Retina Group of New York Now Offers Long-lasting Ozurdex® Treatment for Diabetic Retinopathy
Hicksville and Hauppauge, NY (PRWEB) July 14, 2014 -- The Retina Group of New York (RGONY), with offices in Hicksville and Hauppauge, NY, has announced the availability of Ozurdex® (dexamethasone intravitreal implant) as a long-lasting treatment for diabetic macular edema (DME) patients. Ozurdex, a corticosteroid manufactured by Allergan, recently obtained an additional FDA-approved indication for use in diabetic macular edema. Ozurdex was previously approved by the FDA in 2009 for treatment of retinal vascular occlusions and and in 2010 for non-infectious uveitis (inflammation in the eye).
DME, a leading cause of vision loss in diabetic patients, is a condition in which microvascular damage from diabetes leads to leakage in the central portion of the retina, the macula. This causes blurring and loss of vision, and eventually legal blindness. The OZURDEX® biodegradable implant is delivered as an injection, and is administered during an office visit. The medication is slowly released over a period of months, suppressing inflammation, a key factor in DME. On average, patients receiving the medication demonstrate an improvement in vision and less leakage.
According to James M. Maisel, M.D., Chairman of the Retina Group of New York and a vitreoretinal surgeon, “Laser treatments and vitreous surgery have nearly eliminated the blinding complications of proliferative diabetic retinopathy for decades. However, over half a million diabetics with the background form of diabetic retinopathy develop diabetic macular edema (DME), threatening their fine vision, and their ability to read and drive. Precise focal laser treatment for DME typically only slowed visual loss. In 2010, Lucentis® was approved for treatment of DME and quickly became the standard of care, stabilizing or improving vision two lines in two years in about 1/3 of patients but often requiring monthly injections. We are thrilled to now have a second FDA-approved medication, Ozurdex, for treatment of DME,” Dr. Maisel continues. “The mechanism of action is different from Lucentis and it may act in concert for challenging cases with duration of action of up to six months.”
Rodney P. Coe, M.D., an associate retinal specialist with the Retina Group of New York, states that, “Our group has over 5 years of experience administering Ozurdex for treatment of posterior uveitis and retinal vascular occlusions. Ozurdex is administered in the eye during routine office visits and has proven to be safe and effective. Diabetic macular edema involves complex mechanisms, and having an additional treatment option broadens our ability to control this condition.”
For more information about Ozurdex treatment for DME, or to schedule a consultation with the Retina Group of New York, please call 516.939.6100 or 631-273-1818. An NIH video, "Diabetic Retinopathy" can be viewed on YouTube.
About The Retina Group of New York
The Retina Group of New York is composed of Board Certified Ophthalmologists with additional subspecialty training in vitreous and retinal surgery and medical retinal diagnosis and treatment. The group provides eye care for patients with retinal problems such as diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, retinal vascular disease, retinal detachments, vitreoretinal interface disorders such as VMA, macular puckers and holes, surgical complications, uveitis and second opinions. Members of the group holds staff privileges at seven area hospitals, teaching appointments and served as a Corporate Advisory Board member for the Foundation of the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation Medical Advisory Board and the AAO Instrument and Device and Low Vision Committees. They have received research grants from the U.S. Public Health Service and the National Institute of Health and represented the National Society to Prevent Blindness at the ANSI Z-80 committee helping to establish many ophthalmic industry standards.
James M. Maisel, M.D., Chairman, Retina Group of New York, http://www.rgony.com/, +1 516-939-6100, [email protected]
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