Ophthalmic community perception of new medication needs.

Aim: To survey ophthalmologists (who have participated previously in clinical research) and ophthalmic industry professionals (who have been involved in ocular research and development) to indicate perceived needs for new pharmaceuticals in various ophthalmic subspecialties.

Methods: A prospective, industry-based survey was sent to ophthalmologists and ophthalmic industry professionals about the perceived needs for new pharmaceutical products.

Results: This survey was sent to 559 ophthalmic pharma professionals and ophthalmologists.

What data sources do ophthalmologists trust?

To survey ophthalmologists regarding sources they trust when incorporating new medical knowledge into their practice. The survey was distributed primarily to US-based ophthalmologists. Questions were derived based on the lead author's research experience from congresses and discussions and from mentions in the medical literature.

Ophthalmic Start-Up Chief Executive Officers' Perceptions of Development Hurdles.

Purpose: To identify current challenges facing ophthalmic pharmaceutical start-ups in developing new products.

Methods: Surveys were distributed to the chief executive officer (CEO) or president of ophthalmic start-ups.

Results: The survey attracted 24 responses from 78 surveys distributed (31%).

The Source and Impact of Specific Parameters that Enhance Well-Being in Daily Life.

The purpose of this study was to review four parameters (forgiveness, gratitude, hope and empathy) frequently noted when evaluating well-being. We reviewed clinical studies from 1966 to present. We included 63 articles.

Description of Ophthalmic Pharmaceutical and Device Start-Up Companies.

Aims: To describe the number, type and location of ophthalmic companies and their associated product areas and indications.

Methods: A retrospective, non-patient-based, observational review of ophthalmic pharmaceutical and device companies with a new product in development. Data was compiled by Internet searches.

Techniques to Reduce the Placebo Effect in Glaucoma Clinical Trials.

Aim: To evaluate techniques used to reduce the placebo effect in prior well-controlled, single or double-masked placebo-controlled glaucoma trials.

Methods: This study was a retrospective, non-patient-based, observational review of phase I-III trials with a placebo arm for glaucoma medicines available after 1977.

Results: This study included 20 articles with 20 placebo control arms consisting of 458 patients evaluating 10 different glaucoma medications with 58 treatment arms.

The placebo effect in early-phase glaucoma clinical trials.

Purpose: To analyze the extent and prevalence of the placebo effect in prior early-phase glaucoma clinical studies.

Methods: Articles were evaluated on phase I and II trials of glaucoma medicines that became commercially available after 1977 with a placebo arm that involved glaucoma patients.

Results: We included 23 studies with 23 treatment arms with a total of 1703 patients in articles evaluating 10 different glaucoma medications.

Glaucoma clinical trial design: A review of the literature.

The purpose of this article is to review the prior research evaluating design techniques for glaucoma clinical trials to help ophthalmologists and pharmaceutical sponsors better develop literature-based studies that are cost- and time-efficient. We performed this study using known published articles by the authors and literature found on Pub Med. We included 24 articles that analyzed specifically the results of clinical trial methods and/or interpretation.

Review of the impact of presbyopia on quality of life in the developing and developed world.

Purpose: To examine the public health impact of presbyopia regarding its effect on quality of life (QoL) and society in both the developed and developing worlds.

Methods: A database was created from articles found on PubMed, the Cochrane Library and Science Direct using the following search terms: presbyopia, QoL, accommodation, impact, cost, prevention, treatment and public health. Articles were accepted into the database if they addressed presbyopia and public health.

Association of strength of community service to personal wellbeing.

To assess the impact of community service on personal wellbeing in a mid-west church-based population. A prospective survey evaluating: self-reported community service, the perceived benefit of the service and its association to personal wellbeing. 309 participants were included of whom 92 % were employed full or part time, homemakers or students.

Association of strength of religious adherence to quality of life measures.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate, in a mid-west, religiously conservative church-population, the impact upon a subject's Biblically based depth of religious adherence on quality of life.

Methods: A survey evaluating self-reported adherence to basic activities and knowledge of faith and perceived well-being. Subjects were divided into 'adherent' or 'less-adherent' and these groups were used to analyze differences.

