Iowa Eye Association News
Oct. 2004. Series 2, no. 39.
Iowa Eye Association News Oct. 2004. Series 2, no. 39. |
In 1997, a group of scientists and physicians at the University of Iowa met and discussed the serious problems facing individuals affected with macular degeneration. In their discussions, they came to view macular degeneration as a problem that required a focused multidisciplinary effort.
These investigators approached the administrative officials of the College of Medicine and the University and with their help worked out a plan for a Center for Macular Degeneration that would allow world class physicians and scientists from a number of disciplines to be assembled at the University of Iowa for the purpose of working toward a cure for this devastating disease. In late 1997, the Iowa Board of Regents approved the creation of the Center and work was begun. Contributions in the past year alone have made some strides toward the Center’s goals.
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H. Culver Boldt, M.D., is involved with a Genentech sponsored, Phase III, multicenter study of the efficacy and safety of rhuFabV2 (Ranibizumab) in subjects with minimally classic or occult subfoveal neovascular age-related macular denegeration. |
| Stephen R. Russell, M.D., received a $280,000 grant for the Anecortave Acetate Risk Reduction Trial (AART). In this study, investigators will be studying the outcome of treating the second eye of patients affected in the first eye with wet age-related macular degeneration. Dr. Russell says, “The AART is an exciting trial for eligible individuals with macular degeneration that have had vision loss in one eye.” The goal of the study is to reduce the chance of vision loss in a patient’s “good eye.” There are over 100 centers in the United States, Europe, Australia, and South America participating in the study. The target enrollment is 2,500 patients worldwide that will be followed for four years, receiving Anecortave Acetate every six months. Dr. Russell presented information for The Anecortave Acetate Risk Reduction Study Group at the 2004 Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) meeting. |  |
Dr. Russell, along with research fellow Dr. Michael Grassi, has been involved with the “Compassionate Use of Anecortave Acetate for AMD complicated by Choroidal Neovascularization (CNV).” The purpose of the study is to treat a number of patients that would not normally qualify for the original anecortave acetate study due to the inclusion criteria for that study. Patients who are not eligible for the original anecortave acetate study have no other treatment options and will likely experience poor visual outcome as a result of their age-related macular degeneration. The researchers hope that the administration of a sub-tenon’s injection of 10 or 30 mg of anecortave acetate will induce regression of CNV in these patients. Dr. Russell is also conducting an evaluation of the safety, duration, and efficacy of anecortave acetate suspension versus placebo following a single sub-tenon’s injection for the inhibition of neovascularization. This study is sponsored by Alcon Laboratories. |
| James C. Folk, M.D., has been involved with the Submacular Surgical Trial, Complications of AMD Trial, and AG-013958 VEGF Inhibitor Trial. The Submacular Surgical Trial tested whether surgical removal of choroidal neovascularization in macular degeneration and histoplasmosis preserves vision. The trial is completed and results will be published in the fall of this year. The Complications of AMD Prevention Trial continues to investigate whether light laser to eyes with drusen preserves vision and is now in its fourth of five years of follow-up. UIHC is a leading recruiter in this study. The Department will be a center for a trial sponsored by Pfizer that will test whether the sub-tenons administration of a new VEGF inhibitor (AG-013958) will preserve or improve vision in patients with neovacular AMD. |  |
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Karen M. Gehrs, M.D., is studying the reduction in the occurrence of center-threatening diabetic macular edema in a study sponsored by Eli Lilly and Co. She is also participating in a study through the Department of Epidemiology and sponsored by Wyeth-Ayerst called the Women’s Health Initiative Sight Exam (WHI-SE) study. |
Standard tests of vision routinely used in clinical practice and the evaluation of ophthalmic devices provide only a comparison to what is considered “normal.” They do not measure functional performance and, in particular, driving performance. Such an evaluation tool would provide an alternative with which to evaluate a new ophthalmic device while providing the FDA with valuable information regarding the impact of such products on public health and safety. This has become more of an issue as rapid advancements in ophthalmic device technology lead to ever-increasing expectations for better visual outcomes.
The NADS is the largest and most sophisticated research-oriented driving simulator in the world. It was built to conduct research that will ultimately lead to reductions in the number of traffic-related deaths, injuries, and incidents of property loss on the nation’s highways. The NADS, located at the University of Iowa’s Oakdale Research Park, is a national shared-use facility owned by the NHTSA of the Department of Transportation and operated by the University of Iowa. |
More information about the University of Iowa Center for Macular Degeneration
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| "Together,
we have a vision for the future." |
Copyright © University
of Iowa, 2004 |
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Mark E. Wilkinson, O.D., is co-principal investigator
on a contract from the U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in which
the National Advanced Driving Simulator (NADS) at the University of Iowa
will be used to validate a vision test for use in simulated driving performance
tests. Ginger Watson, Ph.D., co-principal investigator and research scientist
at the NADS and Simulation Center, says, “This study is important
as a first step in setting standards to link visual testing and driving
performance. It could help with understanding vision and driving performance
as well as in developing more effective devices.” 