Search

2024 APR 13 (NewsRx) -- By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Obesity, Fitness & Wellness Week -- Data detailed on Eye Diseases and Conditions - Keratitis have been presented. [...]

2024 JAN 13 (NewsRx) -- By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Obesity, Fitness & Wellness Week -- Investigators publish new report on keratitis. According to news originating from Milan, [...]

Byline: Vishal. Kumar, Pooja. Kumari, Neiwete. Lomi, Murugesan. Vanathi, Noopur. Gupta, Radhika. Tandon, T. Velpandian, Nishat. Ahmed, Gita. Satpathy Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of liposomal amphotericin B (L-AMB) for [...]

BRIM Biotechnology, Inc., a company established in July 2013 to accelerate the development and transformation of early research technology platforms to clinical drug candidates, announced that the US Food and [...]

2022 AUG 6 (NewsRx) -- By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Obesity, Fitness & Wellness Week -- Research findings on keratitis are discussed in a new report. According to [...]

Byline: N. Prajna, Naveen. Radhakrishnan Fungal keratitis is the most common cause of infectious keratitis in developing countries.[1] Even with adequate treatment, a significant number of patients with fungal keratitis [...]

Byline: Manali. Hazarika, Namperumalsamy. Prajna, Srinivasan. Senthilkumari Purpose: Earlier our group has demonstrated the drug reservoir function of the human amniotic membrane (HAM) using stable moxifloxacin and fortified cefazolin ophthalmic [...]

2020 AUG 22 (NewsRx) -- By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Obesity, Fitness & Wellness Week -- Fresh data on Herpesvirus Diseases and Conditions - Herpes Simplex Virus are [...]

2020 MAR 7 (NewsRx) -- By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Obesity, Fitness & Wellness Week -- Current study results on Eye Diseases and Conditions - Keratitis have been [...]

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the first drug, Oxervate (cenegermin), for the treatment of neurotrophic keratitis, a rare disease affecting the cornea (the clear layer that [...]

Byline: Surabhi. Dutt, Manisha. Acharya, Abha. Gour, Neelam. Sapra, Lokesh. Chauhan, Umang. Mathur Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of systemic and topical antiviral therapy in the treatment of active herpes [...]

Cenegermin-bkbj 0.002% ophthalmic solution (Oxervate, Dompe Farmaceutici SpA), a recombinant form of human nerve growth factor, is the first such medical therapy to receive FDA approval to treat neurotrophic keratitis, [...]

The recent FDA approval of ganciclovir ophthalmic gel 0.15% (Zirgan, Sirion Therapeutics) for the treatment of acute herpetic keratitis brings to U.S. ophthalmologists an important advance in topical antiviral therapy [...]

The cornea is the transparent outermost tunic covering at the front of the eyeball and functions as a refracting surface for light entering the eye. Bacterial infection of the cornea is a potential threat to vision. This condition, also known as bacterial keratitis, requires immediate, effective antibiotic treatment, as does severe bacterial conjunctivitis, infection of the conjunctiva or mucous membrane lining the eyelids and surface of the eyeball. Many of these infections are due to a breakdown of the body's normal defenses. There are only a few commercially available antibiotics for the treatment of eye infection. These products are usually effective in treating bacterial conjunctivitis; however, it is generally agreed that they are inadequate for treating bacterial keratitis because the concentration of antibiotic is too low. For this reason it is common for the ophthalmologist to prescribe a specifically formulated antibiotic preparation, which can provide much higher antibiotic concentration. Usually two fortified preparations are given concurrently to provide a broader range of action (covering various types of bacteria). These medications are usually administered locally, such as in eye drops. This provides high concentrations of antibiotic in the area of infection with minimal risk of systemic side effects. These fortified antibiotics may also be given by injection into the eye or systemically. There has never been a formal evaluation of the practice of using fortified preparations, and there are no established safety regulations. Studies of the new fluoroquinolones, including ciprofloxacin, have shown these antibiotics to be very effective against a broad range of both gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria. Ciprofloxacin is a single, strong, broad-spectrum antibiotic that is commercially available. It is an excellent drug to use as initial treatment for bacterial keratitis or severe bacterial conjunctivitis, while waiting for laboratory identification of the infecting bacterial organism. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

