Vitreoretinal disease in the coming decade. Curr Opin Ophthalmol. 2010;21:197-202. [PMID: 20224401 DOI: 10.1097/icu.0b013e32833866db]

Nanoparticle based inner ear therapy

Synthetic nanoparticles can be used to carry drugs, genes, small interfering RNA (siRNA) and growth factors into the inner ear, to repair, restore and induce cellular regeneration. Nanoparticles (NPs) have been developed which are targetable to selected tissue, traceable in vivo, and equipped with controlled drug/gene release. The NPs are coated with a ‘stealth’ layer, and decorated with targeting ligands, markers, transfection agents and endosomal escape peptides. As payloads, genes such as the BDNF-gene, Math1-gene and Prestin-gene have been constructed and delivered in vitro. Short-hairpin RNA has been used in vitro to silence the negative regulator of Math1, the inhibitors of differentiation and DNA binding. In order to facilitate the passage of cargo from the middle ear to the inner ear, the oval window transports gadolinium chelate more efficiently than the round window and is the key element in introducing therapeutic agents into the vestibule and cochlea. Depending upon the type of NPs, different migration and cellular internalization pathways are employed, and optimal carriers should be designed depending on the cargo. The use of NPs as drug/gene/siRNA carriers is fascinating and can also be used as an intraoperative adjunct to cochlear implantation to attract the peripheral processes of the cochlear nerve.

The importance of keeping a broad differential in retina clinic: the spectrum of ophthalmic disease seen by retina specialists in a tertiary outpatient clinic setting

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

To describe the new patient population referred to retina specialists at tertiary ophthalmic academic centers in the United States.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

Retrospective chart review of all new patients seen by retina specialists at Stanford University from 2008 to 2011.

RESULTS

Retina specialists saw 7,197 new patients during the study period, with a mean age of 52.2 ± 25.6 years (range: 0 to 108 years). Younger patients (0 to 10 years) were more likely male (P < .001) while older patients were more likely female (P < .01 for 61 to 70, 81+ years). The most common diagnoses were diabetic eye disease (17.0%), retinopathy of prematurity (9.9%) and age-related macular degeneration (9.5%).

CONCLUSION

Retina specialists treat patients of all ages, and the most common diagnoses vary with age and gender. Patients present to retinal clinic with a vast spectrum of disease from various ophthalmic and systemic etiologies; therefore, it is important to maintain a broad differential diagnosis.

Trans-scleral delivery of macromolecules

Non-invasive drug delivery to the posterior segment of the eye represents an important unmet medical need, and trans-scleral delivery could be an interesting solution. This review analyses the possibility of trans-scleral drug delivery for high molecular weight compounds, such as proteins and genetic material, which currently represent the most innovative and efficacious molecules for the treatment of many diseases of the posterior segment of the eye. The paper reviews all the barriers, both static and dynamic, involved in trans-scleral administration of drugs, trying to elucidate the role of each of them in the specific case of macromolecules. Delivery systems to sustain drug release and enhancing strategies to improve trans-scleral penetration are also described. Finally, the review approaches the use of computational models as a screening tool to evaluate the feasibility of trans-scleral administration for macromolecules.