What is Ocriplasmin?

Ociplasmin (marketed by Alcon under the name "Jetrea") is a new drug, which was approved by the FDA in the US in October 2012.  It is an enzyme (a "recombinant protease with activity against fibronectin and laminase") which helps separate the back of the vitreous gel from the retina.  In certain conditions...when there is a strong attachment of the vitreous gel to the retina...and when the vitreous collapses forward in the eye...the retina can be lifted up like a "tent" (as seen in the OCT picture above),  Such an elevation results in visual loss.  Until the availability of this drug...the only solution was vitrectomy surgery...in which the vitreous gel is removed surgically...relieving the traction on the retina...resulting in visual improvement.
The availability of this drug allows some patients to be cured without surgery.  The drug needs to be injected directly into the vitreous cavity of the eye.  The success rate is much lower than with surgery (approximately 30% vs 100%).
A small percentage of macular holes can also be treated with this drug...and also avoid the need for vitrectomy surgery (ONLY in those cases of macular holes where there is traction from the vitreous in an "anteroposterior" or front-to-back direction)
Ocriplasmin is anticipated to receive Health Canada approval later in 2013

Is it true that an "artificial retina" has been developed?

On February 14, 2013...the FDA approved the "Argus II Retinal Prosthesis System".  This ingenious device was developed by "Second Sight" in California.  It consists of an intraocular portion and an extraocular portion.
The intraocular portion consists of a pattern of electrodes which are implanted onto the surface of the retina...as well as a receiving and transmitting coil...implanted onto the surface of the eye...these transmitters are connected by a wire to the electrodes inside of the eye.
The extraocular portion consists of a pair of glasses, onto which is mounted a camera.
The camera then sends images wirelessly...to the receiving coils...which then sends the images to the transmitting coils...and then to the electrodes on the retinal surface.  Impulses are then transmitted to the retinal nerve finer layer...then to the optic nerve...and then to the brain.
As of this writing...30 patients have had this device surgically implanted, as part of an FDA study.  The results have been quite remarkable.  Only patients with no light perception vision or bare light perception vision were eligible...and only patients who had a previous history of "form vision" in the past.  Patients have shown variable abilities to see large objects, navigate obstacles, reach for items on a table and even read large letters!
It is important to note that this device is now FDA approved ONLY for patients with an inherited retinal disease called RETINITIS PIGMENTOSA.
We anticipate commencing studies with the Argus II system in Toronto in late 2013.