted by All on Tuesday 18 May, 2010 12:40 PM
The 2010 ASCRS meeting in Boston broke attendance records. In this edition we report on the wealth of information at the meeting.
Click to read 2010 ASCRS Meeting Attracts Record-Breaking Crowd »
Posted by David Harmon and William Freeman on Tuesday 27 April, 2010 03:58 PM
Significant interest in the premium IOL market and the promise of the new femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery generated large crowds at many sessions of this year’s ASCRS meeting. Cataract and IOL-related topics were many and varied.
Posted by wfreeman on Tuesday 27 April, 2010 03:58 PM
Increased use of SLT, new glaucoma drainage devices, and issues associated with cataract surgery in patients with glaucoma drew a sizable crowd to the ASCRS' Glaucoma Day program.
Posted by wfreeman on Tuesday 27 April, 2010 03:58 PM
Femtosecond technology, corneal inlays, multifocal ablations, and corneal crosslinking were among the topics that garnered the attention of refractive surgeons at the meeting.
Posted by daveanddru on Tuesday 27 April, 2010 03:58 PM
ArcScan demonstrated its new Artemis ultrasound and Sensomotoric Instruments showed their new Surgery Guidance System. The ORange intraoperative aberrometer generated much interest at WaveTec Vision Systems' booth on the exhibit floor.
Click to read 2010 ASCRS Meeting: Special Report on Diagnostic Equipment at the 2010 ASCRS»
Posted by daveanddru on Tuesday 27 April, 2010 03:58 PM
Market Scope expects the young market of varied presbyopia surgery technologies to grow nearly 10 fold by 2020.
Posted by daveanddru on Tuesday 27 April, 2010 03:58 PM
This month's issue includes the latest news from Alimera Sciences, Thrombogenics, Bausch & Lomb, Santen Pharmaceuticals, Novagali, and Sanofi-Aventis.
Click to read April 2010 News Briefs»
Posted by All on Tuesday 27 April, 2010 03:58 PM
In Q4-2009, IOL procedure volume climbed 4.7 percent and demand for PC-IOLs rose to 6.7 percent of IOL procedures as patients returned to their doctors for the procedures many may have previously postponed.
Click to read Q4-2009 IOL Procedures Soar 4.7 Percent»
Posted by daveanddru on Monday 15 March, 2010 05:28 PM
The upcoming ASCRS meeting promises a wealth of informative sessions and highlights the increasing overlap in cataract and refractive surgeries. Glaucoma, too, gets close scrutiny. We preview the meeting in this issue and offer a page of sessions to look for when you arrive at the meeting. Topics include:
Click to read Upcoming ASCRS Brings the Merging of Cataract and Refractive Specialties into Focus»
Posted by David Harmon and William Freeman on Monday 15 March, 2010 05:28 PM
Femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery received much attention at Aspen’s Invitational Refractive Symposium.
Click to read Femtosecond Laser-Assisted Cataract Surgery Debated at AIRS Meeting»
Posted by daveanddru on Monday 15 March, 2010 05:28 PM
This month's news includes the latest from Bausch & Lomb, NicOx S.A., Staar Surgical, Domilens GmbH, and Abbott Medical Optics.
Click to read March 2010 News Briefs»
Posted by All on Monday 15 March, 2010 05:28 PM
Refractive surgery volumes continued their decline as demand for the procedures fell out of step with US consumer confidence measures.
Click to read Q4-2009 Refractive Surgery Down 10.5 Percent»
Posted by daveanddru on Tuesday 16 February, 2010 01:19 PM
During this severe and long-lasting recession, corporate laser centers have been particularly hard hit as many have faced drastic cost cutting, laser center closings, and bankruptcy.
Click to read Economic Distress Takes a Toll on Corporate Laser Refractive Business»
Posted by daveanddru on Tuesday 16 February, 2010 01:19 PM
An aging population and accelerating increases in cases of diabetic retinopathy are causing the number of retinal IVT injections to soar, while improved surgical techniques and technology have combined with these factors to drive increases in vitrectomy procedures.
Click to read The Latest Techniques & Technologies Spark New Retinal Treatment Realities»
Posted by daveanddru on Tuesday 16 February, 2010 01:19 PM
Alcon’s recent asset acquisitions from Sirion Therapeutics are the latest in an abundance of acquisitions, licensing agreements and collaborations in the ophthalmic pharmaceutical industry.
Posted by druthomas on Tuesday 16 February, 2010 01:19 PM
A decade of transformation in cataract surgery expands options for a more informed population of cataract patients, while altering surgeon/patient interaction about the procedure.
Click to read Cataract Surgery—A Decade of Change»
Posted by wfreeman on Tuesday 16 February, 2010 01:19 PM
This month's news includes the latest from Staar Surgical, SurModics, and Thrombogenics, plus dates and locations for a selection of upcoming 2010 ophthalmic meetings.
Click to read February 2010 News Briefs»
Posted by All on Tuesday 16 February, 2010 01:19 PM
In 2009, the recession-induced decline in demand for refractive surgery was particularly hard felt in the US where many refractive surgeons shifted clinical emphasis and scores of corporate laser centers closed.
Click to read Global Recession Shadows 2009 Refractive Market»
Posted by daveanddru on Tuesday 19 January, 2010 03:04 PM
In 2009, premium IOL technology drove market growth in the IOL industry, while the promise of investigational femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery (FLASC) devices captured the interest of many IOL surgeons.
