Lomb implant used in research

Bausch & Lomb’s Retisert intravitreous implant has been used in a three-year safety and efficacy study into the treatment of patients with noninfectious posterior uveitis.

The research – soon to be published in the Archives of Ophthalmology – found that those treated with an intravitreous implant able to deliver fluocinolone acetonide had a reduction in recurrence of the disease.

However, a majority of those with the implants later required surgery or cataract extraction to lower elevated intraocular pressure.

The study’s authors said a higher likelihood of this condition was a “significant complication” of the implant, but it is manageable with surgery or eye drops to lower the pressure.

Meanwhile, last month saw Bausch & Lomb introduce its Crystalens HD accommodating intraocular lens at a Berlin conference.

It was launched in the US in July and superseded the previous Crystalens Five-O model. The company said this lens had already been used by over 100,000 patients.