The cornea is the transparent outermost layer of tissue covering the front of the eyeball; it serves as a refracting surface for light entering the eye. Bacterial keratitis, or infection of the cornea, is a serious condition that can result in decreased visual acuity or blindness. Consequently, this infection requires immediate, effective antibiotic treatment. Because drug therapy must be initiated before the specific bacterial organism is identified, a potent broad-spectrum antibiotic must be used. Unfortunately, there are increasing numbers of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Ciprofloxacin, a strong fluoroquinolone type of antibiotic, is effective against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Like other quinolone antibiotics, it inhibits a bacterial DNA enzyme that is essential for bacterial replication; this damage to the bacterial chromosome causes the bacteria to die. A review of various experimental studies of ciprofloxacin is presented to demonstrate this agent's ability to kill bacteria, its usefulness against a broad spectrum of different bacteria, and the low numbers of bacteria that have developed resistance to it. Ciprofloxacin offers potential as an effective drug for the treatment of bacterial keratitis. It will probably be effective in treating severe bacterial conjunctivitis and other eye infections as well. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Bacterial keratitis, or bacterial infection of the cornea, is a potential threat to vision. The cornea is the transparent outermost tunic covering the front of the eyeball; it is a refracting surface for light entering the eye. Consequently, scarring of the cornea can cause loss of vision. Even mild infections require immediate treatment, and severe infections are ophthalmologic emergencies. Antibiotics must be given quickly and effectively inhibit bacterial growth. Bacterial keratitis can be caused by both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria; therefore, treatment requires a broad spectrum potent antibiotic. Fluoroquinolones are broad spectrum antibiotics effective against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. The fluoroquinolone ciprofloxacin is commercially available for local administration to the eye. A multicenter clinical study was undertaken of 148 patients with bacterial keratitis who were treated with topically administered 0.3 percent ciprofloxacin solution. This treatment was compared with other standard drug therapies, specifically fortified cefazolin and fortified gentamicin or tobramycin. Ciprofloxacin had a 91.9 percent success rate in curing or improving cases of bacterial keratitis. The rates of cure and/or improvement with standard treatment were 88.2 for those treated concurrently with the study group and 88.3 percent for those treated one-year before the current study. There were no serious side effects noted with ciprofloxacin, which was found to be very effective against the bacteria identified in the infected corneas. The data suggest that ciprofloxacin is safe and effective in the treatment of bacterial keratitis. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Patients with scars, edema (swelling), erosions or infiltrates of the cornea (the transparent outermost tunic of the eye) resulting from previous corneal inflammation, may complain of eye discomfort or pain with no obvious clinical cause. Some of these corneal disorders may include injury, ulcer, burn, contact lenses, keratoconus, corneal transplant, dry eyes, and keratoconjunctivitis. Indomethacin, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, inhibits the synthesis of prostaglandins, important mediators of the inflammatory process. Indomethacin is also known to reduce pain. A study was undertaken of 50 patients to determine the effect of topical administration of indomethacin on symptoms of corneal scars, edema, infiltrates and erosions. These symptoms included intolerance to light, pain, itching, burning, foreign-body sensation and tearing. Twenty-five patients were treated for eight weeks with indomethacin, the other 25 were given a placebo (an inactive substance). Twenty-one (84 percent) of the patients treated with indomethacin reported improvement in symptoms; nine patients had complete improvement, 12 had relief of some symptoms and decrease of other symptoms. In the placebo-treated group, one patient reported symptomatic improvement. When 16 of the placebo-treated group were subsequently treated with indomethacin, 12 (75 percent) had total or partial relief of symptoms. These findings suggest that topically applied indomethacin may be helpful in reducing symptoms of eye pain and discomfort in patients with corneal scars, edema or erosions. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Aminoglycosides are bacteria-killing antibiotics that prevent the formation of bacterial protein by permanently disrupting the ability of ribosomes (structures in the cell) to synthesize protein. They are effective against a wide range of microorganisms, and are often used to treat eye infections. A low concentration (0.3 percent) aminoglycoside is used for minor infections, while a fortified, or stronger, concentration (1.5 percent) is recommended for treatment of corneal infections. Patients with suppurative keratitis (inflammation of the cornea with pus formation) are usually placed on antibiotics before culture results are obtained (the culture indicates the specific type of bacteria involved), and the antibiotic is chosen based on sensitivity to the most likely bacteria. Fortified antibiotics are recommended; however, this strength of drug carries a greater risk of damage to the epithelium (surface layer) of the cornea and conjunctiva than regular-strength antibiotics. During a three-year period, approximately 730 patients were treated with fortified aminoglycosides; there were 11 episodes of conjunctival necrosis (tissue damage) due to the aminoglycosides occurring in 10 patients, an incidence of 1 to 2 percent. Six of these 10 patients had been wearing contact lenses. Often the toxicity to the conjunctiva was signaled by stinging when the eye drops were instilled; edema (fluid accumulation) of the conjunctiva near the cornea and mucus discharge were also present. Once the toxicity to the conjunctiva was recognized and aminoglycosides were either reduced or eliminated, the conjunctival lesions healed completely within 5 to 13 days. It is suggested that other, less toxic broad-spectrum alternative antibiotics, such as the quinolones, be evaluated for treating suppurative keratitis. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Listeria monocytogenes, a common organism found in the soil, rarely causes disease in humans. However, infections with L. monocytogenes have recently been described in immunosuppressed patients, the elderly, and newborn infants. The authors describe a case of L. monocytogenes infection of the cornea, the transparent covering of the eyeball, which occurred in a 39-year-old farmer. An animal model was developed in order to better understand the disease and determine the best antibiotic treatment; the organism was transferred from the patient to 18 rabbits. Treatment of the patient with topical antibiotics applied directly to the eye was not successful. The patient was then treated with systemic and topical penicillin and gentamicin, with improvement. The study confirmed the clinical impression that a combination of penicillin and gentamicin was the most effective treatment. The data from both the patient and the rabbits indicated that Listeria monocytogenes can cause serious disease of the cornea; aggressive treatment is required to prevent loss of vision. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Cogan's syndrome is a rare disease characterized by the following abnormalities: interstitial keratitis, or inflammation of the cornea, which is the covering on the front portion of the eyeball; tinnitus, a ringing or tinkling sound in the ear; vertigo or dizziness; and often deafness. Eye disease in Cogan's syndrome may also involve inflammation of other portions of the eye, such as the iris or conjunctiva, and can progress to a more severe vision-threatening stage. Cogan's syndrome may also be associated with vasculitis, or inflammation of the blood vessels, which occurs in about 10 percent of patients. Out of 43 patients with Cogan's syndrome examined between 1977 and 1989, four cases are described. These cases include one patient with vision-threatening inflammatory eye disease, two patients with large-vessel vasculitis, and one patient with both disorders. The patients were successfully treated with a combination of immunosuppressive agents, which are drugs that suppress the immune or natural defense system, and corticosteroids. Immunosuppressive therapy included combinations of prednisone and cyclophosphamide or prednisone and cyclosporin A. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Collectively, the herpes viruses and adenoviruses are the etiologic agents for legions of viral infections annually. We have excellent antiherpes virus therapy, yet no specific medicine to kill the adenoviruses, [...]