RESUMEN
The advent of Anti- VEGFs like Lucentis (Ranibizumab), Eylea (Aflibercept) and off-label Avastin (Bevacizumab) have radically improved visual outcomes in patients of neovascular Age Related Macular Degeneration (nARMD), Diabetic Macular Edema (DME) and Retinal Vein Occlusion (RVO). It is a matter of great concern that the US patents for Ranibizumab and Aflibercept expired in 2020 with European patents to expire in 2022 and 2025, respectively. With the expiry of these biologics, Biosimilars can prove to be saviours in the posterior segment pharmacotherapy owing to their cost effectiveness and availability of various options. Numerous biosimilars are expected to gain approval for clinical use from the US-FDA and EMA soon. Biobetters are better than the original biologic in one or more parameters but require more research and development resources. With the emergence of better manufacturing and purification processes it is imperative that the biologics and biosimilars become better. The Ophthalmologists need to have in depth knowledge about these Biosimilars and Biobetters before these molecules take over the mainstream market.
RESUMEN
PURPOSE: To elucidate the use of Ripasudil in patients of advanced glaucoma on maximally tolerated medical therapy who could not be offered the option of surgery due to the global pandemic lockdown. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Only patients with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG), who had a cup-disc ratio (CDR) of 0.9 or a near total cupping on maximum tolerated medical therapy for at least 4 weeks and yet could not meet the target IOP were included. Target IOP was defined as ≤12 mm Hg. A total of 30 patients were enrolled. All patients in study cohort were started on E/D Ripasudil BD. Patients were followed up at 1 week, 2 weeks, 4 weeks and then monthly for 6 months for their best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), intraocular pressure (IOP), disc changes (slit lamp biomicroscopy), perimetry, and retinal nerve fibre layer analysis using optical coherence tomography (OCT-RNFL). RESULTS: Mean pre-treatment IOP on five drugs was 18.3 ± 2.1 mm Hg (range 14 to 22mmHg) on maximally tolerated medical therapy. At 1 week follow-up, mean post-treatment IOP was 15.1 ± 1.7 mm Hg (range 12 to 18mmHg) and at 2 week follow-up, mean post-treatment IOP was 12.5 ± 1.9 mmHg (range 10 to 16mmHg). Thus, target IOP ≤12mmHg was attained in 28 patients at 2 weeks. This target IOP was maintained throughout the 6 months of follow-up period. Of the 2 patients who could not meet target IOP, 1 patient needed rearrangement of their fixed-drug-combinations to achieve target IOP at 4 weeks. The second patient required unfixing of all fixed-drug-combinations to achieve target IOP at maximally tolerated medical therapy at 6 weeks. CONCLUSION: Ripasudil not only provides a better IOP control but also has a high safety profile even when started as an add-on drug to already-existing yet inadequate maximally tolerated medical therapy.
RESUMEN
Retro-intraocular lens (IOL) irrigation-aspiration is of paramount importance in order to remove the viscoelastic substance from the retro-IOL space and to prevent any early post-operative capsular block syndrome. However, manoeuvring the IOL to reach the retro-IOL space may be difficult at the hands of novice surgeons despite the use of coaxial or bimanual irrigation-aspiration probes. We describe a simpler and safer technique in order to facilitate the removal of this retro-IOL viscoelastic substance using a 26-Gauge bent-cannula mounted on a 2-ml syringe. The fluid is injected forcefully along with sideways movement of cannula in a single-plane to displace the viscoelastic substance.