Click to read Premium Lenses Drove IOL Market Growth in 2009»
Posted by wfreeman on Tuesday 19 January, 2010 03:04 PM
In 2009, the much-awaited CATT study of Lucentis and Avastin moved forward, VEGF Trap drew attention in the crowded retinal pipeline, and dry AMD was christened the new frontier for retinal medicine. Vitreoretinal surgeons also made a decisive turn to micro-incision procedures.
Click to read 2009 Highlights in AMD Pharma & Retinal Surgery»
Posted by William Freeman and Dru Thomas on Tuesday 19 January, 2010 03:04 PM
Bausch & Lomb has launched the new Crystalens AO with a prolate aspheric optic, increasing the options within the only accommodating IOL family commercially available in the US.
Click to read Crystalens AO is Launched»
Posted by wfreeman on Tuesday 19 January, 2010 03:04 PM
Novartis has taken additional steps in its purchase of Alcon, as Alcon’s minority shareholders protest the proposed exchange value.
Click to read Novartis Makes Important Steps in Alcon Acquisition»
Posted by daveanddru on Tuesday 19 January, 2010 03:04 PM
Seven ophthalmic pharmaceuticals gained FDA regulatory approval during 2009.
Click to read New Ophthalmic Drugs Enter the US Market in 2009»
Posted by druthomas on Tuesday 19 January, 2010 03:04 PM
Five ophthalmic devices gained FDA regulatory approval during 2009.
Click to read New Ophthalmic Devices Enter the US Market in 2009»
Posted by David Harmon and William Freeman on Tuesday 19 January, 2010 03:04 PM
This month's news includes the latest from Safilens, Ziemer Group, EyeGate Pharma, TLC Vision, LCA-Vision/LASIKPlus and SK3 Group .
Click to read January 2010 News Briefs»
Posted by All on Tuesday 19 January, 2010 03:04 PM
Manufacturers representatives are often an effective way to gain quick market exposure for a product, but these relationships often lead to significant problems as marketing strategies evolve. Recent court decisions against Staar Surgical highlight some of these pitfalls.
Click to read Manufacturers and Independent Reps: A Complicated Relationship»
Posted by wfreeman on Tuesday 29 December, 2009 04:14 PM
Click to read Independent Rep Wins Judgment Against Staar Surgical »
Posted by wfreeman on Tuesday 29 December, 2009 04:14 PM
Alcon announced plans to enter the glaucoma surgical device market through the acquisition of Optonol and its Ex-PRESS Mini Glaucoma Shunt.
Click to read Alcon to Enter Glaucoma Surgical Market by Acquiring Optonol»
Posted by daveanddru on Tuesday 29 December, 2009 04:14 PM
Several new strategic acquisitions and collaborations are preparing Alcon for a more active role in ophthalmic biotech and the market opportunity it promises.
Click to read Alcon Makes Strategic Moves in Ophthalmic Biotech»
Posted by druthomas on Tuesday 29 December, 2009 04:14 PM
Following two years of serious economic woes, we expect the global refractive surgery market to begin to slowly recover in 2010, as economic growth returns to the US and other wealthy markets. With an improving global economy, refractive surgeries are also expected to increase in emerging markets.
Click to read Slow Recovery Expected in Global Refractive Market»
Posted by daveanddru on Tuesday 29 December, 2009 04:14 PM
This month's news includes the latest from Abbot Medical Optics, Regeneron, Sanofi-Aventis, Fovea Pharmaceuticals, and Bausch and Lomb.
Click to read December 2009 News Briefs»
Posted by All on Tuesday 29 December, 2009 04:14 PM
Q3-2009 refractive surgery volume is down 15 percent from Q3-2008 during this punishing economic downturn, but there are signs an upturn may begin in Q1-2010.
Click to read Q3-2009 US Refractive Surgery Down 15 Percent »
Posted by daveanddru on Monday 16 November, 2009 05:50 PM
The rate of growth of IOL procedure volume has slowed in Q3-2009, but we expect it to rise to 3 percent again in 2010, echoing the growth rate in the US senior population.
Click to read Q3-2009 US IOL Procedures Up 1.8 Percent»
Posted by daveanddru on Monday 16 November, 2009 05:50 PM
The 2009 joint meeting of the AAO and PAAO in San Francisco drew a larger crowd than in 2008 with a significant increase in physicians from outside the US. The agenda featured a rich diversity of ophthalmological issues and technologies.
Click to read AAO/PAAO Meeting in San Francisco Draws a Crowd»
Posted by All on Monday 16 November, 2009 05:50 PM
- PC-IOLs
- Treatments for Astigmatic Cataract Patients
- Tools for Post-op Refractive Accuracy
- Cataract Removal Equipment
Click to read AAO/PAAO Meeting - IOLs and Cataract Surgery »
Posted by wfreeman on Monday 16 November, 2009 05:50 PM
- Excimer Lasers
- Femtosecond Lasers
- Corneal Inlays
- Collagen Crosslinking
Click to read AAO/PAAO Meeting - Refractive Surgery Technology»
Posted by daveanddru on Monday 16 November, 2009 05:50 PM
- Lucentis & Avastin
- Radiation Therapy for AMD
- Investigational Therapies
- Corticosteroids
- Drug Delivery
Click to read AAO/PAAO Meeting - Retina»
Posted by druthomas on Monday 16 November, 2009 05:50 PM
- New Science
- Medications
- New Technologies
Click to read AAO/PAAO Meeting - Glaucoma: Underlying Science and Medications»
Posted by William Freeman and Dru Thomas on Monday 16 November, 2009 05:50 PM
-Reform
-Ophthalmology Workforce
-Advocacy
-Research Climate
Click to read AAO/PAAO Meeting - Health Care Reform»
Posted by druthomas on Monday 16 November, 2009 05:50 PM
This month's news includes the latest from Allergan and Alimera Sciences.
