EyeWorld is the official news magazine of the American Society of Cataract & Refractive Surgery.
Issue link: https://digital.eyeworld.org/i/1109716
I TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION MAY 2019 | EYEWORLD | 47 (dexamethasone, EyePoint Pharmaceuticals). Dexycu has a J code and pass-through status. This injection, Dr. Matossian said, eliminates the most burdensome and confusing post-cat- aract surgery drops—the steroid—which has to be used several times a day and tapered over several weeks. Dexycu mimics this titration over time, she said. Dr. Donnenfeld, first author on the clinical trials for Dexycu, said studies showed it was identical in reducing cell and flare compared to Pred Forte (prednisolone, Allergan), and IOP was not a significant issue. "It looks to have safety and efficacy and eliminates the drop burden," he said. Plus, there will be no cost to the patient, no cost to the sur- gery center, and no cost to the doctor. "I think this will be widely appreciated by the patient to not have to pay for a medication and to reduce the compliance issues." "I think that the best application for this type of punctal plug is dry eye. Not only do you get the advantage of the punctal plug, which helps dry eye, but you also get the advantage of sustained release agents," Dr. Donnenfeld said, noting its value for glaucoma and cataract surgery as well. Another insert is a bimatoprost periocular ring (Allergan), which is under investigation to provide at least 4 months of glaucoma therapy. Finally, Dr. Donnenfeld mentioned the Topical Ophthalmic Drug Delivery Device (TODDD), an under the eyelid device being developed by Vista Scientific, currently focused on sustained timolol delivery. Intraocular options We are now in an era where there is a means of reducing compliance issues by delivering drugs right to the target tissue, Dr. Matossian said, specifically noting the FDA approval and official commercial roll-out of Dexycu Allergan is working on a bimatoprost periocular ring, as seen in the lower right quadrant of this eye. Source: John Sheppard, MD About the doctors Eric Donnenfeld, MD Ophthalmic Consultants of Long Island Garden City, New York Cynthia Matossian, MD Matossian Eye Associates Doylestown, Pennsylvania Russell Swan, MD Vance Thompson Vision Bozeman, Montana Financial interest Donnenfeld: Allergan, EyePoint Pharmaceuticals, Alcon, Bausch + Lomb, Kala Pharmaceuticals, Ocular Therapeutix, Mati Thera- peutics Matossian: Ocular Therapeutix, EyePoint Pharmaceuticals Swan: Alcon, Glaukos, Allergan continued on page 48