Treating the Untreatable: Occulogix Introduces the First Treatment for Dry Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Waltham, Mass. (PRWEB) October 12, 2006

Millennium Research Group (MRG), the global authority on medical technology market intelligence, has conducted a detailed and thorough analysis of the US glaucoma-retinal market. The analysis reveals that a new procedure developed by Occulogix, RHEOpheresis (RHEO), will have a considerable impact on the retinal market because it targets a previously untreatable population suffering from dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Part of a three-report series covering cataracts and ophthalmic diagnostics, US Markets for Glaucoma-Retinal Devices 2007 reports that the RHEO procedure, originally expected to enter the market in 2006, did not receive approval by the Food and Drug Administration. As a result, Occulogix will be required to submit additional clinical data; the follow-up trial and submission are expected to be completed by 2008. As of June 2006, the RHEO procedure was approved in Europe and Canada.

The RHEO procedure is designed to treat late-stage dry AMD, a condition previously deemed untreatable. It involves the use of a specialized filter system, which is designed to remove macromolecules from the blood.

“Occulogix suspects that the existence of macromolecules within the blood has helped contribute to the drusin buildup at the posterior of the eye, commonly seen in dry AMD patients. After removing a portion of the patient’s blood from one arm and filtering out the macromolecules, the plasma is returned to the body through the other arm,” said Tandis Mahboubi, Senior Analyst from MRG. “This procedure is intended to halt the progression of dry AMD and improve the visual acuity of patients already suffering from the condition.”

US Markets for Glaucoma-Retinal Devices 2007 is one of three new ophthalmic reports recently published by MRG—US Markets for Ophthalmic Diagnostic Devices 2007 and US Markets for Cataract and Refractive Devices 2007 are also now available. These reports include coverage of all key industry competitors, including Alcon (ACL), Advanced Medical Optics (EYE), Lumenis (LUME.PK), Bausch & Lomb (BOL), Topcon (TOPCF.PK), Iridex (IRIX), IntraLASE (ILSE), Nidek, Carl Zeiss Meditec (CZMWF.PK), New World Medical, Ellex (ELXMF.PK), Endo Optiks, WaveLight (WVLTF.PK), Moria, Heidelberg Engineering, Reichert, Kowa, Haag Streit, Marco, Sonomed (SNM.V), Staar Surgical (STAA), Eyeonics, Optonol Ltd., Heine, EagleVision, Becton Dickenson, Canon (CAJFF.PK), Accutome, Tomey, Keeler, DGH Koi, I Cubed, RH Burton, Norwood Eye Care, IOLTech, Cytosol, Gebauer, and Molteno.

About Age-Related Macular Degeneration

In the US, AMD is one of the most common types of retinal disorders and is the leading cause of central vision loss in one or both eyes for people over 50. It advances with age to destroy sight by attacking the macula (a series of light-sensing receptors located in the middle of the retina) and blurring sharp central vision.

About Millennium Research Group

Millennium Research Group (http://www.MRG.net), a Decision Resources, Inc. company (http://www.DecisionResources.com), is a leading provider of strategic information to the health care sector. Focused solely on the medical device, pharmaceutical, and biotechnology industries, the company provides its clients with the benefits of its specialized industry expertise through published reports and customized consulting services.

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