Click to read November 2009 News Briefs»
Posted by All on Monday 16 November, 2009 05:50 PM
The upcoming annual meeting of the AAO in San Francisco promises to draw greater attendance than in recent years. The agenda is filled with topics of great interest, including presbyopia-correcting strategies, femtosecond cataract removal, updates on retinal pharmaceuticals, and cataract surgery’s role in glaucoma treatment.
Femtosecond Lasers for Refractive Surgery
Corneal Crosslinking
Corneal Inlays
Excimer LasersIOL Strategies for Correcting Presbyopia
Treatment of Astigmatic Cataract Patients
Advanced Phaco Technologies & Femtosecond Cataract Removal
AMD Rx Therapies
Other Retinal Topics
Glaucoma
Click to read The 2009 AAO Promises New Technologies and Strong Attendance »
Posted by All on Friday 16 October, 2009 02:40 PM
Click to read The 2009 AAO - Refractive Sessions»
Posted by All on Friday 16 October, 2009 02:40 PM
Click to read The 2009 AAO - Cataract Sessions»
Posted by All on Friday 16 October, 2009 02:40 PM
Click to read The 2009 AAO - Retinal Sessions »
Posted by All on Friday 16 October, 2009 02:40 PM
Click to read The 2009 AAO - Glaucoma Sessions »
Posted by All on Friday 16 October, 2009 02:40 PM
Markets for disposable ophthalmic surgical instruments and other single-use surgical devices have weathered the economic storm with little impact evident, and Market Scope expects continued growth during the next five years.
Click to read Popularity of Single-Use Surgical Devices is Largely Unaffected by the Economy»
Posted by wfreeman on Friday 16 October, 2009 02:40 PM
Market Scope’s new report, the 2009 Comprehensive Report on the Ophthalmic Surgical Instruments Market, explores the forces shaping the marketplace for five ophthalmic surgical instrument product segments and forecasts growth over the next five years.
Click to read Healthy Growth Forecast for Disposable Ophthalmic Surgical Instruments »
Posted by wfreeman on Friday 16 October, 2009 02:40 PM
This month's news includes the latest from Bausch & Lomb, CROMA, SurModics, Roche, Genentech, Katena Products, TLC Vision, and Abbott Laboratories.
Click to read October 2009 News Briefs»
Posted by All on Friday 16 October, 2009 02:40 PM
The ESCRS meeting in Barcelona focused the lion’s share of attention on presbyopia and the multiplicity of technologies and approaches for addressing presbyopic changes in vision.
Click to read Presbyopia Dominates Agenda at ESCRS Meeting»
Posted by daveanddru on Thursday 24 September, 2009 01:44 PM
Following its January acquisition of Advanced Medical Optics (AMO), Abbott Laboratories plans to purchase Visiogen, a private company developing the Synchrony, a promising dual-optic accommodating IOL that may receive FDA regulatory approval as early as 2010.
Click to read Abbott Laboratories Set to Acquire Visiogen for $400 Million»
Posted by wfreeman on Thursday 24 September, 2009 01:44 PM
The third annual meeting of the International Presbyopia Society was held in Barcelona. The meeting addressed the characteristics and complexity of presbyopia and explored the diverse technologies for treating presbyopia currently on the market or in development.
Click to read International Presbyopia Meeting Focuses on the Science of Presbyopia»
Posted by daveanddru on Thursday 24 September, 2009 01:44 PM
A number of factors are spurring brisk growth in the global market for dry eye products. Much of this growth is occurring in prescription medications, a market currently dominated by two Rx drugs—one in the US and the other in Japan.
Click to read Brisk Growth is Forecast for the Dry Eye Products Market»
Posted by druthomas on Thursday 24 September, 2009 01:44 PM
Hoya has launched the iSert pre-loaded disposable injector for the company’s iSpheric IOL. The injector enables surgeons to implant the IOL through a 2.4 mm incision.
Click to read Hoya Launches the iSert Pre-loaded Disposable Injector»
Posted by wfreeman on Thursday 24 September, 2009 01:44 PM
This month's news includes the latest from LenSx Lasers, Bausch & Lomb, Alcon, ISTA Pharmaceuticals, Sirion Therapeutics and LCA-Vision.
Click to read September 2009 News Briefs»
Posted by All on Thursday 24 September, 2009 01:44 PM
The second quarter of 2009 saw continuing double-digit declines in US refractive procedures and, despite glimmers of economic improvement in the country, we expect demand will remain constrained through the rest of the year.
Click to read Q2-2009 Refractive Surgery Down 30.9 Percent »
Posted by daveanddru on Wednesday 12 August, 2009 02:38 PM
IOL procedures grew 2.1 percent during the second quarter of 2009, but we expect growth of 2.8 percent for the full year of 2009.
Click to read Q2-2009 IOL Procedures Up 2.1 Percent»
Posted by daveanddru on Wednesday 12 August, 2009 02:38 PM
Buoyed by an aging global population and increased use of disposable products, the single-use ophthalmic surgical device market is expected to show healthy annualized growth of more than 5 percent over the next five years.
Click to read Healthy Growth Forecast for the Single-Use Ophthalmic Surgical Device Market»
Posted by wfreeman on Wednesday 12 August, 2009 02:38 PM
Last week Bausch & Lomb began shipping the US market’s first micro-incision IOL, the Akreos MICS.
Click to read B&L Launches the First Micro-incision IOL in the US Market»
Posted by wfreeman on Wednesday 12 August, 2009 02:38 PM
Japan’s refractive and cataract procedure volumes are experiencing setbacks brought about by several recent events.
