Eyeworld

April 2011 where the cells are born, and where they stop dividing, they differentiate and make the lens fibers," he said. "However, imagine in the absence of NF2 you first make more cells and those cells migrate to the places where they are not supposed to be— they are going to block vision." Dr. Pan pointed out that in cataracts, ectopic cells are found in the posterior and also in the equato- rial areas where normally they would not be. "You'll see the cell body there; these cells migrate there," he said. "That could be due to the fact that there are too many cells or that they have become more migratory, or these could be compat- ible with each other." Clinical implications While the clinical implications are quite a reach, Dr. Pan said that down the road new drugs targeting YAP could be developed. "At the very least we can say that for NF2 pa- tients, this provides an important clue," he said. "For those patients who developed cataracts because they were losing the NF2 gene, we could argue that if we develop a drug that can tune down the activity of YAP, that may be particularly use- ful for those people." Brief Summary of Prescribing Information ATON Pharma, a Division of Valeant Pharmaceuticals North America LLC Madison, NJ 07940 Rx Only LACRISERT ® (hydroxypropyl cellulose) OPHTHALMIC INSERT DESCRIPTION LACRISERT ® Ophthalmic Insert is a sterile, translucent, rod-shaped, water soluble, ophthalmic insert made of hydroxypropyl cellulose, for administration into the inferior cul-de-sac of the eye. Each LACRISERT is 5 mg of hydroxypropyl cellulose. LACRISERT contains no preserva- tives or other ingredients. It is about 1.27 mm in diameter by about 3.5 mm long. LACRISERT is supplied in packages of 60 units, together with illustrated instructions and a special applicator for removing LACRISERT from the unit dose blister and inserting it into the eye. INDICATIONS AND USAGE LACRISERT is indicated in patients with moderate to severe dry eye syndromes, includ- ing keratoconjunctivitis sicca. LACRISERT is indicated especially in patients who remain symptomatic after an adequate trial of therapy with artificial tear solutions. LACRISERT is also indicated for patients with exposure keratitis, decreased corneal sensitivity, and recurrent corneal erosions. CONTRAINDICATIONS LACRISERT is contraindicated in patients who are hypersensitive to hydroxypropyl cellulose. WARNINGS Instructions for inserting and removing LACRISERT should be carefully followed. PRECAUTIONS General If improperly placed, LACRISERT may result in corneal abrasion. Information for Patients Patients should be advised to follow the instructions for using LACRISERT which accompany the package. Because this product may produce transient blurring of vision, patients should be instructed to exercise caution when operating hazardous machinery or driving a motor vehicle. Drug Interactions Application of hydroxypropyl cellulose ophthalmic inserts to the eyes of unanesthetized rabbits immediately prior to or two hours before instilling pilocarpine, proparacaine HCl (0.5%), or phenylephrine (5%) did not markedly alter the magnitude and/or duration of the miotic, local corneal anesthetic, or mydriatic activity, respectively, of these agents. Under various treatment schedules, the anti-inflammatory effect of ocularly instilled dexamethasone (0.1%) in unanesthetized rabbits with primary uveitis was not affected by the presence of hydro xypropyl cellulose inserts. Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility Feeding of hydroxypropyl cellulose to rats at levels up to 5% of their diet produced no gross or histopathologic changes or other deleterious effects. Pediatric Use Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients have not been established. Geriatric Use No overall differences in safety or effectiveness have been observed between elderly and younger patients. ADVERSE REACTIONS The f ollowing adverse reactions have been reported in patients treated with LACRISERT, but were in most instances mild and transient: transient blurring of vision, ocular dis- comfort or irritation, matting or stickiness of eyelashes, photophobia, hypersensitivity, edema of the eyelids, and hyperemia. DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION One LACRISERT ophthalmic insert in each eye once daily is usually sufficient to relieve the symptoms associated with moderate to severe dry eye syndromes. Individual patients may require more flexibility in the use of LACRISERT; some patients may require twice daily use for optimal results. Clinical experience with LACRISERT indicates that in some patients several weeks may be required before satisfactory improvement of symptoms is achieved. Issued June 2007 Distributed by: ATON Pharma, a Division of Valeant Pharmaceuticals North America LLC Madison, NJ 07940 Manufactured by: MERCK & Co., Inc. West Point , PA 19486 USA © 2011, ATON Pharma All rights reserved. LAC012-0211_EyeWorld_PI.indd 1 3/14/11 6:47 PM A potential new therapeutic target for cataract prevention has been found Source: National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health Recently continued from page 26

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