Lower limits of intraocular pressure in glaucoma clinical trials.

Purpose: To determine the association of the lower limit of intraocular pressure (IOP) specified in the inclusion criteria to baseline and active treatment visit IOPs for monotherapy treatments.

Methods: A review of clinical trial articles evaluating currently used topical glaucoma medicines. Articles were published between January 1995 and December 2011.

Long-term cost and efficacy analysis of latanoprost versus timolol in glaucoma patients in Germany.

Aim: To evaluate 5-year effectiveness and cost between latanoprost or timolol monotherapy in a pilot trial.

Methods: A retrospective, multi-center trial performed at 6 sites in Germany of patients who had a diagnosis of primary open-angle or pigmentary glaucoma, in at least one eye, initiated on monotherapy with latanoprost or timolol maleate. Qualified consecutive charts were reviewed in which 5-year efficacy, safety and cost data was abstracted.

Review of clinical medicine and religious practice.

The purpose was to evaluate faith-based studies within the medical literature to determine whether there are ways to help physicians understand how religion affects patients’ lives and diseases. We reviewed articles that assessed the influence of religious practices on medicine as a primary or secondary variable in clinical practice. This review evaluated 49 articles and found that religious faith is important to many patients, particularly those with serious disease, and patients depend on it as a positive coping mechanism.

A Comfort Survey of Timolol Hemihydrate 0.5% Solution Once or Twice Daily vs Timolol Maleate in Sorbate.

Objective: To evaluate by survey the comfort upon instillation of timolol hemihydrate compared to timolol maleate with potassium sorbate.

Design: A prospective, multicenter, observational, non-interventional study.

Participants: One hundred and three patients of open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension who were ≥21 years old and were currently prescribed timolol hemihydrate (once or twice daily) or timolol maleate with potassium sorbate once daily as monotherapy or as a part of two-drug therapy.

Average versus highest intraocular pressure analyses in glaucoma clinical trials.

Purpose: To evaluate methods which account for both eyes as a single, independent variable in glaucoma clinical trials.

Methods: A review of clinical trial articles published between January 1995 and April 2011 evaluating currently used topical glaucoma medications.

Results: This analysis included 17 articles with 36 treatment arms of which 14 were prostaglandins, 13 β-blockers, 6 topical carbonic anhydrase inhibitors and 3 α-agonists.

Intraocular pressure efficacy of glaucoma medications versus placebo in phase II compared to later phase trials.

This review aimed to compare the predictive value between the untreated reduction in intraocular pressure (IOP) from baseline or placebo measured in early phase clinical trials to phase III and IV results for glaucoma medicines. Published, placebo-controlled, randomised, parallel, single-masked or double-masked clinical trials with at least one phase II, III and IV study available were reviewed. This study included 50 articles evaluating 9 medicines from 59 active arms and 18 placebo arms.

Review of the influence of pigment dispersion and exfoliation glaucoma diagnosis on intraocular pressure in clinical trials evaluating primary open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension.

Purpose: To evaluate published, randomized, prospective, parallel clinical trials utilizing currently approved glaucoma medications to determine what influence, if any, pigment dispersion (PD) or exfoliation glaucoma (XFG) patients had on the intraocular pressure.

Methods: A review of clinical trial articles evaluating currently used topical glaucoma medicines. Articles were published between January 1995 and April 2011.

Risk factors associated with progression in exfoliative glaucoma patients.

Purpose: To evaluate exfoliative glaucoma (XFG) patients over 5 years, determining risk factors associated with progression or non-progression of glaucoma.

Methods: A retrospective, observational study. Patients were chosen from consecutive charts and data collected from each available visit included in the follow-up period.

Intraocular pressure reduction in normal-tension glaucoma patients in South Korea.

To evaluate the potential benefit of intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction in normal-tension glaucoma (NTG) patients in South Korea. A retrospective, multi-center analysis of Korean NTG patients with 5-years follow-up, typical glaucomatous optic disc and/or visual field changes and no recorded IOP >21 mmHg. Progression was identified by Advanced Glaucoma Intervention Study visual field scoring.