Click to read Refractive and Cataract Surgery Suffer Several Setbacks in Japan»
Posted by William Freeman and Dru Thomas on Wednesday 12 August, 2009 02:38 PM
September’s ESCRS meeting in Barcelona, Spain promises an agenda focused on leading technologies and surgical techniques and an exhibit hall featuring about 225 companies.
Click to read ESCRS Meeting Agenda to Focus on Ground Breaking Technology»
Posted by daveanddru on Wednesday 12 August, 2009 02:38 PM
To date, seven ophthalmic drugs and devices have received FDA PMA regulatory approvals in 2009, and a crowded pipeline of candidates is currently in clinical studies.
Click to read Year-to-Date US Regulatory Update for Ophthalmic Products»
Posted by All on Wednesday 12 August, 2009 02:38 PM
This month's news includes the latest from NeoVista, Bausch & Lomb, and Boston’s Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary.
Posted by All on Wednesday 12 August, 2009 02:38 PM
At least three companies are currently developing ground-breaking femtosecond laser cataract removal systems, and the first of these systems will likely enter the cataract surgical equipment market in late 2010 or in 2011.
Posted by wfreeman on Friday 17 July, 2009 09:27 PM
New FLEx, SMILE, and IntraCor procedures suggest the breadth of femtosecond technology’s future reach in ophthalmic surgery.
Click to read Femtosecond Laser Technology Poised to Reshape Many Ophthalmic Surgeries»
Posted by daveanddru on Friday 17 July, 2009 09:27 PM
ISTA Pharmaceutical’s Bepreve, a new ocular allergy treatment, sailed through a recent meeting of the FDA’s Ophthalmic Drug Advisory Panel, garnering the panel’s recommendation for pre-market approval. Dry eye therapy Rejena, from Lantibio/River Plate and licensed to Alcon, did not fare as well, with the panel’s six-to-one vote against recommendation.
Click to read FDA Panel Recommend’s ISTA’s Bepreve for Approval, Rejects Alcon’s Rejena»
Posted by daveanddru on Friday 17 July, 2009 09:27 PM
Market Scope forecasts that the market in cataract surgical equipment, accessories and dedicated machine packs will increase to $1.27 billion by 2014 at a CAGR of 8.5 percent.
Click to read Cataract Surgical Equipment Market to Approach $1.3 Billion by 2014 »
Posted by wfreeman on Friday 17 July, 2009 09:27 PM
This month's news includes the latest from Allergan, Alcon and Staar Surgical.
Click to read July 2009 News Briefs»
Posted by All on Friday 17 July, 2009 09:27 PM
Click to read June 2009 News Briefs»
Posted by katiec on Tuesday 23 June, 2009 09:16 PM
With paradigm-shifting therapies for wet AMD now available and with more than 50 retinal therapies in the crowded pipeline, Market Scope forecasts that the global retinal pharmaceutical market will grow at a compounded rate of more than 5 percent per year through 2014.
Click to read Retinal Pharmaceutical Market Expected to Grow to $3.6 Billion by 2014»
Posted by katiec on Tuesday 23 June, 2009 09:13 PM
We expect the global IOL market to see unit growth at a compounded annual rate of 3.8 percent through 2014. In contrast, revenue growth is expected to reach a robust annualized rate of 8.3 percent, driven by the impact of higher priced PC-IOLs and premium monofocal lenses on the average IOL price.
Click to read Global IOL Revenues Expected to Grow at 8.3 Percent Rate Through 2014»
Posted by katiec on Tuesday 23 June, 2009 09:11 PM
B&L’s Besivance enters the market for ophthalmic anti-microbial pharmaceuticals and poses a challenge to frontrunners Alcon’s Vigamox and Allergan’s Zymar.
Click to read Besivance Promises New Competition in the Ocular Anti-infective Market»
Posted by katiec on Tuesday 23 June, 2009 09:08 PM
While Alcon, AMO, B&L and Staar have dominated the US IOL market for many years, two new competitors , Hoya and Rayner, have recently launched IOLs in the US marketplace, and several more are hoping to do so within the next 18 months.
Click to read New Participants Bring Change to Competitive Landscape in US IOL Market»
Posted by katiec on Tuesday 23 June, 2009 08:56 PM
Although US commercialization may still be several years away for two corneal inlay projects, both developers, ReVision Optics and AcuFocus, are very upbeat about the progress they’ve made with their newest technology.
Click to read Update on Corneal Inlays»
Posted by katiec on Tuesday 23 June, 2009 08:17 PM
Weak economic conditions drove refractive surgery volumes down 37 percent in Q1-2009, when compared with Q1-2008 data. But early signs of improving consumer confidence suggest potential for an upturn in demand in the second half of this year.
Click to read Economic Strain Continues to Trim Demand for Refractive Surgery »
Posted by daveanddru on Thursday 21 May, 2009 05:01 PM
Weak economic conditions have reduced demand for elective IOL procedures such as refractive lens exchange and postponed the surgery plans of many seniors. These constraints have slowed growth in IOL surgery volume to 2.3 percent in Q1-2009, when compared with growth in Q1-2008.
Click to read Q1-2009 IOL Procedures Up 2.3 Percent»
Posted by daveanddru on Thursday 21 May, 2009 05:01 PM
Cataract surgery has been shown to reduce IOP in patients with glaucoma. Now cataract surgeons are developing increasing interest in addressing glaucoma through combined cataract/glaucoma procedures. Last month’s ASCRS Glaucoma Subspecialty Day highlighted this heightened attention.
