Nanoparticles can be used to treat Macular Edema
Research at Wayne State University, Johns Hopkins and Mayo Clinic offers new treatment for macular edema caused by macular degeneration and retinitis pigmentosa by using nanoparticles that is attached to corticosteroids molecules.
These particles are directed toward the damaged cells and spare the normal unaffected cells. The sizes of these particles are less than 200 nm, enables intracellular delivery of medications such as corticosteroids.
Both Retinitis Pigmentosa and age-related macular degeneration are caused by inflammation of retinal cells. Steroid can be used to reduce the inflammation which can help to prevent and reduce the progression of these diseases.
These nanoparticles can also be used in treatment for macular edema that is caused by Diabetic retinopathy, Retinal Vein Occlusion and Wet Macular degeneration. They can provide sustained delivery of steroid to retina and also to choroid.
IRIDEX MicroPulse (TM) Laser Therapy Safe, Effective for Patients with Diabetic Macular Edema
IRIDEX Corporation announced the results of 10 years clinical study on MicroPulse Laser Therapy. The study demonstrates the efficacy and the safety of MicroPulse laser therapy in treatment for macular edema that is caused by Diabetic Retinopathy.
The advantage of this type of laser over the conventional Photocoagulation laser is that MicroPulse delivers short subthreshold short laser pulses that only confined to the retinal pigment epithelial layer and spare the retinal cells.
Conventional Photocoagulation delivers high pulse laser pulses that cause thermal damages to both retinal pigment epithelial and retinal cells.
Treated area with conventional laser can form chorioretinal scar and sometimes this scar can expand and involve the fovea (the area responsible for high visual acuity). Read more about Micropulse laser treatment.
New Anti VEGF was approved by FDA to treatment for Macular Edema in patient with Wet Macular Degeneration
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today approved a new Anti-VEGF aflibercept ophthalmic solution which is also called VEGF Trap-Eye for the treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
This drug inhibits both VEGF (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor) and PlGF (Placental Growth Factor). These growth factors are responsible for the formation of abnormal fragile blood vessels which leak fluid and bleed easily in the retinal layers and cause the formation of macular edema.
Researchers found that Aflibercept can be more potent than other Anti-VEGF such as Lucentis and Avastin. These two medications have less affinity to bind PIGF, comparing to Aflibercept or VEGF Trap-Eye.
