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
No comments:
Post a Comment