Click to read Growth Expected in Combined Cataract/Glaucoma Surgeries »
Posted by wfreeman on Thursday 21 May, 2009 05:01 PM
The global retinal surgical device market is expected to grow from $839 million in 2009 to $1.34 billion in 2014. Market Scope’s new 2009 Comprehensive Report on the Global Retinal Surgical Device Market offers a detailed analysis of market segments and competitors.
Click to read Significant Growth Expected in the Retinal Surgical Device Market»
Posted by wfreeman on Thursday 21 May, 2009 05:01 PM
This month's news includes the latest from I-therapeutix, TLC Vision, Bausch & Lomb, and Santen.
Click to read May 2009 News Briefs»
Posted by All on Thursday 21 May, 2009 05:01 PM
This year’s ASCRS meeting in San Francisco drew a record number of doctors, while counts of ASOA participants and exhibitors declined. Cataract and IOL topics dominated the meeting’s scientific paper sessions and many of the other meeting venues, with a robust agenda of study results, as well as technique and technology discussions. Glaucoma and corneal subspecialty programs were crowded with attendees, but refractive surgery offerings were more limited than at previous meetings.
Click to read Record Attendance at ASCRS Meeting Despite Weak Economy»
Posted by David Harmon and William Freeman on Thursday 16 April, 2009 09:42 PM
Click to read 2009 ASCRS: New Presbyopia-Correcting Technologies & Strategies »
Posted by wfreeman on Thursday 16 April, 2009 09:42 PM
Click to read 2009 ASCRS: Accommodating IOLs»
Posted by wfreeman on Thursday 16 April, 2009 09:42 PM
Click to read 2009 ASCRS: Monofocal IOLs»
Posted by wfreeman on Thursday 16 April, 2009 09:42 PM
Click to read 2009 ASCRS: Phakic IOLs»
Posted by wfreeman on Thursday 16 April, 2009 09:42 PM
Click to read 2009 ASCRS: Phaco Technology »
Posted by wfreeman on Thursday 16 April, 2009 09:42 PM
Click to read 2009 ASCRS: Femtosecond Laser Phaco »
Posted by daveharmon on Thursday 16 April, 2009 09:42 PM
Click to read 2009 ASCRS: Refractive Surgery»
Posted by daveharmon on Thursday 16 April, 2009 09:42 PM
Click to read 2009 ASCRS: Excimer Lasers»
Posted by daveharmon on Thursday 16 April, 2009 09:42 PM
Click to read 2009 ASCRS: Femtosecond Lasers»
Posted by daveharmon on Thursday 16 April, 2009 09:42 PM
Click to read 2009 ASCRS: Subspecialty Days»
Posted by daveharmon on Thursday 16 April, 2009 09:42 PM
Click to read 2009 ASCRS: Diagnostic Equipment»
Posted by daveharmon on Thursday 16 April, 2009 09:42 PM
This month's news includes the latest from VisionCare, LCA-Vision, Bausch & Lomb, 20/10 Perfect Vision AG, Technolas Perfect Vision, and TLC Vision.
Click to read April 2009 News Briefs»
Posted by All on Thursday 16 April, 2009 09:42 PM
The upcoming ASCRS meeting in San Francisco, will showcase new surgical technologies, particularly in the fields of cataract and refractive surgery. We preview some of the most interesting sessions in this issue.
Click to read ASCRS Meeting To Highlight the Latest Surgical Techniques and Technologies»
Posted by katiec on Monday 16 March, 2009 02:07 PM
Disparate factors will shape the global market for presbyopia-correcting IOLs during 2009. New IOLs will fuel increases in PC-IOL demand and the decline in elective laser vision correction may spur surgeons to expand their offerings to include premium IOLs, while, in contrast, the global recession constrains demand for patient-pay procedures.
Posted by katiec on Monday 16 March, 2009 02:07 PM
Bausch & Lomb has entered into two new strategic agreements—a licensing agreement with Santen and a co-promotion deal with Pfizer—that may help position the company as a serious challenger to Alcon’s industry dominance in the years ahead.
Click to read Bausch & Lomb Enters into New Strategic Agreements»
Posted by katiec on Monday 16 March, 2009 02:07 PM
This month's news includes the latest from AMO, Roche, Genentech, Sirion Therapeutics, and Advanced Vision Research.
Click to read March 2009 News Briefs»
Posted by katiec on Monday 16 March, 2009 02:07 PM
The worsening economic crisis continues to drive demand for refractive surgery downward. Demand for all refractive surgery was down 39.9 percent in Q4-2008 from Q4-2007 totals.
Click to read Demand for Refractive Surgery Fades As Economic Crisis Accelerates»
Posted by daveanddru on Friday 13 February, 2009 07:03 PM
In Q4-2008, IOL procedures grew 3.2 percent over Q4-2007 tallies. While demand for PC-IOLs was up significantly from Q4-2007, it declined from the previous quarter, and weak economic conditions are expected to constrain demand into 2009.
Click to read Q4-2008 IOL Procedures Up 3.2 Percent»
Posted by daveanddru on Friday 13 February, 2009 07:03 PM
The 2009 Hawaiian Eye Meeting spotlighted ongoing issues in ophthalmology that fueled lively debate. The Lucentis vs. Avastin controversy continued to generate discussion, while enthusiasm for mixing and matching IOLs was in decline.
Click to read Lucentis/Avastin Controversy Draws Attention at Hawaiian Eye Meeting »
Posted by Larry Haimovitch on Friday 13 February, 2009 07:03 PM
Abbott Laboratories is acquiring AMO for $2.8 billion.
