The prevalence of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients is about 10 times lower than in the general population, says a study recently published in Neurobiology of Aging. Results showed that out of 993 RA patients who were on long-term NSAIDs and had been followed for an average of 18.9 years, only three patients developed AMD.

The FDA issued an approval letter to Alcon for Retaane (anecortave acetate 15mg) suspension, an angiostatic cortisene that inhibits the abnormal growth of blood vessels to maintain vision in patients who have wet AMD. Retaane is administered with a blunt-tipped, curved cannula to deliver the drug behind the eye without puncturing the eyeball. Alcon says it will meet with the FDA to determine the steps needed to gain final approval for the drug.

Green and black teas inhibit diabetic cataracts and cause significant reductions in the biochemical pathway implicated in the development of cataracts in rats, says a study published in the May 4 issue of the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. After corrections for glucose, researchers discovered that both teas slowed the development of diabetic cataracts via a hypoglycemic effect that, in turn, restricted the biochemical indicators of the cataract pathology.