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Subtenon Anecortave Acetate Lowers Intraocular Pressure in Patients With Open-Angle Glaucoma: Presented at ARVO

By Earl R. Nichols

FT. LAUDERDALE, F.L. -- May 1, 2006 -- A single subtenon injection of anecortave acetate (Retaane, Alcon Laboratories Inc) could dramatically lower intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with open-angle glaucoma, and eliminate their dependence on daily therapy, according to a study presented here at the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) annual meeting.

Principal author Alan Robin, professor of ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins University Medical School, Baltimore, Maryland, said that the mechanism of action for anecortave in lowering IOP is not known, nor is the optimal duration of treatment or dose.

However, he said, the results of this study were "really impressive and kind of shocking."

The study involved 3 men and 3 women with open-angle or exfoliative glaucoma who received a single 0.8-cc juxtascleral injection of 3% anecortave. Their IOP was recorded at 1 hour after the injection, then once a week for the next month, and then monthly for the next 6 months.

Mean IOP at baseline was 31.3 mm Hg (range 23-56 mm Hg), which decreased to 19 mm Hg at 3 months. Citing individual examples, he said, 1 patient's IOP dropped from 25 mm Hg at baseline, to 12 mm Hg at 3 months, while for another patient it declined from 24 mm Hg to 15 mm Hg. The treatment showed no effect in 1 patient, he said.

Although the study results covered only 3 months of follow-up, Dr. Robin said these patients have now been followed to 6 months (8 months in 1 case) and the IOP-lowering benefit appeared to be sustained.

Dr. Robin said there are many unanswered questions about this procedure, but the initial results are "very exciting."

He noted that numerous studies have shown that patient compliance with administering daily IOP-lowering drugs is a serious problem. In addition, the problem with poor compliance increases as the patient is required to take more daily drugs.

This procedure, which needs to be tested in further studies, could have a significant impact on the patient's need for daily treatments, he said.


[Presentation title: Anecortave Acetate Lowers IOP in Patients With Glaucoma. Abstract 1541]

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