Click to read Abbott Laboratories Acquiring AMO for $2.8 Billion»
Posted by daveanddru on Friday 13 February, 2009 07:03 PM
Market Scope forecasts annualized global growth of 5 percent for the ophthalmic diagnostic equipment market. This diverse market is the focus of two recently released Market Scope reports.
Click to read Annualized Growth of 5 Percent Forecast for Ophthalmic Diagnostic Market»
Posted by wfreeman on Friday 13 February, 2009 07:03 PM
Industry consolidation portends change in ophthalmology.
Click to read Industry Consolidation Promises Significant Changes in Ophthalmology»
Posted by daveanddru on Friday 13 February, 2009 07:03 PM
This month's news includes the latest from Roche, Genentech, AMO, Bausch & Lomb Santen/Advanced Vision Science and Alcon.
Click to read February 2009 New Briefs»
Posted by All on Friday 13 February, 2009 07:03 PM
IOL procedures continued to increase in number in 2008, despite the recession. However, the last half of 2008 saw a decline in PC-IOL use as the global economy worsened.
Click to read 2008 IOL Surgery Industry Driven by Premium Special-Purpose Lenses»
Posted by wfreeman on Friday 9 January, 2009 07:34 PM
Global refractive procedures declined in 2008 due to the recession, but procedure numbers grew in the emerging markets of China, India and Latin America.
Click to read 2008 Refractive Procedures Down Due to Recession»
Posted by daveharmon on Friday 9 January, 2009 07:34 PM
Six ophthalmic devices gained FDA regulatory approval during 2008, including IOLs from Bausch & Lomb, Hoya and Alcon, the iFS Femtosecond laser from AMO and the Constellation vitrectomy system from Alcon.
Click to read 2008 US Regulatory Update for Ophthalmic Devices»
Posted by David Harmon and William Freeman on Friday 9 January, 2009 07:34 PM
At least eight ophthalmic drugs gained FDA regulatory approval for the US market in 2008. These were from Akorn, Allergan, AMO, FDC and Sirion Therapeutics.
Click to read New Ophthalmic Drugs Enter the Market in 2008»
Posted by gmeltzer on Friday 9 January, 2009 07:34 PM
Lucentis and Avastin represented the standard of care for wet AMD in 2008. Many ophthalmologists await Phase III results from VEGF Trap, as well as study results from a variety of other new AMD therapies in the crowded pipeline.
Click to read Review of AMD Therapies in 2008 »
Posted by druthomas on Friday 9 January, 2009 07:34 PM
This month's news includes the latest from Genentech, AMO, LCA Vision and Allergan.
Click to read January 2009 News Briefs»
Posted by All on Friday 9 January, 2009 07:34 PM
US IOL surgery grew 2.6 percent in Q3-2008, while PC-IOL volume increased over Q3-2007 totals, but declined slightly from the Q2-2008 tally as the economy worsened.
Click to read Q3-2008 IOL Procedures Up 2.6 Percent»
Posted by wfreeman on Friday 5 December, 2008 07:53 PM
This year’s AAO meeting featured much interest in retinal pharmaceuticals, presbyopia-correcting IOLs, femtosecond lasers and corneal inlays.
Premium IOLs
Micro-Incision Cataract Surgery
PC-IOLs
Corneal Inlays
Femtosecond Lasers
Excimer Lasers
Neuroprotection
New Therapies for AMD
Update on Anti-VEGFs
Gene Therapies & Stem Cell Therapies
Diabetic Retinopathy
Alcon’s Constellation System
Optical Coherence Tomography
Glaucoma Medical Issues & Diagnostics
Glaucoma Surgical Devices
Industry Relations & Keynote Address
Posted by All on Friday 5 December, 2008 07:53 PM
Market Scope expects significant growth in the global glaucoma surgical device market during the next five years.
Click to read Significant Growth Expected in the Glaucoma Surgical Device Market»
Posted by wfreeman on Friday 5 December, 2008 07:53 PM
Market Scope expects the refractive surgery market to recover in 2010 and average a CAGR of 5.4 percent through 2013.
Posted by daveanddru on Friday 5 December, 2008 07:53 PM
Roche Holding AG, the Swiss pharmaceuticals company, has reiterated its commitment to a $43.7 billion bid for US biotech firm Genentech. In July, Roche made a cash offer of $89 per share for the 44 percent of Genentech that Roche does not already own. At that time Genentech rebuffed the bid. Since that time Genentech’s share price has dropped below Roche’s offer price as the global economic crisis has deepened. Doubts have arisen about Roche’s ability to raise funds for the deal during this period of extremely tight credit. Availability of a jumbo loan looks less and less likely, while a combination approach involving bonds may offer a source of funding. Representatives of Roche say they still aim to reach an agreement with Genentech.
LCA-Vision, which is struggling to weather the economic downturn and the sharp decline in refractive surgery, announced that it has adopted a shareholder rights plan “intended to ensure that LCA-Vision’s stockholders receive equal treatment” in the case of any proposed buyout. Such plans often make hostile takeovers more costly and more difficult for prospective buyers, although they don’t prevent buyouts by determined buyers. Under the terms of the shareholder rights plan, shareholders would be given the right to purchase 1/100th of a share of newly issued preferred stock for $100. A group led by company founder and former CEO Stephen Joffe, MD, and including two other former officers of the company indicated that they are considering action that would protect their investments in LCA-Vision. The group currently owns 11.4 percent of the company. The shareholders rights plan would be triggered if any person or group buys or obtains rights to buy 20 percent or more of the company. A hostile takeover or board of directors’ declaration of an “adverse person” would also trigger the plan. LCA-Vision currently operates 78 laser centers.
