New Drug Reverses Vision Loss
September 11, 2009 - For many years, patients suffering with Retinal Vein Occlusion (RVO), a common but serious inflammation of the retina, faced almost certain vision loss and eventual blindness. But a new treatment, the first and only to be approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), offers hope for these patients.
The new medication, commercially known as Ozurdex, is contained in a thin implant, similar in size to a pencil lead, which is injected through a small needle into the area behind the lens known as the vitreous. The implant slowly dissolves, releasing a continuous and predictable dose of cortosteroid dexamethazone, a medication which reduces inflammation and helps reverse the vision loss caused by Retinal Vein Occlusion.
Amish Purohit, MD, a Retinal Surgeon with Springfield Clinic’s Department of Ophthalmology, has been involved with the development of the drug since the Phase I clinical trials began more than five years ago. Dr. Purohit recently served as one of 15 investigators from across the country to review the final clinical data and make recommendations to the FDA. He is now one of the first in the country to offer the therapy.
“I’ve treated hundreds of patients with this drug as part of clinical trials and am so excited that I can now offer it to my patients as an FDA approved therapy,” said Dr. Purohit.
RVO is common among the elderly and is frequently the result of natural aging or other contributing factors like high blood pressure and glaucoma. Symptoms often include dramatic blurring or loss of vision. Until now, only experimental therapies have been available, many of which have been costly, time-consuming or unpredictable in terms of their effectiveness.
“Ozurdex represents a major advancement in the treatment of RVO,” noted Dr. Purohit. “We can deliver a single dose of medication that can last up to nine months. This less invasive approach translates to improved patient comfort and fewer risks of bleeding and infection.”
Dr. Purohit added, “I treated my first patient earlier today and could not be happier with the results. The injection did not cause any pain or discomfort and the patient indicated it was much easier than she thought it would be.”
For more information about vision loss or its treatment, contact Amish Purohit, MD at Springfield Clinic’s Department of Ophthalmology by calling 217.528.7541.
Dr. Amish Purohit
Dr. Purohit specializes in diseases and surgery of the retina and vitreous, macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy. He is board certified in Ophthalmology.
Dr. Purohit joined Springfield Clinic in 2007, following the completion of a fellowship in Vitreo Retinal Disease & Surgery at the prestigious UCLA Jules Stein Institute in Los Angeles, California. Dr. Purohit earned his medical degree from Emory University of Medicine in Atlanta, Georgia, followed by an internship at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas. His training in Ophthalmology was conducted at University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore and prior to his fellowship at UCLA, Dr. Purohit completed a fellowship in Cornea Research at Emory University Department of Ophthalmology.
Dr. Purohit is actively involved in clinical research and continues to seek out innovative new therapies to repair and restore vision.