The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) announced that David W. Parke II, MD, will become the AAO’s new executive vice president (EVP) and chief executive officer (CEO). Parke will succeed current EVP and CEO H. Dunbar Hoskins Jr., MD, who is retiring. Hoskins has led the AAO since 1993. Parke will take office in April 2009.
At the AAO meeting, Ellex Medical Lasers announced results from a six-month clinical study of its retina regeneration therapy, Ellex 2RT. The results showed promise in clinical safety and effectiveness in the treatment of macular edema secondary to diabetic retinopathy. The Ellex 2RT uses a Q-switched green YAG laser with a proprietary design, and the laser produces three-nanosecond laser pulses that are very precise and selective. Professor John Marshall, PhD, under whom the study has been conducted in London, said that thus far this is the mildest laser treatment that “has demonstrated a selective and therapeutic effect on the retinal pigment epithelium” when tested in a clinical setting.
This month’s Archives of Ophthalmology includes a report linking the storage temperature of Bausch & Lomb’s ReNu with MoistureLoc to the Fusarium keratitis outbreak of 2004-2006. A study showed that anti-fungal activity in the contact lens solution declined when the solution was stored at a higher temperature—two sets of solution were stored for four weeks, one at room temperature and one at 60° C. Temperature both during storage and transport may be a critical safety factor.
Rolf Schwind, CEO of Schwind eye-tech-solutions, received the 2008 Gusi Peace Prize, an Asian award likened by some to the Nobel Peace Prize. Schwind was recognized for his outstanding achievements in medical technology, and the jury who chose Schwind cited the company’s Amaris laser as an example of exemplary innovation. The Philippines-based Gusi Peace Foundation chose 15 winners in various categories from more than 1,490 nominees.
Click to read December 2008 News Briefs»
Posted by All on Friday 5 December, 2008 07:53 PM
The economic crisis has sent Q3-2008 refractive volume into a dramatic decline. Demand is expected to weaken further in Q4-2008 and into the first half of 2009.
Click to read Demand for Refractive Surgery Wanes Due to Economic Crisis»
Posted by katiec on Monday 3 November, 2008 08:39 PM
The AAO meeting begins in a matter of days. In this edition of OMP, we offer a preview of some of the meeting’s many topics and must-see sessions.
Treatment of Astigmatic Cataract Patients
Mastering Advanced Phaco
IOLs with Recent FDA Market Clearance
IOL Strategies for Correcting Presbyopia
Refinements in Monovision
Corneal Inlays
Femtosecond Lasers
Excimer Laser Refinements
Corneal Ectasia
New Glaucoma Surgical Devices
New Therapies for AMD
The Latest on Current Anti-VEGF Therapies
Posted by katiec on Monday 3 November, 2008 03:14 PM
The Gavin S. Herbert Colloquium on Innovations and Controversies in Ophthalmology addressed timely issues in ophthalmology including bimanual phaco, new therapies for AMD and DME, early trabeculotome results and ocular surface reconstruction.
Click to read Gavin Herbert Colloquium Offered Updates on Ophthalmic Innovation »
Posted by katiec on Monday 3 November, 2008 02:57 PM
Click to read November 2008 Drug News and Other News Briefs»
Posted by katiec on Monday 3 November, 2008 02:38 PM
This year’s ESCRS meeting in Berlin featured the launch of a number of key cataract and refractive products destined primarily for European markets. New business partnering arrangements were announced as well, amid dozens of paper sessions, symposia, instruction courses and satellite sessions
Click to read Key Products Launched at the ESCRS Meeting» Posted by daveanddru on Monday 6 October, 2008 07:19 PM
The FDA has granted US regulatory approval to Bausch & Lomb’s Akreos AO60 IOL, the hydrophilic acrylic IOL that is already a popular IOL option in Europe and other parts of the world.
Click to read Bausch & Lomb’s Akreos Receives FDA Approval »
Posted by wfreeman on Monday 6 October, 2008 07:19 PM
The meeting of the International Presbyopia Society shed new light on accommodation, the natural lens and new technologies for addressing presbyopia.
Posted by daveanddru on Monday 6 October, 2008 07:19 PM
New data on astigmatic populations and improvements in astigmatism-correcting techniques and technologies promise growth in surgical correction for astigmatic cataract patients.
Click to read Continued Growth Expected in the Surgical Treatment of Astigmatic Cataract Patients»
Posted by wfreeman on Monday 6 October, 2008 07:19 PM
Hoya gains FDA market clearance for its iSpheric YA60BB IOL model.
Click to read Hoya Receives US FDA Regulatory Approval for the iSpheric IOL»
Posted by druthomas on Monday 6 October, 2008 07:19 PM
The Market Scope Eye Index fell 7.0 percent in September 2008, roughly in line with the Dow Jones Average, which declined 6.0 percent, and the NASDAQ, which declined 12.0 percent during the same period. Any performance issues among Eye Index stocks was dwarfed by investor concerns related to a US credit crisis that has led to several banking and financial failures and introduced significant uncertainty into global stock markets. In the past 12 months, the Eye Index has declined 2.8 percent, outperforming the decrease in the Dow Jones Average of 22.1 percent and the decline of 27.2 percent in the NASDAQ index.
Click to read October 2008 Market Scope Eye Index»
Posted by daveanddru on Monday 6 October, 2008 07:19 PM
This month's news includes the latest from inspire Pharmaceuticals, Merck, SurModics, Ellex, M+C GmbH, Alcon and LCA Vision.
Click to read October 2008 News Briefs»
Posted by All on Monday 6 October, 2008 07:19 PM
IOL procedure volume grew 3.2 percent in Q2-2008 when compared with the same quarter last year. Refractive lens exchange procedures grew at a much more robust rate, buoyed by the increasing popularity of presbyopia-correcting IOLs, and phakic IOL procedures also grew briskly.
Click to read Q2-2008 Intraocular Lens Procedures Up »
Posted by wfreeman on Friday 5 September, 2008 08:55 PM
In Q2-2008, economic conditions and consumer confidence remained weak, driving refractive volumes down 24.5 percent from Q2-2007 totals. The softening of demand is expected to accelerate through the rest of 2008.
Click to read The Troubled Economy Continues to Depress»
Posted by daveanddru on Friday 5 September, 2008 08:24 PM
A recently published analysis of refractive errors indicates that the prevalence of myopia may be increasing.
Click to read Is the Prevalence of Myopia on the Rise?»
Posted by daveanddru on Friday 5 September, 2008 08:13 PM
The European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (ESCRS) will hold its information-packed congress in Berlin, Germany, this month.
Click to read ESCRS Meeting Promises Information-Packed Sessions and Exhibits»
Posted by daveanddru on Friday 5 September, 2008 08:06 PM
Market Scope forecasts annualized growth of 5.4 percent for the global single-use ophthalmic surgical products market. Our new report on this market has just been released.
Click to read 5.4 Percent Growth Forecast for Single-Use Ophthalmic Surgical Products»
Posted by wfreeman on Friday 5 September, 2008 07:45 PM
The Market Scope Eye Index climbed 2.3 percent in August 2008, fairing better than the Dow Jones Average, which rose 1.5 percent, and the NASDAQ, which was up 1.8 percent, during the same period. In the past 12 months, the Eye Index has grown 8.8 percent, outperforming the decrease in the Dow Jones Average of 16.9 percent and the decline of 12.4 percent in the NASDAQ index.
Click to read September 2008 Market Scope Eye Index»
Posted by daveanddru on Friday 5 September, 2008 07:33 PM
This month's news includes the latest from Genentech, Alcon, AMA Optics, and Alimera Sciences.
Click to read September 2008 News Briefs»
Posted by daveanddru on Friday 5 September, 2008 07:28 PM
In the US, femtosecond has arguably become the standard-of-care technology for the creation of the LASIK flap. Now the technology is giving rise to a wealth of new techniques and applications.
Click to read Femtosecond Lasers Changing Ophthalmic Surgery»
Posted by daveanddru on Friday 8 August, 2008 02:37 PM
Since 2005, the number of presbyopia-correcting IOLs implanted throughout the world has tripled. Based on current trends, Market Scope forecasts that the number of PC-IOL implants will triple again by 2013.
Click to read Global Demand for Presbyopia-Correcting IOLs Grows»
Posted by wfreeman on Friday 8 August, 2008 02:37 PM
Market Scope’s recently-released 2008 Comprehensive Report on the Global Cataract Equipment Market forecasts global growth in the market at a compounded annual rate of 6.4 percent over the next five years.
Click to read Cataract Surgical Equipment Market Expected to Reach $1.15 Billion by 2013»
Posted by wfreeman on Friday 8 August, 2008 02:37 PM
To date, eight ophthalmic devices and therapeutics have gained FDA regulatory approval this year. A multiplicity of new ophthalmic treatments and technologies are also under study in FDA clinical trials. The retinal pharma pipeline is particularly full.
Click to read Regulatory Update»
Posted by All on Friday 8 August, 2008 02:37 PM
The Market Scope Eye Index soared 4.9 percent in July 2008, fairing significantly better than major stock indices. The Dow Jones Average rose 0.2 percent and the NASDAQ index climbed 1.4 percent over the same period. In the past 12 months, the Eye Index has grown 0.4 percent, outperforming the decrease in the Dow Jones Average of 14.8 percent and the decline of 10.4 percent in the NASDAQ index.
Click to read August 2008 Market Scope Eye Index»
Posted by daveanddru on Friday 8 August, 2008 02:37 PM
This month's news includes the latest from Alcon, Staar Surgical, the AAO, as well as the latest news regarding the procedure cuts for Medicare physician payments.
Click to read August 2008 News Briefs»
Posted by daveanddru on Friday 8 August, 2008 02:37 PM
This year’s World Ophthalmology Congress (WOC) in Hong Kong was a study in contrasts—especially between advanced medical technology and tackling blindness in a needy world.
Click to read The World Ophthalmic Congress: Modern Medicine Meets a Needy World»
Posted by daveanddru on Wednesday 9 July, 2008 07:02 PM
The US Senate failed to stall the July 1st cut in Medicare payments to physicians. And the clock is ticking on a last ditch effort on a retroactive fix.
Click to read Senate Fails to Stall Scheduled Cut in Medicare Physician Payments»
Posted by druthomas on Wednesday 9 July, 2008 07:02 PM
In the 2008 Comprehensive Report on the Global IOL Market, Market Scope forecasts that global access to PC-IOLs and other advanced IOL technologies will drive IOL revenue growth at quickened clip over the next five years.
Click to read 2008 IOL Market to Approach $2.0 Billion»
Posted by wfreeman on Wednesday 9 July, 2008 07:02 PM
Anecortave acetate, originally Alcon’s investigative AMD treatment Retaane, is now in clinical studies as a glaucoma treatment.
Click to read Alcon Studies Anecortave Acetate’s Use as a Glaucoma Treatment »
Posted by gmeltzer on Wednesday 9 July, 2008 07:02 PM